CH 1-10

Summary

Xander, 38, is one of the most eligible bachelors of New York. He is the CEO of pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of weapons, and banks. He has it all except love. Xander feels he can’t trust any women, for they seem more interested in his success. That all changes when he meets Madelyn, 26, a graduate student who doesn’t know about his reputation; she is innocent. He would do anything for and to have her, even if it meant having her against her will.

1: Xander Maximillian

Night occurred in New York; lights lit within the darkness. In Manhattan, the city was bustling with people enjoying the nightlife. However, in a particularly tall building, there was a lavish party that only the wealthy were invited to.

Within the building, there were massive chandeliers and many tables that held different kinds of foods and drinks. Waiters and waitresses walked around giving cups of champagne. Men and women wore their finest clothing to impress and show their status. The lavish was made by none other than CEO Xander Maximillian.

He was considered one of the wealthiest men in the United States. Xander was within the festivities, greeting his guests. He stood six feet tall with a slightly muscular build; his dark blonde hair was nicely slicked back. His eyes were dark blue, which gave a slight glow. He had a broad face, and his facial features made him look like a model. Xander’s skin was light with no imperfections. Many wanted to be before him; men tried to convince him to partner with them in their businesses, while women tried to impress him with their looks and bodies.

Xander gave his charming smile to all his guests, but his smile was nothing more than a façade. Deep down, he hated many of the people he invited. He knew people wanted something from him. It was business, but Xander still hated the lot of them. However, he ‘befriended’ those he despised to keep his status and wealth.

In his world, the wealthy had no true friends. If one did, there was a possibility that these ‘friends’ would use their affluent counterparts. They would only help one another unless they had something to gain. It is how many survived and kept their livelihood, cruel but common.

Xander grew up in a very wealthy family; he went to the best private schools ever since childhood and to the Ivy League of Columbia University. However, he did not have a happy childhood. He was an only child. His parents did not pay too much attention to him. They gave him all he wanted so he wouldn’t be too much of a bother to them. Both his parents had their affairs and cared more for themselves.

He did not have friends, and his nanny convinced his father to hire parents so their children could play with Xander, but even though he was a child, he knew that children did not have an interest in being his friend. They were forced by their parents, who were paid. As Xander grew older, his mother died of cancer, and his father died because of an accident. He was left with his family’s fortune when he was twenty-two.

Xander never knew what true love was. He slept with the most beautiful women: actresses, models, or other socialites, yet he felt nothing. He had been in some relationships that lasted less than two months. The young man was used to it and was prepared to live and die alone. Yet, deep inside, he wanted to know what love was like. Xander hoped that someone would give and show him true love.

Yet, he felt that his hopes would never come to be. Xander wanted the perfect woman who was not only beautiful on the outside but also the inside. He felt his ideal woman was giving him the family he always wanted; she was home with their children. For his woman to wait for him when he came home with a nicely made meal and for them to spend time together.

However, many modern women were not the traditional women that he wanted. The CEO knew that many would do anything and everything to get their hands on his wealth, but he wasn’t foolish enough to fall for their tricks. The businessman refused to give up on his search, for he felt that his ideal woman was out there; all he had to do was look for her.

He vowed that he would never let her go when he found his true woman.

Never.

2: Saturday Morning

It was morning, and the day after the charity event, Xander woke up. The room was covered with dark curtains, blocking the morning sun. He stretched his entire body on his bed, enjoying the feeling of the silk bed sheets. He then looked at his left side and looked at the clock. It was 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday. A small chuckle escaped his lips, and then he looked up at his bedroom ceiling, gold with some Renaissance artwork.

Xander considered himself an art admirer and loved to collect paintings and pictures. As time passed, he extended his arms on his empty bed, something he was used to. Even though he had no trouble having bed partners, he would never bring nameless women to his home. He would only take them to hotels and then leave them. Xander felt nothing for one-night stands. The young man believed that women who offered themselves only had ambitions to climb up the social ladder and had no care in the world about how they were treated as long as they had a man to take care of them and give them what they wanted.

Women would always call him and desperately begged him to call them, but he wouldn’t. They made their intentions to him very clear, and they offered themselves to him willingly. There are consequences to one’s actions.

The older Xander got, the more he longed to have a woman worth keeping, but he thought it was impossible with his status. Yet, he had a bit a hope in his heart. “Time to get up.” Xander got out of his king-sized bed, showered, and then dressed. He wore a long-sleeved buttoned shirt, leaving a few buttons undone, showing parts of his muscular chest and neck. He combed his dark blondish hair.

“Might as well go get some coffee.”

Xander got out of his luxurious home, got to his black Lexus, and drove off to the streets of Manhattan. The fresh air hit him; he loved the feeling. About twenty minutes into his drive, Xander parked his car by his favorite coffee shop. It was small and not considered high status, but he liked that it was family-owned and knew the owners well. They made their coffee by hand and did not use chemicals.

The place had a welcoming atmosphere, something he felt at ease. Xander entered the small shop; a few people drank and spoke with one another.

An elderly couple was by the cashier, and when they saw him, they smiled. They are an interracial couple who have been married for fifty years and have four children and ten grandchildren. They were blessed. Xander wouldn’t admit it, but he was envious of the elderly couple. They were married and had children and grandchildren. The couple didn’t have much, but they had everything Xander wanted, something that money couldn’t buy: happiness. He got in front of the cashier and smiled.

“Xander, dear. We are happy that you are here. The usual?” asked the elderly woman.

“As always, Linda.”

Linda and her eldest son began to make the coffee while Johnathon, her husband, walked forward. “How have you been, my boy?”

Xander sighed. “Fine, so much work, but it is manageable. How have you two been? I have been worried about your health.”

The elderly man laughed. “We are good. We can’t just sit around and do nothing!” Johnathon patted Xander on the shoulder and motioned him to sit, which he did. A couple of minutes later, he was served his coffee. He got a newspaper and began to read.

Then the shop door opened again. Xander heard Linda and Johnathon greet the guest, who seemed to be a woman.

