Trust in You

Chapter 60 - Madeline

Thanksgiving is around the corner and here I am in my apartment, sitting alone, thinking about what to bring for Thanksgiving at Ethan's house. Ethan has been having some business meetings in New York since two days ago and he will be back tomorrow. Maybe I need to take a walk and seek for inspiration.

I take my cardigan and scarf. Purse, wallet and phone. Time to go to find an inspiration for a gift.

I take a walk around my apartment. The weather is wonderful. Windy but still nice. Some stores are ready with the Christmas decorations. I go inside to a small store. It's like a stationery store. Lots of cute stuff. The owner is an old Korean lady. The Christmas tree is small, with only lamps and pictures. Must be his children and grandchildren. I stare at the Christmas tree and smile.

I leave the store after buying what I need for my gift for Ethan. I walk around the park, it's not too crowded. My phone rings. Sarah!

"Mads!!" Sarah says excitedly and I laugh. "Hi new mom! How are you?"

"I'm dying! What about you, Mrs. Hall?" She laughs.

I chuckle and shake my head. "First, I'm still Ms. Parker. Second, no one dying can be as excited as you."

"Wise ass!" She laughs. "The baby is killing me softly!" And she launches about the countless sleepless nights she had all this time.

"By the way, Mads. I was calling you not for launching my complain towards junior.. I'm afraid I'm too busy with my pumpkin and forget to tell you this," she says in a more sober voice.

"What is it Sarah? Is it about work or?"

"Since Ethan is your boyfriend and your boss, so it will affect you more."

I frown. "What is it, Sarah?"

"Ethan always tense around Christmas. You know... his dad..."

"I know," I whisper. "Did it affect his work?"

"Overall Mads. His mood, his work... everything. Everyone in the office knows their better to not make a mistake during this time."

"Okay."

"Well, you are his girlfriend. I think you should brace yourself. Oh, and he accepts no events near the Christmas and on December 27-29 he would unavailable."

"Okay, Sarah."

"The first year of his father's death, Ethan gone for a week. They found him in his father's graveyard. His grandparents were so panicked. Thought something bad happened to him. But things were getting better afterwards, by better I mean it was only 27-29 December. So, don't freak out if you couldn't find him on those days." She chuckles softly.

"Okay. Thank you, Sarah, for this. This means a lot to me. I'm going to meet Helen at Thanksgiving. I will find some time to ask her about this."

"Good. She knows her grandson better, of course," suddenly a baby wailing. "Gosh, he wakes up!"

"Bye mom," I laugh and we end up the phone.

I still deep in my thoughts when I walk back to my apartment. I bump into someone. "Sorry," I say, looking up at the person. "Thomas?" My eyes widen. Despite jobless, he still looks pretty good. At least he shaved.

"Mads, I need your help."

"What?" I squeak. After what he did to me, he still needs my help?

"Please, Mads" he holds both of my arms with his hands. I step back and pull my arms. Many people are walking, so I'm still safe if I keep standing in this place.