"Hey Madi, you're looking good." His voice disgusts me. I ignore him and try to keep walking. "What don't you have anything to say to me. You spent 4 years pining for my attention and now you've got nothing to say."
I spin around and fix him with the Grey stare. "Yes I've got nothing to say to you. You're a filthy pig who is lucky he's even alive. Leave me alone." We stand glaring at each other for a minute before he addresses Bennett.
"Bennett, hope she's putting out for you, everyone knows she wouldn't for me." He smirks at me when he says the last part. Bennett decides to speak up now.
"Nathaniel isn't it? I don't really care what your opinion of Madison is but I can tell you one thing, come anywhere near her again and you'll have trouble walking for the rest of your god awful life. The only reason you can now is because I know your not worth it but if you ever come near her again I won't be so kind." With that he grabs my hand and pulls me towards the car. I look over my shoulder to see Nathaniel standing there gob smacked. Bennett used to be fairly nice to him, apparently that was just an act for me. We get back to Escala and Bennett parks in the garage, the ride back home was quiet. We're both pretty angry at Nathaniel, I'm upset as well. I just can't believe he'd say something like that to Bennett. My sex life is none of his business especially now that I doesn't concern him. We ride up to the elevator in silence stepping out into the foyer to find my parents sat in the great room with a glass of wine each.
"Everything okay you two?" My dad asks. He can see the livid looks on both our faces. I ignored him and head towards the kitchen, Bennett on the other hand stays put.
"Christian a word if you wouldn't mind." Oh no, he's going to tell dad about Nathaniel. I sigh knowing that it's probably for the best, heading to the couch I lay out on it with my head in mums lap. Dad and Bennett have headed off to his study.
"Want to talk about it?" Mum asks stroking my hair. I shake my head, I'm not in the mood to talk. I'm still livid that Nathaniel had the decency to make about comment to Bennett. Part of me wanted to rub it in his face that I had slept with Bennett the other part told me that was a very bad idea.
"No, I think I'll let dad tell you. I don't want to talk about it." We sit in silence for a few minutes, mum playing with my hair, me staring at the ceiling. A few minutes later dad and Bennett return.
"Well what do you kids feel like for dinner? We can go out or stay home it's up to you." Dad's trying to change the subject. He's walked in and sat on the other side of mum. Bennett looks more calm which is good. I to feel calmer.
"What do you feel like Madz?" Bennett asks, apparently dinner is my decision.
"Can we get Indian?" I ask, not quite sure about where this craving has come from. Dad gets up to retrieve the menu, not that I need it, I always get butter chicken. Dad rings to order delivery and we sit on the couch until it arrives. Mum says my hair and make up look lovely but I'm still not in the mood to be talking yet. I've gotten up and gone to sit with Bennett, he makes me calmer. Mum and dad start talking about something to do with work and I decide now's my time to ask Bennett what he said to dad.
"What did you tell my dad?" I whisper into his chest, surprised if he even hears me.
"The exact events of our run in, we've agreed that if I see him again that I'm not responsible for my actions." I shake my head at this, he's not worth their time. He's just trying to mess with me.
"Bennett he's not worth it, can we please just ignore him. I'll tell you if he contacts me or I see him again but I just want to forget about him." I plead now looking into his eyes. Mum and dad have stopped talking and are watching us now.
"Madison you need to understand that what he said is not acceptable, he has got no reason to be tormenting you and his behaviour will not be tolerated." Dad says to me, I'm starting to get a bit annoyed now.
"I understand that what he said was unacceptable dad, but he's not tormenting me! He saw me once and had a stab at me, he's just a bully and I can deal with him. This is the first time he's seen me since we broke up. I'm not trying to defend him I just don't want you starting something when you don't need to." I try to keep my voice calm and my tone level and firm but I think the annoyance may have come through at the end.
"Madison, you need to let me handle this. I'm not discussing it with you further. If he so much as looks at you, you are to ignore him and tell either myself or one of the security team." I roll my eyes at this. "Is that clear?" I don't answer him which was probably a mistake. "I said is that clear Madison?"