“Hello Linda, Johnathon! I am glad to see you both!”

“Us too, dear. Please sit while we make your chocolate chip Frappuccino.”

Xander took a peep at the woman out of his curiosity. He stilled at the sight of her. The woman stood at five feet and six inches tall with light skin; her eyes were golden brown, and her wavy, light reddish-brown hair was past her shoulders as it shined with the sun. She had an average figure but wore clothes that clung to her body. Her lips were plush and pink, and she wore small silver flower earrings. She was magnificent to him, and he knew right then that he had to speak to her.

3: Madelyn

“Saturday, finally!” said Madelyn as she put all her schoolwork away. She looked at the clock, and it was still early to take a walk to gather her thoughts. Madelyn exited her apartment and walked through the streets of New York. An hour passed, and she stopped at a particular street when she saw her favorite coffee shop. The young woman knew Linda and Johnathon owned it, and she viewed them like the parents she never had. They helped her immensely in her high school and early college years. Since Madelyn was a starving student, the couple sometimes gave her free coffee and food.

Madelyn’s parents were killed in a car accident when she was sixteen, and she was left in the care of my maternal aunt, who didn’t like her. Her aunt was known to be beautiful during her youth. Madelyn believed that her aunt felt threatened that she was in the picture because she had been told that she was even more beautiful than her.

Her aunt tried to make Madelyn’s life a living hell, but the young woman kept her head high and refused to fall into her narcissistic abuse. However, Madelyn would record her aunt secretly and her verbal abuse; that was when she gave her aunt an ultimatum to either stop the abuse or would post everything online and tell her job. Narcissists feared having their true nature exposed. Her aunt began to leave her alone but always showed Madelyn disdain.

When Madelyn turned eighteen, she got accepted to NYU, got a full-ride scholarship, and went on to live in the dorms. She also worked part-time jobs to save for an apartment, which paid off. The young woman earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and was now doing her Master’s degree at NYU once again in Education while working as a teacher in a charter school.

She also signed up to teach abroad but still hadn’t received word. Madelyn signed up to teach in Africa, for it would be a great opportunity, but high requirements must be met. Madelyn eventually arrived at the coffee shop. Linda and Johnathon were by the counter making coffee. Linda caught sight of her and smiled. “Oh, it is wonderful to see you again, child! We have missed you!” She went toward Madelyn and hugged her; Madelyn hugged her back.

“Hello, Linda, sorry for not coming more often; been busy with school work and the job.”

“Young lady, you should not overwork yourself!” She gave her a slight pinch on my cheek.

“Okay! I will come here more often, then!”

“Linda, leave Madelyn alone! She came here, and that is what matters.” Johnathon chuckled. “The usual?”

The young woman nodded as she sat at a table and got a newspaper nearby. While waiting, she couldn’t help but feel that she was being watched while reading. Madelyn ignored the feeling and kept on reading, but then she heard footsteps coming her way. She thought it was Johnathon, but when she looked up from the newspaper, it wasn’t a man she had never seen before. Madelyn had to admit he was handsome, but something made him more mysterious. His blue eyes held mystery and secrecy; he looked like a model.

“Hello, the name is Xander Maximillian. What is yours?”

His voice sounded so confident that it made me shiver. However, the young woman gained her confidence and smiled. “I’m Madelyn Hennessy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Madelyn, you have a lovely name. I hope it does not bother you if I sit with you. It can get lonesome to sit by one’s self.”

Madelyn looked at the man before her. She admitted that he was undoubtedly good-looking, but she felt a confident and powerful aura from him, and he seemed like a good man. She tried not to blush. “Uh, sure.”

Xander sat at the other side of the table. The two were silent momentarily, not knowing what to say to one another. Xander was a bit speechless for the first time in his life. He was usually confident when it came to women. However, Madelyn was the first woman who interested him in a more serious light. He cleared his throat. “I see you know Linda and Johnathon.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I have come here often ever since I was in high school. I see that you know them well, I presume?”

“Indeed I do. They are quite nice people, and their coffee is superb.” Xander took a sip from his drink. “So, what do you do?”

“I am a graduate student working as a charter school teacher.” Madelyn took a sip of her coffee. “My dream is to teach abroad, to know more of the world and people.”

“Quite a dream. What made you want to be a teacher?”

Madelyn smiled. “I had a teacher who helped me a lot when I had so much trouble in my classes. She took her time to help me even though she had other students to help. I will never forget the teacher’s help and sacrifice, which motivated me.” Xander nodded as he couldn’t help but admire her determination. “How about you, Xander? What do you do?”

The CEO raised an eyebrow; he just told her his full name. Whenever New Yorkers hear his name, they want to get close to him; women want to be with him. However, Madelyn didn’t know who he was. Xander was on the cover of many magazines and billboards. It was hard for him to believe that Madelyn didn’t recognize him. However, he felt relief that she didn’t. It also felt refreshing that he could express himself a little more. “I work in the business world.”

The young woman’s eyes widened. “Wow, that is wonderful of you! Your parents must be very proud of you!” Xander flinched. His parents? They were hardly proud of his accomplishments ever since he was a child. It was expected of him to be great. He merely shrugged his shoulders. Madelyn noticed how Xander’s expression changed. “Sorry about that. What do you like to do for fun?”

“Drive my cars in the city; feeling the fresh air does relax me.”

Madelyn giggled. “I can understand that. It can be breathtaking, and driving can soothe one’s stress. As for me, I like to write. Writing can help me release my imagination.”

“Interesting. What do you like to write about?”

“Hmm. I like to write historical fiction, fantasy, romance, and other things. I guess whatever motivates me.”

The two spoke to one another for two hours. Xander could not help but be impressed and interested in Madelyn. She spoke with such maturity and motivation. He had never had an interesting conversation with a woman before. He wanted to know more about her. She then stated that it was time for her to leave.

The two stood from their seat.

“Madelyn, I wanted to ask if I could take you out to dinner?”

