Special guest staying at the Tipton! Bet ya can't guess who. Well, maybe you can. . .
Disclaimer: I don't own The Suite Life of Zack & Cody nor anyone else who might show up. Xavier belongs to me.
Chapter Two
One In A Million
Esteban looked around the lobby for Maddie. She had been working at the Tipton for three weeks now and hadn't been late once. So where was she?
A scream from outside attracted his attention, and Esteban ran outside. Maddie was pulling on a purse that someone was trying to snatch from her. Esteban grabbed Maddie around the waist and pulled her away from the tramp.
"What about my purse?" she asked.
"Don't worry, Miss Maddie, I will get it for you," said Esteban. He took off after the tramp.
Several minutes later he returned to Maddie, holding her purse in his hands.
"Thank you, Esteban," she said, taking it from him.
"Didn't you take the bus?" he asked.
"Normally, yes, but I missed it this morning so I had to walk. Oh man! Mr. Moseby is going to fix me good when he finds out." Maddie rushed inside to find Mr. Moseby.
Esteban followed Maddie inside. He hoped she wasn't in too much trouble.
As it turned out, Maddie was only briefly scolded by Mr. Moseby about being late. She returned to the candy counter in full smiles.
"Hello, I'm looking for Madeline Fitzpatrick," said a voice behind Esteban.
Esteban turned to see a young man maybe slightly older than Maddie standing there.
"Miss Maddie is working," he said, rather roughly. He didn't like when people came snooping around looking for his Maddie.
"Maybe you don't know who I am, bellboy. My name is Xavier Alford."
Esteban shook his head as Mr. Moseby walked up.
"Ah hello, Mr. Alford! Welcome to the Tipton. Can we be of some service to you?"
"Actually, yes. I am looking for Madeline Fitzpatrick. She sang at the night club about three weeks ago and I've been wanting to meet her ever since."
"Our candy counter girl?" said Mr. Moseby, in surprise. "She over there." He nodded in Maddie's direction.
"Thanks," said Xavier, walking over to Maddie who was in an argument with Lance, the lifeguard.
"No, I don't think a date in a pool would be a good idea," Maddie was saying.
"But if you just reconsider—"
"What's there to reconsider?"
"Well maybe you could—"
"Am I interrupting something?" asked Xavier.
"No!" said Maddie. "Lance and I were just having a, a discussion."
"Well in that case I hope you don't mind me introducing myself. My name is Xavier Alford."
"You me the Xavier Alford?!" Maddie squealed. "The Hollywood and Broadway superstar?"
"You got it."
"What can I do for you, Mr. Alford?" asked Maddie, sweetly.
Esteban made a face.
"Your Madeline Fitzpatrick, right?"
"Every day of the week."
"Well I heard you sing at the night club three weeks ago. My people thought you were marvelous and want you to preform in a new musical with me on Broadway."
"Seriously?!" asked Maddie.
"Seriously."
Esteban overheard the conversation and scowled.
"Miss Maddie can not go," he said quickly.
"Why not?" asked Xavier.
"Because she is working and will not be able to take the time off."
"Nonsense!" said Mr. Moseby, as he directed a guest to the candy counter. "Madeline will be able to go, if she wishes it."
"Of course!" said Maddie, her brown eyes shining. "I've always wanted to preform! But Mr. Moseby, what will you do without me?"
"I'll find a replacement. Mr. Alford, how long until you will be preforming this—"
"Musical," said Xavier. "It's to be preformed on Broadway at the end of summer."
"Which musical?" asked Maddie.
"Wuthering Heights."
"Who will I be playing?"
"Cathy, of course!" laughed Xavier.
"And I suppose you will be Heathcliff?" seethed Esteban.
"Naturally," said Hayden, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Now Maddie, I'll come to pick you up tomorrow. You will meet me here in the lobby at seven, okay?"
"Okay!"
Xavier gave her a final smile and bided Maddie audi.
