by C. P. Watson
Madison reached out for her mother’s hand, but was given a disapproving look instead. Her father and Melody were there, as well. And seemingly, they were so surprised that they didn’t even say a word.
“How could you… why would you?”
Madison couldn’t answer that question without seeming immature. She’d made a mistake, but at that time, it was a lucrative decision.
“Rebellion, maybe? I stopped. I’m just a writer now.”
“A writer of porn basically.”
Madison closed her eyes. She needed to breathe. She needed to calm herself down.
“At least it’s not actual porn, mum.”
“You’re all over the internet, aren’t you? What do people think of you? Does everyone know?”
Amanda started to worry. What if the people at church found it? It would be the worst thing to possibly happen.
“I don’t know. No one I know has ever confronted me. It was only a few videos. Nothing too popular or worldwide. And now they are taken down. I made sure of it.”
“First, you want to be a lesbian. Okay, I came around. But I can’t accept a pornstar for a daughter. That’s the line, Madison.”
“It’s in the past. Ex-pornstar, mum.”
Madison was embarrassed. Maybe, she should have kept it a secret for the rest of her life.
“Maddy, why are you telling us now? If you’ve kept it a secret for so long, what’s the…”
“Someone’s trying to blackmail me. They know and they want everyone else to know. I’m releasing it through Carson’s magazine, so it’ll be done with.”
Amanda placed her face into the palms of her hands. Unbelievable.
“So everyone will know?”
The room fell silent and Madison gulped. She began to tear up and buried her face into the palm of her hands.
“Maddy, who’s blackmailing you?”
Madison had an idea, but didn’t want to believe that it was true. There was only one person she knew whose handwriting was similar to that of the note. But it couldn’t be. How could it be? Why would that person want to ruin her?
“It’s Victoria.”
Carson yelled across the room. What was she doing there? How did she get into the house?
“What are you…”
“The butler let me in.”
Carson answered as she walked into the room, with everyone eying her suspiciously.
“How do you…”
“DNA testing, and because another package came today.”
Madison’s heart raced as Carson handed her the photos and a note. Gregory immediately looked away and got up.
Pay this, and I’ll forget about you. It was the same handwriting.
“I’ll be… be… anywhere but near those.”
He exited the room without turning back. Amanda grabbed the photos from Madison and her eyes widened. They were photos of Madison asleep.
“It could’ve been taken through a window… or by someone you’ve slept with.”
Amanda looked at her daughter with narrowed eyes. Did she really believe that they wouldn’t have slept together?
“But I didn’t… not with her.”
Madison confessed almost too quickly. She’d remember if she bedded Victoria Wilson, of all people.
“Well, have you slept over?”
Madison shook her head. The only time they’d been in bed together was the first time they kissed, and those photos definitely couldn’t have been taken then.
“No. She’s never been over while I’m asleep. How the hell did someone take these? But it can’t be her.”
Carson was sure that it was Victoria. Maybe, it had a little to do with her envy, or jealousy, but the DNA testing did come back positive.
“Maddy, actually she was. She and I dropped in to pick up those heels that you gave me, and she went into your room. I didn’t know that she would…”
“Props to you for figuring that out, Melody.”
Why was the butler letting in everyone without warning?
Madison gripped onto her mother’s arm and inhaled a deep breath. She’d suddenly become so scared of Victoria.
“Your cheeky smile has a way of hiding the devil inside of you.”
Carson walked up to Victoria. Her body towered Victoria’s by a few inches. Victoria ignored Carson’s presence and walked over to Madison. She knelt down and placed her hands into Madison’s. Madison looked at her curiously and sceptically.
“You don’t believe that I did it to hurt you, right? I want the same thing that you want.”
“And what is that?”
Carson asked as she walked beside the two. Amanda placed her hand on Victoria’s shoulder and pulled the woman away from her daughter.
“I always knew you were bad for her.”
Victoria furrowed her brows and shook her head. Her sorrowful eyes attempted to fool the room, but no one was buying it, not even her best friend.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. I was just trying to help her.”
“And how is threatening her, helping her?”
Victoria looked at Carson, their eyes darting at each other.
“I never threatened her.”
Madison’s shaky hand crumbled the note.
Victoria looked as Madison did so and moved over to Madison again, but Gregory blocked her path. He’d re-entered the room after all the loud voices made him worried.
“Whatever you have to say to her, you can say right there.”
He looked down at the spot where Victoria was standing.
“Babe, I was just trying to…”
“Scare her?”
Carson gritted her teeth. How could Victoria still act so innocent after everything?
“No.” Victoria shook her head. “I wanted it to be done with. So, that we can have a future.” She looked at Madison. “I did it for us.”
“If so, why didn’t you come to me? How did you even find out?”
Victoria scoffed.
“I’m a lesbian. Of course I know that you’re a pornstar. The site has the best quality of videos.”
Madison swallowed. Did all gay folk know that she was a pornstar?
“Victoria, answer my first question.”
