There was a soft knock on the door, Maddie looked up from the papers in front of her. "Come in."
Miss DiPesto's hair peaked through the door before her face. "Miss Hayes I'm heading out for the night, can I get you anything before I go?"'
"No thank you Miss DiPesto, I will finish this up and I'll head home. Hopefully traffic will have died down by then. You and Bert have a wonderful evening." Maddie smiled at Agnes. "Oh!"
"Yes Miss Hayes?"
"Is Mr. Addison still in?"
"No Miss Hayes, he left about an hour ago."
Maddie checked her watch 6pm. "Thank you Miss DiPesto. See you tomorrow!"
"Have a good evening Miss Hayes, till tomorrow!" Agnes gave Maddie a big smile and closed the office door.
Maddie went back to the papers in front of her. She had 2 piles in front of her, 1 big pile of bills and another much smaller pile of bills she had to send out to clients whose cases were solved.
She was finishing up the last bill for Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. The cases was resolved to everyone's satisfaction. She smiled thinking about the case. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's daughter disappeared, no ransom, no note, nothing. They came to Blue Moon as a last resort. David and Maddie immediately took the case, as they were offered a $30,000 check and a $20,000 bonus check if they could find her within a week as they were to head to London for business.
Maddie worked with the information they were given as David took Mr. Viola to do the foot work. Finding Jenna Thompson within 5 days. The young woman didn't intend on disappearing, she didn't even erase her tracks.
Maddie and David went to confront her. She told them she had fallen in love with a woman and was afraid to disappoint her wealthy parents. Maddie looked at David when Jenna told them she had fallen in love with a woman. He didn't know she knew the truth about Tess, she was the only one who saw the slight reaction in his face.
Jenna pleaded with them to be there when she would tell her parents. Maddie agreed.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were relieved to have their daughter back. When Jenna told them the truth about her disappearance, both her father was visibly shocked. Her mother spoke first, telling her daughter that she'd always known. Her father eventually told her that he'd never even expected, but that he just wanted her to be happy.
It was one of those rare, feel good cases. Maddie smiles thinking of how David had looked at her.
"David.." she whispered to herself, feeling tears well in her eyes.
Ever since David and Annie hooked up the vibe had been different between them. She just couldn't put her finger on it. They had both screwed up so much. She still couldn't think back to fleeing to Chicago without tearing up.
She placed her face in her hands as she shook her head in her hands thinking about it. The Walter, poor, sweet Walter. The guilt towards him was real as well. Although because of them he got together with Terri and they seemed to be really happy together.
But Annie and him… she had never been so hurt in her life. She'd asked him if it was his way of paying back. He went off on this rant. The thought of Annie made the pit in her stomach grow. She still didn't understand, he knew how she felt about adultery. He had seen it with her father. But that wasn't even the biggest thing that angered her. She was mad at herself, they had been doing this dance around each other for months. One of them would tell the other they loved them and the other pulled back and vice versa.
Why did they play this game? Why do they still play this game? She knew she still loved him, but she wasn't sure about him after Annie. And they were still doing this dance around each other. These last 2 weeks David had been on time and leaving at 5pm, it gave her an unsettling feeling.
~He's not yours Maddie~ she thought to herself ~you can't claim him if you don't fully commit~
She wanted to fully commit, but she was too afraid. ~What if he doesn't want to commit anymore? What if it is too late?~ she was having a full conversation with herself.
"Get yourself together Maddie!" she said to herself
"I'll finish this tomorrow." She said as she made 2 neat piles.
She grabbed her purse and her briefcase. Locking both her office door and the door to the entire agency. She pushed the button of the elevator. "Finally!" she said as she got on. She pressed the button to the garage more than once. She felt restless, not like when she talked to David about finding a man. This was different, but it made the hairs in the back of her neck stand up. She had never felt like this before.
Instinctively she walked to her car, she got in threw her briefcase in the back and placed her purse on the seat next to hers. Then she took off, unwilling to drive home she told herself to stop at the first bar she drove passed.
She saw a small bar and parked the car. She grabbed her purse and headed to the entrance, first checking out the place through a window. That's when she saw him. Out of all the bars in LA she choose the bar David was in. He didn't see her, she saw his profile. When the guy he was talking to moved, she saw this gorgeous, young woman smiling at David. She watched him take a strand of her hair and put it behind the woman's ear. Then he moved his hand towards her neck and traced his fingers along her arm and then grabbed her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.
Maddie felt chills watching this scene play out. There it was.. that was the feeling she had been having all day. The pit in her stomach was huge.
"Are you okay Miss?" She heard a man ask.
"I'm fine." She said with a sad smile.
"A pretty lady like you shouldn't cry."
She hadn't noticed that she was crying "Oh it's nothing, something flew in my eye." Her smile was still weak. "Thank you for asking."
The man shrugged as he headed inside of the bar.
Maddie decided against the first decision she'd made and walked back to her car. She got in and drove straight home.
David had met Jennifer when he was on the Thompson case. That was 3 weeks ago. They'd been eating together every night for 2 weeks.
He didn't plan it, they just clicked. She was almost 8 years younger than he was. But she was fun, uncomplicated and she wanted him. The last time that happened was with Annie.
He shook his head when he thought of Annie.
"Are you okay David?" Jennifer smiled at him
"I'm fine babe. Just a shiver."
"Excuse me." A tall man asked "Is it okay if I order from here?"
"Go ahead." David sat back a bit and so did Jennifer.
The guy ordered and started small talk with David.
He felt the hairs in the back of his neck stand up, not knowing why.
The guy thanked them both as he walked off with his drinks.
"Another shiver?" Jennifer smiled at David.
He put a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She smiled at him as he moved his hand alone her jaw, towards her neck alone her shoulder and went down her arm as he grabbed her arm and kissed the inside of her wrist.
"No shivers, babe. Just happy to be here with you." He smiled. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling growing in the back of his noggin', but he sure could put it way down in it.
She opened the door to her house. Closed the door behind her, turned off the alarm and leaned back against the door. It took them 4 weeks to repair her house, she'd been back for another 4 weeks and still she felt uncomfortable in her house. She sighed.
She locked the door behind her and placed her keys and purse on the side table.
Walking towards her radio she kicked off her shoes one by one. She turned on the radio and the smooth voice of Anita Baker filled her living room.
She didn't listen to the lyrics until the chorus came:
% 'Cause there's no one in the world to hold me
No one in the world's gonna move me
No one in the world can love me like you do, baby
Every time I'm with someone
I'm loving you, yes, I want to run
I wanna run back to your arms again
Ain't no one in the world (no one in the world)
Loves me like you do %
She immediately turned off the radio. Then poured herself a big glass of red wine, she took a big gulp. "Thanks for reminding me Miss Baker!" She took another gulp. "Well Addison, two can play that game!" as she finished the glass at once.
Maddie opened the main door to the office. Without turning on the lights, she walked towards her office and unlocked it and went in.
She never came in this early, but she was up at 4:30am after a restless night. She took a lot of time dressing, she wanted to look good. Only putting on light make up and light perfume.
She looked at her watch 6:15am, she sighed and took a sip of her coffee to go. She quickly finished the bills she was making for the clients. Then wrote checks for the bills she had to pay.
Then she opened her accounting book and filled in all the numbers. They really had a good month. The cases may not have been rolling in, the ones they had made them enough to stay in the black numbers and even then some. She leaned back in her chair, feeling content, she drank the rest of the coffee which had turned cold.
Sunlight sept through the blinds, making her take a quick look at her watch 7:30am. ~The office will be filled soon~ she thought to herself.
She got up in desperate need for some more coffee. She opened her door, standing in her doorway she watched the empty and quiet office. Almost enjoying her solitude. Someone opened the door to the main office.
"Good morning, Miss Di…" she stopped halfway through "Good morning, David."
She felt embarrassed but tried not to show it "You peed the bed again?" she gave him the biggest smile.
David feigned laughing as he slowly walked up to her, stopping only inches away "Good morning Miss Hayes." Looking deep in her eyes.
Maddie felt weak in the knees and felt confused. As she quickly spun on her heels grabbing the coffee pot. "I was just about to make some coffee before everyone came in."
She felt David standing right behind her. She felt his body heat radiating on hers. He felt his breath on her ear "You look excellent today." She heard him inhale her scent "Smell just as good as you look."
She fixated even more on making coffee and turned on the maker. Normally she loved it when he flirted with her, but after what she saw last night, it made her feel confused and even slightly uncomfortable.
She turned around and chose her words wisely before she spoke. "Well.."
"Well.." David gave her a side smile.
"David, you'll be pleased to know that I've finished billing.. I'll ask Miss DiPesto to send them all out today. And I've got a little bit of good news.." she said looking at him.
He took another step forward, his nose almost touching hers. "Which is what Miss Hayes?"
She swallowed before she went on ~Why is he doing this!~ "Well, we've had a good month, the numbers are in the black and then some." She smiled.
"And then some?" he asked surprised. All signs of flirting were gone.
"Yes." Her smile widened "And I wanted to run something by you."
The door to the office opened. Miss DiPesto and Mr. Viola walk in, both stop in their tracks as they watch Maddie and David.
"Good morning Miss DiPesto, Mr. Viola." Maddie smiles "I just turned on the coffee, it'll be ready in a little while."
Both Miss DiPesto and Mr. Viola have a look of confusion on their face.
"Mornin' kids! Yes, there is nothing wrong with your eyesight both Miss Hayes and I are here. This is not a dream."
"Good morning Miss Hayes, good morning Mr. Addison." They both say in unison. Bert is looking at his shoes and Agnes fidgets with the keys in her hands.
"Ah kids don't be shy! Mom and dad weren't fighting. Mom just gave dad some great news! But it's a secret, so don't tell the other kids. Promise?" as he winks to the pair. He turns around to head to his own office.
"David?"
"That's my name, don't wear it out." His hand on the doorknob.
"Mr. Addison!" Maddie sounded like a strict school teacher.
"Yes, Miss Hayes?" he tried to sound like sad kid.
"Can I see you in my office, please?" She tried not to sound to cold.
"Let me just put down my stuff and I'll be right in." he winked as he disappeared into his office.
"I'll be in my office." Maddie smiled at Agnes and Bert.
"I'll bring you coffee when it's done." Agnes said as Maddie disappeared into her office.
"Poor Miss Hayes." Agnes said while settling behind her desk.
"Poor Miss Hayes?" Bert looked puzzled.
"Didn't you see the look on her face?"
Bert shrugged as he shook his head "She looks really pretty today."
"Oh Bert!" Agnes was annoyed "Didn't you see the sadness in her eyes?"
He shook his head again.
"Men!" she threw her hands in the air.
"What about us?" David had just opened his door.
Agnes just rolled her eyes and started rewinding the answering machine.
David put up his hands "Sorry! Don't come at me!"
As he walked towards Maddie's office, he walked past Bert and whispered "Whatever you did to her, fix it!"
Panic came across Bert's face. He had no clue what he had done wrong.
David heard Bert say "Agnes? I.. I'm sorry?"
"Leave me be Bert!" she breezed at him
Maddie had her feet on her desk, watching the sun come up.
David lingered in the door frame. He just watched her. Her beautiful long legs, he wished he could see the little split of her skirt, just to get a peep of her thigh. The first string of lights hit her face. Emphasizing her features, not only her perfect skin, but also the small wrinkles near her eyes. Her golden hair on the back of the chair. He couldn't help but admire the beauty in front of him. After all these years and everything they went through he couldn't help but get aroused by her. He loved her, no he loves her, he still loves her.
He softly knocked on the open door. She took her feet off of the desk and turned to him. He closed the door.
"Ah David." She smiled at him.
"You okay Maddie? You seem off.." a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Come in!"
Agnes came in carrying a cup of coffee "Coffee!" she said with a big smile as she placed the mug in front of Maddie.
"Thank you Agnes." Maddie said with a soft, warm voice.
"You're welcome." Agnes turned to leave.
"None for me?" David asked.
Agnes stood next to David "Ugh men!" as she left.
"What did you do to Agnes?" Maddie asked in surprise. "She's usually your number one fan."
"Nothing." He threw up his hands "It wasn't me, I swear. Bert said something to her."
He propped up on her desk, she could barely pull the files away in time. "So whatya wanna see me about lady boss?"
His flirtatious attitude had her head going all kinda of places. She needed to create a space between them. She got up and started pacing.
"Yes, well.. you see.."
"Yo Blondie! Spill it!"
She shot him a look, also happy that the tension between them had shifted to a more comfortable level.
"Like I told you this morning. Our finances are good, no they're great. The last case we took just assured us we have money in the bank. And because all of the employees have been working so hard lately, I'm especially looking towards Agnes, Bert and Jamie." She side noted them. "I really think we need to do something to thank them all. And well.. seeing as you are more chummy with them.. I wanted to run a few ideas."
"Oh I see." He got up from her desk and walked toward her. She quickly grabbed the cup of coffee to maintain some distance. "Pray do tell what your ideas are? Disneyland? Universal Studios? I hear the new King Kong Encounter is fantastic!"
Maddie rolled her eyes.
"What? Not mature enough for you Miss Hayes?" he teased her.
"You'd be surprised what I like and don't like!" she snapped at him and regretted the instant that she said it.
"Oh I think I do know what you like.." he swiftly moved his hand to the back of her neck, her spot. He felt her quiver under his touch. He loved that he still had such an impact on her. "See." He whispered in her ear.
She nearly had to hold on to the desk not to fall over. Quickly putting down the cup of coffee. "No David." Her voice sounded flustered. She scrapped her throat "No David, I mean something for the employees and their loved ones. Maybe a company barbecue or a company picnic in the Crystal Springs. I remember you telling me that you used to give great company picnics." She looked at him to find approval.
He looked at her in surprise.. "You remember that?"
She leaned back against her desk "You sound surprised."
"Well, yeah, I remember when I told you.. kinda surprised that you remembered."
"Well Addison, I don't know whether to be offended or not. I even remember what song you played on your harmonica."
"What?"
"It was Blue Moon, one of my favorite songs ever. I don't think I've ever heard you play again after that." She shyly smiled.
"You never cease to amaze me." He looked at her, a look of pure love.
The way he looked at her made her heart beat faster. ~No Maddie, he's dating someone, this is just him being flirtatious~ she reminded herself.
"So?" she asked
"So?"
"What do you think of my idea? About a picnic?" she had this girlish enthusiasm about her.
He felt a smile creep, she looked adorable. "I like it. It's been a couple of years. The employees can use a nice day out. I'm in!"
"Also agree with letting them come with family? Partners? Kids? If they have them of course."
"The more the merrier!"
"Good!" she smiled
"Good!" ~God she looks radiant..~ he thought to himself.
"Excuse me, I need Miss DiPesto to get the billing in order. Are you still working on the Booker case?" she broke the silence and tension between them.
"Yeah, yeah.. I'll take ol' Bert out today. Mrs. Booker has an appointment at a "beauty salon". Mr. Booker thinks that's when she is meeting her lover."
"Okay good, just let me know if you need help with anything. I'd like to keep this positive vibe up. Shall we inform the employees at 9? Or were Bert and you leaving then?"
"9?" he asked
She nodded
"9 will be fine, Mrs. Booker isn't an early bird, the appointment is at 11."
"Great!" she presses the button to Miss DiPesto's. "Miss DiPesto? Could you come in here for a minute? Oh yeah I'd love another coffee, you're too sweet. Thank you." She hung up and looked at David. "What the heck has Bert done to her?"
"I'll find out to avoid further confrontation!" he winked as he opened the door.
"Ah Miss DiPesto, please do come in." He said in his sweetest voice. Maddie chuckled.
"Ugh, men!" She was carrying the mail and a pen and pad in one hand and the coffee pot in her other hand.
She filled Maddie's cup. "Please get yourself a cup as well. This might take some time."
"Thank you Miss Hayes." She smiled and turned.
David was smart enough to leave when Agnes poured the coffee. He walked past Bert.
"Bert, my office now!"
"Of course Mr. Addison!" he immediately got up and walked towards the office.
"Close the door behind you will ya?"
"Sure.. Mr. Addison?"
David turned "Yes?"
"May I inquire what this is all about?" Bert shuffled his feet.
"2 things my dear man. First, we are going to check up on Mrs. Booker at 11, she told her husband she has an appointment at a "Beauty salon". He gave me the address. We will leave at 10:30. Okay?"
"Yes Mr. Addison." He stuck his chest out in confidence.
"And Bert?"
"Yes Mr. Addison?" Sounding less confident than a second ago.
"What the heck did you do to my dear Agnes?"
"Your dear Agnes?" a sign of jealousy rose in his voice "I don't know what you mean sir."
"Let me rephrase myself. Why is it that since this morning, when my dear Agnes sees me, she goes *Ugh men*?" He purposely said My dear Agnes again, he knew it got to Bert.
"Well to be honest sir, MY lovely Agnes and I were having a wonderful morning. We did our daily routine and when we got to the office we saw Miss Hayes and you. And.." He doubted to continue speaking as he knew Agnes would become even more angry at him.
"And what?" David got annoyed
"I am getting in so much trouble if I tell you.."
"You'll be in even more trouble if you don't!" David slightly rose his voice.
"Well when you went into your office and Miss Hayes went into hers. She just said *Poor Miss Hayes*"
"Poor Miss Hayes? Why poor Miss Hayes?"
"See that's what she is angry about. I don't know why she said poor Miss Hayes either. Agnes just asked if I saw the look on Miss Hayes' face and I told her that Miss Hayes looks really pretty today."
"Ouch.. never smart Bert, never smart." David interrupted.
"Agnes just told me Miss Hayes' eyes looked sad. I did not see it, so now I'm the bad guy.. I can't seem to win with her."
"No one can seem to win with women." David smiled again "Well I was just in the office with Miss Hayes and she didn't seem sad at all. She even had a great idea. Which we will tell you later. I'm getting a coffee now. Be sure to be ready to leave at 10:30"
"Of course Mr. Addison!"
"OH and make it up to Agnes. I don't like it when she's like this." He looked sternly at the short man.
"I will try, Mr. Addison, I promise."
"Please sit down Miss DiPesto." Maddie's voice is soft and kind.
"Thank you Miss Hayes." She sits down in front of the desk as Maddie walks behind her desk.
"What can I help you with Miss Hayes?"
Maddie holds up both folders "This months billings." Maddie smiles "We have had such a good month. Could you please send out the billings to the clients and take the checks to the bank?"
"I will do it right away!" Agnes was about to stand up.
"Please wait, sit down."
Agnes looks baffled but does as she is said.
"Agnes?"
"Yes Miss Hayes?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Miss Hayes, why do you ask?"
"Well.. you just don't seem quite like yourself today. "
"What do you mean Miss Hayes?"
Maddie gets up and walks towards Agnes as she knelt down "Agnes, you were unkind to Mr. Addison twice within 30 minutes."
Agnes hung her head low. "I was a little mean to him, wasn't I?"
"He'll live!" Maddie smiled "He can take it. But why?"
"Miss Hayes can I speak frankly?"
"Of course Agnes.. what is it?"
"It was you."
"Me?"
"Please let me explain. When Bert and I came in and I watched Mr. Addison and you. Then watched you both go to your offices, Miss Hayes?"
"Yes, Agnes?"
"Are you okay?" Agnes' question caught her off guard.
"I'm fine."
"You see, Miss Hayes.." Agnes waited a second, she was weighing her words "Your mouth says that you're okay, but your eyes tell me a different story."
Maddie stood up, she was taken aback.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you."
"No, no I'm fine, just.. it's been a long time someone asked me this so sincere, I guess. But what does that have to do with men?" Maddie desperately tried to change the subject.
"Bert didn't see it. He didn't notice and neither did Mr. Addison. Men are so.. so.." Agnes tried to find the right word.
"Dense?"
"Exactly Miss Hayes, exactly!"
"Agnes?"
"Yes? Would you like to go to lunch today? Mr. Addison and Bert will be out on a case. We can have a girls lunch?"
"I think I'd like that." Agnes got up "But billings first!" she smiled.
"Thank you Agnes."
"You're welcome Miss Hayes."
Maddie walked towards her radio and turns it on. Soft music fills her office, then the gorgeous voice of Patti LaBelle follows.
% I must have rehearsed my lines
A thousand times
Until I had them memorized
But when I get up the nerve
To tell you the words
Just never seem to come out right
If only you knew
How much I do
Do love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you %
Maddie quickly turns off the radio. ~Feels like I'm being attacked by the ladies of R'n'B~ she thinks to herself. ~If only he knew..~ she sighs to herself.
~Why does he have this effect on me and my body?~ She asks herself as she paces around.
There was a small knock on the door mentally bring her back to the office.
"Come in."
"Goldilock, you coming?"
"Is het it 9 already?"
David looks at his watch "According to my watch it is!"
She gives him a cynical smile.
"Come on let's go make some people happy!" He grins at Maddie.
~Dammit Addison, stop smiling like that~ she thinks as she smiles "Let's do this. Will you inform the people?"
"If you want me to!" he smiles as he opens the door, sniffing in her perfume as she walked past him.
~Dammit Maddie, why are you so hot?~ he swallows.
"Yo people can we have your attention please?" David yells in the middle of the office.
There is a discussion going on between Mr. Viola and Mr. McGillicuddy. No one responds to David.
"I get why Agnes is mad at you, you little barf bag!" McGillicuddy yells at Bert.
"Why I oughta… you.. you.. lame MUNG!"
Maddie whistles on her fingers. Everyone looks at Maddie.
"Mr. McGillicuddy, Mr. Viola, clean up your language in the office. Now that we have your attention. Mr. Addison would like to tell you something."
"Yeah kids, listen up! Miss Hayes has come up with a good idea, something we have done before. We will hold a family picnic at the Crystal Springs."
The office explodes in cheers. "Hip Hip Hooray for Miss Hayes!" Bert yells through the office.
"Three cheers for Miss Hayes!" McGillicuddy tried to out yell Bert.
"Okay people!" Maddie put her hands up "Okay! We will have to set a date when everyone's available." It felt good to be on this side of the table. "What about Sunday next week? How's everyone's calendar? Please tell Miss DiPesto if this date is okay?" Maddie turns to Agnes "Is that okay with you Agnes?"
Agnes nods enthusiastically.
"Thanks Agnes." Maddie returns to her office as the employees just chat away.
At 10:20 David knocked on her door. "Bert and I are going now, don't know when we'll be back. We're taking Bert's car. If it gets too late, will you take Miss DiPesto home?"
"Yeah no problem." She smiled "Good luck on the Booker case."
He kissed his fingers and blew his kiss at her.
She felt butterflies.
At 1pm Maddie walked towards Miss DiPesto's desk. "So you hungry?"
Agnes nodded with a smile on her face.
"Jamie would you be so kind to pick up the phone while Miss DiPesto and I are out for lunch?"
Jamie looked up "Of course Miss Hayes."
"I owe you one Jamie!" Agnes smiled.
"We're good Agnes. Miss Hayes?"
"Yes Jamie?"
"Do you think it'll be weird to take my new boyfriend to the picnic?" Jamie sounded insecure.
"Of course! Like Mr. Addison always says the more the merrier."
"Thank you miss Hayes! Have a great lunch!" Jamie smiled.
"Thank you Jamie, come on Agnes." Maddie locked her arm in Agnes' arm.
They arrived at a lovely, small diner. Maddie smiled. "Did you make reservations here? It looks lovely."
"Yes I did. I thought you might like this. This is actually where Bert took me on one of our first lunches. It's really nice, good food, great service. Come on."
The ladies walked in and were greeted by a kind young waitress. "Good afternoon! Aunt Agnes! Did you have a reservation?"
Maddie was stunned. ~Aunt Agnes?~
"How are you Alice?" Agnes asked.
"You called dad didn't you?"
"Guilty!" Agnes smiled.
"Please follow me."
The ladies did as asked.
"Here we are."
Maddie and Agnes sat down. Maddie noticed the diner was fully packed.
"Here are your menu's. Would you like something to drink?"
Maddie felt like she needed more than juice, ice tea or soda. "Do you serve mimosas?"
"Yes ma'am."
"I'd like one." Maddie looked at her table partner.
"Make that two." Agnes felt like she was being naughty but smiled at Maddie.
"Agnes! This is such a lovely, but really busy diner!"
"Isn't it? It's always fully packed here, but somehow feels really intimate. I really like it."
"Me too!" Maddie looked around the diner "But how did you get a table today?"
"Bert thinks he discovered it for me, but to be honest, I've been coming here for years. I know the owner, don't tell Bert, but I dated him when he just started this place. I just called him and asked if he could get me a table."
"Here you go ladies!" the young woman placed the 2 mimosas in front of them. "Did you get a chance to look at the menu?"
Maddie hadn't given the menu a slight look.
"Can you come back in about 10 minutes Alice?" Agnes smiled at the young girl.
"Of course aunt Agnes." Alice smiled.
Maddie had a look of surprise.
When Agnes noticed she said "She's the owner's daughter. I've seen her grow up here."
"You never cease to amaze me Agnes." Maddie said as she lifted her glass "To us ladies!"
"To us ladies!" Agnes repeated.
They quickly ordered. Agnes had given Maddie advice on what was good on the menu. Maddie settled on the Italian salad and Agnes ordered the Mexican chicken wrap.
Before they could continue at tall quite handsome, blonde man approached them. "Agnes!" the man said with a huge smile on his face.
"Matthew!" Agnes smiles and gives him a big hug.
"I haven't seen you in such a while." Matthew said. "Who is your lovely table partner?"
"No, I haven't been in here, because you know Bert."
"He is a jealous little fellow isn't he?"
Maddie snickered.
"This is my .. this is Miss Hayes."
"Nice to meet you Miss Hayes. I'm Matthew McGraw."
"Nice to meet you Matthew McGraw, please call me Maddie."
"I won't hold you up any longer ladies." Matthew gave Agnes a kiss on the cheek then turned to Maddie "Nice to meet you Maddie."
"You too."
After he left Maddie turned to Agnes: "Agnes you sly devil you! You dated him?"
Agnes smiled "He is quite handsome isn't he? We dated for about a year. But found that we wanted different things out of life. We did stay friends. When he met his late wife I was the first to meet her. She was lovely. She died when Alice was 10." Agnes looked quite sad.
"I'm so sorry." Maddie almost whispered.
"Me too. But Matt and Alice grew stronger and I was always there if they needed me. Matt did become my best friend. Don't tell Bert though.. he needs to get over this jealousy that is consuming him."
Maddie rolled her eyes at Agnes, remembering Bert fighting McGillicuddy over Agnes. "Men, ugh!"
Maddie and Agnes simultaneously laughed.
"Excuse me, while I go to the bathroom." Maddie got up.
Agnes watched her walk away, she really liked Maddie quirks and all. Matthew plopped down on the seat Maddie had been on, startling Agnes.
"Jeezzzz Matt! You scared me."
"You were far away!" Matt smiled.
"Ag.. come on, bring Bert down here. He should know by now that I'm not a threat."
"I know that, you know that. But Bert.. ugh. But you're right. I will be coming her more often. If Bert can't handle that, it's his problem!" Agnes felt more secure ~Miss Hayes must be rubbing off on me~ she thought to herself.
"Would you be mad if I asked Maddie out?"
"What?"
"Well she is very attractive and I haven't been on a date in years."
"No I wouldn't mind."
"So who would?"
"Mr. Addison might mind, I'm not even sure Miss Hayes would accept, seeing Mr. Addison and her have this thing.."
"This thing?"
"They are perfect for each other and just don't see it. And I don't want you to get hurt in the process." Agnes honestly answered.
"Shouldn't that be my own decision?"
Agnes shrugged "I guess. But you've already been through so much. And so has she…"
"Look it's just a date, nothing more, nothing less. I just like to know you won't mind. You're my best friend, my wing man.. well woman.. and I've always valued your opinion."
"Just don't get hurt and don't hurt her."
He took her hand and kissed it. "I am not about to hurt anyone."
Maddie returned from the bathroom and saw Matt sitting with Agnes. She smiled at the sight, they looked so comfortable together. As she walked back to the table she wondered why they didn't make it work. ~Maybe Agnes what a bit too much for him~ she thought as she smiled.
"Miss Hayes!" Agnes always jumped at the sight of Maddie.
Maddie was baffled by her reaction.
"Excuse me Maddie, please sit." Matt got up.
"Thanks Matthew." She smiled at him.
He felt the ground melt as she smiled at him.
"Dad move!" Alice came up holding the plates. "Here you go ladies!" she placed the plates in front of Maddie and Agnes. Also placing a basket of fries in front of them.
"I know how much you like our fries aunt Agnes, so this one's on me!" Alice winked at Agnes.
Maddie watched the interaction between the two women. She felt the love between the two of them. Maddie was surprised Agnes had never mentioned them. ~Were you ever that close to Agnes~ she reminded herself.
"Alice and you seem really close." Maddie noted.
"She's my goddaughter, I love her to bits!" Agnes glowed.
"So why don't you come here more often. She is your goddaughter and he is your friend. To hell with Bert!" Maddie lifted her glass to Agnes.
Agnes picked up her glass "To hell with Bert!"
The started their meal.
"This looks so good!" Maddie said pointing to her plate. "Yours too!"
Agnes smiles "Just wait till you try it!"
Suddenly Maddie heard the cords of a song she hadn't heard in a while. She listens to the lyrics as she slowly eats.
% Loving you
Isn't the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel
If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way..%
She tries to zone out the rest of the song. ~He's moved on Maddie. So should you..~ she thought to herself.
Agnes started chatting, Maddie had never been thankful to anyone to start chatting away.
They started chatting away about the office, men, dating and music. All the while drinking mimosa, after mimosa, after mimosa.
Maddie checked her watch "Oh my.. it's 4pm!"
"Well when was the last time you let your hair down Miss Hayes?" Agnes sounded tipsy.
"Please call me Maddie, Agnes. We're not in the office now." Maddie felt light headed but loved it.
"Well when was the last time you let your hair down Maddie?" Agnes slurred her lines.
Maddie thought a while. "You know I can't even remember!"
They ordered 2 more mimosas.
Matt found the courage as he walked up to the table. He sat down next to Agnes: "Don't you ladies think you've had more than enough?"
"Don't be a spoil sport Matttttt!" Agnes leaned in on him.
"Maddie?"
Maddie looked at him, her cheeks flushed by the alcohol. "Yes?"
"I wanted to ask you this before well.. you drank too much. But would you like to go out with me some time?"
Maddie was actually surprised at his question. He looked at his nervous, handsome face and still all she thought about was David. She was even more surprised at her own answer "Yes, I'd love to."
~He's moved on Maddie, now it's your turn to move on~
"How about tomorrow evening?"
"Today is Thursday right?" Maddie asked
He laughed "Yes, yes it is."
"Then tomorrow is fine!" Maddie smiled
"Great! Let me get you ladies something to snack on, you need to keep a basis in your stomach with all those mimosas!" He smiled.
Agnes turned to Maddie, her face in earnest "Please don't hurt him Maddie."
"What?"
"Please don't hurt him, don't use him to get over Mr. Addison and hurt him in the process."
~Is she a mind reader?~
"I don't intend on hurting him Agnes. But I do feel I need to get out there again. Open myself up to someone new. It's just one date, maybe we both decide that we don't match, maybe we both decide that we have a match. It's nice to see you concerned for your friend. You are a good person Agnes."
"What time is it Maddie?"
"5:30pm.. Should we have checked in with the office Agnes?"
"Well if anyone missed us, they could have come looking for us, couldn't they?" Maddie knew Agnes meant Bert.
Maddie got up "I'll just make a quick call to the office."
"Blue Moon detective agency, if you want a rhyme, call another time."
Maddie snickered "Mr. Viola?" she tried to hold her voice as steady as she could in her intoxicated state.
"Miss Hayes? Where are Agnes and you? You left the office at 1 and no one has heard from either of you!"
Maddie started to giggle "Lunch took longer than we thought. We won't be coming back to the office today."
"No kidding.." Bert sarcastically replied
"We will be in first thing tomorrow morning, if we can find our way home." Maddie burst out in laughing.
"Miss Hayes.."
"Is that Maddie?" She heard David ask in the background as rumbling start.
"Maddie?"
"David! Davey! How was the Mrs. Hooker case going?"
"Booker, Maddie and you know that. Where the hell are you?"
"Miss DiPesto and I went out for a fine lunch, which will turn into a dinner soon.. we've had a couple of mimosas. You know that Agnes is such a lovely person."