A blush made its way to her cheeks. “Oh, well, I don’t want to interrupt you. Since you’re a businessman, you must be very busy.”

The CEO chuckled. “I can be busy, but a businessman needs a break occasionally. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

“O-Okay. I would like that very much.”

“Please give me your number. I will call you.”

She did just that and gave him her number. After that, she went off her way as Xander watched her leave. The smile never left his handsome face.

4: Dinner

A week passed, and throughout the week, Xander had difficulties concentrating on his work due to his excitement. Madelyn was the first woman that ever brought excitement in his life. On Thursday, he called her to confirm their dinner date the next day; everything was confirmed. However, Xander ensured to call the restaurant to remind them of his arrival. He was a regular customer, and because of that, the restaurant had a good reputation, which they didn’t want to jeopardize.

Eventually, Friday finally arrived.

Xander was in his room; he finished combing his hair as he looked at himself in the mirror. He put on a dark blue buttoned shirt with a few buttons undone, exposing his neck and parts of his muscular neck. Xander wore black slacks with a black belt and shoes; he put on cologne. He was ready, got out of his house into his car, and drove off.

When he called Madelyn yesterday, she told him to pick her up at a bookstore nearby. Xander believed she was cautious and didn’t want him to know where she lived. It made him see that she was an intelligent woman who would not let any man in her life very quickly. If that was the case, then it was possible that she hadn’t been with many men; he smirked at the thought.

About thirty minutes later, he arrived at the bookstore and saw her sitting on a bench, reading a book herself. He exited the car, and Madelyn looked up and immediately stood up, closing her book. She wore a white slip dress with a light blue jean jacket and a white crystal necklace. Her hair was loose with a small braid with a white feather. To Xander, she looked simple yet beautiful. “You look very lovely.”

Madelyn blushed. “Th-Thank you. You look great yourself. I don’t know if I’m underdressed.”

“Not at all.” Xander motioned her to enter the car; he opened the door for her and closed it when she got in. He entered and drove off. While on the road, Xander noticed that Madelyn was putting the book away. “You were reading?”

“Y-Yeah, I went into the bookstore to read, and a book caught my interest; it’s about Socrates.”

“My, you are an interesting young woman; nowadays, many don’t know his name. You have good taste in books.”

She shook her head as she tried to hide her blush. “I read anything that catches my interest. My favorite is historical romance, horror, and mystery. What about you? Do you like to read?”

“I am more of a mystery and crime book kind of man. I love the suspense in a plot; I guess you can say that I like suspense in real life.” Xander made a left turn on a light.

Madelyn noticed that Xander was driving in the nicer area of New York. The stores sold the big brands. “Anyway, where are we going? I hope it’s nothing too expensive.”

“You’ll see. Besides, I’m the one who asked you out, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

About twenty minutes later, Xander parked his car next to an extravagant building, and he assisted Madelyn out. As for Madelyn, she was in awe. “N-No way, this is-!”

“Yes, this is Le Bernardin. Quite popular.”

“I heard you need months of reservation!” Madelyn bit her lower lip. “Xander, this isn’t necessary. We could go to any small restaurant.”

Xander chuckled. “I am well known here, and they gave us the VIP room for us alone. Besides, I wanted to bring you here.” He motioned to walk in, got a hold of her hand, and put it on his arm. They walked for a while, getting many stares.

Madelyn felt out of place with the clothing she wore. Many customers wore elegant clothing, while she was the only one who wasn’t. While walking toward the building, many customers stared at her with disdain. However, when Xander glared at them, they minded their own business. Once inside the restaurant, she and Xander were taken to the VIP room, where they were alone, got their orders taken, and left alone. “I-I wish you would have told me where we would go; I would have worn better clothing. This place has a dress code.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about these ignorant people; don’t let others dictate how you should dress and become. Here, money talks.”

“I know, but I have never been to a place like this. It is very beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here, although a simple restaurant would be good too.”

As Xander was about to speak, their food and drinks came, leaving them alone once again. Madelyn took a bite of her salmon with vegetables on the side. “This is pretty good!”

“I’m glad you like it. Tell me more about yourself and your family.”

Madelyn sighed as she hoped that he didn’t ask about her family. It was a topic she didn’t like speaking about. However, Xander took the time to take her out to dinner in a pricey place. “My parents died in a car accident, and I was left in the care of an aunt who did not like me a bit.”

Xander raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? Your aunt didn’t like you? Surely you did nothing wrong.”

“I know it will sound silly, but my aunt was a very jealous and selfish woman who cared about her looks. She saw me as a threat, and I moved out once I turned eighteen. I never asked anything from anyone; I had to get everything with my hard work.”

The CEO took a bite of his steak and sipped his red wine. He was surprised that Madelyn didn’t sound bitter about her situation. Many people would speak venomously about people that they hated. Madelyn didn’t have those feelings. “You are quite strong and wise.”

She blushed. “What I went through is nothing compared to the suffering of others. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get out of such predicaments; not many are as fortunate.”

Xander kept on looking at the woman before him as he ate. He admired how she did not use her experiences to pity or as an excuse. She was honest. When she asked him more about himself, he told her the name of his companies and looked at her expression to see if she would change, but she didn’t. He learned so much on the date that he wanted to see her again.

5: Question

After dinner, Madelyn and Xander still have been communicating with one another whenever they had the chance. Xander still asked her out, but Madelyn made him promise that he would not take her to anything too extravagant. He didn’t keep his promise entirely, and he took her out to expensive restaurants; it made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

Eventually, Xander noticed it and decided to take her to simple yet nice places, which made her feel more at ease. During that time, she still hadn’t received any news about her application to teach abroad. When Madelyn checked for progress, there was none, which made her feel a bit disappointed. However, as she went out on dates with Xander, she did a little more research about him since he mentioned that he worked in the business world.

