-'You didn't answer my question seriously.'- I mimicked his words in my head before I laughed at his face.
"I already answered your question! I went out with my friends and your sister!" I tried to pull my hand but he didn't let me.
"You went out with them? And you just got home at this late of an hour?"
"And so? I told you I was with Nancy! And Greg was with us too, he actually drove me here!"
He clenched his jaws as he narrowed his eyes on me.
"Greg has been with you all this time? You were with him? Why didn't you tell me you're going out tonight and that you were with him?"
'-Fucking shit!'- I blinked rapidly as I felt my temper rising to my head.
"Excuse me, what did you say? I didn't tell you that I was going out tonight? Gabriel Wilsons, since when do I have to tell you my whereabouts?"
"Since you're married to me, Madielyn Wilsons!"
"Wow!" I laughed sarcastically, shaking my head. "Since I married you, why? Did I ask your whereabouts since you're married to me too? Did I ask you to report on me where you went, every time you don't sleep in your fucking room? Did I?"
I'm not drunk actually, but thanks to the presence of alcohol, I can also scream at his handsome face.
"Madi, that's a different thing and you know that the first time you accepted this agreement that I will go with her and chase her!"
"Oh, yeah! I accepted this fucking agreement of yours, but I didn't agree to tell you all the things in my life! And I didn't agree that you'll be the one to choose the people that I should go with!"
"It's because you're married to me----"
"And you're married to me too so, what's the difference with that? Go fuck your ex and I don't care! And I'll go fuck my own business!"
I yelled at him with all the veins that showed on my neck. I know we can disturb the now sleeping maids, but I can't help but defend myself with how he wants to control all things. I turned my way towards the wide staircase.
"Madi, can we please talk civilly?"
He asked in a low voice as he followed behind me. I turned to him and sighed as I tried also to level my voice into his tone.
"Gabriel, let me remind you, yes, we're married, but being married to each other doesn't mean, I need to ask for your permission every time there's something I wanted to do in my life because I don't ask yours. I haven't questioned you every time you got somewherr or who's with you at that moment. Please let me do the things I wanted to do because I forgot about being myself when I said yes to you."
"Madi, I'm just worried. I was worried sick when I didn't find you at home earlier. I've been calling you, but you haven't answered my calls."
"Hmm... Let's just say, I like to give the gift of my absence to those who do not appreciate my presence."
I smiled and patted his cheek and headed for the stairs. I saw how his jaws dropped with my last statement. And thanks again to those bucket of beers, at least they allowed me borrow some strength and courage for tonight. If only I had known this thing a long time ago, I would certainly drink alcohol like water every day.
"Madi." I heard his voice again when I was about to open the door to my room. " Let's talk about this tomorrow when you're sober."
"I'm not drunk, Gabriel, but if you want some 'talk' tomorrow, then that's fine. Goodnight, Gab." I walked over to him and kissed him goodnight on the cheek.
I sighed and leaned back against the door. I closed my eyes and remember the happenings of this night. Sandy was wrong when she said he would appreciate my outfit. I smiled bitterly and kicked my shoes on the floor and my bag on the couch. He didn't even notice my dress. Huh! I jumped on top of the bed first with my stomach and not after a minute, I received a text message.
"Oh my God!" I complained as I got up to get the phone from my bag. It's a message from Greg.
**I'm home. Goodnight, Madi.**
I smiled and typed my reply.
**Goodnight, Greg.**
And then I three myself back on the bed.
*****
I was still in my slumberland when the shitty sounds of my alarm clock woke me up. It's Saturday morning and the noisy rectangular thing on top of the bedside table reminds me of what happened last night and that I'm still wearing Sandy's red dress.
"Argh! Can you wake me up after four hours? Gosh! Why did I forget to adjust you last night?" I said tapping the dismiss button and tried to go back to sleep.
It's 8:30 am when I heard the constant knocking and calling of my name from the other side of the door.
"Oh, God! Can't I get some more sleep?"
"Ma'am Madi? Ma'am Madi." It's Elsa's voice.
And because that girl was so persistent in waking me up, I have no choice but to get up and opened the door.
"Hi." I greeted her with a half-smile and half-closed eyes, nut she gasped when she saw me.
"Huh! What happened to you, Ma'am Madi?" she asked me with wide eyes. I know what she refers to, my makeup... especially my mascara that smudged on my both eyes.
"That's make up, silly." I chuckled and opened the door widely.
"Ohh..." she said nodding. "Ahm... Ma'am Madi, Sir Gabriel wants to inform you that he's waiting for you in the kitchen."
I crunched my eyebrows as I walked back and sat on the edge of the bed. "But why?"
"For breakfast. He made breakfast for the two of you," she said smiling.
"He cooked?" I asked in disbelief and instantly my sleepiness swiped away in my system.
"Yes Ma'am." her voice was obviously laced with tease and her smile almost reached her both ears.
"Okay. Just tell him to wait for me forever."
"Ma'am?"
"Just kidding." I smiled and stood up. "I'll be there in a minute. Thank you, Elsa."
"You're welcome, Ma'am Madi," she said and walked out of the door.
A smile crept onto my lips. "Come on, Madi! He just cooked for breakfast, what's so special about that? And what's that smile of yours?" I asked myself in front of the mirror, but my stupid heart can't control herself not to feel the over excitement.
