Chapter 1
1848 Words
His brown and long hair was pulled back to reveal a chiseled and handsome face.
Lively brown eyes, set wickedly within their sockets, watched energetically over the
two-story home they’ve come to admire for a few months.
Dark stubbles gorgeously complimented his cheekbone and Maddison couldn’t
help staring at the handsome face of her boyfriend, Lucas Atkinson. When she first saw
Lucas, something was intriguing about him. Perhaps it was hatred or simply his
perseverance, nevertheless, she was drawn into the man, and soon fell in love with him.
Lucas was an assistant supervisor of the department store that her parents owned
in Akrogate. He accidentally bumped into her when she visited the store with her
parents, and the rest was history.
“So, your parents approved that you’ll move in with me?” Lucas asked.
Maddison swallowed the lumps on her throat as she lied about her parent’s
approval because they refused to accept Lucas as her husband. They claimed that Lucas
was only after her money and his love was only superficial! She had enough of their
manipulative way of parenting and she wanted to spread her wings beside Lucas. “Are
you happy?” She inquired after she handed the envelope that contained the deed of sale.
“Thank you sweetheart but you didn’t have to put it under my name,” his voice
was brittle when he spoke while his hand was on her waist. Then, he grabbed her body
towards him for a tight embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“I’ll do everything I can to make you happy,” she promised and glanced the house
they just bought before hopping on the boat that would take them back to Akrogate.
She didn’t have to worry about furniture shopping because the house was fullyfurnished. “Let’s go straight to the bank to get enough cash for our daily use,” she
suggested, and Lucas didn’t object.
“I love you,” Lucas said while the boat sailed from Jao Island to the port of
Akrogate.
Maddison grinned as she leaned her body into Lucas. Before she met him, she
never thought that someone would let her experience the bliss of being in love. “I love you more, sweetheart.” She responded.
Fifteen minutes later, the boat docked on the port of Akrogate, and Lucas helped
her disembarked from the water vessel. “Careful,” he said while assisting her.
“Thank you,” Maddison’s heart almost skipped a beat when he declared his love
openly.
After she made a huge withdrawal from the bank, they went to look for a
restaurant where they could have their lunch.
From the outside, the Caribbean Fusion looked beautiful, delightful, and
pleasant. Hardwood planks and marble details made up most of the building’s outer
structure. She wanted to see if there were several customers inside the restaurant but it
was near impossible to see through the curtained windows.
As they entered the restaurant through the heavily used wooden door. Three of
the waitresses welcomed them with a smile of excitement. She approved the place
immediately because it’s lovely both outside and inside.
Maddison looked around after they were seated in a corner table and noticed that
the restaurant was packed with customers. Several long tables were occupied by a group
of young gentlemen and she immediately looked away when one of the men in the group
winked at her.
Lucas loved every dishes made with chicken so she let him have the chicken in a
sizzling stone pot, while she ordered the sizzling steak. Of course, the garlic roti caught
her attention and she asked for two orders.
While waiting for their food, Maddison asked Lucas about his family. “I wish to
meet them soon,” she said.
Lucas smiled at Maddison while he tried to come up with a perfect lie why she
couldn’t meet his parents yet. He wasn’t an orphan but he had been estranged from his
family for several years. “Soon, my dear.” He replied and a smile was formed on his lips
when she appeared to believe him. “Did you get a tattoo?” He just noticed that there
were some writings on the left side of her neck.
Maddison paled when Lucas saw it. She had no idea what was written because it
looked like an ancient Sanskrit. “Yes, a temporary one.” She lied.
“So that’s the reason why I didn’t notice it before.” He responded.
Maddison wanted to be honest with him but she didn’t know where to start. She
was terrified to disappoint him! “Yeah, probably.” She answered.
Lucas noticed her discomfort but he knew her better than anyone else. A lot can
be said about Maddison Ryan but most people knew that she’s romantic and kind. She’s
also generous especially to him. Before he could tell her what he needed, Maddison
already knew it. She’s sensitive to his needs which made it easier to seduce and coerce
her into living with him.
When he mentioned about getting a house on an island, Maddison immediately
searched for a perfect property, and the most exciting part was the ownership of the
house after she bought it. Legally speaking, the house would be his property. They’re
not yet married but of course, marrying her would give him more. Soon, he would be an
important figure at the department store where he worked.
“I’m glad that your parents didn’t object to our relationship,” he stated.
The food on her mouth suddenly tasted like rubber when he mentioned her
parents. They didn’t approve, and they gave her an ultimatum to return home or lose
everything! She risked the chance of being with the man she loved, and Lucas always
assured her that money wouldn’t be an issue to their living situation.
