Chapter 39 Dark Moment
Maddie's POV
I was relieved that Mariko wasn't leaving me because of my father. In fact, he is a very understandable man. I could see the struggle in his eyes about the news and I don't blame him. I'm struggling too. I took a cab back to my apartment, but there was the familiar car that was parked in the driveway...Gerard.
I stood outside of the apartment building and I just looked at it, taking in a slow breath before walking inside. I didn't want to deal with Gerard and I didn't want to see him, but here I am about to face him again. My heart is still heavy with everything that is going on because how do I go back to work and face those people? How can I look at the man that has caused so much hurt to people?
I went inside the apartment, Gerard and my mother were sitting on the sofa, they were talking. Both of them looked at me. My father stood up. "I wanted to see you," he said.
"If you knew what you did, then why show up at Sternpoint? Everyone hates you for what you did and I don't think that you deserve to be called dad."
"Maddie," my mother stood up now.
"Did you know that he assaulted my half-brother's ex-wife and current wife? Do not come to his rescue because he is an awful person. He is using you, mom, and I won't let that happen." I looked over at Gerard. "You don't deserve to get a second chance because you have ruined that by what you did. Don't you see all the heartache that you have caused?" tears stung the back of my eyes.
"I do see that. I wanted to make things right. I didn't care about them when I went to pay you a visit. You are the child that I never knew and I want a relationship with you. I have been in prison for what I have done. Is that not punishment enough for me?" he asked, his brows furrrowing.
"I don't know, maybe you don't deserve anyone," I hissed.
"Maddie, don't you see that he can be changed? Bad people can change. If I am willing to give him a chance, then so can you. We all do bad things, wouldn't you want a second chance in life?" my mother chimed in and I was fuming.
"We didn't all do the things that he had done, mom. I don't think that any of this will change my mind any time soon." I looked at Gerard. "At least prove that you have changed and I want you to leave," I said through clenched teeth. The door was still open behind me, I wanted him to leave. I stepped out of the way. He was staring at me as if I was a spoiled brat. Well, I have heard worse than that.
"Maddie," he said, looking for some sort of hope. At that moment, I saw those walls begin to crumble. His vulnerability coming through. But that won't work with me today.
"Please, leave," I demanded.
"Gerard, let's just go and give Maddie some space," my mother said as she grabbed her bag and she walked out of the door. Great, not my mother is going somewhere with him. Gerard came closer to me and he stood in front of me. I held his gaze and then he left without a word, closing the door behind him.
I let out a huge breath, I threw my bag on the sofa and walked into my bedroom. Tears streamed down my face, most of the things that I have been holding inside are just coming out. I got undressed once I was in the bathroom. I walked over to the vanity and opened the drawer. I took sleeping pills, more than the usual dosage, because I wanted to forget everything.
I ran a bath and got in. Everything in my mind would not shut off. I relax in the warm bath, but these feelings won't go away. I came from a man that is cruel. I am an abomination. I closed my eyes as I felt tired. Hopefully, the pills would keep me asleep for longer and then darkness consumed me.
Mariko's POV
I don't want to leave work because if I do, then I have Bella to take care of. I was not in the mood for anything and I didn't want to be in a bitter mood around my daughter. Do I go home or sit here behind my desk until I feel that it is time to leave? I never thought that there would be issues. I have seen Arden and Lana have their own issues. It looked exhausting. At least my own issues weren't that bad.
"Are you up for a drink?" Reggie asked as he stood at the door of my office, his laptop bag in his hand.
I checked the time on my Rolex, everyone had already left. "Yeah. I just need to text Rosie to stay a while longer with Bella," I replied as I stood up and sent a text to Rosie.
"You could use a drink after what has happened today," he said.
"I don't think that I can drink that much because I have to take care of Bella when I get back to my apartment," I said as I packed up my things.
"Understandable," he replied, and then we left.
I only had two glasses of Scotch and then I had water. I let Reggie do all the talking because my mind was not easing up either. I was concerned about Lana and part of me was concerned about Maddie. I have checked my phone a couple of times. She has never texted me since she left earlier and she didn't respond to my text asking if she was okay.
"You are deep in thought and you need to be off that phone," Reggie took a sip of his beer.
"Checking for any emergencies. I don't want anything to happen to anyone," I said.
"Have you heard from Maddie?" he asked as he looked over at me as we sat at the bar counter.
"No, that is also a concern for me," I replied. I became worried, "What if Gerard is in the apartment?" I asked.
"That is possible." I stood up so fast, "I will pay," Reggie said, and I left.
I hope that Gerard hasn't tried anything, because I will kill him. My heart was racing. I should've let her stay the night by me, but I let her go home with the possibility of Gerard being there.
I knocked on her apartment door, but no one answered. I opened the door and stepped inside. "Maddie!" I called out. I searched her bedroom but she wasn't in there. I ran a hand through my hair and then I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed her number.
I heard a phone ring and that is when I noticed that her bag was on the sofa. I canceled the call and then I realized that I hadn't searched in the bathroom.
I walked to the bathroom and I knocked, "Maddie?" There was no answer and I tried to open the door but it was locked. I knocked on the door. "Maddie, are you in there?" I called out. What if something happened to her because she wasn't feeling well? Sh^t. "Im going to kick the door open!" I warned for what it was worth and then I kicked the door open with all of my strength. The door banged against something but I hurried inside.
My heart stopped as I saw Maddie lying in the bathtub. Her eyes were closed. I went to her side, "Maddie," my voice broke as I lifted her, water splashing all over. "Please be okay," panic kicked in.
My whole world shattered because I put my feelings before Maddie when she actually needed me the most. But she won't open her eyes...my worst nightmare. "Please, be okay."