Carson was becoming increasing furious. Victoria had no good intentions, and she’d make sure that woman stepped nowhere near Madison ever again.
“What question, babe?”
Madison cringed. Hearing that word of endearment made her stomach churn.
“Why didn’t you say that you know? It could’ve made everything a lot easier, if you had good intentions.”
“Yes, that’s what I want to know.”
Melody crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Victoria. As she once said, sister triumphed best friend. Always.
“I didn’t think it was necessary.”
She mumbled. That was, of course, a lousy excuse.
“You do know that I already received your last package, right?”
Victoria’s eyes widened. She’d almost forgotten about that. Things would have gone as planned if Paul Fletcher hadn’t decided to drop out of the deal at last minute.
“I didn’t send any package.”
Carson could smell the lies from where she stood. She wasn’t gullible enough to believe lies told, even by a beautiful woman.
“You’re pretty smart, Victoria. Master plan, I’d say. You did your research. Waited patiently. Even seduced her, but you can’t fool me.”
Madison felt offended. Did she really fall into a trap? A scheme?
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Madison clenched her fists, her knuckles becoming white.
“You’re not the best at this though, leaving DNA evidence on both the envelope and pictures? And I’m going to guess that’s your exact handwriting on the note. Hate to break it to you, but you shouldn’t attempt blackmail ever again, not with your expertise.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She wa
s becoming furious. How dare she?
“You’re just a man-eater turned lesbian, aren’t you? What I do is none of your business, not that I’ve done anything wrong, to begin with.”
How did Victoria know that Carson was a lesbian? The only answer was Paul Fletcher. He was the only one that could have told her. That made Carson wonder, why had she trusted that man, to begin with?
“You’re not getting that amount that you want, instead, you’ll be lucky if you get less than ten years behind bars. Maybe, you can practice your skills in there. You’re surely going to need it.”
“As I said, I’ve done nothing.”
Carson smiled. She hadn’t felt such pending victory in a long time.
“I already informed the police of your shenanigans. They have the pictures. The DNA testing. I bet they’ll do a redo, just to make sure. Look out for an arrest warrant soon enough.”
Madison placed her hand over her chest and stood from her seat. She felt as though she would faint.
“How could you, Victoria?”
Melody looked at her best friend, but at that moment, Victoria was considered a former best friend, instead.
“I didn’t do anything. There’s no evidence. She’s lying.”
Victoria pointed to Carson with furious eyes. Carson walked closer to Victoria, her chest rising with a smirk forming on her lips.
“So why be her girlfriend? You didn’t need to be to blackmail her. You’re friendship with her sister gave you enough access to whatever you needed in your little game.”
Amanda could see the hurt in her daughter’s eyes. For sure, Madison had developed feelings for Victoria, thank god she wasn’t in love, else she would have been crushed.
“You did all of this so that you can squeeze money out of me? You could’ve done that without tampering with my feelings, don’t you think?” Madison wanted to punch a hole in the wall. Her body was shaking and her nerves were rattling. She needed to take her frustration out on something, and sadly, she couldn’t just punch Victoria in the face without any consequences after. “Get out of my house. And don’t ever fucking come back. Or I swear to god, I’ll kill you myself.”
Of course, Madison was just being threatening. She couldn’t even bring herself to put a rat down, much less rid of a human being, no matter how bad they were.
“She’ll probably just ditch before the police can get her.”
Carson grabbed Victoria’s arm and pulled her forward. She wouldn’t let her get away that easily.
“Can’t we just drop her off at the police station? They can handle her from there. No need for them to have to find her.”
Gregory inhaled a deep breath and grabbed Victoria’s hand, making Carson’s release her grip.
“Good idea. You’ll take her?”
Gregory nodded. He’d think they’d have reason to keep her in custody, at least until they had enough evidence for an arrest.
“No one pulls shit like that with my daughter. I’ve always liked you, you know. Seems as though my judgement has failed me.”
Melody and Gregory escorted a protesting Victoria out to the car. And Melody decided to go along for the ride. She’d find great comfort in putting Victoria in the arms of the law.
Carson looked at a sobbing Madison on the couch. She was frustrated herself. She was finally getting along with Paul, but turns out he was as crooked as they came. Though, she wondered, why would he suggest the DNA testing? Wasn’t it possible that evidence could have led back to him? Why did he do it? Why did have a change of heart?
A call interrupted her thoughts and she headed into the kitchen to answer.
“You won’t see me again, Carson.”
Carson swallowed. It was Paul Fletcher’s voice. She leaned against the kitchen island and rubbed her temples with her middle and index fingers.
“Why did you…”
“I could have used the money. The person that I worked for wouldn’t listen when I asked her to drop it, of course. Her name is…”
“I know who she is. She’s in police custody right now. I got back the DNA evidence.”
“Good. Good. Since I’m an accomplice, this is the last time we’ll speak. I’m already far away.”
Carson inhaled a breath. She wouldn’t bother to go after him. What would be the point? He’d probably only get a year and a fine.
