Forced To Love You

Alzheimer's

I had no idea what to expect when I decided to go visit Madison. I didn't know what kind of house she lived in or how her parents were around strangers. It also didn't help that Madison and I didn't end on good terms.

It was my fault that she got fired. Christian didn't know that she didn't have anything to do with me leaving so he had every right to fire her. I just hated that she lost her job because of me.

I didn't know too much about Madison. I knew she was a maid for Christian for several years. She took over her dad's role once he became too ill to work. She never said what illness he had.

Maybe it was too painful.

She didn't know much about me in return. She probably didn't know that my parents died when I was young. She didn't know that I struggled to stay in school and work my job in between my classes and family time. She knew about my aunt but not how special and loving she was.

My aunt Ren would have liked Madison.

The driver took several turns away from the restaurants and shops in town and ventured into a housing area. The houses all looked like apartments and townhomes. Like everyone had to pay rent to live there rather than have their own home.

I frowned as he stopped in front of a brown apartment building. It looked to be made of concrete blocks or something that was just painted over. There were no porches or balconies in any of the apartments. Only windows that opened horizontally.

The apartments didn't seem very inviting.

"This is where Madison lives?" I wondered if she was glad to stay at the mansion during the week. It was definitely a step up from this place.

The driver nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Would you like to go inside?"

I wasn't sure I did.

I shook that thought off. I needed to talk to Madison. I wanted to make amends. I couldn't do that from outside.

"Yes, please."

The driver turned off the car and stepped out. He walked around to my door and waited for me to get out, seeing as I'd already opened the door on my own.

He began up the sidewalk and opened the door that lead to the inside of the building. He didn't let me go first but rather walked in and looked around the hall as if there was danger waiting for me.

The door opened to a dimly lit hallway. Doors lined the hallway and a staircase was on our left. There wasn't a foyer or a lobby or anything. And it stunk of cigarette smoke.

We started up the stairs to the second floor. The carpet was worn and dirty. It didn't appear to have been washed lately. I figured there wasn't an elevator in the building which I was sure made things difficult for Madison and her family if her father ever had to leave for an appointment.

The halls were bare of any personality or charm. No pictures or decorations covered the walls. Even the wallpaper was a bland yellow and brown striped disaster. It was so depressing that it made my heart hurt for everyone who lived there. They all deserved better, even the ones I didn't know.

The driver stepped up to the door marked 2G and knocked. We waited a few moments before the door opened.

"What are you doing here?"

The driver stepped aside so I could fully see Madison. She was wearing a cream-colored turtleneck sweater and black leggings. Her feet were bare and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A harsh frown etched anger onto her face that told me I wasn't welcome there.

"Christian said he tried calling-"

"I'm not interested. You can go now." She started to shut the door but I put my hand on it and pushed back.

"Madison, wait. Please, let me talk to you."

"You couldn't talk to me when you ran away. Why do you want to talk now?"

"I wanted to apologize."

She shook her head. "Apologize for what? For feeling guilty? For Christian being mad at you that you left town? That's not my problem."

"I promise that's not why I'm here. I want you to come back to the mansion."

"I'm not going back there. Both you and Christian treated me poorly and I won't stand for that. I was only doing my job."

"I know. Believe me. Things will be different-"

"No, Blair. Now, please, leave me alone. Don't come back here." She shut the door in my face and I heard the lock turn.

I stood there for a bit as I processed what had just happened. I'd really screwed things up with her. She was still so mad at me and rightfully so. She didn't have to accept my apology just to make me feel better. That wasn't fair to her and it wasn't going to fix our friendship. I needed to make things right but I wasn't sure how.

I looked at the driver and nodded my head. He started back toward the steps to head down to the car. This time, I let him open and close the door for me as I got in.

I leaned my head back on the seat and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" He asked in a soft voice. This man seemed older. He wore a black hat that covered his white hair. His face was red with lots of wrinkles. He wore a dress shirt, a tie, and slacks. All black and white and basic.

"Do you know much about the Freys?"

"Mr. Frey worked at the mansion for many years before he retired."

"Do you know what his illness is? Madison never told me specifics."

He started the car and began driving. "Alzheimer's disease. He doesn't remember much these days."

I frowned. That had to be so hard to deal with. If it were cancer or a degenerative disease of the body, the person would still be there as they withered away. But Alzheimer's took your brain first.

"Would you like me to take you somewhere else?"

"No. I just want to go home."