Chapter91Avoiding Him

That afternoon, Madison received a message from Matthew on Facebook.

“Grandpa said dinner tonight at The Old Residence. Where are you? I'll pick you up after work.”

Reading the message on her phone, Madison's heart started pounding, replaying the conversation from the previous night. She didn't want to see him, especially since she had already made plans with Rachel to enjoy beef hotpot that evening. After a short hesitation, she replied to his message.

Madison replied, “I’ve already got dinner plans with a friend tonight so that I won't make it. I'll give Grandpa a call later.”

“Who are you going out with?”

Matthew, eager for a response from Madison, was taken aback when she mentioned dining with someone else. Was it Nicholas?

Madison felt annoyed by his nosy tone. Why did she have to report her dinner plans to him anyway? She tossed her phone aside in frustration. Half an hour later, she wrapped up her work, called Rachel, and they left the studio together to go to the supermarket.

Matthew, restless and without a reply from Madison, paced back and forth in his office. He tugged at the tie around his neck, unable to focus on any of the documents or reports on his desk. Finally, he grabbed his coat and stormed out.

Matthew parked his car outside New River Gardens, his mind swirling with images of Madison having dinner with someone else. Uncertain of her whereabouts but consumed by his thoughts, he sat there, contemplating what to do next.

He hadn't expected to see her so soon after his arrival, but there she was—Madison stepping out of a car, laughing with the driver, a girl he vaguely recognized. She was the godmother of Quentin and Hannah. It appeared they'd just returned from shopping.

So, when she said she had dinner plans, was it simply cooking at home with Quentin and Hannah's godmother?

The restlessness that had plagued him all afternoon began to dissipate as he watched Madison, this woman who charmed him unwittingly, hauling two bags of groceries upstairs with her friend by her side.

Sitting in his car, Matthew felt like a voyeur, reluctant yet undeniably eager to know everything about her. He waited until their figures disappeared into the building before driving off toward The Old Residence.

Madison and Rachel had scooped up quite a haul from the supermarket. No sooner had they opened the door to their apartment than Rachel was drawn to the large bouquet of red roses on the table.

Clutching her bags of food, she rushed to the table, exclaiming, "Oh my god, Madison, who sent this gigantic bouquet of roses? What happened when I was gone?"

The roses had been left there by Matthew the previous night, untouched since.

"Uh..." Madison blushed, a little embarrassed.

Rachel, picking up on Madison's awkwardness, ventured a guess. "Don't tell me...these are from Matthew?"

"How did you know?" Madison asked incredulously, her eyes wide in shock. How could Rachel have guessed?

Rachel carried the groceries to the kitchen as if the revelation was the most natural thing in the world. "Do you have any idea what store these roses are from?"

Madison shook her head blankly.

"Madison, these flowers are from the most renowned florist in Horizon City. They exclusively offer roses flown in directly from France. A single rose from there is a luxury to this entire bouquet? I couldn't afford it even if I spent my whole life trying. Why? Because they're costly," explained Rachel.

"So, how did you know it was him?" Madison still didn't follow.

Rachel shook her head and sighed softly. "Who else can afford something like this—like paying a down payment on a house for a bouquet? Besides Matthew, who else do you know that wealthy?"

The extravagance dumbfounded Madison. If only she'd known, she would've made him take it back. Such a waste of money. It'd only wither in a week, she thought. What's the point?

Seeing Madison's expression, Rachel guessed what she was thinking. "Seriously, Maddy, don't even worry about Matthew's wallet. This is just pocket change for him. Let's grab a couple of vases, unpack these, and give the place a little spruce up."

While Madison was on the hunt for vases, Rachel couldn't hold back her curiosity, "Spill the beans, Maddy. What's the deal with you and Matthew? Are you guys, like... patching things up?"

Madison placed the vases on the table before recounting to Rachel how Matt had come over the night before.

"So, what? You said yes?" pressed Rachel.

"No, he asked me to think it over before giving him an answer," replied Madison, her gaze fixed on the roses Rachel had just trimmed—undeniably beautiful.

"Yeah, you're right. Don't let him win you back so easily—at least make him some trouble. Otherwise, he's getting off too easy." Rachel teased with a laugh.

Though it was clear to any onlooker that Madison had never really let go of Matthew, everyone knows that what comes too easily is seldom valued.

Madison's own thoughts were far simpler, however. She was just unsure if Matt really loved her. She didn’t want either of them to end up repeating past mistakes.

Madison put the roses in vases and then started cooking dinner in the kitchen. She chose a simple beef hotpot. She told Rachel to relax and offered her to check out the house. Madison also mentioned that the spare bedroom was ready for Rachel to use.

Rachel couldn't wait to dash to the bedroom, where she found everything meticulously prepared by Madison, even the fresh sheets on the bed, leaving her deeply touched.

The two enjoyed the beef hotpot together, each nursing a bottle of fruit wine, and Rachel ended up staying over for the night.

*

Madison stayed busy with work, avoiding Matthew, while Rachel handled the kids' schedules. When Matthew bumped into Madison, he felt awkward about going back home with her.

After a couple of days, Matthew’s curiosity about Madison's profession grew. Seeing Rachel, the godmother he’d met a few times, picking up the kids sparked his curiosity even further, compelling him to inquire about Madison's job.

Feeling that Madison's achievements needn't be kept secret from Matthew, Rachel candidly filled him in.

Matthew had recently learned that the two people were the brains behind the brand "SeCret," with Madison as its lead designer. He'd heard of "SeCret" before, knowing it had some reputation in certain circles. Memories flashed back of seeing her sketching at the villa, something he'd thought was just a hobby. He hadn't realized how brightly she had already shone.

After a week without a single sighting of Madison, Matthew started to sense something was off.

She was avoiding him.






True Love After Divorce
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