"Saturday, finally!" said Madelyn as she put all her schoolwork away. She looked at the clock, and it was still early to take a walk to gather her thoughts. Madelyn exited her apartment and walked through the streets of New York. An hour passed, and she stopped at a particular street when she saw her favorite coffee shop. The young woman knew Linda and Johnathon owned it, and she viewed them like the parents she never had. They helped her immensely in her high school and early college years. Since Madelyn was a starving student, the couple sometimes gave her free coffee and food.
Madelyn's parents were killed in a car accident when she was sixteen, and she was left in the care of my maternal aunt, who didn't like her. Her aunt was known to be beautiful during her youth. Madelyn believed that her aunt felt threatened that she was in the picture because she had been told that she was even more beautiful than her.
Her aunt tried to make Madelyn's life a living hell, but the young woman kept her head high and refused to fall into her narcissistic abuse. However, Madelyn would record her aunt secretly and her verbal abuse; that was when she gave her aunt an ultimatum to either stop the abuse or would post everything online and tell her job. Narcissists feared having their true nature exposed. Her aunt began to leave her alone but always showed Madelyn disdain.
When Madelyn turned eighteen, she got accepted to NYU, got a full-ride scholarship, and went on to live in the dorms. She also worked part-time jobs to save for an apartment, which paid off. The young woman earned her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and was now doing her Master's degree at NYU once again in Education while working as a teacher in a charter school.
She also signed up to teach abroad but still hadn't received word. Madelyn signed up to teach in Africa, for it would be a great opportunity, but high requirements must be met. Madelyn eventually arrived at the coffee shop. Linda and Johnathon were by the counter making coffee. Linda caught sight of her and smiled. "Oh, it is wonderful to see you again, child! We have missed you!" She went toward Madelyn and hugged her; Madelyn hugged her back.
"Hello, Linda, sorry for not coming more often; been busy with school work and the job."
"Young lady, you should not overwork yourself!" She gave her a slight pinch on my cheek.
"Okay! I will come here more often, then!"
"Linda, leave Madelyn alone! She came here, and that is what matters." Johnathon chuckled. "The usual?"
The young woman nodded as she sat at a table and got a newspaper nearby. While waiting, she couldn't help but feel that she was being watched while reading. Madelyn ignored the feeling and kept on reading, but then she heard footsteps coming her way. She thought it was Johnathon, but when she looked up from the newspaper, it wasn't a man she had never seen before. Madelyn had to admit he was handsome, but something made him more mysterious. His blue eyes held mystery and secrecy; he looked like a model.
"Hello, the name is Xander Maximillian. What is yours?"
His voice sounded so confident that it made me shiver. However, the young woman gained her confidence and smiled. "I'm Madelyn Hennessy. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Madelyn, you have a lovely name. I hope it does not bother you if I sit with you. It can get lonesome to sit by one's self."
Madelyn looked at the man before her. She admitted that he was undoubtedly good-looking, but she felt a confident and powerful aura from him, and he seemed like a good man. She tried not to blush. "Uh, sure."
Xander sat at the other side of the table. The two were silent momentarily, not knowing what to say to one another. Xander was a bit speechless for the first time in his life. He was usually confident when it came to women. However, Madelyn was the first woman who interested him in a more serious light. He cleared his throat. "I see you know Linda and Johnathon."
She nodded. "Yeah, I have come here often ever since I was in high school. I see that you know them well, I presume?"
"Indeed I do. They are quite nice people, and their coffee is superb." Xander took a sip from his drink. "So, what do you do?"
"I am a graduate student working as a charter school teacher." Madelyn took a sip of her coffee. "My dream is to teach abroad, to know more of the world and people."
"Quite a dream. What made you want to be a teacher?"
Madelyn smiled. "I had a teacher who helped me a lot when I had so much trouble in my classes. She took her time to help me even though she had other students to help. I will never forget the teacher's help and sacrifice, which motivated me." Xander nodded as he couldn't help but admire her determination. "How about you, Xander? What do you do?"
The CEO raised an eyebrow; he just told her his full name. Whenever New Yorkers hear his name, they want to get close to him; women want to be with him. However, Madelyn didn't know who he was. Xander was on the cover of many magazines and billboards. It was hard for him to believe that Madelyn didn't recognize him. However, he felt relief that she didn't. It also felt refreshing that he could express himself a little more. "I work in the business world."
The young woman's eyes widened. "Wow, that is wonderful of you! Your parents must be very proud of you!" Xander flinched. His parents? They were hardly proud of his accomplishments ever since he was a child. It was expected of him to be great. He merely shrugged his shoulders. Madelyn noticed how Xander's expression changed. "Sorry about that. What do you like to do for fun?"
"Drive my cars in the city; feeling the fresh air does relax me."
Madelyn giggled. "I can understand that. It can be breathtaking, and driving can soothe one's stress. As for me, I like to write. Writing can help me release my imagination."
"Interesting. What do you like to write about?"
"Hmm. I like to write historical fiction, fantasy, romance, and other things. I guess whatever motivates me."
The two spoke to one another for two hours. Xander could not help but be impressed and interested in Madelyn. She spoke with such maturity and motivation. He had never had an interesting conversation with a woman before. He wanted to know more about her. She then stated that it was time for her to leave.
The two stood from their seat.
"Madelyn, I wanted to ask if I could take you out to dinner?"
A blush made its way to her cheeks. "Oh, well, I don't want to interrupt you. Since you're a businessman, you must be very busy."
The CEO chuckled. "I can be busy, but a businessman needs a break occasionally. You won't have to worry about anything."
"O-Okay. I would like that very much."
"Please give me your number. I will call you."
She did just that and gave him her number. After that, she went off her way as Xander watched her leave. The smile never left his handsome face.
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