She was shocked when she learned Xander was the CEO of pharmaceuticals and manufacturing weaponry. Not only that, he also owned restaurants, hospitals, universities, and so much more. After researching him, Madelyn couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place. He was like American Royalty.“Why would he want to go out with me? A nobody? I mean, he could have any woman he wanted.”

On the other hand, he was curious to know more about her and everything she did whenever she was with him. Sometimes, men would lie to get into a woman’s pants, but he looked genuinely interested when Madelyn looked at him. She noticed that throughout the two months, he constantly called her to see how she was doing. Madelyn felt that the constant calling and need to meet was a bit of a red flag; it was as if he looked desperate.

Yet, Madelyn imagined it was a bit hard for Xander since many women would want to be with him for what he had and not for who he was. At the moment, she was in the library doing a paper for a class. She was typing her last paragraph when suddenly, she heard her phone vibrate. When she looked at the number, it was Xander. Madelyn didn’t answer since she had to finish her paper and turn it in online. The young woman would call him back when she was done. About twenty minutes later, she was finally done, turned in her work, and left the library. Madelyn took out her phone and called Xander. After two rings, he answered.

“Madelyn.”

“Hey Xander, I noticed that you called. Sorry about that; I was doing an important paper for half my grade. What’s up?”

“I see. Well, I wanted to ask you if we could meet for lunch. I have something important to ask you.”

“Oh, okay. I am in the Lincoln Library on 50th Street. I am going home first to wait for you-”

“No, I will pick you up. I know where the library is at. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”He hung up.

Madelyn was surprised by his perseverance. However, she noted that it was more of a demand which made her shiver. A sigh escaped her lips as she sat on the bench and waited for him. About fifteen minutes later, Xander arrived at the library. Madelyn got in the car, and he drove off to their destination.

“So, where are we going?”

The CEO smiled. “You’ll see.”

“Please don’t let it be something fancy.”

Xander chuckled as he made a right turn. “I know how you are about those things, but trust me. I think you will like it.” About thirty minutes later, they both arrived at a restaurant-like museum.

The young woman’s eyes widened in shock; her body was trembling. “Xander, is this…”

He nodded. “Yup, The Modern. A restaurant in a museum. I know how much you like museums.”

Madelyn was in awe as she and Xander got out of the car. The building had many windows, and on the front were gardens with sculptures; everything was green and beautiful. Xander led her inside the building; the museum section had many paintings and sculptures. Many people were walking around. When looking up, there were three levels. On the highest level was the restaurant.

They both got onto the elevator, and Madelyn learned that people had to make reservations for the restaurant. “After we eat, we can explore the museum more. It’s been a while since I’ve been to one,” said Xander.

Once on the upper floor, two waiters were waiting for them. “Mr. Maximillian, we have been waiting for your arrival.” The two waiters led them to the top floor, consisting of a table, two chairs, flowers, sculptures, paintings, and a couch. “Enjoy your stay, and the menus are on the table. We will come back to take your orders when you are ready.” They left, and Xander motioned Madelyn to the table and held out a chair for her to sit upon, which she did. They sat by a balcony where they could see the entire building.

“This is a beautiful place. I wish I had the proper attire to be here.”

“Madelyn, don’t worry about your appearance in places like this. Don’t lower yourself to the expectations of people who only want to feel superior.”

She nodded and looked at the menu. “Everything looks so good. it is hard to choose, but I will get the steak with fries and vegetables!” Madelyn noticed Xander looking at her amusingly; she blushed.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable; it’s just that I have seen many women eating steaks. Many prefer salads and nothing too heavy.” He closed the menu as he poured himself and Madelyn water. “It’s refreshing to see someone act as their usual self.”

About ten minutes later, one of the waiters arrived and took their orders. When done, the waiter left, leaving the two alone. “So, Xander, you said you wanted to ask me a question.”

Xander looked at her intently, and his fingers were fidgeting. “Yes, I did. It’s been two months since we saw one another, and you made me want to see your lovely face every chance I get.”

Madelyn blushed at the sudden comment. “Uh…thank you….”

“You are a wonderful woman to be with. You are smart, kind, and beautiful. You say what is on your mind, even though one may not like it; I admire that about you. My question is, will you be my girlfriend?”

Madelyn felt her heart skip a beat. He wanted her to be his girlfriend!? She didn’t know what to think.

6: Official

Madelyn was beyond shocked, and her body shook from her nervousness. The news was something that she wasn’t expecting at all. She barely found out the truth about what and who he was. “Of all the women in the world, why would he choose me?”She gulped her water and looked at him.“W-Why, Xander? I-I am not that beautiful, and I am sure you have many women who would love to be with you. I am still figuring out what to do with my life.”

Xander was silent as he took another sip of his wine. He was a little surprised that Madelyn didn’t express much positive emotion. Any woman would have jumped and screamed with excitement, but not Madelyn. She looked confused and cautious, which was something he found refreshing. “It’s like I told you before; you are filled with intelligence, kindness, and self-respect. You have many aspects that not many women have nowadays,” he said as he gently put his left hand on top of hers. Xander didn’t want her to turn away his offer. He knew it was too soon, but Madelyn was one of a kind woman that he didn’t want to let go of.

She felt her cheeks turn red as she looked down on her food. “I-I don’t know. It is too sudden and soon.” The young woman thought it was too soon to take that giant step. She was still getting to know him, and a relationship was a lot of emotional responsibility. Then, there was also the physical aspect of a relationship. Madelyn considered herself an introvert due to her shyness, which is why she didn’t have much experience in the dating world. Xander eyed her and noticed her thoughtfulness. “Why the hesitation, Madelyn?”

She sighed. “It’s just that…well…you and I are of different worlds. I feel that we are not right for one another.”

The CEO raised an eyebrow; he felt his heart skip a beat. “She’s rejecting me!? Why would she even think that!?”

“You can have other women than me. I researched you to learn more about you and learned that you are more than just a businessman. I’m sorry that I pried, but I felt that even within these two months, I still didn’t know you to the fullest. Even now, I still don’t know who you truly are.”

