MAD

~ Chapter 15 ~

Maddeline and Joel walked up the stairs hand in hand, flashes blinding them as they tried not to trip on the steps.

"Joel, Joel!" One of the reporters yelled. "Who is that with you? Is she your new plaything? Or did you just hired her for tonight?"

Joel's head snapped in the reporter's direction and he stopped mid-step. Maddeline, sensing his building rage, pulled him closer to her body, stepping in front of him and looking toward the direction of the reporter.

"You could always ask me, how does that work for you?" she simply said, no emotion showing. "Hello, my name is Maddeline, Maddeline Moralez. I'm the owner and manager of La Douce Chaise and Sparkly Red discotheque. I'm also Joel's girlfriend. So, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not an escort, nor am I simply accompanying him to the event, I was invited." She ranted. "Now, if you won't mind, we have a party to attend."

Puling Joel behind her, Maddeline walked up the last set of stairs and entered the hotel, guiding him directly to the ballroom.

"Relax Joel, everything is going to be fine." Maddeline soothed, sliding her arm into Joel's.

"Did you hear the things they were saying? I should've just punched him..." The man grumbled, pulling her closer and kissing the side of her head.

"Stop worrying about it, I'm fine, I stepped up and set them straight. Everything is fine, let's enjoy the night, okay honey?" Maddeline leaned into him and rubbed his arm softly. "Come on, let's go get a drink." She pulled him along as she moved towards the bar.

The few people that had arrived made a point of turning and spend a few minutes talking to Joel, barely sparing a glance at Maddeline, making her feel slightly uncomfortable like she didn't belong among them.

A tap on Joel's shoulder made him look back as they waited for their drinks, finding his father's calculating green eyes staring at him.

"Hello father, good evening." Joel said, tensing once again, pulling Maddeline closer protectively.

"Joel, son, didn't expect you so soon." Kyle said, looking down at the girl glued to his son's side.

"Goodnight Kyle." Maddeline spoke up at the sneering men.

"Miss Moralez." He nodded. "Thought you would ignore my invitation, as usual."

"I thought that now, that I'm officially in a relationship with your son, was the perfect time to accept it." Maddeline smiled with a hint of mockery and amusement and the scowling Kyle.

The men, infuriated, looked down at Maddeline that kept smiling and pressed herself further onto Joel's chest, and turned away from them and moved into the growing crowd, putting a fake smile on display to cover the annoyance.

"You sure are amazing." Joel spoke in her ear. "You even make my father disappear, magic." He laughed, kissing down her neck and lightly biting the skin.

"Stop doing that, we're in public." Maddeline pushed him off, laughing. "Come on, let's mingle!" She pulled him in the opposite direction Kyle had taken.

A few hours later, Maddeline spotted Josh in the mass of people, looking thoroughly bored while talking with Kyle.

"Come, honey, let's go rescue Josh from your father." She tells her boyfriend, twining their fingers.

"Father?" Joel spoke once they'd approached the two men.

They both turned towards the couple, Kyle sneering down at them while Josh stared in shock.

"Oh Joel, thought you were still busy with that girl."

"Father, please." Joel pleaded, trying to keep calm.

"Let it go, Joel." Maddeline said as she rubbed soothing circles on the back of his hand with her thumb. "Kyle, it's a pleasure to see you again." She said with a serious face, before turning to Josh and smiling. "Hey there, Walker."

Josh stood still for a few more seconds until Nate stepped up and left the rest of the group he was conversing with, sliding one arm around Josh's waist.

"Hello, Joel, Maddeline." Nate smiled happily at the couple before turning around and calling his band mates.

Gabriel came running to them and hugged Maddeline tightly, making Joel step to the side, allowing the friends to have a moment for themselves.

"Oh," Kyle spoke up "you know each other?"

Michael snorted, quickly covering it up with a cough, and answered.

"Of course, she's my cousin."

Rebecca approached them then, squealing.

"Maddie! Oh my god, you look so good with your hair like that!" she said, making Maddeline blush.

"Thank you." She said.

But little did all the presents know that she was not blushing because of the compliment, she was blushing because of the passion-filled look Zachary was giving her.

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Author's Note: God, I hadn't posted in so long it feels weird to it so often now...

If you liked it vote and comment, it would be amazing for me!

Besitos,

Jessy.