"Crystal." I can't help it this time, I let the annoyance seep through in my tone.
"Keep the attitude in check young lady." I can tell he's ropeable at the moment and I can't help but see how far I can push the barrier.
"Yes sir." Whoops big mistake, I watch dad's face go from angry to furious in the matter of seconds. Normally mum can calm him down but either she's given up or she's making me pay for my attitude as well.
"Madison Grace Grey. You are turning twenty one in a matter of weeks. I will not accept this attitude from you. If you want to be treated like a five year old keep it up!" He fixes me with his Grey glare and I stare right back before Bennett nudges me.
"Cut it out Madison, he's right you're acting like a five year old." I cannot believe him. Bennett of all people was the last person I expected to take my fathers side. I turn to him and glare before getting up and walking upstairs. I don't care if I haven't eaten dinner I'll starve. I'm not eating with them.
About an hour later mum brings me up a plate of food. She leaves it on my desk and tries to talk to me but I continue to bury my head in my pillow and ignore her. She leaves me alone after a few minutes and I'm pulled from my sulking by the smell of the food. I get up and grab the plate bringing it over to my bed. I switch on my laptop and opt for a movie whilst enjoying the butter chicken and rice. I put on the first Harry Potter movie and snuggle into bed. After I've finished my food I put the now empty plate back onto my desk and continue to watch the movie. Bennett comes up just as the movies is finishing. I expected him to leave after I stormed off. He knocks but I don't answer so he instead lets himself in and sits on the end of the bed staring at me. I let him stare for about ten minutes before it gets on my nerves.
"What?" Geez, even I'll admit I sound grumpy.
"Are you finished acting like a five year old?" His question just annoys me even more. It's patronizing and his tone is condescending. I decide to ignore him. "I'll take that as a no." He moves to kiss my cheek and move away. He sighs before saying good night and leaving. I don't care if I'm being childish or immature I'm really ticked off at the fact that him and my dad think they can just order me around. No, I don't like Nathaniel and I wish that I hadn't seen him today but can't they just get over what he said an move on. I chose to ignore it but now they want to bring it out into the open and threaten him. He's just a bully, he'll eventually get sick of trying to annoy me and leave me alone. I put on the second Harry Potter movie and try to concentrate.
I must have fallen asleep because I wake up and my screensaver is playing on my laptop. I look over at my alarm clock to see it's two thirty in the morning. My neck is cramped from laying awkwardly and I'm really thirsty. I get up grabbing my plate from dinner and head for the stairs. When I get to the top I hear the piano, dad must still be awake. I walk down the steps quietly, not looking at him but heading straight for the kitchen. I put my plate in the dishwasher and grab a glass from the cupboard. It's then that I hear the piano stop. I walk to the fridge and fill my glass turning to find my dad stood behind me.
"Did I wake you?" He sounds sincere so I decide to go with it.
"No, I was thirsty."
"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier in front of Bennett. I understand where you're coming from in just wanting to ignore Mr. Ridgely but I don't think that's the smartest decision to go with at the moment. I heard the rumors he tried to spread about you Madison, I don't want him trying to do that again. You've got so much more to lose now." I consider this for a while. Finishing my water I put the glass in the sink before answering him.
"I'm sorry for acting like a spoiled brat and throwing a tantrum." I don't look at him when I say this I'm to embarrassed by my actions earlier. Dad walks over and lifts my chin to look at him.
"You're forgiven. Please trust me with this baby. I know you just want to ignore him and get on with life but he's not something you can just ignore and he'll go away. He'll never get sick of trying to get to you." I nod and move closer to him, dad pulls me into a hug and I relax a little. "Come on let's get you back to bed, Bennett tells me you had a pretty busy day." He takes my hand and leads me to the stairs. I let him walk me up and into my room. I get into bed and he pulls the covers over me kissing my forehead. "Goodnight baby, I love you."
"I love you to dad."
