Madison

“Thank God I made it back home.”

The day barely began, and I was already arrested, booked and sentenced. Sentenced to be that arrogant judge’s slave. Alyssa is so delicate, such a sweet person and her brother, a thug. Go figure...

I take off my clothes and head to the shower. I’m all sore and there’s some bruises on my arms. Shit! I get my head under the water and I start to go over everything that happened that morning.

I left the Secret Garden at dawn, then I decided to walk home, is a bit far away, but walking is good to clear my head. After a while, I realized someone was behind me and, when I turned around, that ogre jumped in front of me.

“Look who I have here, the Love Counselor...” His mockery tone did not go unnoticed.

“You must be confusing me with someone else.”

“No.” I step aside to go on my way, and he grabs my arm. “It’s definitely you, Bitch! You’re the one who convinced my Anne that I’m not good enough for her.”

I stare at him, trying to remember this Anne. Oh, right, the abusive man who treated her like nothing. He had her convinced that she was nothing without him. He always had her at his side with his psychological torture. Anne is a charming woman and she had forgotten just how strong she was, letting this Caveman manipulate her until she felt like she was nothing. I keep staring at him.

“And you really don’t deserve her. You mistreated her...”

“I always treated her like a Princess. No Bitch is gonna get in the way of that,” he screams, squeezing my arm even harder.

At that point, I decided to put into practice my self-defense and Muay Thai classes. Who would’ve thought that I’d ever use that? And it felt good! He was big, but still one man. Nothing that some fingers in the throat and a knee to the groin wouldn’t fix. As soon as I knock Shrek out, the Cops got there and approached me.

“What’s going on here?”

I could tell them it was nothing but, with my foot on the man’s neck, they wouldn’t believe me.

“He was stalking me, and he attacked me.”

“It doesn’t look that way. Are you a night worker?” one of the Officers laughs.

“No. He was attacking me because of his girlfriend, you idiot!”

“The world is lost. Women fighting men for other women,” the blond Cop says, and I roll my eyes.

“Tsc-tsc-tsc,” says the other Officer, dumber than the first, “You stole his girlfriend? Lesbians these days have no shame.”

“Why should we be ashamed? Are you afraid that I’ll steal your girlfriend too? Oh, right. You don’t have one, because you’re an idiot!” He gets his handcuffs out and my voice gets louder and higher, “No, no, you’re not going to handcuff me because this jerk attacked me.”

“Put your hands up, slowly. You better calm down, lady,” the cross-eyed Cop says.

Right then, a black car pulls up and the last person I needed gets out. Noah Lancaster, arrogance in person. Now I’ll get arrested for sure, he won’t let this go. Congratulations, Madison.

He asks the blond Cop, “What’s going on here, Officer?”

“Good morning, your Honor. This woman was assaulting that man,” one of the morons replies.

“Why did you hit him?” the judge asks.

“Because...” as I start to answer, I realize that he is studying my body and his gaze is fixated on my boobs. Men! “Can you look into my eyes, your Majesty?”

“Petulant woman. And the correct way of treatment is Your Honor.”

“Can I, at least, put my arms down, mister Honor? They’re getting sore,” he’s so irritating.

I couldn’t take this situation much longer. I was the victim and the fact that I used force was merely self-defense. While he talks to the Officers, I study him. He is very tall, light green eyes and his iris is outlined with a yellow tone. And he’s very strong, I could see his muscles outlined underneath his shirt, back at his house when I took Alyssa home. And wearing this suit, he’s even hotter and delicious.

I come back to reality when he says, “Now, answer my question.”

“Okay, Okay,” there I go again, telling them my side of the story, “He was following me and decided to attack me this morning.” I try to argue that I don’t go around beating people up, but I end up getting agitated again and the inevitable happens, I get arrested.

“Arrest this woman, book her and bring her to my Court this afternoon so I can rule on her sentence and set her bail.”

“Really? I’ll get booked and get a record for punching a stalker?” My life is over!

After all that conversation, His Arrogant Honor Lancaster drives away, leaving me with these two Cops and an unconscious ogre. I was just about done with all that, when I hear one of the guards trying to establish contact with the unconscious creature.

“Sir... Sir, can you hear me?”

