Chapter101A Day Together
When Madison awoke the next day, it was nearly noon. She found herself enveloped in a warm embrace, and upon opening her eyes, Matthew's face was just inches away.
His soft breaths, long eyelashes, and serene eyes all closed in peaceful slumber.
Madison shifted in bed, contemplating getting up, but he tightened his embrace and mumbled, "Let's sleep a bit more."
"I'm gonna freshen up," Madison said, squirming away and darting into the bathroom.
Understanding her shy disposition, Matthew refrained from attempting to halt her.
As Madison left the bed, a sudden emptiness enveloped him, and the bed felt less inviting without her presence. Reluctantly, he sat up and donned a bathrobe.
Then he called the hotel's restaurant to arrange for lunch to be delivered to the room.
Wrapped in a bathrobe, Madison emerged from the bathroom. Yesterday's clothes were a no-go, and her luggage was in the next room.
She saw Matthew, also robbed, on the phone.
"I'll go change," she mouthed, not wanting to interrupt.
Seeing her, Matthew ended the call with, "That'll be all, thanks," and stopped Madison. "I ordered room service for lunch. It'll be here soon. Come back once you're changed."
"Got it," Madison responded, heading to the adjoining room.
Matthew watched her leave with a fond smile gracing his lips. Only after hearing the door next door did he finally make his way to the bathroom to get ready.
Returning, Madison was dressed casually in a white, thin-knit sweater, black trousers, and sneakers. Meanwhile, Matthew had also changed into a crisp white shirt and black pants.
Blushing silently, Madison thought they unintentionally matched like a couple.
With a playful demeanor, Matthew grinned and pretended not to notice as he took her hand, leading her to the table where lunch had just been served.
Both were famished, looking at the spread of delicacies before them.
While savoring the meal, Matthew asked, "What do you say we explore the city today? Any place in mind?"
Madison had only loosely planned, assuming the competition would consume most of their time. However, with the finals scheduled for the day after next, today presented the perfect opportunity for an outing.
Remembering Matthew's fluent French, she felt the idea of him as a guide quite enticing.
"I didn't really make plans, thinking we wouldn't have time," Madison admitted, unsure of where exactly she wanted to go.
"Leave it to me," Matthew said, picking up a small pastry and offering it to her. Not accustomed to such closeness, Madison's cheeks flushed.
"I can manage," she said shyly.
However, Matthew didn't lower his hand; instead, he held the pastry steady with a gentle smile on his face. Madison couldn't resist and opened her mouth to accept the cake.
The hotel's food was quite good. The little cake was delicious and not overly sweet.
After finishing their treat, Matthew took her out.
These past couple of days had introduced Madison to a different side of Matthew.
He was tender and considerate, showing great attention to detail, and his knowledge seemed boundless. At every site they visited, he could share a multitude of facts and stories.
He seemed determined to showcase the best the world had to offer, ensuring she felt the joy he brought into her life.
Together, they climbed the Eiffel Tower and stood on the observation deck, admiring the scenic views of Paris. They spotted the Arc de Triomphe, symbolizing Napoleon's victory, and marveled at the Louvre's treasures. Matthew shared his knowledge with Madison, pointing out various pieces.
Eventually, they strolled hand in hand down the Champs-Élysées, famously known as "the most beautiful avenue in the world," a popular gathering place for the masses. They frequented this street many times over the past two days, savoring the atmosphere without any particular interest in shopping. They enjoyed operas at the theater and browsed through various exhibitions. The pace and rhythm of these activities were intoxicating.
Street performers, artists, and sometimes homeless individuals were engrossed in their activities. Couples, visibly in love and dressed strikingly, stood together, enjoying the sounds of the bustling crowd. They savored the laid-back afternoons and the lively atmosphere of the place.
It was a love straight out of a fairy tale.
Matthew also saw a different side of Madison. Cheerful, radiant, and sometimes feisty, with a strong bohemian spirit.
Finally, they dropped all pretenses and revealed their true selves to one another.
They reached the fountains of the Gardens of Versailles, where Matthew suddenly kissed her gently amidst the crowded garden, culminating in a tight embrace.
It wasn't the child or anything else that drew them together. It was simply because she was Madison.
With the final competition looming the next day, they enjoyed dinner at an outdoor restaurant before returning to the hotel.
At first, Madison was nervous about the finals, but her time with Matthew had helped calm her down. Winning would be nice, but she was okay either way. She had tried her best and was ready to keep going. Her love for design wouldn't change, and one competition wouldn't make her love it any less.
After heading upstairs, Madison intended to retreat to her own room, but Matthew insisted on not letting her go, making her think it might be best for them to spend the night apart.
"I've got a big game to get up early for tomorrow. You should sleep by yourself tonight." Her cheeks flushed with the memory of the previous evening as she spoke.
"All right," Matthew agreed without fuss.
Feeling relieved by his response, Madison worried that he might insist and try to take her back to his room, and then she might find herself giving in once more.
Taking out her key card, she opened the door, only for Matthew to squeeze in behind her.
"What are you doing here?" Madison asked, bewildered.
"If you don't stay in my room, I guess I'll just have to stay in yours." He said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world and then casually made himself at home on the bed.
Just when he had gotten his wife back, and she was right there, there was no way he could bear sleeping alone.
"You should take a shower first. Take a break," Matthew told Madison.
Having no other option but to accept the situation, she retrieved her pajamas from her suitcase and made her way to the bathroom for a shower, knowing they had an early start the next day.
As soon as Madison went into the bathroom, Matthew quickly returned to his room, packed up his things, and moved them to Madison's room. Then, he canceled his own reservation with a brief phone call.
The idea of staying in separate rooms was out of the question for him.
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