Next few weeks pass, Bennett and I make up after I apologized to him. He's been acting really weird lately and I think it's got something to do with the fact that today I turn twenty one. I've been laid in bed awake for all of ten minutes when I hear a fuss downstairs. Next thing I know mum, dad, Bennett, Theo and Kat are barging into my room singing Happy Birthday. They leave me to get up and I head downstairs once I'm dressed respectably, as much as Bennett liked my pj's no one else was to fond of them. I walk into the great room to find the whole ceiling covered in pink, blue and purple balloons. Drawing my attention away from the ceiling I notice the array of presents on the table and couch in the great room. Mrs. Jones makes us all breakfast and the six of us sit to enjoy waffles, bacon, eggs, fruit salad and yogurt. I take advantage of the amount of food there is, knowing that I probably won't be getting time to each lunch today. Aunt Mia has dropped some hints and from what I've gathered today is going to be jam packed full of party preparation. We move to the living room and I start to unwrap presents. I start with mum and dad's first. There's four smaller presents and one slightly larger. I go for the larger one first knowing the best things come in small packages. I unwrap a new iPad air along with a black leather Guess case. If this is what we're starting with I'm extremely excited. I then reach for one of the smaller boxes. I open up a new gold Cartier La Dona Watch, a Tiffany Diamond Line Bracelet in rose gold that mum know's I've been wanting for a while as well as the Olive Leaf Cuff in gold. I also find wrapped The Lily Cluster by Harry Winston Diamond Necklace in silver with matching earrings as well as Versace Couture Eau de Parfum trio. I sit beaming for a while trying desperately not to squeal. I get up and head to mum and dad giving them both an enormous hug. I then open Theo and Kat's present finding a brand new Mac Book Pro. I desperately needed a new laptop for work and was so happy with this. Theo had already installed everything and it was even charged up and ready to use. He'd even synced all my music and photos. Probably the best brother ever. I thanked them both and then turned to the shockingly big pile of presents from Bennett. I knew he'd go over board, but the pile in front of me was slightly daunting. I mean how much could you buy your girlfriend for her birthday. I sneak a peak at him before I open anything.
"I've never had to buy you a present so I'm making up for it." He says this with a smirk, it was true normally I just got one present from the Pembroke family. Not that I was complaining it was normally something really good.
I reached for the present closest to me not bothering to open them from largest to smallest. I knew I'd be impressed with his efforts no matter what. The first thing I opened was all black Vertigo Tote from Mimco, along with a matching purse. I then started on a box which was filled with small objects each wrapped separately. Upon opening the first object I knew exactly what it was, Bennett had got me the entire M.A.C Cinderella Collection. I couldn't contain my excitement and squealed out loud, they all just laughed at me. I kept going on the M.A.C box until each item was unwrapped. Putting to the side I opened the next present. It was wrapped neatly and I knew what it was as soon as the paper was off, Bennett had definitely gone over board. I opened the box to find a completely full, gold Pandora charm bracelet. I look at Bennett stunned.
"Each charm represents a moment we had together. Your mum gave me the idea. Your dad got her something similar." I remember the charm bracelet mum has that dad got her years ago. It was gorgeous but I definitely loved mine. I looked over the bracelet, there was some Mickey Mouse ears, that was from Disneyland, a 21 which I'm guessing represents today or the amount of years we've known each other and basketball as well as many other little charms. I felt tears start to form and I hastily scrubbed the back of my hand against my eyes. "Oh Madz don't cry, I want you to always be reminded of how much I love you and that no matter what you go through I'll always be there. I was through all of those events and I will be for as long as you'll let me." I wrapped my arms around his neck and sat cuddling him for a few minutes. We all sit for a few minutes, remembering all the silly things I did as a child. Around eleven o'clock Aunt Mia arrives. She's holding a black garment bag along with a few shopping bags. I get up and head straight for her.
"Uh no, you don't get to look until tonight. Step away from the bags Madison." She's good but it's my birthday.
"But Aunt Mia, it's my birthday. You're not going to deny me my right as birthday girl to get whatever I want." I try the puppy dog eyes on her.
