A smile was wiped from Madison's lips as she saw the familiar vehicle in the villa's garage.
When her car was parked, she immediately got out to confirm her suspicion.
When she entered the house, she was a little surprised that there was no Mrs. Carlson to greet her.
She looks so confused as she finally entered the household.
"Where have you been?"
She almost jumped when suddenly a loud voice spoke. Only to find out that the man who just asked her were standing on the stairs. Seriously looking at her.
"Arthur?" She almost stuttered. What is Arthur doing here?
"I'm asking you. Where did you come from?" He asked as he started to walk down the stairs.
She took a deep breath as she spoke.
"I just wander around the corner."
"Around the corner?" He repeats when he finally get down and they face each other. "Where's that around the corner?"
In Madison's eyes, even though the man looked chill and composed, she knew that was not really what he had in mind.
"Do I really have to tell you those things?" She asked with a frown.
"No no No." He shook his head. "I'm just asking, but of course you choose whether to say it or not." Although the man was smiling, the glimpse in his eyes indicated something else.
She knew it was a glimmer of doubt, and she didn't like it.
"I'm from work, if that's what you want to know." She averted her eyes from him and then walked up the stairs.
"Mrs. Carlson said, you're no longer at the restaurant where you work." He said with a serious voice. She was stopped because of that.
Her eyebrows met as she faced him.
"What do you want to say?" She asked directly.
"Nothing. You, you might want to say something." He gave her a meaningful look.
"I don't have anything to tell you, Arthur. So if you just come here to tell me that, you shouldn't waste your time."
Her eyes could clearly see the tightness of his lips. He quickly approached her and then grabbed hee tightly by the arm.
"I know everything you do, Madison. I know every move you make, so don't try me." He says emphatically.
She was actually surprised by the man's action. If he used to do only a warning look whenever he suspected her, now the wind seems to have changed.
"Let me go, Arthur." She reciprocated his sharp stares.
"Whoever that man is, I'll make sure he never comes near you again!" He pushed her violently. Reason for her to almost lose her balance.
"Are you crazy?!" She shouted.
The man just turned his back on her as if he didn't hear her say anything and  left the house.
She was left whirling with anger that suddenly rose in her chest.
She rushed up the stairs and then slammed the door shut.
----
****
Conrad drained the contents of the glass after he poured the wine again.
He smiles to himself while his mind is still full of what happened earlier.
The weird, but the zest he felt. He knew things were going very fast between him and Madison but he seemed to be sure of what the woman was really into them.
Yes, she is just a typical woman. Moody, sometimes childish and overbearing. But there are still a lot of good things she has. Soft hearted, hardworking, and smart. He knew this woman well.
It had been a long time since he had last felt this way about a woman. He can’t control and he can’t get enough. It's just like he had kissed her before. He feels there's still something that he wants. His body wanted more than just a kiss.
But he had to control himself. He did not want to do the same thing again. He didn’t want to make a mistake again.
Just like what happened to him with Reena.
The smile disappeared from his lips and was replaced by a sigh.
It had been a four long years but the same feeling was still there in his chest.
He still wanted to see the woman's familiar face. But just like then, he didn’t know where to start again. He did not know where to find the woman who for four years he hoped would cross paths again.
He sighed as he remembered their last conversation.
If only he had already realized his true feelings for Reena. They would never have reached this point.
He probably wouldn't have known Madison now if they had been with Reena then.
Madison.
And at some point, he knew he liked the woman because it had something in common with Reena. Every thing he remembers is the same as the things he sees in Madison.
He sighed again. Lately, just by thinking of her can him smile without a thought. But now he fell into a trance again.
----
****
It's been a while her cellphone was ringing. Note that some messages entered his inbox.
She had been lying down before but sleepiness did not visit her. Her mind was filled with the thought of the two people who were giving chaos right now to her life. Conrad, and Arthur.
She got up and leaned against the headboard of the bed. She reached for the cellphone on the side table and looked at the messages.
'Hi.'
'Are you still awake?'
'I can not sleep.'
'I'm thinking of you.'
'can we meet tomorrow?'
Conrad's earlier messages she had read.
She sighed. It is not known if she will just seen those messages or make  a reply to them.
But what would she say?
She was about to return the cellphone to the side table when it suddenly rang.
Conrad.
"Hello?" She said right after she answered the phone.
"Hi." His voice is a bit hoarse. "Did I disturb you?"
"No. I'm just about to sleep." She replied.
Even though she was not facing the man, it suddenly made her smile just by hearing his voice.
There was a strange feeling in her chest again.
"Sorry." He utter.
"It's all right."
"Uhm ..."
"What?"
He sighed first before speaking again.
"Let's meet tomorrow?"
She silently think of it. She suddenly hesitated when Arthur entered her mind.
"Why?" She just asked.
"Nothing. I just want to see you." He replied. "Besides, I'm leaving. I want to see you again before I even leave."
Oops. Of course. He mentioned earlier that he was leaving.
"I will try." That's all she could say.
When he was no longer on the other line, she fell into deep her thought again.
Yes. She wanted to see Conrad again. She wants to be with him again. Hear his voice and listen to his stories.
She wanted to eat food with him, get along going to beautiful places. Join in the long drives and talk more about him for a long time.
She still wants to do all that. But she knew it was no longer possible. All the  things she wants, they can't do anymore.