Daylight

27 | Scandalous

Crystal chandeliers and bright candles reflected on her glowing hazel eyes, Caroline looked around, eyes studying every detail, every corner, every small space there was in the lively manor. From the back of her ears, she could hear muffled live music being played, the sound of heels stepping on marbled floors from dancing, and the sound of joy.

Standing beside her was Madonna who stared in awe, not at the huge manor that she once wanted to have, not at the people around them that she's seen before, not at the fancy decorations, not at the huge ball room they were in but at the brunette woman who stood close to her whose eyes are wide with visible joy and curiosity, a wide smile gracing her lips as she watched.

By the time they entered the manor, the night had already started. Drizella disappeared with Sebastian, off to meet his family. Anastasia disappeared from their sight the moment they stepped in, leaving the two of them alone.

Madonna smiled, listening to the music produced by different stringed instruments. She watched the sync dancing of several guests, her eyes roaming around the room, seeing familiar faces, and her mouth practically watered to get a taste of her favorite expensive wine.

All those feelings at once disappeared when she didn't fail to notice how many men stared at Caroline with their sinful eyes, the way they looked at her made her blood boil.

"I'm rather starving, are you not?" Madonna felt Caroline's hot breath against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder to find the brunette standing so close to her that their bodies were almost pressed together, Caroline had a small pout on her lips.

Madonna swallowed thickly "I suppose we could dine before we join the others." she looked around one last time before sliding their fingers together, holding hands but hiding behind the skirts of their dresses.

It was a risk to take, holding hands with a woman in the eyes of all these people she once associated herself with. It was scandalous. But she wanted to feel Caroline, even with their gloves on, she needed to know that Caroline was beside her, that she was enjoying herself and she was safe.

"Donna."

Caroline must have noticed the unsure expression on her face the moment they held hands, she knew how much the opinion of others mattered to Madonna and she didn't want to ruin that.

"It is fine, I... do not care about them." Madonna offered a small smile, squeezing Caroline's hand, fighting the urge to lift it near her lips and press kisses against her knuckles "Tonight is about our daughter." she softly whispered.

She saw how Caroline's eyes softened, slightly taken aback from her words. They never defined what their relationship was but their dynamics around the girls prompted the two into thinking they now have two mothers. It was only fair for Caroline to feel that the girls are hers too.

"If you are certain." Caroline murmured.

"I am always certain, darling." Madonna said.

Caroline smirked "Apparently, not when you first thought of kissing m—"

"Do behave yourself." Madonna shot the brunette a stern look, Caroline only rolled her eyes and continued grinning but also followed the redhaired woman like a lovesick puppy.

"How are you feeling?" Caroline grabbed a glass of wine from the tray a butler offered her, handing it over to Madonna who accepted it with a smile.

"Nostalgic, divine." Madonna shrugged, taking a sip of her wine, unable to hold her moan back upon tasting it. Red. Just like how she liked it. She looked back at Caroline whose cheeks were red, she offered the glass back "Try it."