"I know that. Where are you? We will pick you up, Bert will take Agnes home and I'll get you home safe."
"Why are you still in the office David?"
"What?"
"Why.. are.. you.. still.. in.. the.. office.. David? These last couple of weeks you were gone at 5pm."
"Change of plans, where are you? We'll come right away."
"Just ask Mr. Viola, he knows the place and the owner." Maddie put down the phone as she snickered all the way back to her seat.
"Your knight in shining armor is on his way." Maddie said as she sat down.
"You told them where we are?"
"Yeah, well.. sort of, let's see if they are good detectives." Maddie burst out laughing again.
Bert and David arrived within half an hour. Bert looked angry.
"Doesn't he look like Grumpy?" Agnes laughed. Maddie joined the laughter.
"Agnes! What are you doing here?"
"Ah relax Mr. Grumpy!" Maddie straightened her face "This is a very nice restaurant and the owner and his daughter are lovely!"
"Yeah back off Grumpy!" Agnes added fire to the insults. As they both cracked up again.
"Mr. Addison, I've never seen them drunk before!"
"Me neither.. but me likey!" David was amused by the two women
"That's because you not the butt of their jokes!"
"No dinner plans today David?" Maddie casually asked
All heads turned to her. "What?"
"Nothing!" she quickly said kicking herself for running her mouth.
"Come on Miss Hayes, I will take you home." As he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up.
Matthew walked towards them extended his hand to Bert. "Mr. Viola! What a pleasure it is to see you again."
Bert shook his hand and mumbled "I wish I could say the same!"
Matthew turned to David "Matthew McGraw, an old friend of Agnes."
"David Addison, I'm Maddie's ~what am I again?~ associate."
"Happy you two gentlemen will take these lovely ladies home safe. I will see you tomorrow Maddie. I will pick you up around 6pm?"
"That'll be fine Matt." Maddie smiled.
David looked at Maddie and then at Matt.. wanting to say something, he thought the better of it. "Come on Maddie."
Outside goodbyes were said and David guided her to the BMW.
The first few minutes of the ride were spend in silence. Maddie broke the silence.
"I hope I didn't spoil your plans for this evening."
David side eyed her. The slid of her skirt was up higher than normal and all he could think about was touching her milky white flesh, putting his finger imprints on her thigh, kissing and licking her inner thigh the entire evening.
"What?"
"I hope you didn't have plans that I just ruined."
"No, no I'm good." He licked his lips fantasizing about her thigh. ~This woman has such a hold on me, the things I'd love to do to her..~ his mind went all over the place. ~Jennifer! David! Jennifer!~ he had to remind himself.
"We're here!" he said while pulling up to her house.
She tried to get out of the car, but somehow had no clue how her belt or her door worked. David laughed at the sight of clumsiness, making her even more desirable. She seemed like she needed him to help her. He turned off the ignition, got out and opened her door. He leant in to unbuckle her.
She smelled him, all of him, not just his cologne, but the scent of his body. She felt aroused just smelling him. His ear was close to her mouth and before she could think she whispered "The things I want to do to you" in his ear.
Her warm breath on his ear and her message send a jolt of electricity through his body. He would have gone for it right then and there, but he didn't want to take advantage of a drunken woman. He pulled her out of the car and walked her home.
He opened the door, turned off the alarm with the code she gave him and handed her back her keys.
"Don't you wanna come in?" She asked standing inches away from him.
"I think it's better if I go." He eyed her.
She licked her lips "Are you sure you want to do that?"
~No Maddie what I want to do is not suitable for TV. And I want to do it in every room of your house.~ he thought to himself.
She inched in on him, he felt the warmth of her lips nearing his.
She blew, sending shivers down his spine. Just before she was about to lock her lips to his, he said: "That's it Maddie off to bed before you do something you might regret."
She had a look of disappointment and her head was filled with the young blonde she saw him with.
"You don't want to anger your young girlfriend now, would you?"
"What?"
"Don't think I don't know, I'm not stupid!"
"Maddie are you jealous?"
"Of what? Of whom?"
He shakes his head, trying not to take her too serious in this state.
"Com'on Maddie, I'll take you to bed."
"Oh are you now?" she flirted.
"You need to sleep it off and I need to go home."
After about half an hour he finally got her to bed.
"Join me!"
"No Maddie, I will not take advantage of you in this state. Ask me later."
She pouted at him.
He kissed the top of her head. "Good night blondie."
"Good night Addison."
He turned to leave as she said "I love you David."
Stopping him dead in his track. He slowly turned around, looking at this beautiful angel who immediately fell asleep. He kissed his fingers and blew them to her "I love you too Maddie."
He got back in the BMW and turned on the radio to get his mind off of Maddie.
The beautiful voice of Whitney Houston filled the car:
%Remember when we held on in the rain
The night we almost lost it
Once again we can take the night into tomorrow
Living on feelings
Touching you I feel it all again
Didn't we almost have it all
When love was all we had worth giving?
The ride with you was worth the fall my friend
Loving you makes life worth living
Didn't we almost have it all
The night we held on till the morning
You know you'll never love that way again
Didn't we almost have it all%
He quickly turned off the radio before she could continue singing.
"Not today Miss Houston, not today." As thoughts of Maddie filled his head again.
For a second he thinks he's being followed but the car turns right where he continues his route.
When he gets home, he kicks off his shoes. "Oh Maddie, Maddie, Maddie.." he's talking to himself. The phone ringing gets him out of his trance.
"Addison." He answers
"Yeah Jenn I'm sorry. Like I told you my partner and one of my employees were in trouble. Yeah Bert and I got them out of trouble." He listened to the young woman a while "Yeah you know Maddie is my partner. Yeah all is well. I just got in and I'm dead tired."
He listened again. "I'm sorry. I don't think it will happen again. Are we cool? Good! I will see you tomorrow night. Night babe."
He hangs up. Rubs his face. ~I've gotten myself into a huge mess here.~ he thinks to himself.
He grabs a beer and plummets on the couch. "Why did I fall for her?" he takes a gulp from his beer. "Why Addison? You clearly want to be with Maddie. Did Maddie actually see me with Jennifer?" He wonders out loud.
His thoughts wander back to Maddie in the car. This was a whole new side of Maddie. Drunken Maddie. That thigh begging him to press his fingers in, her warm breath on his ear, her lips near his, the things he wanted to do to her even if it was just one more time. ~Why is she hard to get over?~
He had finished his beer and sunk into his couch. He actually hated this couch.
"Maddie, Maddie, Maddie.." he whispered as he falls asleep.
Dream sequence starts.
David walks into a dim lit room, some people are talking, he can't see them. Some people are dancing, he watches their shadows in the dark. All of a sudden a hand is being extended, he looks up to see Jennifer. He takes her hand as she leads him to the dancefloor. He doesn't hear the music. But he is still dancing with Jennifer.
All of a sudden he sees her wearing a royal blue dress. It complements her eyes. There is a slid on her left thigh. She takes his breath away. The part of the room she is standing in lights up and 'Since I fell for you' starts in. He lets go of Jennifer and walks towards her.
She sees him, he looks immaculate in his tuxedo.
They just look each other in the eyes until they reach each other. Without saying a word they start dancing to the song they had their first dance to. Jennifer fades into the background.
He pulls Maddie closer, he buries his face in her golden hair, taking in the smell. He feels the warmth of her lips near his ear, feeling and hearing her breath. He slides his arm up until he reaches her head, he softly pulls on her hair, making her look at him. Her eyes full of love and lust, for just him. He pulls just a little more to bare her neck, he nibbles, kisses and licks her neck. Her breathing quickens at the touch of his lips on her neck. She quivers in his arms.
Her hand moves up on his chest, until she reaches his neck. He stops to look at her as she softly kisses his jawline starting just below his ear, slowly, painstakingly slowly moving down. Just when she is about to reach his lips, there is a tap on his shoulder. He turns around and there is Matt.
He wakes up immediately and sits up. "Dammit!" His groin hurts, he knows why but ignores the feeling. He looks at his watch, 3 am. He gets up and shuffles to his bedroom. He touches his jaw, he could swear he feels her lips on his jaw.
"Oh shhhhhtttt" Maddie shuts off her alarm.
There is a light pounding in her head, the world is still kinda fuzzy as she tries to open her eyes. Memories of the previous night come back to her as she sits up straight "What the hell did I say to David?"
She gets up, fighting that light pounding. She walks into the bathroom, splashes water on her face and realizing she is still fully dressed. She discards of her clothes, throws them in the laundry basket and turns on the shower. The heat from the shower helps her to relax her aching muscles, she lets the water run over her head and just stands there for a couple of minutes before washing and conditioning it.
She recalls the conversation David and she were having in the car. Did she really say "The things she wanted to do to him?" Did she?
She goes through the evening step by step. She practically begged him and what did he say again? "I will not take advantage of you in this state. Ask me later."
Ask him later? What the hell did he mean by that? Isn't he dating the young girl? ~Oh my heavens, the young girl!~ she thought. He knows that she knows, things are turning out messy. She messed up.
She dressed herself, put on make-up and decided not to style her hair and just put it up. She walks into the kitchen making a cup of coffee all the while thinking about what she will do that day. She decides to just play the "I can't remember what happened yesterday" card. Content with what she came up with she decides to call a taxi.
She picks up the phone when there's a knock on the door. She looks at her watch ~who would knock on my door at 8am?~ she thinks to herself.
She opens the door and immediately smiles.
"Your chariot awaits you milady!" David smirks at her.
"Ah my knight in shining armor.." she smiled.
He opened the passenger door for her as she got on. "Thank you David."
"Always." He just let it linger between them. But both of them knew.
He drove off "Radio?"
"Sure!"
Immediately 'Treat her like a lady' from the Temptations comes on. David starts singing along and Maddie watches him as he goes, knowing this song is about him. He has made side remarks, but he has also always treated her like a lady.
%Now I-m the kinda guy who don't believe
That chivalry is dead, no
'Cause I believe a woman should be treated
With the utmost respect, mmm-hmm-
Don't be afraid, don't turn and walk away
I wanna get to know ya, well
Don't be ashamed, don't say that love's to blame
Just come and look me over
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
How could anybody ask for much more, woo-hoo-
Now I like openin' doors
Pickin' up [Yeah] her hanky [Yeah] off the floor
Treat her like a lady
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Even [Help her with her coat], well
Treat her like a lady
In this world of liberation
It's so easy to forget, mmm-
That it's so nice to have a man around
To lend a helping hand, you can bet, bet you can, baby
When I was young, my mama used to say, Boy
A woman's like a flower, with love on her you shower
Ever since that day, her words never went away
I always will remember to treat my baby tender%
David turns the radio down "I'm sorry is my singing bothering you?"
"No not at all, I was actually quite enjoying it. You have great voice you know?"
"Not as good as yours, remember when we sang 'Swing Low'? I don't think I ever told you this, but I loved singing that with you."
OH she remembered, the memory made her sad, as she looked outside the window.
David felt her energy change. "I'm sorry, if I made you sad."
"Yes and no.." she stopped a second watching the car behind them in the mirror. "It's a sad memory because I lost our child, but it was also when we found our way back to each other…" ~Hasn't that car been behind us for 3 blocks already~ she thought.
He just simply placed his hand over hers, both their hands resting comfortably on her lap. She looked at their hands and then at him, she did love him so very much. The knowledge that she lost him to the blonde, young woman stung deep inside her heart. She wondered if she would ever recover. ~Why was I so foolish to let him go?~
He felt her eyes on him and looked to his right. "I know." Was all he said and they continued their commute to work in a comfortable silence, David never removing his hands off of hers.
Agnes was slumped at her desk when Maddie and David entered the office. David couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the poor woman.
"Goooooooood morning Miss DiPesto!" he smiled.
She grabbed her head looking up "What's so good about it?" she growled at him.
"Morning Miss DiPesto." Maddie tried to play it safe.
"How? Why? How? We drank.. Why? Ugh.. life is so unfair!" She puts her head back on the desk.
Maddie opened her mouth to explain, but thought the better of it.
"Bert! Will you be so kind as to take care of our dear Miss DiPesto? Make some good strong coffee." He still smiled, then looked at the poor woman. "Agnes.." he softly said.
She plopped her face on her hands just to be able to look at him. "Yeah, Mr. Addison?"
"Just go lay down on my couch. Take some Tylenol and try to rest."
Both Agnes and Maddie looked surprised at him.
"Go on.." he continued "I have to fill in Miss Hayes about the Booker case anyways. Bert can bring you the Tylenol and close the blinds for you."
Bert supported Agnes as he got her to David's office.
"That was sweet of you David."
"Don't get used to it." He winked at her.
"You've got a soft spot for Agnes don't you?"
"She is a sweet and good woman. She has been on my side for a while now. I take care of my own." He smiled.
"So the Booker case?" She asked.
He held up his suitcase as he taps on it "All in here Glodilocks"
David explains the status of the case, which isn't shocking to Maddie at all.
"So Mrs. Booker has an affair. No surprise here. She is 28 and Married to a 68-year-old man. I don't even think Mr. Booker will be surprised."
David shrugs "I don't get old guys dating such young women."
Maddie has a look of surprise on her face.
"I don't know how you found out, but I know you know about Jennifer."
~Jennifer.. ugh what a typical name.~ she thought to herself.
"She is not that much younger than I am, nearly 8 years." He tried to excuse himself.
"Your private life is none of my business, you're entitled to it." She looked him straight in the eyes "As my private life is none of your business."
~Ouch..~ he thought to himself.
"So shall we make an appointment with Mr. Booker, I think this evidence is sufficient enough for him to know the truth.." Maddie's face softened "don't you?"
"Yeah.. I'll have Bert set up the meeting." He turned to go out, but turned around "Maddie?"
She looked up "Yeah."
"I know your life is none of my bee's wax but I do want you to be happy.." he hesitated "and safe."
Maddie had to swallow the tears away before she could answer. "I want you to be happy too.."
He smiled as he walked out of her office.
"Even if it's not with me.." she whispered to herself.
Bert set up the meeting for next Monday at 3PM.
The rest of the day just went by tiresomely slow.
Maddie decides to go home early to get ready for the date.
Driving home, she could swear she sees the same car as she did this morning. She represses the thought and drives straight home.
5:30PM. Maddie didn't really feel like dressing up. She choose the dress she wore when David interrupted her dinner with the plastic surgeon. It still fit her like a glove. She styled her hair and finished her make-up. She looked in the mirror. "This will have to do." She says to herself.
At 5:55 her doorbell rings, she opens the door. And even she has to admit it to herself. Matthew looks handsome in his dark grey suit.
"Hi." She smiles
"Wow.." he admires her "I mean hi. These are for you!"
He hands her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you." She smells the flowers "They are lovely. I'll just put them in some water, I'll be back in a minute."
Matt had chosen an intimate restaurant. It was cozy, had a great atmosphere and even a small dancefloor.
Matt was a great table partner, conversation was natural and Matt had a great sense of humor. And still she couldn't shake the feeling that she was with the wrong man.
After their main course he asked her to dance with her. She got up and followed him to the dance floor as they start dancing. She made sure to keep a certain distance.
The second song set in and Maddie closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics.
A few stolen moments is all that we share
You've got your family and they need you there
Though I've tried to resist being last on your list
But no other man's gonna do
So I'm saving all my love for you
It's not very easy living all alone
My friends try and tell me find a man of my own
But each time I try I just break down and cry
'Cause I'd rather be home feeling blue
So I'm saving all my love for you
~Oh how this is so true~ she thought to herself. Making herself stop listening as images of David filled her mind, them dancing together the first time, dancing at his father's wedding, the first time they made passionate love and how he destroyed half of her living room. She smiled.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Matt softly asked.
He broke her thought train as she looked at him. "I am." She smiled
"Shall we go back to the table? I think dessert is about to be served."
Maddie nodded, as much as she enjoyed Matt's company, she couldn't help but constantly think about David and wondering what and who he was doing.
All of a sudden she thought of Agnes and what she had said about not hurting Matt and finally she understood what Agnes meant. This was a good, kind and very attractive man, she couldn't hurt him. He deserved better. And did she actually want another Sam situation with a new guy? Oh heck no!
"Would you like to go out for a walk later?"
"That would be lovely." Maddie replied, that would give her a great opportunity to be honest to him.
It was a lovely cloudless night as they walked together in the moonlight. Again Maddie's thoughts drifted to David. ~Would he be walking with her under this beautiful moon? Or even worse, would he take her dancing in THEIR laundromat?~
"Maddie?"
"Sorry?"
"You were miles away." He smiled "Are you sure you're having a good time?"
"I'm having a lovely time." She honestly replied
"But?"
"But I have to be honest to you. You're an amazing guy and I do love your company. But.." she sighed before continuing "I think someone has taken a hold of my heart."
"I know this was too good to be true." He nudged his elbow to her upper arm.
"I hope I didn't hurt you or disappoint you."
He laughed "I always like women who are taken. Agnes says it's my weakness in judging women."
"Taken.. HA! No I'm not taken.. the guy is even in a relationship with another woman. I just can't seem to get him out of my mind."
"So taken." He smiles. "I'm not hurt or disappointed, I haven't had a lovely evening like this in a while and I appreciate the honesty before I'd try to kiss you and embarrass myself."
Maddie stopped walking as she turned to face him. "I am truly sorry. I never would accepted if I didn't take it serious. I really wanted to go on this date with you. I think I needed to prove to myself that I was over him."
Matt shrugged "It's fine Maddie. I knew beforehand about your situation. Agnes said that – and I quote – 'Mr. Addison and you are perfect for each other' I just needed to take my shot." He smiled. "I wouldn't mind staying friends though."
"I'd like that very much." As she put her arm in his.
"Would Alice and you like to come to our company picnic?" she asked out of the blue.
He looked at her full of surprise. "What? Why? And would Mr. Addison and Bert mind?"
"Guess who owns the agency?" she smiled "And who cares what they think? You're important to Agnes and I think she'll love it. It'll be our surprise for her. She is quite a remarkable woman you know."
"Oh I know." He laughed
"Why didn't you make it work?" Maddie needed to know.
"Well Agnes is wonderful and quirky. Things I love about her, but we just didn't click romantically. We were living together as brother and sister not as loved ones. We have a lot in common, like going to the same shows, exhibits and so on. But that was it. We talked about it and after a year we just called it quits we lived together for another year." He smiles reminiscing the past. "We had so much fun, we were each other's wing men. Because of her I met my late wife. Agnes and she also clicked, no jealousy at all. But when she met Bert.." he laughed. "It's odd you know, seeing that little man angry."
Maddie thought about the fights in the office and remembered Bert's face, making her laugh. "I know!"
11PM. Maddie opens the door to her house, shuts off the alarm as she turns to Matt. "Would you like some coffee?"
"No I'm fine. I had a really nice evening! Thank you." He kisses her cheek.
"No, thank you. You're an amazing man. So what about Sunday next week?"
"What about it?"
"The picnic. Will Alice and you come? I will give you the time on Monday."
"I think we'd both like that. Goodnight Maddie."
"Good night Matt." She gives him a small hug. "Drive safely."
She closes her front door and leans back on it. "I guess I have to be patient." She sighs. Turns around and locks the door.
Monday 8AM.
Maddie picks up the phone and dials a number.
"Morning! Shall I pick you up this morning? We need to get everything ready for Sunday and I'd rather start early."
She waited for a reply. "Will you be ready in about 10-15 minutes?"
"Yeah I'll wait outside. See you in a few. Yes I will."
She smiled as she put the receiver down. Feeling the butterflies flutter.
She picked up the phone again and dialed the number of the office and listened to Agnes rhyme, she couldn't help but smile. "Good morning Miss DiPesto. Yes, Matt and I had a lovely evening. No, we won't go out again, but we've decided to stay friends. I'm also happy about that.. yes.. Miss DiPesto.. Miss.. AGNES!" Maddie yelled in the phone because Agnes was rattling on. "Agnes, Mr. Addison and I will be in later this morning. We're going to arrange some things for Sunday, okay? There aren't any appointments this morning? Okay.. thanks! We will see you later. Bye!"
She hung up the phone, grabbed her purse and keys, turned on the alarm and walked out.
She turns on the radio to get her mind off of things. But here is too much talking, which is annoying her. She went to turn of the radio, when she notices a cassette, she decides to plop it in. Billy Joel's voice fills the car. "Tell her about it" ends as she arrives at David's apartment. The cassette automatically turns to the other side and the music to "Uptown girl" start. She smiles at the lyrics as she realizes how much this is about David and her. She starts singing and swinging.
David opens the door and joins in:
%And when she's walking
she's looking so fine
And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine
She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love
With an uptown girl%
He sits next to hear smiling.
"Yours?" she nods towards the radio.
"Consider it ours, seeing as we share the car and our appreciation for Billy Joel." He grins.
She smiles as she starts the car.
"So boss lady where are we off to first?"
"I thought we should first make sure we get the drinks, just go to the wholesale. Buy in bulk."
"You want to but that all in the back of the Beemer?"
Maddie laughed. "I'd love that.. but that means we're driving around with drinks for a week!" She laughed at the thought "I thought we should figure out how much we need of each product then place an order. And then pick it up on Saturday."
"Sounds like a plan Blondie. Wholesale probably has cups and plates as well. How much ya wanna buy?"
She thought for a while before answering, she looked in the rear view mirror ~There's that car again..~
"Yo earth to Maddie!"
"Oh I'm sorry. We have 9 employees, plus us." She thought out loud.
"That makes 11.." he grinned at her
She shot him a look "I can count, thank you very much."
He put up his hands in self-defense "Just trying to help!"
She rolled her eyes as she went on "So just do that times 3, let's buy for 33 people."
At the same time:
David Maddie:
"Who are you expecting?" "Well I don't know?"
"Who did you invite?" "I don't know everything about our employees?"
"Gosh jolly miss Molly!" "Well Mr. Know it all.."
"I'm wondering who you'll bring!" "How many people do you think?"
"Well I don't know Miss Hayes." "Oh Miss Hayes again is it?"
"Well fine, just do 33!" "Finally FINE!"
"Good!" "Good!"
The looked at each other and laughed.
"We're good at this aren't we?"
"It's a bad habit David and yet.."
"You enjoy our little banter as much as I do?"
She shrugged and smiled shyly "Guilty."
They ordered all the things they thought they'd need (and then some!).
"That's all the drinks Miss Hayes.. what about food?"
"Well you've done this before.. What did you usually do?"
"Com'on, I'm driving.. I know this great place." He held out his hand to her.
She handed him the keys. "This'll be interesting."
He opened the passenger door "Milady!"
She rolled her eyes as she got in, smiling all the while.
David stopped in a dicey part of town.
"David? What are we doing here?"
"I know it's not the best part of town, but Angelo has the best sandwiches in town!"
They walk inside a tiny bakery.
"Angie!" David yelled.
"Davey!" A tall, broad Italian guy walked towards them and picked up David in a bear hug "Where the hell have you been? Haven't seen you here for weeks!"
Maddie giggled at the sight of this tree of a man picking up David like he was a little boy.
"Not in front of the lady man!" David tried to whisper.
Angelo hadn't noticed Maddie. "What lady?"
David nodded to where Maddie was standing with a big smile.
He immediately dropped David "This beautiful creature of God? This golden angel? This apparition? This vision of beauty? She is with you?" he stood directly in front of Maddie.
She looked up at him, still with a huge smile, estimated that he had to be 6'7 or slightly taller. Built like an ox, kind hazel eyes and a beautiful white smile.
"Yeah she's with me." David snorted
"Why?" Angelo asked turning to Maddie.
"Nice to meet you bellezza." She put her hand in his as he kissed it "My name is Angelo Rossi, owner of this little establishment."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Rossi, I'm Maddie Hayes."
"No, no bellezza, please call me Angelo, Mr. Rossi is my father."
Maddie giggled.
"Whoa whoa Angelo!" David put himself between Maddie and Angelo. "Stop flirting man. She's not that kinda lady."
"Who says?" she stood behind him with her hands on her hips.
David turned around astonishment on his face. He looked her up and down and then up again. His eyes meeting hers as an even larger smile came across her face.
"Yeah Davey says wh-?" Angelo said looking at the two of them, the last word faded into the air.
David had to swallow the lump in his throat looking. ~Dammit Maddie, stop doing that.~ His only desire was to put his hand behind her neck and softly pull her in for a tender kiss.
"Yo Davey?" Angelo's heavy voice brought him back.
"Yeah.."
"So whattya doing in this part of town?"
David massaged the back of his head "Well, remember all those years ago when I arranged the company picnic? My brilliant partner Maddie suggested that we do one of those again. And everybody is still talking about your sandwiches and cannoli's."
"As they should.." Angelo laughed.
"But as Maddie wasn't at the first picnic, I think she needs a little more convincing in hiring you again." David smirked at his friend.
"So no more bro! So you guys are having lunch here?"
Maddie looked at her watch 11:30AM and felt her stomach growl "I could go for an early lunch." She smiled. "Is there somewhere I can make a phone call Angelo?" she turned to David "I will check with Agnes if there are any messages."
"Agnes? Agnes DiPesto? How is she doing? You can make a phone call here." David watched as his friend lead Maddie to the back. Angelo blocked his view of her behind. He sighed, bummed he didn't get to see the bum.
Angelo came back immediately. "Davey, Davey, Davey.. you've got this diamond in your possession and you don't even show her around? I'd scream it from every damn roof top in LA. She is gorgeous. Too gorgeous for you!" as he playfully punched David on his arm.
"Ha ha. We're not like that. It's strictly business with that one." ~I wish we were more~ he thought to himself.
"But you wish there was more.."
"Did I say that?"
"Davey, I've know you for quite some time now, you don't have to say anything. You've brought multiple women in here.. but never this exquisite and you definitely never acted like that around any of these other women. Admit man, she's got you and I'm fairly certain you've got her."
"See now that's where you're wrong my friend. Miss Hayes just wants to be pals or buddies."
"I doubt it."
"Don't"
"If you say so. So what can I make you guys? No wait.. I have an idea." Angelo said as he walked towards the kitchen as Maddie walked towards David.
"Isabella? Isabella Rossi? Get in here Davey is here."
"Who's Isabella?" Maddie whispered
"It's his sister."
Isabella came out "DAVEY! Com'ere stranger!" as she gave him a big hug.
"Isabella meet my partner Maddie Hayes."
Maddie extended her hand. Isabella was about the same height as Maddie, slim, same hazel eyes as her brother and the same beautiful smile. "Call me Maddie, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too Maddie, it was about time you brought in a beautiful, classy woman instead of the things you used to bring in."
Maddie chuckled, she liked this woman.
"So how is Mario and the little bambino's?"
"Mario is fine, always working hard. Little -HA- you haven't been in such a long time.. they're not little anymore. Mateo is 14 and Elena will turn 12 soon."
"14 and 12, no way!" he put his arm around Isabella "Please tell me they still look like their gorgeous mother?"
She hit him with the dishrag she had in her hands "Always the charmer. Be glad Mario isn't here to hear you!" she laughed.
"Mario loves me!" David laughed.
Isabella shrugged "Maybe if you'd stop flirting with his wife. What must your partner think?"
"She doesn't but she looks good doing it, don't you think?"
"Addison!" Both ladies said in unison.
"Gets you every time." He smirked at the women in front of him.
After a little while Angelo came back with a large tray and put it in between Maddie and David.
"Maddie, as you've never been here and have never tasted our sandwiches, here is a little array of the sandwiches we sell."
"Angelo! It looks so delicious!"
"Angie, you went all the way out on this one!"
"No worries Davey, you'll get the bill soon." He laughed
David turned to Maddie "Eat everything!"
Angelo explained what was on all the tiny sandwiches.
Starting safe, Maddie took the Caprese sandwich first. David started on the parma ham and truffle mayonnaise.
"Oh David!" Maddie's eyes widened "This is divine!"
"Told ya!"
"You didn't tell me they're this good!" she had a little smudge of pesto on the side of her mouth.
Without thinking he moved his thumb across the side of her mouth and stuck it in his own mouth. "Mmmhh tastes even better now." Shockwave came across his face as he realized he said it out loud.
Maddie licked where he had just touched her.
They finished everything on the tray.
Isabella came to the table. "How did you like this Maddie?"
Maddie smiled up to her "It was absolutely divine."
Isabella took the tray "Coffee?"
"Make it two cappuccino, will you Isabella?"
"Sure handsome."
Normally Maddie would be bothered by other women openly flirting with David, but not with Isabella, she felt safe for some reason.
Isabella placed two perfect cappuccino's in front of them.
"If you come here, you also have to try these Maddie." As she placed 2 cannoli's in front of them. "We make these every day. We're sold out every day." She smiled.
Maddie felt stuffed, but couldn't refuse. "Oh that looks so good. Thank you so much Isabella."
When Isabella left the table Maddie turned to David "How do I eat this without making a mess?"
"You don't!" he took a big bite, as he swallowed "but they're so worth it!"
He picked up her cannoli and slowly brought it to her mouth "Come on Maddie open up."
A car past the restaurant ~Isn't that? Come on Maddie, you're becoming paranoid, enjoy the moment~ as she bit of a piece of cannoli. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head.
"That's not the first time I've made you roll your eyes to back of your head."
She shot him a look, but as quickly as it came, her eyes softened immediately as her cheeks turned pink by the memory.
They finished up. "David, you were absolutely right. We should definitely order here. Thank you for taking me here."
"You're welcome Goldilocks." He smiled.
"Now pay the man and place our order."
Angelo and Isabella were happy with the large order, as Sunday was usually their day off Maddie and David invited them to join them for the picnic.
They arrived back at the office at 2PM.
Agnes handed David some messages and Maddie the mail and a few messages as well.
"Agnes, can I count on you to take care of the blankets and entertainment for Sunday?" David asked.
"Of course Mr. Addison, didn't I always?"
"I knew I could count on you!" he winked.
"I'll be in my office, please hold all calls Agnes." Maddie held up the mail "I want to finish this first."
Back in her office she looked through the mail. She read through the envelopes, reading the senders. She had to read it more than once to just understand what was written on the envelope.
She opened the first envelope *Does your company need a new car?* She crumples it up. "No my BMW is still working fine!" as she throws the now ball in the trash.
She opens the next envelope and takes out the letter crumpling it up with a second. "What is with all these advertisements?" Another ball in the trash.
She shifted through all the envelops again. Opening them one by one with the letter opener. Only opening the envelope to reveal if it was an advertisement or if it was regular mail. She threw 4 envelopes in the trash.
There were 3 envelopes in front of her, she took the content of the largest envelope from her lawyer. "Ah I was waiting on this." She read the letter from her lawyer and then looked through the contract in front of her. She hired a new, small and young advertising agency, to try and get more business their way. The lawyer gave her the green light, looking at the costs they could easily afford to hire them. Her lawyer had already paragraphed the bottom of every page. She signed and put it back in the original envelope. ~Have to give this to Miss DiPesto~ she reminded herself.
She opened the second envelope, it was a thank you note from the Thompsons. She read it twice and smiled. Secretly hoping to get more of cases like this.
The last letter didn't have a sender, it was directed at her personally. Not Blue Moon detective agency. She took the letter out and opened it, dropping it immediately. She grabbed her phone. "David, can you come in here please? Yes now please!" she pleaded.
He was in her office within seconds.
"What's wrong? You sounded upset!"
She pointed at the letter on her desk.
He picked it up, read it out loud. "You better back off. I will only warn you once!" The letter consisted of magazine cut out letters.
"Whoa.. who did you piss off? And back off from what? From who?"
"Whom." She corrected him
"What?" he looked annoyed
"Sorry!" she turned red.
"So who did you piss off beside me?" he smirked.
"No one.." she pondered for a second "No one beside you.. I think. So why are you mailing me this?" She smirked back at him.
His face turned serious. "No jokes Maddie." Concern in his eyes "Back off from?"
His last question lingered in her office a while.
He sighed, dreading asking, then scrapped his throat "We don't have any pending cases?"
"No, just the Booker case and I'm not even on it."
"Someone stalking you? Did you hurt anyone?" he felt his heart drop when he asked her this.
She looked him dead in the eyes "No, I don't think so.."
"What about your date last Friday? Matt something?"
"This is not him. We had a lovely evening together." All of a sudden the car sprung to mind "Although.."
"Although what?"
"I've seen this car drive by, following us, a couple of times. I convinced myself I was being paranoid."
