ROMANCE: The Surprise That Rocked Me

by Linda Wright

  CHAPTER 7

  After driving for some minutes, they finally got to their favourite restaurant. It’s been long they have gone out together. Both of them were very excited about that, but Madison was still feeling unhappy with John. They alighted from the car after parking at the restaurant parking space. John quickly opened the door for Madison in order to let her in, he said to her “Ladies first, always”. The attendant at the restaurant was very happy to see the two of them together again; after hearing so many rumours that the two of them had broken up. She quickly rushed to them and she led them to their seat. She welcomed them to the restaurant once more and she opened up her mind that she was very glad to see the of them at the restaurant after few years. It’s been long she had been working at the restaurant and she used to be the one to attend to them anytime they go out there on a date. She likes John and Madison together, and whenever they are out there on a date, she is always the one to attend to them. After taking a look at the food menu at the restaurant, Madison ordered a vegetable soup while John ordered a spaghetti soup with wild mushroom. They informed the restaurant attendant to give them a bottle of white wine and two bottles of water. The girl (restaurant attendant) quickly rushed to the kitchen to get the food served. After the girl (restaurant attendant) left their table, they started talking about how they both missed the restaurant and how amazing the musical band at the restaurant was. As they were seriously talking about the restaurant and the amazing thing they’ve missed, the girl at the restaurant brought their ordered food to their table. They felt good when the food arrived, the quickly adjust their seats in order to let the girl serve the food. After serving the food, the girl left their table with the serving tray. They opened the food and started eating. “Nice taste” Madison appreciated the food taste. “Yes, I really love the taste. It’s been long I’ve had this taste”. John replied. As they eating the food, John noticed Madison’s mood had changed. She was not responding as she was doing earlier. John grabbed her hand and told her that he knows he has a lot to explain about all that happened. He explained further that he knows Madison has a lot of questions to ask and he is ready to give answers to every question she has in mind. Madison was looking at the soup she was eating when John started talking, immediately she heard that he is ready to answer her questions, she quickly looked up. Deep down in her, she knows John has a soft mind with her, but she felt confused about his attitude after Emily’s death. Madison decided to ask her some few questions, she asked him “Why did you leave the town without letting me know about it?” John was very surprised to hear that from Madison, he felt he had explained to her earlier but in order to let her know that he is clean; he decided to tell her the truth. He said to her, “Leaving the town was my own personal idea but I just have to do it in order let things be. I should have told you about it at first, but I was not allowed to see anyone before leaving. I wanted to let Jay know about it so that he can convey the message to you, but I was told not to inform or call anyone at that moment” John explained himself. “I know it feels hard to believe that, but I am telling the truth you need to know on this” He added. “I have heard you, but I felt disappointed when I heard you’ve left town” Madison replied. John was about to respond to what Madison just said when Georgina interrupted them. John was shocked to see her; he was really furious to see Georgina at the restaurant. Madison was also shocked to see her, she felt uncomfortable with her presence. Georgina had been hanging around John’s house for a while now. She was actually doing this in order to get the attention of John and because her parents are potential big money contributors to Lawrence’s campaign. She works at the foundation and this gave her the opportunity to visit the Yardley’s’ house because they also work at the foundation. She really wanted John and she had been flirting with him, but John has not responded to her. Georgina then decided to say false things about John to Madison so that Madison could stop going out with John but to her greatest surprise, she saw them together again at the restaurant. She then decided to hint Madison that she has been going out with John before Madison’s arrival. She continued by saying she was very close to John and that they have made love times without number. She was saying this in the presence of all other people in the restaurant, but John denied all that she said in Madison’s presence. Madison was really confused; she had already heard something of such from Georgina earlier in the morning when they met at the popular path while Madison was jogging. doesn’t feel comfortable anymore with the presence of Georgina at that restaurant; she then decided to take her leave. As she was about to stand up from her seat, John grabbed her hand and told her all Georgina had said were lies against him. Madison told John to leave her hand, but John wanted her to listen to him, but Madison forced her hand from him. John could tell from her look that Madison didn’t believe him, but she believed Georgina. Madison left the restaurant with anger and she told John that she will find her own way back home. John looked worried and furious with what Georgina just caused. He yelled at her and asked her why she misled Madison. Georgina shows no remorse and she told John he doesn’t belong to Madison. She said to him, “I am just trying to be of help to you and I am also doing you a favour because reuniting with her will only lead to more trouble” “Georgina, I don’t really need your help on this. I will want you to please go on your way and let me be” John replied with anger. John felt uncomfortable talking to Georgina in the restaurant. He was more concerned with setting things straight with Madison. He quickly rushed to the cashier to pay the bill for the food they ordered before leaving the restaurant. Before he could get to the bus stop, Madison had already gone. He went back to the car park where he parked his car and drove home.