“What happened?” I turn to see the man open his eyes and sit on the ground. He focuses on me, makes a face and says, “You Bitch.”

“Sir, do you want to press charges against this woman?” the cross-eyed Cop asks him. I must be losing my hearing, it’s the only explanation.

“He attacks me and he’s the one to press charges against me?” I say before I can control my mouth.

I hear a hiccup, followed by some crying and I look beside me. The big man is crying like a little girl. This is all I needed, a man of that size, that a few minutes ago wanted to punch me in the face, crying on the ground. This keeps getting better and better.

“This awful woman ruined my life, she took away my girlfriend and now I don’t know what to do.”

“Will you press charges against her?” the Cop asks one more time. The Shrek man shakes his head and the crossed-eyed man turns to me. “You’re coming with us, young lady.”

They stick me in the car and drive towards the Police Station. On the way, I keep wondering. How did I get here? Arrested for hitting a man on the street. And why the hell did that stupid man had to be passing by exactly at that moment? Every prisoner has the right to a phone call, my only option is Rebecka, to tell her that I won’t be able to make it, for reasons out of my control. Because I’ll be incarcerated!

They gently get me out of the car, which is a miracle, because that’s not it happens on TV, it usually features a slap in the head by the authority figure. I go into the station and everybody’s looking at me with indifference, after all, they must be thinking I’m just another prostitute. They pull up my file and see that I’m clean.

I’m sitting there, watching every movement in and out of that place, some hotheads, some prostitutes chewing gum with their mouth open and wearing makeup like a circus clown. Others are desperate, claiming their innocent, even though they’re covered with blood from head to toe. Good Lord, where did I get myself into? After a couple of hours, they take me back to the car and we head towards the city courthouse. And I’m reciting all the prayers I can think of, because if there’s one thing I know, is that the hot jerk is gonna screw me over.

They escort me to a room with a double door that had written, in bold letters, The Honorable Noah Lancaster. If they added the word ‘Arrogant’, it would be perfect. The secretary goes into the room and then comes back, telling us to go in.

“Judge Lancaster will see you now.”

The guards are kind enough to let me go first. As soon as I get in and see the Honorable Hot Judge, my mouth dries up. His hotness is undeniable and, in that suit, in his Chambers, with his superiority blooming, he gets powerful.

“Take a seat, Miss...” he points me to a chair and takes a piece of paper from the Officer’s hands, “So, Madison Aria Harver, you can’t just go around beating people up.”

“No!” Won’t they ever get it right? “He was stalking me...”

“Let’s cut to the chase, Madison. These fine Officers, and I, think you’re somewhat aggressive and that you need to improve this behavior of yours. Therefore, I’ll assign you, as an alternative sentence, to serve the New York Judiciary System, by working in this district as an assistant, from ten to five, for forty days, under my command and under the supervision of Harriet, Chief of Cabinet.”

“No. Thank you, Your Majesty,” I say, getting up.

“You have two options,” he assumes a frighteningly sexy expression, “It’s either that or the jail cell. Your choice.”

“When do I start?” I don’t really need to think about it, do I?

Judge Lancaster opens up a devilish grin. A chill goes through my body. Something deep inside tells me this won’t work. Help me, Good Lord!

“Tomorrow morning! Enjoy your last day of freedom and, try not to beat up anyone else, please. Have a nice day.”

I even think about trying to argue with him but, looking at him, I know I have no chance. I resign myself to a nod, and he dismisses us. When get out, I see Alyssa.

“Hi, Madison. I wanted...” her words vanish when she sees the cops behind me, “What’s going on here?”

Her brother gets out of his throne and kisses her forehead, a very kind gesture by the way, and says that I’d explain what happened. At least the executioner is giving me the chance to tell my side of things. We sit in the chars at the waiting room.

“They caught me hitting someone.”

“No…” Alyssa begins to laugh, “I didn’t know you were like Elektra.”

“I’m not. But the guy was chasing me, saying that I ruined his relationship. He wanted payback,” I shake my head.

“Oh, I see,” she smiles in understanding, “Too bad they brought you to Noah. He hates any kind of violence and has a strict policy about that kind of thing. I just wanted to thank you, even though I was a hand-full, you were still by my side. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I take her hand, “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“I hope we can be friends,” Alyssa smiles, resembling her brother even more, they do look very much alike.

