Chapter Seven

Madeline’s POV

I feel my stomach drop and my heart go down with it.

It’s locked.

I tap furiously at the digital keyboard, frantically trying to find the “4 digit code.”

Please please please please-

No.

I feel my eyes fill with tears of frustration as I fling the useless device onto my bed. No verification codes or personal questions can let me access my history since I have no memory of either.

I feel so stuck.

Trapped.

I take a deep breath in an attempt to snap out of it. I am safe, I’m not trapped and I can work through all of this logically. Maybe I don’t need past memories to find the code, I just need what I know of myself right now.

I think back to every single simple detail that my Mother and Andrew have mentioned to me about myself.

My birthday? Locked.

My address? Locked.

What could it possibly be?!

Standing up to pace, I start to formulate a plan in my mind. My password is probably something more significant to me.

If I were to make a password… it would be a series of numbers significant to me. I wouldn’t want to risk someone knowing a single fact about me, like my birthdate, to gain access to my phone.

Alright, a series of numbers. I can work with that.

Locating a sticky note and pen, I quickly scribble down four separate lines. Whilst finishing the last stroke, I notice my heart rate decreasing and my breathing even out.

I can worry about the order of the four numbers later. As long as I can find them, it doesn’t matter how many attempts it’ll take. For now, I need to get reacquainted with my apartment.

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Andrew’s POV

Clean laced shoes? Check. Blue ripped jeans? Check. Green turtle neck? Check. Lined denim jacket? Uncheck.

I sigh and grab my car keys before driving to the mall. Jackets are essential to have during dates, especially since Madeline is very forgetful. Come to think of it, half of her closet is occupied by my jackets, hoodies, and summer shrugs.

Walking into my favorite apparel store, I can’t help but feel eyes boring holes into my back. I shrug it off and turn to see new overalls and beanies from across the shop. Placing the overalls in my cart, I continue looking around before I hear footsteps behind me.

Someone’s following me. But who? Guess there’s only one way to find out.

Suddenly, I ran to the other side of the round clothing rack. Hearing the footsteps follow close behind, I start to pace around the rack, quickly inspecting each piece of clothing. Increasing my speed, I start to full-on jog around the clothing rack.

This is just like how I practice at the gym, only on a treadmill and not in an apparel store. And definitely not with the staff watching me run around a clothing rack like a dog chasing its tail.

Soon enough, I heard the rustling of steps come to a halt and the mysterious stalker panting. Turning around, I stare in shock to face the stranger who has been following me.

“Mrs. Beckett?!”

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

Madeline’s mother has been stalking me this entire time?!

“Wh- what? Why?!” I struggle to form a sentence, still as exasperated and confused as before. She catches her breath and looks up at me, her mood changing almost instantly.

“Oh, hello Andrew, funny seeing you here! I was just looking for you so that we could catch up, it’s been a while.” She smiles way too wide and roughly takes my arm.

“Let’s talk in a more private place, shall we?” She says in her mock-cheery voice, leading both of us to the food court after I had paid for my clothes. We order from Wind’sWingz and I offer to pay for her meal like a gentleman. A gentleman that’s still dazed and confused as to why his girlfriend’s overprotective mother stalked him.

The minute I pop a chicken wing into my mouth she turns to face me, “Andrew, I want to talk to you about how you’re treating my daughter.”

I nearly choke on my chicken wing. A million questions run through my head as realization dawns on me.

Treating her daughter, does she think I’m a bad influence? And why did she have to shadow me to ask? Does she think Madeline shouldn’t see anyone right now because of her condition? Is she confronting me? Does she know we broke up?! She’s going to kill me. This is it, I’m gone, I’m over with-

She sighs and starts speaking again, “I know that none of us are taking her accident well. It’s been a few months and she’s getting better, but with all that’s happened, I want to know what role you play. What are your intentions with my daughter?”

Oh, so that's what this is about.

Clearing my throat, I look into her eyes and start to speak from the heart, “I love Madeline and I support her no matter the circumstances. I understand what she’s going through and your concerns, Mrs. Beckett. I’m willing to play the role of her friend before her boyfriend if that’s what she needs right now.”

Hesitating and looking down, I add, “My only intention is to keep her safe.”

We are both silent for a minute before she lays a sturdy hand on my shoulder. I brace myself for the worst. The lecture, the tests, and the terms and conditions that follow.

“I trust you son.” She smiles and her clamp on my shoulder turns into a gentle pat.

I look up in surprise and she starts to explain herself, “Andrew, when my husband left us, I vowed to never let Madeline experience that kind of loss again. All male figures in her life had been stripped away, her father, her uncle, and her cousin.”

I nod in understanding and exhale in overwhelming relief.

“I told myself that whoever she chooses to love, I need to make sure they won't leave her or break her heart. And it seems you are doing a great job at fulfilling that criteria.”

I tense up visibly, guilt clouding my thoughts.

“Just, keep on keeping her safe for me, okay?” She slides her hand down to meet mine, the motherly gesture warming my heart. I nod and smile as we end on a formal handshake. She starts to walk away, taking what’s left of the chicken wings with her.

I stand up, ready to leave the mall and continue planning the date.

I’m just glad that Madeline’s Mom trusts me with her daughter. But I'd doubt she’d still trust me if she knew the reason behind her accident and how we broke up-

“Oh and Andrew…” Mrs. Beckett turns around to face me directly in the eyes,

“You should tell Madeline the truth when you’re ready.”