Xander was silent as he looked at her. Madelyn researched him and found out the truth about him. Deep down, he felt upset that she didn’t give him the chance to tell her, but nowadays, women research the men they are dating. However, Madelyn still hesitates to accept his proposal of being his girlfriend, which means she doesn’t care about his wealth. “It’s true that I am wealthy, but think of my position, Madelyn. Do you think it’s easy for me to date? I can choose any woman, but many are chooseable.”

“What do you mean?

The CEO sighed as he gulped his wine and poured himself another. “I have been with so many women in my class. Those who try to be in my class and they never see me as a man or human. They only see me as a bank and for them to get into luxury.” Xander took a sip of his wine and sighed. “Many people believe being rich is easy, but that is not the case.”

“Really? W-Well, money is needed to be happy.”

“Yet, too much of it can be difficult. Ever since childhood, my parents never showed their love for me or one another. I have known many people like me who were born into wealth and have gone downhill, pretending they are happy with the wealth they were born into, looking down on those who have nothing. They are lonely and loathe themselves since they have never worked for anything. Many have gone down with drugs and are filled with agony. Others are arrogant and allow themselves to be ridiculed and used, believing that money is the key to life. I almost fell into that world. Now I am here with you and see much more to life than just the world I am used to.”

Madelyn was surprised by the things he told her. It saddened her that she was swift to judge. Xander still had his hand on hers, and his eyes almost looked like they were pleading to her. That was when she realized he was just a lonely man; it made her heart swell. All the time Madelyn was with him, he looked happy and relaxed. She sometimes felt the same, with a hint of annoyance with his constant calls and wanting to go out. However, like other wealthy people, Xander was sometimes misunderstood and judged for the wealth he worked for or was born into. Perhaps it wouldn’t be bad; it would just be a boyfriend-and-girlfriend situation. If she didn’t feel comfortable, she could break it off. “O-Okay, I accept being your girlfriend.”

A wide smile came upon Xander’s lips; he stood from his seat and hugged Madelyn. “Thank you, Madelyn! I promise that you will not regret it!”

She slowly hugged him back as she realized she was in a relationship. It did feel good, but Madelyn had forgotten about her application to teach abroad and how that could affect their newly made relationship.

7: The Party Pt. 1

It had been another three months since Xander and Madelyn’s relationship. Madelyn couldn’t believe that Xander was like a teddy bear; he was loving, caring, and touchy. He seemed to be perfect, almost too perfect, so she decided to research much more about her new boyfriend. She had found many articles in which people who worked with him said that he was ruthless, coldhearted, and would destroy anyone in his way. The young woman also researched about the previous women he had dated.

Many of the women looked like supermodels, and something was interesting that she found a bit odd. Many of the women he dated mentioned that Xander was a perfectionist, and if something didn’t go his way, he would give adverse reactions, some violent. However, since there was no proof of violence, many people thought these women just wanted attention or were scorned women who wanted revenge for Xander breaking up with them.

Deep down, Madelyn still didn’t know what to think or feel about what she had read. Xander acted like a caring and loving boyfriend, but it’s been five months of them dating. It was still too early for him to show who he was, and she would eventually find out if he were the man he said he was. Xander would visit her often, and some things changed when he did. Her old furniture was altered, and her old shoes were thrown away and replaced by new ones; Madelyn even got new clothes that looked to be expensive. She never asked for these things, but he still got them. It made her uncomfortable, and she spoke to him about it.

He always gave her a loving smile and called her “baby, sweetheart, my love,” and many other names. Madelyn couldn’t deny that it was sweet and that she liked it, but there were times when he visited her during his lunch break, after work and almost every weekend.

The young woman didn’t think much of it at first but thought it was too much. One day, when Xander and Madelyn were on another date, she spoke to him about his constant visits, and she told him that even though she enjoyed his visits, she needed some alone time, mainly because of school and homework. He was understanding, and his visits were not as extreme as before.

At that moment, Madelyn stood in front of her mirror and finished putting on a black dress that Xander had bought and sent to her. Three days ago, Xander asked her to go to a charity event with him; he did not want to go alone. Madelyn was hesitant since she wasn’t fond of parties, especially massive ones, but she did not want to leave him alone and decided to go along. Xander mailed her a dress that he picked out and told her to go to a salon where he hired a beautician to help with her hair and makeup.

Now, the day finally arrived, and she was ready to go. She was nervous, for it would be the first time she would go to a decadent people party with Xander. Madelyn looked at a mirror one last time. Her hair was put in an elegant bun, with little white flowers as decorations, a few strands of her hair were let loose and curled, her lips were in clear lipstick, and she had a bit of mascara.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock on her door; Madelyn went and opened the door. Before she was Xander, she blushed at the sight of him; his hair was slicked back, and he wore a black Burberry tuxedo with a black tie, slack, and shoes. Xander looked at Madelyn and smiled. “You, my dear, look exquisite.”

“T-Thanks. You look handsome yourself.”

“Why, thank you.” Xander extended his arm. “Are you ready to go?”

Madelyn grabbed his arm. “As much as I’ll ever be,” she said while Xander led her to his car. Both entered; Xander drove off towards their destination.

The couple made some small talk, and as Xander drove closer, he spoke to Madelyn. “My love, when we go to the party, there are a few things that I need to let you know. First, the media will be there. If they ask you questions, ignore them, don’t speak to them, and try not to look at them. They will try to get information out of you and annoy you to get what they want; don’t let them get to you. Secondly, there will be women who will try to speak ill of you, many out of jealousy and spite. Stay close to me; some bastards will try to get touchy or speak to you about me.”

While Madelyn listened to Xander, she could not have imagined that Xander’s world was filled with danger, a danger that she never wanted to be a part of. The young woman then noticed his hand on top of hers, touching her reassuringly. She did not know what to think at that moment.

The couple eventually arrived at their destination, and both exited the car. Madelyn stood close to Xander as they approached the tall and elegant building that looked as big as two mansions. Sure enough, many paparazzi were taking pictures of the couple, and the questions came in. The camera flashes filled them, and Madelyn went closer to Xander, hoping he would shield her from them.

