Chapter 32 Putting A Stop To It
Maddie's POV
I hardly saw Mariko today as he was in back-to-back meetings. I tossed and turned last night just thinking about moving in with him. It is a decision that needs to be thought about and not for me to jump into. I nearly took a sleeping pill again, but I had decided against it because of the decision that I needed to make.
I buried myself in work today because I was missing Mariko the entire day. He would sneak in some texts to tell me that he missed me and the meeting was boring, he wanted to see me instead, but that was about it. My mother never texted me about my father or if she was even safe. I sent her a text to make sure that she was okay.
I got up from my chair and took my mug. I needed coffee. I went to the kitchen, but Simon, one of the interns, was making himself coffee too. We have never really spoken since the club incident. "I see you looking cozy with Mariko," he stated as he stepped out of the way so that I could make myself coffee.
"Yeah, why does that matter to you?" I asked as I poured the coffee into my mug.
"I don't want to come off as mean, but people will talk. I bet that they are already noticing," he said as I turned around to face him.
"So what if they do? I have gone through worse than people can ever say to me. Mariko and I are dating and if people have a problem with that, then it is on them. I have my own issues to deal with," I replied.
"I thought that we could be friends, but I'm not sure if you would like that. I mean...after the club," he was hesitant.
"I don't make friends for a reason. I would rather be on my own than be in a company of friends," I moved past him and then I walked towards the door.
I don't know what his motive is for this, but I do not trust anyone that easily...let alone my own father, whom I still need to meet. Maybe I didn't want to meet him anymore, because of what he had done. What if he has changed? I let out a breath as I exited the kitchen but stopped in my tracks, my coffee nearly spilling onto me. My heart was racing, "Gosh," I muttered under my breath.
"Are you okay?" I looked at Mariko, who almost bumped into me.
"You should be careful." I said with irritation as I walked past him towards my desk, Mariko trailing behind me.
"I'm sorry. I got a ten-minute break. Things are...crazy," he let out a sigh as I sat down behind my desk.
"Well, is everything okay with the company? I mean this is my only hope."
"Everything is okay. It is just difficult partners." he checked the time on his Rolex "I have to head back. I will text you," he said with a little smile before leaving.
As the day eventually came to an end, I went home because Mariko was still stuck in the meeting. I took a cab to my apartment and decided that I would study. As I searched my apartment for my laptop bag, it wasn't anywhere to be found. I didn't take it with me to work, so it might be in Mariko's car, because the only extra bag that I had at work was my gym bag. It might also be at Mariko's apartment. With a sigh, I texted Mariko about it and waited for his response.
He did send me a text just when I had arrived at my apartment that he was finally done with the meeting and that he was going home. I waited and waited but no response from him. So, I dressed in comfortable clothing, the usual black leggings, sneakers, and hoodie and I hailed a cab to take me to Mariko's apartment.
I paid the cab driver when we pulled up by Mariko's apartment. It felt like forever when I was in the elevator because I desperately wanted to see him again. I wanted to kiss him and be in his presence.
I knocked on his door and I waited a while. I heard Bella on the other side of the door and it put a smile on my face. The door opened and Mariko was surprised to see me. "Hi," I smiled.
"Um, hi," he returned my smile, "Come on in," he stepped out of the way, opening the door wider and I stepped inside.
"Maddie!" Bella ran to me and I crouched to give her a hug. "Are you going to sleep next to me again?" she pulled away, looking hopeful. I could smell the aroma of dinner.
"If your daddy wants me to," I smiled at her.
"No, Bella. You are a big girl and big girls sleep alone," Mariko said as her expression changed to sadness. I stood up as she ran to the kitchen.
"Mommy, do big girls sleep alone? You and daddy slept next to each other every night," when we went to the kitchen, I didn't expect to see Amber sitting on a bar stool, eating. I felt like I was invading their dinner, as if I was an outsider. The feeling in my stomach felt like it had dropped.
"Big girls sleep on their own," she replied to Bella. Mariko stood beside me.
"Amber, this is my girlfriend," Amber turned to face me. She was taken by surprise.
Mariko's POV
I was surprised when I saw Maddie. I didn't know what she was doing here. I just wanted Amber to leave because I was tired of work and I had to tend to my daughter too. Amber being here just made me think that it was a bad idea, but I cannot keep her away from Bella. Amber will always be part of our lives because of the kids.
I was more worried about what Maddie would think, then there is what Amber might say, because Maddie already has low self-esteem because of Ash and his father.
"Aren't you Lana's assistant?" Amber asked.
"Yes, I am," Maddie replied with a smile.
