Chapter 148
Yohannes sighed softly, looking a bit lonely as he leaned against the corner seat. He seemed out of place in the midst of all the celebration.
Gavin, who would usually get fired up around him, surprisingly couldn’t muster the energy to be mad. Otherwise, he’d be falling right into Yohannes‘ trap. Well, I’m the Sunny Boy after all. What can’t I handle? Trying to look pitiful? How ridiculous!‘ Gavin thought.
With that, he quickly changed the subject. “Madeline, I’ve realized something important.”
Madeline raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s that?”
The more I spend, the brighter your smile gets,” Gavin teased.
Madeline chuckled. “Gavin, can you not make me sound so materialistic?” She smiled. “Sure, I like nice things, but at least don’t say it out loud. I’m still a girl–you’ve gotta save my pride.”
Gavin nodded with a grin. “Of course. It’s all about maintaining a reputation. No matter what, I won’t let you lose face.”
The conversation flowed smoothly, and soon the dishes were served. Yohannes glanced at Madeline, who was glowing under the warm light, her smile sweet. He felt a pang of self–consciousness. When Madeline suddenly turned to him, Yohannes instinctively hardened his expression, showing a cold, stoic face.
“Yohannes, aren’t you hungry?” Madeline asked with a warm smile. “I remember you used to love fish.” She placed a piece of fish on his plate and added, “Don’t just sit there in a daze–eat up! I know you’re an entertainer, but fish won’t make you gain weight.”
Yohannes blinked, momentarily surprised, then nodded. “Thank you.”
Even though Madeline continued talking with the others, she kept Yohannes in her peripheral vision. Gavin, noticing this, sighed inwardly. ‘Madeline really knows how to manage everyone. “Maddie, I want some fish too,” he said playfully.
Madeline smiled and handed him a piece. Gavin leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Feed me,” he said. Madeline’s hand trembled slightly before she pulled the fish back and ate it herself.
“You’re so cold,” Gavin pouted, giving her a pitiful look. If he had a tail, it would have been drooping. “I guess now that you have a new favorite, you don’t care about me anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Madeline gritted her teeth and placed another piece of fish on his plate. She couldn’t help but smile helplessly.
Gavin beamed. “Food tastes even better when it’s from you, Maddie.”
Wesley took a sip of water, watching the banter. Meanwhile, Madeline filled Wesley’s bowl with chowder. “Wesley, you’re still recovering. Have some chowder to warm your stomach,” she said softly.
Wesley smiled. “Thanks,” he replied, noticing the subtle tension between Yohannes and Gavin. They were young, and it showed in how they navigated these dynamics.
In truth, Wesley had a more pessimistic view of life. Knowing that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, he chose not to get too involved in Madeline’s world. He believed the fewer traces he left in her life, the better.
Wesley was probably the only one in the Phantom Organization who truly understood that love meant letting go.
Madeline, sensing something in Wesley’s eyes, couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a bit distant. “Wesley, stay positive. You’ll heal soon, and you’ll be the coolest guy again,” she said, her voice full of hope.
Wesley nodded. “Okay.”
Madeline pursed her lips. “Take it easy, all right?”
Nolan chimed in, “Maddie, don’t worry. I’ve got it covered. It’s just a minor injury anyway; he’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be fine?” Wesley’s eyes narrowed. ‘Easy for you to say. I’m the one who’s hurting,‘ he thought helplessly.
Nolan glanced sideways at him, calm and confident. To Nolan, that injury constituted as a minor one, hardly worth the concern.
Caleb, however, smiled quietly. “For us, this kind of injury is nothing. But next time, if the explosion’s a bit worse, we might not be able to save you. Just because you’re capable doesn’t mean you should take unnecessary risks,” he said seriously.
Wesley sighed again. “I know.” Then, he added, “Let’s not bring it up. Today’s about celebrating the grand opening of Maddie’s studio.”
The weather was getting colder. Autumn in Acocester was unpredictable, and the weather could drop in just half an hour. Madeline was studying diligently, balancing classes and exam prep. Her days were full, and after finishing her time at the library, she headed out alone.
1/2
Chapter 148
The cold wind blew, making her shiver slightly. She hugged her books closer, noticing how pale her hands looked in the chill. “Weather’s crazy. How does it change so fast?” she muttered, rubbing her hands together as she walked to the bus stop, intent on heading home.
Just then, a car pulled up beside her, and a young man in his carly 20s got out. He looked gentle and refined. “Miss, it’s tough to catch a taxi here. If your destination’s nearby, I can give you a ride,” he offered politely.
Madeline waved him off. “Thanks, but I’ll just take the bus.”
“The bus just left,” the man pointed out. “Are you sure you want to wait? It might rain soon.”
Madeline paused, checking her phone for the weather. “You’re right,” she admitted. “Thanks for the offer, but I can call someone to pick me up.”
“Boyfriend?” Nick asked, sounding curious.
Madeline pressed her lips together. “No,” she said. “If you’ve got nothing else, you can go now.”
Nick drove slowly a bit further, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. He hesitated, then stopped again. “I’m not a bad guy. Come on, let me take you home,” he insisted.
Madeline, now irritated, didn’t respond. Just then, the bus arrived. Without a word, she boarded, ignoring him entirely. She might have been beautiful, but her distant demeanor made it clear she wasn’t someone casily approached.
Nick watched the bus pull away, his phone ringing just then. “Nick, when are you coming back to the capital?” came his mother, Emma Horton’s voice from the other end.
“Mom, I’m trying to get to know my fiancée. The thing is, she doesn’t seem to recognize me,” Nick replied calmly.
“All right, all right. Keep trying to reach out to Maddie,” Emma advised. “It’ll be perfect if you both come to like each other. Take your time and treat her well. It’s not about your background. What matters most is that you two are a good fit, right?”
Nick smiled. “Mom, I know you love pushing me to get married, but stop bugging me about it. Go pester my brother instead.”
He hung up the phone and sighed, watching the bus disappear down the road. ‘Madeline really is something else, he thought. ‘But it seems she’s not interested in me at all.
Nick, being the gentleman he was, wouldn’t force anything if it wasn’t meant to be. He thought for a moment and quickly made arrangements for the academic exchange.
‘I can’t rush things with Madeline, but this will give me the perfect reason to get to know her better, slowly and legitimately, he mused. As for Madeline, she had no idea she’d become Nick’s fiancée.
