Flaunt It

Maddison could not believe her eyes. But when she saw the username of the person who posted it, she knew it was true. She quickly took out her phone to check. It was true! She had turned off notifications from the app which was why she didn't know it had gone viral. 

"Can you believe it? Hugo Anderson and Lizzie Taylor? Now they're the laughingstock of the city!" Amelia laughed. 

For the first time in a while, a smile broke on Maddison's face. A genuine heartfelt smile. Her world had been dark and gloomy since Hugo abandoned her. Elias's arrival brought her a glimmer of hope. 

Seeing the world laughing along with her at the couple was icing on the cake!

"Wait, Hugo and Lizzie…" Amelia muttered under her breath for a moment before she widened her eyes. 

She turned to Maddison and whispered, "Is this the same Hugo that…" 

Maddison nodded in response, she was still smiling as she read through the comments that viewers left on the video. 

'Shameless! HAHA, they got what they deserved!'

'Public nuisance! They should be canceled!'

'So daring! I can't believe they did such a thing!'

'HAHA, they got what they deserve!'

Amelia could not help but peer over at Maddison's phone. When she saw the username, she realized it was Maddison who posted the video!

"You were the one who posted it?" She asked Maddison in a whisper so that no one would hear their conversation. 

She looked over at Amelia. There was no point lying about it now. The evidence was right there. So, she nodded. 

"How did you get the video?"

"I… I was there," Maddison blurted out. 

She didn't know what to expect from Amelia. But what she had not expected was for Amelia to hug her. 

"It must have been horrible! For you to witness something like that!" She exclaimed while embracing her. 

Maddison was surprised by her kindness. There were few who ever cared for her so much, let alone someone she had just met! There was something about Amelia that just made her feel at ease. 

Amelia felt like someone she could trust. Someone she could speak to earnestly.

"It was, but I'm glad I had a bit of fun," Maddison chuckled as she recalled what she did. 

It did not take long for Amelia to realize what she meant. 

"You set it up? The slippery floor?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Yes," She replied with a grin. 

Amelia could not believe it! Unable to hold it back any longer, she burst out laughing. 

"You know, based on my first impression of you, I never expected you to do something like that!" She added. 

"What? Why not?"

"You, you look so innocent and kind. I would never have expected you to do something like this! I don't mean it in a bad way though."

Maddison laughed, "Well, there's a lot you don't know about me."

In reality, there was a lot she didn't know about herself either. She held onto the locket she had around her neck. It was a great example. After so many years, she still didn't know how to open it. She was sure it could be opened but she didn't know how. 

Just then, Amelia's phone buzzed. She quickly read through her message before turning back to Maddison. They looked around a little more before paying for everything they'd bought. 

"Please accept my apology for what happened today, Miss King, Miss Lane," Penny, the assistant general manager, came up to them to apologize as they were making payment. 

"There's no need. From now on, I would like Stella to serve us instead," Amelia said. 

"Miss King, I-" 

"I don't like to repeat myself," Amelia cut her off before hooking arms with Maddison, "Let's go."

With that, they left the store. Maddison was a little confused. They were walking out without the items that they'd bought. 

"Don't we need to take them with us?" She asked Amelia. 

"What? No, of course not. They'll be sent to us. Yours will be sent to my brother's penthouse. It should be there waiting for you by tonight. That's why I wanted you to pick out a set to wear now." 

Maddison looked down at the outfit she was wearing. She had already admired her own reflection in the mirror while they were still in the shop. She could barely believe it! She had never worn such luxurious clothing before. 

Amelia led her up floor after floor without saying anything. Maddison wondered where they were going. When she noticed the restaurants that lined the walkway, she realized they were going to get something to eat. 

But when they stopped at a restaurant, Maddison wasn't expecting to go in alone. 

"You're not coming with me?" Maddison asked in confusion when Amelia pushed her forward into a fancy restaurant. 

A quick glance at the signboard revealed that this wasn't any normal fancy restaurant. This was one of the highest-rated restaurants in the city, Odyssey! One of only ten that had been awarded the prestigious golden three stars. 

Most people could not afford to eat here. Getting a reservation often took months. 

"And be the third wheel on a date? Of course not!" Amelia said. 

Maddison instantly knew what that meant. It was Elias who was waiting for her in the restaurant! Amelia gave her a hug before leaving, promising to meet up again. They exchanged numbers before parting ways. 

A waiter guided Maddison into the restaurant. He brought her into a large dining room that was filled with diners. Everyone was dressed in their finest garments, enjoying delicious cuisine. 

"Here's your table, Miss Lane. May I start anything for you?" The waiter asked. 

"Thank you, warm water will be great." 

When she finally made eye contact with Elias, she realized he'd been looking at her the entire time. From the moment she walked into the dining room, he had his eyes on her. Feeling a little awkward, Maddison didn't know what to say or do. 

She tucked her hair behind her ear. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked nervously. 

"You look even more beautiful than you already were," He said smoothly. 

Maddison's cheeks blushed red. She wasn't expecting him to be such a smooth talker! She thanked him for the compliment as the waiter returned with her water and a menu. But, she didn't need it. 

She already knew what to order. 

"I would like the dry-aged steak with a side of truffle mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables," She requested. 

"Is that all?" Elias asked with a smile. 

It was as if he had read her thoughts! 

"Perhaps we can get an appetizer or two to share?" He suggested. 

"Sure, you pick," Maddison replied. 

Elias nodded. He chose two of the most popular appetizers before passing the menu back to the waiter who hurried off to put in their orders. 

"Have you been to this restaurant before?" Elias asked. 

Maddison blinked twice, "Oh, no. Of course not. Aren't reservations extremely hard to come by? Could never afford it either."

She could not help but wonder, so she had to ask. 

"How did you get a reservation anyway?"

"Reservation? Oh, I didn't need to. They always have an open table for my family." 

"How come?" She could not stop herself from asking. 

"We own the place."