Chapter 8
Over the next few weeks, Maddie and David settle into their life as business partners, and life partners. They keep things professional while in the office and while on the job. Well, at least they keep it professional in front of other people. There are stolen moments in the office. Kisses here and there in the privacy of either office. They were working on a case. Ms. Annette Johnson was their client. She met Mr. Wayne Bullard through personal ads in the newspaper. They went out a few times and things seemed to be great. But he would blow hot and cold. Sometimes she wouldn't hear from him for weeks. Sometimes she'd see him in a store, and he'd act like he didn't know her or the name Wayne Bullard. She wanted Maddie and David to find out why.
One night, David and Maddie both sat in their offices. It was late. David was hard at work in his office trying to figure who this Mr. Bullard is. He and Bert were out all day trying to figure out who he really is. Maddie strolled into David's office. He was looking over papers as he sat at on the couch holding papers. "Hey stranger," Maddie said as she walked over and sat next to him.
"Well hello stranger," David said looking up.
"Still trying to figure out Mr. Bullard?"
"This guy is full of Bullard, Maddie."
"We should really get home and get to bed. It's late."
"Oh, you can go get some sleep. I'll take a cab in a bit." David said looking down again at the papers in his hand.
"You know I don't sleep well without you next to me," Maddie said add a fake pout.
"You managed to for three years before we started up."
"Well you know sleep wasn't exactly what I had in mind," Maddie said putting on her seductive voice.
"Uh huh. That sounds like fun," David said obviously not listening.
'Wow. He really is focused on this case. I have to shift his focus,' Maddie thought. Maddie moved from her spot, and moved to straddle David's lap. He put the papers down next to him
"Well, hello," David said in surprise as Maddie leaned in to kiss him. "I take it sleep wasn't the reason you were trying to get me to go home."
"I had just said that. But you were too focused on Mr. Wayne Bullard or whoever he is to notice."
"Must have had a moment of insanity," David said as he pulled her in for another kiss. This time getting their tongues involved.
"You know, this is the first time that we've been here after hours after everyone left since we've been married…"
"Are you saying you're up for some inappropriate work place activity?"
"No Mr. Addison. I'm not saying that at all. As your loyal secretary I just was wondering if there was anything you needed before I went home," Maddie said putting on a slightly airy, ditzy blonde type voice.
"Well Miss Hayes. There is something you could do for me," David said smiling as he whispers something in Maddie's ear.
"Mr. Addison. I can't believe you just said that. But it is in my job description to do whatever I can to help you with your job performance. And doing that will relax you which will make you better at your job so…" Maddie said smiling.
David smiled and leaned in for another passion filled kiss as the clothes started to come undone.
The next day the day, David and Bert were finishing up the Johnson case while Maddie handled other business in her office. Word had gotten out about Maddie getting married. Various tabloids, newspapers, and even a few gossip TV shows have been reaching out to find out about the blue moon girl's sudden marriage. Some gossip sources speculated it was a shotgun wedding. 'Not this time people,' Maddie thought. She didn't have any interest in doing any interviews. She gave up fame years ago. David convinced her to do one. He figured it would be good publicity for the agency and get them off her back about interviews.
Two days later, an interview for a magazine was held in Maddie's office. Maddie was happy to talk to Margaret the magazine writer about marrying David, how married life is going and how it's different now working with her husband instead of just her partner. But there was one question she knew was coming and she was dreading it.
"So tell me Maddie, any plans for little Addisons in the future?" Margret asked. And there it was. The question she was dreading. She never spoke publicly about the loss of their son. Nobody outside their close friends, the office staff and their families knew about it. She knew answering Margret wasn't simple. She didn't want to lie, but couldn't give an honest answer without having to talk about the loss. And she didn't want to talk about it publicly without discussing it with David first. That baby was his son too. She decided to tell the truth as best she could.
"I can't give a simple yes or no answer on that subject," Maddie said looking down.
"Why not?"
Maddie sighed and looked up. "The answer to that question is complicated and there are private matters between my husband and I that I can't talk about now. But maybe one day I will," Maddie said nervously. The rest of the interview went smoothly. A few days later the interview was published.
