Chapter 20: Chapter 20

On the way back, Madison bounced on her feet as she hugged her class schedule. Although she couldn’t understand what was written there besides the hours indicated, it was alright. She would just ask Emily to teach her later.

As she entered the kitchen, Madison frowned and saw that the work she had left was about to be completed. Madison wanted to chastise Emily at first, but she reasoned that Emily wouldn't be willing to teach her if she did, so she sighed and said to herself, ‘Never mind. Emily should be thankful that I’m in a great mood today. Otherwise…’

While washing the kitchen tools she had just used, Emily noticed Madison and curiously asked her, "Hey, why do you look so happy?"

"Of course," Madison smiled, " Who wouldn't be thrilled if they knew they might realize a lifelong dream?" She felt so happy as though she were flying through the air.

Emily raised an eyebrow as she prepared the table. "Madison, what did Madam Laurene say made you so happy?" Madison immediately showed her the paper that Laurene had given her a while ago.

But before handing it to Emily, Madison reminded her, "Please handle it with care because it's very important to me. I'll laminate it later so it won't tear. So, if you crumpled it a little bit, I would be angry at you!" After saying that and seeing Emily nod, Madison finally passed the class schedule to her.

Before reading what was written on the paper, Emily giggled and shook her head at Madison. However, as she started reading it, Emily’s eyes almost popped out of her head, making Madison worried for her.

Madison anxiously grabbed Emily's arms, asking, "OMG! Emily, what's wrong with you? Are you all right? Shall I call the doctor? Tell me, Emily!"

Suddenly, Emily exclaimed cheerfully, "Waaaahhhh! You're going to study too, Madison! We're studying at the same university!" Hearing this, Madison was overjoyed. Her apprehensions about entering a new environment vanished. Fortunately, she would have someone to talk to for the remainder of the semester, and she would not be alone. She also had someone to turn to if things went wrong. Madison was so relieved and delighted that she hugged Emily immediately. However, she froze as she remembered the paper.

She immediately broke free from their hug and anxiously asked, "Where's my class schedule? Waaahhh! Was my paper crumpled? I'm telling you, Emily. If there's any rip or crumple in the paper, I will ignore you!" Emily chuckled as she waved the paper to Madison’s face.

"Don't worry, I didn't crumple it. I raised it so it wouldn't get in the way when you embraced me. You see, I don't want us to argue because of this," Emily stated as she gave the paper to Madison

"We are studying at the same university but taking different courses. I am currently taking Tourism, while your course is Hotel and Restaurant Management," Emily enthusiastically said. However, Madison cringed at her because she didn’t understand Emily's words.

With a serious look, Madison inquired, "What is Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Management?" Then, she looked eagerly at Emily while waiting for the latter’s answer.

Emily smiled and explained, "It was one of the specialized courses the university offers students depending on what area they are interested in." Madison nodded. “So, what do you like to do?" Emily then questioned, which made Madison smile.

"Oh, I love to cook and design stuff, and I also carve fruit or soaps, as long as it's a hard material," Madison said, making Emily impressed.

"Really? You know fruit carving?" she questioned Madison, looking at her.

"Yes, "I often do it back in the suburbs, especially when I'm not doing anything," Madison responded. "Fruits are pricey, so I just practice on papaya and sweet potatoes because that's all we have in our yard," Madison answered. Emily applauded and looked at her with admiration on her face.

Emily enthusiastically shook Madison's right arm and added, "Later, I'll purchase soap, and you make me one, okay?"

Madison laughed, "I don't want to." Emily's grasp became much tighter.

"If you don’t make something for me, I won't let you go and leave your side, Madison," Emily warned Madison and even rested her head on the latter’s arm. Madison shook her head and thought, ‘This woman was lucky to have a friend like me!’

"Okay, okay. I'll do it. I’ll give you the best masterpiece I have ever done. Now, let me go. Your head is quite heavy," Emily helplessly said and pushed Emily’s head away from her arm.

The two were in that position when they heard Dylan calling them to the dining room. Madison asked Emily to fix herself first before rushing to him.

After seeing that Dylan was sitting at the head of the table, they immediately approached him.

"What can we do for you, Mr. Carter?" Emily asked while Madison remained silent and stood beside Emily.

Dylan looked at Madison before smilingly asking, "Mom informed you that I'll come with you to buy the things you might need tomorrow, darling." Madison nodded as an answer.

Then, she felt Emily lean on her side, so she stared at her and saw the teasing smile on her lips. Madison widened her eyes threateningly at her. But this crazy woman just meaningfully looked at her as if to say, ‘I'll interrogate you later.’

