21 Reunited
“What if he’s in love with you?”
“Who? Ethan?” Madison asked.
1/4
“Yes, Ethan,” Isabella answered.
“What? That’s not possible.” Madison shook her head.
“Just think about how he’s been acting lately. You told me he never called you voluntarily and never went out in public with you. No one even knows he has a wife, for God’s sake. “Isabella took a sip of her water and continued, “He’s beginning to show an interest in your work and has willingly helped you solve problems at work. Why don’t you consider forgiving him for his mistake? He seems like he’s trying to make up for his past.”
“No, I won’t give him another chance. I’m determined to get a divorce.”
“Why? What’s so interesting about being single again?”
Isabella could not understand Madison’s persistence. “He doesn’t abuse you. He takes good care of you and ensures you don’t lack anything. That’s more than most women get out of marriage. He’ll come to love you with time if he isn’t in love. All the ‘Mayas‘ won’t stay forever, but you can.”
For the past two years, over seven hundred days, Ethan has never once shown her any affection or love. Now that she was about to leave, he finally realized his mistake, but it was too late.
In a sense, I want freedom the most, but he can never give that to me.
“If you say so.”
With that, Madison finished her drink and bid Isabella farewell.
She trudged along the streets, the neon city lights twinkling around her as passersby bustled past her to their respective destinations. For some reason, Madison felt exceptionally lonely that night.
A long–lost memory stirred within her mind. When she was very young and her parents were still married, they always brought her out for walks along the streets, sometimes buying her a piece of fried chicken from the food trucks. Eventually, the three would stand by the sidewalk, listening to the street singers crooning their hearts out.
Good times!
Suddenly, Madison’s phone rang, snapping her back to reality.
She glanced at the screen. It was a number she did not recognize. Madison hesitated for a moment but still picked up the call.
“Hello, is this Ms. Magnifique?”
“Yes, speaking. May I know who’s on the line?”
21 Pounded
“My name is Jan. I’m the manager of Starlight Entertainment. I want to discuss a business opportunity with you, Ms. Magnifique.”
Madison frowned when she heard this. “How did you get my phone number?”
“Don’t be afraid, Ms. Magnifique. Mr. Daniel was the one who recommended you to me. We have an upcoming show that requires a voice actress for the main character, and you might be the perfect person for the job.
Madison suddenly recalled that Daniel had promised her he would send job opportunities her way. It turned out he had stuck to his word.
She had been living in ignorant bliss for the past two years, but now she was alone.
“How much are you paying?”
“Well, it’s a TV show, so we’ll pay you by the episode. We can offer you about a thousand and five hundred dollars per episode. If the show does well in the future, we will give you a raise according to the show’s performance.”
“Sounds good. When do you want to meet?” The offer tempted Madison just a little bit
“We’d like to invite you to our offices for a chat tomorrow, Ms. Magnifique.*
“Okay. Thank you.”
After she hung up, Madison hailed a taxi back home to rest.
The following day, she woke up and made some eggs, toast, and warm milk for breakfast before heading to Starlight Entertainment.
Someone came down to meet her after the receptionist notified them.
“Are you, Ms. Magnifique?” Jan gasped when she laid eyes on Madison. She thought she had seen her fair share of beautiful actresses, but none could compare to Madison.
“Yes, I am. Can I know who you are?”
“I’m Jan. We spoke on the phone last night,” Jan replied, trying to remain calm.
“Shall we get going, Ms. Jan?” Madison could not help reminding her when she saw Jan staring at her
in awe.
“Oh, right! Ms. Magnifique, follow me. Our director is waiting for you upstairs.“Jan finally snapped out of her stupor and shot Madison a sheepish look.
“The director? Shouldn’t I be meeting the voice producer instead?” Madison asked.
“Ms. Magnifique, our director, would like to interview you himself, given your reputation in the voiceover industry.” Jan giggled just out of Madison’s earshot
Then, she led Madison to the guest lounge upstairs, where a man stood waiting before the window.
21 Reunited
3/4
“Director, Ms. Magnifique is here,” Jan announced, then left.
Madison was a little puzzled by this. Why was the director acting so mysterious?
“Nice to meet you, sir,” Madison said to the man.
The man finally turned around when he heard her voice.
“Long time, no see, Ms. Magnifique.”
Long time no sees? Madison stared blankly at the man before her. He seemed familiar, but she knew
she had never met this man.
“I’m sorry. Do we know each other?” She asked dubiously.
“Have you forgotten all about me, Margie?”
Margie?
Only one person in the entire world called her that.
Luke.
Madison finally linked the face of the man standing before her to the familiar little boy in her memory. “Luke? Is that you?” she gasped. She could feel her eyes brimming with tears at the mention
of his name.
“Of course, it’s me, my dear Madison.” Luke stepped forward, pulled her into a tight embrace, and gently kissed her hair.
“I heard you had gotten caught in a tsunami and died at sea! I can’t believe you’re alive, Luke! Oh, thank God! God is so kind.
He must’ve heard my prayers! I can’t believe you’re here, Luke!” Madison gushed with joy. When she first heard the terrible news of Luke’s disappearance, she was so upset that she spent a month praying for him to survive.
“My dear Madison, I had indeed fallen into the ocean. Just as I was about to drown, I heard your voice in my head, calling out to me. Your voice propelled me to continue swimming against the current until eventually, just as I was about to pass out from exhaustion, a fishing boat caught sight of me, and I was rescued.”
Luke paused, then added, “Do you know, Madison, that I always thought you were the one who sent the fishing boat to save me? You’re my angel, my saving grace.”
Luke and Madison had grown up next door to each other in a little village. Luke was always her knight in shining armor, the boy who would protect her from the other bullies in the town.
Once, the two of them saw a magazine cover depicting a movie’s making. Since then, Madison and Luke have promised to eventually go into filmmaking, whereby Madison would become an actress and Luke a director.
21 Reunited
However, when Luke was four, a group of men had shown up at his house, demanding money. It turned out that Luke’s father had accumulated a hefty debt, but neither of them could pay back his debt. Luke was taken away to work at the harbor as a manual laborer.
One day, the news of Luke’s death reached the village. He had fallen into the ocean and drowned.
Not long after, something terrible happened to Madison’s family, and she was forced to leave the
village.
Memories of this painful place have been locked up in Madison’s mind since then, and she never once thought she would see his familiar face again.
“Where have you been all these years?”