"A car? What make? What model? What color?"
"Just a car, piece of machinery, I think it's a weathered shade of blue."
"Jesus Maddie, think!"
"Well I can't think if you act like that! Do you think I recognize all makes and models of cars? I don't care most cars look the same to me anyways!"
David was pacing as he listened to her rant on.
"Do you know every make and model of every damn car? Do you think I did it on purpose. I just saw a car that looked the same, I had no clue they could be the same."
David stopped in front of her, placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly moving his hands down until he reached her hands, he held on to both her hands and looked her in the eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried. I want you to be safe." He sighed "No I don't know every make and model car. But can you at least tell me if it's an American or European or Asian car?"
"I think it's an American car."
"Good, so an American, off blue car. And what does Matt drive?"
Maddie rolled her eyes "I told you it's not Matthew, but if you like to know.. He drives a 1988 silver Mercedes-Benz 300D. Oh actual a 300D Turbo 4Matic."
"You don't know what type of American car you saw, but yet have no trouble naming the make and model of your new boyfriend's car?"
"First of all, I saw the American car from afar, secondly I was actually in the Mercedes and asked about it. And thirdly.." she stopped as she saw the smug look on his face.
"Thirdly?"
"Forget it. I like German cars. Why do you think I drive a BMW?"
"Is it German?"
"Are you serious? BMW? Bayerische Motoren Werke? Bayerische meaning Bavaria?"
He busted out laughing.
"Jerk!" she snapped at him.
"So could this Matt have an ex-girlfriend who's pissed that you went on a date with?"
"I could ask him, but as far as I know his one girlfriend is sitting outside and gave her blessings as she is happy with our other employee…"
David's mouth fell open "Agnes?"
She nodded her head.
"Our Agnes?"
She nodded again.
"So Agnes and you dated the same guy?" he laughed
Maddie looked at him in shock. "Agnes and I did date the same guy.." she muttered as the realization hit her.
"So Matt only dated Agnes?"
His question got her mind back to their conversation "No, no of course not, he was married."
"HA, the ex-wife!" David interrupted her.
"He is a widower David. It's his daughter and him."
"Oh.. so maybe.."
"No not Alice, she was a lovely young lady. She cares much for her father, she just wants to see him happy."
"You sure?"
"Positive, but if you don't believe me, you can ask her godmother. She is also sitting out there."
"Agnes is a godmother?"
"She loves that young lady. Although Bert needs to chill more."
"Bert? What?"
"His jealous nature stops her from visiting Matthew and Alice."
"He loves his woman."
"But he doesn't own her. And if he truly loved her, he should trust her. She wouldn't hurt him. You and I both know that."
"Now what about this threat?"
"David, I have no clue as to whom I should be backing off?! We have no clue who send it, no name, no address."
"Well to be honest Maddie, people who threat other people usually don't put a return address on the envelope."
She gave a little smile.
"The only thing I do know, I am not leaving you out of my sight until we find out who send that."
"Don't overreact David. I'll be fine."
"No Maddie. This is not something to be discussed. We will drive past my house tonight, pick up a few things for a couple of days and I will stay with you until this is resolved."
"But David.."
"Please don't argue with me on this."
"What about Jennifer?"
~Shit Jennifer! He had totally forgotten about her. "It'll be fine."
"You sure?" she asked uncertain.
"I'm sure." He resolutely answers.
"I'll do the meeting with Mr. Booker and Bert. You stay in here. If you need anything just holler!"
"Do we tell the employees?" she asked.
"No not yet. Everything is just as normal. We don't want to cause panic. It'll be fine. Probably a loony."
They arrived at his place at 6PM. David insisted she'd go in with him. She sighed as she complied.
He was quick to pack a couple of things.
"So what do you want to eat tonight?" he asked her on the way down to the car.
"I don't really feel like eating." She honestly replied.
"Come on, we'll just pick something up. Feel like pizza?"
"No not really."
"Chinese."
"No."
"Burger?"
"Nope?"
"Taco's?" he expected a quick no.
"Oh I haven't had taco's in forever. I think I'd like that."
"El Cholo it is then!"
"El Cholo?" she asked
"Trust me, you'll love it! They also have these mean Margarita's-to-go."
She looked at him "Really? It does sound like a great place."
He smiled at her.
They got to Maddie's place at 8PM. Maddie turned off the alarm. David puts down his duffle bag next to the side table and walks towards the coffee table as he puts down the food. Maddie is carrying the container of Margarita's-to-go, still skeptic about the concept.
"I'll get some plates and cutlery."
"For taco's?" he asked in utter surprise.
"How else are we going to eat them David?"
He puts up both his hands and shake them "Using these!"
Maddie has a disgusted look on her face.
"Come on, there is a wrap around the taco, that's your plate. Come on Maddie NO ONE cuts their taco's."
She looks at her feet and shyly says "I do."
"Well now you won't anymore." He grins "We could use some margarita glasses."
Maddie gets 2 glasses and sets them next to the container of Margarita's.
She plops down next to David on the couch.
"What a day." She puts down her head on the back of the couch, closes her eyes and kicks off her shoes. Then starts massaging her scalp.
David watches her for a while, her neck is begging him to caress, kiss and nuzzle. He swallows hard. And turns his attention to the margarita, pouring the 2 glasses and taking the taco's out of the bag. He puts one glass in front of her and puts a taco next to it.
"You've gotta eat Maddie."
"I can go one night without." She smiles
"You need your energy." He says bumping his knee to hers.
She grabs his arm and pulls herself up. "Okay dad." She nudges. "Oh this looks pretty good." She takes her glass off of the table and takes a big gulp. "Oh this is excellent!" as she takes another gulp.
"Slow down Maddie. The last thing you ate was hours ago."
She takes the last big gulp "So?"
"So.." he contemplates "So you don't want to get drunk right now do you?'
"Maybe I do." She fills up her glass and gets up to turn on the radio.
"Ah Miss Patti LaBelle." Maddie starts dancing and singing to the music.
David watches her move, enjoying the view. ~Her music choices are so much better~ he thinks to himself.
%Mmm, tell me
Tell, tell, tell, tell me
Mmm, tell me
Tell, tell, tell, tell me
Who needs the aggravation
I think I'm running out of patience
I can't take any more heartbreak
Why be a Cinderella
When you can't find a fella
It's a nightmare, it's not fair
I need the kind of lovin'
Hotter than my mama's oven
I'm on fire with a love desire%
Before the chorus starts, she looks David straight in the eyes and sings to him.
%Tell me, when am I gonna find true love
When am I gonna find true love
When am I gonna find
When am I gonna find
When am I gonna find true love%
She looks away and dances while she is drinking.
Before the song is over, Maddie finished her second glass. David gets up and takes the glass from her.
"No more margarita's until you eat something young lady."
She inches in on him "You don't ever let me have some fun."
He smells the margarita on her breath and it is taking every inch of his strength not to kiss her, taste the margarita mixed with Maddie.
"Wanna dance?" she asks.
"Maybe later, first eat!"
She sits down pouting as he hands her the taco.
"See I'm eating!" she opens the taco and starts eating, enjoying the moment.
"Good?" he looks at her.
She nods. Still not really hungry.
They sit in comfortable silence for a while and then Smokey Robinson & the Miracles come on.
% People say I'm the life of the party
'Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you), need you (need you)
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
Oh, you'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look a little bit closer, it's easy to trace
Oh, the tracks of my tears
Oh, I need you (need you), need you (need you)
Hey yeah, outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make-up%
David listens to the lyrics. He realizes that this song is about him. Hearing ~Although she may be cute, she's just a substitute, because you're the permanent one~ he looks at her. She looks back at him, both don't say a word but just look at each other. Both seem to say the same thing, but neither speaks on it as the songs fades out.
"You want another margarita?" he asks her
"Yes please." She gets up as an upbeat song starts and starts dancing. ~Get him out of your mind Maddie.~ she reminds herself.
~Get her out of your system Addison.~ he thinks as he watches her dance. He has never seen her this loose. Must be the margarita's.
"David?"
"Yeah?"
"Nothing.."
"Nothing?"
"It's just.. would you like to dance?" she asks just as *Just my imagination* by the Temptations starts.
He slyly smiles ~I will never get you out of my system~ he thinks as he walks up to her and puts one hand on her lower back and her takes her hand with his other.
She keeps her distance, feels his body heat on hers, she places her head against his cheek. ~Why does this feel so safe?~ she wonders for a second adding ~because it's him. It has been him for quite some time now.~ she feels his stubbles against her flesh. She never knew she needed this.. him.. so bad. And now it was too late.. ~he has Jennifer now.~ she thinks to herself.
He pulls her a bit closer when her head rests against his cheek. Her skin felt like velvet against his rough skin. She smelled like vanilla, lilies and margarita's. He took a deep breath. Taking the entire moment in, taking her in. ~It's always been you.. You've got yourself in a fine mess Dave..~ He thinks to himself. He slowly opens his eyes, he needs to look at her.
That's when he sees it! "Maddie!" he yells out her name as he runs towards the double doors.
"What?" she feels disappointed that the dance has ended.
He opens the door. "Dammit! It's too dark to see anything!"
"See what David?"
"I could have sworn I saw someone staring at us."
"Out there? I doubt it David, it's hard to get in to the yard. Must have been Spiderman." She laughed. "Or Batman maybe.."
"Don't laugh. I really saw somebody out there Maddie." He rubs the back of his neck. "I will check all the doors and windows. Stay with me." He starts walking through her house, Maddie follows him quietly.
"All secure my hero?" she sarcastically asks.
He quickly turns to Maddie "Stop this Madelyn Hayes!"
"Stop what?"
"Stop it Maddie! This is not a laughing matter. Why are you being so careless about this?" he has a certain worry on his face.
She shrugged.
He grabbed her by the shoulders "Dammit Maddie, what has to happen before you take this seriously."
She looked at his hands on her shoulders, then looks him straight in his eyes "You really think this is the first time I've ever had letters like this?"
Taken aback, he lets go and steps back. "What?"
"I was in the spotlight David. You don't think the Blue Moon Shampoo Girl never had letters like the one I got today? I've had men asked me to marry them, I've had men tell me they'd kill me if I ever started dating anyone and even had men at my door step. One letter doesn't scare me. I've faced worse creeps."
"Well you're not in the spotlight now and you're supposed to back off from someone. Besides Matt, with whom have you had dates?"
Maddie smiles "Good use of whom. No one David, Matt has been my first date in forever. And yes I know it makes Matt and former dates suspicious. I still believe that Matt has nothing to do with that letter. Talk to Agnes if you don't believe me."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight. Bert brought the letter to my buddy at the police, I'll call him tomorrow to ask if there are any prints. Come on, let's go upstairs." He says ushering her up the stairs.
"And where do you think you're sleeping?" She asks him.
"Don't care, I can sit on the ground."
She turns to face him "Why would you do that? You can take the guest bedroom."
"What part of I will not let you out of my sight don't you get? Maddie I am not leaving you in another room. I will keep you in my sight."
Her heart swells like a balloon. She tries not to show him what his words mean to her. She swallows hard, out of his sight "Thank you David."
~Anything for you.~ he thinks to himself. "You're welcome."
"I'll be in the bathroom."
"Keep the door open!"
"Excuse you?"
"I won't come in, I just need to hear if anything happens." She looks at him in disbelief "Scouts honor!" he crosses his heart.
She's too tired to start a fight as she leaves the door slightly open. Quickly cleaning herself and changing. As she comes back into the bedroom, she sees he's also changed into a t-shirt and sweats. She smiles at the sight of his horrible, cut sweats. He does look very handsome in them though. "Do you need the bathroom?"
"Yeah, thanks." He disappears, also leaving the door slightly open.
She pulls back the blankets as she crawls in her bed.
He comes back, turning off the bathroom lights. Checking to see if he really locked her bedroom door, then checking all other entrances. He remembers how easy he once broke into her bedroom. After he is content, he sits across from her bed.
"David, you can't stay there all night."
"I can."
"Just lay on top of the blankets. Grab the comforter to your left."
"You sure?"
"Yes, you also need to sleep."
He lays to the far end as far away from Maddie as he can. He doesn't want her to be uncomfortable.
She feels a sting in her heart, almost like he is rejecting her. ~He's with Jennifer now.~ she chants to herself.
"Good night Maddie." He smiles at her
"Night David." She turns away from him as he blows her a kiss.
1AM.
Maddie looks at her alarm for the 10th time. She gets up to go to the bathroom.
"You still awake?"
"For the love of Mike! David you nearly gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He pops up on one elbow. "Have you even slept?"
"No, I can't. You?"
"Nawh.." He sat up.
Maddie walks back to the bed and sits down next to him. "So.."
"So?"
"Any ideas?"
"Well none you'll like." He moves his eyebrows up and down.
"I don't think Jennifer would like your idea. Maybe if you were single.." She smiles a flirty smile "you might have gotten lucky."
David grabs his chest "ouch!"
They both laugh.
"We've been through a lot haven't we?" she looks at him sad smile around her lips.
"We have." He cups her face with his right hand "But I wouldn't want to have miss any of it."
Maddie laughs "You sure about that?"
"Well I could have gone without the space guy.. what was his name? Sid?" he winks at her
"You know his name is Sam." She laughs.
"And I could have gone without the 4,5 months I had to go without you."
"I'm sorry." Her voice was small "I didn't do it to hurt you."
"Water under the bridge.. let's just leave it were it should be. In the past." He grabs her hand and kisses it. "Move on."
She smiles "I don't think I'll ever get past that guilt. It changed everything between us."
"It did, didn't it."
Maddie placed her hand over his "I will always regret not talking to you about my feelings about us, but also about the pregnancy." A single tear fell from her eye "Can you ever forgive me?"
"I could never stay mad at you Maddie." He smiled.
Maddie smiles "We did screw things up haven't we?"
"But we always fix it." He added.
"May I.." he sighs "Look, I have been wondering something for a while. Something that isn't easy to ask. Something I think might anger or, even worse, hurt you.." he stops to look at her "I don't want to anger and I definitely don't want to hurt you."
"But?"
"Maddie I've got to know."
"Know what?"
He sits up straight rubbing his face "How did you know the baby was Sam's and not mine?" He didn't dare to look at her.
She sits up on her knees as she places her hand on his shoulder "The doctor told me what the time of conceiving was. But.." she feels tears welling.
"But what?" he wondered.
"The day after I lost the baby, the doctor came into my room." Tears were streaming "The doctor in Chicago had miscalculated, I conceived later than he said." She swallows trying not to cry harder "He was yours." She breaks down after the final words.
"What? Wait? You've known this for years? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Would it have made any difference? Honestly David? Would it have made any difference?" tears still stream. "I lost him, David. I lost my baby. I lost OUR son."
"I.. I –"
"You what? Would have been more hurt that you had lost yet another child? Would have stayed with me? What?"
"We could have gone through the grieve together. I don't think I've supported you enough."
"You did more than enough David, you were there for me. You don't know how much you've helped me in the elevator."
He finally looks at her "So you didn't tell me anything to spare my feelings?"
"I was wrong, I should have told you when I found out. I just couldn't let you go through what I just went through. I could bare to hurt you after I'd already hurt you so much."
He puts his hand on her lower stomach "I am happy to know that you carried our child and not Sid's"
"Sam."
"Who?" he smiles.
She cups his face with her right hand, wiping away the tears. He hadn't notice he had been crying until she touched him. He kisses the palm of her hand.
They sit quietly for a little while, both thinking about everything that has just been said between the two of them.
Maddie eventually gets up and walks towards the bathroom.
"Don't lock the door." Was all he said.
She uses the bathroom, then washes her hands and face. She looks into the mirror before walking back in the room.
He smiles at her "You listened!"
"Excuse me?"
"You've kept the door unlocked."
She smiles as she takes her place on the bed.
"So.. I have a question for you now?"
"Okay.. ask away." He looks at her.
"Do you have anything you've never told me? For what reason?"
The first thing that pops into his head is Tess. But he doesn't feel like talking about Tess.
"My life is an open book to you."
Maddie hoped he would talk about Tess. She had never told him she knew the truth and also didn't want this between the two of them
"I know you have secrets, don't we all have them?" She smiles. "But you don't have to talk to me about them, we don't have that type of relationship I guess."
"Tell me a secret about you and I will tell you one about me."
"I will tell you one about a young Madelyn Hayes." She smiles "When I was 16 I dated this one guy named John. My parents weren't too happy with me dating him. He was 3 years older and didn't go to college. He worked in his father's garage… you know on the wrong side of the tracks."
David nods understandingly. "So what happened?"
"You see he was everything I liked in a man, tall, dark hair, green eyes and a smile that could stop any girls heart. I did so many things my parents disagreed on. I smoked when I dated him. I hated it, cigarettes stink and taste so bad. But I wanted John to like me. I was so much in love with him."
"So what happened?"
"My father happened." She laughed. "I never figured out what daddy did, but when he caught me smoking, he went out to John. I never saw John after that."
"Are you telling me your father committed a crime?"
"No, John left me a note saying he had gotten a job out of town. And that was that."
They spend the rest of the night sharing their secrets with each other. Mostly silly childhood secrets, some more serious than others. Both forgetting all about the threats.
The last time Maddie had looked at the alarm it was 4AM. She stretched as she fell into a deep slumber.
She woke first, finding herself in his arms, unwilling to move she kept her eyes closed. She wanted this moment to last as long as it could.
He moved to his back, letting go of her. She stretched and then looked at the alarm 9AM.
"Morning beautiful."
She turned to look at David stretching, butterflies in her stomach "Morning, sleep well?"
"After a little while, you snored adorably."
She felt her face turn red "I did?"
He smiles "You looked adorable too."
He watched her neck turn red as well.
"Coffee?" she asks while looking at her hands.
"Sure."
She got up and puts on her bathrobe.
"Wait!" he jumps up and puts on his pants "I'll go down first."
Maddie rolls her eyes but says nothing as she follows him down.
David checks all the rooms downstairs as Maddie stands on the last step of the stairs.
They walk towards the kitchen as Maddie quietly makes the coffee.
"Would you like something to eat?" she asks while her back still faces him. "I don't think I have much but I have some bread to make toast or some wholegrain cereal."
"Wholegrain? Yuck!"
Maddie turns around "Imagine liking something healthy!" she laughs. "So toast?"
"Sure."
She puts 2 slices of bread in the toaster. She takes the milk, butter and jam out of the fridge and puts it on the table in front of David, all the time avoiding his eyes. She makes the coffee and places the toast on two plates. She gives him his plate and coffee and puts hers down.
"Oh the knives." She says.
"I'll get them." David gets up and sits back down.
That's when she hears something and sees movement near the front door. "David! There is someone near the front door."
David throws the knives on the table and runs towards the front door. When he opens the door, no one's there. "Dammit!" he yells.
Maddie runs towards David. "What is it?" as she walks out and sees her car. Her jaw drops. "David.. David.." her voice is small as reality hits her, she reaches for him.
He supports her. "We can get it fixed Maddie."
All she can do, is cry as he holds her. "I.. don't.. get.. it.. David.. I.. didn't.. hurt.. anyone.." she cries.
He holds her closer and kisses the top of her hair. "Come on, let's call the police."
"Should we get the letter?" she asks.
"Leave it, there might be fingerprints" he whispers in her hair.
David calls the police, the office and then gets Maddie upstairs before the cops come.
Maddie sits on her bed.
"Maddie you need to get dressed before the cops come." He softly pressures her.
"Yeah.. of course." She gets up walks to her closet and comes out with clothes folded up as she walks into the bathroom. He doesn't have to say a word, she leaves the door open.
He gets dressed and stands outside, hears the shower turn on. After a couple of minutes the shower is turned off. It takes another 10 minutes for her to come out.
He stares at her, her hair still wet. She walks past him and sits at her dressing table. She sits watching herself for a minute. She doesn't feel like blow drying her hair, combs it together and puts it up. David is still staring. She notices him staring "Is there something you want to say David?"
"What? No. I mean.."
She puts on light make-up "Yes?"
"Don't take this the wrong way.." he hesitates "But what are you wearing?"
She gets up and looks down at herself "What's wrong with this?"
"Nothing.. I mean.. I've never seen you wear jeans before.." he is in awe. The jeans fit perfectly over her legs and ass, like a second skin and an off the shoulder black sweater.
"Well this is not something I'd wear to the office, but I do have casual clothes. I just don't feel like dressing up today. I won't be going to the office."
The doorbell rings.
"That'll be the cops. Come on."
They walk downstairs and David opens, they're greeted by 4 cop cars the detective walks up to greet them.
"Addison?"
David nods.
"Detective Smith, the guy in the blue sport jacket is my partner detective Anson."
Detective Anson nods at David, he nods back in understanding.
"Detective Anson will look for evidence around the car with the help of some of the officers. The other officers will scan the neighborhood. Is it okay if I come in to talk to you?"
David stepped back as he let the detective in.
Maddie had observed all that was happening in utter silence unable to move from the final step of the stairs she was standing on.
"This is my.." David stopped as he saw a ghostly white Maddie standing on the stairs. "You okay Maddie?"
She didn't react.
He walked towards her, he touched her upper arm. An immediate shock went through her body as she looked at him.
"You okay Maddie?"
"No.." tears welled "No David, I'm not."
He took her in his arms tenderly, like he had just picked up a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. He whispered in her ear "The detectives are here, are you up to speaking to them?"
She nodded against his shoulder.
"This is my partner Miss Madelyn Hayes." David introduced her
Det. Smith shook her hand "Detective Smith, are you okay to talk to me."
"Yes of course." She sounded hoarse as she wiped her tears. "The full effect of everything that has happened just hit me."
The detective asked Maddie to inform him of all that had happened.
Maddie told her story, David filled in his parts. Detective Smith wrote down what he was told.
"I think it's safer for you to stay somewhere else. Is there anywhere you could go for a little while?"
Maddie shrugged "No not really, my family lives in Chicago and I refuse to flee my city for someone."
David couldn't help but smile that she didn't want to leave LA "She can stay with me.." he looked at her surprised face "IF you want to that is."
"Wouldn't I be a bother?"
David handed the detective his business card, he had written his home number on the back. "I'll keep her safe."
"Miss Hayes, I suggest you start packing a bag for a couple of days. We would also like to investigate your place of work. If that is okay?"
"Yes of course, I will pack and then we could go to the office. I think I should be there, before all the employees get any ideas."
When they walked out of her house, she looked at her car. All the tires were slashed, a brick had been thrown through some of the windows, the lights had been broken, but only when she walked around did she see the big black letters spray-painted on her car "SLUT". David grabbed her arm when he noticed her reaction "Walk on Maddie, there's the detective's car." As he ushered her to the car.
They arrived at the office at 2pm. It looked like a fire had been set to a beehive. All the employees were running around and talking because of the officers that had arrived earlier.
Maddie walked in first, followed by David and det. Smith. She stood still watching all the people walk around.
"Yo! YO!" David yelled
Maddie whistled on her fingers, impressing det. Smith.
"Thank you miss Hayes. Everybody! This is det. Smith, he and his colleagues will be looking around the office. Miss Hayes has been getting threats and they're looking for evidence."
Everyone stared at Maddie, making her uneasy. "I received a letter at the office yesterday and.." Maddie had to swallow "this morning my car was totaled."
The women all had looks of worry on their faces. The men were still staring at Maddie wearing tight fitting jeans.
"Guys, you mind rolling up your tongues. We've got a business to run. Work will continue." David sternly said.
Agnes walked up to Maddie "You okay Miss Hayes."
Maddie looked into the sweet eyes of Agnes "I don't know." Was her honest answer.
"What will you be doing?" Agnes' voice was full of concern.
"I'll be staying at Mr. Addison's for a while, hopefully the police will catch this pervert soon. So we can all sleep at night." She gave Agnes a faint smile.
"And we will provide 24 hours surveillance around Miss Hayes." Det. Smith added. He had seen his fair share of crazy people in LA. He walked towards Maddie's office "I hope we'll be done here soon."
"Please take you time, I'd rather you catch this creep." She gave him a faint smile.
He nodded and went in.
"Bert?"
"Yes Mr. Addison?"
"What do you say you and me bring Miss Hayes up to speed about the Booker case." David guided Maddie to his office.
"Of course, I will get the file and will be right in."
"Oh Agnes?"
"Yes Mr. Addison?"
"Could you bring us a couple of coffees?"
"Sure thing!" She smiled happy to be able to do anything.
Bert walked in with the file and one cup coffee. Agnes was right behind him with holding 2 cups. Maddie sat in the corner of the couch, staring blankly out the window.
Bert took the seat opposite of David's desk, somehow knowing not to sit on the couch. David took a seat next to Maddie.
"Please inform Miss Hayes, Bert."
Bert started talking and Maddie looked at him. She saw his mouth moving, but none of his words hit her. David handed her the coffee. She looked at the cup and then back up to Bert. She was taking in his face, the stubbles on his face, the lines that started to come on his face, his mouth moving and all the body movements. ~He is a funny, little man. But he tries so hard. I should appreciate him more often.~ she thought to herself ~Just like Agnes, she has such a good heart.~
David eyeballed her, she was looking at Bert, but he knew she didn't hear a word Bert was saying. She just quietly sat there holding her coffee. He loved observing her, he knew every inch of her body and body language. He saw how tense she was, she clenched her jaw lightly.
"Mr. Addison?"
"Sorry Bert, what did you say?"
"Did I tell it all correctly?" the anxious man looked at David.
"You did great my man!" he got up "Did you show Miss Hayes the check?"
"Oh no! Look Miss Hayes." He handed Maddie the check.
She looked at it, she had to read it again "Isn't this more than what we agreed upon?" she looked from Bert to David.
"Well Miss Hayes, Mr. Booker was so grateful.." Bert started.
"The divorce got a lot cheaper because of our investigation. There was a little extra because we got the job done this fast." David added.
"A little.." she smiled her sad smile again "Good job you guys! You've done an excellent job."
Bert felt 10 feet tall when she complimented him. She smiled at the happy man.
"Mr. Viola?"
"Yes Miss Hayes?"
"Would you mind taking care of the billing? And please give the check to Miss DiPesto, she knows what to do. My head isn't really in the game at the moment."
"It would be my pleasure Miss Hayes!" he puffed his chest "I'll be right on it!"
She got up before he could walk away and put her hand on his arm, he looked at her in shock. "Thank you Bert, that means a lot to me."
A baffled Bert left the office.
"My.. my.. Madelyn Hayes getting soft at old age."
She shot him a look "At what?"
"I meant drama of course."
"Of course…" she sat back down, she rested her head on the back of the couch.
"You stay here, I'll check with det. Smith."
She heard the door close.
"Miss Hayes?" Maddie immediately opened her eyes when she heard a deep male voice.
"Oh det. Smith, I'm sorry. I must have dozed off."
"That's okay, it's been a stressful day. We've gathered as much evidence as we could both here and at your residence. The car has been transported to the police lot. I can't tell you how long we'll keep it. You might want to inform your car insurance. We have 6 officers working 3 shifts to surveillance you. And if there is any news det. Anson or I will be in contact."
She was looking at her hands in her lap "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome Miss Hayes and don't worry we will get him!"
She looked up "I hope so."
She hadn't notice that David was also in the office. "Trust me Maddie I'll keep you save."
She looked at him, her heart heavy in her chest. She smiled her sad smile again.
She got up and shook the detective's hand. As det. Smith walked out of the office. Maddie and David followed him out. David walked him out of the office as Maddie walked towards Agnes, she leaned into the her desk. "Thank you for the coffee Agnes." She puts her head in her hands.
"You're welcome." She smiled
"Did det. Smith ask any of you any questions?"
"Yo! Guys eyes on your desks!"
Maddie and Agnes looked at him in confusion.
"Would you cover that up?" He looks at Maddie and nods towards her ass.
She turns around and looks at the men all smiling at her. "Ugh men!" as she winks at Agnes.
"Yes ugh men!" Agnes smiles.
"Det. Smith asked around. He also asked about Matthew."
"Oh Agnes, I'm so sorry!"
"No Miss Hayes, don't be. I gave them Matthew's number, Matthew is innocent. I know that. He is a sweet guy."
"I know, I told them the same. But Mr. Addison won't believe me!"
"Ugh men!" Agnes rolls her eyes.
Maddie shrugs and smiles a first genuine smile.
"Whoa.. whoa.. ladies. This Matthew character could well be a stalker!" David seriously said.
"Yeah I never trusted him!" Bert quickly added.
Agnes shot him a look "You definitely have nothing to say on this matter Bert!"
Maddie turned to face the men "You both don't know Matthew. Bert, you never took the chance to get to know the man. His daughter and him mean so much to Agnes." She walked towards the nervous looking man "Did you know she's Alice's godmother? Did you know Agnes supported Matthew when he got married but also when he lost his wife?" Bert started stuttering "No you didn't, didn't you? Because your tiny male ego wouldn't allow you to let Agnes explain, let alone meet this kind man. Maybe you should set aside all this macho behavior and get more interested and invested in Agnes' life and the people she cares for. Or else this thing between you two will never work out!" Bert stood against his desk, Maddie towered above him. Her eyes were on fire.
"I.. I.." was all Bert could stutter.
"Come on Maddie take it easy on the guy!" David intervened
"Take it easy on the guy?" Maddie quickly turned to David "You listen Addison, you listen good. Agnes hasn't been seeing one of her closest friends and her goddaughter because of the love she has for this –man-" she pointed at Bert "She is putting her feelings aside for him! She shouldn't have to compromise this much to be with someone who obviously doesn't deserve her affections!"
"Maddie.."
"Don't Maddie me! You're exactly the same. Instead of trusting my judgment on Matthew. You've decided he has a great chance to be a stalker. I've never met a more perfect gentleman in my life, he respected all the boundaries I gave and still gave me a lovely evening WITHOUT expecting something in return. A lot of guys can learn a thing or two from him!" Maddie had to catch her breath, then turned to Agnes. "I'm sorry Agnes, I know it isn't my place, but I couldn't not say anything. Matt misses you, you mean so much to Alice and him and I know you miss them too. I also know you love Bert, but he shouldn't be the reason you don't visit Matt and Alice. A man should never hold you back."
Agnes walked towards Maddie and gave her a big hug "Thank you!" her usually vibrant voice was soft and full of affection.
All the women in the office got up and started applauding.
The men didn't dare speak.
5:30PM.
There is a soft knock on Maddie's door. "Come in Agnes!"
"How did you know it was me?" Agnes walked in.
"Your knock." She smiled.
"I am going home for today. Is there anything you need before I go?"
"No thank you Agnes. I'll be leaving soon." She stared out of the window.
"Miss Hayes?"
"Yes?"
"I want to thank you for what you did today. For sticking up for Matt and for me." Agnes looked at her feet.
"You're welcome. Again I know it wasn't my place to say anything but I just couldn't with the macho behavior. And Matt is a really sweet guy. I do think I need to apologize to Mr. Viola for my outburst. I have been thinking about it all day."
"Well to be honest, he deserved it. I usually tell off Bert on everything but concerning Matt and Alice I couldn't. Bert was so adamant about his dislike that I just gave up starting the discussions."
"Never settle Agnes. Bert needs to trust you. If he can't he has no business being with you. You understand?"
"I think I do."
"Is Mr. Viola still here?"
Agnes nodded.
"Will you send him in please?"
Bert shuffled into her office, Agnes on his heels.
"Mr. Viola, I think I owe you an apology." She got up from behind her desk, making him step back and bumping into Agnes. Who pushed him forward again.
"I'm not apologizing for the message. But it was unprofessional of me to do it in front of the entire office I should have calmly explained it to you. But I did mean what I say, you need to trust Agnes and stop this act of jealousy. But I am sorry I've embarrassed you in front of everyone."
Bert looked at his feet, then he looked back up at her "Haven't you ever been jealous?"
His question threw her aback but she answered honestly "Of course I have, you all know that. But I've never held the other person back with my jealousy. I've had trust issues, but those are my issues. A partner should never be held back in friendships because of jealousy. And trust me, when you get to know Matt, you can see there is nothing to be jealous of. He spoke of Agnes as if he spoke about his mother or sister, not a wife or girlfriend. Try to get to know the guy."
He looked at Maddie "I think I should thank you for the warning Miss Hayes." He turned around to Agnes "And I should apologize to you about my behavior. Miss Hayes has made me realized I need to get to know your friend Matt."