“Are you two a couple!?”

“How long have you two been together!?”

The questions kept coming, and the couple did not respond and tried their best not to look at them. They finally got inside the building, and the young woman sighed in relief; Xander put his arm around her as if comforting and praising her for doing what he instructed. Then, Madelyn was in awe of the surroundings of the vast building. Inside, some chandeliers were hanging up high on the ceilings; there were small fountains in different sections and tables of food and drinks. There was also a large and long dance floor where couples were dancing to soft classical music; people were talking with one another, which also echoed the interior of the building.

Madelyn tensed as she felt out of place. She didn’t know what to do if anyone spoke to her; Xander sensed her tension and kissed her on the head. “Don’t worry, my love. I’m here with you, always. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” He then put her right hand on his arm and led her deeper into the party. She let out a small smile, not knowing what would unfold.

8: The Party Pt.2

Many servers walked by to serve champagne to the guests. One arrived before the couple; Xander took one, but not Madelyn since she did not drink alcohol. Madelyn felt Xander’s arm around her waist, pulling her to him. It was true that she went out with him many times. There were also times when he would get touchy with her. Xander would peck her with kisses, but now his touch and grip made her a bit uncomfortable. She felt that Xander’s grip was a bit more possessive as if he was trying to show everyone she belonged to him.

Many people were dancing or talking to one another on the dance floor. Madelyn’s thoughts were interrupted when a couple of people were before them: many young women and some men. Xander introduced her as his girlfriend. Many of the women eyed her with hate, envy, and jealousy. The men watched her as if she were a piece of meat and with lust. Madelyn wanted to shiver in disgust but contained her composure. However, she noticed that many people focused on Xander while ignoring her.

Some of her regretted coming with Xander, but she didn’t want her discomfort to get in the way of her newly formed relationship. Many people in the upper class did not look at her as a human being. They just saw her below them; she hated those stares. Then Xander left the conversations and took her to a more private area away from the lecherous eyes. “Annoying, they won’t leave me be.” He then focused his attention on Madelyn. “Are you thirsty? Hungry?”

She shook her head.

Xander noticed her silence. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

Madelyn was hesitant to tell him what she felt. Then, the musicians began to play the Phantom of the Opera; Xander smiled. ” Baby, let’s dance. I know how much you love the Phantom of the Opera.”

Madelyn blushed; true, she loved it. It surprised her that Xander paid attention to her likes. “I don’t know how to dance well. I…”

“Don’t worry, I will go slow and will teach you. Please.”

She blushed and nodded. Xander led her to the dance floor, and both got to their positions. Xander then began to lead Madelyn. He slowly twirled them, and they went side by side. Madelyn struggled at first but began to memorize and learn Xander’s moves and then began to get the hang of it.

Madelyn smiled and felt that she was floating in the air. She didn’t know how to dance much and never had the opportunity to dance with someone. Xander was patient with her and tried to make it easier for her. It made her happy that she could dance to one of her favorite songs. When the song ended, Xander led her out of the dance floor and took Madelyn to the farthest room, where there was no one but elegant sofas, mirrors, sinks, and plants. “Sit here, love. I will go get you fruit punch.” Xander left, leaving Madelyn alone.

She looked at her surroundings, admiring it. She also felt soothed by the quiet. However, the peace was suddenly interrupted when the door opened and closed. It was a man. “Finally, away from those people,” he told himself aloud. He then turned and saw Madelyn.

Both stilled. Madelyn noticed that the mysterious man looked embarrassed by what he said. Looking at him, she couldn’t deny that he was handsome, but not as handsome as Xander. The man stood almost five feet and ten inches tall with a broad face and body; he looked like he worked out. His skin was light olive; his eyes were golden brown; his hair was slightly light brown and nicely slicked back. The man was nicely shaved with an Adam’s apple barely appearing. In Madelyn’s view, he looked to be a model. “Uh, hello, sir.” He sighed and looked like he was debating whether to stay or go back outside. Slowly, he walked to the sofa and sat far from her. The silence was uncomfortable. “My name is Madelyn. What’s your name, sir?”

The man eyed her and seemed hesitant but spoke. “Octavio Vanderbilt.”

Madelyn smiled and motioned out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Octavio.”

Octavio eyed her carefully as he stared at her hand. He finally relented and shook her hand. Then, the two sat in silence. Madelyn felt awkward seated with a man who didn’t speak. Whenever she would take a glance at him, he looked the other way as if he didn’t want her to look at him. She took a deep breath. “Sir, what’s wrong?”

The young man raised an eyebrow. Slowly, he closed his eyes, shook his head, and chuckled. “I don’t want to be here at this party.”

Madelyn gave Octavio her full attention since she was curious about his reasoning. “Really? Why?”

He opened his eyes once again. “For business, I have to uphold my family’s reputation.”

“Oh, right. You’re a Vanderbilt. I don’t know much about the Vanderbilts, but I heard they are a powerful family. I can’t imagine the pressure you must endure to uphold such a reputation. An introvert like me wouldn’t survive.”

Octavio was silent while looking at Madelyn; he was surprised that Madelyn didn’t go giddy when hearing that he came from a prominent family. It made him cautious but also intrigued. “If I can be blunt, I’m an ambivert. I like going out, but I also like being in my lonesome. I am not into big parties; I prefer small ones.”

The young woman smiled. She felt amazed that someone as wealthy as Octavio had some similarities to her. “Now that you mention it, I like going out too. Although, sometimes, on my own. When I go with another person, they can nag or want to do it at their own pace. I am not a fan of big parties either.”

“So why are you here? Were guilt-tripped into coming?” Octavio chuckled.

“Eh, my boyfriend wanted me to accompany him since he wasn’t here alone. I didn’t want to be the boring girlfriend.”