“We already are,” I hug her, “And I’ll tell you this, that sister-in-law of yours is an evil Bitch.”

“You see why I had to get me something to drink the other day?” she laughs loudly, getting everyone’s attention.

“Of course, I do. Be careful with her, Alyssa. Don’t let that woman torture you.”

We said our goodbyes and I left that place, which had just become my day job for the next 40 days. I get a cab home, my safe haven, thinking it could be a very good experience for me, working at that place. I’ll have the opportunity to help people, to give my contribution to the world.

Once the hot water goes through my body, I feel my muscles start to relax. I try to block out every thought and feeling and I do my best to wash my soul. I dry off and head into the bedroom, where I lie in bed and try to get some sleep. My quiet days are over, working under that man will require all the patience and self-control I can summon.

I remember his smile and the way he put the tip of the glasses in his mouth. For a moment, I imagine his mouth on me. Nope, let’s not do this Madison. Not only we don’t get along, he’s already in a relationship. A very bad relationship, by the way, and his choice in partner talks a lot about the kind of person he is. With my thoughts wondering about Judge Lancaster’s mouth, I fall asleep.

I wake up, startled by the landline ringing. I reach for the damn thing in my nightstand. Who could it be at this hour?

“Hello?”

Rebecka’s acute voice comes out of speaker, making me push the phone away from my ear.

 “Thank God, you picked up. Why do you even carry a cellphone? We were getting worried, Madison.”

“I don’t even know where’s my cellphone is...” I get out of bed with the phone glued to ear, to hunt down my cellphone. I look around the room, nothing. Kitchen, nothing! I go back to my room, “Why? Did something happen?”

“That’s what I want to know. Did something happen, Madison? It’s past 10 p.m. and you didn’t show up for work. We tried to call you several times on your cellphone, it just goes straight to voicemail. We tried this number several times before you finally answered it.”

Rebecka Lamarque, besides being my boss, she’s my closest friend. I run my hands through my hair and say, “I got into some trouble after I left the club this morning and I only got home after 2 p.m.”

“What happened?” I can hear the angst in her voice, “Do you need anything? Want me to come over?”

“Don’t worry, Becka. I’m gonna take a quick shower and then I’m heading to the club. I’ll see you soon, and then I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Okay. “I’m sending a car to pick you up. See you soon.”

“See you,” It wouldn’t make any difference if I told her not to send the car.

First, I hunt down my phone, which I find in the jacket pocket inside the laundry basket. Then, I head to the shower to try to wake up. I put on a black dress and one of my famous boots, also in the color black. My uniform is at the club, black skirt and vest, with the Secret Garden logo on it. All employees must be dressed sexy, even the bartenders.

The doorbell rings, I pick up my jacket and go down the stairs. When I open my door, I realize it’s Benjamin Graham.

“They got you driving today, Ben?” I say as I kiss him in the cheek.

“I heard about what happened this morning. When I got to the club, Becka told me you were M.I.A. and I was worried. So, I offered to pick you up.” We walk to the car and he opens the door of his Maserati Gran Turismo for me.

“That was very kind of you. Thank you.”

Right after I was hired at the club, Ben chased me around in every way. It was hard to convince him that I’d never go out with him, or anyone else in his select group, for that matter. Finally, after months, we became friends. I do accompany him to a few parties every now and then, but nothing ever happens. We just have some good laughs, a little bit of drinking and lots of fun together. I know he’s a good man, good character, but he needs a safe haven. He’s very lonely.

“I heard you ended up in Judge Noah’s Chambers today.” He laughs out loud. The guy is already mocking me.

“Life’s a Bitch sometimes. A couple of days ago, I took his sister home, and he almost had me arrested for being a fraud. And today, he happens to pass by just as I punched a guy.” His laughter was uncontrollable, he even choked at some point. “Not to mention his girl...”

“Carly?” his smile goes away, and he turns his attention to me, “What did that bitch say to you?”

“Calm down, she didn’t say anything. She’s just not a good person, especially when it comes to Alyssa.”