The day after the interview was published, Maddie was sitting home alone, having tea, and reading a book. It was a Saturday. A day to relax. Well for her at least. Maddie wasn't feeling well, so David was out with Bert giving bad news to Ms. Johnson. Her liver Wayne Bullard was John Branson, a married man who wanted someone on the side.
**RING RING** Maddie reached over and answered the phone. "Hello? Hi mom," Maddie said.
"Madolyn Hayes, what is going on?" Her mom asked.
"What do you mean mom?"
"Why didn't you tell me you're pregnant? And what's this about it being another man's baby?"
"Mom what are you talking about? I'm not pregnant. Believe me I know I'm not. And you know I wouldn't cheat."
"I know that dear. But Mrs. Pelone next door saw it all over one of those gossip magazines. You did an interview for some magazine and revealed you're pregnant by a man other than David? What's happening?"
Maddie let out a groan of frustration. "Mom, you read that magazine interview. You know I never said that. It was about the fact that I got married. I never said anything about being pregnant and especially not about being pregnant by someone other than David."
"I know that. I don't know where they got this story."
"It's probably because I didn't give a straightforward answer when asked about David and I possibly having a baby or two in the future. I couldn't talk it about without mentioning what happened the first time. And I didn't want to talk about that publicly before discussing it with David first."
"I understand dear. This will be forgotten about in day. Don't worry about it dear."
"We're not worried about it mom. Love you," Maddie said as she hung up.
Later that day, Sam sits outside a coffee shop in New York City. Annie comes walking in quickly with paper in her hand.
"Did you see this in The Gab?" Annie asked.
"The Gab?" Sam had to think. He wasn't sure what she was talking about. "Oh, is that one of those gossip tabloid magazines?"
"Yeah."
"I don't read that trash."
"Sam. You need to see this. They're saying Maddie is pregnant by someone who isn't David," Annie said excitedly holding out the paper for Sam to see.
"I don't believe that."
"Why not?" Annie asked sitting down.
"Well first, she's too loyal to that bum to cheat. Second, if she were going to cheat it would be with me. And she wouldn't budge."
"But look. This is our in. We can use this to our advantage, Sam."
"Our advantage? There is no out here? Annie."
"What do you mean no our? This is what will ruin things. They divorce and get reputation is trash. You get Maddie and she gets knocked off her high horse. We both get what we want," Annie said excitedly.
"No, Annie. I'm done. She's not worth it. No woman is worth all of this. And neither are you. With my looks, education, money, and brains, I can get any woman."
"What are you saying?"
"Annie I'm saying this is done. I'm moving on from all of this. Tomorrow I'm going home to Chicago. This is finished," Sam said leaving the coffee shop.
Two days later, Maddie had a full-blown cold. Maddie sat on the couch, wearing her pajamas, no make up on, hair undone, with tissues all around her. "Here's your tea and food beautiful," David said smiling as her brought a tray from the kitchen.
"Yeah right. I'm sneezing my face off. My make up isn't done. My hair isn't done. And I'm in the crappiest pajamas I own. Beautiful? Yeah right."
"You know damn well I find you beautiful no matter what. And just wants have. And I always will."
Maddie smiled. "ACHOO!" Maddie sneezed a big sneeze. "Of course. We both get stuck out in the rain during that stakeout and in the only one who gets sick."
"I'm sorry, honey. Are you sure you don't want me to stay home and take care of you?"
"David, there is no reason for both of us to miss work. Besides, I don't want you catching my cold. Neither one of us want to be sick either Halloween and the big office party coming up."
"That's true. So you have the remote, cold meds, tissues, food, tea and the phone. Either me or Agnes will come by at lunch to check on you. I'll call and check in. I love you. I'm off," David said blowing her a kiss as he leaves the house.
"I love you too," Maddie said blowing a kiss back.
When David gets to the office, he notices all of the male employees, including Burt, sitting at their desk pouting. "Ms. DiPesto, why does it look like half the staff has been put on timeout?"
"Because they have been put on timeout by me, Mr. Addison. They're mad because I wouldn't let them all keep your new client company."
"New client?"
"She's waiting in your office Mr. Addison."
"Ms. DiPesto, would you do me a huge favor later? If I'm too busy with work, could you please go check on Miss Hayes at home on your lunch?"
"Sure thing, Mr. Addison."
