Chapter Thirty-Four

Madeline's POV:

I was staring with mouth agape at him. His brown hair were disheveled and his pure blue eyes were taking me in.

We were both just looking at each other with uncertainty in our eyes.

Building up some courage I asked "Brandon. What? What are you doing here?".

He snapped out of his staring and looked around like he was expecting everything to disappear and transport him back where he came from.

"I..I am here to meet you". He said nervously.

In past we were both so free-spoken and never felt awkward talking to each other but now it feels like we are two strangers.

"Can I come inside? It's chilly out here". Brandon asked.

"I..uh...I am sorry. Please, come inside". I said opening the wider.

He stepped inside the house and I felt the atmosphere changing drastically.
The calm and peacefulness left my body. I stared at him waiting for him to explain his unexpected visit.

"We should sit on couch". I said leading him to the couch in lounge.

He took the couch and I sat across him on another seat.

There was a long awkward pause making me fumbling with my fingers in anxiety.

"I am really sorry for disturbing you at this time of night. You must be going to sleep before I came". He said looking at me.

Following his stare I noticed that his eyes were looking at my legs. That's when I realized that my night shirt had ridden up to my mid thigh.

I snatched it down till my knees where it was supposed to be in the first place.

I was embarrassed at the way he was looking me.

"I was not expecting a company". I mumbled.

Again there was an awkward pause.

"Why are you here Brandon?". I asked feeling anticipation.

"I...I missed you". He said with the difficulty.

"It has been six years Brandon". I said. My voice sounded bitter and edgy.

"I know". He said stopping for a moment then continue "But it's never too late to start again".

"Start what?". I asked him.

"Our friendship". He said.

I looked in his eyes and felt them sucking me in. They were full of emotions and need of some support.

"The fourteen years of friendship can't be forgotten in six years". He said making me close my eyes.

"Who said I forgot?". I said sharply.

"You left our memories, you left me". He said with his voice filled with hurt.

My jaw clench's at his words.

"I called you before leaving but you didn't pick up your cellphone, not once. Even when I was at airport I called you from my uncle's​ cellphone but you didn't pick". I explained so he would stop blaming me.

"My parents had an accident". He mumbled.

"What?". I said softly.

"My parents had an accident and for weeks I didn't check my phone. Then in anger I threw it on the wall". He said.

"How are your parents now?". I asked him.

"They are fine and healthy as ever". He said making me sigh in relief after knowing that his parents are alive.

His mom and dad are lovely people. I was so close to his mom and felt some kind of connection with her. If something would ever happen to her I'll be devastated.

"I'm glad your parents are alright". I said.

"Me too. I can't imagine my life without them". He said looking at me.

I can relate to his pain as I have myself experienced the same pain when I heard about my parents accident and later it turned to death.

That lying bitch Emma feed me false information about my parents death to take me with her. My poor parents didn't know who picked me from school and never returned.

They told me how much they searched for me but they would have never thought that Emma would stoop so low for her husband's​ death revenge.

She abducted me to give my parents pain, to make them realize how it feels to miss someone you love.

My mom told me that Uncle Nate died while working on a mission to keep us safe. He did what he thought will protect me, my parents and his family but in the process he lost his life.

My mom told me that she thought Emma disappeared because she was in pain and needed a change in life. That's why my parents never searched for her if they might have done that they could have reached me a lot sooner. I could be saved from my horrible past.

"Madeline". Brandon said my name making me snap out from the trance I was lost in.

"Yeah". I asked him.

"Are you alright?". He asked looking at me weirdly.

"I'm perfectly fine". I replied.

"Will you give me the chance to mend our broken friendship?". He asked me making clench my jaw.

"Brandon it doesn't matter now. You've​moved on with your life as I have moved on with mine​". I said glaring at him.

"It matters to me that's why I have been searching for you all this time". He said softly.

"What?". I asked him in confusion.

"You have been searching for me? How....how did you find me?". I asked feeling the panic.

"Through a private investigator". He said making me tremble in fear.

"Oh God!". I got from the couch and started pacing in the lounge.

"Shít! Shít! It means he can find me easily". I mumbled thinking about the man who ruined me.

"Who can find you Madeline?". Brandon said standing behind me.

I didn't know when he got up from the couch and made his way towards me.

"Just go Brandon! Leave!". I said irritated as the panic was bubbling inside me. My legs were shaking and I wanted to fell down on a floor.

"Tell me!". He asked me loudly.

"No. Get.Out.Of.My.House". I said pushing his shoulders.

"Tell me from whom have you been hiding?". He pressed me for information​ that will not only turn his world upside down but mine too.

"Don't ask me about my f**king life". I yelled angry at his persuasion.

I reminded myself that he was not here when I needed him most in the world. He was with Laura having the time of his life.

"Really? You just thought that after invading my heart it will be easy to leave me". He asked​ me gripping my arm tightly.

"It is easy to leave you Brandon. Go back to your shitty fiancee you deserve her and she deserve you". I said pulling me arm away from him and saw hurt flashing on his face but he covered it with the angry look.

