Chapter 41: Chapter 41

As Dylan caged Madison in his arms, she couldn't move from where she was standing and could only watch as Dexter turned away from them. At first, she didn't plan on letting go of her grip on Dexter while tears continued to run across her face. To her surprise, Dexter suddenly grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

Then, Madison didn't expect Dexter to say such a thing to her. He confessed his feelings to her before, but she honestly told him that she could only treat him as her friend, nothing more. Even so, he did not turn his back on her and was there when she needed a friend to listen to her despair. When Dexter left, Madison blankly stared at his retreating figure while crying.

She wanted to face Dylan, but she didn't want him to see her tear-streaked face. Dylan didn't seem to care about it as he turned her towards him and tenderly kissed her eyelid. Then, when she heard Dylan say he loved her so much, she cried even more. Madison was sure that Dylan owned her heart long ago, though she was too scared to face it. She couldn't do anything but hug him tightly and cry into his chest.

"I love you so much too," Madison admitted between her sobs. Dylan suddenly pulled away from her and looked at Madison with a disbelieving look.

"Wh-What did you say, Darling? Do you love me? Did I hear it right?" Dylan stammeringly said, his voice having a hint of expectation. Madison nodded.

"I probably wouldn't cry like this and be hurt so much if I didn't love you, Sir Dylan," Madison replied and forcefully wiped the tear from her eyes. Unexpectedly, Dylan's smile faded and touched both her cheeks.

In a solemn voice, he vowed as he looked at her lovingly, "I love you so much, Darling. Now that I know you love me too, I won't let anything come between us. I'll fix this, Darling. Trust me." Afterward, Dylan intensely kissed Madison on her lips, making Madison stunned for a moment.

Madison was about to speak when their lips parted, but Dylan grabbed her hands and guided her to his car. Madison couldn't do anything but follow him.

As Dylan got into his car, he took her hand, smiled, and kissed her again before starting the car and driving away. Nonetheless, Madison remained speechless and didn't ask where they were going. Moments passed, and the car stopped at a tall building. Madison glanced through the car window and looked at him questioningly.

"Stay here at my apartment for a moment while I sort out my family's mess. When we get inside, we'll talk, Darling," Dylan explained, to which Madison only nodded obediently. He kissed her forehead first before he stepped out, circled to her side, and opened the car door for her. When Madison got out, Dylan immediately took her luggage and gave it to the security personnel at the entrance of the building. He came back to her side and held her hand.

The two walked hand in hand until they reached his apartment. After opening the door, Madison was amazed at its modern design. It was simply a cozy, floor-to-ceiling, glass-style apartment, perfect for a bachelor. Dylan motioned for Madison to sit on the sofa. The latter was pretty occupied looking around and admiring the aesthetics of his apartment. Dexter's place was also quite spacious, but Dylan's was even triple in size. Madison couldn't stop herself from sighing in amazement.

"It's so beautiful here," Madison exclaimed, her eyes still circling the entirety of the apartment. The apartment consists of a living room, a large bedroom with a comfy king-sized bed, a modern fully-equipped kitchen, and two sliding doors on the right side to admire the cityscape. Madison then glanced at Dylan and saw that he was already smiling at her.

"Stay here, Darling, while I fix this mess, okay?" Dylan coaxingly said. Madison finally remembered the situation they were in. She felt sad, so she lowered her head.

"You're getting married. What about me then, Sir Dylan? I don't want to be the reason for your downfall," Madison weakly said.

"You will never be my downfall, Darling because you are the reason why I am happy and content. You made meaning to my life, Darling," Dylan emotionally said, lifting her face and bowing his head to meet her eyes. Then, he continued, speaking again, "Don't think too much. I'm always here next to you, and I will not marry if you're not my bride, Darling. Always remember that."

Madison couldn't suppress her smile, "Really? How about that beautiful and sexy woman Sir Armand said you would marry? I can't even compare to her fingertips." Madison pouted, remembering how Suzette's beauty was quite desirable.

"You're more beautiful and sexier than her, Darling. No one can surpass your beauty, so don't be jealous of anyone because, in my eyes, it's just you, Darling," Dylan smilingly said and quickly kissed her.

"Sir Dylan! I realized how you kept kissing me earlier, huh. You've already kissed me a lot," Madison exclaimed and covered her lips.

"Don't be so angry with me kissing you, Darling. Your pouty lips are begging to be kissed," Dylan amusingly laughed and pinned a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

"But I didn't pout before," Madison quickly said. Dylan laughed loudly.

"I was happy, so I kept on doing that. Why you don't want to be kissed by me?" Dylan hoarsely said, his eyes looking at her intensely.

