The coffee was brewing when she heard Ethan walk into the kitchen. He barely got the words, “Good morning” out when she went over and hugged him.
“Sorry about last night,” she apologized.
He seemed unsure of what to say. “Okay.”
“Sit. I hope you like omelets. I made you one with everything in it. Don’t ask what, just enjoy it,” she rambled on.
“Thanks.” He sat down.
Madison handed him a cup of coffee. “Here’s your coffee just the way you like it.”
He placed it on the mat in front of him. “Slow down.”
“Do you want some juice before I sit down?”
“If I do, I’ll get up and pour some myself. Sit and eat your breakfast.”
“I can get it for you.”
“Madison, what’s wrong with you?”
She sat and fidgeted with her food. “I must have drank too many cups of coffee. I get this way when I get too much caffeine.”
“Remind me to get decaffeinated next time,” he commented.
Madison watched Ethan eat. “You want some more. I’m not really hungry.”
“You need to eat something,” he said out of concern.
“I know, but my nerves are bad right now.”
“Anything I can do to help?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. Pray for me,” she said with sincerity. “Pray for me.”
***
Ethan walked Madison out to her car. “Meet me for lunch,” he told her.
“I wish I could,” Madison said while fumbling for her keys.
“Make it happen.”
“I’ll try.”
Before Madison could open the car door, Ethan’s lips were over hers. Ethan was the first to pull away. He opened her car door and said, “That should jumpstart your day.”
“In more ways than one.” She reached up and wiped the lipstick from his lips before entering her car.
Ethan closed the door and they waved good-bye as she pulled out of the driveway.
After making sure the house was secure, Ethan left for the office. Traffic was non-stop as he headed to work. He put his headphones on and listened to his cell phone messages. Several were from Sarah. He became irritated and decided to listen to his favorite radio show to take his mind off his issues.
***
Madison was swamped with work. Her computer kept acting up and her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. To make matters worse, Sarah made it her business to pass by her area what seemed like every ten minutes.
“Do you need some help?” Sarah asked at the same time Madison slammed down the phone.
“Everything’s just lovely,” Madison said, sounding as if everything was just the opposite.
“You seem to be frustrated. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
“I sure will,” Madison said with a fake smile.
“I’ll let you get back to work.” Before walking away, she asked, “We’re still on for lunch tomorrow aren’t we?”
Trying not to sound irritated, Madison responded, “Yes. This time you choose the spot.”
“I’ll let you know.” Sarah winked and walked away.
“She’s up to something. I know it,” Madison whispered to herself.
“I see you’re talking to yourself again,” Mya commented as she passed by Madison’s desk.
Madison looked up and rolled her eyes at Mya. After making a few more phone calls, Madison realized she hadn’t called Ethan to confirm lunch. Her cell phone rang and she scrambled to find it.
“Hello,” she answered.
“You’re the hardest person to reach,” Ethan blurted out.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to call you.”
“That’s alright. I picked up lunch. I’m downstairs.”
Madison stood up and began walking towards the elevator. “I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
When she got to the lobby, she noticed Ethan leaning on the security guard station. He appeared to be in deep conversation. When he looked up and saw her, she heard him tell the guard bye and he met her with two Olive Garden bags in his hands.
They hugged. “Do you guys have a conference or visitor’s room or somewhere we can go to and eat lunch?” Ethan asked.
“Uh, I didn’t know you were staying.” Madison looked around as if she was looking for someone.
“Now if you don’t want one of these fresh garlic sticks,” he said as he waved the bag under her nose so she could smell the aroma before continuing, “me and these bags can walk right back outside.”
She reached for his arm. “I’ll find us a room. We can go to the break room on the fourth floor. It shouldn’t be too crowded.”
Ethan smiled at her and followed her to the elevator. He wanted to sweep her up in his arms the moment he saw her. Since they were in her office building, he refrained from doing so. He made a promise to stock up on her favorite perfume because the smell was intoxicating. Even with the aroma coming from the Italian food in the bag, her fragrance overpowered him.
He followed her into a noisy crowded room.
“Maybe we should find another place. I normally go out to eat or take it back to my desk,” she apologized.
“I’m following you,” he said as she led him back out the door.
“We’ll use one of the conference rooms,” she suggested.
They took the elevator to her floor. Most people she knew were at lunch, so she didn’t have to explain who Ethan was. She found a vacant conference room and closed the door behind them.
“I hope it’s not cold,” he said as he took the items out the bag and placed them on the conference room table.
“I can always warm it up in the microwave down the hall if it is,” she commented.
“I think you might want to.”
“Hand those to me. I’ll be back in a few.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, handing her a couple of containers.
She walked out and closed the door behind her.
Ethan was deep in thought when the door opened. He assumed it was Madison, so he stood to help with the door. He and Sarah were both surprised to see one another.
