As soon as Brooke told me that Ysabelle would be in town, I knew it was only a matter of time till she called me.
I’m never wrong.
When I saw her name appear on my phone, I silently cheered.
Tick tock…
I knew my girls better than they knew themselves. That’s what made me The Madam. As soon as I heard her say hello, I knew there was trouble in paradise. I accepted her offer to lunch, even though I had to change my entire day for it. It didn’t matter, nothing mattered other than her.
Mine.
I saw her sitting with Brooke as I parallel parked my car. They were sitting outside, right near the street. She looked disheveled, even from far away I could read her. The time had come…I had waited almost two and a half years to get to that point and I had to creep slowly. She was like a scared little kitten and I had to play nice, even though I wanted nothing more than to drag her back to The Cathouse where she belonged.
Home.
She was still picture-perfect, immaculate in every way. We had casual conversation until it was time to put on the show, from both our parts. She was going to play the role of the loving and devoted girlfriend while I played the role of the concerned and sympathetic Madam.
“Bella Rosa, tell me everything, how are you and Sebastian?” I asked, making Brooke smile.
My Brooke, always the eternal optimistic; I truly loved that about her.
“Umm…we’re great, perfect actually. I have never been happier.”
My…my…darling…your nose is growing.
“Really? Everything is going smoothly? No concerns or cause for complaint?” I coaxed.
She shook her head. “Not at all.”
Liar…liar…panties on fire.
I cocked my head to the side. “Huh?”
Bella Rosa could never lie. Maybe she could to other people; I’m sure Brooke bought every single word. I knew better.
You reap what you sow.
I needed to tread lightly.
“Yeah…nothing to complain about. Our relationship is amazing, everything just sort of fits. It’s like we left the past in the past and all that matters is that we’re together. We trust each other and there’s so much love it’s…just…perfect,” she boasted.
And then I was on…
3…
I took a sip of my mimosa and nodded.
2…
She looked right at me and knew. See…Ysabelle could read me, too. Except that I knew how to perform any role that I set myself in. The Madam can be anything you want her to be and right now, she needed to be understanding.
1…
“I call bullshit,” I declared.
“Excuse me?” she asked, taken aback.
“Ysabelle…my Bella Rosa…my darling, beautiful girl…since when have you ever been able to lie to me? I can’t tell you that I am not a little offended and hurt by your ability to boldface lie to me; however, I understand. Relationships are a personal thing and I completely respect that.” I grabbed her hands and held them in my lap, in a comforting gesture.
“I love you like a daughter, that will never change. I also know you like a daughter. You’re confused. Now, please, let’s try this again. How are things? Tell Madam.”
And the walls came tumbling down…
She sighed. “I don’t even know anymore. I love him so much and he loves me equally the same. I just…it’s just…” she stammered.
“Yes, I know, but all relationships are hard and take work. Anything you love in this life takes work, darling, especially a man.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting you to reply like that.”
I half-laughed. “How did you expect me to reply?”
“I thought you would say I told you so or something along those lines,” she admitted.
Oh…trust me. I am biting my fucking tongue.
“I want what’s best for you; that’s all I’ve ever wanted,” I honestly replied. “Do you trust him? Are you scared?”
“I’m terrified, Madam; I don’t want to get hurt again. It’s this paralyzing fear that I have in the back of my mind and as much as I try to steer it away, it always comes back. I can’t get away from it. It mocks me.”
This is just way too fucking easy, like taking candy from a baby.
“That’s natural. You’re a strong woman. You control everything and anything about you. That’s how you’re made.”
My blood runs in your veins.
“Love is a scary emotion.”
It makes you fucking weak and brings you to your knees. I know, I live it.
“You love him and he loves you; everything else will just fall into place.”
And that place is…and will be…you sitting at the throne, in The Cathouse.
The Madam.
It’s only a matter of time.
Tick tock.