"Ha? I'm not saying I don't want to. I'm just asking," She defensively said, which amused Dylan even more. However, Madison couldn't help but look at him when he suddenly became serious as he held her hands.

"Listen carefully to what I have to say, Darling," He instructed her before taking a deep breath and looking at Madison. "Dad did something wrong by signing a document that they jokingly agreed on while drunk. At first, Dad thought it was just a joke, but when he met his friend in New York again, his friend demanded Dad comply with what's stipulated on the contract." Dylan stopped talking and stared at her as if waiting for her to say something first.

"I'm listening, Sir Dylan," Madison said understandingly, to which Dylan retook another deep breath.

"Dad didn't agree to what his friend wanted, so he blackmailed Dad ..." Dylan continued and would have said something more when Madison cut him off.

"What?! He can't force Sir Armand to do what he doesn't want. He's bad, Sir Dylan. Those people should be fed to sharks," Madison agitatedly said, which Dylan couldn't help but laugh amusedly. "What's funny?" Madison abruptly asked, her brows furrowed. Dylan only shook his head.

"Nothing, Darling. It's just you're so cute. Shall I continue what I'm saying?" he asked, his face turned serious again.

Madison nodded, "Go ahead, Sir Dylan."

"If Dad doesn't keep the agreement, his friend will put him in jail, which we don't want to happen," Dylan continued, sadness and worry flashing across his face. Madison couldn't stand it anymore, so she asked again.

"What is that agreement, Sir Dylan?" Madison asked and caressed his cheek to comfort him somehow.

"I have to marry their only child, and the wedding takes two months. It should be three months, but since Dad's friend is in a hurry, he decided to cut it short. We tried anything to nullify their agreement, but his friend was stubborn and kept his stance," Dylan painfully looked at her before adding, "One month, Darling. There's only one month left before I have to marry her." Madison was shocked and stunned by what she heard. One month? Why does Dylan even say he loves her when he's getting married in a month?

"I love you so much, Darling. And I will do everything to stop that marriage from happening. Just trust me and don't leave me. You are the only one who gave me the courage and why I had to think of a way to stop it. Stay by my side, Darling. If only you're by my side, can I handle everything," Dylan pleadingly said, slightly trembling? Madison nodded, her eyes feeling hot. Seeing Dylan like this, stuck in a situation he didn't like and being forced to marry someone he didn't love, Madison felt so distressed for him.

"I will trust you, Sir Dylan. And I promise I will not leave you and will stay by your side until you find a solution to this problem. I am just here," Madison caressed his face and gently smiled at him.

"Thank you so much for your understanding, Darling. I love you so much," Dylan whispered. Madison lovingly stared at him and brought her face close to his. When she kissed him on his lips, Dylan's eyes widened as if he couldn't believe what she had just done.

Madison chuckled at his cute reaction and looked at him smugly. Dylan thought he was the only one who knew how to kiss. Huh! She, too, knew it. It was pretty easy. All she had to do was to touch his lips with hers.

"You kissed me, Darling?" he questioned, giving her a skeptical look. Madison raised an eyebrow at him.

"Is there a problem with what I did, Sir Dylan? When you kissed me, I never questioned you," She said. Dylan only nodded and smiled mischievously.

"Then, give me another one," He playfully said, asking for more.

"How lucky are you, Sir Dylan? How many times did you wrong me and make me cry, and now you're asking for another kiss. How about next time?" Madison said and rolled her eyes at him. However, she was surprised when Dylan suddenly hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear.

"I'll be happier when you call me 'Darling.' Please, Darling?" Dylan pouted. Madison also wanted to call him that for a long time, but she was embarrassed. Then, as if thinking of something, she mischievously looked at him and grinned.

"I do not want to," Madison playfully said as she shook her head at him. Dylan sighed defeatedly. Madison mused, 'How can he give up so easily? He doesn't even try to persuade me."

"Is it hard to call me that, Darling? I can't do anything if you don't want to. I'll wait for you to call me that willingly. Just don't leave me no matter what happens, Darling, because I can't handle it when you're gone," Dylan begged her. Madison smiled broadly and held his hand as she hugged him back.

"I will never leave you. I will stay by your side forever. It just depends if you say you don't love me anymore," Madison responded and felt how Dylan's body shook lightly.

"That won't happen, Darling. As long as I live, I will only love you. Remember that," He promised. Hearing him say this, Madison blissfully smiled. She felt the same way, so she would never allow them to be separated again and stay in his life forever.

"I love you so much too, Darling," Madison uttered and met his eyes. She could see the shock and disbelief on his face when she said so. She softly laughed again. She slowly brought her face close to his, and she kissed his lips again and closed her eyes when his lips suddenly moved and kissed her lovingly.