Esteban watched as Maddie's eyes followed the young superstar as he left the hotel. Esteban couldn't help but note the happiness that shown in her eyes. What did she see in the young man?
Esteban's gaze met Maddie's. The look of intense pleasure that she had worn just a few seconds ago was gone and replace by a look of horror. Maddie's face changed again, this time to a look of guilt. Confused by this, Esteban walked up to her.
"Maddie?" he asked. "Is everything alright?"
"My parents. . ." Maddie whispered. "I don't know how they will take it."
Almost every employee at the Tipton knew about the problems Maddie faced at home. Every time her parents got together they always ended up screaming at each other. Maddie's step father only made things worse, or so Maddie had told Esteban a few days ago. It seemed that her step father couldn't stand being around her real father and they would end up fighting. Thankfully, London had offered to let Maddie stay at the Tipton. She would pay for it. Esteban had often thought of letting Maddie stay with him, but he knew that would be wrong. She was a young teenage girl and he was a man of twenty-two. Esteban shook his head. There would be no way Maddie would ever agree to that sort of arrangement.
Esteban placed his hand on Maddie's shoulder.
"It will be alright. I'm sure they'll agree to let you preform."
Maddie shook her head.
"You don't understand, Esteban. They don't. . ." Her words were lost in as mass of sobs.
"Oh Maddie, I—" Esteban started to say, but couldn't force himself to finish the sentence. He was thankful when Mr. Moseby called Maddie over to the front desk.
"Madeline," he said, "If something is bothering you, then you have my permission to be excused for awhile."
"Thank you, Mr. Moseby," said Maddie, wiping her tears. "Thanks very much." She walked over to the couch and sat down.
Esteban wanted to kick himself. Young Maddie was hurting and he had lost the nerve to press the matter further. Esteban looked over is shoulder at her. She was crying. Esteban longed to run to her and wrap his arms around her shoulders. To hold her. To comfort her. He sighed as he stared straight into Maddie's eyes. The windows to her soul.
In her eyes he could almost see a world of hope that was slowly dying. It was a world that everyone who looked at Maddie could see, but would never dare to enter. A world that Esteban wanted to be apart of.
Maddie's eyes burned with such intensity that Esteban almost thought she could read his heart and mind. Could she? Could she see what he was thinking. . .feeling? As he read her eyes, Maddie read his heart. At once Esteban felt transparent. He watched as a slow smile crept across Maddie's face. Maybe, just maybe, she loved him too.
Esteban turned away just as Zack and Cody nearly crashed right into him.
"Slow down, little blonde peoples," said Esteban, putting a firm hand on each of their shoulders.
"Sorry, Esteban," they said in unison.
"You shouldn't be running in the lobby. Mr. Moseby doesn't like it."
"I know," said Zack. "We were— hey, what's wrong with Maddie?"
"I think it's about her parents," Esteban whispered. "Please try to be nice to her."
"I will," said Zack, cheerfully.
"I know you will," said Cody. His face twisted into something like a sneer and then he whispered to Esteban, "He's got a major crush on Maddie."
Esteban raised his eyebrows.
"Why?" he asked.
Cody shrugged. "I guess it's because Zack thinks she's beautiful and he's a sucker for pretty girls."
That would make sense. Esteban's eyes followed Zack as he took a seat next to Maddie on the couch.
It's just that easy, Esteban, he thought. All you have to do is go over there and talk to her. But in front of all these people? What would Mr. Moseby say? Is Maddie worth possibly getting fired?
Esteban decided that Maddie was worth it. He would just have to put his job on the line. Quietly he made his way over to her.
"Maybe getting away from him would be a good thing," Maddie was saying. "He doesn't treat me right. He's always ignoring me or something."