I just washed my face and brushed my teeth, because taking a bath isn't my habit early morning especially when I'm just at home.
I went down the stairs and headed directly into the kitchen, where I found him typing something on his laptop with his phone by his side. When he noticed me, he immediately got up.
"Good morning, how are you?" he asked smiling and kissed me on the forehead?
I controlled myself not to raise an eyebrow with his gesture. Just like that? As if nothing happened last night?
"Good morning." I smiled even my mind doesn't want to. Since I've realized that I love him, my heart and mind were always fighting who among them should I listen to. But I've noticed lately, my stupid heart always wins.
"I cooked some breakfast, scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes. I also made orange juice for you, so what do you want?" He pulled a chair for me and I can't help but smile. It's the first time we're having breakfast together.
"You cooked all of these?"
"Yeah, but I asked Lea's help." he smiled shyly while scratching the back of his neck. He also sat next to me.
"Hmm..." I said nodding and was about to get some pancakes when he stopped me.
"Let me do it." he took the fork from my hand and placed three pancakes on my plate. I just smiled and didn't say anything.
-'Seize the moment.'-
"Madi..." he called my name after a while.
"Hmm?" I looked at him after putting the fourth bite of my pancake.
"I'm sorry for what happened last night. I was just worried about you. I thought something bad had happened to you. I called everyone who seemed close to you... Sandy and Nancy but they also haven't answered my calls. Then I disturbed my private investigator to trace you and that's when you came. So, I let him take his rest again."
My mouth hung open at what he said. He did all that for me? Because he's worried? I don't really know how much of a worry I've caused him. I gulped the orange juice in front of me before looking at him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were that worried."
He smiled and took my hand. "It's okay. I'm also sorry for yelling at you last night. And yeah, I've realized you're right. I forced you into this mess so, I have no right to question you."
"Gab, that's not what I meant."
"No, Madi. I understand. We're just married because of my agreement and we're not a real husband and wife, a real couple. And I haven't asked for your permission with my whereabouts these past few days and nights. But Madi, I want you to understand me....."
-'Whoah! Here's the big word, 'understand'.'-
"... not because I'm your boss or I'm your husband, but because I'm your friend. I'm worried about you, Madi. I'm a man and I can protect myself, but you're different, you're a woman-----"
"So you mean to say I'm weak?"
"No! That's not what I mean. Madi, I care about you. I know you can't see it, but I do because you're my friend."
-'Ohh! Ouch! friend! Another big word, I'm just a friend!'-
"But Greg was with me, he can protect me. He's also my friend... like you."
"Tss! Madi, he can't protect you 24/7! He's not a superhero---"
"So... are you? Can you protect me 24/7, Gabriel?"
"Madi, please, let's not argue with this. If you want, from now on I'll tell you all my plans and whereabouts. Just promise me, you'll also tell me about yours."
"For what? I'm not asking you to do it."
"I know. So at least I can pick you up when you're no longer able to drive. I can also join you every time you goi out."
I chuckled and took my hand out of his hold. "Are you sure? How much is your alcohol tolerance, Gab?" I asked as I got up and drink my juice.
"I don't know, but I think I can survive on the whole bottle of whiskey. Why are you asking?" he asked, frowning.
"Hmm... okay, let see. But make sure I'm not the one who will drive you home afterwards, instead of you driving me." I chuckled as I collected my used plates.
"Sure."
He said but I turned my back on him. I put my plates and utensils on the kitchen sink. But after a moment, his next words stopped me from what I was doing.
"We're going out tonight. I mean, can you come with me to a party tonight?"
I turned around and looked at him. "Are you asking me to come with you to a party tonight?" I asked as I pointed myself.
"Yeah. It's a party of one of my colleagues from college, celebrating his sixth wedding anniversary with his wife."
-'You're going out on a date!'- my heart screamed inside.
"Ahh..." A smile crept onto my lips as I nodded.
"Stacey is also going to attend, so we have to show ourselves as a couple."
And in an instant, my smile died as my jaws dropped to the floor. A pained and sarcastic smile replaced my lips.
"So you're just inviting me because Stacey is also going to the party?" I asked him, gulping the sudden pain.
"Yes. It's a part of our deal, right?"
-'Ohh..'- my heart shrink in the sea of pain. "Yeah! It's a part of the deal. Tsk.Tsk. How did I forget that?" I was shaking my head when I turned around to face the sink.
-'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Of course, it's a part of the deal! What do you expect? To ask you on a real date, a romantic date? He can't even see you more than a friend! Wake up, Madi!'-
"Madi, if it's not okay with you, it's fine. I can---"
"No!" I immediately turned around. "Who said it's not okay with me? I'm going with you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! More than one hundred percent sure! It's a part of what we talked about, right? So, I'm in!" I said acting confidently.
"Thank you, Madi." he smiled at me and I returned him with another smile. Yes, another... meaning, not the same as his. It's full of disappointment and pain. "No, problem. Just inform me when are we going to go, so I can make myself beautiful."
He chuckled. "Trust me, you don't need to. You're beautiful in who you are, Madi. That's enough."
I just smiled at him.
-'Yeah, I know I'm beautiful, but it's not enough for you to see me and to love me the way I wanted you to love me.'-