ROMANCE: The Surprise That Rocked Me

by Linda Wright

   Copyright 2018 by Linda Wright - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  The Surprise That Rocked Me

  A bad boy romance thriller

  By: Linda Wright

  The Surprise That Rocked me

  On a very sunny afternoon, Madison decided to pay her parents a visit for few weeks after she had worked for long hours on her doctorate degree. On this faithful day, she was really tired and wanted a rest for a couple of weeks. She had thought of staying back but she also thought of it that it will be very boring staying alone, she then decided to go to her parents in Cape Hatton for a couple of weeks. She headed home to pack some of her things after she had completed some of her works. She had been writing a journal which will be published when she’s done. She specialized in molecular genetics. She was finding a means of incorporating a gene in an animal into a human. She had worked on that but still waiting for the result of the experiment. She decided to take a few weeks break until the result comes out. After packing some of her things at home, she decided to go on a ferry. She entered into the ferry with a very tired body hoping to take a nap during the journey. She sat down at the back seat and was about dozing off when she heard the voice calling her name; she acted as if she didn’t hear at first. But when the person kept on calling her name more than two times, she then decided to take a look at the person. Surprisingly, it was John Olsen calling her name. She was stunned and overwhelmed. She never thought of it for a second. All she was thinking was that it was someone else the person was calling, but what made her raised up her head was when John called her full name, Madison Benson. Madison quickly got up from where she was sitting moved closer to him. She gave her a full hug and with the look in her face, she was very surprised and happy to see him. Madison said to him, Oh! I can’t imagine my eyes seeing you again; it’s been a long time. Hope you are good? Well! I am good as you can see and I hope you are good too. John replied. I am good as well, but I am very glad to see you. It feels like I am dreaming. Said Madison, with a smile on her face. Oh!! Less I forget you really look amazing. John replied with a little grin. Madison was very happy to hear that from John, she looked at him again with a keen look. John noticed they had been disturbing other passengers with their conversation, he then told Madison to lets them have a sit. Madison who was very tired suddenly became agile when she saw John on the ferry. They had their sit very close to each other and they continued with their conversation. You just disappeared on us like that. Madison continued the conversation. I am really sorry I did so, but I don’t really have any other option than to do so then. I know I have really offended you and very sorry for that. Things were very tight then and I have no other option than to move away from town for some months. John replied. I guess it wasn’t because of Emily’s death. Madison asked Something like that! Baby, I know I have really done something bad and I have hurt your feelings by leaving town without letting you know about it, but I really have to do so because people thought I was involved in Emily’s death. John explained. I was very annoyed when I asked about you from your elder brother and he told me you have left town and that you are not going to come back for a while now. I seriously wept about that, it really took me a long time to get over it, but I have no option than to do so. Madison replied with a soft voice. I am very sorry because I made you cried. You know, I really didn’t want to leave like that, I wanted to tell you about it, but I knew you won’t let me go, so I decided on my own to leave out of it. It wasn’t easy for me at all, but I just need to put my mind together and move on. John explained himself with tears on his face. Madison didn’t see anything else on John’s face but the truth whenever he speaks. She knows John loves her so much, but she was still very angry for the disappearance. Madison didn’t know what to say again, she then rested on his chest till they completed the journey. When the ferry lands on the island, they both dropped down. John helped