"Thank you," David said as he walked to his office. 'The whole male population wanted to keep her company? This I gotta see,' David thought as he walked to his office. When you open the door, he saw his new client. She stood to greet him. She was about twenty-two, tall, skinny, dressed up, well, with long, blonde, hair, and blue eyes. She reminded him of Maddie when she first walked into his office six years ago. Except this woman had some obvious enhancements.
"Hello, I'm Stephanie Grant," the blonde, said, extending her hand for a handshake.
"I'm David Addison. How can I help you?" David said, as he reached out to shake her hand.
"Mr. Addison, I need your help finding someone. I work in the adult entertainment field. I'm pretty well-known in the genre. Maybe you're familiar with my work."
"Well, I used to be familiar with the genre, but I haven't touched it in the last few years," David said slightly cringing at the unintended pun in his statement. 'Oh great. This is going to be awkward. Maddie's just going to love this case,' David thought.
"I get fan mail, pictures of men, pictures of women at times, and even gifts sent to me. Most of the letters and the notes with the gifts are pornographic, a few marriage proposals, or commenting, on part of my anatomy. But some of them were sweet. Some of them talk to me as if I were just an average person. Not someone who looks good and who they've seen naked countless times. They would ask me things like what are my favorite movies, my favorite books, my favorite food, and things like that. I've sort of started to fall for this person. Crazy I know to fall for someone you don't know. But it's happened. I want to know who this is."
"Have you tried asking them their name? For a picture?"
"I have asked both several times, Mr. Addison. He did give me a name, Daniel Monroe. One day I drove to San Diego to the address that was listed on the letters. I knocked on the door, a woman answered, I gave her the name, and she said there was nobody there by that name. I don't understand what's happening. I've never had someone treat me this way Mr. Addison. Given my profession, it's not easy to find genuinely loving, caring people. I can see by the wedding ring on your hand that you know firsthand that when you find that special person, you need to hang onto them."
"You're right, Ms. Grant. My wife is someone I had to fight long and hard to hang onto for many years. So I understand wanting to hang onto that special person who makes you feel like nobody else has or will."
"So, you do understand. Will you take my case?"
"Well, I have to talk it over with my wife, who also runs the agency, but I will give you an answer by the end of the day," David said.
"Thank you, Mr. Addison. Your wife is a lucky woman," Stephanie Grant said as she got up and walked out.
David could hear Agnes yelling at the male employees to settle down as Miss Grant walked through the office. David sat at his desk, picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello sweetheart," David said.
"You don't have to check up on me that fast," Maddie said.
"I'm not calling to check on you. I'm calling to tell you we have a client, assuming you agree to take the case."
"We do? What's the case? Who is the client?"
"This is your kind of case. This woman has been getting letters and gifts from a man who seems very sweet. She's fallen for the guy and wants us to find him."
"Really? Bringing two people who are in love together? That is my kind of case."
"There is one catch with it though. She's an adult film actress," David said with a hint of nervousness.
"She is? I bet the guys at the office had a field day when she was there," Maddie said with a laugh.
"If you don't want to take this case because of her profession, then I would totally understand. But she said that she never got letters like this from anybody before, and would really like to find him."
"We'll take the case, David."
"We will?" David said with a surprised tone.
"David, I've been in the public eye remember? I got lots of fan mail too. If I got letters from a man who is very sweet, I would want to meet them too."
"Ok. I'll call Ms. Grant and tell her we'll take her case. And I promise we will all act professional around her in this case. She will see nothing but professionalism."
"David, you better not be checking out her professionalism."
"I lost all interest in any other women's anything the moment I fell for you, Maddie."
"Good. I love you."
"I love you too. Agnes will be by around lunchtime to see if you need anything."
"Ok good. Hold down the fort and good luck keeping the kids in line," Maddie said as she hung up the phone.
Few days later, Maddie was feeling much better. She took one more day off to fully recover before going back to work. It was a Friday. And David had spent the last couple of days trying to find out who Daniel Monroe was. It wasn't easy. He tried the usual places, with no luck. He left a message on Stephanie Grant's answering machine. Abby hour later, she showed up at his office. "Ms. Grant. You didn't need to come down here," David got up to shake her hand.
"Well your message said you had an update."
"I figured you'd just call me back," David said sitting on his desk.
"It seemed important."