Agnes smiled "Oh Bert!" she leaped into his arms hugging him tightly and mouthing "Thank you" towards Maddie.
David walked in when Maddie just put up both her thumbs. He looked at the hugging couple and then to Maddie. "Dare I ask?"
"I think I also owe you an apology David."
"To whom? MOI?" he acted surprised.
She smiled, she would never admit to it, but she loved this boyish charm he still has. "Yes to you. I am not apologizing for what I said. I'm apologizing for scrutinizing both of you in front of the office. I shouldn't have and I'm sorry."
"But both of you shouldn't have attacked Matt like that. Seeing as both of you don't know him!" Agnes added to Maddie's defense.
"Agnes is right Miss Hayes."
David shrugged "Yeah I guess.."
"So we're all good?" Maddie smiled.
"We're good." David and Bert said in unison.
Bert and Agnes left.
Maddie sat back in her chair looking out of the window.
"So you're ready to go?" David asks
"I guess so." She didn't move
"You do know you actually have to move to go right?"
She cocked her head and gave him a slight smile. "I know." As she looked back out the window. "I am just enjoying the view."
~So am I.~ he thought to himself while watching her. She was always attractive to him, but this casual attire made her even more appealing.
"I'll go get my stuff and we can leave."
"Sure." She said absentmindedly.
He quickly ran into his office to grab his stuff when his direct line rang. "Blue Moon, Addison! Hey Jennifer! How are you? .. Yeah I was just thinking about you too .. No, no I don't think I can make it this week, a huge case was just dropped into our laps…" He listened to Jennifer for a little while "Yes Maddie will be there, we usually work big cases together.. No Bert is only there when Maddie isn't available. You get that right?" She ranted on. He just listened. "Look babe I'm sorry, but this case is too important." He looked at the receiver "Women!" as he put it down.
"Ouch.." Maddie was leaning against the door "Does that count for all of us?"
He looked at her "Yeah. You ready?"
"I'm ready."
"Let's go, we need to stop at the store to get some groceries. I think I only have beer and cheese in the fridge."
"Why am I not surprised?" She smiled.
"We'll catch a cab to the grocery around the corner from my apartment. Oh hold on." He picked up the phone and called the number he had written down. "Yeah, Miss Hayes and I will be leaving now. We will leave through the head entrance and then take a cab. Just follow the cab okay?" David hung up. "Your surveillance."
She shivered. ~surveillance~ she thought to herself.
He put his arm around her "I know, I know.. I'd shiver too if I had to stay with me.. But please try to restrain yourself from taking advantage of me.."
She shot him a look "What?"
"For who could resist all this?" he rambled on "But you know me, I'm a perfect gentleman and you will be save with me."
"What?" she replied.
"I mean you a gorgeous lady with me the handsome, prime species of red blooded American male! What will my neighbors think? What will they say?"
"You're deranged." She walked towards the exit.
"You're right, who cares what they think or say. It's just fun being part of their gossip. And with you looking like you do right now.." he checked out her ass again "I am sure the gossip will be nice, hot and juicy."
Maddie opened her mouth to say something, but thought the better of it.
"But then again.." he continued "as a model you must be used to gossip about you. But for me it's all new and exciting.
The taxi dropped them off at the grocers. Maddie and David bought what they thought they needed as they walked back to David's apartment.
"You think this will be enough Goldilocks?" he held up 4 plastic bags.
She didn't answer.
He didn't notice she stood still as he rambled on. "I think this would normally last me 2 weeks, what?! Even a month." He laughed looking to his side. "Maddie?" He turned around to see Maddie staring towards the road, her face paler than he had ever seen and her bag and the 2 bags of groceries on the floor next to her.
"Maddie?" his voice was soft and kind. "Are you okay?"
"The blue car.." he voice a mere whisper
"What?"
"The blue car.. it's there."
"What?!" David saw a blue car speed off. "Maddie, what did you see? Could you see what the guy looked like? What the make and model are?"
"It was too dark to see either the make or model. The car had rectangular headlights, I could see the first 2 letters on the license plate WB and the back of the car is ugly. But that's it."
"A care with an ugly back?" he sounded cynical "Please enlighten me."
"It's not like the BMW, it doesn't have trunk. It's like the car goes like this from the roof to the bumper." Maddie was making a motion like her hand was going off a slide.
The officers had ran up to both Maddie and David.
"You guys stopped to get donuts?" David cynically asked.
"Excuse us sir, we saw miss Hayes drop the bags and tried to get here as soon as possible."
Maddie started picking up the groceries as David explained what just happened. The younger of the 2 officers quickly started writing down everything.
"Johnny you call this in. We don't have a lot to go on. But maybe our car guy can make something of it. I will walk Mr. Addison and Miss Hayes in the building and will sweep the apartment." The elder officer said.
Johnny nodded and made sprint to the car.
"Thank you officer James." Maddie said as the elder officer took the grocery bags from her.
"You're welcome Miss Hayes. Please call me Ron, everyone else does." He flashed her a big smile underneath his woolly beard.
Maddie smiled back at the officer.
After inspection David and Maddie got the go ahead to put away the groceries.
Maddie dropped her bag near the couch. That huge, ugly couch. She looked at it in disdain. She swore she smelled Annie.
She followed David in the kitchen, actually surprised that he had a normal kitchen with a small eating area. A small table with 2 chairs. She put the bags on the counter and takes out all the fresh produce to be put in the fridge as David is putting everything in the fridge.
"Where do I put the cereal and coffee?" she asks him.
"Just leave it there. I'll put it away."
"I don't mind putting it away, at least then I know where I can find it in the morning." She smiled.
He pointed at the first cabinet "Coffee goes there. Leave the cereal on the counter."
Maddie puts away the coffee and sets the 2 boxes of cereal on the counter. Then she grabs the fruit and puts them in what she perceives to be the fruit bowl. Then she hands the strawberries and blueberries to David. "Please put these in the fridge."
"Yes ma'am." He absentmindedly said.
They finished unpacking and David turned to her "Chinese?"
She laughed "Fine."
He picked up the phone and made his order.
"Please also get me some egg rolls with hot sauce?" as she sat down at the small table.
He did as she asked and hung up the phone.
"They'll be here in 30 minutes." He leaned back on the counter.
"So.." he muttered.
"So.." she repeated.
"What are we going to do Maddie? He knows you're here."
"He knows I'm in the area, he doesn't know who you are and where you live." She tried to find something positive to keep herself calm.
He started to massage his neck as he looked at her "So how did you deal in your golden days?"
"My golden days?"
"Yeah.. you know, when you were a model. You must have had to deal with some nutballs back then. Crazy fans and all these weirdo admirers."
"I was much younger then. And to be honest I didn't get a lot of fan mail in the early years. And when I got more well known, the agency hired someone to open my mail. If there was something off, the agency would contact the police. Us models were kept away from all that, until it escalated."
"Escalated?" he was intrigued.
"See.. most guys are just normal admirers taking it a bit too far in a letter. But once in a Blue Moon.." she winked at him "There was this one man who put words into actions. It could start with getting a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolate."
"That doesn't sound too threatening."
"It doesn't, does it now. But once you'd accept that gift, which most of us did, because it happened more often once we got more well-known, the real creeps saw it as an invitation."
"An invitation? To what? To you?"
Maddie laughed "Yeah to us. They thought if we accepted gifts that we were interested. Which most of us weren't. Either the models were like me, too wrapped up in work or they were in a loving, committed relationship with someone. And hadn't outed that relationship yet. But we were never interested."
"So did you have a real creep bother you?"
"I had a couple. A few of them aren't worth mentioning as they backed off as soon as I got a bodyguard to guide me. But there is one guy who sticks out.." she got lost in her thoughts.
"So? What happened?"
"Oh yeah.. I was actually doing a shoot with Cheryl Tiegs.."
"THE Cheryl Tiegs?" his jaw dropped as Maddie nodded. "Imagine being the ham between a Cheryl and Maddie sandwich!"
"Once again the depths of your mind is staggeringly shallow.."
He just smirked at the thought of both women in pertinent positions
"Stop undressing us in your mind!" she snapped
"Too little, too late Miss Hayes." He smirked at her "What happened at that shoot?"
She sighed "Both Cheryl and I had been getting little gifts from an admirer, we were both in the business for a while then. We both had quite a lot of admirers between the 2 of us."
"I can only imagine."
"Don't!"
"What?"
"Don't go there David." She shook her head.
"Sorry.. go on."
"The day of the shoot started with Cheryl and me drinking coffee and getting ready for the shoot, nothing special. I can't even remember what it was for. I think it was for a fashion magazine. We were chatting away, finished the make-up and went into wardrobe. Pictures were taken, we went back and did it all over again. This went on for about 6 hours. We only had to do 1 more shoot in gowns. We changed and walked back out, I hate wearing heels so I had the shoes in my hands. Everyone was gone. Cheryl and I looked at each other and all of a sudden.."
The doorbell rang.
"Must be the food, hold on! I want to hear how this ends."
He came back quickly. Maddie had put down plates and had taken 2 beers from the fridge.
He looked at the beers and back to her.
"What?"
"I don't think I've ever seen you drink beer." He replied.
"You know how good it is with Chinese food?" she smiled
"Yeah I do .. Pizza too. But I'm shocked you do. You seem more like the champagne, high end wine type of woman."
She just laughed as he unpacked the food.
"As I was saying. All of a sudden this guy is walking up towards us holding out a large knife, screaming that we'd played with him, toyed with his emotions and then ignored him. Cheryl and I looked at each other, both not recognizing the man. Cheryl whispered if I knew where our bodyguards were. And all I could do was call out for my bodyguard. He was there within seconds. I don't think we were ever in real danger because they were close by. But I hate to think what would have happened if they weren't there. He had already gagged the photographer and his assistant who were to only other ones out there." she put some food on her plate. "No egg rolls?"
"Here." He handed them to her "With your hot sauce. I've gotta ask, didn't that experience mess with either one of you? I mean it would mess with most people."
"You get scared for a little while, but eventually when nothing happens, that feeling goes away. This experience has made me think about the ordeal. My father even begged me to stop modeling, but I was as stubborn then as I am today." She took a bite of her egg roll. "Cheryl and I never talked about it again. But then again, we never worked together again."
He couldn't help but smile at her story. ~She is one amazing woman.~ "Happy this had a happy ending for Cheryl and you. Or else you would have never met me."
She smiled as she took a large gulp of beer. "Lucky me!" she laughed.
They finished their dinners and put the leftovers in the fridge.
"I'll put everything in the dishwasher." David said
The phone rang.
"Shall I take that?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah.."
"Addison residence.. hello? .. Is anybody there? Hello?"
David had come around the corner "Problems?"
"I don't know.." she said as she put down the receiver.
The phone rang again. David quickly moved and picked it up "Addison!"
He listened "Oh hey Richie, did you just call? Aha.. no.. no. What? Well I don't know.. You what? Dammit Richie. Yeah.. okay, okay! Call me next week to let me know. Oh and Richie, you sure you didn't call just before this call? Yeah to you to big brother!" as he threw down the receiver.
"Be glad you don't have any siblings!" he barked at Maddie.
Maddie chuckled "It wasn't him I guess."
"Good guess blondie!" he walked back into the kitchen.
The phone rang again, without thinking she picked up as David ran back. "Addison." Was all she said.
"BACK OFF!" a deep male voice as the line was disconnected.
She felt all the blood drain from her face. She turned to face David.
"What is it Maddie?'
"He wants me to back off.. From what? From whom? From Matt? From you?"
He looked at her in shock "Why would a guy want you to back off from Matt or me?"
"How am I supposed to know that? All I know is that it was a male voice on the telephone. And the other males in my life are Matt and you."
"Well what about Bert? McGillicuddy? Simmons?"
Maddie started to laugh "Well if it was about Bert, don't you think Agnes would be here right now? It doesn't add up, it all started when I went on a date with Matt."
"You don't suppose he might be gay?"
Maddie lost it "Trust me .. he's not." She smirked at the memory how he had looked her over.
"Wipe that grin of your face young lady." He was irritated as he walked off.
"David.." her voice was small
"Yeah.." he turned around angrily, but all his anger disappeared when he saw the fear in her eyes.
"Please don't leave me alone."
He put out his hand for her to take. "Come on, we need to warn the officers and we need to finish the dishes."
He picked up his wallet off of the counter and took out the card for detective Smith. Never letting go of her hand he walked back to his phone and dialed the number. Officer James knocked on the door, took their statements again and a tap was placed on his phone.
After everything that had happened Maddie went into the bathroom to freshen up and change. She was wearing an off-white satin pajamas. She sat on the couch, staring at her hands.
Maddie is a tall woman, but she looked so small on the huge couch.
"You want some tea?"
"Sorry? What? Tea? No thank you.." she stared at her hands again.
He sat down beside her also staring at her hands. She laid her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her. They just sat there for a couple of minutes until he felt Maddie shaking. He knew she was crying, he pulled her closer to him as he put his other arm around he.
He kissed the top of her head "You'll be fine."
She looked up at him "I know, you're here." She meant it.
"Then why are you crying?"
"This week has been too much. I just.." she looked at him, then at his lips while she licked her own. She bit down on her lower lip so she would not try to kiss him.
He bend forward and places his forehead to hers. "I will forever protect you Maddie."
She reluctantly pulled back and shyly smiled "Thank you David." She sighed while again inspecting her hands "I know I don't tell you this enough, but I appreciate everything you're doing for me. I know you think.." she swallowed "You think I'm a cold, rigid bitch, but.."
"Whoa whoa when did I tell you that?"
Without looking up at him "Plenty of times before.."
He placed his hand over hers "That was said in the heat of a fight, you know I don't think you a cold, rigid bitch. I've seen you get steaming hot." He had a huge smile, but she didn't look up.
A single tear fell on his hand. "I'm scared David, I don't think I've ever been this afraid." Her shoulders dropped.
He pulled her in as he placed his hands around her body. She rested her head on his chest and just sobbed as he softly stroked her hair. He held her on his lap until he felt her body start to relax.
"Come on Maddie, I'll take you to bed." He softly said.
She got up and followed him.
He pulled back the blankets and as she laid down, he covered her. He kissed the top of her head. "Try to get some sleep Maddie."
"David?"
"Yes?"
"Could you please stay with me? I don't want to be alone."
"I'll check the house and turn of the lights, I will be right back."
"Could you turn the lights on here, I don't want to be alone in the dark."
The last time he saw Maddie this vulnerable was when she broke down in the elevator after losing the baby. He turned on the light.
"I'll be right back." He kissed 2 fingers and blew the kiss to her.
She just laid there in fetus position, looking at the door David just left from.
When he came back she was still in the same position looking at the door. He closed the door and locked it.
She watched all he did like a hawk.
He looked at her and then walked into the bathroom, she heard him turn on the faucet, then she heard water splashing and then heard him brush his teeth.
He walked back in the bedroom, turned on the light next to the bed and eventually turned off the lights in the room. He plopped on his side. As much to the side as possible. He felt her move towards him, still her back facing him. She stopped when she felt the warmth radiating from his leg.
He looked down at her "You okay Maddie?"
She shook her head, she needed him to hold her, to tell her all was going to be okay and to just feel his heartbeat next to hers.
"Is there anything I can do?" his voice soft and tender.
"I know you're in a relationship and I am not trying anything, but could you please just hold me David. I need to be held."
He spooned against her, taking he in his arms, the back of her head facing him. "Is this better?"
"Yes thank you." as she smelled him.
He softly pushed some of her hair back as it was tickling his nose.
His touch near her neck send electricity throughout her body.
He felt her body tense when he brushed her hair away. He stared at that spot on her neck, just below her hairline. He wished he could just brush his lips against it. He knew the effect it had on her and he liked knowing he had that effect on her. And he wondered if he still had that effect on her. He softly blew on the back of her neck and watch the goosebumps rise in her neck as she growled deep in her throat.
~Did he just deliberately blow in my neck?~ she thought to herself. She was kinda shocked at her own physical reaction, not only did he make her skin crawl in a good way, he made her grunt like she hadn't in a while and she got aroused by him blowing in her neck. But she didn't move, afraid that he had only exhaled strongly.
He didn't dare push her, but he felt cocky knowing he still had an effect on her. He softly brushed her hair until he heard her breathing turn deeper. He knew she had fallen asleep.
She woke up before him. She was facing him, his hand on her hip, she didn't move.
"Morning." His voice was husky from sleeping
"Morning." She replied "How did you know I was awake."
"Just felt you were." His eyes still closed as he smiled.
~God he's so handsome~ she thought to herself ~Why can't I get over you? Why do I keep waking up in bed with you?~
"Coffee?"
"What?"
"Do. You. Want. Some. Coffee?" he spoke slowly making her laugh.
"I'd love some."
He removed his hand from her hip, stretching.
She felt his hand still burning on her hip, she stretched.
They arrived at the office at 8:30am.
The day went by quickly, without any big problems. Two potential clients made an appointment for Thursday and Friday.
Maddie made sure to finish the final plans for Sunday's picnic. The picnic was keeping her hands and mind preoccupied. Agnes was a great help arranging and had offered to help on Sunday.
At the end of the day Maddie and Agnes were chatting away, when they heard some noises coming from the main office. They looked at each other.
"Is that Bert yelling?" Maddie asked
Agnes nodded "But who is he yelling at? It's not McGillicuddy.. He'd be yelling back at him."
"You have a lot of nerve showing up here buddy!" Bert yelled.
Maddie opened the door to her office, seeing a red Bert yelling at Matt. David was already standing next to Bert.
"Mr. Viola, could you please calm down and tell me why you're yelling at this nice fella?"
"Nice fellow? HA!" Bert snorted "That the infamous Matthew!"
David looked at the tall, thick-haired blonde Adonis and then turned to where Maddie was standing. He was never one to feel insecure, but he had to admit it Matthew was a handsome looking guy and he understood why Maddie went out with him. He instantly felt jealous and stood between Matthew and the door. "Sorry man, didn't recognize you there." David said as he shook his hand.
"No harm no foul." He smiled.
"Matt!" Agnes threw her hands in the air as she walked up to him and gave him a big hug.
"Feels so good to get a hug right now!" he smiled as he kissed her forehead. "You look amazing Nessie!"
"You haven't called me that in ages." She laughed.
He smiled at her and turned to Maddie "Hi Maddie. You look good. Is there somewhere Agnes, you and I can speak?"
"Hi Matt.. thank you. Please come into my office." As she stepped out of the way Agnes entered with Matt right behind her.
Maddie stood in front of the door opening as both David and Bert were heading towards her office. "Sorry boys, this is a private meeting." As she closed the door.
David opened his mouth and put his hand on the knob, then let go and stepped back.
"Mr. Addison! We can't let them inside Miss Hayes' office with him!" Bert squealed.
"I think they need to take of this themselves Bert. But just in case, grab a chair and let's sit in front of the door."
Inside Maddie's office.
All had taken place on the couches.
Without hesitation he turned to the women "The police came by today. First of all I want to thank you for speaking on my behalf to the police. Secondly.." as he turned to Maddie "You were my first date in nearly 4 years. And the date before you married some dentist." He smiled.
"I.. I didn't think it came from you, you have to know that. But the police asked.."
"And you told them who you went out with, I'm not mad. I just wanted to reassure you that there is no one near me who is threatening you. The police even asked Alice if she didn't mind me dating." He turned to Agnes "You should have seen her face!" he laughed. "Remember when you bought her that Barbie doll and then asked if she liked it while dancing through the room?"
"You mean the 1976 superstar Barbie doll?" Agnes smiled at the memory.
"Exactly that one! Do you remember the way she looked at you when you asked her if she really liked it?"
Agnes started to laugh at the memory.
"She had the exact same look on her face this morning when the police asked her if she minded that I was dating."
Agnes started to laugh louder.
"Matthew?" Maddie voice was soft.
He turned towards her.
"I never thought you had anything to do with it, or Alice for that matter. Both Agnes and I told the police that you have nothing to do with it."
"Let me guess. Tweedledee and Tweedledum had something to do with it?" nodding at the door. "They're probably worried I'm zooming in on their women!" he snorted.
Maddie immediately protested "I'm not the woman of either of those two!"
Matt looked confused "Are you going to tell he or should I?"
"Don't even try.." was all Agnes said.
"I'm right here! And I am not Mr. Addison's woman, as a matter of fact, he is in a relationship with a beautiful young woman named Jennifer?"
"Jennifer?" Agnes let the r roll over her tongue.
"Jennifer!" Maddie was resolute.
"You know Bert.." Agnes sighed "I love him to bits, but his jealousy is driving me crazy."
Matt chuckled and looked at her "I don't know how you deal, I'm so happy Amanda never got jealous of our relationship. I do miss having you around Nessie, so does Alice." He face turned gloomy.
"I miss you guys too. Things will change, I want to see you guys more often, have you over for game night again. But no more monopoly PLEASE!" she laughed.
"Game night?" Maddie interrupted.
"Maddie you should come! We could use a fourth person! We can finally do Pictionary!" he laughed.
"Just give me a date and I'll be there!" she smiled.
"So we're all good?" he smiled.
"All good!" the women said in unison.
"I gotta go, Alice is in charge and rush hour starts in 30 minutes." He said as he got up.
Agnes walked towards the door Matt followed her.
"Oh Matt?" He turned around to look at Maddie "Could you hold on a second?" She looked at Agnes "I need to ask him something in private Agnes, do you mind?"
"Of course not Miss Hayes." She smiled thinking Maddie would apologize for wasting his time as she closed the door behind her. The entire staff was looking at her. She just gave looked at every single one of them. "Shame on you.. Especially you two!" she barked at Bert and David.
Maddie fidgeted with some papers. "Matt I am really sorry you got involved in this ugly business." She finally looked up at him. His kind eyes smiled before his mouth did ~Why can't I just be attracted to you? You are handsome and so sweet.~ she scolded at herself.
"It's okay Maddie. Things just happen, I am sorry you have to deal with what sounds like someone who is mentally unstable."
"Oh I've been dealing with those kind of people for years." She looked at her office doors.
He followed where she was looking and laughed loud.
"I.." she scrapped her throat before continuing "I hope we will still see Alice and you at the picnic Sunday?"
He laughed "Of course you will! Alice is excited and so am I. And making these guys jealous is kinda a bonus for that day."
Maddie laughed "Oh David isn't jealous, he is being protective. He's afraid I'll get hurt."
"Trust me Maddie.." his voice serious "that man out there is jealous. He is head over heels for you. I think you have that effect on men. Can't you see that?"
"I.. I don't know. It has always been this game between us and a lot has happened and he is happy with a very beautiful, young woman."
"You do know this is the second time you mentioned her as young and beautiful, right?"
She shook her head in confusion.
"You're crazy about him aren't you? And you feel like he's replaced you with a younger, more beautiful woman? Am I getting close to the truth?"
She looked at the papers on her desk, afraid that looking at him would reveal the truth "I am not crazy about him, I care for him. I wish him all the best." Her heart felt heavy.
"Keep telling yourself that Maddie." He lifted her chin from the other side of the desk "Keep telling yourself that." He grabbed her hand and gave a swift kiss "I will see you Sunday."
"Not a word to Agnes!"
He zipped his mouth closed as he winked and exited her office.
Within seconds David came in her office, followed by Agnes and Bert.
"What did he want?" David nodded towards the door behind him.
"Excuse me?" Maddie's way of speaking had Agnes and Bert stopping dead in their track "No let me rephrase that.. excuse you?" even David stopped dead in his track.
"What?"
"No what Addison. Stop this ridiculous behavior. Agnes had probably informed you all about the conversation we had with Matt. Haven't you Agnes?" Maddie's blue eyes pierced at the Agnes as Agnes slowly nods. "So what else do you want to know? What my private conversation with Matt was about?" she folds her arms in front of her chest awaiting his answer.
David took the challenge and stared right back into her piercing blue eyes, which seemed to be bluer than normal.
Maddie spoke without saying a word, raising her eyebrows, her face was telling him 'What do you have to say for yourself?'
"Forget it." David mumbled
"That's it?" Maddie felt livid, especially because of the conversation she had with Matt. ~Trust me Maddie.. that man out there is jealous. He is head over heels for you. I think you have that effect on men.~
David shrugged as he stared at his feet.
~Stop kidding yourself Maddie, he is not jealous, he is just being an ass. He is with Jennifer. Ugh she hated Jennifer.~ she thought to herself. She sighed as she sat back on her chair and stared out of the window.
"So as Mr. Viola and you now know, Matthew has nothing to do with the threats. Neither has his daughter Alice." She turned to face all of them "Mr. Viola I suggest you stop this ridiculous jealous behavior and let Agnes have her friendship with both Matthew and Alice. If you don't stop it, you'll lose Agnes. She loves them, they have been her family when her own family wasn't around."
"But I'm her family now!" Bert snapped at Maddie, startled by his own reaction.
Maddie slowly turned to look at him directly "So because you're her family now, she should drop the people who have loved and cared for her for over years now?"
She then turned to face Agnes, who was in tears "I am so sorry Miss DiPesto, I shouldn't have said a thing."
Agnes gave a small smile "That's okay Miss Hayes. Bert?"
He turned to face her.
"Miss Hayes is right, again I am not dropping Matt and Alice. As I see it you have 2 choices, stay and accept this or leave. I love you Bert, but you don't get to decide who I have in my life. You should trust me."
Maddie got up "Please stay in here and talk. Mr. Addison and I will be in his office."
David opened the door to his office, Maddie followed him and closed the door while she leaned on it.
"They'll be fine." She said looking at him.
"Of course. Bert loves her." His back turned to her.
"And Agnes loves him."
He turned to face her "Look Maddie.." he moves his hand through is hair "Look, I'm sorry. I trust you and your judgment. These threats are getting to me. I want you to be safe.."
"Why?" She quickly asked ~Did I really just ask him why?~ She saw that the question had hurt his feelings.
He felt like she sucker punched him in the gut. "Why? Are you serious right now?" he didn't speak out of anger, he was really hurt that she'd ask him that.
"Yes I am David, why do you want me to be safe?"
"Dammit Maddie, because I care about you!" he was yelling at her as he stepped towards her.
She put her back as far against the door as she could as he stepped to her.
He looked her deep in her eyes, she felt her knees get weak "You must know I still care for you Maddie."
She wanted to touch his face, brush her thumb against his lips but instead she broke the eye contact "I know David, I also still care for you." Emphasizing care because she really wanted to tell him she still loved him. "These threats are also getting to me. I'm not used to living in fear." She stepped past him and dropped down on the couch. "I just want to go back to the time before this." She closed her eyes as she put her arm over her head "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings David. I didn't mean to."
He sat beside her. "Hey it's what we do!" he laughed a sad laugh.
Both looked out the window in silence.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." David said.
"Mr. Addison? Miss Hayes?" Agnes was standing in the doorway.
"Come in Miss DiPesto, what is it?"
"It's 6pm. Most of the staff have gone home, Bert and I are about to leave. Just wanted to let you know."
David nodded, Maddie kept staring out the window.
"Miss Hayes?"
Maddie turned and smiled at the tense face observing her. "Yes Agnes?"
"I think we're going to be okay. I just want to say thank you for helping me."
"You're welcome." She smiled a warm smile. "Have a good evening, we will see you tomorrow."
"You too! Good evening Mr. Addison!" David waved while still looking out the window.
"Let's go Maddie." David finally broke the silence.
They arrived at his place at 7:30. A small box in front of his door awaited them. Maddie froze, but relaxed when she read David's name on the box.
"I will make you my mom's amazing spaghetti with meatballs tonight!" David picked up the package.
"But we still have so much Chinese food."
"We will eat that tomorrow. Don't feel like Chinese now."
"Well I'm looking forward to tasting the famous Addison spaghetti." Maddie smiled.
He put the package on the counter and immediately took out all the pots and pans he needed. He took the produce out of the fridge.
Maddie watched him work, he placed the chopping board in front of him and started cutting the onions, quickly and with such precision. He flattened the garlic and started to chop again. She was impressed as his left hand chopped away.
"Could you fill the pot with water for the spaghetti?" his voice brought her back.
"Oh sure." She grabbed the pot, filled it with water. Then walking dangerously close to David to get to the stove, she made a misstep and half of the water flew on David's back. She watched in horror as he turned around.
"I am so so sorry David! I didn't mean it."
He took off his shirt and his beater. "Admit it, you just wanted to get me naked." He looked her straight in her eyes.
"I.. I will refill this." As she quickly walked back to the sink.
He dropped his shirt to the floor and started mopping up the water.
"You use your shirt for that?" Maddie looked at what he was doing.
"You could use yours? It would be fair if you also took off your shirt." He winked.
She rolled her eyes "In your dreams Addison!"
"Every night Miss Hayes."
"May I?" she asked holding up the pot.
He stepped away so she could put the pot on the stove. "Put some salt in the water and then turn on the stove please, I will get another shirt." He walked off.
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
He was back within seconds, wearing a fresh gray t-shirt. He got his spices out of the cupboard and started seasoning the beef. He grabbed a skillet and put in some olive oil and put in the meat and then the chopped herbs. Then adding the onion, garlic and other vegetables. Then putting in a can of tomato's, some more herbs, salt and pepper. He lowered the heat and put the spaghetti in the boiling water.
"Can I put on the radio?" Maddie asked.
"Be my guest."
She walked to his living room, he only had a small stereo in comparison to her own, but the sound coming from it was great. She found the CD 'to be continued' by the Temptations in the stereo. She turned it on. 'Lady Soul' started, she listened as she walked back to the kitchen.
"You've found the cd?" he asked without turning around.
He starting singing to the chorus:
%'Cause you are my, my, my, my lady soul
You warm my heart when I go cold
Oh you are my, my, my, my lady soul
You are my life, you make me whole
Whoa
Whoa
My lady soul%
She watched him singing and couldn't help but smile.
"Dinner's ready!" as he put some grated parmesan cheese on both plates. "Tada!"
He put the plates on the table and quickly went back to grab two glasses and the open bottle of red wine from the counter top.
"I'm sorry I don't have any wine glasses." As he places 2 juice glasses on the table.
"I'll remember that for your birthday." She smiled as he poured the wine in the glasses.
"Cheers!" he held up his glass "To a wonderful dinner with a beautiful table partner!"
"To the chef of this wonderful dinner!" she added. Their glasses clinked.
"Dig in!" he said.
The food smelled amazing, she took her first bite and immediately looked up at him. "David! This is delicious! Where have you been hiding this skill?"
"So you like it don't you?"
"I love it! Did you put some of the wine in the sauce?"
"A chef never reveals his secrets!" he winked.
She smiled and finished her plate.
"Well I have to say this Addison Spaghetti was wonderful! An amazing recipe!" she finished her wine.
"Thanks!" he watched her.
"So tell me Addison.." she felt bold as she continued "How many women have you made this for?"
Her question surprised him "I think you're the second." She felt a knot forming in her stomach "Tess was the first one, I don't just cook for anyone, you know? You have to be real special." He smiled at her.
"Are you sure David Addison? You must have cooked for Jessica?"
"Jennifer and no, I haven't cooked for her. To be honest she has only been here to pick me up."
It was Maddie's turn to be surprised "She never slept her? You haven't slept with her?"
"Whoa whoa.. I've got a reputation to uphold here! No she's never slept her and yes I have slept with her once, just not here." ~And I was thinking about you the whole time.~ he thought to himself.
*Why did it hurt her that he confessed to sleeping with her? She knew this already. She knew him!*
"So how about you and Matt?" he blatantly asked.
"What about us?"
"Well did you.. you know.. do the no pants dance?"
"The what?!"
"The horizontal Hulu?"
Maddie's eyes grew wider "THE WHAT?!"
"Did he knock your boots?"
"David I had one date with the man, do you think I am that easy? I think you know me better than that. How long did it take you?"
"Hold on, you know I don't think you are easy. You made me work for it."
"And you loved every minute of it!" She smiled.
"Never said I didn't." the way he looked her in the eyes made all her blood rush to her head.
"So what was in the package you received?"
"Package? Oh! Totally forgot." He jumped up and grabbed the package from the counter as he sprinted back to the couch.
Maddie watched him open the package, David turned beet red. "You okay David?"
"Ahum.. Ah yeah.. wha.." was all he could say.
"What the hell is in that package for you to have lose your ability to speak?" she laughed.
He looked up in shock "Nothing you want to see!"
This comment made her more than curious "Should I be afraid?"
"What? I mean no.. I mean kinda?"
