Madison

One month later...

 

The desk phone rings at the Office, taking my attention from some papers.

“Madison, we need to talk.”

“About what, Noah?”

“About us.”

My heart stops in my chest. My voice quivers, “What about us?”

Is he going to break up with me? No! It can’t be. I’m his devilish Red.

“I’ll wait for you at home. See you soon, Red.”

“See you soon...”

After hanging up, I lean back in the chair and my head begins to fantasize about the probable scenarios that I’ll find when I get home. Everything was so perfect... Okay, maybe too perfect. But, with Noah, everything is like this...

These last few weeks, he’s been a little weird, thinking too much. Actually, ever since Chris’ engagement. That messed with him, not the engagement itself, but the fact that Christopher wasn’t satisfied with the way things were going, because it’s something he has no control over.

I remember, when we got back from the party, Noah went straight to the bedroom and sat on the bed, staying like that for a long time. I took off my dress, my makeup, sat next to him and put my head on his shoulder.

“What’s bothering you, my prince?”

He shakes his head.

“Nothing, Princess,” he kisses my forehead, “It’s just... I don’t know... I’m worried about Chris. I know he’s an adult and knows very well what he’s doing. I just don’t think it’s fair that his life has turned out like this.”

“Politics is his life, Noah.”

“I know. And I admire him a lot for it. Of all of us, he was the one who always had the dream of changing things. He had awesome ideas back in college, no wonder he was president of the fraternity for many years. He always stood out as an entrepreneur of ideas. Christopher had a direct participation in the establishment of institutions in poor areas, schools, kindergartens, and programs that I presided over. He became a politician to act on that front with me.

I smile proudly, and he goes on, “But is it fair to have to sacrifice both? Audrey loves him, but how long is she going to take being in a marriage where she is not her husband’s priority?”

“Audrey is getting into this for the same reasons as Chris, but it’s not love. From what I’ve gathered, they get along very well, and their complicity is something special, but it’s nothing more. He wants to move up, she was raised for it, to stand beside him. They both understand that it won’t be easy, but they’re willing to make it work.”

He looks at me, “If this was some time ago, I’d support my friend in that, because I used to think the same way. Today, I can’t. I couldn’t go after what I believe if you weren’t here with me.”

I sit on his lap and put my arms over him.

“I love you for being exactly like that, Your Honor.”

And our conversation ended in a lot of sex, some slaps and orgasms. Difficult life of mine. That’s how it’s been, living with him, we get along really well, I think... Did he think about it and decided that the way I act is not fitting for the girlfriend of a judge? I can change, right? Of course, I can’t!

And now, with this phone call, I’m confused ... What’s going on in Noah’s head, dear God?

Ramon takes me out of my thoughts.

“Madison, your sister-in-law just come in, she’s drunk at the bar.”

“Alyssa?” I ask, already getting up and going towards the bar.

When I get there, I find Aly with her head on the counter. Why is she like this? I get her up and talk to her, “Aly... Aly...” I pat her on the cheek.

“What is it?” she mumbles. This is not good.

“Aly, what’s going on? Why did you drink like that?”

“That bassstarrd is going to marry the skank...” She puts her finger to her mouth and then whispers, “Shhh ... Do not tell her... But thatss not gonna work...”

What bastard? What skank? I hope it’s not Noah, because marriage is not part of our plans. At least, not that I know of. My head starts to hurt. Noah, Noah... you better not have any more surprises for me. My patience for inconvenient surprises has been exhausted a long time.

I ask Pierre to get my purse from the Office while I get to the front door with Alyssa leaning on me. One of the bouncers walks over to her car and helps me put her on the seat. I get behind the wheel and drive off, we’re going home right now.

On the way, I try to understand what made my friend drink again, she is not like that. What’s been going on that I don’t know about? Who’s the bastard? Am I the skank? My jaw drops, shocked at the revelation. Is Alyssa against my relationship with her brother? She never showed it. And that weird and enigmatic phone call? These Lancasters are driving me insane.

I pull over in front of the mansion and ask one of the security guards to help me with the judge’s sister, drunk as a skunk. As soon as he reaches for her, she opens her eyes and gets out of the car as if nothing had happened.

“Lionel, take the car, will you?” she asks, and he nods, speeds up the car and heads for the garage, and I’m still there, with my mouth open.

