CADEN

Nervous, my hands got stuck in my pants pockets while I watch Mad watch the view in front of us.

For a moment she became very quiet, it scares me.

Then she gently took two forward steps.

Her shoulders tense as her hands move to her face or was it mouth? I can't really say because I was standing behind her.

It took her forever to spin and when she did, she's on the verge of tears.

The fuck?

Did I hurt her? Did I do something wrong? I know I would mess up and I probably did, maybe I need to...

"It's so beautiful." It was almost a whisper. But it brought me out of my thought, and her glossy eyes locked with my wide ones.

There was a tear sliding down her cheek when she stepped towards me and leaned against my chest.

It was when I processed everything in detail. Sweet cheese! She likes it.

Smiling, I felt her hands around my midsection, I didn't hesitate to snake my hands around her.

"Hey." I softly called in her hair.

She slowly pulls away and uses the back of her hand to wipe away the tears.

"You like it?" I asked.

A smile tugs on her lips as she turns back to face the view. "I love it." She answered.

Yes!

I mentally pat myself on the back for the simple creative setting I had chosen for the evening.

There were two trees, decorated with string lights from their trunks to the branches and twigs. Lace paper bag lanterns also hanging around the branches.

It was cute.

I snatch her hand in mine and lead her through the rose petals laying all over the ground as she watches in awe while we approach the sea... Yes, my biggest fear.

Told you this meant a lot to me.

I wanted to make our first date memorable, so I couldn't think of anywhere but here even though it includes my fear.

We stopped by a giant heart-shape, developed from numbers of white candles, glowing the very low-size decorated table that is placed in the middle of the enchanting heart-shape, along with two rectangular white leather cushions by each side of the table.

The table is decorated with a floral centerpiece and filled with different types of flowers, red thin candles, and clean napkins.

There were cups and plates neatly organized and two extra blankets, given it was freezing out here.

Beside us was a radio, and the sound of waves from the ocean was hitting louder.

Well, now I know I aced it. I earn that pat on the back.

The food was in a wooden basket, right beside the table. All we needed to do was breathe and enjoy the evening.

Before anything, I turn on the do not disturb feature of my phone and urge Mad to do the same.

We are in New York, having our very first date as a couple; the last thing we need is Dad calling for his selfish reasons.

Settled, we both sat on the soft cushion facing each other.

Mad was so delighted. Her mood is so electrifying.

She grins every often, staring at the sun as it sets below the horizon.

While I serve us a white sand cocktail, she stares at me and I like it.

I feel more hopeful knowing she enjoys looking at me just as I do her.

"Thank you." She blushes when I handed the cup over to her.

She's so cute.

"I will be serving you tonight so I will tell you the menu."

"Sounds great. Who needs a server when they have their world and food in one place?"

I chuckled from across the table, blushing myself.

"Okay, we have some varieties but I know you seem to prefer pasta, so I suggest you taste this fettuccine with shrimps, it's the best one in the city."

She just sat there and giggled while I attentively served her.

I serve myself the same before settling back on the cushion.

We devour our dinner while the sun disappears below the sea until it was dark except for our little area where we have paper lanterns, string lights, and candles.

I've come to the degree where I was getting jealous of that pasta in front of her, for she had been staring at it more than she had glanced at me. Or was she shy, for her cheeks were a light shade of rose?

After our silent dinner, Mad turns on the radio next to her, and slow music came up filling the air.

It matches her captivating smile.

"You like slow music?" I asked her.

"Yes. Who doesn't?"

"Probably billions."

She didn't protest but only smiled.

Instead, she drags her eyes around the quiet shoreline.

It was mostly dark, though there was the moon and also the illuminated bridge from a distance.

This was my second time here and I easily understood why I liked it the very first time when mom, dad, Cara, and I visited.

Through watching her, an idea pops up in my head.

"Come dance with me." I offer my hand, and she excitedly accepts like she has been waiting for it.

As I stood up, I pull her up from the cushion, directing her over to me.

She smiled and looks over to the active bridge. "It's beautiful." She commented.

"Yeah, it's so beautiful," I repeated her words while staring solely at the beautiful creature gazing at the bridge.

She leans on my chest, her hands circled around my waist as we slow dance in the middle of the candles.

I even ouch a couple of times when she stepped on my foot and later admits it didn't hurt because I was wearing boots and mostly because I want her to step on my toes while we dance every day.

"Caden Thaddeus." She said.

"Madison Thaddeus."

She smiled and leaned on my chest.

"Mom saw you taking me to bed and leaving my room."

Oh okay! That got my attention, and I halted, my forehead furrowed.

"What?" Pulling back a little.

"I know." She exhaled and swallowed.

No, she didn't get it.

"Mad, I took you to bed and left almost two hours later."

That was obvious. That's if Martha hasn't seen or heard us screwing.

"She was particular about that part too." Mad frowns.

Son of a bitch! We're screwed.

"But she didn't know anything. She only thought we are finally improving our relationship." Mad appended.

"How?"

"Because she trusted me." Mad quietly replied, and I immediately felt responsible for everything that's about to blow up.

I felt miserable knowing I was a bad influence on Mad and she couldn't see it.

"Oh!"

She looked up at me and said: "Thank you."

Confused, I queried: "For what?"

"Everything." She softly responded, more like a whisper as we continued to dance slowly to the music.

"Caden, I want you to hang around and never leave me?" She pleaded.

Her lucid eyes were blinking adorably at me.

I inclined instinctively until our noses were lightly touching.

"Are you asking the man who craves to spend every moment of life with you? Do you think there's anywhere I would rather be if not next to you?"

I've wanted this. Now that I got it, I wasn't going to let it slide between my fingers.

