Prologue

"Maddie, why do you still stay with him? It's obvious that he's still in love with his ex." Hannah, Madeline's best friend, scolded her. They were both working at a coffee shop near the university they were in. Madeline was just finishing up wiping the counter when Hannah came to talk some sense into her.

"I know Hannah but it's not like I can unlove a person just like that." Madeline answered. Hannah sighed and threw her head into her hands. It was the end of their shift and they were just about to clock out. Without another word, Hannah went to the back to clock out and get her stuff. Madeline followed after her to make sure she wasn't mad at her.

"Hey, are you still mad about that? I'll be fine. If anything happens, I still have you, right?" Madeline said. Hannah stopped in her tracks and looked back at Madeline. With a sigh, she pinched her cheeks as hard as she could.

"Ouch!" Madeline flinched. Hannah let her go and they walked side-by-side.

"If anything happens, just give me a call and I'll be in your doorstep with a tub of ice cream and a Netflix subscription." Hannah said. Madeline smiled and hugged her best friend. In all honesty, Madeline was scared. She knew about David and Monique's promise to each other but she wanted David's attention and he was giving it to her. She often wished that David and Monique would realize that they couldn't go back to what they were but she had no business meddling in other people's affairs.

"I'll be going home now. Be careful on your way, okay?" Hannah waved goodbye and took the next street. Madeline was walking home alone again. As she was walking, her phone suddenly rang. She took it out from her pocket and answered it.

"Hello?" She answered. She was in a hurry to answer the phone that she forgot to check the caller ID.

"Maddie?" A familiar voice echoed through the line.

"Oh David, are you done with work?" She asked. Her heart started to flutter the moment she heard his voice.

"Yeah, I just left. I was going to pick you up. Are you still at the café?" He asked. She felt happy that David thought of her even though he was busy from work. A smile slowly formed on her lips.

"Ah no, Hannah and I left just a while ago. I'm by Eden Park, walking." She said. She heard a car door slam on the other line.

"Wait for me. I'll come and pick you up." He said. Madeline's cheeks turned bright red. She agreed to wait on a park bench for him. He ended the call and Madeline went to the nearest bench to sit on. It was the beginning of the winter season. The trees were bare and the wind was cold. Madeline forgot to bring her mittens with her and she's starting to feel the cold air on her fingertips. She tried to hide them inside her jacket while waiting. A few minutes later and she saw a car come to a stop in front of her. David came out and went up to her.

"I'm sorry for making you wait here in the cold." David said. Madeline shook her head and smiled.

"I didn't wait for long. I'm glad I got to see you today." Madeline said. David looked at her with sincere eyes and wrapped her in his warm embrace. Madeline was surprised but she hugged him back. They pulled away and David opened the car door for her. She entered and David closed the door. He ran towards the driver's side and got in. Madeline's hands were starting to numb from the cold. She pulled them out of her pockets and rubbed them together. David noticed this and quickly took her hands in his.

"What happened to your hand Maddie?" David asked. Maddie had an apologetic smile on her face as she lowered her head.

"I forgot my mittens at home so I was walking while my hands were exposed. I didn't expect it to be this cold." She answered. David turned the heating in his car up as he rubbed his hands on top of Madeline's hands. She started to feel warm and the numbness in her hands started to fade.

"Thank you David." Madeline said. David smiled at him and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. He was sweet, anyone could see it but every time he acted that way, Madeline's heart would slowly break. She knew it wasn't real but she still wanted to believe. She pulled her hands back and smiled. David started the engine and drove to Madeline's apartment. When they arrived, Madeline was quiet. She wanted to talk to David about him and Monique but she doesn't know how to start. David notices this and he held her hand.

"Maddie, I know I'm asking for too much but please stay by my side." David spoke. Madeline was surprised with what he said. She looked into his eyes and was immediately hooked. She nodded her head and smiled.

"Of course, I'll be here for you. I'll always be here." She said. David smiled and pulled her in for a hug. Madeline hugged him back and when they let go, she opened the door and got out.

"I'll be going inside now. Thanks for the ride. Be careful on your way back." Madeline said. David smiled and waved at her. She waited until his car was out of sight before she went inside. She unlocked the door and immediately ran to her bedroom and into her bed. She covered her face with a pillow and screamed.

I'm such weak and gullible woman. She thought. There was a reason why Madeline was like what she is. She wasn't her parents' favorite child hence her need for affection. She clung to every boy who would show her the slightest interest and would give her attention. It was sad and pathetic; Madeline knew that and still she keeps doing it because the lack of affection in her life left her broken and alone. She hated that feeling. She would do anything to keep herself from feeling that way.

"I must be going insane." She muttered. She sighed and threw her bag across the room. She got up from the bed and went to the kitchen to prepare her dinner. When she opened the fridge, she noticed that there weren't any more ingredients in it. She decided to make pasta so she can save some for tomorrow's breakfast.

"I need to buy some marinara sauce, cheese, milk and eggs." She said out loud. She went back to her room and grabbed her wallet and went out. There was a grocery store a few blocks away from her apartment building. This time she didn't forget her mittens. She grabbed her wireless earphones and connected it to her phone to which she tucked inside her jacket pocket. Madeline is used to blaring loud music in her earphones because she hates when people talk to her or try to talk to her when she's not in the mood to talk. While walking around, she noticed that the streets were quite lively. She saw couples walking past her and it made her jealous that she and David couldn't walk around in public.

I wonder if David looks at me that way. He probably doesn't but it would be great if he does. She thought to herself as she noticed a couple acting sweet. She hurried her pace to arrive at the supermarket. She grabbed a basket and proceeded to grab the items she needed.

"Can we add this to our stew?" Madeline heard a shrill voice on the aisle next to where she was. It was especially loud since she heard it over the loud music playing from her phone. She took one of her earphones off to verify the sound.

"Do you want it? We can add it to the stew." Suddenly, Madeline heard a familiar voice. She knew who it was but she just had to make sure. She walked over slowly to the next aisle and she saw David and Monique shopping together. Madeline knew who Monique was but Monique had no idea who Madeline was. She put her earphone back in her ear when David looked over and saw her. His face was a mix of surprise and fear. Seeing enough, Madeline turned towards the counter and paid for her items.

"Maddie…" As the music in her earphones died down, she heard him calling for her. She turned to look and saw that he wanted to chase after her but he couldn't since Monique was with him.

Why am I even sad? In the first place, I had no right to be jealous of her. And I'm just a substitute so why be sad about it. Madeline thought to herself. She hurriedly went out of the supermarket and walked back to her apartment. Her heart was heavy but she tried to cheer herself up by humming to the happy song playing through her earphones. She arrived back at her apartment and she took out the items she bought. While prepping for her dinner, her phone vibrated. She received a text from David.

"I'm sorry you had to see us but why did you leave the store in a hurry?" David texted; Madeline hung her head in her hands. She decided to play dumb and pretend that she didn't see them.

"Huh? What're you talking about? And how did you know I was in the store just now?" She replied. Madeline wanted to punch herself in the face. She questioned herself about why she was doing this but she only had one answer. The pasta was done and she just needed to add it to the sauce. As she sat down to eat, her phone vibrated again.

"Ah it's nothing. By the way, have you had dinner yet?" David replied. Madeline clutched the phone to her chest.

He didn't even bother explaining. I'm such an idiot. Tears started streaming down her face. She had a bitter smile on while her tears ran down her cheek and into her food. She didn't bother replying to David. She felt after seeing them together, that he'll eventually drop her like what everyone did to her before. Madeline was scared; scared of being abandoned all over again.