The Age of Love (Book #1)

13. Who is Paul?

Author's Note:
The song that I consider to be Madison and Theodore's theme song is:

Good for You - Selena Gomez ft A$AP Rocky

It was dark already when Theodore left her house.

Despite accepting their relationship, Garret didn't say another word to Theodore for the rest of the day, having made an excuse to leave in the middle of the afternoon to go buy something that took hours, only coming back when he was already gone. It wasn't a pleasant situation but Madison was getting fed up with everyone making such a big deal out of a number, completely disregarding his good nature.

"You know Garret that was absurdly rude." Dora said as soon as he walked in.

"Garret? The only times you call me by my middle name are when you're extremely pissed at me." He says casually looking away.

"Well George Garret Swanepoel I am." She said almost infuriated "He is a great person and treats our daughter right. We both know how kids these days are and the fact that Madison found a man that cherishes her like Theodore does. Well thank the heavens. So I'd appreciate if you stopped being so obtuse and recognize that Madison knows her worth and she's not out there selling herself."

"Go mom." Madison eavesdropped from the tv room.

"Jesus woman, I heard you once." He snapped. "Way too many times actually! I just don't see how can she love someone so old. He's nearly our age, doesn't that bother you?"

"You're speaking as if he was a hideous looking monster, plus, wasn't it obvious the moment he walked in he was a little older than the guy Maddie brought home before?"

"I didn't think it was this old... I really hope she's not fucking for money." He says upset, walking up to their bedroom and going to sleep.

Madison had enough for one day, she sat there quietly with high hopes he'd get over it in the morning. And as for Theodore, as much as she tried not to think about him, she couldn't silence her thoughts by watching Food Network. Until she heard a little vibration coming from her device making her jump off the couch.

"Just got home. Can't stop thinking about you."

And that's where she wanted to be. So why not?

Because you just convinced them he is a good guy and now running to see him will only prove you wrong - Her conscious judged her harshly.

The tension in the air was too heavy for her even to breath, much less to have a good night sleep. She sighed. Today was one of those days she wish she had her own place. She'd need to think about that soon.

"We should've gone with Chicken Casserole today." Her mom says, sitting next to her, noticing how deep in thought she was. "Give him time, your father is a little ancient."

"What if we scared him?" I think out loud.

"He doesn't seem the type and if he really is, then he's not man enough." Dora sips on her rooibos tea.

"What type does he seem like then?" She was genuinely curious.

"There's a lot more to him behind that carefully placed "businessman" mask he wears. He's classy and humble." She analysed. "I like him a lot more than Paul."

Luckily, Dora knew better than to push the topic, once she finished her tea, she wished Madison a goodnight and went straight to bed. Leaving her alone with her mind spinning around the idea of seeing Theodore.

She texted him.

"Can't sleep here. What time is your flight tomorrow?"