Finding Love Again

12

Maya observed as Madison, with an air of disregard, entered the mansion, her demeanour as cold as the grandiose halls she traversed. Ignoring the greetings from those in her path, Madison made a beeline for her room. Sensing an opportunity to connect, Maya decided to follow her upstairs.

A gentle knock preceded Maya's entrance into Madison's room. "The door is open," came Madison's indifferent reply. Maya stepped in, shutting the door behind her, cautiously. The room bore the marks of Madison's frustration – socks, shoes, and school uniforms strewn across the floor. Without uttering a word, Maya began gathering the scattered items, folding them neatly into a laundry basket.

Approaching Madison with a calm demeanour, Maya addressed the chaos. "It's not nice to keep your room in such disarray," she remarked. Madison, seemingly uninterested, mumbled a nonchalant acknowledgement.

Madison, still absorbed in her iPad, simply nodded and muttered, "Noted." Maya sat beside her, casting a caring gaze. "Would you like a warm bath before we talk about your day at school?"

Madison looked up, surprised by Maya's unexpected offer. "Really, Maya?"

Maya couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or real. With a warm smile, Maya affirmed, "Yes." She headed to Madison's bathroom, preparing a soothing bath with lavender-scented soap. Returning to the room, she suggested, nicely, "Go take your bath, and we can chat afterwards, actually,  if you don't mind."

Putting her iPad away, Madison mumbled a quiet "Thank you" as she grabbed her towel and headed for the bathroom. Maya, meanwhile, began sorting cosy clothes in Madison's walk-in closet.

As Madison enjoyed her bath, Maya checked on Ryan, finding him awake. She then approached the kitchen staff, requesting separate snacks for both Madison and Ryan. Taking Ryan with her, Maya returned to Madison's room, where she found Madison dressed.

Maya asked if she could let Ryan in, to which Madison responded with a nonchalant, "Do what you want." Maya brought Ryan into the room, offering them the snacks bowl. Ryan greeted Madison with a cheerful "Hi" and settled on the fluffy rug.

Maya, sensing Madison's reticence, ventured into conversation. "Are you ready to tell me how your day went at school?"

Madison, defensive, retorted, "It's really no one's business, and I don't want to talk about it."

Maya chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "Fair enough. If you change your mind, I'm here." She then inquired about helping with homework.

Madison, eyes fixed on her iPad, dismissed the offer. "I have my iPad. It can solve all my problems. I don't need anyone's help."

Maya, realizing Madison's resistance, apologized sincerely. "Okay, sorry for the inconvenience." She took Ryan's hand, quietly leaving the room. The air hung heavy with unspoken emotions.

Maya decided to wait for Liam to return from work before addressing Madison's situation. As she left Madison's room, she carried the weight of concern, planning to share her observations with Liam.

---

Liam Foster, the imposing figure of the household, returned home past 7 pm. Maya, positioned near the entrance door, greeted him with a polite smile, and Ryan, Maya's son, echoed the gesture. Despite the long day, Liam hurriedly excused himself, heading straight to his room to freshen up before joining them for dinner.

Dinner unfolded in the lavish dining room, adorned with elegance and luxury. The ambience, however, was marred by silence, a familiar presence whenever Madison opted to have her meals secluded in her room. The table was set for four, yet Madison's absence echoed louder than her presence would have.

After the silent dinner, Maya orchestrated the routine for the night. "Ryan, you can go upstairs to our room and play with your toys. I'll join you soon," she instructed. Ryan, a ball of energy, needed no further encouragement. With a swift nod, he dashed upstairs, his laughter fading as he ascended.

Left alone at the dinner table with Liam, Maya sensed an opportunity, or perhaps a necessity, to address the matters that perturbed her. As Liam made a move to leave, the anticipation of an impending talk hung in the air. Her voice cut through the atmosphere, "Liam, I wanted to talk to you."

Liam, in his customary brisk manner, suggested she write down whatever matter she had on her mind and bring it to him, citing the unfinished work awaiting him that night. Unflinchingly, Maya responded with a resolute "no." The audacity to refuse Liam Foster's suggestion was a rarity, and he sought confirmation with a raised eyebrow, "No?"

Maya held her ground, clarifying that the discussion concerned Madison and insisted it needed to happen in person. A subtle shift occurred in Liam's demeanour. Accustomed to compliance, he relented, conceding with a succinct "fine." He then set the condition for their conversation, directing her to meet him in his study room by nine.

The clock ticked away the moments as Maya agreed to the specified time. The unspoken tension lingered in the air, creating a backdrop for the forthcoming conversation. Maya, undeterred by the gravity of her request, stood her ground, ready to confront the intricacies of Madison's role within the Foster household.

The scene concluded with an agreement, setting the stage for a rendezvous in Liam's study room. The anticipation of the impending discussion hung in the air, and the weight of unspoken words marked the beginning of a dialogue that would delve into the complexities of the Foster family dynamics.