"Maddie?" Victor repeats. "Is that really you?
I nod, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. It's been years since I've seen Victor. He was my brother's friend that I had this embarrassing crush on, and now he is my boss. The irony of the situation isn't lost on me.
"You've changed," he says, his eyes scanning my face. "You look different."
"I've grown up," I say, my voice steady even as my heart races. "It's been a long time."
Victor nods, his eyes narrowing. "Why didn't you tell me who you were when you first started working here? You could have told me your name in the elevator."
I shrug, feeling a little defensive. "I wanted to prove myself based on my own merit. I didn't want to be judged based on who I used to be."
Victor nods. His expression is unreadable. "I can understand that, but you should have told me. It's not fair to keep something like that from me."
"I'm sorry," I say, my voice quiet. "I didn't mean to deceive you."
Victor stares at me intently as if he is trying to read my mind. I fidget. He always had these intense eyes that could make me feel like he could see right through me.
Finally, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "It's okay," he says, his voice softening. "I'm not upset, Maddie. I'm just surprised. It's good to see you again."
A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips, and I feel a sense of relief wash over me. "It's good to see you too, Victor."
"So, what do you think of my restaurant, Maddie?"
I cringe at the nickname as I remember how he used to call me Maddie while teasing me endlessly. "Do you have to?" I blurt it out.
Victor narrows his eyes. "Do I have to what?"
"Call me Maddie?" I say. I might as well correct him now.
Victor cocks his head, still smiling. "That's your name, isn't it?"
"It's Madison. That's what I prefer people to call me," I stand my ground, hoping it doesn't annoy him too much. I still need him to keep me on the job.
Victor clears his throat. "Alright, Madison. You are a grown-up now, so I guess I must treat you as such."
"Yes, sir.
Victor grins but then turns serious again.
"So, do I have the job?" I ask. My heart starts beating rapidly. I really need this, at least for now, until I find another job.
"I'm afraid you were only supposed to be filling in for Emily. And the restaurant doesn't need another chef," he says grimly.
My heart sinks as I hear Victor's words. "Oh," is all I can say, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. I thought this was a done deal. Stanley told me so!
Victor must have seen the disappointment on my face because he adds, "But, since you did such a great job and Emily has some personal issues, you can take her place, for now."
I perk up. "I won't let you down!"
Victor's facial expression remains serious, but his eyes twinkle. "I know you won't."
"You'll officially start tomorrow. Be here at eight am sharp."
"I will," I confirm, my heart is beating fast.
Victor opens the door for me, signaling the end of our meeting. "You can go now, Madison. Say hi to Stan for me."
"Thank you again, Victor," I say, standing up and leaving his office with a spring in my step. I can't wait to start my new job as a chef at Victor's restaurant.
~-~
I find Stanley in the living room, sipping on hot cocoa. "Stan! Guess what!?" I chirp, unable to hide my excitement.
Stanley grins. "You got the job, didn't you?"
"Yes! I did! I'll be working as a chef at Victor's restaurant starting tomorrow!" I exclaim.
Stanley stands up and pulls me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, Madison. You deserve this." He pauses as if he has something more to say.
"What?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Be careful," Stanley says.
I look at him with surprise. "Be careful with what?"
"I've known Victor for a long time now, and he can be a bit...well...intense. So if he ever makes you uncomfortable or scares you, you can come talk to me, okay?"
I giggle. "Don't be silly. I'm not scared of Victor."
"I know you aren't, but..."
I put my hand on his shoulder. "Stan. I love you, but you can be a bit overprotective. I'm a big girl. I can handle the job and Victor, so just trust me, okay?"
Stanley smiles. "Alright. I know you can do this, Madison."
"And I couldn't have done it without you, Stan. You're the best brother anyone could ask for."
Stanley grins. "I know. Now, let's celebrate with some pizza and a movie."
I laugh. "Sounds like a plan."
My life is finally getting better. Once I get settled in my job, I can get my own place and then after that, maybe I will meet someone who is not a complete asshole like Gustaf.
"So, what movie do you want to watch?" Stan asks me.
"How about..." My phone starts to ring, interrupting me. I look down at it and squint as I don't recognize the number.
"Aren't you going to answer?" Stanley asks me.
"I don't know who this is," I say and click the hangup button.
But my phone starts ringing again.
"Go ahead and answer. It could be the restaurant." Stanley shrugs. "I'll be right back."
I watch him leave to go to the bathroom as I answer the phone, "Hello?"
"Hey baby."
My blood runs cold.
"Madison? Are you there? Don't hang up," Gustaf growls.
I freeze as Gustaf's voice pours out of my phone. I changed my phone number hoping I never have to hear his voice again. My heart rate spikes, and I struggle to keep my voice steady as I reply, "What do you want, Gustaf?"