Maddie grabbed the box out of his hands and looked inside, her eyes grew like saucers "David! This is women's underwear!"
"I know!"
"David these are dirty women's underwear!"
"What? How do you know that?"
"How do you not know that?" She looked at him disgusted and in shock.
He had a dumbfounded look on his face.
"Are you serious David? Just look at them!" she threw the box on his lap.
He looked in the box. He couldn't see how she could see they were dirty.
"You really don't see it do you?"
He shook his head.
She smiled "Do you at least know who send these? Or are you getting dirty panties from a strangers? Like I'm getting threatening letters?" she laughed.
"Don't joke about the threats!" he face changed.
Her smile slowly disappeared as sadness filled her eyes.
"I'm sorry Maddie. I didn't mean to snap. And to answer your question, yes I know whose underwear that is." His cheeks turned red "They're Jennifer's."
"Jennifer's?" the disgust on her face "Why would she send you her dirty underwear? To be honest David, that is just disgusting especially the way they look and smell."
He looked in the box again, that's when he smelled it.
"Does it remind you of her? Because I believe that's what she was getting at. Maybe it's a sign that she misses you?" she looked at him "I'm going to take a shower okay?"
"Keep the door open!" he says.
"Excuse you?" she turned around
"Maddie, I won't come in, I'll respect your privacy. I just have to be able to get in there if something happens. I'll be in the kitchen having a phone call."
She looked over her shoulder as she saw a look of disgust grow on his face. He closed the box and tossed it in a closet.
When she walked out of the bathroom David sat on his bed looking at her.
She stopped in her track "What's wrong David?"
"Nothing, nothing.. I just got off the phone with Jennifer." He rubbed his neck.
"And?" she asked as she dried her hair.
"I told her it was strange gift to send. You were right though.."
"I was?" she asked in surprise
"She apologized. She misses me and hoped I missed her just as much."
"What did you say?" she asked dreading the answer.
He looked up at her "I didn't know the answer. I think I might have upset her."
"Don't you miss her?" she pushed a bit further happy with the answer he'd just given her.
"I.. I.. You know.. I don't know. I've been so busy with the threats, the cops and also work. I didn't have any time to miss her. And.." he stopped.
"And what?"
"I've been enjoying your company." He smiled.
"Is Jennifer okay?"
"Yeah, yeah.. you know me.. I'm a smooth talker."
"HA!" she laughed as she combed her hair and put it in a ponytail. She grabbed her copy of Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen as she stepped into his bed. "I'm going to do a bit of reading before sleeping." She smiled. "Whatya reading?" "Goddesses in Everywoman." He looked like she spoke a foreign language "It's basically about women finding their inner goddess." "Oh Goldilooks, you are a goddess, both inside and out." He spoke swiftly and without thinking "Euh.. I'll clean inside, will be right back."When he came back into the bedroom Maddie was asleep, the book lay open on her chest. He picked it up, put the bookmark in and looked at the cover. He softly pushed a strand of her golden hair out of her face.
"What is this magic you have over me miss Hayes." He whispered to himself. He knew damn well she has his heart and things would never work out with Jennifer. But he knew Maddie had resided against him ever since he slept with Annie ~Dumbass~ he thought to himself. He had to make this thing with Jennifer work. ~I have to tell Maddie that Jennifer will be at the picnic on Sunday.~ he thought, dreading that conversation.
He laid down on top of the blankets staring at the ceiling. He still felt her body heat, which drove him crazy. He turned away from her, didn't work much. He wanted to touch her, feel her, make love to her and then cuddle until they fall asleep. His mind kept going back to that night of March 31st, his fingers exploring every inch of her body, his mouth tasting every spot he could possibly find his lust for her. Her lips soft on his rough skin, her nails scratching his back and her lust for him. That was only the first time, things only got better as their relationship progressed. He knew every inch of her body and she knew every inch of his. He ached for her, he lusted for her, but he knew he could never have her.
He woke up before Maddie. The alarm said it was 7AM. He got up quietly to make some coffee. She turned in her sleep and sighed. He turned to look at her, blew a kiss before walking towards the kitchen.
He drank his coffee while looking out of the window when she entered the living room fully dressed. She looked at him for a while before walking in.
"Good morning Mr. Addison."
"Good morning Miss Hayes. There is coffee in the kitchen."
"We have an appointment at 10:30am. Remember for a potential new client, David?"
"Yeah yeah.. it's not even 8am yet. Grab a coffee and sit down for a moment. I'm gonna take a quick shower." He walked towards the bathroom "Oh and eat something. I bought the wholegrain cereal for you, it'll be a waste to have to throw it out."
Maddie waves as she goes into the kitchen.
"You ready?" as he walked into the kitchen as she just placed her cup in the sink.
She smiles "Just about."
10:30AM
Miss Elaine McDonnell sat in front of Maddie, she was a petite woman, much smaller than Maddie. Maddie guessed she was about 5'3, she felt like a giant when she shook her hand.
"So Miss McDonnell, what can we do for you today?" Maddie smiled as David stood behind her.
"Well you see…" she scrapped her throat "I'm engaged to this wonderful man. Patrick and I have been together for almost 3 years. Three wonderful years, he is so attentive, so sweet and oh he is so romantic!" she fluttered on.
Maddie could hear David snort, but chose to ignore him.
"Well Miss McDonnell don't get me wrong, but why do you need us when you are this happy?" she tried to sound as sincere as possible.
She teared up "Please call me Elaine." Tears ran down her face "You see Patrick has been disappearing and reappearing for weeks. Always on the same days. Tuesdays and Fridays. And when I ask him about it, he is evasive. Tells me it's work. But every night he comes back smelling like Chanel no.5." she is fully crying. "I love him so much and I don't want to lose him, but I can't stay with him if he is cheating on me. I just need to know."
David handed her a box of tissues as he stood back behind Maddie.
"Thank you." She gave a small smile "Have you ever loved someone so much you were willing to die for them?"
Maddie stared at her hands and David stared at Maddie. Elaine was crying so much, she didn't see the exchange happening.
Maddie smiled "Miss McDonnell.. Elaine, my associate and I will just step out. We will be right back."
David followed Maddie out the door.
Maddie David
I think we shouldn't take this case I think we should
We should? Why not?
Because we can't ruin this woman! So he's already automatically guilty?
I'm not saying he's guilty.. I just So what is he then
I don't want this sweet woman So the woman is automatically sweet
David.. that's not it So what is it then?
I don't want her to get hurt And you know we need the money – what?
"I don't want her to get hurt." She avoided his eyes "What if we do find out that he is having an affair?" Maddie spoke while remember how she felt when she found Annie in bed with David.
David rubbed his neck. "I get where you're coming from, but can we really stand to lose this client? Bills need to be paid, employees need to be paid. I know we had a lucky break, but let's keep it up." He smiled as he tilted her head by her chin "Look Maddie, isn't it better for Elaine to know before she gets married to this guy?"
"I suppose.." still trying to avoid his eyes "Let's tell Elaine we will take her case."
Maddie and David got all the information they needed. Still trying to console Elaine before she left.
"Patrick Crane.. Why does that name seem so familiar?" David asks.
Maddie thinks out loud "Crane.. Crane.. Virgil Crane? Crane Constructions and sons?"
"That's it! Large construction company, have seen all of the billboards. We are to follow a millionaires son?" David get excited.
"I wonder why Elaine kept that out?"
"Well she gave us all the information, so she didn't keep anything out." He shrugged
"True. So how do you want to start this? I think we need to set up a stake-out and when Mr. Crane comes out, we need to follow him. Maybe.." she stopped when David put up his hand.
"Great idea, but going on a stake-out with when you're under police protection won't really work." David smirked.
"Ah.. sh…, I forgot about that!" Maddie throw her hands in the air. "I guess Mr. Viola and you…"
"I'm not leaving you alone!" David interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.
"David, don't be ridiculous, we need this case and like you stated: I have police protection."
David starts to get visibly annoyed with this conversation "Maddie cut it! I don't trust anyone but myself to keep you safe."
Maddie opened her mouth, but closes it. She smiles seductively at him, his concern made him much more attractive to her.
He stood there, he had no clue what to do. ~Is she flirting?~ he thought to himself.
"Look I'm sorry I snapped. I.. just.." he plops on the couch "it's been a long week." He places his arm over his face.
She watches him, quietly until there was a knock on her door.
"Yes Agnes?"
Agnes slowly opened the door "Miss Hayes, a package was just delivered for you."
David immediately sat up "Are you expecting anything?"
Maddie felt the atmosphere in the room shift. "No I don't think so.." she lingered on the last word while she thought about what she had ordered. "Did you order something for Sunday Agnes?"
"No, Miss Hayes, everything is ready for Sunday."
Maddie was ready to get up.
"Who send the package?" David looked at Agnes.
"I'm sorry I didn't check. One moment please."
The room was silent.
"There is no return address Mr. Addison."
"Call the officers." David calmly said.
"What?" Maddie was surprised by his reaction.
"Agnes will you please call Miss Hayes' police protection?"
"Yes Mr. Addison."
The officers arrived within 2 minutes after the call.
David had send the employees home early. Maddie and he leaned against one of the desks looking at the mystery package.
The briefly spoke to the officers. They listened. "At least it doesn't tick." One of the officers noted.
The other officer put on gloves and picked up the box "It's not heavy enough to be something serious like a bomb. We have to wait for the forensic guys."
The waiting seemed to last forever.
Maddie and David retreated to her office. Maddie laid down on her couch, trying to wrap her brain around everything ~Since when did packages make me feel uncomfortable?~ she thought to herself. David sat across from her. She hardly acknowledged his presence, not to be cold, but her mind was going a 100mph.
He just stared at her, he saw the growing concern, fear and fighting spirit.
"You want something to eat?" he asked breaking their silence
She looked at the clock ~when did it become 6:30pm?~ she wondered in silence.
"Maddie?" he interrupted her thinking.
"No. No food." Her mind filled up again. ~What could be in there? What if it's just a package from someone we know? Just forgot the return address?~
There was a knock on the open door. "Miss Hayes?"
David jumped up. Maddie looks over her shoulder up to where the voice is coming from.
"Yes officer?"
"Detective Smith and Anson are here and they're requesting you to come out here."
Maddie looked at David. He held out his hand for her, pulling her to her feet. He wanted to let her hand go, but she clinged to hand. He pulled her to his side her lower arm on top of his as they moved towards the door.
"Good evening Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison." Det. Smith shook David's hand as he nodded towards Maddie.
"Good evening Det. Smith." David smiled.
"Miss Hayes?" Det. Smith asked
Maddie just nodded.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a little on edge." She faintly smiled.
"That is understandable." He sighed "Especially if you see what we found in the box."
Maddie's eyes shot up to the serious face of the detective. "What?"
She didn't even notice she was clinging to David even more than before. She tried to get herself together.
"I'm sorry, what did you find?" She tried to sound as calm as possible.
"Maybe you should see it yourself." He guided them to the box, offices were all around and like in a movie they all parted when they heard them coming.
Maddie looked in the box, her eyes grew wide and tears started to well in her eyes as she gasped. She turned and literally threw herself into David's arms as she started crying.
David held her as he looked over her shoulder into the box. He held her tighter as he saw the content of the box. His left hand at the back of her head, his right hand on her back stroking up and down her back.
In the box was a blonde Barbie, dressed and styled like Maddie, needles in the eyes, legs and arms pulled off and wrapped in one of Maddie's wraps.
The room was quiet. Everyone's eyes were on Maddie and David.
It took Maddie a while to compose herself. She dried her eyes, ran her fingers through her hair and straightened her clothes before turning to the room full of officers.
"What now?" she asked with a clear voice.
Det. Anson was the first to speak. "Fortunately, we got a couple of good fingerprints off of this box. Chances are these are from Miss DiPesto. We've asked her to come and give her fingerprints. But she said they're already on record. Apparently she was picked up once for disorderly behavior." He shrugged.
Maddie and David looked at each other in shock and then started to laugh. Agnes disorderly?
Det. Smith added "Don't get your hopes up with the fingerprints. As far as we can tell, it's all just as clean as your house and car were. We doubt if it's the perps fingerprints." He spoke calm "Miss Hayes could anybody else have handled the package?"
"I wouldn't rule it out. I have no clue who brought it up? Where did they place the package. Maybe security camera's around the building picked up something?"
"I've requested the footage. Officer Jenkins is getting the tapes." Det. Anson added.
"Did the officers outside see something suspicious?" David asked.
"No, nothing out of the ordinary." Det. Smith answered "But I'd like to suggest that you stay with Miss Hayes until we found who is behind this."
"I wasn't planning on letting her out of my sight." David assured the detective.
That's when it hit Maddie. She became furious. ~I'm done with this! I refuse to be scared!~ she thought to herself. She straightened her back. "I will stay with Mr. Addison until Monday, but I refuse to be scared out of my own house longer than that." Her eyes determined.
"But Miss Hayes.." det. Anson started "We don't know if we can catch the guy before that time."
She looked him straight in his eyes "I understand, but I need to live my life and so does Mr. Addison. He can't be my babysitter for the rest of his life, can he now?"
All the officers had their eyes on them, even David stared with open mouth. Detective Anson stared at his feet which made David chuckle. ~Only Maddie can stare a cop down!~ he thought to himself.
Det. Smith spoke for his colleague "Miss Hayes, you are completely in your right and you will have police protection 24/7 until we catch this guy. What we are trying to say, is that having someone around will make it harder for the guy to attack you."
She slowly turned her head to face the detective "I know. I know it all, I am just angry, frustrated and also so damn powerless." Her eyes pierced his, but det. Smith had seen it all.
"I understand, but I do advice you to reconsider your decision as long as we haven't caught him yet." He scrapped his voice "Or Mr. Addison has something against staying with you?" he looked at David.
"No I don't" Maddie shot him a look.
He put his hands up. "But I also know Miss Hayes, if she's dead against the idea, nothing will change her mind.. unfortunately." Her eyes softened.
"Of course we could also take you to a safe house." Det. Smith stated.
"No!" Maddie was resolute. "I will stay with Mr. Addison at his house until you tell me it is safe to go back to my house." She caved. She was tired and in desperate need of a hot bath.
They took a police escort back to David's place.
It was 9pm before they finally came home.
David grabbed her hand and guided her to the kitchen. "Come on, you need to eat. We still have Chinese."
"I'm not hungry." As she plopped down on one of the chairs.
David started to reheat the Chinese food. Then plated the food as he grabbed 2 beers. He put everything in front of her.
She opened her mouth.
"I don't want to hear it Madelyn Hayes. You will eat. You need your strength." He said as he sat down across from her.
She opened her beer, took a big gulp and flicked the cap across the kitchen into the open trash can. ~She made the shot.~ David thought to himself as he watched her, she had never acted like this, never acted so much like him! He watched her starting to pick at her food and taking tiny bites.
"I need to take a bath." Maddie said as she took another big gulp.
"You smell fine to me." He smiled.
She looked up, there was a new look in her eyes. A look David had never seen before. "I need to wash everything that has happened off of me." Her voice was cold, harsh and yet she couldn't disguise the slight quiver in her voice.
He looked her right in the eyes, his eyes filled with compassion for her.
His look stung her. ~He feels pity for me.~ she felt even more disgusted, she was never pitied. She has never pitied herself. She finished the bottle. "I'm done."
"Maddie, eat your food."
"I'm done!" She got up, he stood in front of her.
"You need to eat. Come on Maddie." He pleaded.
"I am not hungry David, I just need a bath." She wanted nothing more than to flee to the bathroom.
"Come on." He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the bathroom.
David sat her on the bed as he entered the bathroom. Grabbed everything off of the edge of the tub, then rinsed and filled the tub. He grabbed some candles, placed them on the edge and lit them. He grabbed some lavender bath oil from her toiletry bag and sprinkled what he thought must be enough. When he got back, Maddie had changed and was wearing a bathrobe.
"You okay?"
"I will be." She faintly smiled "I just need to take a bath." She walked into the bathroom.
"Oh David.." she whispered as she saw what he did.
"You're welcome." She heard the smile in his voice.
She popped her head back out, now only wearing a towel "David?"
"Yeah?" he turned around.
She walked up to him "Thank you." She gave him a small kiss on his cheek and then walked back to the bathroom.
He just stood there touching his cheek and watching her walk away.
A knock on his door brought him back to the here and now. He looked at his alarm 10pm.
~Who the hell comes this late?~ he thought as he walked towards the front door.
"Yo! Who is it?"
"Daviddddd…" a sultry female voice said.
"Jennifer?" David was surprised to hear her voice as he opened the door.
There she stood in a long white overcoat with only red lingerie underneath it. She leaned into the doorframe.
"Long time no see stranger." She flashed her eyes at him.
"Jennifer? What are you doing here?"
She put her hand in his chest, grabbing his shirt to pull herself towards him "Take a guess?"
"Jennifer what are you doing here? I explained what is going on."
She started kissing his neck and pulling at the hem of his shirt "I just missed you too much. I thought if you saw what you were missing.." she bit his neck.
He pulled back. "Jennifer, I told you. Not now."
"It's now or never David. You've always got an excuse. Let me guess Maddie again?"
"Not again, still. You know this." He pushed her outside "Just go. It's not safe around us right now."
She grabbed his hand and placed it over her own breast. "Okay I'll go, but this is what you're missing out on, Mr. Addison." She smirked as she left.
He stood there, watching another woman walk away. But in this case he was actually relieved she left. He knew he was done with her, he just needed to figure out how to tell her.
He closed the door and locked it behind him.
He grabbed a beer and plopped on the couch, thinking about everything that had happened that week. Realizing that Maddie meant more to him than every other woman ever would. She had become his standard for women only to realize no one could ever hold a candle to her.
His thought train went to their first meeting at City of Angels ~Did I really call her a playmate? Miss March?~ he chuckled at the memory.
He had called her a cold bitch, she had called him a sissy fighter. Funny enough, he was the one getting hurt right after both words were said. After he called her a cold bitch she slapped him. After she called him a sissy fighter she punched him to show him how to throw a real punch.
Their first dance to *Since I fell for you* in that bar. The way she felt in his arms, cheek to cheek, talking and that watch, that damn watch. He smiled at the memories.
"What ya thinking about?" Maddie softly asked.
He turned around smiling "You."
"Me?
"You and me."
"You and me?"
"About when we first met." She was standing in a big bathrobe, her silk pajamas underneath and she looked more sexy to him than Jennifer did half naked in her red lingerie.
"Oh." She smiled "Did I hear you talking to someone or is my imagination running wild with me?"
"Yeah. Jennifer was at the door. Guess she kinda missed me." He tried to smirk.
"Oh." She sat down at the edge of the couch "I am so sorry David. All this is getting in the way of your private life. I am getting in the way of your private life." She honestly felt guilty.
He moved toward her. "You are not in the way of my private life. You will never be in the way of my life. Your safety means more to me than having a private life. You mean more to me."
Both shocked by his words, they sat there, staring at each other at loss of any words.
Maddie grabbed his beer and took a swig of his beer and handed it back to him. He empty the bottle.
"You take the bed." He said as he laid back on the couch.
"No. It's your house, your bed. I can take the couch." She smiled "Just let me get some sheets."
"Nawh.. ladies get the bed. Even if it's mine." He winked
She turned away but immediately turned back "This is ridiculous, David let's just both sleep in the bed. We've practically been sleeping in the same bed this entire week. That's all we've been doing, sleeping. We're adults. Come on." She held out her hand for him.
"Are you really comfortable with that Maddie? I need you to be a 100% certain."
"I am more than comfortable with sleeping besides you David. As long as you promise me no funny stuff."
"Funny stuff." He wiggled his eyebrows.
They both laughed as they walked towards the bedroom.
9pm Friday morning.
Maddie is staring at the photo of Patrick Crane. A handsome young man with black wavy hair, green eyes and a wide smile. Maddie grabs the other photo of Patrick and Elaine, she is standing in front of him. Next to him she looked even smaller. ~They are such a beautiful, young couple~ She admired her beauty and her youth.
She read through the information Elaine had given them, she read it over and over again. What was she missing? Everything seemed so perfect. ~What if he is having an affair?~ she thought to herself. "Poor Elaine." She whispered "The wondering must be killing her."
Agnes knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"I'm sorry to bother you Miss Hayes, but Miss McDonnell left you a message." She handed Maddie the note.
"Thank you Miss DiPesto." Agnes was about to walk off "Oh Miss DiPesto?"
"Yes Miss Hayes?"
"When is the meeting today?"
"9:30, Mrs. Murphy." Agnes smiled. "Would you like some more coffee?"
"Oh yes please."
Agnes grabbed the mug and left her office, leaving the door open.
David plopped his head through the open door. "So?"
"So?"
"Did you get a chance to read the file?"
"I've been reading it over and over again. David I can't imagine this man is having an affair. His days consist of work and his fiancé. He doesn't have the time."
"Except when he disappears on Tuesday and Friday." David noted
"Except for those two days." She repeated.
"I was thinking about tonight." David sat on the other side of the desk "What about having Mr. Viola and Jamie Taylor follow him?"
"You think they're both ready to go without either one of us?" She wondered.
"I think I've trained ol' Bert pretty well. And Jamie is calm and stable. I think they can manage. Want me to call them in?"
"No, not yet." David looked surprised "We're having a meeting at 9:30 with Mrs. Murphy. Let's ask them to come in after that. Okay?"
"Sounds like a plan boss lady!"
Agnes walked in with coffee "Here you go Miss Hayes." She places the cup in front of Maddie.
"Thank you Miss DiPesto." She smiles at her.
"Would you also like a cup Mr. Addison?"
"I'm good Agnes, thank you."
"Oh the message!" Maddie still had the note in her hand.
"What message?" David asked
"Miss McDonnell, Elaine, left me a message." She opened the note and read it out loud "Patrick will be leaving at 7pm tomorrow, well today for you, evening. Our address is 1704 N Doheny Drive.."
David whistled "Isn't that in Bird Streets?"
"Yeah I think it is. But there is more.." she looked up and smiled "He drives a 1987 Cabriolet black Porsche 911 Turbo."
David clenched his chest "ouch! I still miss my Porsches."
Maddie rolled her eyes in amusement. She wrote down the information and placed it in the folder in front of her. "We can give this folder to Mr. Viola and Jamie." She closed the folder.
Another knock.
"Yes Miss DiPesto?"
"Mrs. Murphy is here Miss Hayes."
Maddie got up behind her desk "Please let her in."
"Good morning Mrs. Murphy. I'm Maddie Hayes and this is my associate David Addison."
Mrs. Murphy was quite a tall, elderly woman her white hair set in a perfect bun. She was wearing a beautiful off white suit, very modern for a woman her age. "Good morning Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison."
David extended his hand, she shook his. "Please sit down." He offered her the chair.
Maddie sat back down behind her desk "How did you find us and how can we help you Mrs. Murphy?"
"Well Miss Hayes, Betty Russell referred me to you."
"Betty Russell?" Maddie smiled in surprise
"Yes, she spoke highly of you and when I told her of my situation.." Mrs. Murphy looked at her hands in her lap.
"Please take your time Mrs. Murphy."
"I don't quite know how to start. It will make me sound like a horrible person. But Betty told me, you don't judge." She looked at Maddie "I'm just a worried mother and grandmother." Her dark brown eyes pierced into hers "You see, I have a daughter, around your age, slightly older and a grandson and a granddaughter. My son-in-law died 3 years ago in an accident. About 4 months ago my daughter started dating a man named Eric Davidson. She is an adult and she chooses who she dates. And I've tried to ignore this feeling, but there is something with this man. I just can't put my finger on it. I've tried to find a little more about him, but I'm not skilled. My grandbabies are 10 and 12 years old and I need to know about Eric. I just don't trust him, not around my daughter and especially not around my grandbabies. Alicia, my daughter, has changed this last month, she just isn't herself." Mrs. Murphy sighed as her eyes darted between Maddie and David. "I just need to know if they're safe."
Maddie and David shared a look as they both said "We'll take the case."
"Thank you. I will pay you $5000 up front and $5000 if you've found anything, good or bad. Is that okay?" she handed Maddie an envelope containing the cash.
"That'll be fine, if we need anything, we will be in contact with you Mrs. Murphy."
She handed Maddie another envelope "This contains my contact information, all the information about Eric I have and a recent photo."
They walked Mrs. Murphy to the door and said their goodbyes.
"Miss Taylor, Mr. Viola can we see you in my office please?" Maddie smiled.
Both in shock, they look at each other. They then look at Maddie and nod.
"What did we do?" Jamie mouthed at Bert.
Bert shrugged in fear.
"Please sit down." Maddie pointed at the 2 chairs in front of her desk as she sat down behind her desk. David sat on the edge of the desk.
"What did you want to see us about Miss Hayes." Jamie asked hesitantly.
"Hold on to your hats kids! Miss Hayes and I have some wonderful news for you.." David ranted.
"Mr. Addison?" Maddie tried to silence him "Mr. Addison! DAVID!"
He looked behind him "What's up boss lady? Oh I get it." He turned to Jamie and Bert "The boss lady wants to give you two the good news."
Maddie sighed "Mr. Addison could you just tell them without all this nonsense?"
She turned her face to her employees "As you might know we have 2 more new cases. We just saw Mrs. Murphy, her case will start with mostly paperwork. But yesterday we saw Miss Elaine McDonnell. Her fiancé is .."
"Patrick Crane!" David interjected "He is the son of Crane constructions and sons!"
"Yes, thank you Mr. Addison. Mr. Crane has been disappearing twice a week for some time. Miss McDonnell is afraid he is having an affair." She hands the case folder to Bert. "Every Tuesday and Friday he is leaving their house in the Bird Streets, he is gone for a couple of hours. I just received a message from Miss McDonnell that he will be leaving tonight. We need to follow him and stake out wherever he is going. As you know I am currently under police protection."
"So Miss Hayes and I can't follow poor ol' Patrick around. The cop car might give us away." David added.
"So we thought that you two might be able to do the job." Maddie folded her hands on her desk awaiting the reactions.
Jamie's mouth opened in surprise. Bert was reading the case and had seemed to miss the last part of Maddie's speech.
"So Mr. Addison and I will follow him around?" he asked.
Maddie chuckled.
"Yo Bert! Keep your wits about you! Listen to Miss Hayes."
"What?" Bert looked at Maddie "Excuse Miss Hayes, I missed what you said."
"Mr. Addison will not be joining the stake out. He doesn't trust the police to do its job in protecting me." She smiled.
David got up "She's right." He put his hands in his pockets. "So Bert, Jamie and you will be going on the stake out. It's better to go on stake out together. And seeing as Jamie was a great help on the Anselmo case, we trust you two will act professional and will follow Mr. Crane without getting detected."
"Thank you! Miss Hayes! Thank you! Mr. Addison!" Jamie found her voice again.
"But.. but.." Bert was starting to panic "I've never done a case without Mr. Addison to guide me."
"Well Bert.." David patted him on the back "I think I've thought you all you need to know! Jamie and you've got this!"
Bert looked up to David "You really think so Mr. Addison?"
"Do bees bee? Do ducks duck? Of course I think so! You two will make a great team!"
"AND!" Maddie got up "If you do your jobs well, there will be an extra at the end of the month."
Both Jamie and Bert immediately directed their attention to Maddie "Really?" they said in unison.
"Really." Maddie smiled "Maybe you two can go into Mr. Addison's office to discuss the modus operandi. Be sure to read the file and don't be late."
"And be sure Mr. Crane doesn't see you two following him." David added.
Bert and Jamie smiled as they left Maddie's office.
"David?"
"Mmh mmh"
"It's 6pm. You think Jamie and Bert will be successful?"
He looked up from his comfortable position on the couch "I'm convinced they will get the job done!" he propped up on his elbows "It's already 6?"
She nodded as she made a neat pile of the papers in front of her.
"That's why I'm hungry."
She laughed. "So what are you craving?" as she puts all the papers in the folder.
"You?" he wiggled his eyebrows.
She looks up in shock. "What?!"
"Wendy's." He looks up with innocent eyes "I said Wendy's."
"Yeah.." she shrugs "That's what I thought." She stands up, putting the folder into her briefcase and grabbing her purse.
David got up and grabbed his jacket and put it on. "So?"
"So?"
"Wendy's. You okay with it?"
"Oh, sure fine. Haven't had a burger in.." she thought long and hard. "I don't even remember when I last had a burger."
"Well it's about time Miss Hayes." He held his arm out for her.
She walked past him to open the door. "You first Mr. Addison."
"You just want to check out the merchandise." He smirked at her as he strolled by.
She rolled her eyes as she put her purse under her arm. "Oh you know me so well."
They arrived at his apartment at 7:00pm with Wendy's.
"Sweet ice tea he? Who gets that at Wendy's?"
She sipped her cup. "Just like Meemaw used to make! I love it. I don't really like carbonated drinks."
"Come on Maddie sodas are the best." He takes a big gulp from his cup.
"Dr. Pepper though David?" She smiled.
"Of course! Real American drink."
She smiled as opened the bag "How much did you order?"
"I just ordered off of the super value menu and then of course everything twice."
"Twice?"
"Yeah. Two Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers, two chicken nuggets, two fries.."
"Yeah yeah I get it but why?"
"Why?"
"Why so much? There's got to be at least 5 items each."
"7."
"SEVEN? SEVEN items each?"
"I told you I was hungry. I ain't sharing and I know you dames.."
"Us what?"
"Ladies.. you pick 2 or 3 items and then you want to try everything we have."
Maddie laughed "Don't come between David Addison jr. and his food!"
"You got that right!" he laughed as het took a big bite out of his burger.
"So want to watch some TV?" he asks holding up the remote.
"Sure, we can see what's on."
David flicked through the channels while finishing his burger, eventually settling on a Friday night movie.
"Nothing interesting." He concluded
"Don't you have any movies?"
"Nah.. none that you'll be interested in." he smiled wickedly.
"You, David Addison, are a swine."
"Why yes, yes I am, thank you." Still smiling wickedly.
The Friday night movie became background noises and light as they kept on talking.
"David, how am I to finish this all?" she pointed at all the food.
"Easy, unwrap or open, grab, open your mouth, bite, start chewing and swallow." He grabbed the box of nuggets, took one out, hold it up for her to see, he stuffs one in his mouth and starts chewing. He holds up his hand to tell her to wait as he visibly swallows. "See, easy!" he smiles.
"David! I've had the burger, the fries and 2 nuggets. I'm stuffed!"
"What about the potato? And I've got you a salad. That's yours." He points to the table.
She laughs "I can eat that tomorrow. I'll put it in the refrigerator." She got up, grabbed the salad from the table as she walks towards the kitchen.
"David?"
"Whattup Goldilocks?"
"Could you come into the kitchen please?" her voice sounds uneasy.
"What is it?" as he peeks around the corner.
"What is this?" she pointed at something in the fridge.
He looks into the fridge and is baffled as he grabbed a box out of the fridge.
"Happy one month" David reads out loud.
"Happy one month?" Maddie laughed.
David looks at Maddie "Why is this funny?"
"Why did you give your girlfriend of one month the keys to your apartment?" She quickly replied.
He looks at her in shock "I didn't."
Maddie smile quickly disappears "You didn't?" she looked at him in shock.
He just shook his head.
"David.."
"Maddie?"
"That's incredibly creepy."
"It is.."
"What if.." she was afraid to finish the sentence.
"What if what?"
"What if she's the one."
"The one?" he was confused.
Maddie was getting annoyed with his denial "The one wrecking my damn car, the one sending the nice note, the one who mauled a Barbie.."
He just stared at her.
"Say something!" annoyance filled her voice.
"I think you're right."
"I'm what?"
"You. Are. Right." He throws the box on the counter.
The phone rings. David looks at Maddie, he feels unwilling to pick up the phone.
"Aren't you going to pick that up?"
"Yeah.. yeah. Do you think we should call the cops?"
"First pick up the phone, we will call the cops after that."
He picks up the phone. "Addison!"
He turns his back to Maddie.
"Yeah I found it… How? How did you get into my apartment? .. Well it is kinda strange Jennifer.. No you can't come over… Yes.. Yes.. No that is not why.. Come on Jennifer.. Chill.. Yes we're still on for Sunday.. Yes.. No you need not worry.. Stop it.. Stop talking about her.. I.. Jenn.. I.. I will call you tomorrow, okay? Yeah.. have a great evening.. Yeah.. thanks.. Bye."