Just then, Emily instantly grew serious when Dylan called her. Madison made a funny face as she observed Emily's sudden change in expression.

“You too, Emily. Get dressed and come with us. I'll buy you something to wear, too," Dylan said, making both of them happy.

"Mr. Carter?" Emily excitedly asked. Dylan smiled and nodded.

He said, "So go get dressed, you two, and I'll wait for you in the living room." Emily and Madison immediately complied. When Madison was about to leave the dining room, Dylan called her softly.

"Darling."

She looked at him and asked why, but Dylan smiled and motioned her to come close to him.

Seeing that Madison didn’t move, Dylan said, "I have something to tell you. Come here, darling." And gestured again to come close to him.

Madison reprimanded him, "Mr. Carter, you! When Madam gets angry after she learns that you’ve been calling me like that, you should be the one to blame, okay? I’m innocent. And since you're the only one who insists on doing that, you're the only one who should take Madam’s beating. I think that would hurt."

"Yes, darling. I'll take care of you. And don’t worry, I got your back." Dylan promised with a smile.

"Very good!" Madison gave him a thumbs up. "What is it, Mr. Carter?" she asked, remembering that he had something to say to her.

Dylan frowned and ordered, "I want you to call me ‘darling’ too."

Madison furrowed her brows. "Wouldn't we have the same name then, Mr. Carter? Tsk, you don't have any originality; if you want that name, why don't you use it on yourself instead of giving it to me. Hmmph!" she said, rolling her eyes at him. It was annoying. Dylan was insisting that she call him 'darling' as well. Wouldn't they have the same name if she did? Madison didn't want to share her name with anybody else.

"So darling didn't want us to have the same name for each other," Dylan smilingly said, and Madison nodded.

"I don't want to," Madison replied honestly, "so why don't I simply call you by that name, and then my name will be Madison again? I believe it's much better than having the same." Dylan laughed once again.

"Mr. Carter, if you laugh for no reason, I'm telling you, I'm going to lock you in your room," Madison said, concerned. "It appears that your craziness is becoming more serious." Did she miss something? Why would Dylan laugh for no reason again?

When she saw that Dylan laughed harder, Madison raised an eyebrow and glared at him.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," Dylan smiled and said mysteriously, "Go ahead and get ready, darling; I'll take you somewhere fun."

Hearing this, Madison became excited, "Really? Will you take me to a place where Aunt Mila and I went before? I think it’s called the Amusement World? Yes, that's right. It's fun there, Mr. Carter."

"All right, as long as my darling says so, I'll do it," Dylan affectionately looked at her. Then, he gestured for Madison to quickly go to her room.

"Don’t leave without me, Mr. Carter, okay?" Madison pleadingly looked at Dylan with her wide eyes. When the latter nodded, she became even more excited.

"Yes, darling. Go ahead and get dressed. I'll be waiting for you here." Dylan stood up and turned to her room’s door before pushing her inside.

"Don't leave, Mr. Carter. I'll be quick. I’ll promise," Madison said, raising her right hand as if taking an oath. She heard his soft laughter until she disappeared from his sight.

Before Madison closed the door, she looked at Dylan first and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Carter," she gratefully said. When she saw him smile and nod, Madison finally closed the door.

She immediately went to the bathroom and took a quick shower as she had her shower earlier. Afterward, she went straight to the closet where her clothes were hanging and pulled out the only dress she had in possession. Madison smiled as she realized how Laurene and she cared about looking beautiful and presentable.

Madison brushed her long hair and dressed. She then put on her sandals and applied some baby powder. While adjusting her hair, she pondered how she would be able to attend university if she just had one dress.

She sighed and murmured, "Never mind." Then, she left the room and went to the living room where Dylan was waiting for her.

When Madison arrived in the living room, Emily was not yet present, so she inquired about it with Dylan. Emily was disappointed when Dylan informed her that Emily would not be allowed to join them since Aunt Mila would be alone at the supermarket later.

"Smile, darling. Let's just make sure that Emily can join us next time. Don't be sad, okay? It would be a shame if you look so sad when you look so beautiful," Dylan coaxed her, making her smile broadly.

"Really? Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Carter. Let's go and try a lot of rides in the amusement park," Madison said excitedly. She couldn't help but imagine herself riding the ferry boat ride there again, even though it was one of the scariest rides she had.

"Then, let’s go, darling. We’ll make the most of our first outing together," Dylan smiled as he escorted Madison out of the mansion and opened the car door for her.

Madison gratefully said in her heart, ‘Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings you have given me today.’ Then, she smiled as Dylan got into the car and started to drive away.