Chapter 2

Ethan's POV:

When I watched her on TV, I had conflicting feelings. Madelyn's face pops on the television while I'm at home with my son and wife. As I gazed at her sweet face, my heart raced, and I realized I hadn't forgotten about her. Is she still at her house? When? She is now so well-known that it appears that getting in touch with her will be difficult.

"Dad, she's beautiful aren't she?" Jason asks while the look is on the TV as well.

I looked at my six-year-old son, blinked, and smiled. Yes, I married Katie for the sake of our business; we need to unite in order to become more well-known. Because the Samaniegos' company is one of the big ones nearby, Daddy reasoned that if I married their daughter, our company would be top as well.

But I had to let go of a woman who had been a long-time supporter of mine. I want to hit myself every time I think of that night; I went back to her, but she was gone. I wouldn't be willing to marry someone else if Mommy's illness wasn't a factor.

"Y-yes," my voice weakened as I stared at the television where the interview with her was taking place.

My cellphone rang and I saw Elvis calling so I frowned. I answered right away because it might be important what he was going to tell me.

"Why?" I asked and picked up Jason's crayon on the floor.

[Dude! You will not believe! I saw Madelyn again,] the first time he mentioned it, my heart beat faster again.

I got up and went outside, Katie wasn't there, she was in their company, and she is a civil engineer. I took a deep breath and bit my lip.

"Yeah, I saw her on TV," I said and combed my somewhat long hair.

He chuckled. [Still nice isn't it? We saw her earlier because my friend's car broke down. Then, she approached us and dude! She looks even more beautiful,] he said with a tinge of teasing.

"Shut up!" I said irritably. "Is she fine?" my voice became weak.

He laughed again so I swallowed. [Dude, she's really on fire. If you only see her in person you will be really quiet,] he said.

Jason is not studying today, so I am keeping an eye on him. Jason is six years old, and Katie and I recently married, and I discovered that she has always desired me. We went on that fucked honeymoon, and Jason was born; I was so devastated that night because I couldn’t forgot how I left Maddie in the middle of the rain.

"Yes I did." I heard Madelyn's answer when I heard my name. "He's no longer in my present, please I don't want to talk about him," she added in a serious voice.

I stopped and stayed where I was. My legs were shaking because I knew how painful it was to leave her in the middle of the rain. I took a deep breath and went back to my seat.

My parents and Katie's parents joined us for lunch the next day at the restaurant. Even though we were married, Katie and I were separated from our room since she knew I didn't want anyone next to me. I keep a safe distance from her and only talk to her because of Jason.

“You ready hon?" Katie asked as she adjusted my necktie.

I walked away and I fixed my tie. "Just go to Jason and he might be bored downstairs," I said calmly.

She sighed. "Are you mad at me? I heard that Madelyn is here, is that why you're acting like that?" she said in a calm voice and waved in front of me.

"Let's not talk about her anymore," I said and left her in the room.

I went out and caught Jason reading, I smiled at him and immediately led him outside. I helped her get in the car and so did Katie, I drove my car to the restaurant Mommy says. We're living here in Manila and all I know is that in Cagayan Madelyn still lives with her parents.

"We're here," I said in a calm voice and immediately parked my car.

At once we went inside and found the whole long table reserved for us. We went upstairs and we immediately saw Mommy, she smiled at me but I only gave her a small smile.

"Hija," Mommy said cheerfully and hugged Katie. "Glad you're here, all I thought was you were busy at work," she added and smiled.

"I always have time for you, Tita. Besides, Ethan and I happened to be off work so Jason and I are with him," She said in a calm voice.

Daddy, Tita and Tito are also here as well as my female cousins. I know that Claudia doesn't like Katie because of her behavior, so when the two of them argue with each other, I immediately apologize.

"Good afternoon, Grandpa and Grandma!" Jason in a gentle voice and kissed Daddy.

I sat down and looked at my two siblings, since I was the eldest I would inherit the company. So I was also assigned to marry someone I didn't know, I averted my eyes and served Jason who was happily talking to Daddy.

"It's good that you got here, I thought you were so busy you and forgot you had a family," Mommy looked at me.

I looked at her. "Isn't this what you want? I'll work hard and let the company grows?" I said sarcastically.

Daddy sneezed so I sat down and just ate. I also heard no answer so I just shrugged my shoulders at them. Later we heard Madelyn's voice while singing.

Song Photograph by Ed Sheeran

“Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes

But it's the only thing that I know

When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes

It is the only thing that makes us feel alive ... "

We were all stunned, I blinked and Mommy’s smile faded. My heart beat faster again, this is still the effect she had on me.

“We keep this love in a photograph

We made these memories for ourselves

Where our eyes are never closing

Hearts are never broken

And time's forever frozen still ... "

I heard a few accompanying the song. They all stared at me so I blinked and sneezed. I don’t want to be affected but every time I hear her voice, I melt.

"Uh, can we just request if it's okay to turn off their audio?" Katie breaks into awkward silence.

"No, it's so good," Claudia was the first to react. "Why can't you listen? Ate Madelyn's voice makes me melt," she added and smiled at me foolishly.

I pretend to be deaf but I want to smile. I bit my lower lip and continued eating.

“So you can keep me

Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans

Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet

You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home, "

I wish I could be at her place right now. I rose up and took a big breath before going to the bathroom. I go into the bathroom and conceal my face because I'm crying because I'm missing her voice. Is there anyone else in her life than you and me? Is she dating or married already? Is she in good condition? What's her condition?

I shook my head because I didn't want to think about Madelyn; this is my payback for causing her pain. I'm sorry for hurting her; I want to see her, hug her, kiss her, and say sorry for everything that I do.

I went back quietly and saw that they were all talking about business. When it was over we immediately rested before thinking of going home and still having work tomorrow, I held Jason’s hand towards the outside of the restaurant.

"Are you okay? You just heard his voice. You're quiet now?" said Evan.

My forehead frowned. "Is it obvious?" I said jokingly.

He shook his head. "Why don't you tell Mommy that you're not happy with your married life? Tell her," he said.

I laughed and got Jason into the car. "If it was that easy, I told you. Mommy is very fragile right now so I'll just be patient with her. But then again, maybe she's happy now I just don't want to bother her first," I said and smiled bitterly.

"Whatever you do, I'll support you." He tapped me on the shoulder and got into his car as well.

I stared at the billboard above, she’s on her formal suit and I bet she’s not wearing any undergarments because I can see her boobs. I took a deep breath and stared at her, just in case that way I could even see her. If only I hadn't made the wrong decision she might still be with me.

"I miss you," I whispered softly in the air as I looked at the billboard with her photo on it.