Octavio smiled as he laid back on the sofa. “From what it sounds like, you and your boyfriend are quite the opposite. I don’t mean it in a bad way; it’s good to have differences but not too much where it will cause conflicts.” He cleared his throat. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t pry too much. Anyway, do you live nearby?”

The two continued talking, and Madelyn was having a good time with the conversation. Octavio was intelligent, and she learned he loved watching movies like her. Suddenly, they were interrupted when the door opened. The two looked forward and saw Xander standing by the doorway. Xander was holding a cup of fruit punch, but when he saw his girlfriend sitting next to another man, his anger got the best of him, so much so that he broke the glass of fruit punch.

Madelyn and Octavio looked at him and stood from the sofa. “Xander, you broke the cup! Are you alright?” Madelyn went to him to check on his hand for any injuries.

“I am fine. It was just an accident.” He then looked at Octavio. “You look familiar. Are you from the Vanderbilt family?”

“Yes, you must be Xander Maximillian; I heard much about you.” He got a handkerchief and motioned it to Xander. He was ignored when Xander got his own and wiped off the fruit punch and some of his blood. “I assume that you and Miss. Madelyn are acquainted?”

“More than acquainted; she is my girlfriend.”

“I see. Well, I will say that you are quite fortunate. Madelyn is quite conversational and honest; you must admire that about her.”

“Very, now, if you excuse us, we must head home.” Xander grabbed Madelyn’s arm and motioned her out of the room.

“Bye, Mr. Octavio.”

“Bye, Madelyn. I hope to meet you again.”

Xander felt anger as he led his girlfriend out of the party and to his car. He was about to open the passenger side, but Madelyn removed her arm from his grip. “Xander, you were hurting me! What is wrong with you?”

“I didn’t like when you were talking to that man!”

“We were talking! He looked pretty down, so…”

Xander eyed her as he bit his lip while containing his anger. “He is not your problem. Whatever issues he has are his alone!”

Madelyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. What shocked her was the way Xander was looking at her. Possessiveness and jealousy all in one. It frightened her. “Look, you need to cool off. I will take an Uber and…” She didn’t finish as she felt Xander grabbing her arm and forcing her into the car; he closed it. He also got in the car, turned it on, and drove off to the streets.

She could not believe what had occurred. Xander never acted that way towards her, rough with possessiveness. Madelyn didn’t speak the entire course; she didn’t dare to. However, she knew she saw another side to him that she did not like.

9: Her Decision

It had been a week since the party, and Madelyn hadn’t seen or spoken with Xander in person since that day of the party; she couldn’t. When he drove her home, she remembered how both got out of the car and Xander kissed her. His kisses were usually gentle and passionate, but that particular kiss was different; it was full of force, and it felt like he was claiming her as if he was trying to tell me that she was his and his alone. It scared her to the core, and it still did.

Afterward, Xander texted her constantly, telling her sweet things and wanting to see her. He didn’t apologize for his specific behavior. Madelyn felt that what he did wasn’t wrong or as if it was normal to him. It made her confused and think about what to do; it stressed her out. Xander seemed to be a nice man on the outside. He did tell her about his lonely childhood and how his parents were with him; he was neglected emotionally. It made Madelyn think that Xander desired to be loved, but him retaining it was not the right way. It was as if he wanted it by force. That was something she didn’t believe in.

She looked at his texts, and it was the same thing. He misses her, loves her, and wants to see her. He also questioned her if he did something wrong and wanted to make amends. To please talk to him. Within the week, he would send more than twenty texts daily; it was frustrating. She would text him that she was swamped and apologize for not seeing or talking to him as much.

While looking at the texts made her wonder if Xander was not the man she thought he was. He could be sweet but also suffocating at the same time; Madelyn felt that was not normal. She couldn’t concentrate on her work, and it began to show. That was when she thought of something hard to think of. She also thought about her application to teach abroad, and if she got accepted, it was something that she didn’t want to give up. Xander might have talked her out of it. That was when it hit Madelyn that Xander would have never supported her dreams and decisions; it was what HE wanted and when HE wanted it.

She took a deep breath. She had already made her decision, and she went out of her apartment. Madelyn texted him to go to their favorite cafe and that she would wait for him.

Once she got to the cafe, she was greeted by the elderly couple who made her and Xander’s drinks. She had to put up a straight face so the couple wouldn’t ask too many questions. Madelyn sat outside the cafe, sipped her frappuccino, and sat anxiously; her heart was beating rapidly and uncontrollably. About ten minutes later, she got out and saw Xander parking his car. He wore a casual white button, black undershirt beneath black, slacks, and black shoes.

He walked to her as she stood from her seat. Without warning, he got a hold of her face and kissed her passionately, which surprised her. She put her hands on his arms and gently pushed him away. Her heart could not stop pounding. “Don’t lose sight of your goal,”she told herself. Xander was surprised by her action but overlooked it; Madelyn motioned him to sit, which he did. “I got you your coffee.”

“Thank you, that was thoughtful of you.” He took a sip. “I missed you, Madelyn. I haven’t seen you for a week, and I was worried. You said you were busy, but I wish we could still see one another.” He smiled. “Well, we are here together, and that matters.” Xander didn’t know why, but when he looked at his girlfriend, he could tell something was off. She was having difficulty looking at him; his heart began to pound.

Madelyn sighed. “I will get to the point. Xander, what do you think of us?”

Xander raised an eyebrow, confused by her question. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…what do you think of us? Our relationship?”

“Well, I think we are doing well; it is perfect. I can see it going long-term, even to something serious.”

Madelyn gulped as she squeezed her cup. “You mean…marriage and all that stuff?”

Xander chuckled as he took another sip of his coffee. “Of course. I know it’s early, but I can see us going that far ahead.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Xander already thought of marriage, and they weren’t together for that long. That was when she realized he was more invested in the relationship than she was. What he said made her decision set in stone. Madelyn took a deeper breath. “Xander, I have to tell you something.”

Xander put his cup of coffee down. Deep down, he felt something was coming and would not like it.

