A smile slowly escaping her lips, as Alvarez opened the door to his apartment for her to step in, Madison walked in albeit timidly, her eyes roving through her surroundings. She could hear some noises, a baby crying and then as she stood looking around, she saw a heavily pregnant woman waddling towards them, appearing in front of her, a chubby kid by her side, clutching her hands tightly. Well, she was here now, in Alvarez’s house after so much persuasion from him. The pregnant woman’s eyes wandered from Alvarez and then back to her, and then the pretty but tired looking lady smiled at her warmly, the same time Madison heard Alvarez shut the door loudly behind him. Taking quick strides towards the lady who was obviously his wife, and pulling her in a passionate embrace, he kissed her forehead and took the chubby little girl in his arms. Madison watched him turn again to face her, and then he began the necessary introduction, “Honey, this is Madison Connor. My childhood friend, I told you sometime ago that I lost contact of years back and…” The lady interrupted with a squeal, placing her hands over her mouth and exclaiming, “Maddie, you mean the Maddie you normally talk about?” She questioned and Alvarez nodded with a smile, while Madison just raised her brows inquisitively. Seems, like she was already known in this household, and offering the friendly woman a smile, Madison was about to say something, when she heard the little chubby girl who was now standing in front of her taking her hands, and saying, “The same pretty Maddie, Uncle Damien talks about too?” Oh jeez… the grip she had on the child’s chubby fingers froze, as she looked straight at Alvarez confused already. What the hell was going on? She asked herself, as a panic started to build up in her, and she wondered, her mind already spinning. Damien talked about her, and this little girl knows? Was this a trap or? Instinctively her hands dropped from the girl’s own, and she could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her, but she couldn’t even say anything. “Oh Ma’am I’m so sorry. Ivy, you talk too much. Come here…” Madison heard Alvarez’s wife say, not that she was paying any attention, and she saw the pregnant lady taking the small child out of the room until it was just her and Alvarez alone in the large sitting room. “What was the meaning of that?” She questioned almost immediately, her steps moving backwards slowly as if she was about to leave, and sighing, Alvarez responded, “Yes I told my wife about you, and it seems my daughter must have heard us talking about you one time and…” “Is this some kind of trap Alvarez?" She cut in, her hand on her forehead rubbing slowly as she tried to calm herself, and she then said, “Please tell me, so I can leave here, I’ll just get my things from your car and I’ll…” Her heart had already begun to thump hard in her chest as different possibilities raced through her head. What if Damien was aware? Was it possible that he knew about it and on his behest, Alvarez had just tricked her into coming with him? She had kept that thought in mind, and now her doubts resurfaced with lightening speed. Run, her mind kept saying. And Madison began to think if she should really listen to it. “Madison, stop saying that.” Alvarez cut in but she interjected, continuing to talk, “Back then, we were friends but you were more of Damien’s friend, and I know you can work for him now and…” She had no idea when he took a step but now he was standing in front of her, and she felt his hands on her shoulders. He was was shaking her furiously, perhaps to stop her from talking further and have her listen to him and well it worked because she shut up almost immediately and looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t say these things Madison. I assure you Damien has no idea you’re here, or anything. I’m doing all this because I’m concerned about you as I always have been Maddie. You should know that. I know there are still a lot of things you haven’t told me, but I want you to know that you’re safe here. I’m here for you, and even when you go back to London we’ll still keep in touch. Remove the thoughts of me snitching and whatever you’re thinking in your head. You’re welcome here, and you just arrived. You need to rest. Stop thinking to much.” “I… I have not had much rest and I’m used to staying without rest and…” “Stop saying that Maddie.” He chided, and grabbing her wrist he started to lead her away to the couch in the sitting room. “Here… sit… I’ll go bring your luggage, from the car, and then we’ll talk more okay? What do you want, snacks, juice, wine?” He questioned looking at her and waiting for her opinion but she replied with a curt no. Madison watched him leave, and then she sank back into the couch, rubbing her fingers to her temples.She was exhausted. As she looked up to try and distract herself from the thoughts, her eyes started to survey his house. It was a small but comfy family apartment. From the beautiful exterior, the gardens decorating the outside compound which she had marveled over to this interior now, Madison could only open her mouth in awe. It was somehow large with nice furniture and so many accessories and from what she was seeing, Alvarez was doing pretty well for himself and deep in her heart she was once again so happy for him. He had come with Damien, and now the both of them was doing fine. She could remember back then when Damien had pestered her, to follow him, so they could run away and… no… no… she didn’t want to talk about Damien not at all. Sighing she smiled thinking of Alvarez and she was so happy for him… So, so happy. He had all he had ever dreamed of… achieved everything he had vowed to do, and it was blissful seeing this. He was married with a beautiful wife, had the most adorable little girl she had ever laid eyes on, and he had a happy home. He was happy. They all were. He had worked for this and he deserved it. A small smile framing her lips, Madison couldn't help but be proud of her best friend. He had done really well. …… Damien groaned in disgust as the taste of the pudding filled his mouth. He let the spoon in his hand drop to the plate, and spitting out the pudding in his mouth in a napkin, he growled his face in disgust. This had to be the most disgusting thing he had ever tasted. Hissing, he tossed the entire plate into the trash, and hissed silently. Of course he should have expected this. When Kathrine had offered to make him lunch today, he had tried not to let his surprise show.All through the time they had spent together he had never seen Katherine step into the kitchen, not to talk more of preparing a meal. She couldn’t cook, always hiring chefs and so far she had hired three different chefs over the last month. For someone who didn’t know her way in the kitchen, she was always full of complains, sacking the cooks and always grumbling that the food wasn't properly cooked or about something else. With all these though he never said a thing, allowing her do whatever it is she wanted. She had called him earlier today asking what he wanted for lunch. He didn't particularly care and that he had told her. The line had gone silent for a while, and he thought that she had already hung up on him when she abruptly announced that she was making lunch to be sent to him nevertheless. He had cocked an eyebrow in surprise but not wanting to hurt her feelings, he had said nothing, expecting her meal of course. Now looking at the discarded plates, Damien shook his head and downed a glass of wine to kill the taste of the rubbish he had just ingested. A knock at his door made him look up. "Come in.” He ordered, still wiping the corner of his lips with the napkin. Straightening up when he saw it was the guard he had sent to follow Alvarez, he questioned impatiently, eyeing the envelop in the guards hands, wondering what was in it, “Yes?" "I followed him on your orders. And I found out he had gone to meet someone. It was a woman." As he heard that, he felt his breath hitch in his throat. He felt like telling into thin air, but not wanting to embarrass himself he said nothing, and also he just couldn’t jump into conclusion of what he had in mind without proof. He stretched his hands towards the guard who handed him the envelop, and quickly he tore the sheet open. His hands shook with anger as he began to flip through the pictures - Alvarez and Madison in front of a tiny motel. Alvarez shielding a seeming crying Madison as they pushed through paparazzi. Alvarez and Madison getting into his car and zooming off.His jaw began to tic as he squeezed the photos in his hands. So Alvarez had been going behind his back all this while to meet Madison, just as he’d thought? Although he knew how much she had hurt him? Still he had betrayed their best friend bond… He knew all of this. So why? Was Alvarez siding Madison instead of him? He knew what he had gone through in the hands of the Connors, and still he had gone and done this. "Fuck!” He yelled not caring about anything again, kicking his legs hard against the desk and heaving as anger pumped through his veins. He stared down at the photos once more, rage boiling through him as he swiped them away from his face, dumping the envelope angrily on the table. He needed answers though… He thought within himself as he began to pace restlessly. He needed answers, and he was going to get it.