Maddie had her arms folded in front of her chest when he turned around. "Let me guess? The deranged date?"
He sighed as he grabbed the business card of detective Smith. He dials the number.
"Detective Smith? Yeah David Addison here, we need to talk. I'd rather not do it over the phone. No, no.. Miss Hayes is fine." He holds the phone towards Maddie
"Good evening detective Smith." She says.
"Yeah.. could detective Anson and you come over tonight? Yeah I guess you can call it urgent. Okay, yeah.. See you then."
He hung up the phone as he looked at her with sorrow. "I'm sorry Maddie."
"For what?"
"For all of this."
"All of what?"
"You know this.. " he holds up the cake.
"Wait? You think I hold you responsible for something someone else does?"
"No, no.. but you know I am the reason why she is doing this. IF she is the one doing this."
"Indeed, we don't even know if it's her. I've never been stalked by a woman before. It would be weird though, she knows we are business partners. Why would she react like this?"
"I don't know."
"Did you tell her you and I used to…"
"Do it?" he smirked as her face turned red "No I didn't. Why would I?"
"I don't know David, I don't know much of anything these days. I hate living in fear. I hate the feeling of having to look over my shoulder every waking moment. I've been through this in my early modeling days, I'm done. And the thought of a woman being capable to do this to another woman, David that thought both frightens and disgusts me. I still don't understand."
"Maybe I talked about you too often?"
"Yeah right, like you guys did a lot of talking. " she laughed "Come on we definitely need some coffee." She smiled.
The detectives arrived half an hour later. Maddie and David explained their theory about the cake and Jennifer. Both detectives looked skeptic.
"A woman stalking another woman, threatening another woman to back off. From what?" Det. Anson asked.
"Me." David quickly responded.
"You?" he laughed "Why would she be jealous of Miss Hayes and you?"
"Well for starters Miss Hayes and I work together every day, sometimes evenings and on occasion nights if we have to do a stake out."
"Have you giving Jennifer reason to be jealous?"
"No! Why would I? I am dating her aren't I?"
"Well she must have gotten the idea somewhere, why else would she react like this?" Det. Smith added.
"I do talk about work and yes Miss Hayes is a big part of my work. We are partners, associates, whatever you want to call it."
"So you want us to investigate your girlfriend?"
"No. Yes. I mean.. I don't know. Maybe you could run the fingerprints on the box to match? Maybe you've found a hair to match?"
"To match to what Mr. Addison? You want us to pick up Jennifer and ask her if she is willing to give us fingerprints and hair samples?"
Maddie got annoyed at their tone of voices "No, of course not!" she intervened "But maybe just maybe you could check this box for fingerprints to match." Her face was annoyed "David, did you keep the disgusting box she send you this week?"
He nodded and walked towards the closet.
"What box?" det. Smith asked
"A box of dirty underwear. There might be a hair in there." Maddie cynically spoke "As you see, she has some tendencies. She send him a box of her dirty underwear."
"Dirty?" det. Anson's nose cringed. "Why would someone do that?"
"Beats me!" Maddie shrugged.
"Do you have any idea why she send it to you Mr. Addison?"
"She told me she missed me and hoped I missed her as much as she missed me." He shrugged "So she send me some of her worn underwear."
Both detectives and Maddie looked disgusted at the thought.
It was 10pm when the detectives left.
David had told them about the picnic, they told him to keep engagements as they were. Because cancelling might inform Jennifer that they were on to her or even worse it might trigger her to go over the edge.
David locked the door and made sure to put on the extra chain. He looked around and then grabbed the big chest and put it in front of the locked door.
Maddie watched him without saying a word.
When he finished he turned and sat on the chest. He touched the top on which he sat. "Remember the last time we sat on this?"
Oh Maddie knew, she knew all too well. "Mrs. McClafferty." She smiled.
"That's not the part I choose to remember." He whispered.
"What?"
"Nothing!" he put on a big smile "I just said I remembered something else."
Maddie smiled at the memory.
"I see you also remember." He smirked.
"I also remember crying." She raised her eyebrow.
"Yeah, that too. But that wasn't the best part of the evening."
"Remember when we confronted Elaine Johnson and Mr. McClafferty? At the bowling alley?" she smiled at him "I felt so great afterwards."
"Yeah that was great fun." He smiled "We have some great memories together don't we?"
"We do." She smiled "We really do. But then again.." she stopped before ruining the moment.
"But then again.." he repeated.
"I am really sorry David."
"About?"
"About what happened, about what I did. Running to Chicago, hiding my pregnancy, marrying Walter and hiding the fact that I lost OUR baby. I never meant to hurt you. But I ended up doing it anyways. I hate that I've hurt you. I hate the wedge it formed between us. And I hate that I was the cause of it all." A tear rolled down her cheek "I've tried to tell you this a couple of times. I am so sorry I've hurt you, you have to know that." She looked up at him.
He stared at her without saying a word.
She placed her hands on her lap "I know this isn't easy to talk about for you. It isn't easy for me too." She watched as a tear fell on her lap.
"I know. But you weren't the only one making mistakes." He swallowed hard "Annie."
Maddie felt like someone kicked her in the gut, still staring at her folded hands.
"I'm sorry too you know. I know I've hurt you by dating your cousin."
"My married cousin."
"I know. I know. It shouldn't have happened. I don't even know why it happened."
She looked up at him. Her eyes red and puffy.
"Maybe I did do it to make you jealous, out of revenge.." he stopped.
The tears streamed down her cheeks "Why?"
He shrugged "Don't get me wrong, I did feel attracted to her. My type: tall, blonde, smart and sexy."
Her eyes dropped to her lap again as the tears fell freely.
He got up, walked towards her and dropped on his knees in front of her. He put his hand over hers.
She watched his hand, she felt his touch as she watched the tears fall.
He pushed her chin up, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes met his. "Just like you." He inched closer to her.
She felt his breath on her lips, she licked her lips. That's when he gently kissed her, soft and quick. Their eyes met again as did their lips. It was a slow, soft and gentle kiss. This was not like any kiss they've ever had. Most of their previous had been passionate, hot and heavy. When they pulled apart he smiled at her while drying her eyes. He licked his lips, just getting a final taste of her. She placed her hand on his cheek. He turned his face and kissed her palm.
Maddie got down on the floor next to him, she nestled herself next to him as he put his arm around her. She pulled her knees up to her chin and leaned into him. He rested his head on the top of her head, he smelled the sweet scent of her shampoo. That's when it hit him, he was dating all these other women just to try and get over her, he would never get over her. She was the butter to his toast, the peanut butter to his jelly, she completed him. ~How can I ever tell her?~ he thought to himself.
She smelled his shirt, she smelled him. She loved his smell. She kept her head on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat. Her heart was beating in unison with his. Her breath was in unison with his. She had never felt so safe and comforted in her life.
Maddie woke up with a scare. "David?"
"I'm here, I'm here." His voice sounded soothing as his hand rested on her shoulder. Her body felt stiff as she looked around.
"Why am I on the couch?" she asked confused.
"You okay?" he asked with concern.
"Yes, I'm sorry I woke you. I just remember sitting on the ground with you and waking up here."
"You fell asleep. I couldn't carry you to the bed, so I put you on the couch." He caressed her hair.
"On you lap?" she smiled up at his face.
"Couldn't resist. You were sleeping so peacefully under my arm." He smiled down "And you searched for me."
"Did you sleep sitting up?"
He shrugged.
"What time is it?"
He looked at his clock "it's 2 am."
"You should lay down and I need a better bed." She sat up.
"Come we'll go to bed." He got up and extended his hand.
When she woke up, the first thing she smelled was the fresh coffee. She smiled, unwilling to get up.
"Morning Miss Hayes. Coffee?" David smiled.
"Yes please." She stretched and took the offered mug.
"So what's on the agenda for today boss lady?"
She took a sip of the coffee "It's Saturday and everything for tomorrow is arranged. So I have no clue. I don't think that going out together when deranged Jen is out there. God knows what will happen if she sees us together." She looked up in shock of what she just said. "I'm sorry David. I didn't mean to disrespect your girlfriend." She quickly took another sip of coffee burning the inside of her mouth. "Ouch!" she whispered.
David watched her fumble, he wasn't insulted. He actually felt the same way about his 'girlfriend'. He drank his coffee while watching her.
"Stop staring David! You're making me nervous."
He shrugged and smiled at her.
She rolled her eyes as she got out of bed. She walked towards him, she wanted to pass him. He put his hand on the doorframe across from him, making her stop in her track. She turned her head to face him. As he was only slightly taller than she only had to slightly look to look him directly in his eyes.
~He has beautiful, sparkling and mischievous green eyes.~ she thought to herself without moving.
He slightly looked down in her gorgeous blue eyes, he could find himself lost in them. He bent his head down, his lips near her ear as he whispered "I haven't forgotten what happened last night."
His breath on her ear made he quiver. She swallowed hard as she turned her lips towards his ear as she whispered "Neither have I." She gently blew in his ear.
"Don't do that." He whispered "if you're not ready to finish what you start." He got his hand off the doorframe to let her pass.
She didn't, she didn't move a muscle and just blew in his ear again.
"I'm warning you Maddie, stop it." He felt his body reacting to her and he tried everything in his power to restrain himself from not throwing her on the bed.
She blew again, he grabbed her wrist and looked her straight in her eyes. His eyes full of lust "Don't start something you're not willing to finish."
"Who's says I am not willing to finish?" she looked him dead in his eyes.
He was confused at the look his saw, was it lust? Was it love? Was it desire? He had no clue. "Like I said before Maddie, I will never force myself on you or any woman for that matter."
She softly kissed his lips and then pulled back to look at him.
"Are you sure?" He needed her to say it.
"Are you sure?" this confused him even more, his body and mind desired her and it must have been obvious to her. "You're the one in a relationship aren't you?"
Her question shocked him, he stepped back. Now it was Maddie's turn to be confused, she stared him up and down. Looking down she knew he wanted her, his body was telling her how much he wanted her. "You're right, I need to finish that before I start something new."
She felt both disappointed and respect for his decision. Physically she was ready to jump him, mentally she knew he was right.
She walked past him and said under her breath "Too bad." Just enough for him to hear.
He grabbed her shoulder, she didn't turn to face him. He whispered in her ear "We'll get there, I want you, but to start something new I need to finish things with her." He wrapped his arm around her stomach, pulling her back into his chest "Trust me when I say, I want you just as much as you want me."
"I can feel that." She smirked.
He kissed her neck, knowing this made her weak in the knees.
"No fair David!" she pulled away. "Don't prey on my weaknesses if you are not willing to finish what you start." Her eyes were filled with desire ~Desire for me~ he thought to himself.
She turned around and walked into the kitchen.
He walked towards the bathroom, he couldn't follow her in his current state. He took off his clothes and stepped into the shower as he turned on the cold shower.
"David?" her sultry voice filled his ears, it turned him on again.
"I'll be right there."
"Okay. The police just called, they still have some questions for us. I told them they can come in an hour. Is that okay?"
"Okay."
The detectives arrived right on the agreed time. Pleasantries were shared as they sat down. The detectives mostly had questions about Jennifer. Maddie watched the conversation between the 3 men. David spoke kindly of Jennifer, but was honest about the crazy stunts she pulled. Every question was answered honestly.
That's when the detectives turned to Maddie and asked if she felt safe enough to go to the picnic when Jennifer would be there. "Mr. Addison will be there and he will be engaging her all of the time, won't you?" she looked at David.
"I will."
"And Mr. McGraw and his daughter will be there, they will keep me engaged. I've arranged this for my employees and I am not changing my plans because of one crazy person."
Detective Anson opened his mouth to object "Let it go Anson. I don't think anything you say will persuade Miss Hayes to change her mind." Maddie nodded "Would you allow us to have a couple of officers at the party, undercover as guests."
"I can see why not." Maddie smiled. "Please give us their names, so we can properly address them."
"Maddie?" David said
"Yes David?"
"I kinda told Jennifer about the employees. Who works at Blue Moon and all."
"So? We will just say they're our informants? Or just guests of Agnes and Bert, just like Matt and Alice."
"That could work." Det. Smith said.
The meeting lasted about 2 hours as the final details were discussed.
Their Saturday was spend quietly and both tried to avoid the other, in fear what would happen if they got near each other again.
Maddie offered to cook that evening. So they went grocery shopping and got what she needed for dinner.
David unpacked the bags and looked at all the food on his counter.
"What are you going to make for dinner?" he asked.
"As much as you think I am an open book to you. There is something you don't know about me David."
He gave her an inquisitive look "Which is what?"
"You know I'm from Chicago right?"
"Yeah so?"
"Well my father and I were born in Chicago, but my mother is a Southerner. She taught me real Southern cooking. I'm making you a real Southern meal tonight."
"Well that explains a lot!"
"What does?"
"I liked your mom from the get go. I love Southern women!"
"You like all women David."
"Not all. Not anymore." ~Now only you~ he thought to himself, but didn't dare speak the words as he didn't know how it would end. All he knew was that it wouldn't end well.
Maddie laughed as she started the preparations.
David walked to the living room and turned on some music. He grabbed the paper and started reading, well he tried to read. He listened to Maddie singing in the kitchen. The last time he heard her singing was in the elevator, he loved her voice then and he loved it even more now as she sang the words to Solitude by Billie Holiday.
%In my solitude
You haunt me
With dreadful ease
Of days gone by
In my solitude
You taunt me
With memories
That never die
I sit in my chair
And filled with despair
There's no one could be so sad
With gloom everywhere
I sit and I stare
I know that I'll soon go mad%
She had a beautiful soulful voice and her voice went well with Billie Holiday's voice.
"David?"
"Yeah?"
"Could I use your phone? I need to ask my mother about this recipe for buttermilk biscuits."
"Yeah go ahead."
She points at the stereo "Could you turn that down please?"
He turns off the music.
Her head plops back "You don't have to turn it off on my account, just a bit down." She smiled.
"It's fine." He ruffled the paper he was holding.
"Hi mom.. how are daddy and you doing? I'm fine. Yes I've been eating healthy… yes mom.. yes mom.. of course mother!"
David put down the paper and started listening to her conversation with her mother. He knew he shouldn't but her voice changed when she spoke to her mother, softer and sweeter.
"No, no.. why did I call? Oh yes.. well please don't laugh.. I know, but I don't think you'll believe me. I'm cooking a Southern dinner. For whom?" he heard her sigh. "Yes mom I'm cooking dinner for David, yes mom a Southern dinner. He cooked his mom's spaghetti a couple of days ago, I just want to repay the favor." She sighed again. "I don't have the recipes with me. So I am doubting the measurements.. What? No.. I'm cooking at David's place.. why?"
David heard the panic in her voice rise, he was standing in de doorway looking at her. All of a sudden she turned around startling both him as herself. As she mouthed "Why?" at him.
"Exterminator?" he whispered "Roaches."
"My place is fumigated, cockroaches." She said while making a why-did-I-say-this look "Yes I know it's disgusting, that's why I called an exterminator." She smacked her hand to her forehead.
David laughed.
"Yes that's him.. okay.. okay mom.. hold on." She looked at him as she pointed the receiver towards him "She want to speak to you."
David took the receiver with a puzzled look "Hello Mrs. Hayes. Yes we are well. Going to a hotel would have been an unnecessary expense. No, business is going great. We get along fine.." David laughed at a remark Virginia made. "No, no door slamming in the apartment, but the office is a different story…" he laughs again.
Maddie felt annoyance rise thinking they were laughing at her expense.
"No Mrs. Hayes, Maddie is a perfect house guest. She even puts the toilet seat down." He winks at Maddie.
~My mom and him get along so well.~ she smiled to herself.
"Of course.. no worries.. you know me. Yeah it was great talking to you too. Send my regards to Mr. Hayes. Yeah I'll put her on, one moment." He smiled as he handed the phone back he holds his hand over the speaker. "She wanted to be reassured you're okay."
Maddie takes the phone back as she gives him a loving smile "Hey mom, about that recipe. I just need the measurements. Well.. yeah.. no mom.. nothing special is going on. No.. no man.. Yes, yes I did go on a date, he was lovely, but we decided to stay friends. Well because he is a close friend of someone I work with, I thought it might become awkward if we were to break up… Yeah. Thanks. Measurements mom?" Maddie started writing down what her mother told her.
David had settled in the kitchen, he was watching her every move. She bend over to write, he thoroughly enjoyed his view, especially when she shifted from leg to leg.
She stood up straight, her entire posture changed. He saw the muscles in her neck and back tense up. He automatically tensed up as well.
"Yeah. Yeah.. No I haven't heard about Annie and Mark." Her shoulders dropped "Oh. No, no it's wonderful news…" she listened to her mother for a while "Well if they want me there, I'll probably get an invitation… Well listen mom, I've got to get going, the creamed corn isn't going to make itself. Thank you mom. Give my love to daddy. Talk to you soon. Love you, byeeee." She put the receiver back and held her hand on it for a couple of seconds.
"You okay?" David's voice startled her, she hadn't noticed that he stayed in the kitchen.
"I'm fine." She finally removed her hand off of the telephone. "Annie and Mark decided to renew their vows."
"That's nice." Was all he said.
"Because they're expecting a baby." He heard the tears in her voice as she started preparing food again. "Which is, of course, no surprise. Why wouldn't they try for a baby. And succeed. I mean Annie always succeeded in getting everything she wanted…" she paused for a couple of seconds "even if it wasn't hers to get. I know I should be happy for them, having a baby.."
Without a sound David had gotten off of his seat and stood behind her. He wanted to console her, he wanted to hug her, but somehow he was afraid to move.
She turned around when she felt him behind her "But.. I don't know.. It still hurts, David.. It still hurt so bad." She looked him straight in his eyes. "Why her and not me? It all feels so unfair."
He had rested his hands on her upper arms, slowly bringing them down until he reached her hands, he took her hands in his and brought her hands to his lips. He kissed them softly as he looked her in the eyes "I don't know Maddie. I really don't." he kissed her hands again, never breaking eye contact "You will become a mother one day, I know you will! And any boy or girl would be lucky to have loving mom like you."
"Maybe I'm defective." She broke eye contact and looked at her feet.
He pulled at her hands "Don't you ever say that!" as he took her in a tight embrace. "You are not defective."
"But my body…" she sputtered
"Stop it Maddie! It happened, I'm sad that it did, but there is nothing wrong with you." He kissed her temple.
"David.."
"No Maddie! I won't have it. Listen to me.." he pulled away to look her in the eyes again "We've lost OUR baby, YOU didn't do anything wrong. You took good care of yourself, you ate healthy, you took your vitamins. I know how hard this is, but sometimes babies don't make it. Even if you did take good care of yourself. Do you hear me?"
She slowly nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't ever tell me your sorry when you talk about your feelings. I understand. Just know I'm here, whenever you feel like talking about our son."
She gave him a small peck on his lips "Thank you David, that means a lot to me." As her thumbs brushed his cheeks "I will get back to making us dinner."
"Mind if I stay in the kitchen? For moral support.." he winked before walking towards his seat not waiting for her answer.
She turned and leaned against the counter "If you want to stay in the kitchen, I will put you to work." She smiled.
He was surprised at her remark. "What?"
"Put on the apron Addison!" she commanded.
"Yes ma'am!" he laughed. "What can I do?"
She laughed as she handed him a piece of paper "Measure all these ingredients. I will start on the cream corn." She started preparing the food. He watched her for a few second before measuring the ingredients.
"So.." he said
"So?" she replied
"You know how to prepare this all by heart?" as he accurately measures the flour.
"I've seen my mom make this a thousand times before. I was always in the kitchen with her. Best childhood memories." She turned her head to smile at him. "If you're done measuring, you can mix all the dry ingredients." As she turns back to what she is doing.
"Dry ingredients?" he softly whispers to himself in confusion.
Maddie hears him, but doesn't react.. just yet. She finishes the creamed corn and turns. And watches David look at the bowls in front of him.
She laughs "Just mix everything that isn't liquid."
He does as she says as she cuts up the butter. She throws in the diced butter and uses 2 forks. Confusing him even more. She put in the buttermilk and mixes it a bit more. She put flour on the working surface and places the dough on it. She gently rolled it out and started folding.
"I'm seeing a whole new you!" David was genuinely surprised.
"Surprised that I can cook at all?"
"No.. well.. yeah.. I mean, I didn't know you could cook, let alone cook a Southern meal."
"Have you ever had a Southern meal?"
He shook his head.
"No one cooks like my momma. I remember when we travelled to our family in the South. We would eat so much!" she cut out the biscuits and placed them in a dish and put them in the refrigerator.
"Aren't those supposed to in the oven and not the fridge?"
"Trust me." She smiled as she prepared the chicken.
David poured 2 glasses of Chardonnay and put one on the counter in front of Maddie.
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome."
Maddie had started cutting everything for the salad. She loved finely chopping the cabbage and carrots. She washed the vegetables and left them in the colander as she put mayonnaise, mustard, apple vinegar, sugar, salt, onion powder and celery seeds. She mixed it up and tasted what she had concocted, adding more mustard and grounded pepper. She made sure the vegetables were dry enough and put it in the mixture as she mixed it all together. "Come try." She turned to face David.
Before he reached her the phone rang. "Hold on." He smiled.
"Yo!"
Maddie chuckled ~who answers like that?~ she thought.
"Oh hey! No I didn't forget! The day isn't over yet is it? How is your day? Why? Just call your friends and enjoy. You're young.. must be some mall to shop at or a beach to tan on…" he listened to the rambling for a couple of minutes as he started pacing on the spot.
Maddie finished the coleslaw and covered the bowl. She put it in the fridge. She picked up her glass of wine and watched David as he had his back to her.
"Yes Jennifer, she is still here. What we are doing? Nothing. She is making me dinner to thank me for everything. You what?" anger arose in his voice as he felt Maddie's hand on his shoulder. He turned to face her. She couldn't really make out the look he had in his eyes. Was it anger? Fear? Anxiety? Or all of the above.
"Look Jennifer, tomorrow it's you and me. I promise. Miss Hayes has invited a date as well. Yeah the guy she went out with last week.. yeah.. Noon.. yeah.. yeah.. No don't come here, we will meet there." he listened again. "No don't worry. Please.. yes.. no.. Call your friends and go out tonight.. have a good time! No.. no.. I'm not forgetting."
Maddie heard his voice change. His voice turned sweet, thick and flirty. Her stomach turned when he spoke.
"I can't wait to have you in my arms tomorrow. The things I will do to you when this guy get caught. Oh you know. Trust me Jennifer it will be worth the wait…" he sounded so sincere, so real, so full of love and lust for this young girl. He felt Maddie speed by him.
Maddie ran to the bathroom and started throwing up. When she finally finished, she was heaving next to the toilet. She had a hard time catching her breath. She thought about the conversation she just overheard and nausea came again.
"Maddie?" he softly spoke in the same sweet voice.
She threw up again. She felt a cold cloth in her neck while she tried to catch her breath again.
"You okay?"
She waved her hand in the air unable to speak just yet.
She felt him sit behind her. He started massaging her shoulders and neck. "You okay?"
"I will be." Her voice was hoarse. "Can you get me a glass of water?"
She felt him get up from behind her, instantly missing his body heat as she felt cold. She settled against the wall shivering.
"Here you go." He handed her a glass of water.
"Thanks." She emptied the glass.
"You just threw up and then you just empty a glass of water within seconds?"
Maddie smiled "This isn't my first time throwing up. And I was a model, the things I've witnessed and was taught by the other models."
"You threw up as a model?" he had a shocked look on his face.
"No, no.. I like food way too much. But a lot of the girls did and the one thing they always taught me was to drink a glass of water. It helps against heart burn and it's easier to throw up water than stomach acid."
He looked at her with an open mouth.
"I know, I know." She shivered.
"Come on you're shivering, just lay down for a second." He helped her up and placed her on his bed and covered her.
"I will be fine David. I'm not sick. I don't know what came over me…" oh she knew but was sure as hell not telling him.
"Just lay down for now."
"I need to finish our dinner." She protested.
"Then we'll eat an hour later. It's okay by me."
"Okay but just a couple of minutes." She agreed.
He sat beside her on the bed "Just a couple of minutes." He caressed her hair.
When she woke an hour had passed. She was alone on his bed and felt much better. She walked towards the bathroom and started cleaning herself, brushed her teeth, brushed her hair and put it in a ponytail. She looked so much better.
She walked back into the living room, David was flipping through some channels.
"Hi."
He turned to face her "Hey. Whoa.. you look much better."
"Thanks." She smiled as she walked towards the kitchen.
~Oh how I hate to see you leave, but how I love to watch you walk away.~ he thought to himself. She rarely wore her hair up, he had such a weakness for her neck. Especially the back of her neck. Just thinking about nibbling on her neck turned him on.
He heard her singing "Blue Moon" in the kitchen. He turned off the TV and walked towards the kitchen.
She had turned on the oven and was seasoning the chicken. "I should have let it marinate in the buttermilk all night, but this will have to do." As she started coating the chicken. And set it aside. She put in the buttermilk biscuits in the oven.
"So need help?"
"Not really, but I'd like the company."
"Shall I set the table?"
"Sure! You can put the coleslaw on the table."
"Isn't did a bit much for just two people?"
She laughed "Probably, but I've never been able to cook for just two people. These are the portions I was taught."
He set the table and sat down across from her.
It took her another hour to get everything ready. Asking him to take the food to the table as she finished it. The buttermilk biscuits smelled amazing, the creamed corn made his mouth water. She placed the fried chicken on the table "This is it." She smiled. "It's quite basic and simple. These are buttermilk biscuits, fried chicken, coleslaw, creamed corn and mashed potatoes… Oh!" She walked back to the stove and came back with a small bowl "And gravy."
"Maddie! This looks amazing."
Maddie was smiling proudly.
"Sit down!" her goofy smile warmed his heart "Please!"
She took off the apron, tossed it to the side and sat down. "Bon Appetite."
David waited until Maddie took put some mashed potato on her plate. Maddie noticed this small gesture, which he knew. She is a sucker for chivalry and he knows it.
David had seconds as Maddie took another piece of fried chicken.
When he finished he sat back on his seat "That was one hell of a homemade meal Miss Hayes."
"You liked it?"
"Like? That's an understatement. Maddie that was amazing!"
Maddie laughed "You never had a real Southern meal?"
He shook his head.
"My mother's cooking is way better than mine. These are the few things she has taught me though. It's nothing special, my small way of thanking you for all you did this last week." She smiled.
"This you call nothing special? Well listen.. gotta be honest.. I could get used to it. Way better than eating from a container!"
Maddie just laughed as she started to clean up.
"No, no.. you cooked, I clean." He got up and took the plates to the counter. He grabbed the bottle of wine on his way back. "More?"
"Yes, please!" she says as he pours the wine.
He covered the leftovers and put all of it in the fridge. Maddie enjoyed her wine, she looked through the window. "What the hell?" she jumped off of her seat.
"What is it?"
"Your girlfriend."
"My what?"
"Jennifer."
"What? Where?"
"Jennifer. Outside, here."
David pierced through his window. She couldn't see him, she was staring at Maddie.
"I'm done with this psycho!" Maddie got up and stared her down.
"Maddie cut it!" he whispered.
"Oh this psycho can't hear you." Never taking her eyes of Jennifer.
Jennifer pointed at the building and then at herself mouthing "He's mine!"
"Crackpot! CRACK-POT!" she tried to mouth it so Jennifer would get it.
That's when Jennifer moved her hand across her neck.
Maddie laughed.
"Don't poke the bear Madelyn!" David sounded
"I'm not poking the bear, I'm poking the psycho!" As she finished her wine at once. "I'm going to take a shower."
David was standing in front of his front window when Maddie came out. She was wearing a silk nighty with a silk robe. She had put her wet hair up.
"She still out there?" she asked
He turns around "I saw her walk away at the back, but I have an unnerving feeling. I can't put my finger on it."
Maddie walked up to him "I know, so do I."
"Then why would you confront her like that?"
"I don't want to be afraid anymore David. I hate that feeling. I refuse to be afraid of anyone, let alone a young girl." He saw fire in her eyes. She means it.
He rubbed his neck as he looked out into the night sky "Please, for me, stop it. Just let the police and let me handle this. Okay? I need you to be safe." He rests his head against the window, the cool glass feels good against his head.
He feels Maddie's hand gliding up his back "David?" she whispers.
"Don't move Maddie!" his eyes shoot through the streets. "I think I just saw her out there. I don't want her to see you."
He felt Maddie's body heat "The lights are off, she can't see anything more than your silhouette."
"Let's keep it that way. The street lights do light this window." He closed the shades as he turns to the kitchen "I'm calling the cops."
"Then what? They still don't have all the physical evidence. We still have to wait till forensics is done! They can't do anything about it right now."
"Maddie they still need to be informed. All details remember.. dammit.. why are you so stubborn?!"
"It's the Hayes genes."
David quickly turned to face her. She had an enormous grin on her face.
"You never cease to amaze me Miss Hayes."
"Good!"
"Good?"
"Yeah it keeps you on your toes!" she winks.
Sunday morning
Maddie got up quietly, tiptoed past David on the couch and made some coffee in the kitchen. David had closed all the blinds and curtains, so she turned on the small light above the stove. She poured herself a coffee, grabbed Saturday's paper as she settled at the small table. It was way too dark to read the paper at the table. She put the paper aside and sipped at her coffee. She looked at the window besides her. The blinds were closed, she couldn't see outside. Her mind went to last night.
She saw Jennifer standing there. Her initial reaction were chills, the look Jennifer had in her eyes was what scared her most. Like someone who has nothing to lose. The second emotion she had felt was rage, pure rage. How dare this psycho determine her life? Then frustration, knowing that this woman was crazy enough and she had to be aware of every step she took not to trigger this crackpot. And Maddie hated having to walk on egg shells. That had never been her strong suit!
~Door slamming, that's more my strong suit.~ she thought to herself with a smile on her face.
She was worried on one hand but on the other hand she wasn't. She didn't allow herself to be fearful of this woman. ~Woman?~ she thought to herself ~She is a girl, a spoiled little brat that wants what she thinks she deserves. And will go to any means necessary.~
She finished her coffee as she continued the discussion ~Don't we all want what we think we deserve? I know I do. But I will not go to the extremes to get what I think I deserve. I will not force myself on anyone, especially anyone in love with someone else.~ That's when reality hit her ~In love with someone else…~ David is in love with someone else.. he is in love with her. And she knew it. He loves her and she loves him. And yet both are too afraid of what will happen. Will it change their dynamics? Their friendship? Their business relationship? Now Maddie felt terrified. She wanted David as a lover, a partner and a friend. She was afraid having him as a lover, she might lose him as a friend or partner. Jennifer didn't scare her half as much.
She got up to get another cup, when she heard David getting up. She also poured him a cup of coffee. She walked into the living room with the cups in her hand as he just entered through the bedroom door.
"Morning." He smiled.
"Morning. Coffee." She held up the cup for him.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She settled on the couch, her legs under her and her cup of coffee in her hand.
For a tall woman, she looked so small in his couch.
"So?" he walked towards the couch
"So?" she looks up at him.
"Are you ready for today?"
She nodded not convincing him.
"Are you looking forward to it?"
Surprise arose on her face "Of course I am. Just a bit stressed if all will go well." She smiled. "What if all goes wrong, sandwiches don't come, people won't like it. I already know I'm not their favorite person in the office."
"Don't underestimate your popularity."
"Don't overestimate it!" she laughed. "I just want today to go as perfect as possible." She sighed "And yes your girlfriend being there, is making me nervous." she looked at the cup in hands.
"I know. We will know soon enough if it was her."
"Who else could it be David? Basically everyone else has been cleared."
"I know."
"I'm getting dressed. Do you think we should we call Angelo and Isabella?"
"I know we don't need to call them, but I also know you won't be reassured before we do call them."
She gave him a side smile. He knows her like nobody else.
"I will give them a call as you get dressed."
"Thanks." As she left the room.
Maddie walked out in a white sundress with light yellow flowers on it. Her hair, slightly curly, hung loose on her shoulders. She had hardly put on any make-up. She had her shoes and a light yellow vest in her hands. She place the vest on the back of the couch and the shoes on the floor behind it. David came in.
"I think I might have insulted Angelo…" David stopped as he saw Maddie.
"Oh really? Why?" She looked up at him.
"Uh.. what?"
"Insulting Angelo?"
"Ah yeah.. because I called him asking about the picnic."
