3 step back

I am stunned inside the car to witness another love life drama in front of our apartment. I clicked my tongue as I saw it. Shit, I don't want to go home but I don't want to drag Ayden into it or use him to avoid it.

Is it about me again or is it about Jade? Either way, nothing will be great whenever they fight in front of my apartment.

"Wow, that's intense." he said, resting his arms on the steering wheel as he leaned forward. He looked like he's having fun. But for sure I'm not.

"Um, I'm going now. Good night." I said to him with a smile. He pouted.

"Hmm, promise me you'll check the payment soon, okay?" he said, playing with my pinky.

"Obviously. Bye, see you tomorrow."

"Bye, princess."

I hurriedly got out of the car, hoping the couple won't notice but, nope! They did notice. Both of them looked straight at me and continued fighting. Why are they always fighting in front of my apartment?

I glanced backward to see if he was still there, and yes he is. I really hope he'll go home quickly. But why did he get out of the car too? I send him a tiny hand gesture to shoo him away and he waves back with a big smile.

"Maddison Iyves! For god sake, where have you been?" the boyfriend snared at me with a loud voice. He glanced at the back, for sure glaring at the man who just sent me home.

"Don't you dare yell at her!" And then the girl snapped. "She is a grown woman, she can do whatever you want."

I think I might get a headache, so I just walked past them. They keep bickering like crazy.

But they followed me. Damn it, why are they bickering while following me?

I quickly unlocked my door and walked inside and they followed me in.

"I'm talking to you, Maddie!" he yanked me from the back and turned me around. "What the fuck are you doing? What the fuck is that on your neck?"

"Oh yeah...what's that?" She squinted and gasped, but she immediately snatched his hand off me, "let me tell you what it is, Jade, it's a hickey!" she interrupted. Why does she always add more fuel to his anger?

"I'm not talking to you, Diana." he sighed softly as he rubbed his forehead. And I touched my neck with a frown. A hickey? He left a hickey? I can feel my stomach churning.

"Who is it?" he asked again, controlling his tone but you can clearly see his rage. "Who is he? That guy?"

"My boyfriend?" I replied, gaining satisfaction on Diana's face. "Well, why are you here?"

He looked at me with a hurtful face and scoffed.

"Boy-boyfriend? Who? You?" he laughed in disbelief but it pissed me off. Diana suddenly stood beside me with a bright red face.

"What do I tell you about men, Maddison? Aren't you done with all types of men you've met before? And how long did you start dating him anyway? Why don't you tell me?"

"What do you mean by all types of men? And why do you care about it anyway? It's my life." I sighed and sat down on my bed. I'm tired already.

"Maddison!" I shuddered when he yelled, I glanced at Diana who also looked shocked as fuck. "Did he harass you? Did he force himself on you? How do you meet him? He did something terrible to you, was it?"

"You've been overprotective, Jade. Stop it." Diana said, but I think she's got hurt too. "She is old enough to know what she's doing."

"Old enough? When she was old enough to get groped everywhere she went? And old enough to do nothing and ask for money instead of reporting it? What are you? Prostitute? And I'm not being overprotective, I'm just worried. He doesn't look like a nice man. Broke up with him."

Prostitute? I laughed. So it's my fault that I've been groped anywhere I go?

"Okay you've crossed your line, Jade." I said.

"Crossed line? I'm worried about you."

"Worry about what? I can defend myself."

"By asking for money?" He yelled again. "You should have dragged them to the police! Not asking for money! If you do that, they won't stop bugging other women or men out there! You need to give them a lesson!" He said, frustrated.

"Okay, baby, calm down okay. Let's talk properly." Diana step in, pushing him away from me.

"How long have you been dating him? How long have you known him? Do you trust him? Men are trash, Maddie." he said again.

"You are a man too, Jade. Let's stop this, okay? Let's go home, okay?" Diana tried to stop him and pushed him, but he didn't even budge.

"Maddie, answer me."

"Let me ask you, Jade. Why are you here? Because you worried? Because I'm growing tired of your 'worry' by now. And what's wrong if I ask for compensation money? I got accused of seducing someone else, when I'm not and I got fired because of it. Do you think if I reported it to the police, they could restore my pride back? At the least, I can ask for money right? That's how the world works. And money is better than anything else in this world. And because of that, you call me a prostitute? Then, if I got raped, is it because I am a whore? If I got harassed, is it because I asked for it? So if I get murdered, is it because I begged for it?" I swipe my bangs backward. This is stupid. "What kind of worry is that? And what if I dated someone? What do you mean, me? Someone like me can't date anyone, is that what you meant?"

My eyes switch to Diana, and smirk. "And why did you even tell him that? Because of what? For what? It didn't do any justice but led to this fight, so why bother to tell him that? So you can use me to gain his attention?"

"Maddie. That's not what I meant. I didn't…"

"Why are you acting like this? I'm just worried! Don't you see? He's using you for…"

"For sexual desire? So? What does that take for you?"

"I'm trying to help you, Maddie! Why did you act like this? Can't you see? He's not good for you. Trust me, I know the best for you. Just avoid him, okay?"

"Jade Wilson!" I really hate it when I scream. "I don't understand you, why are you always acting like this?"

Actually I do, but I'm just tired of it.

"Maddie, I care for you, and I love you, you are my only family. We've been through so much pain together and because of that…'' he paused. I can hear him choking. "I saw him...he reminded me of him. And I…"

"Scare?" I cut him off. I know, he does remind me of someone too. "He is not him!"

"Indeed, but he could act like him."

He is right. But I'm really tired of it.

I want to be happy too.

My head hurts so bad. And looking at them screaming at each other just now reminded me of the past.

"Maddie?" I heard Diana's soft voice, but god, please.

"Can you shut up and get out of my house and never step foot into my house nor show your face in front of me before you reconcile." I said coldly. Both of them looked at me. I raised my hand and pointed my finger to the door.

"Get out, both of you."

They were both so quiet now. Jade tried to say something but Diana dragged him out but as soon as they closed the door, they started fighting again. I closed my eyes tightly.

I laughed at myself.

I rummaged my back as I heard a notification rang, and it's from Ayden.

Check your payment, princess! Let me know if you received it.

-AW

I checked the message I received.

You have received a transaction from account number XXXXXXXXXX £14500. Please kindly....

My head was throbbing so bad so I tossed my phone on the floor, walked to the door and locked it, and went back to my bed. I grabbed my dad's letter and held it.

I curled myself on the bed and covered myself with my blanket, and tried to calm myself to sleep. My head is ringing so loud. It hurt so bad.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. Why do they always fight in front of me if they really care about me?

Jerk!