Esteban froze in his tracks. Had he really been ignoring Maddie that much? Well, he hadn't been spending as much time as he would like with her since they had won that talent contest. Maybe Maddie thought that he didn't care about her feelings and she was crushed. It wasn't his fault that every time he was around her that he could feel hot blood being pumped through his veins and then would feel weak at the same time. Maddie was the only girl in the world that could reduce him down to nothing and yet made him strong enough the face the challenges that arose every day. Esteban's lips formed a tight line and he marched over to where Maddie was sitting. She didn't even look up.
"Maddie—" he started to say, but his words got caught in his throat.
Maddie looked up from where she had been examining the floor.
"Yes, Esteban?"
"I— I—"
"You what?"
"I— I hope you are okay," he finished lamely.
"Oh, well thanks, Esteban."
Esteban gave her a feeble smile and hurried off.
"Wow, that was weird," said Zack. "I think something's wrong with that dude."
Maddie watched as Esteban hurried into the elevator. There was a strange look in his eyes that made her wonder if she had done something to hurt him.
The lobby doors swung open and London Tipton entered, followed by flashing cameras. But it wasn't London who the paparazzi wanted.
Excited screams filled the lobby as a mob of kids ran towards the blonde popstar who had graced the Tipton with her presence.
"Hannah Montana!" shouted Zack, swooping across the lobby.
Mr. Moseby grabbed Zack by the back of his shirt.
"Not so fast, Zachary," he said. "Miss Montana is our special celebrity guest this week and I don't want you to mess up her time here."
"I won't," promised Zack, squirming in Mr. Moseby's grasp. "I just want to get an autograph."
"It's okay," said Hannah, walking up to them. "I'm use to it."
"Esteban!" called Mr. Moseby.
Hearing his name, Esteban hurried over.
"Yes, sir?"
"Please take Miss Montana's bags to her suite."
"Right away, sir!" Esteban took Hannah's bags and walked towards the elevator.
Hannah looked around the lobby and soon spotted Maddie at the candy counter.
"Hey," said Hannah. "Can you get me some peanut M&M's?"
Maddie spun around and gasped.
"Your— your—"
"Hannah Montana!" came a scream from the other side of the lobby. Several young girls ran towards her.
Hannah laughed and signed the pictures they handed her.
Once they were gone, Hannah turned to Maddie. At once she noted the look of sadness in her eyes. Hannah had worn the same look once before.
"What's wrong?" asked Hannah.
"Oh nothing," said Maddie, sliding the M&M's across the counter. "It's just that I was invited to be apart of a new Broadway musical and I'm not sure how my parents are going to take it."
Hannah raised her eyebrows.
"Is that all?" she asked.
Maddie looked down and blushed.
"Well, no," she admitted. "Can you keep a secret, Hannah?"
"Keeping secrets is my life," said Hannah. "Shoot."
"Well," said Maddie, running her fingers nervously though her hair, "I really like someone, but I don't think he like me. He probably sees me as just another kid."
"Who is it?" asked Hannah.
"It's—" Maddie's eyes caught Esteban's form as he stepped out of the elevator. Hannah followed her gaze.
"The bellboy?" she asked.
"Yes," said Maddie, hanging her head.
"He's so much older than you."
"I know, I know. But there's just this feeling that bubbles up inside me every time he's around."
"Like chemistry?" Hannah asked.
"Yeah. Like chemistry. I just don't know if he feels the same way."
"These only one way to find out," said Hannah, firmly.
"How's that?"
"Both of you come to my show that I'm preforming her at the Tipton. Then we'll see if we can get any sparks shootin'."
Maddie smiled.
"Thanks Hannah."
Maddie took a seat near the stage. She let her eyes wander towards Esteban, who was sitting in the back. Maddie was glad that Hannah had asked Esteban to come and see his show. At first he had tried to refuse, but Hannah had insisted on it. She would be preforming her a new song.
The lights dimmed as Hannah walked out on stage. People cheered and chanted, "Hannah! Hannah!"