“Alyssa Lancaster, what the fuck?” I ask, pissed off. I get closer and smell her, “You haven’t had a drop, have you?”

She starts laughing and walks into the house with me. The place is almost completely dark, only a few lights on. She hugs me and says, “Noah’s waiting for you in the pool.” Then, she turns away and climbs up the stairs.

I walk to the pool, very apprehensive. Guys, what’s going on? My heart is not prepared for this kind of suspense. My age no longer allows me to get scared like that. As soon as I get there, I see the garden, lit with small strips of lamps, giving the impression that is raining stars. In the center, I see the most beautiful man I know, watching the pool decorated with small candles.

Before I knew it, tears poured down my face. I have no idea what is happening, but everything is so magnificent, it moved me. It’s as if Noah brought the starry sky to greet us.

Then, the man who makes me happy turns around and smiles. Noah is an incredible man, he is very handsome, but it’s more than that, it’s the way he leads his life, how he positively affects the life of the ones around him, that’s makes his admirable. He’s wearing a black polo shirt, jeans, and hands in his pocket.

How many others wouldn’t want to be in my place right now? Admit it, you wanted...

Noah comes up to me and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.

“I’m glad you’re here, Miss Harver,” His tone is sweet and his smile wicked.

“What can I do for you, Your Honor?”

He presses a button in a remote control, and John Legend’s All of Me fills the air.

“Would you give me the honor of having this dance?”

I bow my head, “Certainly, Sir.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. Feeling the strength of his muscles, it was enough to fill me with warm. I run my hands through his arms and imagine his tattoos, and that usual need to lick them comes back. This man is pure lust, I’d lick him whole at any time.

He kisses my face, bites my earlobe and sings in my ear.

(...)What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawin' me in and you kickin' me out. You got my head spinnin', no kiddin'. I can't pin you down. What's goin' on in that beautiful mind? I'm on your magical mystery ride and I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me. But I'll be alright. My head's under water, but I'm breathing fine. You're crazy and I'm out of my mind. 'Cause all of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose, I'm winning. 'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you.

How many times do I have to tell you? Even when you're crying, you're beautiful too. The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood. You're my downfall, you're my muse, my worst distraction, my rhythm and blues. I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you. My head's under water, but I'm breathing fine. You're crazy and I'm out of my mind. 'Cause all of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose, I'm winning. 'Cause I give you all of me and you give me all of you.

Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts. Risking it all, though it's hard. 'Cause all of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose, I'm winning. 'Cause I give you all of me and you give me all of you(...)

The music goes on, repeating those words. I’m completely emotional, in tears. Not even in my best dreams did I imagine that one day I’d live through something like this. And before I can compose myself, Noah hugs me, swinging to the rhythm of the music and says in my ear:

“Ever since Chris’ engagement, I’ve been thinking about us, and I came to a few conclusions.” He loosens his grip around me and I can look at him. He goes on, “We have nothing to do with each other. We’re opposites. You defy me, makes jokes, exhausts my patience. After I met you, I no longer know what tranquility is.”

“Is that a good thing? Because I’m starting to get uncomfortable...”

His smile is beautiful.

“What I mean, Madison, is that you complete me, you make me whole, you make me feel alive. After I met you, I don’t know what it’s like to live without you. “

Noah lets go of me, takes a small box from his pocket and kneels. He opens it and I see a beautiful ring with a huge blue stone... Is that a real stone? From here I can see the details, the white gold hoop studded with diamonds goes around a pale blue stone. Is that a blue diamond?

“Madison Aria Harver, will you marry me?”

Shocked, I put both hands in my mouth to stop myself from screaming, I’m ecstatic.

“Madison, I’m starting to get worried here.”

I pretend to be serious.

“Look, Noah, I wanted to say Yes, but...”

“Madison...” he says between his teeth.

“You know how it is, don’t you? The both of us... Like water and wine...”

“Madison!” He’s getting annoyed, and I love it.

“I think it’s better...”

Noah gets up angry and grumbling, “This woman can take me out of my mind.”

He puts the box on the table next to us and turns away. I throw myself on his back and we fall into the pool. As we get back up, I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.

“Such an impatient man. I was just giving you the chance to think twice and run away.” I kiss his mouth, and he wraps his arms around my waist. “All I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, Noah Lancaster. You are the love of my life!”