CHAPTER 002
867 Words
Madison’s expression was unreadable. "Really?"
Your boyfriend maintains absolute loyalty and behaves properly at all times.
Brielle spoke with a strange pause in her voice. "Maddie, are you in Argentina?"
"I rescheduled my shift today. I spend all my time at home without going out because I am exhausted and feeling unwell.
She gripped the phone with increased force. Brielle made sure to monitor her location. She awoke in the redecorated hotel room to discover something was wrong. She was trying to extract details from her.
"Then take it easy. I have plenty of free time, so I will monitor Brandon throughout the day. Don’t worry."
Madison forced a small laugh. "Thanks, Bri. I appreciate it."
Brielle maintained her flight monitoring excuse as a way to stay near Brandon for multiple years. Madison never considered monitoring her best friend instead of the other women who admired him.
Madison rushed to board the earliest available flight that took her back to New York City.
She rushed through the baggage claim area while her mind remained preoccupied. Then—
She bumped into someone.
She started to apologize but stopped when she saw his expression. "You?!"
The man simply blinked, unreadable.
She noticed the difference immediately. The previous night, he displayed an intense, mysterious personality. His current ensemble of a baseball cap and a stylish coat gave him a youthful and relaxed appearance. He moved back a step before studying her with interest. "You seem... familiar. Have we met before?"
Madison raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? We met last night."
He stared at her, unblinking.
She crossed her arms. The absence of a recollection about our previous meeting bewilders you.
Silence.
Then, she smirked. The words left her lips to ask if she should fix the mistakes of their previous encounter.
His reaction was instant. You were present at the Grand Manhattan Hotel last night?
"Obviously."
His eyes widened. After an unexpected grin, he suddenly said, "Excuse me." He made a quick exit by walking away from her.
Madison watched him vanish into the crowd with a frown on her face. "Weird."
Ethan found a secluded spot in the airport before he took out his phone. He opened his contact list before making a phone call.
Have you been in New York City for the last night?
"Yeah. Why?"
Ethan lowered his voice. "Did you... sleep with someone?"
"What?"
"Don’t play dumb. I encountered my future sister-in-law by chance. She believed I was you when she saw me. She believes I will demand compensation for whatever occurred between you both.
The person on the other end remained silent for a prolonged moment.
Ethan smirked. Your brother believes you have developed romantic feelings for her.
Another silence. Then, a scoff pierces the air. "Goodbye, Ethan."
Click.
Ethan chuckled. "This is going to be fun."
Madison tapped her foot impatiently. No cabs. Of course. It was simply a matter of chance.
Then, suddenly—
A new business opportunity exists for you if you are interested.
She turned around to discover the exact person who had greeted her at the airport—Ethan. Again.
Her eyes narrowed. "What are you selling?"
He grinned. Pro League requires a fresh spokesperson to represent their organization. You’d be perfect."
A doubtful expression crossed Madison's face.
Brielle spent several days discussing her successful interview with VEIL, the champion team of the Pro League. Brielle requested that Madison contact their leader about the interview.
Before VEIL achieved fame, Madison conducted an interview with them. The team existed as an ambitious organization that sought to establish their reputation during that time. She had not communicated with them for a long period.
She hesitated. The long period of silence made the contact feel strange to me.
Brandon's voice returned to her thoughts with the words, "Brielle does so much for you." You need to assist her whenever possible.
Madison clenched her jaw. Brielle would definitely get assistance from her. She wanted assistance in a different manner than he anticipated.
Ethan watched her. "So? Interested?"
The poetry creation role fits me in every way possible, but how exactly did you pick me for the job?
"Just a feeling."
Madison wasn’t buying it. The situation felt too convenient to be genuine.
She tilted her head. "Wait a minute. Who are you, exactly?"
He grinned. "Ethan Maddox."
Maddox. The name resonated deeply with me.
Madison took her phone from her pocket to type rapidly. And then—
Her stomach flipped.
Ethan Maddox represented more than an ordinary person. He was a rising celebrity. More importantly, he was the younger brother of Tyler Maddox, the investor who founded Pro League.
Madison sucked in a breath.
Ethan smirked. "Surprised?"
She crossed her arms. "A little."
The spokesperson position for Pro League would transform her professional standing compared to Brielle's current situation. The role expanded beyond player interviews because it now required her to represent a larger entity.
This situation marked the first time Madison would not pursue breaking news stories. She would now become the central figure in media coverage.
She glanced at Ethan. "Fine. Let’s talk."
His smirk widened. "Now we’re getting somewhere."
The coming events started to indicate new prospects, which kept marching onward.
- Writer