She inhaled, and her eyes automatically closed as our foreheads connected.

"I love you." She said.

I love her too.

"Oh, Ma'am who gave you the right to steal my heart?" I playfully asked.

It got her lips to spread into a warm smile, and I found myself staring deep into her soul.

Giving in, I slowly caught her lips in mine, and she let me. Matter of fact, she even parted her lips, granting me access.

While we made out, her lips followed mine. They were decent to nibble. I lightly bit on them every often, for Mad tastes so unique, so pleasing. Nothing like I've ever tasted in other girls.

So soft, yet hungry, we kept on kissing for a long while.

Her fingers played with my hair all through that time, sometimes pulling me closer to her.

After some moment, we decided to get back home for it was almost midnight, and I could already picture dad's agitated face. That is if he was awake.

The guy I paid for the service was in charge of clearing the place, so we didn't bother when we rode back to our car on the bike just like earlier.

Through the ride back home, we held hands, for I kept kissing her tiny fingers while we discussed pets and colors.

By the time we arrived home, the lights were off.

So she kissed me on the cheek, and I thought it wasn't enough.

So I pressed: "Don't ever deny me what's mine; you are mine. All of you." I told her, for I meant it.

Her hand caressed my cheek as she smiled softly and nodded.

"Okay." She acknowledged.

I let out a relieved sigh just before that one last Christmas kiss she gave me in the garage.

MADISON

Stifling laughter, we both took cautious steps towards the staircase, for it was late at night, and getting caught while sneaking home together is something we both didn't want.

But what could we do when dad had become Sherlock Holmes?

"Where have you two been?" Still, I paused when he growled from the darkness and noiseless living room.

Well, not too noiseless, for my scary heart had jerked to the wall of my chest and kept knocking, searching for an exit.

"Out, with some friends," Caden answered dad boldly, even though there was something in his complexion that seemed unpredictable.

Dad didn't say anything. Instead, he stood from the chair and advanced towards us.

When he halted right in front of us, I could finally see the ire in his feature.

For his eyes were no longer the golden brown they were. Now they were black and poring over to Caden.

"You are going to watch your behavior young man. This is my house, I make the rules. No one returns here by this time of the night. So I will make it clear, when you're this late don't even think of coming back."

"Easy. I don't want to." Caden retorted, fearless.

Afraid, for this time there was no chance mom was going to step in.

I warned: "Caden."

That attracted dad's eyes on me, and disappointment etched into his face.

I don't like that look. It pours guilt upon me.

Like something just dawned on him, he straightened and turned back to Caden.

"You will stay away from Madison; she's the only reasonable one among you. I will not have you ruining her. You're a toxin; you manage to damage everything you come closer to. Even your own blood."

I didn't have to process it; it was very clear what dad meant. But what I had to process was the sudden change of scene in front of me.

Seething, Caden had his hands tightening around the man's neck.

"Caden!" I exclaimed, trying to pull him away, but he was too strong for me to control.

I remembered the last time he did something like this; I had backup then. Bryan was there to help me. He was stronger, but tonight it was only me.

And I was too frail for this.

What if Caden snapped and did something wrong? Something he did to Daisy? Something that could ruin him?

No!

"Please, Caden! This is not you. Don't!" I terrifyingly pleaded.

My heart was racing. Panic was evident in my tone and appearance.

He shouldn't give Dad this satisfaction.

"What are you going to do?" Dad choked on his breath, not able to save himself from his son's domination. "Hit your father? I wouldn't be surprised. You've done worse to your sister and mother. I should be next."

He didn't say that? Why would he say that?

Caden was mute, but he maintained his position as he mercilessly smothered Dad right in front of me.

I watched Dad suffocate while Caden watched too, his breathing heavy, his eyes not hazel anymore.

He was very different from that guy who held me on the bicycle and set the most romantic date ever.

Caden was doing just great, and look what Dad had to do?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I angrily cried at Dad.

"Is this the kind of person you want to hang around with?" He retorted to me.

"He is your son." I confusedly pointed out.

What happened to him? How messed up is this family?

"He is a demon. Can't you see?" Why isn't he showing any contrition and penitence? Is he still going to be stubborn and prideful?

His words invoked impatience in Caden, and before I knew it, Dad was forcefully thrown over the table. "Caden, no!" I screamed, running over to stop him from punching the asshole, spitefully laughing from the floor.

"Caden. Look at me." I laid my palms against his chest.

His breathing was fast and unsteady; he seemed confused and scared.

"What is happening here." It was Mom's voice; it came along with brightness, for she had turned on the lights.

She was late this time, though.

"The evil in my son is finally revealing itself," Dad responded, sardonically. While examining his fingers from his hair for a sign of blood, I guess.

Does he think this is a joke?

"How could you?" I muttered, my vision blurred with tears. "I thought my father was worse, but you are even out of prediction."

"Madison." Dad started just as Mom sternly warns: "Do not!"

"No, Mom. This man is not okay." I sobbed. "He's not okay, Mom." Can't she see she's living with an abuser?

"Maddie!" Dad called, only this time he sounded remorseful and pleading.

What is wrong with him?

I am not his fucking daughter. He should be regretting the things he did to his biological son, not me!

I don't understand. Why is he obsessed with the wrong things?

"Don't call me. You're not my father."

"Madison!" Mom must be angry at me, but I don't care; I turned around and ascended the staircase.

If she doesn't see the problem in this house, then she's also a part of it.

From the hall, I heard Dad telling Caden something so unbelievable.

"You see what you've done? You turned my daughter against me." He proclaimed like Caden was the enemy.

Dad was really psychotic. He needed help more than his son did.