Maddie laughed "So I'm guessing all is arranged?"
"Yeah of course. I wasn't worried."
"So you blamed me?" She laughed
He shrugged "Someone had to take the blame." He walked past her, smelling he light perfume "I'm gonna get dressed."
Maddie slipped into her white ballerina shoes and walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Before she could finish her glass David walked back in. He was wearing jeans, a tight fitting dark blue t-shirt just showing a patch of his chest hair and dark shoes.
Maddie choked on her water. ~He looks so handsome.~ she thought as she coughed.
There was a knock on the door.
David turned "I'll get that."
The detectives walked in with two (what they later found out) officers.
"Good morning miss Haye.." the men gawked at her.
"Oh good morning detectives." She smiled
"Roll the tongues back up guys." The tall dark haired officer walked up to Maddie. "I'm officer Janice McKellen. The tall guy is officer Joseph Dean. Nice to meet you Miss Hayes."
"Nice to meet you too officer McKellen, officer Dean. Call me Maddie please." She shook the hands of the officers. "This is my associate and protector David Addison."
David came from behind and stood next to officer Dean. "Nice to meet you." He squeezed the hand of officer Dean tighter, like he was saying ~back off she's mine~ without saying it.
"Our officers have been at Jennifer's house since last night. She didn't go out since she arrived home. They keep us informed about her every move."
The detectives, officers, David and Maddie discussed the plans for the day.
Maddie looked at officer McKellen, they weren't a spitting image. But a distant relative could be plausible.
"Officer McKellen could pass for Agnes' cousin." Maddie stated.
"Jennifer would see through that immediately." David looked at Maddie "Agnes and lying? Even if it's acting?"
Maddie laughed. "True."
Detective Anson intervened "Look, we shouldn't inform too many people about our plans, especially those who can't lie. Why not one of your cousins of a long lost friend?"
"Jennifer knows too much about me." David stated
Maddie inspected officer McKellen, she had the height, she had the figure. "I have an idea. Officer McKellen and I can be old modelling friends. She has the perfect height and figure." Office McKellen blushed. "And I have a couple of dresses here that will fit you. This story is perfect, former models meeting up after years. David couldn't possible know anything about her. Officer Dean can portray to be her boyfriend."
All the men looked officer McKellen up and down. Officer McKellen wasn't very feminine, they didn't see what Maddie saw.
"You down for that Janice?" Detective Smith asked.
She shrugged "Anything for the job."
"Come on." Maddie took officer McKellen to the bedroom.
David offered the men coffee as they sat and waited.
Maddie went through some the few dresses she picked for this day. She was happy she took more than one dress.
"Which of the dresses do you like?" Maddie asked.
"As you see I am not the dress wearing type of woman. I work in a male dominant environment, grew up with 3 brothers." She laughed.
"Doesn't mean you can't have preference in color or dress." Maddie smiled. "What's your favorite color?"
"Blue."
Maddie pulled out a light blue sundress "I almost wore this one today. You can go into the bathroom to change, officer McKellen."
"Please call me Janice." As she started to undress "I'm not shy." As she slipped in the dress. Maddie zipped it up.
"Please sit down." Maddie took the ponytail out of her hair. "You have gorgeous hair."
"Thanks."
Maddie put some water on her hair and styled it, pulling the hair out of her face, but leaving the rest hang lose. "You should also put on some light make-up. Every former model would put on some light make-up for a picnic event."
Janice stared at the make-up in front of her. "Look, I only wear eyeliner and mascara. Every once in a while. What do I do?"
Maddie gave a soft smile "Here let me." As she put on some light make-up making sure it didn't look too much like her own.
Janice looked at herself in the mirror. "Is that me?"
"You look gorgeous." Maddie smiled looking her up and down "Shoes! What size do you wear?"
"I'm a size 8."
"Great! Here try these." As Maddie hands her another pair of white ballerina's.
"Flats! Great!" Janice smiled.
"I don't usually wear high heels. I'm fairly tall and wearing high heels makes me feel like a giant. And they just hurt too much." Maddie smiled.
"You're my kind of woman!" Janice and Maddie laughed.
"Here, you'll need this." As she hands her a white wrap. "Just put it over your shoulders. And when it get too warm, you can just put it aside."
Janice smiled as she put on the shoes and throws the wrap over her shoulders. She admires herself in the mirror as Maddie hands her a clutch.
"Come on, I wonder what the reaction of the men will be." Maddie smiled.
Janice rolled her eyes "I'm afraid of what they'll say."
When Maddie came back in the room the men got up. Still amazed by her beauty. David was annoyed.
"Well guys.. here's officer McKellen." She gave a wide smile.
Janice stepped forward as all, but David's, jaws dropped.
"Now men, please close your mouths." Maddie matter-of-factly said.
"McKellen? That you in there?" Officer Dean asked.
"Of course you idiot. And I can still knock your teeth out." She gave him an annoyed look.
The detectives and David laughed.
"I like her." David said.
"That's Janice all right." Detective Anson laughed.
"You look the part." Detective Smith noticed.
The final arrangements were made and storylines formed.
"So your my girl for the day." Officer Dean smirked.
"Please try anything Joe and you'll be breathing through a tube for the rest of your life." Janice shot him a look.
He put up his hands "Ouch."
"Look, let's set some ground rules. To make this look real. We can hold hands. You can but your arm around me, my shoulders and waist. Don't think about getting near my ass. Kisses on cheek and light pecks on lips. Shove your tongue down my throat and I will knee you. Understand Joe?"
Officer Dean nodded.
"I need verbal confirmation here."
"Yeah sure Janice."
Maddie laughed "I think you could be my new best friend."
David shot her a hurt look, wasn't he her best friend. Maddie didn't notice his look.
They arrived at the Crystal Springs picnic ground. Agnes and Bert were already there.
"Mr. Addison, Miss Hayes! You're here!" Agnes smiled.
"Agnes, this looks amazing."
"Thank you Miss Hayes."
"Agnes, we're off work, you can call me Maddie."
"Okay Miss Hayes."
Maddie laughed "Oh this is Janice McKellen, she and I used to work together back in New York. We ran into each other at the grocery market a couple of days ago and I invited her and her boyfriend Joe."
"Hi!" Agnes shook their hands "I'm Agnes DiPesto. This is Bert Viola."
"So, how can we help?" Maddie smiled.
Agnes gave everyone their tasks as she oversaw everyone.
"She is kinda bossy isn't he?" Janice smiled as Maddie and she filled cups with napkins.
"She is a sweetheart. But she can be bossy if she wants or need to be." Maddie looked towards Agnes who was telling the guys that the food table didn't need to go on that side of the picnic ground. She couldn't help but chuckle. "I really like her. She has a good heart."
Isabella and Angelo arrived and started to place the food next to the drinks. Agnes' attitude changed when she saw them. "Angelo! Isabella!" Agnes looked around "Where is Mario? And the kids?"
"Agnes!" Angelo gave her 3 kisses "Still as beautiful as ever!"
"Agnes! It has been way too long!" Isabella hugged her "Mario and the kids are getting the rest." She smiled.
Agnes looked at all the food already on the table "There is more?"
"Miss Hayes wanted it all. The works!" Elena smiled "But I've also got some take away boxes so everyone can take something home."
Agnes smiles "Well it's better to have more than too little."
"Exactly."
Maddie arrived "Elena! Angelo! Good to see you." She hugged Elena and Angelo.
That's when Maddie felt chills. She looked around and there she was. Jennifer. She was looking around, probably looking for David, when Maddie and she locked eyes.
"Who opened the fridge?" Angelo noted.
Maddie broke the contact and smiled at Angelo "This all looks so good. You guys went over the top."
"Nothing but the best for Blue Moon." He winked
Elena rolled her eyes "Fake charmer!"
"Ouch Elena!"
Maddie laughed, they reminded her of David and Richie.
Jennifer found David. "Daviiiiiiiddddd!" she yelled over the top.
Everyone was looking at them.
"That the crackpot?" Janice whispered in Maddie's ear.
Maddie nodded, her eyes fixated on David and Jennifer. She made sure to give Maddie a full show as she grabbed David and stuck her tongue down his throat.
Maddie felt gut punched, but no one saw her react. Jennifer looked at Maddie and was disappointed to see Maddie standing there smiling and talking to Janice, Angelo and Elena.
"That was a bit much don't you think?" David asked her.
"I've just missed you so much." She gave him little pecks on his lips, cheeks and chin. David wanted to turn around and look at Maddie, but restrained himself.
"Come on. I'll introduce you to the employees."
The employees and their loved ones started arriving one by one. Matt and Alice were the last to arrive.
Both Maddie and Agnes saw them at the same time. "Mattttt! Alice!" Agnes happily squealed.
When Maddie showed up Agnes finally let go of them "Matthew, Alice, how lovely to see you again!" she tightly hugged them. "How have you been?"
"We're fine and you?"
"Really busy. A couple of new cases. So business is good." She smiled. "Oh I'd like you to meet my friend Janice McKellen. Janice McKellen this is Matthew McGraw. Matthew this is Janice." They shook hands and both got quiet and shy. Maddie watched their interaction. "Janice is here with her boyfriend Joe." Maddie's words brought her back to the present as she quickly let go of his hand.
"Oh.." Matt looked disappointed. Maddie felt so guilty. ~I'll make it up to you Matt I promise~ she thought to herself.
Matt and Alice took off with Agnes.
"You like him don't you?" Maddie whispered
"Did it show?"
"The feeling is mutual." Maddie smiled "He likes you too. He is a good guy."
After everyone arrived Maddie walked up to David. "David?"
"Yeah?"
"Shall we welcome our guests?" Maddie purposely laid it on thick.
"Who's this?" David nodded at Janice to change the subject.
"Oh excuses me, David Addison meet Janice McKellen, I believe you've met her boyfried Joe
"Yeah I did, nice to meet you Miss McKellen."
"Please call me Janice. You two work together?"
"Oh sorry, scattered brain. David is my associate at Blue Moon. Janice and I used to do modeling work together." Maddie smiled.
"Back in the day.." Jennifer snidely added.
"And you are?" Janice shot her an angry look.
"I'm Jennifer, David is my boyfriend." David cringed at the word boyfriend and Maddie couldn't help but giggle. "What's so funny Miss Hayes? Is it that he is mine? Because you know he is. Don't you?"
"David's personal life isn't any of my concern." Maddie flashed her biggest and fakest smile.
"Remember that tall, blonde guy you had a shoot with?" She just said of the top of her head laughing. "He was hot."
Maddie pretended to be remembering "You mean the shoot at the Keys? Oh what was his name again?"
"Exactly! John? Jonathan? Jason? Something with a J.."
"Jeff! It was Jeff!"
"He was hot." Janice stated
"He was hot, but very creepy!" both laughed in unison. To a strangers they must have looked like old friends reminiscing.
"He was, wasn't he!" Janice laughed out.
"David we really need welcome OUR guests." Again laying it on thick.
"I'll go find Joe." Janice hugged Maddie "Stop it Maddie back off." She whispered in Maddie's ear.
"I'll see you in a bit." Maddie locked her arm in David's "Come on David. See you later Jennifer."
David let go of Maddie's arm, kissed Jennifer on the mouth "Don't go anywhere." He sweetly whispers.
Maddie was annoyed, Jennifer smiled, thinking she had won the battle.
David offered his elbow and Maddie reluctantly took it.
"Quit it Maddie!" David angrily whispered.
"Quit what?" she innocently asked
"Maddie did you see the look in her eyes?"
"I must have missed it."
He mumbled angrily, she wasn't interested.
They quickly welcomed their guests. Both started mingling with the employees. David held Jennifer near as he avoided all the areas where Maddie was. Janice never left Maddie's side and Joe stayed near to Bert, Bert was following David like a lost puppy as he always did.
Maddie couldn't eat and just plucked at her Caprese sandwich.
"You don't like the sandwich Miss Hayes?" Elena stood next to her.
"Oh no, it's wonderful. I'm just not very hungry. But please call me Maddie!" she smiled weakly.
"He doesn't love her you know."
"What?" Maddie looked up from her sandwich.
"Davey, he isn't in love with her."
Maddie opened her mouth and closed it again as Elena continued.
"I've never seen him look at any woman the way he looks at you. He doesn't even seem interested in the girl he has with him." She put her hand on Maddie's arm "I've known him for quite some years. He is crazy about you. Even if you don't notice it, he has had his eyes on you this entire day."
Maddie felt tears coming up.
"She's right you know." Angelo joined the women "We used to go out back in the day. And you've put a spell on him lady. You've domesticated him."
Maddie laughed "David? Domesticated? Never!" Elena also laughed.
"Well maybe not domesticated, but I've never seen him like this before." He looked Maddie up and down "Can't say I blame him.."
"Angelo!" His sister's voice was stern.
"What?! She is a beautiful woman. And if she needs to know she has options."
Elena laughed "Stupido! How can you and I be related! Ai!"
"Who are you calling stupid?"
The brother and sister started arguing. Maddie excused herself, but they didn't notice her leaving. Maddie walked off chuckling.
Maddie turned to Janice "I am going to the bathroom."
"I will walk with you." Janice smiled.
"Don't think that's necessary. David has his dog on a lease." Maddie looked their way.
Janice laughed "I am still coming."
"As long as you don't come in the stall with me." The women both laughed.
Maddie got in the stall, locking it behind her and rested her body against the door. She felt drained.
"I know you can hear me Miss Hayes."
Maddie stood up straight, every muscle in her body stiffened.
"This is my final warning to you. Stay away from David. He is mine. Not yours, mine! And I don't share. I don't ever share. I've hurt other women for less. Back off!"
"He is his own man, he is not yours nor mine. David and I are friends, associates.."
"Oh you want to be more with him."
"If David was interested in me, he would not be dating you."
"He is a man, men are always interested in other women. That is why I am defending what's mine. I've seen the way he looks at you and I've seen the way you look at him."
"What?"
"Like I said, I protect what is mine. He is mine. I've followed him."
"You should just trust him. He is loyal, he is a good man."
"I know. I trust him.."
"You obviously don't!"
"Shut up Bitch! I don't trust you! Walking around like a model princess. Disgusting."
"Oh grow up Jennifer! Leave me alone and get some help. There are more women in his life.."
"I've seen them all. You're the only one he gawks at. But I also have my eye on Elena."
Maddie started laughing uncontrollably.
"I'd take me serious Miss Hayes!"
Maddie couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop it! Stop laughing at me!" Jennifer screamed.
Janice got in the bathroom "Maddie? You ready?"
"I'll be out soon Janice."
"You're so lucky your friend is outside, you know that right?"
Maddie sighed "You don't scare me Jennifer, not at all. I just wish David could see how crazy you are."
"You should be afraid and don't you dare come near David again."
"I work with him every day." Maddie waited for an answer, nothing.
"You still there?" No reply. Maddie sighed again as she unlocked the door and walked out. Bumping directly into Janice.
"You okay?" she asked.
Maddie placed her finger in front of her lips. She washed her hands and walked out with a very confused Janice behind her.
"What the hell was that Maddie?" Janice whispered.
Maddie turned to face her "I bet you heard enough." She whispered angrily.
"The last part. Are you okay? Scared?"
"Scared? Scared? I am furious! Where does she find the audacity? Psycho!"
Janice put her hand on Maddie's shoulder "Calm down." Her voice a mere whisper. "Just wait, stay calm, keep low and for heaven's sake stop agitating her!"
Maddie threw her hands up in the air. "Fine! Dammit! I was so looking forward to having a nice company picnic. She has ruined it all."
"Come on. Poker face on. You've got this."
"I need a drink!"
"No, you need to keep a clear head."
"Stop being so rational!"
"And right?"
Maddie rolled her eyes "And right."
The walked back to the crowd.
David instantly knew something was wrong with Maddie. Her shoulders were tense, her stride was tense and her jaw was clenched.
He walked up to her, but when she saw him, she averted him and walked towards Agnes who was talking to Bert and Joe.
Janice put her arm around Joe's waist. "Hey babe."
"Hey gorgeous, where were you two?"
"Girls business." She smiled as she stepped in front of him looking him dead in the eye "I've missed you, come here." As she put her arms around his neck and kissed him in his neck.
"Well come here!" Joe tightened his grip on her.
"Jennifer just verbally attacked Maddie in the ladies room." She whispered while kissing him.
He nuzzled in her neck "I've tried to keep an eye on her, but I had to back off a bit when David told Bert to take a hike!"
She pulled back and looked at her partner "You know what we have to do, don't you?"
He pulled her closer again, kissed her neck and whispered "You Maddie, me David / crazy lady."
"Well we can't do that here." Janice exaggerated "But that does sound like a plan." She stepped back, held his for a bit and blew him an air kiss.
Janice found Maddie at the refreshments table. She was staring at David, a huge knot in her stomach. She wanted to call out to him to tell him everything. He had become her go to person when it came to problems.
"You're miles away." Janice smiled "Scared?"
"No. I was at one point, now I'm just angry. I just.. aagghh.. I don't know what I want to do."
"Tell him the truth?"
"If he only knew what just happened.."
"I wasn't talking about that."
Maddie turned her head in surprise. "What?"
"I've never seen a more obvious couple than the two of you. And I think that is what's bothering her. She wants him, but he obviously doesn't want her at all. From the moment we stepped into his apartment and saw you two together it was crystal clear. He is crazy about you and you're in love with him even though you're fighting your own feelings."
"How come?" Maddie cleared her throat "How come we've just met and you've figured this all out?"
"I love Jane Austen books, growing up with a lot of men, that was my outlet. Don't tell anyone or I'd have to kill you."
Maddie laughed "Your secret is safe with me."
A couple of the men laughed as a ball was tossed around. Maddie watched the scene and enjoyed seeing her employees so relaxed.
Janice turned to get a ginger ale as the ball came towards the ladies "Ball!" one of the men yelled as Janice caught the ball.
Maddie looked impressed "Another good thing about growing up around a lot of men." She tossed the ball back to the men. All were still gawking at the gorgeous woman who just caught a side ball. The ball hit Jorgensen to the side of his head. "Oh God! I am so sorry!" she took two steps forward.
"He's mine!" Jennifer hissed in Maddie's ear.
Maddie felt a sharp pain in her side as she fell to the ground.
"Janice!"
Janice turned around to see Jennifer take off. "You okay?"
"Get that dumb Bitch and I will be." She put her hand to her side. She felt a knife stuck in her ribs, she looked at her hand. She felt nauseous. ~Did she just stab me?~ she thought to herself.
"Someone call 911!" Janice yelled.
All the men turned to see Maddie on the ground and Janice chasing Jennifer.
David was at Maddie's side within seconds. "What happened?"
"You're girlfriend stabbed me!" she still had her hand at her side.
"Let me look at it." David tried to remove her hand.
"No! No! Please just.." breathing starting become harder "David? I don't.." as she blacked out.
"Maddie! Maddie! Are the paramedics on the way? Did anyone call 911?" he looked around in panic. "Dammit anyone?" He yelled.
Everyone had surrounded them.
"Back off! Give her room to breathe! She needs room to breathe!" as he held his hand on her wound, hoping to stop the bleeding.
People stepped back as Alice stepped forward.
"Mr. Addison?"
"What?" he snapped.
"We need to place her on her side." As she knelt down next to Maddie and put her in the stable side position. "Please let me." As she pushed his hands away.
"You know what you're doing? I can't lose her." He pleaded.
"I know what I'm doing, I want to help her." Her face serious, but kind.
He watched the young woman examine Maddie as he caressed her hair. Never breaking contact, she needed to know he was there, he needed to know she was okay.
Alice counted the ribs and again.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure, the knife might have perforated the lung. I don't know the length of the knife. All I know is we need to keep it in there. There isn't a lot of blood, which is a good thing." She took off her vest and tried to put around the knife.
David looked at his hands full of blood "Not a lot?" he whispered. He looked at the knife sticking out her side and it felt like someone clenched his heart.
It felt like forever before the police and ambulance arrived.
Maddie fell in and out of conscience. The paramedics quickly took over, putting her on a stretcher, checking her vitals and taking off to the hospital.
David watched the ambulance leave as he just stood there.
"We've got her." Officer Dean stood next to David "Janice might have cracked a few of her ribs, but she tackled her like a linebacker."
David clenched his fists "I don't care if she would have broken her neck."
"We need your statement Mr. Addison." Det. Smith stood in front of him.
"Not now. I need to go to that hospital." He still looked in the direction the ambulance left.
"Officer Dean, you take Mr. Addison down to the hospital and take his statement. Officer McKellen, Det. Anson and I will get everyone's statement here."
"Maybe it's better to send Officer McKellen with Mr. Addison, I can take statements here."
Janice walked up to the men "How's Maddie doing? Is she okay?" frustration on her voice.
"You take Mr. Addison to Glendale Memorial. Take his statement and report back." Det. Smith said.
She walks up to David and grabs his elbow. That's when Janice noticed all the blood on David's hands and shirt. "Fuck.." she says under her breath. "Come on David, let's go."
She walks towards her car, opens the door and David gets in. He doesn't say a word, just stares outside the window.
She drives off, putting her light on top of her car and turning the siren on. "We'll get there faster this way." She states.
David looks outside the window, all he can think about is Maddie. ~Dammit! I should have had a closer eye on her. Idiot!~ he scolds himself.
~Please dear God, PLEASE let her be okay. I'll behave I promise, I'll settle down. I promise You I will tell her, I will do everything in my power to make this work. Just please let her be okay.~ he prays.
"She's a tough one David." Janice's words bring him back to the car "She is going to make it through."
"I hope so." His voice is a mere whisper.
"We got her…" Janice started to try and make conversation "Jennifer I mean. We have her in custody."
"Oh yeah.. I forgot to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"Joe told me you tackled her down like a linebacker."
Janice laughs. "I always wanted to do that you know."
"You seem like the type of woman who has tackled someone before." He weakly smiled.
"I have.. my brothers and a couple of their friends. But this was the first woman and the first time on the job. And to be honest, it felt great after what she did to Maddie."
David gave a faint but genuine, grateful smile. "I can only imagine. I just hope Maddie's okay. It somehow feels like it's my fault."
"What? Jennifer?" Janice laughed "Some of the most crazy women or men can seem so normal. A lot of serial killers could go on killing because they seemed so normal. It's not your fault that she is crazy. You didn't want any of this to happen."
"Heck no!" David spewed. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to snap at you. It's just.." he sighed.
"It's fine. I get it. This isn't my first case."
He looked at his hands he felt the fear grown in his heart.
They finally arrived at the hospital. Janice walked up to the front desk, flashed her badge and asked about Maddie.
Janice called David and both quickly walked towards the Emergency Room.
A nurse greeted them "Officer McKellen?"
"Yes, this is David Addison."
"I'm nurse Davis." She shook both hands "You're related to Miss Hayes?"
"I am her associate, closest next to kin. Her family lives in Chicago."
"We can't give out information.."
"Please inform us." Janice interrupted.
"She's in surgery, there is nothing more I can tell you at this moment. Sorry. The family waiting area is over there. There's coffee and tea. I will send the doctor in after the surgery." She looked at David's face and hands "There is a bathroom near the waiting area, you can clean up in there. I can try to find you a clean shirt."
David looked at his hands and shirt "I'd like to clean up. The shirt is fine. I'd just like some news about my.." he swallowed the lump away "about my partner."
"I understand, please just go to the waiting area. I will bring you some soap and a towel."
David and Janice did as asked.
The nurse gave him the soap, David cleaned up and just sat on the couch. Janice gave him a coffee, he accepted it, but didn't drink.
"I need to take your statement David."
David put down his coffee and rubbed his neck "What is there to say? You were there. You were closer to Maddie than I was. YOU were there to protect HER!" Anger, frustration and fear took over him. "You were there to protect her.." he put is face in his hands as tears started flowing "I can't lose her.. I never told her.. She needs to know. I need to tell her."
Janice placed her hand on his back "I think she knows and I think the feeling is mutual."
"You don't understand I need to tell her, she needs to hear. We deserve our happy ending." He quickly got up, wiped the tears and walked towards the window. He just stared in the distance. He wasn't one to cry.
"The statement can wait." Janice gave in. "But you have to know that I did everything in my power to protect her. It happened in the second I turned to get a drink. Then the ball.."
David's shoulders dropped "I am sorry, I know it isn't your fault." He slammed his hand in the wall 3 times "Why the hell did I not stay by Jennifer's side? Why did I have to play football?" He hit the wall again, his hand started bleeding.
"This isn't helping." Janice dryly says.
"It's helping me."
The nurse came back into the room. "What did you do?"
"Nothing."
"I guess the wall won." She shrugged "I will get a bandage."
David sat down again. "Look.. what do you want to hear from me?"
"I just need an official statement of what happened."
He sighed "You were there."
"I believe you know how this works."
"Yeah, yeah.."
The nurse came back into the room. "Please sit down Mr…?"
"Addison." As he complied
"You know you can never knock down a wall with your bare hands?"
"I do now." He smirked
"Ahh a jokester." She laughed
"David.. the statement?" Janice interrupted.
He sighed one more time as he started his statement.
"Ouch watch it nurse Ratchet!"
"I have to clean it you big baby!"
David continued his statement. "That's it, that's my recollection of today. Most of which you already knew because you were there."
"Mr. Addison, this might hurt." The nurse said as she slowly moved metacarpal bones.
David's face contorted at her touch "It's fine."
"You need X-rays I think you might have broken a bone."
"I'm fine." He repeated.
"You are going to have this X-rayed."
"Fine, but after I know if my partner is okay." He looked at her "Deal?"
The nurse rolled her eyes "Fine, deal!" as she bandaged his hand up. "You're quite a stubborn man."
David laughed "I've heard that before."
The doors opened as the surgeon came out. David and Janice immediately got up.
"Mr. Addison I presume?"
David looked confused as he nodded.
"Dr. Wilson. Miss Hayes asked about you."
"Is Maddie okay?"
"She won't be running any marathons soon. But she made it through the surgery fine. She was lucky her ribs stopped the knife. The knife nicked the lowest part of her right lung. A longer knife would have penetrated the lung. She is in recovery. You can see her soon, after the anesthesia has fully worked off."
"Then you can go get that X-ray now." The nurse said.
"What happened?" Dr. Wilson asked
"The wall got in my way."
"And the wall won." The nurse added.
After about an hour David was escorted to Maddie's room.
"Hey stranger whatya doin'?" He said with a big smile.
"Hi, just hanging around." Maddie smiled back.
He walked up to her bed and sat on the chair beside it. He grabbed her hand with his right hand "You gave us quite a scare there Maddie."
She looked him right in his eyes "Jennifer gave me quite a scare."
When she said her name it felt like he got kicked in the guts. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"If I hadn't start dating Jennifer, this never would have happened.." he stared at her hand in his.
Maddie started laughing "Au.. au.. please don't make me laugh."
"I don't see anything funny about this situation Maddie!"
"David do you think I blame you?"
He shrugged.
"Look at me David."
He looked up at her.
"I don't, I never have and never will. You are not responsible for the behavior of someone else."
"Without me she would have never been in your life."
"Without you I'd never have you in my life. Yes there are days I regret ever meeting you.. but to be honest, even though it's been difficult and frustrating at times, I wouldn't have want to miss anything of it."
"I guess I'm not such a great judge of character."
"Didn't we already have this conversation before?" she gave a gentle smile "You said it yourself: when you first met me, there were a few surprises." She winked
"You remember what I said?"
"You said you didn't know I had such a problem with being generous." She smiled "Look David, I don't blame you, I blame Jennifer."
"Maddie.."
"No David! I won't.. ouch.." She grabbed her side
"You need me to get a doctor?" he stood up.
"What happened to your hand?"
"I walked into the wall?"
"You did what?"
"It's nothing."
She held out her hand, he put his left hand in hers. "Punched a wall hey?"
"How'd you know?"
"You're left-handed David. I doubt they'll bandage up your hand like that if you just scraped your hand against a wall."
He gave a slight smile.
"Guess he wall won."
"Now you sound like the nurse."
Maddie had to hold in her laughter as she moaned in pain.
"Don't ever do this to me again."
"I am not out in the market to get stabbed again David."
"That's not what I meant, don't ever almost die on me."
"Again, I am not planning on dying any day soon." She looked at him "If you promise me to give every woman you plan to date a psychiatric evaluation." She tried not to laugh.
David laughed "I am not planning on dating anyone soon."
Maddie gave him a hurt look.
He gave her a loving smile "I'm saving myself for someone special." He kissed her hand as they just sat there for a little while.
"Miss Hayes?" Dr. Wilson came in with Janice McKellen on his heels.
"Yes?" Maddie smiled when she saw Janice.
"I'm Dr. Wilson, I preformed your surgery."
"Thank you." She smiled
"You are one lucky woman."
"I don't feel that lucky at the moment."
Dr. Wilson laughed "I can only imagine. Your ribs stopped the knife penetrating the right lung. It did nick your right lung. But if penetrated, it could have been a lot worse." His voice became grave "We could have been arranging your funeral by now."
"So I guess I am lucky." She had a sad tone in her voice.
"We are going to keep you overnight. You might be able to leave tomorrow or the day after that, if all is going well."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, I'll be checking in before my shift ends." He said before walking off.
"Maddie.." Janice's voice was soft and insecure.
"Janice!" Maddie smiled
"Maddie, we need your statement if you feel up to it."
"Look officer McKellen, leave her alone, you can talk to her later." He was annoyed.
"It's fine David, I rather have this over with." She put her hand on his lower arm. "Could you get me a tea with some honey? My throat hurts."
He got up, kissed the top of her head "I know you're trying to get rid of me, but I'll go get some."
She softly squeezed his hand to tell him it was okay.
Maddie looked at Janice "So you want to know what happened?"
Janice slowly nodded.
"Did he blame you?"
She nodded again.
"Don't take any offense, he must have been kicking himself and needed a load off. He's not a bad guy, he probably didn't mean it."
Janice shrugged "I heard worse. But I do feel responsible."
"About Jennifer stabbing me? Don't be. There is only one to blame. You just turned around to get a drink and then that ball. I mean I am still impressed you caught it."
Janice smiled a sad smile "But I didn't see or notice Jennifer at all. I feel like I didn't do my job as well as I should have had."
Maddie was surprised "Because you grabbed a drink and caught a ball?"
"I should have had my eyes on Jennifer or you."
"Don't worry about it, I survived. Now let's get this crackpot behind bars, shall we?" she gave a small smile. "By the way, who caught her?"
"I did, you should have seen it! I slammed her into the ground."
Maddie's smiled widened "Too bad I missed it."
"Could we go through the entire day?" Janice flipped open her notebook.
"Sure." Maddie smiled as she recounted the entire day.
David walked in halfway through her story and gave her the tea. Which she started sipping immediately.
When she finished her story, Janice looked at her. "I will type your statements and will be back for you to sign them tomorrow. Is that okay with the both of you?"
"Fine by me." David replied.
"Sure." Maddie smiled.
They said their goodbyes and parted their ways as the nurse came in.
"There are a lot of people here to see you Miss Hayes."
"Really?" She looked at David "I don't feel like seeing anyone right now. Could you see who's out there? Maybe one or two could come in."
"Sure.." he got up and followed the nurse.
About 5 minutes passed then David walked in with Agnes right behind him.
"Oh Miss Hayes!" As Agnes hugged Maddie.
"Au Au!" Maddie moaned
"I'm so sorry Miss Hayes. How are you? What happened? Are you okay?"
"Agnes.. Agnes. I'm fine, just really sore. Can't wait to go home tomorrow or the day after that. One thing I do know, I won't be coming in tomorrow morning. Mr. Addison will fill all of you in later. For now I just need my rest. Please tell everyone I'm doing well. I will be in the office as soon as possible."
Agnes wasn't convinced and looked worried for her boss.
"Agnes?" Maddie grabbed her hand. "I promise you I'm fine, just really sore. I just need to heal. I'm sorry such a lovely day ended like that."
"Us too, Miss Hayes. Us too. But we will keep Blue Moon going in your absence!"
"We have confidence in you Agnes, don't we David?"
"What? Yes I guess we do."
"Please inform the rest of the employees for me, will you?"
"Oh of course Miss Hayes, you can count on me."
"Mr. Addison will be in as soon as he can."
"I what?" David quickly responded "No Maddie, you'll need someone to take care of you. I will not be leaving your side."
"We will be in as soon as possible Agnes. Will you inform our new clients?"
