Fate's Twist

Chapter 6

Knock, Knock, Knock

The knocks came just as Maddison had gotten into bed. She slipped out of bed and went to the door. She looks through the peephole and relaxes. She opens the door to Alex standing there with flowers.

"Good evening," he said, "I'm sorry that I could not be here today; I had a work thing."

"Oh! Hello! It's ok, Brianna came over and helped me. As did you, with buying all that for me! That was completely unnecessary!"

"Of course it was! You needed to get on your feet! Mind if I come in?"

"Oh! Of course! Sorry, long day." Maddy said, opening the door wider to allow him to come in.

"No problem!" Alex responded, coming in.

"Let me get a vase," Maddy said, entering the kitchen.

"Oh, I brought a vase," Alex said, pulling a vase out of his bag. "I was not sure that you had gotten one yet."

"Oh, how kind! Want a tour?"

"Sure! I already love what you did with the kitchen!"

Maddy showed Alex around the house, walking through the rooms slowly. When they returned to the kitchen, Kobuk was whining to go out. Maddy went to let Kobuk out, turned around, and almost ran into Alex. She would have fallen over, if he had not caught her.

"Tha.. thank you." Maddy breathed.

"Of course," Alex said, pulling her slightly closer.

They stared into each other's eyes and Alex leaned in slightly.

"I don't... know if this is a good idea, Alex," Maddy whispered.

"Why not?" he responded, his voice husky.

"I... don't know you very well and something is off with you."

"Off?"

"Yeah, everyone I encounter seems shocked I'm with you. And EVERYONE seems to know you."

"Oh, Maddy that's nothing. Why are you worried about everyone else? This should just be about me and you. No one else."

"See? You seem to deflect every time!"

"Maddy, does it matter? Can't you just like me for me, and not worry about all that?"

"I hardly know you!" Maddy said, stepping away and letting Kobuk in.

"Maddy, please, that is nothing! You do know me! You spent the past week with me!" Alex begged her, stepping towards her again.

"Please, don't make this harder than it is," Maddy said, backing up.

"I'm not trying to. I like you, and I want this. Please, Maddy."

"Alex, I still need... to do so much. I... don't know so much. I don't know what I want to do with my life, or anything about my future. I'm not even a resident here!"

"That can be arranged! Please, Maddy, don't do this. You already mean so much to me, even in this little time."

"Alex, can't you wait? Just a little bit? At least until I get my residency or a long-term visa?"

"Maddy," he said, stepping forward and taking her hands, "I'll wait as long as it takes."