The Secret (Boston's Best 1)

Chapter Fifty-Three

Maddie

Matt and I spent literally the whole day today shopping in some of the most beautiful places and walking around the city exploring. We decided not to go to the beach again as it was super crowded which is to be expected because it's mid-June.

While we were out he told me about his decision to give Zara full control of the program and Oscar his shares in the law firm.

I asked him how he felt about it all and he just shrugged and said that he was never that involved in the company anyway so it doesn't matter all that much. He then added that his one point two billion dollar inheritance and seven-hundred million dollars that he gets to keep from giving up his board seat, makes it a pretty good deal.

That last part shocked the shit out of me.

I knew he was rich, like super rich. But I never thought he'd be in the billions. I know it's possible for lawyers to make that type of money, but his parents weren't even fifty yet. Though they did own like thirty firms on top of the work they normally did.

He's in the shower right now because we're leaving for dinner in twenty minutes and he is only now starting to get ready.

I check the time on my phone while I'm mindlessly scrolling on Instagram and see it's eight o'clock which means it's five o'clock in Ireland, I think.

I open the contacts app and dial Aebhín's number into it.

She answers on the second ring, practically screeching, "Madeleine O'Brien, you will never guess what Ciara did!"

"What did she do?" I ask rolling onto my stomach on the bed.

"Because I only had business this morning and she didn't have any exams," The Leaving Certificate exams are going on right now. "She made a picnic with all of my favourite snack foods and and collected me from the school and brought me to the park where the druggies go by the bridge, you know the one?"

I nod even though that's stupid because she can't see me. "Yeah, the one Sadhbh always brought her boyfriends too?"

"That's the one. Anyway, that was where we officially hung out for the first time outside of school. It was with a group but I was uncomfortable because you were in France by then and I didn't know what to do with myself. And like the total idiot that I am, I completely blanked on the fact that today is our one year anniversary.

"So, she had this lovely picnic and everything was all set up and I completely forgot." She groans, "I feel horrible. She brushed it off but obviously that would hurt her, I feel like the biggest bitch ever."

"Oh, Aebhín, I'm sure she doesn't mind. She knows how busy you are with just your studying, getting ready for the move, and sure you have ballet five times a week. You're a busy person with a lot to do and Ciara understands that."

I hear her exhale, "Yeah, I know. I just feel shit cause she was so excited then I burst her bubble. Anyways, how's Dubai?"

I smile, "Dubai is great. It's beautiful here, really gorgeous."

"I'm sure it is. And how's Matt?"

Just then I hear the shower turn off. "Matt's good. Dealing a lot better than I expected him to."

"That's good. And how's his girlfriend?"

"Shush. No need for that." I blush at the g-word though, "But she's good."

She laughs, "I'm sure she is."

Matt walks out of the bathroom and into the bedroom with wet hair and nothing but his towel wrapped around his waist.

I stare at his abs for a second before I look up and see him smirking at me. I bite my cheek and he winks as he walks past me and into the walk-in closet.

I clear my throat, "So, how are exams going?"

"Good. I've finished English, maths, Irish, engineering, and business. And I have physics on Wednesday, and DCG on Thursday, applied maths on Friday and then I'm done."

"That's good. I'm sure you're obviously going to do amazingly."

"Obviously. I'm like the smartest person in the school." She says deadpan.

We talk for another maybe ten minutes before Matt comes back out dressed in his good jeans and a navy shirt and he dried his hair but it's still very messy as per usual.

He nods his head towards the door and mouths, "Ready?"

I nod and say bye to Aebhín and hang up.

I stand up off the bed and put my wedges on as Matt comes beside me and kisses me.

"What was that for?" I ask, smiling.

He shrugs, smiling, "Just cause. You look beautiful by the way."

"Not too bad yourself. You clean up nicely."

He smirks and holds out his arm for me to take and we leave the house.

And looking at this amazing man beside me, I genuinely could not be happier or feel more lucky to have someone in my life.