Madison with one of her bags while they were moving away from the sea. As they moving away from the sea shore, John asked if he could drop her off with his car instead of her taking a cab home. Madison was pleased with the offer; she didn’t hesitate at all. She was very happy to hear that from John. When they got to the park where John packed his car, John opened his boot and dropped Madison’s bags. Madison had already sat in the front seat waiting for John to come and drive her home. John closed the boot after dropping the bags and went straight to the driver’s seat. He knew Madison was so tired, but the most amazing part of it was that he didn’t know what made her got tired. He decided to ask her so that it won’t get bored on their way home. John ignited the car engine and headed straight to Madison’s home. He knows the place and there was no reason for him to ask for the direction to the place. On their way home, both of them had several questions to ask themselves but that didn’t show on their face at all. As they were going home, both of them started talking at the same time. Madison wanted to ask John a question and at the same time, John wanted to ask some questions too. Immediately John noticed that he then told Madison to go ahead and ask her own questions. They both grinned and looked at each other’s face. Madison then started and said to him, I know it wasn’t easy for you then, but you ought to have told me before leaving, I will understand you better, but you just left like you got nobody here. Moreover, when did you come back to town? And what were you doing over there on the ferry? I am very sorry for that and I think I’ve said that several times today. I came back to town a week ago and I have tried to see you since then, but I really don’t know how to see you. I then decided to go to your house but unfortunately for me, I met no one. I then decided to be on my own since, but I know we will somehow meet each other one day which we did today. I am so glad to see your face again. John replied with a full serious look. Alright, so what do you come to do in town? Madison asked. I have actually come back home fully and I am also here to support my brother’s campaign here in town. John replied. Wow! Good idea, what have you been doing since all this while you’ve left town. Madison asked Oh! I completed my course and I also applied for my master’s immediately which I am through with. I have enrolled for my doctorate degree, but I have stopped that because of the campaign I came for, you know I need to be available always and I have to attend some meetings too. John replied. Oh really, you mean you are done with your masters. I have completed mine too and I am on my doctorate degree now. I have done a lot of research and paper works, but I need some rest, which is why I am going home. I don’t really think you should stop your doctorate degree because of your brother’s campaign, you can do that on a weekly basis; I mean you can choose a day or two in a week. Madison replied with a piece of advice. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate you. I am glad to know that you have started your doctorate degree. John replied. I will like to have a dinner with you tonight, will you be available for that. I really want to speak with about some crucial things. I will really appreciate it if you can make it tonight. I have missed you and I am sure you have missed me too. John explained. I missed you too, but I am very sorry, I can’t go out with you tonight. I know how it feels and it’s very obvious that we have missed ourselves, but it’s not just easy for me to start going out with you immediately, after leaving me for a very long time. I am sorry I can’t do such. Madison explained to John and gave her reasons. Well, I understand you more than you can think of. John replied. Deep down in M
adison, she was not really happy with the response she gave but she just wanted to feel secure and not played upon by John. She was very surprised with the way she had been conversing with John even though they had seen each other for a very long time. She still feels a spark of attraction for him, but she doesn’t want to look cheap or played upon. She still feels hurt and confused as to why he just disappeared so abruptly from her life without a word.