"I see you both have moved on so quickly-"
"Amber," I groaned, she shouldn't try to even say what she wanted to say after everything that she had put me through for five years. "Would you like dinner?" I turned my attention on Maddie.
"No, I am here to get my laptop bag. I left it here or in your car," she replied.
"Oh, so that is what the condoms were for, a sleep over. How old are you, by the way?" Amber asked.
"Um...twenty-four," Maddie said uncomfortably.
"Mariko, we need to talk because you cannot keep on going for young women," Amber said as she went back to eating.
"Maddie, I drew a puppy, come see!" Bella extended her hand to Maddie.
"Bella, Maddie is only here to collect her bag, just let the grown-ups do what they have to," Bella looked sad as she looked at her mother.
"Come," I said, picking her up, I simply didn't have time for this. I walked down the hallway with her and entered her bedroom. Maddie trailed behind me. I put Bella on the ground so that she could show Maddie the sketch. She fetched it from her bedside table and brought it Maddie.
"This is a puppy?" Maddie asked, taking it from her and inspecting it.
"Yes! I want a puppy but daddy doesn't. I asked to have a baby sister and he said no, so I'm all alone," she said.
"You cannot have a puppy in this apartment because it doesn't allow pets and maybe you can hang out with friends soon, then you won't be all alone," Maddie replied.
Bella has been on my case since I got home that she wanted a puppy and a baby sister. She watched a movie with Rosie and that is where she got the idea from. I am done with kids and she won't have a baby sister or brother at all. She had Bradley but he turned out to be a piece of sh^t.
Maddie was about to walk out of Bella's bedroom but I stopped her. "Hey," I said softly, "Amber wanted to see Bella and I can't say no to that because its Bella's mother. I invited her to dinner so that she could spend time with Bella. I bumped into her at the supermarket yesterday and she saw me purchase condoms. I can't wait to use them with you and it is driving me insane," I whispered the last part as she held my gaze.
She nodded, "I totally get it, no need to explain further. She will always be here and that is just how it is. It doesn't affect how I feel about you. I need to grab my bag and head back to my apartment and study," she replied.
"Stay," I blurted out.
She shook her head. "No, I don't want to be an interruption to Bella and Amber's time together, because Bella tends to be with me and I don't want to take that away from Amber, who came here for her daughter."
That makes sense, but I need her too, "I want you here and I'm not taking no for an answer and screw Amber," I said softly.
She let out a sigh. "Okay, I will stay. At least we are prepared this time," she smirked.
"Of course. You can use the study room for as long as you need."
"Thank you. I do need to get back to my apartment early tomorrow morning because I don't have any other clothes," she said.
"I will take you home before work, but I would like it if you would call this place your home instead." I pushed the topic again.
"Soon, Mariko. Let me get what I need and study," she said as she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against mine until she pulled away. My erection strained against my pants and I really hope to make love to her tonight.
Maddie walked out of Bella's bedroom and I went to the kitchen where Amber had cleaned up. "Thank you," I said.
"Mariko, I never thought that I would see the day when you would stoop so low as to date a twenty-four year old. It's a clear reflection of the lack of judgement and maturity you have shown during our separation. I can't help but feel a deep sense of disgust and resentment towards you. It's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that you are dating someone that is barely your age. The woman that Bradley likes. It's not just about the age difference, it's about the complete disregard for the emotional impact it has on me. I genuinely hate the choice you have made," Amber said with disappointment.
"Firstly, you were way younger than me too. Secondly, I am allowed to date whomever I want. Thirdly, we are divorced. Fourthly, Maddie doesn't want Bradley, she wants me and she has me forever. Fifthly, Bella loves her. Number six, you made your choice, so I get to be happy regardless of what you think and what Bradley has to say. We don't give a sh^t. You are only welcome here for Bella, nothing else. I have been the better parent. What is disgusting is your behaviour and what you did to us. So, with that being said, we will not have this discussion again. I suggest that you talk some sense into our son because he is hanging out with the wrong people. Thank you for spending time with Bella, but now, we have things to do and a routine to follow," I said.
She let out a sigh. "You are really in love with her," she held my gaze.
"Yes I am, and there is nothing that you can do about that," I replied.
She looked everywhere, but at me. "Anyway, I guess I have to say goodbye to Bella. Thank you for dinner and for allowing me to spend time with her," she said, and then she walked away.
I am fed up with what people think that they can tell us what to do. I will not allow this kind of disrespect towards my relationship with Maddie. I will not allow anyone to badmouth Maddie. We deserve happiness and no one will steal that from us.