"I don't think so girly. The eyes may work on your dad but they won't on me." I hear dad snort at this and I sigh, giving up on the attempt to sneak a peak at my dress I head upstairs and shower. I don't bother washing my hair or shaving or doing anything really because I know Aunt Mia will have a whole day planned for that. I change into a loose pair of black Capri pants and a navy shirt, I need to be comfortable today. Knowing Aunt Mia I'll be plucked, waxed, buffed, polished, manicured, pedicured and tanned. Not that I don't enjoy it all it's just a lot more relaxing when you're in comfortable clothes. I slip on a pair of sandles and head back downstairs.
It's now six o'clock, Aunt Mia, my mum and I are in the elevator heading up to our floor. All I need to do now is get dressed. As I suspected I was thoroughly prepped for tonight. We went to M.A.C for my make up, Paolo for my hair, spent nearly three hours in the beauty salon getting waxed and tanned, then get our nails and toes done. I'm nearly exhausted and the party hasn't even started yet. We've got about an hour till we need to leave and all I want to do is curl up in Bennett's arms and go to sleep. The elevator dings and we exit into the foyer. Dad, Theo, Kat and Bennett are sat in the great room sipping wine. I make a bee line for Bennett. He looks amazing in a black suit and sapphire blue shirt. I get to him and park myself on his lap throwing my arms around his neck.
"Never let me have another birthday party ever again." I say loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Why's that baby?" He coos in my ear.
"Because I'm exhausted and it hasn't even started yet." He laughs at this and then I feel him tense. I turn around on his lap to find Aunt Mia stood about a meter from me with her hands on her hips.
"Come on Madison you need to get dressed." I reluctantly let go of Bennett before I remember I finally get to see my dress. I race to the stairs before stopping at the bottom and turning to Bennett.
"I'm going to need a red bull if you want me lasting anywhere past ten." I say turning on my heel and heading up the stairs.
I get to my room and find the black garment bag Aunt Mia had brought in earlier along with another two shopping bags. I decide on the garment bag first. I unzip it to find a gorgeous sapphire blue chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline, it's got beautiful little diamontes trailing around the neckline. The color matches Bennett's shirt. I take the dress out and hang it on the door of my closet. I then decide on one of the bags. I open the first one to find a pair of sparkly silver strappy heels. They're high and will make my legs look amazing, I'm impressed about how much effort my Aunt has gone to. I knew that leaving this party to her would be a good idea but I'm just amazed. I open the last shopping bag to find a pair of dangly silver earrings, a silver bangle and a full silver Pandora Charm Bracelet. It's full of cute little charms along with blue ones to match my dress. I get undressed and put on my dress, it's even more gorgeous on and it fits perfectly. I the put on my jewelry and then my heels. Taking one last look in the mirror I head down stairs. It's dead silent as I come into the great room. Bennett's sat with his mouth open, mum and dad have weird proud looks on their face and Theo looks like he doesn't recognize me. I do a little twirl and ignore all of them.
"Can we leave now?" I ask. Aunt Mia left whilst I was changing and I really want to get to where we're going. I need to thank her. Dad nods and we move to the foyer and into the elevator. I stand next to Bennett who is still a little dazed. "I'm almost as tall as you." I say with a wink.
"I don't care how tall you are. Madz you look amazing. Honestly I knew you were pretty but I am truly gob smacked." I smile at him and he kisses my temple pulling me to him. The trip down to the street is short, upon walking out I see a limousine waiting for us. The driver opens the door and Theo stops me before I get in.
"Madi, Aunt Mia said you have to wear this." He's got that retched blind fold that's in his hand. I snatch it from him and get in. I sit and Bennett slides in next to me. Once we're all in I put on the blind fold. It's a short trip to where ever it is we're going. I feel the car stop and Bennett guides me to the door so I can get out. I feel a hand grab mine and pull me out of the car and into his arms. I can tell by the cologne that it's dad. He lets go as Bennett takes my hand and leads me into a building. We wait for about five minutes and then Bennett tugs gently on my hand pulling me forward. I hear an elevator ding and then Bennett speaks.