He thinks I don't know how he has  spent his six years with Laura. I have received enough of their pictures and videos to remained me who was his first and last choice.

"We are not together. I caught her f**king my company's accountant in my own bed". He yelled.

"Huh...she didn't change after all". I said sarcastically.

"What do you mean?".He asked narrowing his eyes at me.

"Oh...you don't know. I guess you were always blind when it comes to her preventing you to see how many times she f**ked different boys while still being in relationship with you". I said.

"You are lying". He said taking a step back from me.

"Ohhh. You still can't hear a single bad word about her. She even f**ked Connor and I caught them both doing it in her house". I spat as anger was coursing through my veins at his words.

"Why didn't you tell me?". He asked.

"Because I knew you wouldn't​ believe me". I replied.

"We spend fourteen years of our lives with each other so tell me what makes you think that I wouldn't believe you?".
He asked.

"Because you were blind". I said.

His jaw clench's at my words.

There was a heavy silence between us. Our breathing were rugged and our bodies were quivering in anger.

"I guess you are right. I was really blind that's why I didn't see your reality earlier". He said taking a step closer to me making me take a step back.

He didn't stop stalking me until​ I was pressed on the wall behind. His both arms came to rest on the both sides of wall ​trapping me.

"Tell me Madeline were you in relationship with Sebastian when we f**ked that night?". He asked me running his eyes on my face like he will eat me alive if I lied to him so I kept my sarcastic mouth shut.

"Did you let him f**k you after you lost your damn virginity to me?". He asked me.

His eyes were blazing with fire.

I narrowed my eyes at him in complete disgust at his assumptions.

"You might wanted​ to gain experience and who could be better than your best friend. Did you use me that night?". He asked me.

His each word felt like a slap on my face. I never thought he thinks so low about me.

Then before I would speak and comprehend what was happening his hot demanding mouth was sucking a life out of me.

His kiss was not sweet, not gentle, it was punishing.

My hands fisted and pummeled his chest but he didn't stopped. His hand went to my waist and gripped it tightly pulling me closer. His other hand went in my hair and he tilted my head back to deepen the kiss.

Did I respond to his kiss? I didn't know at that moment. But I felt every emotion that he was feeling which made me want to surrender myself to him.

I stopped ​hitting his chest in the defeat and let him ravish my mouth. For the few seconds I felt like dying  tonight from the all havoc of sensations he was creating in my body and brain.

But I was sure he won't let me die tonight. He pulled centimeters away from my lips letting me breath but then I felt the sting on my lower lip. He was biting my lip like he wanted them to bleed.

His actions were not filled with love, it was to inflict pain, to hurt me. He wanted to show me how much pain I had inflicted on him with my words earlier and by my actions.

His harsh biting replaced by soothing strokes of his tongue.

I didn't know what should I do. Cry in his arms or slap him for being a heartless jerk.

He pulled away from my lips and stared in my eyes.

"Did you let him kiss you like this?". He asked me breathless.

I was angry after hearing him. Does he think I am like Laura letting any man kiss me like this?

"You are f**king asshøle". I spat.

"You are heartless bitch". He said.

His eyes was hard while mine was angry. We were staring at each other still in the same position.

"Mommy".

I heard Bryan voice and pushed Brandon away escaping.

"Oh God! Bryan". I said and ran to him to hide him from Brandon's view.

"Let's go inside". I said pushing my son inside the room again.

"Who is he?". My son asked taking a glance of Brandon's face.

"No one important". I said pulling my son inside the room.

"Please, baby stay here. Don't come outside". I said.

"Is he a bad man? I can protect you from him mommy". He said showing me his muscles.

I laughed and said "No honey. He is a good man".

"Did you hear anything?". I asked him.

"I fell asleep while playing on your phone but then sebby called and I came out to tell you". He said with the smile.

"Okay. Go sit on the bed. I'll be back in a minute". I said.

He nodded his head and went to bed.

When I came out again Brandon was nowhere in the sight. He must've left while I was inside. I locked the doors and windows then went to bed.

Bryan hugged me and I pulled him closer to my chest.

But it did nothing to calm my anxiety.

I was not worried about Brandon I know him and what he is capable of doing. I know he will never hurt me or my son physically.

But about that man I am not sure. He is like a storm, he can come and snatched everything from me in a blink. That man has a power to ruin me again and again until I will die.

And that scared me. I was not concerned about my safety but Bryan safety is something that I can't risk and if I involved Brandon in my mess I know he will not leave me.

Despite the past and all the hurtful things we said each other he still own my heart.

I kissed Bryan head and closed my eyes feeling tears rolling down from my face to my neck.

(Flashback)

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice the man standing in front of me until his shoes came into my view while his face stayed hidden in the shadows.

I looked up from his expensive shoes to his face but nothing was clear except his eyes that were staring at me with confusion.

He pulled out his phone from the pocket and switch on the flashlight to look at me.

My breath hitched when my eyes landed on his face. His aesthetic beauty captured me.

"Hey are you alright?". He asked me looking at my tear stained face.

"I am fine". I mumbled.