She blurted out, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m having lunch with Madison. Why?”
“It’s a natural question to ask. Do you always have to have an attitude with me?” She twisted towards him.
He took a few steps back and sat down.
“No. But I learned a long time ago that being nice to you comes with a price.”
She laughed. “You need to let bygones be bygones.”
“If you weren’t up to your old tricks, I could,” he snapped.
She walked closer and sat on the corner of the table. She went through the bags. “Hmm. I wish I had a man bringing me lunch.”
“Don’t you think you should leave?”
“You’re at my job. I have more of a right to be here than you. I could call security and have you escorted out if I wanted to,” she snapped.
“Like I really care.”
“Oh I know you wouldn’t want your wife to be embarrassed on the job.” She took a bite from one of the breadsticks she had just pulled out of the bag and then threw it back into the bag. She swung her head so hard that her hair blew into her face.
Ethan wanted to snatch the weave out of her hair. He stood up and put an arm on both sides of her body, putting him in close proximity to her face. “If I ever hear of you doing anything and I mean ANYTHING to harm Madison, you will answer to me.”
Madison walked in apologizing about taking so long due to the fact that someone was making popcorn in the microwave. She stopped abruptly when she saw the closeness of Ethan and Sarah. “What the hell is going on here?” she questioned as she stood at the doorway.
Sarah moved Ethan’s arm and walked around the table. “Nothing,” she said. “Ethan and I were getting reacquainted. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” She walked around Madison and closed the door.
“Yo
u better tell me what’s going on or you’ll be wearing this food,” Madison said to Ethan, meaning her every word.
Ethan walked near her, but Madison backed up. “I was making sure Sarah and I were clear on a few things.”
“It looked a little more intense than that.”
“It got heated, but I think she realizes where I stand.” He reached out for the food. She handed it to him.
“I hope that’s all it was, because if I find out something else is going on…” she paused before continuing. “Let’s just hope we don’t have to cross that bridge.”
Ethan released his breath. “Have a seat. Your lunch break is going to be over soon.”
Madison watched Ethan and still felt as if he wasn’t telling her everything. She vowed to keep her eyes open. She loved Ethan, but she didn’t know if she could fully trust him.
After lunch, she walked Ethan to the elevator and kissed him good-bye.
“Was that your husband?” Owen asked as she bumped into him.
“Yes,” she said, plastering on a smile.
“Darn. I missed him by a few seconds.”
She crossed her arms and began walking back inside the corridor. “I’m sure you’ll get another opportunity to meet him.”
“You don’t look so hot. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She detoured into the ladies’ room before Owen could continue to pry.
***
Before Ethan could get off the elevator, his cell phone rang. He allowed it to go to voice mail the first couple of times. After the third time, he answered.
“Will you please leave me alone?” he shouted into the phone.
“I’m not going anywhere and just as soon as the test results come back, you’re going to be tied to me for LIFE!” Sarah exclaimed. She continued to talk. Ethan removed the phone from his ear and kept walking.
He waved at the security guard as he walked out of the lobby’s swinging door. He tried to contain his composure. Once he reached his car, he sighed, put the phone back up to his ear and heard Sarah still talking.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but my battery is low and I have to go,” Ethan said as he pressed the end button. “I swear if he’s my child, I will make sure I get custody. She’s not fit to raise a dog,” he said to himself as he sped out of the parking lot.
***
Madison heard someone in one of the other stalls. She originally came into the bathroom to get away from Owen, but her bladder indicated she should release herself.
She heard the other stall door open and someone wash their hands. She was about to flush the toilet when she heard Sarah’s voice after she answered her ringing cell phone.
“He doesn’t know I can make his world come tumbling down around him,” Sarah gloated into the phone after her salutation. “His stupid wife doesn’t have a clue.”
Madison knew she was talking about her. As much as she wanted to confront Sarah, she waited and listened to the one-sided phone conversation.
“Girl, I’m in a position of power.” She paused and after letting out a horrific laugh, Sarah said, “I told Christopher last night, his daddy would pay for not acknowledging him. After this week, Ms. Madison and Ethan will be history.”
What does she mean by that? Madison asked herself. I know she’s not talking about…No she can’t be.
Madison waited for Sarah to leave the bathroom. She flushed the toilet, washed her hands and slowly walked out. She bumped into Mya on the way out.
“Are you okay?” Mya asked. “You don’t look too hot. Maybe you should take the rest of the day off.”
“You’re probably right,” Madison said absentmindedly as she made her way back to her desk.
Out of habit, she turned off her computer, packed her laptop, got her purse and locked her desk. She stopped by her manager’s office to inform him she wasn’t feeling well and needed to go home. He approved her leaving and she headed out to her car.
She drove towards Ethan’s house but decided to go to her own house because she needed time to think. She got her mail and threw everything in the living room.
