By your side (Rúben Dias)

Chapter One

Maddie couldn't ask for much more in her life. She recently got a promotion at work and that was what she was chatting about with her friend Lindsay on the way home. The sun was shining too, which was always something to enjoy in Manchester. And she was just...happy. Life was good.

"I don't know, I guess Rob and I will have dinner together tonight. We haven't seen each other much lately".

"You should come party with us anyway. Rob has you all the time. We don't".

Maddie laughed at Lindsay's words. Her friends didn't love her boyfriend and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. But she was used to it. And got it completely. He was the kind of boyfriend that wanted her for himself and that was why they fought often at the beginning of their relationship. Maddie wasn't going to ditch her friends for a guy. But her friends didn't forget he wanted her to do that and so it was an awkward situation whenever they all hung out.

"Well, he hasn't had me that much the past month if you know what I mean".

"Gross".

Maddie laughed again. But it was true. They seemed to have reached that point in their relationship where she had to schedule alone time for the two of them or otherwise they'd get none. Last week it was on Friday, this week was going to be on a Monday and a Thursday, to spice things up a bit.

"Anyway, I have to hang up now. We can see each other tomorrow, ok?"

"Sure. But you're buying our drinks".

"Will do. Bye!"

Maddie shook her head smiling. How was she going to let go of her friends when she got the best ones a girl could hope for? And Rob...well, he was a good boyfriend too. But not one worth giving up friends for.

Still, they had been together for four years now and she would lie if she said she wasn't hoping for a certain question soon. It wasn't even that her love for Rob overwhelmed her so much, she needed to make it extra official by adding a ring to her finger. But it just felt right. It had been four years after all. It was what everyone did, right?

But what she found instead was something not as pleasant. Something no one wanted to find when they got home early to surprise their boyfriend.

"Honey? Are you home?"

There was a loud noise coming from her room and Maddie immediately grabbed an umbrella. Not the best weapon, but better than nothing.

"Who's in there?"

Nothing. But she could hear some movement.

"Come out now or I'll call the police!"

"Baby, it's me".

Rob came out of the room, shorts on and nothing else. His hair was dishevelled and he looked flustered. And Maddie felt her whole body tense.

"What were you doing?"

"Just getting ready for when you came back".

"By running marathons or something? You look a bit sweaty".

"I walked back home today. The weather is great and...".

Maddie kept approaching him and he kept trying to get in her way. "Move".

"No, I...the room is a bit messy. I was tidying up before you got back".

"It was fine when I left this morning. Move".

"Baby...".

"Move!"

Rob still stayed in front of the door so Maddie pushed him. He turned and his eyes were wide open but it was too late. Maddie had opened the door and what she saw didn't surprise her.