  CHAPTER 2

  After talking for a while, they arrived at Madison’s home. John didn’t want anybody to notice him at her house. He was afraid of her family will say to him. He helped Madison to drop her bags from the boot and he also opened the door for her. She gave a hug and she really thanked him for the ride he gave her. John doesn’t feel like he did anything special for her, after all, they used to be lovers. He nodded his head in response to what she said and told her that she is always welcome. “I will do anything just to make you happy,” John said to her. Madison replied him and said “Thank you very much for being there”. John went back into his car and drove off. Madison waved to him as he was going before she picked her and moved in. When Madison entered the house, she saw Antonia and Cecilia in the living room watching TV. Immediately she shut the door, Antonia and Cecilia knew someone was at the door but they didn’t know it was Madison. When they saw her, they were thrilled to see her and they were both happy to see her again. Cecilia helped her with her bags and she carried them into Madison’s room. Antonia, on the other hand, was very happy to see her daughter again. Before they started they their conversation, Madison asked for her stepfather, Colin. Antonia answered her and said he had travelled for a business trip. Madison also asked for Bobby, her younger brother, and she was told that he had gone to school and that he will be back in the weekend. Madison was glad to hear that everyone was fine at home. She moved closer to her mother and gave her a hug. She told her mum that she had missed her and everyone at home. Antonia replied her that she had missed her too and that they need to talk about what she just heard. Before she said what she heard, Madison told her that she saw John at the ferry and that he was the one that dropped her home before he left. Antonia was stunned to hear that, he couldn’t believe John and Madison had seen each other even before she came home. As they were talking, Cecilia came out of the room where she went to drop Madison’s bags. Antonia quickly told Cecilia to go and set the table for dinner so that Madison could eat. She knew Madison would be hungry and that she needs to taste a better meal since she had left home for his Doctorate degree. Cecilia did as her mum had said; she went straight to the kitchen to get the food served on the dining table. After Cecilia had left, Madison told her mum, Antonia, that she needs to take a shower before eating in order to have a better gist; she needs to take a bath and feel relaxed so that they can talk better. Antonia had no choice than to allow her to have a shower before they could continue with their discussion but deep down in her mind she was kind of upset because of what Madison had told her about John, that he gave her a ride home. She was very sure that they must have talked about something before Madison could allow him to give her a ride home. She never wanted Madison to continue the relationship with John simply because of what had happened after Emily’s death. She looked worried a bit after Madison had left for the bathroom. She thought of things she could do to separate them but at the moment she was unable to figure out anything because of it looks sudden to her and she really was expecting such thing. Few minutes after, Cecilia came out of the kitchen to inform Madison and Antonia that the table is set for dinner. Surprisingly, she didn’t find Madison in the living room. She asked for her from her mother, Antonia and she told her that she had left for the bathroom. Cecilia sat down waiting for Madison to come out of her room. As they were waiting for her, Antonia tapped Cecilia and told her about what John did for Madison that evening. Cecilia was shocked when she had John’s name, she thought something bad has happened to him. But when Antonia finished her talking, she felt relaxed. Obviously, Cecilia likes John but due to what happened she felt confused. Although John’s action showed that he was more or less like a crook by leaving the town. Cecilia couldn’t know exactly what to say, she didn’t know John had come back to town, she was just hearing this for the first time. She then replied, “I don’t think there is anything wrong in that. Obviously, John and Madison used to be a lover before the occurrence, they can continue with their affair if they still feel something great for each other”. Antonia was stunned to hear this from Cecilia; she thought Cecilia will be on her side by rejecting Madison and John’s affair. She told her to shut up and never to intervene into the matter whenever they are discussing it. As they were talking to each other, Madison had already finished her bath. She put on her pyjamas and her slippers like someone preparing to go bed, but in her own case she was about to have dinner. She stepped out of her room and moved to the living room where her Mum and her sister were sitting. Immediately her Mum, Antonia saw her, she led her to the dining table where the food had already been served. They all had their seat and ready to have dinner. Antonia told Madison to say the Lord’s Prayer before they start eating. Madison told everyone to close their eyes and she said the Lord’s Prayer. They all started eating. “Good meal” Madison commented on the taste of the food. As they were having their meal, Madison continued her discussion with her Mum. She told her all that had happened during her Doctorate degree, the stress she had and how she was able to go about it. She also talked about how tasking her course was. As she was talking about what she heard in school, Antonia was just listening, she was responding but not as she did when they were talking about John. Cecilia was enjoying the conversation because she loves Biochemistry too, but she was still in high school then. Madison noticed that her Mum was not really following what she was saying, she then decided to change the topic and talked about what John told her. Suddenly, Antonia asked what John told her. Madison replied her and said, “John asked to come and join him in a restaurant tonight, but I declined that. I decided not to follow him because of how he just disappeared on me”. “Yes! You have done well by not going out with him. I heard he came to town because of his brother’s campaign. Lawrence, his brother