"I just wanted to talk to you, see how you're doing," he says, his voice dripping with false sincerity.
"I'm doing just fine without you," I say, my tone sharp.
"I don't believe that," Gustaf responds, his voice growing more aggressive. "You were nothing before me, and you'll be nothing without me."
I feel my anger rising. How dare he speak to me like this? "You know what, Gustaf? I'm not interested in talking to you. Don't call me again."
"Hold on, Madison. I'm not done talking," Gustaf hisses.
I feel a knot forming in my stomach as Gustaf continues to talk. I don't want to listen to him anymore. I take a deep breath and try to remain calm. "What do you want, Gustaf?" I repeat, hoping to steer the conversation to the point.
"I just wanted to say that you made a huge mistake by leaving. We had a good thing going," Gustaf says.
"A good thing? Are you kidding me?" I nearly shout. I look for Stanley, but he is still not back yet. "You are the most manipulative piece of shit I've ever had to deal with, Gustaf. And now that I've freed from you, I'll never look back."
Gustaf chuckles. "Oh, sweetheart. Do you really think you escaped from me? I know you're living with your brother now, so it won't be hard for me to pay you a little visit."
"You wouldn't dare show your face around here!" I cry out.
"Oh, I would. And I will," Gustaf says, his tone menacing. "You belong to me, Madison. You always will. And you'll soon realize that you can't live without me."
I can't believe what I'm hearing. Gustaf's words send shivers down my spine. I feel a surge of fear, but I try not to let it show.
"I belong to myself, Gustaf. And you have no power over me. Don't contact me again," I say firmly and hang up the phone. My hands are shaking, and I feel like I'm going to be sick.
I'm already crying by the time I see Stanley striding toward me. "Madison? What's going on? Why are you crying?" His face is etched with concern. "What the hell happened while I was in the bathroom? Who was on the phone?"
I look up at Stanley, tears streaming down my face. "It was Gustaf. He called me," I manage to say between sobs.
Stanley's expression turns to one of anger. "What did he say to you?"
"He threatened me. He said he's going to come find me," I say, my voice shaking.
"Don't worry. I won't let him anywhere near you," Stanley says, wrapping his arms around me. "You're safe with me."
I bury my face in my brother's chest, but I feel no comfort. Gustaf sounded like he meant it when he said he'd come see me. And knowing Gustaf, he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
MadisonAfter a long day working in the kitchen, I’m exhausted. Working at Victor’s fancy restaurant was exactly what I expected: hectic and stressful. Yet the work isn’t what got my heart pounding a mile a minute. The phone call I received from Gustaf yesterday is the reason behind my tiredness.I didn’t sleep at all last night.The anxiety of Gustaf coming to find me prevented me from falling into a peaceful sleep. And whenever my eyes would close, nightmares snared me like a deer caught in a trap in the woods. I honestly think I woke up a billion times, drenched in a cold sweat and tears not far away. It was a terrible night, and needless to say, something needs to be done about the Gustaf situation.“Hmm...” I hum to myself while holding up a book named, “How to stop worrying about your stupid ex-boyfriend,” that I found at the store.“Okay…aha…I see…” I tap my chin while thinking, and then I speak out loud—I never claimed to be perfect. “It says I need something from my ex-boyfri
MadisonVictor doesn’t say a word while I tell him about Gustaf and the chat that I found on his phone. He just stares at me with his intense, calculating gaze. It’s impossible to know what he is thinking, and I swallow thickly.Does he even think my situation is serious?I try to gauge his reaction, but his expression gives nothing away. It’s as if he is lost in his own thoughts, but then I see his jaw thick, and I know he is listening.I continue talking, finishing my story before taking a deep breath. Victor is stroking his chin between his thumb and forefinger, his piercing blue eyes as intense as ever.Then in a calm tone, he asks. “So your ex-boyfriend spread your nudes all over the internet?”For some reason, I shiver. Victor is calm, but there is no denying the murderous glare on his face. Is he angry at me or at Gustaf? I can’t tell, and it frightens me. I don’t remember Victor ever being violent, but he is a grown man now, and all his muscles are tense.I nervously lick my l
Madison"Oh my god, you shot a hole through the fucking wall!" I think I might actually pass out. Stanley is going to murder us both once he sees that we have ruined the apartment.Victor groans. "I'm so sorry! It was an accident!""Stanley is going to flip!" I drag my fingers through my hair while pacing the hallway. "First, the kitchen floor, and now there is a hole in the freaking wall! Why do you have a fucking gun in the shower?!""To defend myself!" Victor whines, looking as upset and nervous as I feel. "And I can pay for the damage!""Why the fuck will you need to defend yourself in the shower?" I'm still confused."Because...you...I don't know. It doesn't matter, okay?""Whatever, but what do we do until you have paid someone to fix it? Stanley will have to live with that hole now!""Uhh...wait!" Victor holds up a finger, and his eyes glimmer in that dangerous way that tells me he has an idea. "What if we move a painting to the bathroom?""That is the most stupid idea that...n