“I-I want to break up.” After Madelyn told him, both were silent. However, Madelyn felt her heart beat faster with more nervousness. She lowered her eyes, feeling that she had broken his heart and did not want to see his expression. She wanted to leave immediately, to escape the damage she had caused.

The silence reigned for what felt like hours, and he finally responded when she was about to look at Xander again. “No.”

Madelyn’s eyes widened, and she immediately looked up at him. When she did, she saw Xander’s arms crossed. His eyes, which were filled with cheerfulness, were gone. She expected anger or sadness, but there was nothing. His eyes looked dead; it made a chill go down her spine. “E-Excuse me…?”

“No, you are not breaking up with me; I will not allow it.”

The young slowly held her head high. She knew he was used to getting what he wanted since he was wealthy. However, Madelyn made her decision and refused to let him get the best of her. “Xander, we are over. I already made my decision.”

Xander’s expression never changed. “Why?”

“That day of the party, I felt I didn’t belong, and your actions scared me. I realized that I don’t belong in your world. I am not comfortable being in it. You want to move fast in this relationship.”

Xander narrowed his eyes a bit. “Why do you always make things so difficult?”

“That is also the thing. I see that you want things your way; you’re a perfectionist. I get tired of that. I am an independent woman who doesn’t always need or want protection. You want constant attention and affection. I can’t always give it to you, Xander. I’m the type of person who also likes her freedom and privacy. We are just too different.”

“Madelyn, you’re too quick to give up. I admit that I can be difficult sometimes, but it’s normal. You-!”

Madelyn noticed the anger in his tone, and she wanted to escape the situation soon before it escalated. “I feel that you want more from me than I can give. I want to concentrate more on my career and travel. You are already thinking of marriage, and we haven’t been together that long. I can’t be in this relationship.” She stood up from her seat. “I know it must be painful for you, but you should be with someone who wants what you want. I am not that person.” Just as she was about to leave, Xander grabbed her arm so tight it was painful. “Let me go!” She got her arm out of his grasp.

Xander looked angry, enraged. “It’s not over until I say it is over! You will not leave me, Madelyn.”

“I am leaving. Goodbye, Xander!” Madelyn ran far from him without another word.

Xander watched as she left. He shook in anger and flipped the table, dropping the drinks. Everyone around him yelped or was shocked by his sudden actions. The CEO didn’t care as he saw Madelyn running away. He wanted to chase her down but didn’t want to cause a scene. He got in his car and punched the driving wheel. ” Grr!! It is not over, Madelyn. Never! You belong to me!” He then drove off back to his house.

10: Again

It has been more than three weeks since Madelyn broke up with Xander. She hadn’t gotten his texts or calls, and she felt relieved that Xander probably decided to give up. Her job shift was over, and she decided to buy some dinner takeout since she felt generous. She decided to go to Panda Express, and once there, she ordered her food, paid, and got out of the building. As Madelyn was going to walk back to her house, she heard someone yelling out to her. “Madelyn!”

She turned back to see who was calling her. Her first thought was that it was probably Xander. However, the voice sounded different, and when looking ahead, she sighed in relief. “Octavio, is that you?”

Octavio was sitting by a table eating food at another small restaurant when he saw Madelyn walking from Panda Express. He was surprised, to say the least; it was a small world, after all. He waved to her and motioned her to sit with him. Madelyn looked hesitant at first but didn’t want to be rude, but she wanted someone to talk with. “It wouldn’t hurt; he’s not like Xander.” She decided to accompany him and see what he was up to. When the young woman got to where Octavio was, he stood up and motioned out his hand. They shook hands; he motioned her to sit on the opposite side of him. “It has been a while. How have you been, Madelyn?”

“Fine, I have been busy with work and life. How about yourself?”

Octavio took a bite of sushi. “The same as always. Busy with my companies and so on. Life has been boring so far. I’m glad I got to see you again. I wanted to apologize to you.”

This confused the young woman. “Apologize? Why?”

“I felt that I created a misunderstanding between you and Xander. I hope you guys didn’t get into an argument because of it. By the way, how is Xander?”

Madelyn flinched when Octavio mentioned Xander’s name. She hoped he didn’t mention her now ex-boyfriend, but she couldn’t blame Octavio’s curiosity. “I broke up with him.”

Octavio looked surprised as he stopped taking a sip of his soda. “Really? I’m so sorry to hear that. I-I hope that I wasn’t the cause of it.”

“No, not at all. It was because of you that you helped me see who Xander was. The truth is, he needs help since he wasn’t shown much affection as a child. He was too clingy, and everything was going too fast.” She didn’t want to mention the other side of him that she saw for a moment. It made a chill go down her spine. “Anyway, I am a bit shocked that someone like you would eat in a place like this.”

The young man chuckled as he took a sip from his soda. “I may be rich, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t like eating other foods. I like to eat out at fast food places from time to time. You know…” Octavio looked hesitant about what to say next. When he spoke to her at the party, he was intrigued with her. They both had some similarities, and she looked and sounded genuine; it was something he was not used to. He saw why Xander was so into her. “You know, I enjoyed our conversation at the party. I wanted to keep talking, but Xander interrupted our conversation. I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner tomorrow night. You know, to continue our conversation.”

Madelyn couldn’t believe her ears. Now, Octavio wanted to take her out. “What’s going on here? Am I a rich guy magnet or something!?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to pressure you, and I know you came out from a relationship any time for yourself. However, I would like to chat with you more. This is more of a friendly night out where two people just talk. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to go out and talk to others occasionally. What do you say?”

Madelyn was still hesitant, but she did not have a lot of friends and felt like she wanted to talk to someone. Octavio seemed to be an intellectual person with a carefree personality. He was not like Xander; he didn’t pressure her into doing something she wasn’t comfortable with. It wouldn’t be so bad. “That sounds nice.”

The young businessman smiled. “Great, give me your phone number. I will call you and pick you up from somewhere you are comfortable.”

“S-Sure. You could pick me up from the library. I can text you when I’m there.”

“Perfect, tomorrow night it is!”