Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"Madison, Madam Laurene is calling you to her office," Emily said as soon as she entered the kitchen.

"Why?" Madison asked in astonishment.

"I don't know. Madam didn't say anything. You didn't know?" Emily asked her again, making Madison utterly confused.

"What do you think? I was here while you were with Madam a while ago. So, how would I know?" Madison asked, making Emily glare at her.

"Oh my gosh, Madison. It's still early, and you're making me angry! Wash your hands and go there. Hurry up before the Madam leaves," Emily urged her before pushing her gently in front of the sink to wash her hands.

"Is Madam in a hurry, Emily?" Madison couldn't help but ask, as she enjoyed the task Mila gave to her.

"Yes, yes, so don't dilly-dally here and go now, Madison," Emily answered before shooing her.

"Hmmph! Don't touch anything here. I'll finish it," Madison warned her before pointing at Emily.

Emily raised her hands and helplessly said, "Okay, okay. Madam's about to leave and was just waiting for you." Madison just nodded and walked out of the kitchen. When she arrived at Laurene's office, the door was already open. Madison knocked first before making her way inside. Inside, Laurene was arranging the documents on her table as she sat in her swivel chair.

"Good morning, Madam. You're calling me?" Madison politely greeted Laurene, and the latter looked at her and smiled in return.

"Good morning to you too, Madison. Take a seat," Laurene replied before motioning for Madison to sit across from her.

Madison quickly complied and sat in the chair. Then, she noticed the document that Laurene was reaching out toward her.

"Take it," Laurene said, but Madison only stared at it. "Don't be afraid, Madison. Just take it and read it," she continued and didn't wait for Madison to get the paper as she placed it in the latter's hand.

Madison dumbfoundedly stared at that paper for a while, suddenly having an urge to cry. She didn't understand even a bit of what was written there!

"Madison, why are you crying? Have you read it yet?" Laurene quickly asked, surprised when she saw Madison's reaction.

"Madam, honestly, I can't understand what's written there. Just looking at it makes me dizzy. Have mercy on me, Madam. Do you have any translations that I could read? "Madison desperately asked as she looked at the paper she was holding.

Madison looked at her in confusion when she heard Laurene's soft laughter.

"You have to learn Italian, Madison. What would happen if you were taken advantage of because of that? Someone might already sell you without you knowing it," Laurene warned her, pretending to look serious.

"Waah! Madam! Please don't sell me. Mom will be angry with you, and you will even lose a hardworking maid," Madison anxiously pleaded, making Laurene laugh.

"Oh God, Madison, you're hilarious," Laurene couldn't help but comment. However, Madison didn't understand what Laurene was talking about or why she laughed so hard.

So, with burning curiosity, Madison asked hesitantly, "Madam? What's so funny? Or, don't tell me that someone other than me is talking to you right now?" She even moved a little farther from Laurene when she saw her still holding back her laughter and muttering something under her breath.

"Madam, please don't do that. If you mumble and laugh to yourself like that, others will think you're insane just like Mr. Carter," Madison worriedly murmured, anxiously looking around to see if anybody was listening in on their talk.

"Enough, Madison," Laurene laughingly said, even brushing the happy tears in the corner of her eyes. Madison furrowed her brows in confusion. Clearly, she was not doing anything. She even advised Laurene to stop doing that lest others think she was crazy. Never mind. Later, she would tell Dylan not to go out often so he would not infect others with his craziness. Moreover, Madison believed that Laurene's case might be a little serious. A while ago, she was even laughing uncontrollably and muttering something under her breath.

"Please stop, Madam. Your stomach might get upset by laughing too much," Madison said while looking at her in concern. Laurene nodded, but Madison could still see that she was stopping herself from laughing again.

"Is there something on my face, Madam?" Madison straightforwardly asked, prompting Laurene to look directly at her.

"Why did you ask that, Madison?" Laurene wondered.

Madison answered, looking hurt, "Then why does it seem that you are laughing at me, Madam?"