"Well the update is that the name he gave you was fake. There is no record of anyone named Daniel Monroe at DMV, at the social security office or at IRS."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. I've been checking all day."
"Well, seems like you have been working hard," Stephanie Grant said as she got up and walked over to where David is sitting. David got up assuming she wanted to shake his hand before leaving. Instead, she walks over to him and kisses him.
"Ms. Grant what are you doing?" David says pushing her away from him.
"Thanking you for your hard work," Stephanie said with a smile as she reached out to rub David's crotch.
"Ms. Grant…"
"Stephanie…"
"…Ms. Grant. I'm a married man," David said removing her hand.
"I don't mind," Stephanie says trying to rub his crotch again.
"But I do. And so does my wife," David said getting up to put some space between them.
"Mr. Addison, I have a confession. I knew already that Daniel Monroe doesn't exist. There were no letters. I made it up. I wanted to have an excuse to have to work with you."
"Why? Why me? We don't know each other."
"But I know of you. I read all the wonderful things your wife said about you in that magazine article. I never had a man treat me the way you treat your wife. I was hoping to sway you over to my side."
"So, you made up a story so you could steal me away from my wife?" David said. He could not believe what he was hearing.
"Yeah. I figured it would be easy. It was easy to steal the other men away from their wives."
"Well, this time you won't succeed."
"Mr. Addison, I'm beautiful, rich, and very sexually experienced. Don't you realize how many men would kill to have the opportunity you're passing up?" Stephanie said as she seductively walked over to David.
"Then give them the opportunity. I don't want it," David said as he avoided her by walking over to his office door to let her out.
"Whatever. You're old and not even good looking anyway," Stephanie said in it's a scowl as she rolled her eyes and stormed out of the office.
David signaled his arrival home with a loud slam of the front door. He groaned in frustration. "Hi honey. I thought I was the only one who groaned and slammed doors in frustration around here," said getting up from the couch in the living room. She walked over to greet David.
"This job really sucks sometimes. And not the good kind go suck either, Maddie." David fumed as he walked past Maddie and up the stairs to their bedroom. Maddie followed behind him. "After that, I feel like I need to shower to wash the slime off of me."
"Something wrong with the case?"
"There is no case Maddie"
"What do you mean no case?"
"I mean, Daniel Monroe never existed. And Stephanie Grant knew that."
"I don't understand."
"She lied Maddie. There was no letter from the mysterious Mr. Daniel Monroe. She made it up to get to close to me."
"She did? But why?"
"She read about how great you said I was in the magazine article and wanted me for herself."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. She thought it would be easy since she stole other men away from their wives with no problem. She wasn't happy when I kept pushing her away and told her that I love my wife. Just the nerve of her. She went in their knowing I was married thinking she could just take me from you. Like she was going into your jewelry box and taking a ring out of it. She thought I would just jump at the opportunity because she's rich, pretty and because of her occupation. Ugh!" David ranted as he got undressed down to his boxers. "Maddie, I hope you know I would never cheat on you. You know that I know how it hurts and would never do that to someone else," David said walking over to her and kissing his hand.
"I know David. I might have fought my feelings and being together, but I knew that once we got together, you'd be always faithful," Maddie said. She leaned in for a kiss that quickly turned heated.
"Besides, why would I need a professional adult entertainer when I have my own private show every night?" David said as he started to peel back the robe Maddie was wearing.
"You know, I remember you telling me not long ago that doctors say it's dangerous to shower when you're stressed. I think I need to return the favor and spot you in the shower again. Make sure you don't hurt yourself. And maybe, you need some help de-stressing," Maddie said smiling as she started to push down his boxers.
"Nicely played Mrs. Addison. Using my own lines against me."
"Well fair is fair Mr. Addison," Maddie said as he helped her out of her pajamas.
The next day, Maddie and David were in a costume shop looking for Halloween costumes walking hand and hand. "What about this. You can be Little Red Riding Hood and I can be The Big Bad Wolf."
"David that costume is a little… little."
"Oh come on."
"Why are you so insistent on this?"
"So I can say the better to eat you with, my dear," David whispers in her ear.
"You're terrible Maddie whispers back," as she lightly hits him. "Hey what about this one?" Maddie said picking up another costume.
"Oh that's perfect. Maddie."