"You can take off the blindfold baby." I do so and as I suspected we're in a elevator. I recognize it from somewhere but I can't place it. It heads up to what I can see is the eighth floor and then I hear it ding. The doors slide open and a chorus of "Happy Birthday Madison" chimes from the room. We walk out the elevator and I take a look around. Everything is pink, purple and blue just like the balloons this morning. Upon closer assessment I see that we're in The Mile High Club that dad owns. I'd only been here a couple of times with dad for lunches and stops along the way to other destinations. I start moving around to the different groups of people. My grandparents, Aunt Mia and Uncle Ethan, Uncle Elliott, Aunt Kate and Ava. Taylor and Gail are there as well as Sophie. I thank Aunt Mia for everything she's done. I then start to head round to see who else was there. I find Grayson and Beverley with Harper and Connor, Chloe and her new beau Brandon as well as my friends from high school and college. I move through the different groups thanking everyone for coming until I spot the last two people I wanted to see.
Nathaniel and Sienna, the girl he cheated on me with. How the hell did they get in, let alone know about the party. I hadn't put them on the list I'd given to Mia and I knew she wouldn't have invited them on her own. I look over to Chloe and Harper and seeing the look on my face come over to me.
"He's here." I say to the both of them. Chloe looks around whilst Harper spots him straight away.
"I'll go get Bennett, Madi stay away from him." Harper says and leaves me with Chloe.
"I can't deal with this I need a drink." I say pulling Chloe over to the bar. We order two fruit tingles and then I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn knowing full well it's him.
"Madison, I just want you to know that it's your fault we broke up. If you'd have just put out I wouldn't have gone to Sienna or any of those other girls. I'm not apologizing for what I said the other day because it was all true. I treated you like the princess you wanted to be and you couldn't do anything for me. You've lost something you'll never get back."
"Nathaniel you need to leave." I ignore everything he said. "I don't want you here, so just..." I don't have time to finish my sentence. Bennett has grabbed Nathaniel by his collar and is pulling him towards the service elevator Theo and my dad are hot on his heels. I don't bother looking at what happens next. I stand with Chloe and Harper at the bar drinking my drink until I feel a hand on my waist.
"You alright?" It's Bennett, something about his question makes me want to start crying. I shake my head and pull away.
"Excuse me I need some time alone." I say not really to anyone and head to the back room. I know Bennett's followed me and I'm desperately trying to keep it together. I get through the door walk towards the window looking out over Seattle. "Please Bennett just leave me alone." I really don't want him here. He ignores my request as I suspected he would and I feel his arms wrap around my waist. His head pushes mine to the side and he starts kissing my neck.
"Baby calm down. He's gone. I'm sorry he ruined your night but you need to calm down, you've got guests out there Madz you can't run away." I know what he's saying is true but I just don't want to face them right now. I'm really upset that Nathaniel came and it makes it worse than he brought Sienna. I turn around to face him and press my lips to his. Bennett kisses me back and I try to depend the kiss but when he realizes what I'm doing pulls away. "Not now baby, we can't here." I groan and try to keep kissing him.
"Bennett please, I need you. I need you to make me forget about him, to make me feel good like you always do." I beg, I want him to take me right here, right now, right against this window. He's shaking his head even though I know that he wants to as well, he's just being the responsible one.
"Later baby, we can't here." He whispers to me, I groan and he chuckles. A second later the door flies open and in stalks my mum and dad. Well dad stalks in, mum walks in normally.
"Madison what are you doing? You need to be out there, people are wondering where you are." I can tell my dad's not happy about my disappearance but I really don't care. He's not in my situation.
"Not now dad. I need a minute." I say and he looks at me expectantly. "My ex boyfriend has just shown up uninvited with the girl he was cheating on me with to my birthday party and told me the only reason he cheated on me was because I wouldn't have sex with him so if you don't mind I need a few minutes to myself." I glare at him and he looks angry. He turns on his heel and walks out. My mum follows him after giving me a small smile.