"Okay, okay, that's enough." Laurene took a deep breath and stopped laughing. Madison was disappointed because the latter didn't answer her question.

"Go and get ready. You have school tomorrow."

"School? Since when did I start going to school, Madam? Perhaps you're mistaken?" Madison asked in confusion, and she couldn't help but frown. Laurene inhaled again to suppress her laughter and forced herself to continue speaking.

"Don't speak until I've finished speaking. I'll tell you if you can speak, okay? Am I clear, Madison?" Laurene questioned, making Madison thoughtfully nod at her. When Madison was about to ask something again, Laurene looked at her pointedly and raised her hands to stop her. Remembering what she had just said earlier, Madison quickly nodded and zipped her mouth.

"Good!" Laurene remarked and leaned back in her swivel chair. "Alright, I'll change what I said earlier. From tomorrow onwards, you will go to school in the morning and continue your work here in the afternoon. You don't have to worry because your tuition fee because it's been paid. We've got you all covered. So all you have to do is come to school tomorrow. The paper you're currently holding is your class schedule for the whole semester. Do you understand?" Laurene asked, but Madison remained silent. She didn't know how to feel right now.

"When Dylan wakes up, he will go with you to get some items you need; we will pay all your expenditures; all I want is for you to study hard and watch you walk on stage while receiving your diploma," Laurene stopped, staring at her intently, "Can you promise me that, Madison?" Madison was taken aback; she had not expected to be given such an opportunity, and she couldn't believe that other bosses, such as Laurene, would even consider helping her achieve her dream. Madison couldn't talk for a while and quietly sobbed while gazing at the paper in her hands.

Laurene said again, "Do you understand now, Madison?" Madison just kept nodding while her tears rolled down uncontrollably.

When Madison was about to speak and thank Laurene, she remembered that the latter had not yet allowed her to speak. Thus, she just closed her mouth and looked gratefully at Laurene.

"Don't cry anymore. You deserved this seeing the dedication you've shown ever since your work here," Laurene said, patting her on the shoulder. "Don't let me down, Madison." Afterward, she came closer to Madison and wiped the latter's tears with her handkerchief. Meanwhile, Madison only stared at Laurene even though she was pretty anxious to thank her.

After realizing this, Laurene couldn't help but laugh and sat in the swivel chair again.

"You can speak now, Madison. I didn't know you would take it seriously to the point that you will really not speak until I said so," Laurene amusedly looked at her while shaking her head. Hearing this, Madison breathed a sigh of relief.

She gratefully said, "I can't believe what you've just said, Madam. Thank you so much. You don't know how this made me happy! This is one of my dreams; now, you will help me achieve it! It felt like I was dreaming. Thank you so much, Madam," Then, Madison stood up and tightly hugged Laurene. She couldn't help but cry because of the happiness she was feeling right now.

"You deserved this, Madison. Just study hard. It's also for your own good." Laurene said as she hugged and gently patted her back.

"Thank you very much, Madam. I promise you that you will not regret sending me to school. I will make sure that I will get a diploma," Madison promised while she was still crying.

"I'll expect it from you then, Madison," Laurene gently said before reminding her, "Now, stop crying. You might wet my clothing with your tears, and I still have to get to the office." Madison froze and looked to see if Laurene's clothes had been soiled by her tears. She breathed a sigh of relief and grinned when she realized it wasn't.

"Thank you again, Madam." Madison thanked her again and bowed to her a couple of times.

Laurene stopped her and said, "It's enough to say thank you, Madison. All right, maybe Dylan is already awake. Go now. You'll still need to get dressed."

"Okay, Madam. I'll go first; maybe Mr. Carter will be bored waiting for me. Thank you very much again." Madison bid her farewell and got up from her seat. As she walked towards the door, Madison couldn't help but turn back at Laurene and thank her again. She couldn't stop expressing her gratitude as her heart was now overflowing with joy and excitement. When Laurene smiled at her and nodded, Madison exited the office with a smile on her lips.