27 SIMILAR PREFERENCES
After Madison had ended her call with Isabella, she headed downstairs. She was on her way out when Evelyn emerged from the kitchen.
“Madam, you’re just in time. I made you some porridge. This helps with hangovers. Eat! You must be starving!”
Madison had not been hungry before this, but the moment she smelled the porridge, her stomach growled.
“Thank you, Evelyn. Have you had your breakfast?”
“Of course, Madam.”
Evelyn went back into the kitchen, leaving Madison in the dining room.
As she ate, Madison flipped through the contents of her phone idly.
All of a sudden, she caught sight of a familiar date in her notes. She immediately dialed Isabella’s number and invited her out for a shopping spree.
“You’re inviting me out for a shopping spree? Madison, you don’t even like shopping Should I be worried?”
Madison laughed and said, “It’s a special day today, okay? Meet me at the mall in an hour.”
“So, what’s the occasion,” Isabella asked when they met at the mall.
“It’s my brother’s birthday today. Luke.”
Madison had always remembered Luke’s birthday; they celebrated their birthdays together when they were young.
Even after his ‘death,‘ she would still buy a cake and light a candle on his birthday every year. She always believed Luke was still by her side, protecting her like a guardian angel.
Now that he was finally back, she wanted to celebrate his birthday in person.
“You have a brother?” Isabella was surprised that Madison had a brother she had never mentioned.
Since she had known Madison, all she knew was that she was an orphan who stayed with Olivia.
A part from Olivia, she had no other family. “Since when have you had a brother?”
“Have I never told you about Luke before?”
“Nope. You’ve never mentioned him before.”
“Well, he’s not technically my brother. He was my childhood best friend growing up. We used to live
next door to each other.”
“Why did he disappear after that? I’ve never heard you mention him before until now.”
Madison explained what had happened to Luke,
“So, he was supposed to be dead at sea, but he’s alive and back into your life,”
“Yup,” Madison replied excitedly.
Isabella couldn’t help but be suspicious of Luke. If he did survive after all these years,
back now?
was ke
“Can you introduce us, Mad? I’d like to hear more about his adventure. I’m sure akt m’ye happened to him over the years that you lost contact.”
“I’ll introduce you someday, but you must help me find him a birthday present rijn now”
The two of them arrived at the men’s watch section. “Men usually like watches and electronic products. Why don’t you buy Luke a nice watch? That way, he can always wear it, and he’ll think of you when he sees it,” Isabella suggested,
Madison pointed at a gold watch in the display case. “How does that one look?”
She nodded and said, “It’s very nice.”
When she finished her sentence, someone’s voice rang out next to her. “Miss, I’d like to buy this watch, please.”
“Hey, we saw it first. How can you… ” Before Isabella could finish her sentence, she caught sight of the person beside her and snickered. What a coincidence. It was Maya.
Isabella could not help adding snarkily, “Do you purposely want things that belong to other people? First, you steal her man, now this.”
“Steal her man? When have I ever done that? If you continue spreading your baseless claims, I will have my lawyer sue you for defamation. Watch your mouth,”
Maya snapped.
“Sue me? Go ahead. I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you. If you want, I’ll even shout from the rooftops! The lowly mistress Maya is stealing someone’s watch from under her nose!”
Maya shot her a look of contempt. “You haven’t even paid for it, so how can you claim it’s yours? I will buy it right now to gift it to my lover.’
She had stressed the last word out purposely so Madison could hear, and then she turned to the look salesgirl and said, “Miss, I’d like to buy this watch. Please ring me up at the cashier right now.”
This was the last of that particular watch in that store that day, so naturally, the salesgirl was put in a challenging position. She did not know who to give this watch to.
Isabella took out her card and handed it to the salesgirl. “Here. You can swipe my card.”
Maya did the same. “I’m willing to pay double the retail price for this watch. Swipe my card.”
Isabella was utterly infuriated by this. “Miss, I’d like to pay twenty times the retail price.
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27 SHALAR PREFERENCES
Madison frowned at this. Since when did Isabella have so much money? She took out her card and handed it to the salesgirl.
She had just gotten her salary from her voice–acting gig. Although it was not much, it was just enough to pay for twenty times the retail price of this watch.
“How pathetic. You’re not even spending your own money. Does Ethan know how extravagant you are?” Maya snarled.
“That’s between me and my husband. I wonder why what I do with his money is your business.” Madison said.
The sales girl glanced back and forth at the three people before her, unsure what to do. Of all the watches, these people had to choose the same one!
“Miss, we have stock for this watch in our other branches. If you’re willing to wait, I can request that they transfer the stock here so the both of you can buy it.”
“No, I want it today,” Madison and Maya said unison.
“I don’t think that’ll be possible,” the sales girl said; she had to think of an excuse fast. “Someone already ordered this.”
“What?! Why didn’t you say something?!” Maya screamed
“I tried, but you both weren’t listening to me.”
Isabella burst into laughter at this. “Let’s go Mad, we’ll get Luke something else.” She grabbed Madison’s hand, and they both left the store.
“No Isabella. I only want that watch.” Madison said stubbornly. She pulled her hand away from Isabella and headed to the cashier.
“No, you don’t,” Maya said and tried to run after Madison, but Isabella extended her foot, and Maya tripped and fell face flat to the floor.
Maya’s assistant, who had been following her all this while, immediately ran over when she saw Maya fall.
She was shocked to see Maya’s face covered in blood; her nose was broken. It was all wonky and crooked. Maya was screaming in pain.
“How dare you?!” Her assistant said to Isabella, “We’re going to sue you for assault.” The lawyer brought out the phone and called the police and ambulance.
“Who cares? The little witch deserves a beating.“. Isabella said with a smirk.
Annoyed by her carefree attitude, Maya slapped Isabella, but Isabella immediately hit her back.
At this point, a crowd had begun to form around them, trying to see the commotion.
Some of the onlookers pointed at Maya, having recognized her. Maya tried to shield her face, but it
was already too late.
Some onlookers had already taken out their phones and were recording the scene. The security guards finally made it to the scene and managed to help Maya.