  CHAPTER 8

  Antonia, Colin and Cecilia were having lunch in the dining room when Madison came in. She was furious with what happened at the restaurant. She went to her bedroom upstairs without greeting anyone of them. They all wondered what could have happened to her and why she went up without saying a word. Antonia said she might be angry because something bad might have occurred between her and John. Cecilia also said the same thing because of the way she dressed, like someone who went out on a date. Antonia said with an angry voice that why will Madison go out with John after all that had happened, and after all that John had done to her. Cecilia was amazed to hear that from her Mum, Antonia, she then decided to ask her why she said Madison should not move closer to John again. Antonia replied her and said she thinks John had something to do with Emily’s death. Cecilia replied and said, “I am very sure you know that Bobby went to the clambake that night. On that very day, John left the beach on time, while Emily was still at the clambake. I am very sure you know the whole story, but you were just trying to protect your side of it” Colin and Antonia were tense up at that moment, they never knew Cecilia knows much about the story. They warned her not to let anyone else knows that Bobby was at the clambake. They asked her to promise them that she won’t let anyone else knows about it, and she promised not tell anyone else. The three of them know that Bobby had a crush on Emily before the incident. Colin and Antonia want the matter to stay that way so that Bobby won’t fall under suspicion. They knew the letting people know that Bobby was at the clambake will bring nothing but trouble to the whole family. Bobby’ attitude is not the one to be trusted and they also know the way he behaves to Madison. They all decided to leave the whole issue like that so that people will still look at John as being suspicious. After they all finished their lunch, Cecilia packed the dishes to the kitchen. She started washing them when she got to the kitchen before she finds out what is wrong with Madison. Antonia decided to go to Madison’s room after the meal. She gently climbed the staircase when she was going to meet Madison. Colin wanted to follow her, but Antonia insisted she can handle it perfectly. Colin then decided to go to the living room in order to watch his favourite sport. Madison had already locked herself in, she had been crying heavily on her bed since she came in. What baffled her most was all about Georgina,
she believed John could have done something with her and that is what gave her the confidence to talk about the two of the anyhow. She wanted all that that had happened between her and John to be over but surprisingly, Georgina came in again. She finds it very difficult to believe John again. Even if she believes the reason why he left without letting her know about it, will she believe him again about what Georgina had said? Even though John denied that but she still thinks there is an element of truth in that. Whenever these thoughts come to her head, she cries more. John happened to be the one she loves most. She had been into many relationships, but no one has ever handled her the way John had done. John is a matured man, he knows how to handle tough times and he respect women a lot. Madison was on her bed thinking and crying when she heard a knock on her door. At first, she never wanted to open the door but when she heard the voice of the person at the door she was confused. Antonia pleaded with her so that she can open the door and she also let her see reasons why she should let her in. Antonia let her know that a problem shared is a problem half solved. She continued by saying problems pertaining to man have to be shared so that she can share her experience with her. Madison was convinced by her Mum to open the door; she stood up from her bed and opened the door for her. Antonia was very scared when she saw her; she had never seen her in such mood. Madison had cried and her two eyes had swollen. Antonia grabbed her hands and led her to the bathroom so that she can wash off the tears on her face. After she had washed off her face, they went back to her room. Antonia gently sat her down and asked her what really happened and why she acted like that when she came back. As Madison was about to answer Antonia’s question, tears started dropping from her eyes. With the look on her face, she felt nothing but disappointment. Antonia could read that on her face, she asked her to calm down and explain herself. Antonia used her right hand to wipe off the tears on her face. Madison started explaining all that happened, she said “I was quarrelling with Bobby when John came in this morning. He asked me to go on a date with him and I used that to escape from Bobby. When we got there, we started taking and as usual we ordered for food. He knew I was angry with him with the look on my face, he then decided to tell me the truth about why he left without letting know about it. We were talking about that when Georgina suddenly interrupted. She started talking about what she and John had done when I was not around. She told John I don’t belong here and that he should stop following me. John tried to deny that, but I felt there is an element of truth in that. I told you Georgina met me on the way when I was jogging in the morning when she started saying all sort of things about her and John. At the moment, I feel used” Madison explained with tears coming out of her eyes. “Hmm! I’ve told you earlier to keep your distant from John. He is a good man, but I think there is something wrong going on in their family. I will like you to please forget about him for the moment. And for Georgina, she was just trying to scare you away from John; her parents are one of the sponsors for Lawrence campaign. She has a huge crush on John, but I don’t want you to get hurt by her. Baby please, keep your distance as I’ve said earlier” Antonia replied with a wonderful word of advice. She doesn’t talk as someone who hates John; she knew deep down in her that John is innocent. “Thank you, Mum, for your words of advice. I know you have already told me to keep my distance, but I find it difficult to resist him. I will keep to my words and make sure nothing else comes between us” Madison replied. She then thanked her Mum for always being there for her. She stood up and gave her a hug. As they hugging each other, Cecilia entered. She was very happy to see a smile on Madison’s face. Cecilia told Madison that she had already served her food and she told her to come and have her lunch on time. Cecilia led the way to the dining room and they both followed her downstairs. They all moved out of Madison’s room after one another. When they got downstairs, Colin was very glad to see them. It’s been boring alone in the living room; he was not really enjoying the show he was watching on the TV. He moved closer to them and embraces Madison. He said he knows how it feels to have a problem in a relationship, he then advised her to be strong. Colin sounds like someone who has an idea of what’s going. Madison was astonished by what Colin had just said; she looked at him with a surprise on her face. Colin started smiling when he saw the look on Madison’s face. He told her to stop looking that way and that he knows about all that happened. Colin was just saying this to calm Madison, he has an idea of what happened to her, but he does not know the full detail about it. After talking for a while, Colin was glad to see her step daughter in such happy mood. He told to come and join him in the living room after her meal. Madison insisted and said, I will like to have the meal beside you in the living room. Everybody started laughing when they heard her reply, it sounds funny to them. Colin ordered Cecilia to get Madison’s food and bring it to the living room. Colin gently led the way to the living room with Madison’s hand on his shoulder. They both sat down beside each other when they got to the living room. Cecilia brought the food to Madison and they started talking about something else as Madison was eating her lunch.