is running for the Governor of the state and he needs his brother for the campaign and all that. I never knew you two will see each other so soon but let me warn you, you shouldn’t get involved in his campaign thing” Madison looked furious with the advice her Mum gave her, she tried to defend John by saying, “He had already told me that and we have talked about it. He also told me he is now back fully, I told him he can’t continue running and perhaps, will he keep running for his entire life. I know he is not guilty for Emily’s death but he scared and that is why he decided to leave the town”. Antonia started laughing when she heard Madison’s reply, even though Madison sounds weak due to the fact that she had no strong evidence to defend her point. Moreover, John looks guilty by running away. Cecilia looked confused as they were talking about the issue; she tried to ask for more details from Madison because she knew her Mum won’t give her the detail. Cecilia decided to ask Madison about what happened and why everyone thinks John was responsible for Emily’s death. She was young then, but she doesn’t really know all that happened. She knew John used to come to their house then, but suddenly, she didn’t see him any more until they started talking about him that evening. Madison didn’t hesitate to tell her the true story, she started narrating the whole story to Cecilia by saying, it all happened like this: Five years ago, there was a clambake that all the residents of Cider Creek, which is the upscale section for Cape Haltom, had to attend. Everyone in the neighbourhood was there and I have to be present at the party. Seafood’ were used to be served, since I was dating John and Emily, who happens to be a friend (but not very close) of mine was dating Jay, John’s friend. John took me to the party as his date and Emily went to the party as Jay’s date. Emily and I were friends from childhood, but we were not really close when we grow up, maybe due to distance or something else, but we w
ere able to spend much time together during that summer because our boyfriends were best friends. We went to the party that night and everyone were having fun at the party, but I was not really feeling too well, but I just have to go to the party because of John. That very night, I noticed a tension between Emily and Jay, I decided to ask Emily about it, but she locked up that night, she didn’t tell me what was going on. I called John’s attention to that and I told him to talk to Jay in order to know what was going on. I was unable to stay longer at the party; I decided to come that night in order to treat the cold I was dealing with. I tried John’s cell phone to let him know that I was going but to my utmost surprise, his number was not going through. I left the party for home without seeing anyone of them. After I had come home, John tried to reach me but amazingly to him, I had already got home. He later found out I had gone home when we spoke on the phone and I told him to please help me talk to Jay in order to know what happened between him and his girlfriend, Emily. Surprisingly, we got a call the next morning from Wendy, who happens to be Mum’s friend and Emily’s Mum. She called in a panic to inform us that Emily had never come home the night before. I was stunned to hear that Emily had never come home the night before. I picked up my cell phone and put a call to John to inform him about what I just heard about. Mum and I decided to go Wendy’s house, I tried to explain the whole situation to her but to my utmost surprise, Jay, Emily’s boyfriend said Emily left the party the same time I left the party, which I didn’t know at all. The last time I saw Emily was when she was speaking with Jay and Georgina. I was unable to tell them that I was leaving because I was only looking for John to tell him I was leaving. I was fuzzy on the information because I really wasn’t feeling well that night and I didn’t pay more attention to what was going on. After few hours when we didn’t see any sign of Emily, we decided to set up a search party. John had come around wondering where Emily could have gone to. John and I decided to look for her at the beach maybe she was drunk and fell asleep in the beach. Other people had gone to look for her in other places where they think she could have gone to. John and I walked along part of the beach that borders the estate where John’s family lives. I wanted to search the estate, but John talked me out it, saying it would be a complete waste of time. We continue to search for her but we found nothing, we decided to go back to Wendy’s house. As we were going back, suddenly, we noticed a commotion in front of the Olsen’s compound. We rushed up to see what was happening but to our highest surprise, we found out that Emily’s body was lying on the ground very close to where Lawrence, John’s brother lives with his newlywed wife. I was shocked, so do John too. I left for home with the hope that I will talk to John later. Before I got home, John had already called me several times, but when I called him back, I was able to get only voice mail. John came to see me later, but he doesn’t stay long. I knew he was troubled, but there wasn’t I could do at that moment. I tried to press him to know what went wrong but he, unfortunately, Mum came to interrupt saying we have to go to Wendy’s place. I left John that very day with the hope of seeing him in the evening or the next day, but something else happened. I couldn’t see him again until today on the ferry which was five years after the incidence. I wondered why he left like that. After narrating the whole story to Cecilia, Cecilia felt confused and asked a very tangible question as to why John left the town immediately after the incidence. He made it look as if he was the murderer. Madison couldn’t know the answer to the question but deep down in her, she trusts John to an extent. They all went to their bedroom after finishing the discussion to have a night rest. They greeted themselves good night and they went to their separate bedroom. Madison went into her bedroom with a wondering heart. She was wondering about the question Cecilia asked, that why did John leave the town so soon. Madison still wonders why John could have done such a thing, but her trust for him was still very firm. She fell asleep as she was thinking about the whole issue.