"Do you want me to drop you home?". He asked me.

When I ran blindly I didn't even catch the street number or anything. I didn't know the house number or my parents cellphone number.

The stupidity​of my actions started to settle in my mind and the presences of stranger didn't make it better.

"No. My house isn't far I'll walk". I said taking a step forward to leave his presences which was giving me bad vibes.

Although he was beautiful but there was something cryptic in his eyes. His  face had a sly smile like he knows something which I don't.

"I insist Miss?". He stopped and waited for me to tell his name.

"Camilla". I told him a wrong name.

"Miss Camilla I won't mind dropping you at your house". He said taking a step closer.

"This street isn't​ safe". He said making me scared.

I nodded my head. He opened the passenger side door of his black car and I got inside hoping that he might help me find my parents house.

He doesn't look like a criminal to me more like a normal man in his early twenties.

"So miss Camilla if you won't mind can I ask you what were doing sitting on the pavement?". He asked me driving his car slowly.

"I was not sitting there. My ankle twisted and I fell down on the road". I Lied to him.

He laughed at my comment. His laugh sounded like he knows I was lying.

"You are funny girl Camilla". He said.

His words were sharp bitter making me alert. My eyes landed on the house and a plan formed in my head.

"It is my house. Stop the car". I said looking at the house.

"Are you sure?". He asked turning his head to me.

"Yes". I said feeling scared.

"But it's not Emerson mansion". He murmured in my ear putting his foot on the break and car came to halt.

"How? Who are you?". I asked him.

"I am Adrian Ford". He said.

"Didn't your boyfriend told you anything about me?". He asked me making me frown.

"I don't have a boyfriend". I replied.

"Perhaps your lover". He said.

My eyes widened. Does he know Brandon and what happened between us?

I have never seen this man near Brandon. I scratched my head for any memory that reminds me of this man relationship with Brandon but nothing came to my mind.

I have attended many functions in Brandon family. I know all his aunts, uncles and cousins. He didn't look like them.

His hand touched my hair and I slapped his hand away. I shouted for help and punched the window.

"Psychopath let me go. Open the damn door". I said trying to get out of the car when he placed a piece of clothing on my mouth.

I started struggling to get free.

"Sleep pretty girl". He murmured in my ear.

In seconds my body went limp.

I felt someone shaking me and I opened my eyes to see Bryan tears stained face hovering above me.

"What happened baby? Why are you crying?". I asked him sitting up on the bed and cupping his face.

"Mommy you were shouting for help and crying. I tried waking you up but you pushed me away". He said crying badly.

My heart dropped in my stomach making me want to vomit.

"Bryan did I scared you?". I asked him making him cry louder.

Oh shít!

I hurriedly opened the bedside lamp and looked at his face.

There was a small cut on his forehead which was bleeding.

"What happened? How did you get this on your forehead?". I asked him getting up from the bad and pulling out a first aid kit from my closet.

"Tell me baby?". I said pulling out alcoholic wipes and clean the cut.

The tears fell freely from his eyes.

"When I tried waking you up ....hiccup....you pushed me my head... hiccup hit the headboard". He said.

My hand froze after hearing him. I injured my son. I caused him harm. I am the reason behind his pain and cries.

With my shaking hand I patched him up and kissed his head.

"I am really sorry for hurting you baby. Please forgive your mommy". I said controlling my own tears from falling.

That's why I never slept with him on the same bed. Whenever ​I get these nightmares they took me back to that time when I lost everything.

My nightmares suck me in and made it difficult for me to distinguish between the reality and dream.

His tiny arms wrapped around my neck hugging me tightly and that was enough to tell me he has already forgiven me.

I pulled him on my lap and rubbed his back to calm him down.

He fell asleep after fifteen minutes then I laid him on the bed and went in the lounge with my cellphone.

I dialed my cousin's​ number "Hi Darren".

"Hi Madeline. Is everything alright?". He asked me.

But I couldn't speak.

"Are you fine?". He asked me concerned.

"I'm not fine Darren". I said crying like a baby.

"What happened?". He asked.

"The nightmares they came back tonight and I.....I hurt Bryan when he tried waking me up". I said falling down on my knees.

"Madeline I'm coming okay. Relax". He said.

"Okay". I mumbled ending the call.

Darren knows about everything because he has been my doctor for last two years. He knows my mental and physical condition.

After fifteen minutes I heard the doorbell rang and I run towards it.

I opened the door and saw Darren standing.

He entered inside and pulled me in a hug. I cried hugging him. He pushed the door close and took me to the lounge making me sit on the couch.

"You stopped having dreams from six months then what triggered them back?". He asked me.

"I will tell you but not now". I said not ready to tell him about Brandon yet.

"Okay". He said.

"I want you to take Bryan and drop him at my parents place". I said.

"Why?". He asked frowning.

"Because I don't want to see me like this again. If I fell asleep and scared him again I will never forgive myself". I said.

He opened his mouth to say something then closed it.

"You didn't see him Darren... He was crying with hiccups I scared him a lot with my crazy nightmares and violent