“Just don’t pull something like this again. I won’t mention that you were involved, okay? You backed out, that means something.”
“I did it for you, Carson. I thought that in time we’d be something again. I don’t know what I was thinking though. I kinda always knew that you’d never… it kind of is obvious. You being gay and all.”
Carson chuckled. She doubted it was obvious. Because if so, she would have realized a lot sooner.
“So it was all a scare tactic? How did you know that I wouldn’t…”
“Because I know you more than you think. I'm guessing that you received the last package that she sent?”
“Yes. What does she think Madison does? That’s too much to ask for, especially when Madison was willing to go through with the release.”
Paul chuckled. That was something he’d kept from Victoria after he wanted out of the plan.
“She’s not good at this, is she? Luckily, she didn’t get me thrown into prison like she is going to be. I wouldn’t survive a day in there.”
“You still could be, Paul. Even though you backed out, you could be charged. So, wherever you are, don’t tell me. And please settle down and find a woman who’s not a lesbian. Maybe have some kids even.”
Paul chuckled again.
“I can’t promise to have kids, but I’ll hopefully settle down soon enough. Carson, you do the same. Maybe, even get a sperm donor and birth a baby of your own.”
Carson was the one to laugh then.
“Oh, please. I’m too old. My body would never recover at this age.”
“Your body’s a piece of art. You’ll be fine.”
“Paul?”
“Yes?”
Carson sighed and closed her eyes.
“Be safe, okay? I have to go now.”
“You too, Carson. Have a good life.”
Paul hung up and Carson pressed her phone against her forehead. She’d have to tell Madison that Paul was in on it. She couldn’t lie, but why? What did it matter? Why would she feel guilty if she didn’t?
“I still want to release everything.”
Madison walked into the kitchen with a stuffy nose and pink cheeks. She’d been crying, for sure. And that made Carson’s heart clench inside of her chest.
“Madison, are you sure?”
Madison wasn’t going to let something like that ever happen again—she couldn’t handle being betrayed by someone who she cared for a second time around.
“Yes. What’s the worst that can happen? If I don’t do this, who’s to say someone else won’t want to blackmail me? Victoria recognised me on the porn site, even after my videos have been taken down, which means she knew for months, or maybe years. Everyone thinks that I still want to hide it. I still do, actually. But I want it to be over with, suffer the consequences and never have to worry again. I’ll definitely never be able to join the convent, unfortunately.”
Carson smiled and slipped her phone into her blazer pocket. She’d ditched work to be there, and her employees were probably wondering where she was.
“When do you want it released?”
“Tomorrow would be fine. Gives me enough time to not back out of it.”
Madison sank her teeth into her bottom lip and placed her hands on her hips.
“The police have all of the pictures, so if you still want to include any…”
“I don’t. I’ll let whoever wants to do it. There’s probably going to be a shit storm of my nudes all over the place. Bloody hell, my dad might join the convent just to not have to see one.” Carson let out an intense laugh and leaned against the kitchen island to steady her balance, before she f
ell to the floor. “I’m glad that you find my misery funny. What do you think the police officers are saying about my nudes? They’ll look at my photos and say she could do porn, turns out fellas, I’ve already done it.”
“You’re killing me.”
Carson screeched, slid down to the floor, and stretched out her legs.
“If I was, I’d be more venomous. I’d take you into my room, and make you watch one of my videos. You’ll die then… or maybe I’ll be the one to die. Not too sure how embarrassed I am at this point.”
Carson looked up at Madison and felt her cheeks heating up. What was it about those big brown eyes that made her heart squirm?
“Don’t be. You’re beautiful, and confident. And you shouldn’t worry about what other people think. You’ve made a name for yourself. You’re an amazing writer.”
“Have you read any of my books?”
Madison slid onto the floor, as well, and crossed her legs under her bum.
“I actually started one. There’s so many to choose from, I got dizzy just looking at your amazon page.”
“Which one did you start?”
Carson tried to remember the name, but she couldn’t. She grabbed her phone and opened her Kindle app.
“Beautiful Submission. It’s quite… I had to put it down after the first chapter. Not allowed to get worked up while sitting at my desk, it’s bad for the workplace.”
“That means it’s good.”
Madison leaned forward, her cleavage enticing Carson. Carson gulped and looked back at her screen.
“Cocky much?”
Carson ran a hand through her hair and looked at Madison. Her eyes looked so sad and still.
“Thanks for being here for me. It’s a lot to process. She was my… actually she wasn’t. My not so fuck buddy blackmailed me.” Madison frowned. “I’m so glad I didn’t have sex with her. Hell, I would’ve if she didn’t stop me that day in her office. I wonder what that was about, since she had no objections after to hit it like no one else was around.”
“She was probably on her period.”
Carson blurted, making Madison look at her with amused eyes.
“That’s viable.”
“I don’t tell guys when I’m on my period. I just say that I’m not in the mood.”
Madison’s smile fell from her lips.
