Jonathan trudged downstairs, his head pounding. "Morning, sis," he muttered to Madison.
"Morning," she replied, eyeing him critically. "You look like someone who's been run over by a train."
Jonathan groaned. "I have the worst headache in history! I need coffee."
Madison raised an eyebrow. "You should be fine now. You passed out the whole day yesterday. Mum and Dad kept asking about you. They were worried that you were sick."
Jonathan rubbed his temples. "What did you tell them?"
Madison shrugged. "I told them the truth."
Jonathan winced. "I have to do a better job of teaching you the responsibilities of being a younger sister."
Madison snorted. "I wasn't going to cover up something so obvious. You came home reeking of alcohol and sweat. It almost suffocated Mom."
Jonathan's face flushed. "Was I that bad?"
Madison nodded. "Beyond bad. Worse. What really happened to you on Friday?"
Jonathan's eyes unfocused. "I only remember fragments of the night. The rest is history."
Madison's expression turned skeptical. "What are those fragments?"
Jonathan hesitated. "I remember having drinks with a girl... a beautiful girl. I don't even remember her name."
Madison raised an eyebrow. "Did you have sex with her?"
Jonathan's face reddened. "I believe so."
Madison's tone turned dry. "She'll be crushed to know that you forgot her name after she opened her legs for you."
Jonathan shrugged. "It was mutual. I wanted it, and she wanted it too."
Madison rolled her eyes. "Whatever. There was a girl who came yesterday looking for you."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed. "What was her name?"
Madison replied, "Linda Adams. She came to dump your ass. She said don't ever try to contact her again. She somehow caught you snogging another girl on Friday night. How could you?"
Jonathan's expression turned unrepentant. "She was stingy. I had no choice. I'm hot-blooded."
Madison's eyes widened in disbelief. "Listen to you. You're not even sorry that you cheated on her."
Jonathan shrugged. "Why should I be? She saw that coming. You can't refuse a guy and think that he'll remain a loyal dog. We're men. Our eyes wander without any boundaries."
Madison's face reflected her disgust. "I don't believe I'm listening to this."
Jonathan's eyes locked onto hers. "You have to. Where are the adults?"
Madison checked her phone. "They went to have lunch with the members of the church. It's half past eleven."
Jonathan's eyes widened in shock. "What? Have I been asleep for twenty-four hours?"
Madison nodded. "Yes."
The doorbell rang, and Jonathan's heart skipped a beat as he saw Anastacia standing at the door. "Oh, hi Anastacia, do come in!"
As Anastacia entered, Madison greeted her and then excused herself, leaving the two alone in the kitchen. Jonathan offered Anastacia water, and they sat down at the table.
Anastacia's eyes narrowed. "It's half past eleven. Why am I not surprised? You had a hell of a Friday, and you're still in your robes."
Jonathan's face flushed. "You heard about that too?"
Anastacia's tone turned icy. "Was it a secret? Oh, sorry, you didn't have to do it in a public space."
Jonathan's eyes dropped. "Are you mad at me?"
Anastacia's voice rose. "Saying I'm mad at you is an understatement. You disappointed me! How can you lick another girl's tits when I am your girlfriend? Do you know what picture that painted of my womanhood?"
Jonathan's apology was sincere. "I'm sorry. I don't know what demon pushed me into doing all I did that day."
Anastacia's expression turned resolute. "It's too late for apologies. Whatever we had is the past. It all ended that night."
Jonathan's eyes pleaded for another chance. "But are there no second chances? Please, just one more chance."
Anastacia's voice turned firm. "I can't date a Casanova."
Jonathan's face fell. "I thought you went by the dictum that everyone deserves a second chance?"
Anastacia's eyes turned cold. "I still do, but there are always exceptions."
As Anastacia left, Madison reappeared in the kitchen. "And?"
Jonathan's expression turned melancholic. "She ended things between us. What a loss! She was a keeper."
Madison's eyes reflected her disgust. "You're heartbroken?"
Jonathan's expression reflected his regret. "I'm hurt, a little. Anastacia didn't deserve this."
Madison's response was terse. "I'm going out. I don't need to comfort you, Jonathan."
Jonathan nodded, his eyes downcast. "Very well."
With that, Madison departed, leaving Jonathan alone to contemplate the aftermath of his actions.