"Hey everybody! Are you ready to rock?" asked Hannah, waving at the crowd. "I want to dedicate this first song to two very special people." Hannah beamed a smile at Maddie and then at Esteban as the music started to play.
"How did I get here
I turned around and there you were
Didn't think twice
Or rationalize
But somehow I knew
That there was more than just chemistry
I mean I know you were kinda of in to me
But I figured its just to good to be true
I said pinch me
Where's the catch this time
Can't find a single cloud in the sky
Help me before I get used to this guy
They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances to meet someone like you
Were a million to one
I'm believe'n (o woah)
Your one in a million
All this time a was lookin' for love
Try to make things work
They weren't good enough till
I thought I'm through
Said I'm done
Then stumbled into the arms love
Your makin' me laugh about the silliest stuff
Said that I'm your diamond in the rough
When im mad at you
you pull out your velvet glove
I feel drunk but I am sober
And im smilin' all over
Every time I see that sparkle in your eye
They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances to meet someone like you
Were a million to one
I'm believe'n (o woah)
Your one in a million...one in a million
All this time a was lookin' for love
Tryin' to make things work
They weren't good enough till
I thought I'm through
Said I'm done
Then stumbled into the arms of love
I feel drunk but I am sober
And im smilin' all over
Every time I see that sparkle in your eye
They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances to meet somebody like you
Were a million to one
I'm believe'n (o woah)
Your one in a million...one in a million
All this time a was lookin' for love
Tryin' to make things work
They weren't good enough till
I thought I'm through
Said I'm done
Then stumbled into the arms love
Your one in a million. . .your one in a million. . ."
"Your one in a million. . ." echoed Maddie, softly. "Esteban's one in a million."
Maddie looked over at Esteban who had tears in his eyes. His eyes met with her's and for a brief moment they shared the mutual affections that were blossoming into love.
As Esteban's eyes continued to be locked with Maddie's, there was no doubt in his heart that she loved him. Slowly, Esteban got up from his seat and went to sit with Maddie. Placing his hands on the table, Maddie's brushed them slightly. A tinge of pink rose in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled like stars.
Esteban leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Your one in a million, mi amor."
Maddie smiled, and her eyes fell to her lap. She couldn't believe her good fortune. But would it last?
What she couldn't see, but only felt in her heart, was that dark clouds were rising on her horizon.
"Are you ready to go?" asked Xavier.
"Of course," said Maddie, smiling at him. She was glad that her parents, as mean as they could be sometimes, had decided to let her go to San Francisco with Xavier. When it came time for the musical to be preformed, they would get on a plane and fly to New York. Maddie could hardly wait.
"The limo's here," said Xavier, as a man took Maddie's suitcases. "Let's go."
"Just let me say goodbye first," said Maddie. She ran inside and soon spotted Zack and Cody.
"The place won't be the same without you," said Zack, giving her a hug. "I'll miss you, Maddie."
"I'll miss you too," said Maddie.
"Take care of yourself," said Cody, hugging her as well.
London waved to Maddie as she stepped off the elevator.
"I'll come see you in New York, Maddie," she said. "We'll have gallons of fun."
Maddie smiled. "I'm sure we will," she said, hugging the heiress.
Maddie looked around the lobby. Where was Esteban?
"Maddie, come on!" Xavier called. "We'll miss our flight!"
With once last glance at the lobby, Maddie walked outside and got into the limo. As it pulled away from the Tipton entrance, she couldn't help but feel a bit sad. Esteban hadn't been there to see her off, and she didn't get the chance to say goodbye.
"Where's Maddie?" asked Esteban, running into the lobby. He paused and gasped for breath.
"You just missed her," said Cody.
"She just left," added Zack.
Esteban's eyes wandered towards the door. Maddie was gone. He tried to remind himself that it wasn't forever. He would see her again. . .soon. He just hoped that Maddie wouldn't forget him.
Will Maddie forget Esteban? What will happen in San Francisco? Find out in the next chapter! I promise to update soon!