Other than Nathaniel showing up my night goes on without any troubles. The cake is to die for, it is white with blue, pink and purple flowers everywhere and a sparkly twenty one. After singing happy birthday and me cutting the cake the dancing starts. I've had quite my share of cocktails now and the songs were getting worse by the minute. As Stop by the Spice Girls comes on I hear shouts from Harper and Chloe. We used to dance to this in our bedrooms singing as loud as we could, it makes me feel like a little girl. The songs keep coming and before I know it I've done The Macarena, The Nut Bush, The Bus Stop, danced to Mambo Number 5 and The Ketchup Song. Some how Give It Up made it's way to the playlist as well as Keep On Moving and numerous S Club Seven songs. Bennett has been hiding out as far away from me as he can, probably because he knows the second I see him I'll make him dance with me. I spot Theo and Kat dancing and head over to them.
"Have you seen Bennett?" I yell over the music. Theo nods over towards my dad and I spot Bennett stood with dad and Grayson. I smile to Theo and walk over to the three men. "Excuse me, mind if I borrow my boyfriend?" I don't wait for an answer, I instead grab Bennett by the arm and pull him to the dance floor.
"Madz I can't dance to this stuff!" He yells to me trying to move away. I pull him back to me and put my lips to his ear.
"You danced with me the first night you took me out." I whisper.
"Yes because firstly you were drunk, secondly I knew no one and thirdly I wasn't in a room surrounded by our families. If your dad saw us dancing like that he'd skin me alive." He was right but that didn't mean we couldn't have fun. I shake my head and him.
"You don't have to dance like that, just have a bit of fun with me please!" I beg, he nods and grabs my hand spinning me around. A few songs later Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra comes on and my dad pulls my mum out, grandma and grandpa also come onto the dance floor. Bennett then pulls me into his arms.
"I'll dance with you to this." He says spinning me around the room, I loved dancing like this with Bennett. We continue to spin and twirl around the floor and I can't wipe the smile off my face. The song ends and Bennett pulls me to his arms swaying slowly with me. After a while most people start to leave, granted it's one in the morning. It's now just my parents, Bennett's parents, Theo, Kat, Harper, Connor, Aunt Kate, Uncle Elliott, Ava, Aunt Mia, Uncle Ethan, Bennett and myself. The bartenders have left and we're helping ourselves to shots and doing silly dances.
"Ok, I know I had my speech during the party but I didn't want to embarrass you completely in front of everyone so I'm taking this time now to do exactly that." Oh no, my dad has gotten everyone's attention now and is looking directly at me. I'm perched on Bennett's lap on one of the sofas, my shoes discarded. "I remember the night you were born like it was yesterday. It was three in the afternoon, we were living at the house in the Sound and the three of us, Theodore, Ana and I were playing in the meadow. We'd had a picnic lunch and we're now enjoying the cool air. It was coming up to summer and we knew you'd be along any day now. I remember my little Teddy Bear running to Ana whilst I was chasing him. Ana was sat still looking at me with a look I'd only ever seen once before. Five grueling hours later Madison Grace Grey finally graced us with her presence and I knew from that moment on that my beautiful daughter would have me wrapped around her little finger." He's got tears in his eyes and I get up and move to stand with him. He embraces me in his arms.
"Madi, I've got so many wonderful memories of you. I was you're first word, granted your second being no thanks to Uncle Elliott." I giggle at this memory, I was watching a Mariners game with the boys and had yelled "fucking refs" at the television. Elliott thought it was funny, dad was apparently not impressed.
"I remember the tantrum you pulled at the age of three, Theodore was going to school and you weren't, the tantrum you pulled at five because you didn't want to go to school. The first asthma attack you ever had and spending two weeks not wanting to leave my arms. The first time you ate seafood and telling me "yucky fishes". The first time you rode a bike, the first basketball game you played as well as the last. The time I tried to talk to you about sex and you told me "Bennett already bet you to it". Yes lets not forget that.
"I'm so proud of the strong, independent and stubborn young woman you've become Madi. I love you very much and I look forward to being able to stand and watch you grow into the amazing woman I know you'll become." He pulls me tight into his arms after saying this and places an enormous sloppy kiss on my cheek.