WELL PLAYED
Melinda’s POV
There was a plate of Mac and cheese stationed right in front of me but I couldn’t bring myself to have a taste of the food even though it was my favorite.
I was mad!
Micheal and I should be at the theatre by now and then maybe go out for dinner after the show but then, our plans were canceled. All thanks to Madison.
Micheal said something about being disturbed and I knew it had to do with the heroin incident. Although he promised to reschedule us for a private screening, I was still not fulfilled.
Right now, he was seated directly opposite me having dinner and I could tell that his attention was far from the meal.
Madison!
She had placed my poor Micheal on the edge.
Well, I’m sure the stunt I had just pulled had scared her to death and now, she’ll know her place.
I’m sure she was still in her room sulking to death or maybe eating dinner while gloom shrouded her. I don’t care what she does. I just hope she’s feeling sad and miserable right now.
I was about to reach for a glass of wine when I heard footsteps clicking toward the dining. I turned around.
“Richard!”
I dropped the glass almost immediately as Richard continued taking steps toward the dining with a bright smile on his face.
I never thought my brother was going to show his face here when I was in this house. This wasn’t supposed to happen because every time I was here, he kept his distance.
When I narrowed my gaze, I saw her right behind him. My jaws clenched as Madison emerged right behind Richard.
They reached the table and sat right next to each other. I had to reach for a glass of water because my throat suddenly dried up.
Richard and Micheal shared a handshake. Madison adjusted her chair and turned to me with a smile. “Hello, Melinda.”
I was rendered speechless.
There was an unreadable expression on her face and I know I’d be a fool to think she had been crying.
“Hello, Mr. Harris.” She turned to Micheal.
He nodded.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming for dinner.” Micheal threw the question at Richard.
Richard propelled Micheal’s plate toward him and smiled. “I can show up here whenever I want.” He began to eat from the plate.
Madison cleared her throat loudly. “Actually, I invited him.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Did she know I was avoiding my brother yet she went ahead and invited him or maybe she dosent know our story?
Richard finally turned to me. “Hello, little sis.”
My gaze hardened and I greeted him with a glare. He sighed and continued shoving mac and cheese into his mouth.
Madison cleared her throat loudly and grabbed a glass of water. “Since I’m not allowed to make phone calls, I asked Georgia to call Richard and tell him to come for dinner.”
I could tell that Micheal was stunned by her sudden display of audacity. Knowing that I wouldn’t share the same space with Richard, he turned to me with an apologetic look.
“And why did you invite him?” Micheal demanded with his eyes burning with rage. I could tell that he was still mad at her. I love it!
Madison flipped her hair. “There’s a live horse race tomorrow morning and I want to be there.”
“You have to go to the hospital tomorrow.” Micheal countered.
“My hospital appointment is not until noon and the horse race starts at 7am to ends by 9pm. Also, you have mentioned that I could go to the stadium and watch it anytime I wanted.”
“That’s right.” Richard turned to Micheal. “You said all she had to do was say when she wants to watch the race. I was right in the car that day when you gave her the open Cheque.
I couldn’t believe this. Richard was endorsing this woman?
“Fine,” Micheal said without giving much thought. It appears he didn’t want the issue to drag on.
I sighed. Both of them can go to the end of the world. I don’t give a damn. I was about to reach for my plate when Micheal dropped his cutlery.
“On second thoughts, I’m coming with you both.”
My eyes nearly popped out of their socket.
I watched Madison lean toward Richard and for a tiny moment, I could swear that she was flirting with him.
“You don’t have to come along, Mr. Harris. Richard and I can manage on our own.”
Richard suddenly threw his arms around her and I watched Micheal’s eyes darken.
Slimy bitch! She knew what she was doing. Looks like I underestimated her.
“I said I’m tagging along and that’s it.” Micheal maintained.
I turned to Madison. Who was this woman who despite the herion situation, Micheal was willing to please her?
She flashed a smile at me and trust me, that was a mocking smile.
I cleared my throat loudly. “I’m coming too.”
Her smile instantly vanished.
Who has the last laugh now?
“I’m coming with you all to watch the horse race,” I stated while holding up her gaze.
Micheal darted his gaze from me and then Richard. “Are you sure about this?”
I had told him times without a number that I was not ready to face Richard so right now, he can’t believe that I was willing to come with them.
“The more the merrier,” I said and grabbed my fork.
Madison cleared her throat loudly and that was how I knew she wasn’t done.
“Speaking of making the trip merrier, what if you and Richard settle your differences before we embark on this trip? I mean, so that we won’t have any bad blood lingering in the air.” She spat.
The fork slipped through my grasp and I felt anger rising inside me like a storm. I turned to Micheal.
Did he tell her about my beef with my brother?
He placed an apologetic look and then looked away.
“I’m sorry. I don’t intend to meddle but Richard is ready to finally have a conversation so maybe, you should listen to him.” Madison said, looking me straight in the face. Then she turned to Richard. “Right?”
He patted her hand. “That’s right and thank you for bringing this up.”
Such a cunning woman!
If she wanted to get on my nerves trust me, it worked.
Richard cleared his throat loudly and looked at me. “Madison is right. I mean, we’re family. We shouldn’t be doing this. You should come home, Melinda. Please!”
I dug my teeth into my lower lip and bit the flesh hard until I tasted my blood. I wasn’t avoiding home. I was looking for every darn opportunity to be with Micheal.
“It’s about time you two make up,” Micheal said.
I blinked. If Richard and I settle our differences then I’d have no reason to stay here.
Madison turned to me and that was when I noticed that all her vulnerabilities were gone. “What do you say, Melinda?”