She smiled at Lucas and said, “Yes, and they’re excited to see you once they’re
back from cruising at Europe.”
“I’m excited to meet them too,” Lucas announced but he’s more excited at the
prospect of being part of her wealthy family.
“So they are. My parents are excited as well as my brother,” she responded.
Lucas knitted his brows after hearing about the brother. “You got a brother?” He
asked.
“Yes,” she replied curtly.
“I thought you’re the only child!” He exclaimed but he was able to mask the
disappointment he felt. “I didn’t hear anything about your brother,” he added.
“Oh yeah, he’s a private person, and didn’t want to help in the business,”
Maddison responded to his question. “I’m sorry if I didn’t mention him before,” she apologized.
Lucas forced a smile to let her know that it’s not a big deal. “Where’s your
brother now?” He inquired.
“The truth is, I don’t know. He left home about five years ago and we have no
updates about his whereabouts. My parents are worried about his safety,” she said.
“I’m sure that he’s fine somewhere else,” Lucas tried to uplift her spirit. “Anyway,
I love you so much, sweetheart.”
“I love you more, sweetie.” She replied.
Lucas patiently waited until she finished the food on her plate. If there’s one
thing he hated about her, it’s the way she ate. She’s so slow as if she needed to chew the
food more than fifty times before swallowing it. “I can’t wait to spend our first night
together,” he said.
Maddison coughed the last bite of the steak when Lucas casually mentioned
about bedtime when they’re eating lunch! It’s a taboo and something related to it
shouldn’t be discussed at the dining table. “I’m still eating, sweetie.” She reminded him,
in a way that he wouldn’t be offended. His poor background could be the reason why he
didn’t know any better about basic etiquette when eating.
“Sorry,” he said and made a peace sign using two of his fingers, but deep inside,
he’s mad that she had to make him feel inadequate and lacking sometimes. Before his
temper would be out of control, he reminded himself that he needed Maddison for a
more noble purpose.
“I’m done,” she announced, and immediately asked one of the waiters for their
chit.
Sometimes, she could be willful and stubborn, and he didn’t like it! He wanted to
control everything about her but Maddison made it difficult sometimes. Lucas narrowed
his eyes at Maddison as he tried to come up with another strategy to break her spirit.
Three hours later, they’re back at Jao Island, and the couple couldn’t contain
their smile as they walked beside each other on their way home.
From the outside, the house looked warmed and cozy. The decorative bricks in
tan complimented the wall made of red bricks. Huge and rectangular windows would surely allow enough light to enter the house and their symmetric designs added to their
beauty.
It was equipped with a huge kitchen and two bathrooms. The living room was
also huge and could accommodate several guests whenever there’s any. A cozy
basement with a wine cellar and a media room could only be accessed near the snug
dining room.
However, her most favorite part of the property was the modest garden with few
flower patches and a small pond. Plus, there’s a patio that could be perfect for having a
morning coffee. She planned to improve the state of the garden to make it the most
gorgeous garden in the neighborhood.
“I’m hungry,” Lucas announced.
Maddison wondered he said he’s hungry when they just had some lunch at The
Caribbean. “Then let’s go and find something to eat,” she replied.
“There’s no restaurant here, sweetheart.” He told her and Lucas silently grinned
over Maddison’s expression. “I think we have to cook,” he said.
“I don’t cook and clean,” she told him.
Lucas pouted his lips as he tried to convince her. “We can do it together,” he said,
and immediately grabbed her hand towards the kitchen.
Because she loved him so much, she tried cooking for the first time. Maddison
suggested that they should hire a housekeeper to help her but Lucas was against the
idea of having another person in the house.
A few months later, she learned almost everything that a wife should learn. They
talked about marriage, but Lucas wanted to have it when her parents could attend, and
Maddison felt the urge to tell him the truth that it wouldn’t happen soon.
“Can we talk?” Lucas announced.
Maddison stopped washing the dishes and wiped her wet hands with a towel
before she followed him into the living room. Lucas was seated in one of the white
ottomans placed in front of their modern and sectional sofa. “What is it?” She asked
innocently.
“I found this on your things,” he said and threw the envelope to her.
Maddison’s hands trembled in fear that Lucas found out about her secret. “I can
explain,” she said while trying to reach him, but Lucas shoved her hands away. She was
hurt by his indifference and wondered why it mattered to him in the first place. She
knitted her brows but she couldn’t announce her suspicions. No, she refused to believe
that her parents were right after all.
“You lied!” He yelled and raised his hand to backhand her.
Maddison squealed in surprise when she felt several bolts of electric energy
coming from her body, and Lucas collapsed on the floor. “Sweetie!” She shouted and
immediately kneeled beside his body to check if he’s alive!
- Writer