“That woman is unbearable,” he parks the car in front of the Secret Garden and looks at me, “We never understood what Noah saw in her. She’s not his type. He’s such a good person, and she’s a selfish prick. She could never stand us, always mistreating us when he turned his back. We only tolerate her presence because he’s our friend, but if Alyssa is having problems with Carly, Noah won’t be able to forgive something like that, his sister is everything to him.”

I walk in and I’m greeted by everyone. I love working HERE and, despite being a very private person, I like the people I work with. I always have a blast. Rebecka comes towards me.

“Let’s go to my Office, Maddie. Thank you, Ben.”

We quietly made our way to her Office, on the second floor. The decoration completely contrasted the entire club, so light and clean. The decor is white, it has only a few furniture, an ivory marble table and red chairs. She closes the door starts to talk.

“I heard about what happened. Are you okay? Did the guy hurt you?”

“I’m okay, I didn’t give him time to hurt me,” I smile and sit in one of the chairs, “Do you remember that girl that, now and then, would ask you for a job as a luxury escort? A short girl with short blond hair.”

“Anne?” she asks, thinking about it.

“That’s the one! One day, she came to me, talking about her relationship. She wanted him to be more romantic. In the end, I helped her realize that she was in an abusive relationship, he dominated her psychologically. She finally had the nerve to put an end to it and went back home, she went back to school. And now, he came to settle things with me.”

“Oh God, Madison,” Rebecka puts her hand over her mouth, “That guy was huge. How did you...”

“Self-Defense and Muay Thai classes,” I run my hand through my fire-colored hair, “Now, I’ve been sentenced to work at the Courthouse with Judge Lancaster from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for 40 days.

“They took you to Noah? That’s just bad luck... He’s...”

“I know, Ben had already told me about the ‘non-violence’ policies of Mister Lancaster. Unfortunately, he saw me with my foot on the guy’s neck.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Rebecka laughs a few times, and she’s beautiful, “Well, you have some vacation days accumulated, Maddie. You can use them now and focus on the work at the Courthouse.”

“No. I can manage both jobs. Thanks anyway. I only ask to be able to leave around 2 a.m. At the latest, so I can get at least four hours of sleep.”

“Of course,” she stands up, “You can leave early if you need to, Maddie. Do what you think is best.”

“Thank you, Becka,” we hug each other, “Now I have to go, I still need to put on my uniform.”

“Maddie,” she says, as I leave the room, “There’s a Holyday coming up ins a few days, I’m going to the country house and I really want you to go with me,” her eyes are begging me. I know how hard it is for her to go to that house.

“Of course, I’ll go with you. Are we closing down the Club?”

“We all need a break once in a while. Since the holiday falls on a Monday, we’ll close Saturday morning and come back on Tuesday.”

“I’m in.”

As I’m leave her Office, taking off my jacket, I come cross Chris and the Judge. Seriously, Universe?! Are you trying to drive me crazy? I get my head down to pretend I don’t see them, but it’s no use.

“I’m honored to see you again, Miss Harver.”

“The honor is all mine,” I give out a sarcastic smile to match his, “Judge Lancaster, how are you today? I’m glad to see your wife allowed you to do something without your collar.”

Christopher, who was nearby, had a good laugh. Noah’s face turned red with anger and I was sure I signed my decree for at least another forty days at the Courthouse. He comes up to me, pressing me between the wall and his body, leaning his arm against the wall.

“You’re playing with fire, girl. If I were you, I’d think twice before provoking me,” he turns around and heads to Rebecka’s Office.

“Madison, what’s that on your arm?” Chris says, a little too loud.

“What?” I look down to see a large greenish purple bruise on my arm. I shake my head feeling tired, “Oh, it’s nothing.”

They walk back to get a closer look. Noah says, “What do you mean, nothing? Look at it.”

“Let’s retrace the facts, Your Majesty...” I say.

“Your Honor,” he corrects me.

“You know what?” I get my head down, “Just forget it. I’m tired. I’ve had a rough day.” The Judge stares at me and I burn under his gaze. I notice that his eyes are kinder, I nod and go away. Okay, it’s okay. Deep breaths, Madison. Don’t pay attention to the fact that you’re horny and let’s get to work. We gotta earn our daily meal. Who is this man? His perfume lingers on my nose, a woody, manly scent.