MADISON

It was on Tuesday, around mid-December, a couple of weeks after what Caden had done.

In case I haven't made myself clear, yes, I had been ignoring him because he needed to know what he did was highly wrong.

Of course, I wanted him out of jail, but that doesn't mean what he did to Daisy Esteban was going unnoticed.

He promised me things would be better, then he went and did something so unimaginable, something so brutal, so horrible.

No! He needed to feel the guilt. He needed to know I wasn't okay with anything like that.

He almost killed someone and dragged himself into deep shit that could've destroyed his future and mine.

Did I mention today is the last day of school for the year? It is. It's almost Christmas, and Caden still wasn't permitted to travel back home. This leaves me wondering if leaving for New York tomorrow was a good decision.

Mom and dad were only expecting me for the holidays since Caden had to cover himself with arrogance and provoked dad to give up trying to get everyone together for Christmas.

But somehow I feel like I am in the same situation; that is, I am stuck here.

Do you think there is any way I could leave Caden by himself without him jumping through the window?

Acknowledged; he had been very polar opposite of himself these days. He had been reasonable and polite. But God knows he can be unthinkable, and I am not prepared for another chaos as he was good at.

At least, I had successfully caught up with all my classes with the help of Asher, who had given me some lessons and had helped convince his uncle about the days I've skipped at work. Also, he had helped babysit Caden while I was at work.

So yes, I was able to concentrate on school and my work in the past weeks.

I must say it wasn't easy attending class without Caden, though. All I hope is for him to be able to return or else he'd be retaking these classes, and that would mean having to attend different classes next semester if so.

Do I want that? No!

It's something I don't think I want now. Yes, maybe I used to say I wanted him away from me, but now, I don't want him anywhere but close to me.

I might be mad at him, but he had consumed all of me. I was infatuated with everything that was him. Everything that lived around and within him. And everything that was below and above him. He had become my addiction. For that, I am enamored by everything he had touched or anywhere he had visited. God! I was madly in love with Caden Thaddeus, and it was a very foolish choice.

It was hard avoiding him at home. Granted, he had been nothing but soft and nice.

As promised, he does all the chores and the cooking. He remains attentive and cautious of the words he speaks, and he will always try to check whether I was done being mad.

It was quite sweet of him.

Honestly, the past days were the sweetest days of my life even though I was practically punishing myself from having what I really want.

Every time I walk back into that apartment, the urge to run into his arms becomes more tempting than the prior day. There's always a tantalizing perspective of what our day could be like if I gave in to the irresistible man smiling at me from the couch.

And it was nothing but flowery and laughter and joys. It's all I ever wanted with him.

But I was denying myself that.

Shit! It sucks.

After my last class and the phone call I had with the lieutenant who had stubbornly insisted to keep Caden in Palo Alto for the holiday, I finally grow the confidence to go see Daisy in her department.

I heard she had returned back to school last week, was it?

Yes, there were rumors around the school about the incident, and it was quietly circulating.

I was dressed in a colorful outfit you'd say childlike, but I like it. It was warm and suitable for December weather.

I have my hair flowing down my shoulders as that cut on my neck from the accident had healed but had left that scar I've been afraid of.

It's official, no more ponytail for me! At the scanty classroom that was for biological events, I spot her sitting all by herself with the company of textbooks and a bottle of water.

We used to have the same classes earlier this semester. I knew she was the nervous and quiet type because I once sat next to her and she kept pulling on her sleeves. Never did I know she was running from my stepbrother.

Maybe that was why she changed her major... I mean it must be exactly why she did leave psychology.

She has a pen between her fingers with her eyes staring into the distance. I doubt she noticed me.

Yet, she did. Because she suddenly budges in her position. Her face instantly looking paled.

Now she must be afraid of everyone in my family.

Great, Caden.

I advance toward her with a smile, assuring her it was okay. I am a psychology student; therefore, it was effortless to read her uneasy demeanor, for she kept swallowing rapidly, and her delicate wide green eyes were blinking unsteadily.

"Hey! Daisy Esteban. Right?" I inquired nervously.

Well, this isn't easy, you know? Confronting the girl your stepbrother almost killed. Mmm... The one whose father killed your stepbrother's twin.

Whoa, freaking complicated right? I know.

When she didn't say anything, I went on, not knowing how to make this any less awkward than it already is.

"I know it's you; I just choose to ask. I don't want you thinking I'm stalking you because it's creepy, but I don't.

I just happen to know you from what happened. Oh, and I don't mean I didn't know you before because we had classes together, at the start of the semester, and we even sat next to each other."

Shit, was that too much? Well, my palms are actually sweating. She apprehensively nodded and lowered her head, "Yes, I remember."

Damn, she really does have long and healthy hair; it was shielding her face from me. Sanguine, I blurt over the seated girl, "You do?"

She tugged back the locks of hair behind her ear and brought her earthy green eyes on me, "Yes. I'm sorry I was in haste at the time; we didn't get a proper introduction."

That was the day Caden ran after her and left me wondering how a guy who easily dumps every girl ended up tailing after a specific one he just met in class.

Then it all explained everything.

He was after her, and she was trying to escape him.

"You were running from him at the time, weren't you?"

"It doesn't have to..."

When she paused in mid-sentence with her cupid full lips trembling a little, I dropped next to her on the free seat.

I understand how hard it is for her after all that's happened.

"You can tell me, Daisy. I am his sister." I mean, "stepsister." I corrected myself with my eyes closed.

But it was too late; guilt had already slipped into my head, reminding me how much of a sinner I've become.

