Shocking Secrets

Chapter 6

I finished curling the last if my hair and stepped back to examine myself. I had put on the low cut black dress that Steven had mentioned, it showed a good portion of my back and legs.

My dark brown hair fell in ringlets down to the middle of my back.

I turned around looking at every inch of exposed skin, I couldn't afford for a bruise to be seen.

Once satisfied I looked at the clock. He was 10 minutes late, but I had expected that.

NIALL'S POV

I stepped from the taxi and hurried up the steps, hoping no fans would notice me.

The last three weeks had been easy going. No one had even noticed that I was in the city. But this morning had been a set back. A huge crowd of screaming teen girls and parents isn't very diss-missable. So now my location was out there.

And it was going to be harder than ever to get to Maddie.

When the surging crowd of body's surrounded me inside of the building I felt better. I was hidden. And no one here looked under the age of 23 so it would be easy to avoid any fans.

Maddie had been right, this art museum was amazing.

I looked around at all the paintings and sculptures. One sculpture looked like an upside down mountain hanging from the center of the ceiling. As I looked closer I could see that it had different inscribing all around it, spiraling to the base of the 'mountain' and you had to go up to each floor to read a new part.

"Champagne? " a waiter asked holding up a silver tray of glasses.

What exactly was the drinking age in this country again? Ah, oh well. I took a glass and sipped it as I walked around.

Tonight was the best chance I had to run into Maddie. This was the grand opening of the new exhibit and if she was going to come here it would be now. At least I hoped.

MADDIE'S POV

"This ones real cool." Steven said looking at a deep blue painting.

"Yeah." I smiled

Tonight was going great. It had Been awhile since I had felt this good with Steven. He was a completely different person.

He put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head.

"Mads, " He used the nickname he hadn't called me for months. " I hope you know how much I love you."

Why was he acting like this? Just 24 hours ago he was causing the bruises I had on my stomach. And now...

Now he was being the Steven I fell in love with.

"You ready for the second floor?" I asked pointing up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had made it to the top floor and were just about to leave.

"Steven!" someone yelled.

"Eric. What are you doing here?"

By the way this guy was dressed I figured he was someone Steven worked with.

"Oh, the Mrs. wanted to get down here for the new exhibit opening. One of her paintings is in the showcase."

"How exciting!" I said " she must be over the moon!"

"I am." a voice said from behind me.

I turned to see a tall, sandy haired, lady.

" You must be Eric's wife, Angela." Steven offered out his hand. " I'm one of his Coworkers Steven, and this is my fiancé, Madison."

I screamed to myself in my mind.

FIANCÉ?!

He hadn't even asked me to marry him and now he had the balls to stand here and tell people we were engaged? And I didn't even know them!

"Really? Well congratulations!" Eric said glancing at my ringless hand, and astonished face.

He would be answering for this at home.

"Well we were just leaving, so..."

"nonsense! Stay, come see my painting!"

Angela led the way down to her exhibit, talking the whole way.

I took the opportunity to shoot Steven a questioning glare. All he did was smile and say he loved me.

What was with him tonight?

After about half an hour of looking at her painting Steven told Angela and Eric we had to go. But instead of leading me to the doors, he led me to the back stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Just wait."

We stepped out onto the roof. Tears stung my eyes as I walked around. White lights were strung everywhere. Candles sat along one wall.

I turned to Steven as I heard music start playing.

"I haven't played the guitar since jazz band in Highschool." he smiled, continuing to strum. "And I havent sang to my girl in a long time. Too long."

He started to sing Mayday Parade's acoustic version of Three Cheers for Five Years. The song we had danced to at his senior prom.

As he ended the song he took me by the hand.

"look." his voice broke. I could tell he was trying not to cry. " I'm sorry, so sorry. For the way things have been. And I'm trying to make it up to you tonight, and the rest of my life. I want you to know that you don't deserve anything I've dished out to you. "

He dug in his pocket

"Marry me?"

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(A/N)

Okay! My reads have double and I'm so happy! I know it's not much, but thank you.

And what do you think her answer will be? Has Steven really changed?

Xxxxxxx