"I will take care of it first thing tomorrow morning. You can count on me."
"I know I can. You have a lovely evening."
"You too Miss Hayes. Please take care."
"I think I'm in the best hands." She looked at David.
7pm
The nurse brought Maddie her dinner as she saw David was still there, she brought another dessert and drink. Maddie shared her dinner with David.
"Not as bad as I'd expected it to be." David said after finishing his dessert and settling in on the chair next to Maddie's bed.
"You can't stay here the entire night David, you do know that don't you?"
He put his legs on her bed "Says who?"
"David!"
He side eyed her "I'm staying. You need protection."
"You know that Jennifer is in custody don't you?"
"You never know. I am not taking any chances Maddie."
Maddie gave up and closed her eyes. "I'm just shutting my eyes for a bit."
David watched her.
"I can't sleep with you watching me. Watch some TV or something."
He flicked on the TV as the news came on, he still watched her.
"Watch the TV David, not me."
He smiled, she knew he kept watching her. He watched the TV, when he heard the words Crystal Springs. He switched channels settling on a basketball game. He didn't recognize the teams, but it was sports.
Maddie woke up when she heard David argue with the nurse.
"And I am telling you I am not leaving her side!" he raised his voice.
"Mr. Addison! We are not a hotel!"
Maddie tried to get up as she moaned in pain.
The nurse was by her side within seconds. "The pain medication must have worked out."
"I'm fine. I just tried to sit up. I don't want too much drugs in my system. Just give me some Tylenol." Maddie moaned as she sat up. "What was that about?"
"Your.." she looked at David "Associate here, wants to stay in the hospital. I've tried to explain to him that we are not a hotel and he can't stay here."
David looked angrily at the back of the nurse.
"My.." Maddie looked at David lovingly "Partner here, is very concerned about my wellbeing. It suits him, don't you think?"
The nurse shrugs "We still can't have him hanging around in the hospital."
"I understand. David you'll have to go home."
"No Maddie, I'm not leaving you. I need to know you're safe. I don't care what either of you two say. I'm staying, even if it is out in the hall. But I'm staying near Miss Hayes." David was resolute.
"He is driving me crazy." The nurse said.
"Join the club." Maddie smiled.
"He does seem to care very much about you. He's a keeper." The nurse whispered.
Maddie looked up at her "I know."
"Let me see what I can arrange for you." The nurse finally caved.
She came back rolling a stretcher on top of it were pillows and blankets.
"You've won Mr. Addison." She smiled.
"No one can resist the Addison charms." He winked at her.
"Yeah that was it." She rolled her eyes. "Can you set it up yourself?" as she nodded at his left hand.
"If you could only help me unfold the bed, that'll be great."
"Here you go." She opened the bed.
"Thank you nurse Davis."
"Are you okay Miss Hayes? Can I get you anything before my shift ends?"
"I'm fine thank you. Good night."
"Good night Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison." She greeted as she closed the door behind her.
David threw on the pillow and blankets as he sits on Maddie's bed "Sleepover party!"
"Again? How many sleepover parties have we had this week?" Maddie tried not to laugh.
David shrugged ~With you, there's always too little.~ he thought to himself.
"I am so happy you're okay Maddie."
"Me too." She wanted to start a deeper conversation, but couldn't. She couldn't tell him. ~Why can't I tell him? What is holding me back?~ she thought to herself. She cupped his face with her left hand, her thumb caressing his cheek. "I'm happy you're here."
He kissed the palm of her hand "I'm happy to be here, talking to you." He slowly kissed the inside of her wrist, then her lower arm.
Maddie watched him kiss her arm as a low groan escaped her lips.
He loved the effect he had on her, the deep low groan she gave was her reaction to his lips touching her flesh. He entangled his fingers in hers. This wasn't the time to start the conversation about them, but he knew, she wants him as much as he wants her. And he was ready to wait a couple of weeks until she fully healed.
Monday morning rolled along. After the doctors examined Maddie they told her to stay another night. Her blood pressure was too low.
Later that day the detectives came to talk about what happened with Jennifer, not much could be said about Sunday. Jennifer's prints were found on several items send to Maddie. She was charged with physical assault and stalking and was now awaiting psychic evaluation. The trial could still take a couple of weeks, even months. She would be held without bond because of risk or recurrence. For the first time in a week time Maddie felt calm. The stone sitting on her chest was gone, she could finally breath.
After the detectives left, Maddie send David to check in on the office. He was reluctant to leave, but he knew she wouldn't give in.
"Just promise me you'll wait to get a sponge bath until I get back." He smirked.
Maddie laughed as she had to hold on to her side. "You'll get your chance." She was shocked that she actually said that.
David smirked "I know I will. I will be back soon."
Maddie felt the blood rising to her face. ~Did I really just say that?~ she smiled ~I meant it.~
David came back holding bags.
"Salutations from all the worker bees at Blue Moon." He says as he enters her room.
"What?"
"Not what! Salutations!"
Maddie smiles as she shakes her head.
"How are you feeling this evening Miss Hayes?"
"Still sore, but better than this morning. Blood pressure is up a bit, that's probably why I'm feeling a bit better."
"So what's in the bags?" she asks
"A little get well present from Matthew and Alice. You were right, he is a nice guy. He told me that after we left, Agnes was panicking. Ol' Bertie couldn't calm her down. So he took both of them back to his restaurant. Bert told me to phone him when I got to the office. I did, he asked about you and then told me to come by and pick up some food." He held the bags up "I have no clue what is in here, Agnes picked out the food for us."
Maddie smiled "We're lucky to have Agnes in our lives. She has such a kind heart."
David opened the bag and got out the packaged food.
"Oh that smells so good!" Maddie said.
He placed the trays in front of Maddie. He opened the first tray containing a steak, grilled potatoes and some vegetables.
"That's yours." Maddie smiled at him.
"How do you know?"
"Just open the second one."
He opened the second tray containing grilled chicken, jacket potato and vegetables.
"Yup this is yours!" he laughed.
"Looks and smells delicious."
"There is more." He says placing 2 more containers in front of her.
She opens them "Salads!"
He takes out the last item out the one bag and holds up a bottle of wine. "You think they'll let you have some?"
"Just pour some! What's in the last bag?" she nods at the little brown bag next to him.
He holds it up as she reads "Dessert."
"A full meal Maddie." As he pours the wine.
Maddie start her meal. "Did you tell the nurse you brought the dinner?"
"Yeah. Nurse Davis is on again. I told her." As he digs in.
They finish their meal quietly. Maddie wanted to ask about the office, she felt like it wasn't the right time. David was digging into his steak.
When he finished he asked Maddie "You finished?"
Maddie nodded.
"You still have food in your tray. You need to eat, you need the strength."
"I know David, but I also want what is in the dessert bag and that means I have to stop eating my dinner."
"Mind if I finish it?"
"Be my guest." She slid her tray towards him.
"Matt is a good cook." He put the last piece of chicken in his mouth "and it would be a waste not to eat it."
"You might not want to talk with food in your mouth David. It's not appealing." Maddie smiled.
"Sorry but this food is just too good." He finished the rest of her food.
Maddie tried to grab the dessert bag, but fell back in pain.
"You okay? Need a doctor? Want me to get anyone?" David looked scared.
"I'm fine, the stitches pull when I try to stretch. Which hurt." She gave a faint smile.
"Don't be so stubborn! Take the painkillers the doctors are giving you!" Anger arose in his voice.
Maddie's smile softened as she placed her hand over his "I don't want the heavy drugs, I need my head to stay clear. David, I am fine. It hurts being stabbed, but I promise you I am fine."
David got up, cupped her face and kissed her. "I can't stand you being in pain, I wish I was the one in this bed." Maddie looked up at him, teas filled his eyes. "Maddie I can stand a lot of things, but I couldn't stand losing you."
Maddie opened her mouth but closed it and pulled him down so she could kiss him. "I love you too David."
"So dessert?" he asked with a big smile.
"Dessert!" she opened the bag.
They started eating.
"So how are things at the office?"
"Well you know same ol' same ol' with the worker bees."
"So conga and strip poker?" as she took a bite.
David looked at her in surprise and laughed "Something like that."
"Ah something like that." She smiled.
Maddie was released from the hospital on Wednesday. David picked her up with Agnes and brought her home.
"Ah home." Maddie smiled "Feels like forever since I've been here." As she stood in the door opening.
David put his hand on the small of her back "Isn't great to be back here again?" as he softly guided her into her house.
She sat down on her couch.
"OH Miss Hayes! I'll start some coffee or would you like some tea? Or maybe juice? Should I make you something to eat? Agnes was nervous.
"Come sit with me Agnes." Maddie tapped the seat beside her.
Agnes did as she was asked.
"I'm fine Agnes, really I am. The pain is much better. And knowing that Jennifer is safe in jail, gives me great comfort. Thank you for wanting to take care of me, that means a lot." She grabbed Agnes' hand "You've been amazing this last week."
Agnes looked at Maddie's hand holding hers "We all care about you Miss Hayes. We're all very happy you're okay. If you need anything just say so. We will all try to help as much as possible."
"Thank you Agnes."
"You're welcome. Mr. Addison and I have bought you some groceries for the coming days. Just the basics, but if you need or want anything else, just says so. You can always call me." Agnes had a worried look on her face.
"I'm grateful for the groceries Agnes. You're a great friend."
Agnes looked up in surprise, Miss Hayes had called her a lot of things, but never a friend. "Thank you Miss Hayes. Can I bring you something to drink?"
"I'd love a cup of tea Agnes." She knew Agnes wouldn't stop asking until she accepted.
David brought her bags upstairs.
"You know he is not going to leave until you're better." Agnes said as she put down the tea.
"I know." She smiled "And it's fine. He can stay in the guest bedroom. I'd like the company and honestly I feel safe having him around."
"I know." Agnes smiled "I'm not as naïve as people like to think I am. I can see how much you two care about each other." She looked Maddie straight in the eyes "How much you love each other."
Maddie looked up in surprise.
"You didn't think I knew did you now?" Agnes sat down again "Don't worry I'll be out of your hair soon. Bert will pick me up shortly."
Maddie smiled at Agnes, she was happy Agnes was there. She had actually been afraid to come home alone with David. A lot had been said between the two of them, but as always her mind was doing overtime. Doubt had set in. ~Did she love him? Most definitely.. But they were so different. What if their differences were too great? What if he would break her heart again? What if she broke his heart again?~
"Miss Hayes?"
"What? Oh.. I'm sorry Agnes."
"I asked if you wanted something to eat. I brought you some Cannoli from Angelo and Isabella. Everyone, who was at the picnic, has been very worried about you. When I told them you were coming home, they brought sandwiches and cannoli's."
"I'd love one with the tea, thank you Agnes."
Agnes quickly walked towards the kitchen.
The doorbell rang. Maddie tried to get up, but David flew down the stairs.
"Sit down Maddie, I'll get it." He opens the door. "Mr. Viola!"
"Hello Mr. Addison. I promised to pick up Agnes." Bert fidgeted.
"Why are you nervous?" David asked annoyed.
"Come in Mr. Viola." Maddie said from the couch.
He nervously walked in. "Ah, hello Miss Hayes. How do you feel?"
"I'm fine Mr. Viola. Much better." She smiled "And you?"
"I'm here to pick up Agnes, I promised."
"I know." Maddie looked quizzically at David
David shrugged behind Bert.
All of a sudden David slapped Bert's shoulder "So Bertieboy.. you nervous to see Miss Hayes are you now?"
"Well no.. I mean.. yeah.. I mean.." he sighed "I have never seen anyone get stabbed before."
"Then we both have a first." Maddie dryly said.
Bert had a baffled look on his face.
"I've never been stabbed before."
David laughed at Maddie's remark. ~She hasn't lost her wit.~ he thought to himself.
Bert nervously laughed with David as Agnes walked out of the kitchen. "What's so funny?"
"Apparently I am." Maddie grinned.
"I know you are." Agnes smiled.
Agnes noticed that Bert was fidgeting nervously "I'll get my bag Bert." As she rolled her eyes at Maddie "Call me if you need anything Miss Hayes!"
"I will thank you Agnes. Oh and Agnes?"
"Yes Miss Hayes, please call me Maddie outside of the office."
"Okay Miss.. Maddie."
"Miss Maddie…" Maddie smiled "I'll take it."
After they left, Maddie laid down on the couch. She was healing, but it still hurt. But she didn't want to let David know how much pain she still felt.
He sat at her feet, he put her feet on his lap as he started to massage her feet.
She threw her head back in the pillow "Oh that feel sooo good."
David kept massaging without saying a word, he moved up her sweatpants to her calves and started massaging them.
She groaned.
He stopped massaging.
"He why are you stopping?" she opened her eyes to look at him. "It felt so good."
"You need to be in bed Maddie, you heard the doctors, you need to rest." He tried to get up.
She held him down with her right foot "What if I don't want to?" She felt flirty.
He grabbed her foot, kissed the inside of her ankle. "There is plenty of time when you feel better."
She knew he was right but she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Come on." He held out his hand for her.
She took it as he gently helped her up. Their faces were inches away from each other and both had to restrain themselves from doing nothing. It's like David once said: They ate sexual tension for breakfast.
When they got up to her bedroom Maddie turned to face David "David? I've asked you this before, but what are we going to do?"
"Like I said back then, I don't know." He caressed her cheek "All I do know, is that I don't want to lose you, ever."
His touch felt like electricity on her body, she knew she didn't want to lose him either. She needed him as much as he needed her. Somehow she still couldn't tell him how much he means to her.
"You don't have to say it until you're ready Maddie. I know." He gently kissed her lips. "I know."
She wanted to speak but he put his index finger on her lips "Not now, we have time."
She looked at him for a second, licked her lips before speaking "Okay. But could you help me get undressed. I can't bend or stretch. She let the sweatpants drop.
He sat he down on the side of the bed and removed the pants from her ankles.
"Thanks." She pulled her left arm through the sweater and pulled it over her head. She took a sharp breath in pain.
"Why don't you just let me help you, that's what I'm here for."
She pulled the sweater off of her right arm. "I can manage, it's still sore but I have to do this. Could you hand me that shirt and pyjama pants?"
He hands her the shirt as she puts it on, then he helps her into the pants.
"Thank you, now I need to get them up." She smiled.
He helps her up again as he pulls up the pants "As you wish Miss Hayes."
She felt his breath on her face. "David I can't."
"What?" he felt that pit growing again. "Did I do anything wrong?"
"I .. " she closed the small space between them as she kissed him, she kissed him hard, she kissed him deep. He kissed her back but he tried not to touch her, he didn't want to hurt her in any way, shape or form.
She broke away heavily breathing "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. You were clear. I.. I.." she slowly sat down. "I'm sorry."
He licked his lips "Don't be, I'm not."
She looked at him "What are we going to do."
"Try to be happy for once?"
That's when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that. Don't go anywhere now." He smirked at her.
She faked a laugh.
He was back within a minute. "You've got a visitor."
Janice popped her head from behind David "Hi Maddie, how are you feeling?"
"Janice!" she smiled "Hope you're bringing good news. I'm okay still sore."
"You're a tough cookie Maddie. And yes I have some good news. Jennifer won't be getting out any time soon. Bad news is, they will probably want you on the stand during trial."
"That's not bad news, I am glad to take the stand against her. Will be happy to show her I made it through and she didn't knock me down."
"You are fierce!"
"No, I am just tired of feeling afraid all the time. I've got a question for you."
"Ask away."
"Would you like me to set you up with Matthew?"
Janice turned red "What?"
"Would you like me to set.."
"I got you the first time."
"So? Would you?"
Janice looked at her feet "He was the cute guy with the daughter Alice wasn't he?"
"Yes he was and I saw the interaction between the two of you. I think the feeling is mutual. So?"
"Are you for real?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Do you really think it's mutual?"
Maddie nodded. "I know so."
"Okay. Okay then."
"Good. I will set it up when Dr. David here lets me get out."
"Better make that soon Mr. Addison." Janice jokingly warned. "I will come back soon. Joe has been asking how you were doing. He also wanted to drop by but I told him I wanted to go first."
"Bring him next time."
"I will, feel better soon."
The days flew by as Maddie regained her strength day by day. During the weekdays a physical therapist came to help her regain her strength. Pushing her to the limits.
In the evenings and weekend David made sure she ate well and got her rest.
The subject of them was never brought up again. They both felt that the time wasn't right. Each also knew how they felt about the other.
Before they knew it, it was Sunday afternoon. Maddie had asked David to help her with the exercises the physical therapist had given her.
"Thank you David." She said after they finished the exercises.
"Don't mention it."
"I can't wait till these sutures come out, I want to soak in a warm bath. For hours!"
"When do you have your appointment at the hospital?"
"Tomorrow at 10:00AM. "Hope you are coming with me?"
David walked towards her kitchen "Of course."
"Where are you going?"
"Hold on!" he yelled behind the door.
He came back holding a bottle of wine and a brown bag.
"Another mystery bag David?"
"No mystery." He smiled "I picked up some sushi, I know how much you like fish."
"Yeah but you don't."
"That's why I also got some other things. Did you know they also sell meat at sushi restaurants?"
Maddie laughs "Yeah I do."
"Hey!"
"Hey?"
"Hey you didn't grab your side when you laughed."
"I didn't?.. No I didn't!" She proudly smiled.
David put the bag in front of her "Hope I've bought the right kind of sushi."
She opened the bag as he poured two glasses of wine.
"Oh David.. These are my favorite!" As she took out the sushi. She took out the food as quickly as she could. Grabbing the chopsticks and digging in.
David watched her put a little bit of wasabi in soy sauce and dipping the salmon sushi in. When she ate the sushi some of the sauce dripped on her lip and chin.
He put her glass in front of her as he bend down and licked the sauce off of her chin and lips. "Mmmhh spicy, salty and hot." He winked at her.
She licked her lip as she dipped another one in the sauce never taking her eyes off of him. He drove her crazy not only on a daily basis but also sexually. She desired him in so many ways. "What was that for?"
"I didn't see any tissues." David was always quick on his feet. "And you had sauce on you lip and chin. Couldn't let a gorgeous lady like you walk around with sauce on her face now could I?"
She liked her lips again.
"And I think you liked." He crutched down in front of her "Or did I just imagine you licking your lips twice?"
She raised her eyebrow at him as she stared at him with desire.
He stroke his thumb over her lips.
She kissed his thumb.
"Let's eat David." She smirked "Can't do anything on an empty stomach."
"I can do everything on an empty stomach." He said before he turned and sat on the floor in front of her.
He dug into his food. "Mmmhh this is pretty good!"
Maddie finished her food and started playing with David's hair, scratching her nails over his scalp.
"Mmmhh this is even better!" he put his head back against her knee.
"Your hair is getting thinner Mr. Addison."
He looked up at her "You mind?"
She scratched his head again "I haven't fallen in love with a head of hair."
Both startled by what she had just said and stared at each other.
"Well I guess we're finished." David tried to change the subject.
Maddie felt grateful for him changing the subject, she removed her hand from his skull.
"Wait.. wait.. wait.." David muttered "Who told you to stop?"
"I need to clean up." Maddie wanted to get up.
"Just leave it for a minute and drink your wine. Just relax, you've done good today. You're getting stronger by the day. I am proud of you Maddie. You're doing so well."
"I haven't heard that in a long time." She smiled.
"What?"
"Someone being proud of me."
"No way. You've must have heard that a thousand times in your life."
"You'd be surprised David. I think my parents might have said it once or twice. But to be honest in the modelling world people aren't very big on compliments. It's more like: Stop eating, you've gained weight. Why does your hair look like that? You have a big ass.. Your breasts are too big…" she shrugged.
"I like your big ass and breasts." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Yeah well the fashion industry thinks differently.."
"Their loss." He slowly slides his hand up her thigh.
"They also hated my big thighs." He squeezed her thighs and grunted.
"I can't wait to have my head between them again."
Her eyes grew like saucers "David.." she smiled.
He loved the way she said his name: thick, sexy and full of desire for him. He squeezed her thigh again.
"Can't wait to see you in a dress again, so I can slide it up."
Maddie bit her bottom lip.
Monday 10:00AM
Maddie sat in the doctor's office waiting to be called in.
"Miss Hayes?" Dr. Wilson stood in front of his office.
Maddie got up and looked at David "Are you coming?"
David got up and held her hand tightly.
"Please sit down on the bed and take off your shirt so I can check the sutures." Dr. Wilson.
Maddie unbuttoned her blouse as asked.
"If I'd known that line, I would have used it before." David joked.
Dr. Wilson chuckled.
Maddie looked at the two men and just said "Ugh men!"
The doctor took off the dressing. "I see you've kept the dressing nice and clean. You're skin looks perfect, no irritation." As he softly touched the wound.
David hated looking at another man touching her, even though it was her doctor.
Maddie wiggled on the bed.
"Does that still hurt?" he asked.
"No not hurt, just tender like having a big bruise."
"I can take the sutures out. You've healed up quite nicely in a week time Miss Hayes. You have great skin."
"We get it Doc, just take them out." David snapped.
Maddie looked up at him and mouthed "David!"
"No you misunderstood Mr. Addison. The skin is healing perfectly. It's remarkable." He caressed the cut.
David balled his fists ~Stop touching her. She is mine!~ he thought to himself in anger "Whatever you say doc." He said with a clenched jaw.
His eyes never left the doctors hands. Even when Maddie tried to make eye contact with him.
"Just let me get the scissors so I can cut them out." Maddie looked scared.
"David?"
"Yeah!" he finally made eye contact.
"Never mind."
"No what is it?"
"Never mind."
"Talk to me Blondie." He got up and walked towards her.
"Never mind David." She looked at her feet.
He pushed up her chin "What is it?" That's when he saw the fear. "You're afraid?"
"Well I wouldn't say I'm afraid, just very nervous. I've never had sutures removed. It really makes me very nervous."
"If you want me to hold your hand, you just say the word Maddie."
She tenderly took his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. Both were following her every move. When she finished intertwining she tugged him closer as she looked him in the eyes "Will you please stay with me while he removes the sutures?"
He swallowed hard before answering. "Of course.." he scrapped his throat "All you have to do is ask."
Dr. Wilson worked quickly as he put a fresh bandage on her back. "Keep it clean Miss Hayes."
"We will." She still held on to David. "Am I allowed to take baths?"
"You can. But I would highly advice against taking long baths."
"What about work?" She asked.
"Whoa whoa Maddie slow down." David intervened. "Work can wait. The office still stands and everybody is doing what they're supposed to."
"You are allowed to work, but just like your associate is telling you. Take your time. Keep building up your strength. Don't push your body too much."
"But I'm allowed if I feel good enough?"
"Yes as long as you keep up with your physical therapy I will allow it. Will you hold an eye on her Mr. Addison?"
"Of course I will."
"Then you can go. If anything goes wrong you can always come back, but you can also see your family physician if you feel there is no emergency."
"I'll be fine." She smiled.
Maddie wanted to ask so much more but was afraid to.
"You can get dressed now Miss Hayes."
Maddie put her clothes back on.
David grabbed his and her stuff and waited at the door.
The doctor greeted them as David opened the door Maddie turned to shake his hand.
"Doctor?" she whispered.
"Yes Miss Hayes?"
"Shhhtt.. I.. have a question.." she kept whispering. "Can I.. You know.. I mean.."
"Get physical?" his voice was low.
She gave a quick nod.
"Same as for work Miss Hayes. Be careful." He whispered back as he winked.
"You comin'?" David sounded annoyed.
"Thank you Dr. Wilson." She smiled.
Maddie pleaded with David to take her to the office. He put his foot down and asked her to wait until Wednesday. She reluctantly agreed, only because the physical therapist was also coming to her house.
"Then you go to the office. And keep me posted."
"No."
"No?"
"No. Plain and simple Maddie."
"Do I need to take out my boss card?"
"You're the boss lady Maddie, but the answer is still no."
"David. I need someone to look after the shop."
"No Maddie I've got it taken care of. I'm not going. I'm staying where I'm needed."
"That's the office Mr. Addison." Maddie tried to sound stern.
"Then fire me Miss Hayes. Because I'm not leaving."
"You're fired Mr. Addison."
"Good! I have somewhere else I have to be."
Maddie knew she had lost this round, but the battle was still on and David knew it.
"What time is the physical therapist coming?"
"11:30."
"An hour right? What would you like for lunch?"
"I think I'll just have a grilled chicken salad."
"What about a dog?"
"David ieuw! A dog?"
"Yeah.. a hotdog. What the hell did you think I was talking about? A real one?" he laughed.
"With you? I never know! I still don't know how your brain works."
"Like I told you before: But you've got to love the results!"
Maddie laughed.
He looked at her "It's good to see you laugh without pain again."
"It feels even better." She flirtingly smiled at him.
~Oh God I love this woman.~ he kept driving in silence ~The things I wouldn't do for her.. if she only knew.~ his mind was miles away.
"David?"
"Yeah sorry.."
"You were miles away! I asked if you were getting lunch when the physical therapist is coming?"
"Yeah sure, where do you want the salad to come from?"
"It doesn't matter as long as it is a grilled chicken salad with a light dressing?"
"What's a light dressing?"
"Just ask for a vinaigrette or a low calorie dressing."
"Why low calorie? From where I'm sitting you still look great."
"Yeah and I'd like to keep it that way David."
"You afraid of gaining weight?"
"Afraid is the wrong word, but all my life I've been told to watch my intake of food and to not eat so much. It's imbedded in my head."
"As long as you don't get too skinny. You've lost a lot of weight."
"I have? I haven't noticed it."
"Well I have."
After physical therapy David had set up their lunches in the kitchen and they ate it in silence. Maddie cleaned the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher.
When she was just about to clean the counter top David stood behind her, scaring her.
"I didn't mean to startle you." He slowly moved his hands from her hips to her belly.
"Oh.. no.. you didn't. I just thought you were still sitting at the table."
He cleared the hair out of her neck and kissed the bare skin of her neck. Her weak spot, his spot.
"I know you asked the doctor."
"What?" her voice was hoarse and her knees were about to give away.
David slowly started unbuttoning her shirt, starting at the bottom button. "You heard me, I know what you asked him."
"David.."
He was half way through unbuttoning her shirt "Do you want me to stop?"
"I.. I don't know." Was her honest answer as she turned around.
"Look me in the eye and tell me to stop."
"I can't.." she kissed his jawline "I want to tell you to stop, but I can't." she stopped at his lips "I want you David. I need you."
His hands slowly unbuttoned the rest of her shirt, as he pushed her up on the counter.
She hissed in pain.
"Dammit I'm sorry Maddie.. I wasn't thinking. Did I hurt you?" he stepped away.
"It's nothing David. Where were we?" she took a step in his direction.
"Nawh.. I don't want to hurt you. I can wait I will always wait for you Maddie."
"What if I don't want to wait?" she took another step as he stepped back.
"I can't control myself around you and I don't want to hurt you."
She grabbed his shirt, her nails dug in his skin. He hissed. "You see David, there is a thin line between pleasure and pain. You can't start something and just leave me hanging."
"Too bad Miss Hayes."
She pushed him away "Fine!" she walked past him to the stairs.
"Wait.. Maddie, come on! Don't be angry at me."
"Angry? You think I'm angry? No David I'm something else. Like you understand!" she was halfway up the stairs.
"I don't understand? Maddie I've been feeling that for way too long. I know how you feel!"
"Do you? Do you really?" she walked all the way up the stairs out of his sight.
"Dammit.." he mumbled as he quickly walked up the stairs. "Look Maddie. I'm sor…" his mouth fell open.
There she was in her bra and panties.
"Can I have some privacy please? I was just about to take a shower."
"I'm sorry." He turned around.
"Why?"
"I didn't want to invade your privacy."
"Look at me David?"
He turned to face her.
"I'm done playing games. Either stay or go. But stop this. I am going to take a shower now." She walked into the shower.
He waited a second before walking in after her.
"Look Maddie you're right. I'm sorry but when you hissed in pain. I don't ever want to hurt you again physical or emotional."
"I know David and I get it." She shut off the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. "I don't want to hurt again either, but either we go for this or we don't. Like you said before it's been is you is or is you ain't for far too long. I am done playing. I told you how I felt, my cards are all on the table and to be honest I am scared as hell. We can't start things up again and then stop because we're afraid."
"You're not talking physical pain are you now?"
"No I guess I'm not. What do you want?"
"You."
"Me?"
"But I want all of you, not just physical, emotional too. No more doubt, no more worries. Let's do it my way this time."
"Your way?"
"Just go with it Maddie. If it feels good, if it feels right.. let's just go with it."
"Go with it.."
"Just go with Maddie, if it feels right, it is right. You and me.. we're right. I need you to see that. I need us to work this time. I can't lose you a second time. I think that would actually kill me and I mean seriously kill me. I don't ever want to feel the way I felt 2 years ago. I can't handle that."
"I don't ever want you to feel that way again either David. I don't want to feel what I felt when you were with Annie. I want us to work."
"So I guess we're on the same page on this?"
"We are on the same page." She kissed him again. "But if you reject me, I do get hurt."
"Whoa whoa blondie, I'm not rejecting you. I just don't want to hurt you."
"I can hold my own." She kissed his neck and pulled at his shirt. He took off his shirt while she worked his belt buckle and pants. "David I want you."
He stepped out of his pants "Come on." He guided her to her bed.
He sat down on the bed as she stood before him.
"You really want to this Maddie? You up to it?"
She didn't say a word, just dropped her towel.
He had to take in every detail.
"David.."
"What?"
"Stop staring. It's not like you've never seen me naked before."
"Not like this. Every time I saw you was either under a sheet, stealing a sheet or wrapped up in a sheet. Remind me to thank your parents."
"My parents?"
"It's like looking at a work of art, created by your parents."
"David.. you're making me blush."
"I can see.. all over."
"David.." all of a sudden she got self-aware and folded her hands in front of her.
"Oh no Miss Hayes.. no, no, no.. once you've shown me, you can't take it back." He got up and took her hands in his. He spread his hands as he looked down and up and then fixed his eyes on hers. "God you are beautiful."
Maddie looked at her feet.
"Look at me Maddie."
She looked up at him.
"You're gorgeous and I can't believe you're mine, all mine. I'm the luckiest guy in the world." He placed on of his hands on the back of her neck. "All mine." As he kissed her deeply, pulling her against him, her warm flesh against his. He softly pulled on her head, as she automatically threw her head back he kissed her up and down her neck.
Her grunting got deeper, more erratic.
His other hand moved down her from her shoulder to her hip and then rested his hand on her ass. Pulling her even closer.
"OH David.." her voice was deep and filled with lust as she pulled at his shorts and kissed every spot she could find and reach.
She pushed him back on the bed.
"Whoa.." he looked up at her as sat beside him. "Are you sure?"
"Just avoid the wound David." As she sat on his lap.
"David.." she panted "That was.. that was.. David what was that?"
He laid next to her trying to catch his breath "Like the fourth of July." He said moving to his side to look at her.
"The fourth of July?" she was intrigued.
"Blondie that was fireworks!" he traced his finger over her side to her hip as he traced circles on her hip. "You were all that and then some."
"You weren't that bad yourself either."
"God you are so beautiful. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
Maddie traced his face "David why did we wait so long?"
"We screwed up too much." He laughed.
"We kinda did, didn't we?" she laughed.
"Maddie, I have to get one thing clear."
"Which is what?"
"I'm not letting go this time."
"I was counting on that David. Because I don't care how afraid I am, I'm counting on you to stay and keep me here."
"I'm not going anywhere Maddie. You're like a drug to me."
"A drug? That doesn't sound like a good compliment."
"I can't get enough of you and you keep me coming back for more."
Maddie chuckled "That was cheesy."
"But you fell for cheesy."
"I did." She traced his lips with her finger "Will it always be like this?"
"I can't promise you that, but I will always try to keep it like this. I love you Madelyn Hayes. I love you with every breath in my body."
"I love you David Addison Junior."
"See that's why I fell for you. So intelligent."
"No I just knew you would ask me if I loved your father. Whether you like it or not, I know you like no one else knows you."
"And I know every freckle, every curve and every hair on your body."
"Been mapping?"
"Since the day we first met."
She snuggled into his arm "Can we just stay in bed for a little while."
He smelled her hair "We can stay in bed forever for all I care."
"Can we?"
"Okay maybe not forever. But for now is just fine."
"Mmmhhh" was all Maddie muttered as she fell in a deep sleep.