Pained, I had to swallow the lump in my throat and reopen my eyes to find hers.

This isn't about me; it's about her.

Focus.

"But I am all he has closest to family here. I can't live with myself knowing you are in the same school as Caden and me, and I haven't confronted you after what happened."

She looked away, staring into the distance again. "Is no big deal," She murmured, but it was obvious she was lost in some thoughts.

Was it the accident? Was it haunting her? "Don't say that," I began, but it seems she wasn't here with me. Her mind was absent from here.

I grab her hand softly. It seems to snap her out of whatever thoughts it was. She brought her unstable eyes to me.

She was really beautiful but she was sad. I must say there is something wrong with her, but she was coating it up in the face of the public.

Had what happened to Cara affected both families this badly? Or was I just imagining things?

"It is. You were assaulted, attacked by a man. Part of me wants to say I know how it feels, but truly, I can't compare myself to you. So honestly, I don't know how it feels like. It pains me you have to go through it. Maybe if I knew about the history your family and mine share earlier, things won't have gotten this far." I sighed noisily, irritated at myself.

If I knew about Estebans and Thaddeus much earlier, maybe I could've protected things from getting this worse. But no one talked about Cara's death, and so I was left in intense darkness between two hurting families.

"Is not your fault," she quietly said. Damn! Her voice was really soothing.

"Is not yours either," I responded, disappointed with myself and Caden.

"Caden has a record of been rude and mocking, but not in my life did I think he could be physically aggressive." If only I knew he could do anything worse after what he did to that doctor at the hospital weeks ago. I would've called for help... Because it was all he needed.

I saw the flash of it in his eyes; he was changing into something I didn't know of.

I exhale again and lean back into the chair, releasing her hand.

"I am so sorry for what he did." I wish I could take back what happened.

I still do not understand why he did it. We were just fine that day, and he even promised me a life full of happiness. But here I am apologizing once again for the distress he had caused.

"He has no right, and I know he should be thrown into the cell for what he did. But you're so humane for forgiving and dropping the charges. I don't know how to thank you for giving him another chance. I fear what that record could have done to his future. Damn, I feel so selfish right now."

I looked away, blinking away the tears and the humiliation I feel for having his back even after what he had done.

"I didn't forgive him," she flatly said, attracting back my attention.

I know. I know it must be hard for her.

"I understand. I understand..." I could feel her eyes on me as I try to push back Caden's irrational opinions.

Now, look what he had done to himself?

I heard her say: "Maybe someday I might, but right now is too early. I Uhm-I still have a concussion, you know. The pain's here." I tilt my head to her and find her offering a small smile.

"The memories remain when through the aching." I let out and return a smile to the girl next to me.

"Yes, that."

This time I smile wider, with an arched brow. "Told you I understand."

I do know pain... It was a regular place I go to every often. So I understood Daisy, completely.

She smiled freely, appearing much relieved.

Then it came to me; I was angered after Caden ran after her that day in class.

How was I so blind to see all of this coming?

Just to clear the tension around us, I embarrassingly let it out: "God, I should've known he wasn't hitting on you the other day; I should have known he was after vengeance."

She chuckled at me, her head jerking back just as I did.

"You thought he was hitting on me?" She asked when she stopped laughing.

"Do you blame me? Caden's a lothario." I beckon to the group of girls in the classroom.

She laughs more: "I heard about that." Then her hands suddenly come over her mouth. "I am sorry; I shouldn't say that to you. He is your family." She stuttered, heat spreading across her face.

She shouldn't. After what he did to her and she still let him free. This is the least she can do about him.

"But is no lie. Chill, I don't care; call him an ass or worse; he fitted every single curse on this planet."

Her eyes widen, and her jaw dropped at my utterance. Yes, I said it.

Before she could respond, there was a brassy voice that almost made me cussed.

"Hello, girls, I'm Rachel Collins, a popular girl in the class I'm sure you already know." She brushes off with her manicured nails.

What?

"I am having a party tomorrow at my place; maybe you two could come with your plus one. Kaiser Chandler, for instance." She grinned at Daisy, and I watched terrified at what she thought was enthusiasm.

That's before her smoky eyes drift to me. "And you, bringing a family to a party is a symbol of earnest love."

Slowly and cringy, Daisy and I made eye contact.

Well, that ain't new; I was used to meeting people just like that. For instance, Avery.

"That's spoiled brats for you. And at the end, I am sure she's all bark and no bite." I whispered.

Daisy giggles at me just when my eyes caught that familiar face.

"Is that Kaiser Candler, the son of the state governor, advancing?" I questioned, my eyes widened toward the front door as giggles take over the classroom.

Oh, my species would always be like this, blushing over guys like Kaiser Chandler.

His expensive light brown hair was a sexy mess and it was falling down his forehead. He was outfitted in a white sweatshirt and pants, white Jordans.

Yes, I've met him once, so I know he looks like a fucking meal in flesh. "Yep, it's him," I answered myself when Daisy remains quiet beside me.

I turn to her, observing her complexion.

Oh boy! Girl's caught in his spell. I know that because I look at Caden that same way.

Only, I thought Kaiser Chandler was dating Riley Hunter? I mean why is he coming over to see Daisy, and he has a broad smile that says 'I can't wait to have you in my arms' while he approaches us.

I softly nudge her shoulder knowing I gotta slide out of this story: "I should get going then."

It was then she recollected her current surrounding and was reminded of my presence.

I swear she's all captured by him. Though who wouldn't? The dude was no lie gorgeous and he was fucking powerful in this state.

"Thank you." She smiled at me before I walk away through the back door.