72

Madiana slept and woke up with a smile on her face. In all her 25 years of existence, yesterday was the best birthday she ever had. All thanks to Lawrence, her Boss, her Boyfriend.

Yes, she had said yes to him. She liked Lawrence since the first day she set her eyes on his picture. That was even before she got the job as his secretary.

The last time Madiana dated someone was in College. But she swore that this time around, it was going to be different. She liked Lawrence a lot and she would do all that it took to make him happy and Luis also.

Madiana got up from her bed and proceeded to the bathroom to do her morning rituals. She got dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white button-up shirt. She applied some makeup, slipped her feet into her heels, and grabbed her handbag and car keys.

She rarely eats breakfast except during the weekend. She hoped Alice, Ethan's Secretary would grab a coffee for her today like always.

Madiana got out of the elevator and walked onto her floor. She said hi to Alice and grabbed her cup of coffee before stepping into her office. Lawrence and Ethan had not arrived yet. So she settled down behind her desk and began to do some work.

About thirty minutes later, Madiana heard laughter across the hallway, she looked up and saw it was Ethan and Lawrence, chatting about God knows what. She watched them for a while. They chatted after which they hugged each other and Ethan headed to his office with Lawrence coming in her direction.

Maddie's heart started beating twice faster. She wasn't ready to face Lawrence now. Not after that passionate kiss, they had yesterday night.

She pretended to be busy as hell as she kept on typing on her laptop furiously. Thinking if he saw that she was busy, he would head to his office instead of coming into hers.

But that didn't stop Mr. Lover Boy. He wanted to see how his girlfriend was doing today.

"Good morning, Babe" Lawrence uttered with a smile as he stepped into her Office.

"Good morning." She replied with a smile but didn't look at him.

She was shy. Probably because of yesterday's kiss and he knew it.

He walked towards where she was sitting, turned her chair in his direction, and squatted in front of her.

"You know you don't have to be shy around me right?" He asked and Maddie nodded.

"I'm sorry. It's just new to me. You are my boss and all of that." She whispered.

"Nobody cares about that. We like each other, that's what matters. Promise me you will be free around me."

"I will." She said,

He placed a soft kiss on the back of her palm.

"Good. Have you had breakfast?" he asked.

"No. Just coffee."

"Do you want me to order something for you?" He offered.

"I'm fine. I'm used to not having breakfast and besides I'm working." She replied him. Her heart melted at his gesture. He deeply cares for her and she could not help but fall more for him.

"You sure you will be okay till lunch?" he asked again.

"Yes, I will." She replied with a smile.

"So how's Luis?"

"He's fine. I think he misses you."

"I miss him too. Perhaps I should come to visit sometime."

"That will be great. We will be looking forward to it." He smiled.

"Alright, I have to get to work. I will be next door if you need anything." He said after which he stood up and kissed her.

As soon as Lawrence walked out of her office, Maddie's Phone buzzed, indicating she had a message. She checked it and saw it was from Ethan and it reads thus:

"I saw everything. I'm so fucking happy for you guys. Let me know if he ever hurt you and I will cut off his head."

Madiana smiled as she replied to him with a Thank you!

.................................

The week went by very fast with Lawrence being the best boyfriend he could be to Madiana. Everyone knows they are together now.

Just like he promised to take her on a date on Friday. Their date clashed with one of the charity events Lawrence had to attend. So he invited Madiana to go with him, after which they would go back to his apartment and continue their date.

Just like Madiana wanted it. She said she preferred staying indoors with Lawrence and cuddling with him, watching a movie, than wasting time at one of those expensive restaurants.

He had really found her amusing and he loved the fact that she was different. Silvia would never agree to that. In fact, she would make sure he booked the most expensive restaurant for their date.

Madiana had got ready for the charity event with the help of Omo. She was wearing a short red dress and black heels and she let her hair down.

"You look so beautiful. I'm so lucky to have you as my girlfriend." Lawrence whispered to her, with his hand on her lower back as they proceeded to the hall where the event was going to take place.