Madison "Ungh...what time is it?" I groan and slowly open my eyes, trying to adjust to the sunlight filtering in through my window. It sounds like someone is searching through the cabinet in the kitchen, and there is music on low volume. That must have been what woke me up. Suddenly, I hear Victor mutter under his breath, “Damn it!” I stifle a laugh at victor cursing like a sea captain and sit up in bed. Is he cooking breakfast for us? I experimentally sniff the air, catching a whiff of something delicious. My stomach grumbles, and I immediately begin searching the floor for clothes. Even though I've known Victor since the beginning of time, I want to look presentable and pretty…is that silly? Probably. Blushing at my own stupid thoughts, I head out of my room, following the scent of sizzling bacon like a bloodhound. I can already imagine the taste of fresh coffee on my tongue and the imagination makes my tongue salivate—so does the view of the gorgeous man standing by the stov
VictorI pull up outside of the apartment complex and scowl at the disgusting state of it. Tony sure doesn't know how to take care of it, even though he took a large loan to renovate the place. I wonder where all that money went.Meh, it doesn't matter where they went. Tony's time has run out, and that's all I care about now.I walk up the dingy stairwell, walking straight to apartment 3B. "Want me to break the door down, Boss?" Marco asks. "Nah, no need to be rude." I shake my head and knock on the door gently.After a moment, the door opens slightly, revealing a young man with greasy hair and bloodshot eyes. He looks nervous as he peeks out at us."Who are you?" he asks, his voice shaking slightly."I'm here to see Tony," I reply, giving him a warm smile.The young man hesitates, eyeing me warily. "Tony's not here," he finally says.I arch an eyebrow. "Is that so? Mind if I come in and wait for him?"The young man looks like he's about to refuse, but then he seems to think better
MadisonFucking A. How am I supposed to serve this customer ice cream when all the damn ice cream is gone from the small freezer? I’m shit-outta luck!I step away from the empty freezer, positing what other choice I have when a brilliant idea strikes down from the sky. What about the big freezer? Usually, it’s always locked, so there is no way of knowing what mysteries lay within. And what would you know? There is no lock on it this morning!I walk over to the big freezer, placing my hand on the handle. But right when I’m about to open the door, a large hand clamps down on my shoulder, startling me.I turn around and find myself face-to-face with Victor’s glittering eyes. They seem to convey a silent warning, though he remains calm on the surface as he effortlessly pulls me away from the freezer.“It’s prohibited for members of my staff to enter the big freezer. I usually keep it locked at all times.”“Oh?” I arch an eyebrow. “Why is it forbidden?” I ask, daring him to answer.Victor’
MadisonI can't breathe. Gustaf's fingers are slowly tightening their hold around my neck while his bad breath is in my face. It seems he never remembered to brush his teeth without me reminding him, and now his yellow smile is right above me.He chuckles. "Not so tough now, are we?"I want to flee from him. Slap his face and escape into the kitchen where I'm safe around my colleagues, but it's like my feet have grown their own gnarled roots and stuck them in the ground. I can't move.The only thing I can do is stand there, entirely paralyzed, as Gustaf's lips brush against my ear. He nibbles on my earlobe, and I choke on a sob. Why did Gustaf have to show up today? What started as an exciting day working in the kitchen has changed into a freaking nightmare, thanks to him."Do you like this, Madison? Do you enjoy my kisses?"My legs tremble when he sucks my entire earlobe into his disgusting mouth. I know I need to do something to defend myself, to protect myself from Gustaf, but all I
Madison Gustaf is still standing, blood trickling down his temple, looking shell-shocked. Victor, on the other hand, looks calm and composed. "You don't touch Madison like that, Gustaf. I ought to break your arms."Gustaf opens his mouth but then closes it as if he doesn't know how to respond yet. His eyes are blazing with anger. His ego must be bruised. He raises his fist and charges toward Victor, aiming for his face.I gasp. I didn't want anyone else to get involved with my problems with Gustaf, but now here is Victor, getting punched in the face because of me.But to my surprise, Victor is too quick for him. He ducks and lands a powerful punch on Gustaf's stomach, causing him to fall to the ground.What the hell? Where did he learn that move!?Gustaf groans in pain, clutching his stomach as he tries to catch his breath. Victor stands over him, his face contorted with anger. "You asshole!" Gustaf spits out.He grabs Gustaf by his neck with one hand, lifting him up, then punches hi