Her cell phone rang. She looked at the display and saw it was Charlotte.
“Girl, I called your office and the operator told me you had left for today. What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked upon Madison answering the phone.
“Everything,” she said as she threw herself on her bed.
Charlotte could hear Madison’s voice begin to crack with just those two syllables. “Now come on. Things can’t be that bad.”
“Where do you want me to start?”
“Do you need me to come over?”
“Yes, and can you bring me a wine cooler.”
“That bad, huh?”
“That bad,” Madison said as she hung up.
What did I do to deserve this? She cried. I thought Ethan was one of the good guys. How could he have a child and not own up to it? What if I would have slept with him and got pregnant? He would have abandoned me too. Madison replayed the words Sarah spoke in her head. If she wasn’t talking about Ethan than who was she talking about? It has to be Ethan.
Her head was pounding. She got up and fumbled through her medicine cabinet. She found a bottle of aspirin and went to the kitchen to pour some water. She popped two aspirins in her mouth and gulped down the water. She laid on the couch in silence. She closed her eyes hoping she was overreacting. A few minutes later she was fast asleep from mental exhaustion.
***
It was five o’clock in the evening as Ethan maneuvered his way through traffic. After the run in with Sarah and their intense conversation earlier that day, he knew he needed to tell Madison everything as soon as possible. He would tell her tonight no matter what the outcome.
He tried calling Madison at the office and on her cell phone but got voice mail.
Madison, I hope you understand what I have to tell you, the words ran through his head. I love you and if he’s my child, I have to do what’s right. She’s a sensible woman, so she’ll agree…Who am I fooling?
It was after six o’clock by the time he pulled into the driveway. He was surprised to see Madison’s car not there. She must be stuck in traffic, he thought as he pulled into the garage.
After another hour passed and he hadn’t heard from her, he began to worry. He called and left her several more messages on her cell phone.
***
“Are you in there?” Charlotte yelled out as she knocked on Madison’s door after ringing the doorbell.
Madison opened the door. Her hair looked tossed and she had to wipe the sleep from her eyes. “Girl, I fell asleep and didn’t hear you out here.”
Charlotte walked in carrying a bag. “It took you so long that I was about to use my spare key to come in and see what was going on up in here.”
Madison ignored her comment. “I see you come bearing gifts.”
They walked into the living room. Charlotte sat on the love seat and Madison sat on the couch. Charlotte handed her a Sprite. “I thought you could use this.”
Madison stared at it. “This isn’t what I asked for.”
“But this is what you got.”
Disappointed, Madison opened up the can and took a sip. She blurted out, “Ethan is a father.”
“What?” Charlotte said as she halted her can of Sprite at her lips.
“I overheard Sarah on the phone talking about it.”
“Tell me exactly what she said.”
Madison repeated verbatim the end of the phone conversation she heard. Tears flowed down her face. “I really thought he was one of the good ones.”
Charlotte went and sat by her and placed her arms around Madison to comfort her. “This could still be a misunderstanding. Have you talked to Ethan?”
“No. I couldn’t face him. I came straight home.”
“You need to call him.” Charlotte glanced at the clock. “It’s after seven and I’m sure he’s worried about you.”
“I don’t know why I let myself fa
ll for him. We had the perfect arrangement, but somewhere along the way I fell in love.” She cried non-stop.
Charlotte rocked her. “He loves you too.”
“If he loved me, why couldn’t he be honest with me? Why didn’t he tell me about his child?”
***
“Frederick, I don’t mean to bother you, but do you have Charlotte’s number?” Ethan said through the phone receiver.
“You got something to write with?” he asked.
“I sure do.” Ethan wrote down the phone number to Charlotte’s house phone as Frederick recited it. “Thanks man.”
“You need help with something?” Frederick asked.
“Not right now. If I need you, I’ll call you back.” He hung up with Frederick and dialed Charlotte’s number.
Charlotte didn’t answer, but on her voice mail greeting she left her cell phone number. Ethan dialed her cell phone and she answered on the fourth ring. “This is Char.”
“Charlotte, I’m so glad to get you. This is Ethan,” he said both anxious and worried. “Have you talked to Madison? She hasn’t come home and I was concerned.”
“She’s right here,” Charlotte commented.
“Can I speak to her?” he asked. His heart was beating a mile a minute as he waited for her response.
Charlotte’s voice sounded muffled. She came back on the phone. “She said she’ll meet you at your place in about an hour.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’ll have to tell you that,” Charlotte stated before disconnecting.
“I hope this doesn’t mean what I think it means,” Ethan said as he rubbed his head.
Chapter 35
“You really need to go talk to him,” Charlotte urged her best friend.
“I have no choice now since you told him I would see him in an hour.” Madison wiped the tears from her red eyes.
Charlotte handed her the phone. “You could call him back and tell him you won’t be there.”
Her First Page 17