Chapter 10 – Dinner and Laughter
Despite the drama of the morning Madeline decided that the day could still be useful and went to work. She threw herself into her work, putting her personal problems aside while she focused on contracts, emails, and meetings
Even though she was won out by the evening, she was happy to have worked in a concentrated setting all day. She gathered her belongings and made her way home, anticipating a restful
evening
farrived home early. His placid demeanor, sitting by the
She made her way to the room and halted in surprise as she got there, it didn’t look like Sebastian had left at all, or that he had arr window with a book in hand, looked old to her after the turmoil of the past few days,
“Fancy meeting you here” she said, her voice calm but tinged with icom.
He looked up his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Where have you been, Madeline?
“At work” the replied, setting her bag down.
“All day? Till now? What happened to working from home!”
“Yes. I have meetings and deals to close” she met his gaze coolly, wondering if he was trying to pick a fight.
Sebastian closed his book and got up, stepping towards her,
“Maddie, it’s not what you think. I promise. I contacted that woman about our wedding” he said, his voice softening,
*We were supposed to meet and plan some surprise arrangements for you, when I ran into a little accident”
Madeline’s heart was racing as she gazed at him. She felt herself beginning to mistreat him for a second since he could be so effortlessly and brazenly look her in the eyes. She then swiftly aecalled his actions, the way he had looked at the other woman, and the way she had looked back at him. She laughed, but there was a cruel, frigidedge to her laughter.
“Did your little friend tell you about what happened earlier today?” she asked, turning away to the mirror to remove her jewelry,
Sebastian stepped back slightly, watching her,
“I scolded her severely and told her she needed to apologize to you. I’m really sorry about everything, Maddie. I never meant to hurt you
Her expression remained composed as she removed her earrings and placed them on the table.
“It’s ollary, Sebastian” she murmured, averting his stare as she unhooked her necklace while continuing to face the mirror. He reached for her arm as she turned around, his hand lingering in a way that may have been consoling at one point
For a little minute, Madeline looked at him, catching a glimpse of the man she had loved, the one who had given her a sense of security and affection. For an instant, she could feel herself beginning to doubt whether he really intended to make amends, but then memories of their closeness and joy flooded back, along with pictures of him with that other woman and her heart hardened once
*I’m tired, Sebastian. I needtorest” she said, her voice cold ass
d her ha
and burned away, lying down on the bed.
She sensed his attention on her, looking for any indication that she was becoming more receptive open to communication. However, she waited motionless until she heard him shift to the other side of the bed and sigh quietly.
The gave herself a little, contented smile as she fell asleep, understanding that she lud, for the time being at least, ended any talk he had hoped to have
Madeline got out of bed early the following morning and shipped out before Sebastian woke up. A tiny sense of satisfaction warmed her at the idea of departing without a reason, as he had so frequently done to her, and she dressed swiftly, moving lightly and quietly.
.
After getting ready, she headed to work and decided to remain late, purposefully packing her day full with work to prevent leaving the office early, her phone pinged as she was working. She looked at it with a small frown, shocked to see a message from an unknown number,
“Hello there”
A moment later, another message came in,
“It’s Jacob” it read, and she smiled faintly, remembering the kind, handsome stranger from the bridal shop
Hinary humor lifted her spirits in a way she hadn’t anticipated during their brief but cordial messaging conversation, he soon proposed that they get together after work, and she accepted after giving it some thought
e was waiting for her by a comfortable corner table when she
The day passed witly, and she was feeling both anxious and excited by the time she concluded her most recent meeting. He was arrived at the restaurant where they had decided to meet up
As soon as he spotted her, he got to his feet, offering her a chala with a kind and inviting smile.
e, feeling lighter than she had in days.
“It’s wonderfull sering you again” he said, his voice smooth and sincere. His eyes held a twinkle that made her smile, The conversation owed naturally as they placed their orders, and jacob’s presence was a welcome diversion. She felt seen and heard for the first time in a long time, as if Jiesh arnually
cared about what the had to say.
The evening llew by, full of stories, laughing, and a sense of camaraderie she hadn’t experienced in a long time
“So tell me your story, why aren’t you getting that dress anymore? He asked