"No. I'm the one who is very lucky to have you. Thank you for choosing me." She said and gave him a quick kiss.

They entered the hall and were ushered to their seats. The charity event was not that boring compared to the ones Lawrence had been to. Maybe because Maddie was there with him. They were able to make funny conversations and mingle with some of Lawrence's friends who shared a table with them.

But deep down, both of them couldn't wait for the event to be over so that they can run off to Lawrence's home and cuddle without anyone disturbing them.

Luis's grandparents offered to take care of their grandson for the weekend. Talking about Luis, he was growing up so fast. He would want to put everything he sees now in his mouth.

"Come, let's take a walk," Lawrence whispered to Maddie.

She nodded and they both got up from their seats and found their way towards the garden. As soon as they got seated on a bench, a beautiful lady approached them. From the look of things, it seems she had been following them from the hall.

"Look who we have here." The unknown lady mocked.

"What are you doing here, Silvia?" Lawrence said with so much hatred.

"Is that the way you say hi to your ex?" She mocked.

"I see. I don't expect you to be nice to me anyway. So is she your new fling for the month?" She asked as she stood in front of both of them, directing her question to Lawrence as she took a glance at Madiana.

"Does she know you have a son, who might be illegitimate?"

"I'm warning you, Silvia. Do not speak ill of either my son or my girlfriend." Lawrence said. He was already fuming with anger. Madiana tried to calm him down a little by giving him a light squeeze on his shoulder.

She knew Silvia's type. She knew Silvia was jealous of them. She had expected Lawrence to be miserable after she dumped him.

"Who knew you could be so possessive, hon. I can't remember you being that way when we were still together."

"Trust me, he will soon get tired of you." She said to Maddie

"I don't think so. He loves me and I love him too. More than you can ever imagine. It's you who never loved him and behaved like a coward. You ran away when you heard he had a son. If you loved him, you would have stayed with him and listened to his side of the story. He went through a lot, Silvia and you weren't even there when he needed someone to lean on. And let me tell you, I fight for the ones I love. I love Lawrence and I don't share what's mine. So please stay away from him. Don't say I didn't warn you!" Madiana said which caused Silvia to look at her in horror. She had not expected the young lady to talk back at her.

She stood there with her mouth open as she watched Madiana and Lawrence walk out of her sight.

The drive home was very quiet. Madiana began to wonder if Lawrence was angry at her. 'Had she said too much?'

Lawrence on the other side was surprised.

They got to Lawrence's home and changed into their nightwear.

Madiana was already dressed in her shorts and tank top and her hair was in a messy bun.

Lawrence was in his sweatpants and a white tee. He walked into the living room and saw Maddie curled up on the sofa with tears in her eyes.

He panicked and rushed towards her. He took a seat on the sofa and pulled her on his lap.

He cupped her teary face in his hands and asked her.

"What is the matter?"

"I'm sorry if I said anything wrong earlier on. I'm sorry for making you mad at me." She said in between sobs.

Lawrence smiled as he wiped her tears away with his thumb.

"I'm not mad at you, my love. I was just overwhelmed," he said.

"Really?" She asked, relieved. The thought of Lawrence breaking up with her was making her crazy already.

"Thank you for standing up for me. Thank you for defending me." He kissed her forehead.

"Wait, why do you think I'm mad at you?" He asked.

"You were quiet on the ride home. So I assumed you were mad at me." She replied.

"No. I wasn't. I was just thinking about something you said."

"Were you telling the truth when you said you love me?" he asked and she blushed, looking everywhere else except him.

She could feel Lawrence's eyes boring holes into her body, he was waiting for her reply.

"I do. I'm in love with you Lawrence." She whispered.

"You know what? I think I feel the same way about you." He said and he attacked her lips immediately without giving her time to process all he had said.

Giving her space to breathe, they both leaned against their foreheads, gasping for air.

"I don't think you're ready for this, Maddie. Maybe we should pause here," he said.

"No, please. I want you!" She pleaded.

"Are you sure?" He asked and she nodded.

He smiled as he carried her in his arms, into his bedroom where they made love till dawn.