Chapter 65: Finding out

Ronald was playing PES on his game pad connected to the television. He had his headset on at full volume, making him oblivious to everything around him. He didn't hear the knock on his door or when someone entered. Suddenly, he felt his headset being removed. He thought it was his mum, only to see Madison standing there. Maddie put on his headset, smiling as she hummed along to the music. "Seriously?" Ronald groaned, removing the headset. "C'mon, I'm just enjoying myself. Besides, I like your choice of music. It's classy," she said cheerfully, sitting on his bed. "What are you doing here?" he asked, watching her inspect his game pad. "Mum and Dad are downstairs too. Aunt invited them for lunch, so I just tagged along," she said and pressed a button on the game pad. The game resumed playing. "I don't know how to control this. Can you teach me?" she asked, looking up at Ronald, who was standing beside her. "No," Ronald said, snatching it from her and dropping it on the bed along with his headset. "You can't just enter my room whenever you feel like it," he said, frowning as he walked toward the television and turned it off. "I knocked, but you didn't answer. I only came in when no one responded," she said, giving him an innocent look. "You should have left when you got no answer," he replied, taking the game pad from the bed and placing it on the media console. "I couldn't. Mum asked me to call you down," Maddie said, resting on her arms. "I've heard you. You can leave now. And don't come into my room again," he said, glaring at her. Maddie squinted at him playfully. Ronald frowned at her behavior. If her parents weren't downstairs, he'd have acted differently. He sighed deeply, sliding his hands into his pockets. "You can have the room all to yourself," he said and walked out. Maddie picked up her phone and ran after him. She caught up to him in the living room, just in time to see Ronald greeting her parents. She smiled mischievously as an idea came to her mind. She walked over to him and locked her arms around his left arm. Ronald looked at her, shocked, but didn't resist. "You both look so cute," Stella, Madison's mother, said with a smile. "Don't flatter us, Mum," Maddie said, grinning. Ronald scoffed silently, forcing a smile. "What are you trying to do?" Ronald asked through gritted teeth, turning to her. "Mum, Dad, Ronald and I are going shopping," Maddie announced, making Ronald pull his arm free. "When did..." "Oh, that's good. You can help me get some things at the mall too," Ronald's mum interrupted. Ronald groaned as everyone continued talking, ignoring him. He shot Maddie a questioning look, and she shrugged. He knew she did it intentionally, knowing he wouldn't want to disagree with her in front of her parents. After his mum gave them the list of things she needed, they left. "What was that stunt you pulled in there?" Ronald asked as they stepped outside. "What does it look like?" she asked and, without waiting for his reply, walked toward his car. "This will be the last time," he said angrily, gripping his keys tightly as if he might crush them. He unlocked the car and walked to the driver's side. "Aren't you opening the door for me?" she asked. He ignored her and opened his side. She hissed, opened the passenger door, and got in. "Your seatbelt," he said, not sparing her a glance as he started the car and drove off. "You go get what you want while I get what Mum asked for. I'll catch up with you," he said and left before she could respond. "Grumpy ass," she muttered, heading toward the snacks section. She saw Dorah pushing a trolley while browsing the shelves. Dorah had planned to shop with her mum, but the plan fell through because Joseph was around. Her mum went out with Joseph, leaving Dorah to shop alone. Maddie nudged Dorah's trolley sideways, grabbing her attention. "Seriously, Maddie? The last time I checked, that's not how you greet someone," Dorah said, frowning. "Who are you to teach me how to greet? Guess you're not that affected if you can still talk," Maddie sneered. Dorah glanced around to see if anyone else was nearby and was relieved they were alone. "What do you mean by that?" Dorah asked, frowning deeper. "You're just a lovesick child. Keep dreaming while I already have the man. He's mine and mine alone," Maddie declared. Dorah's response made Maddie freeze. "So?" Dorah asked. "You have the man, so what? That's something to be proud of? How is that any of my concern?" she added, standing akimbo. "You..." "What? I don't even understand why you get so worked up when it comes to Ronald. Wait a minute... Is that why you planned that childish kiss stunt?" Dorah said, taking a step toward her. Fear flickered in Maddie's eyes as she realized Dorah wasn't backing down. "Wha...what are you going to do? At least with that, I got to separate you two," Maddie stammered, trying to sound defiant. "So, you planned it? That's pathetic!" Dorah exclaimed. "Jason was right when he said you set me up. But why? Okay, let's say it's because of Ronald. What about Helena? Why are you guys doing this to me?" she asked, frustrated. "Stop acting like the victim here, you whore. You can't play that card with me. I wonder what they see in you. Leave my man alone, he's mine," Maddie retorted. The next voice startled them both. "I was never yours and never will be," Ronald said, walking to Dorah's side. "Babe," he called, looking at Dorah, who scoffed. "You should thank your lucky stars your fiancé showed up. Next time, I won't hold back," Dorah said, turning to Ronald. "And you... try cautioning your fiancée before she gets beaten up someday," she added. Dorah grabbed her trolley and tried to leave, but Ronald stopped her. "Can you wait for me outside?" "Please," he added when she hesitated. "I won't," she said, frowning. Ronald released her hand, smiling as she walked away. "What the heck! A girl just rejected you, and all you can do is smile?" Maddie said in disbelief. "Nah, she'll wait," he replied, still staring at Dorah's retreating figure. "Seriously? I'm still here!" Maddie snapped. "Yeah, so what?" he retorted. "So, you really plotted the kiss?" He asked, directing his gaze to her. "Did you really need to ask if I planned the kiss? You already heard it earlier," she scoffed. "Why stoop so low? You've made a fool out of me," he said, frustrated, running his hands through his hair. "If I can't have it, no one will. I go the extra mile for what I want, and this is no exception," she said sternly. Ronald half-yelled, "I told you not to hurt her in any way!" "You disgust me," he added, grabbing her arm. Everyone around watched curiously as he dragged her to the cashier. After paying, he took her outside, stopped a cab, and forced her inside. He gave the driver her address and watched the cab drive off. Returning to Dorah, he smiled. "I thought you said you wouldn't wait?" he teased. "Maybe I should leave then," she said, pretending to pick up her bags. "I'm sorry. Let me take you home," he said, handing her his bags while carrying hers. "Why did you buy so much?" he asked as they walked toward the parking lot. "Beats me. I made plans with Mum that we'd come together, so we made a list. Well, fortunately, she ditched me to go out with Jace's dad," she said sarcastically, and Ronald chuckled. "Aah, what was that earlier with Maddie?" she asked. "It's nothing. I just sent her home," he shrugged as they reached his car and asked Dorah to remove the key from his pocket and open the car boot. As Ronald stepped into the house with a light heart, the tense atmosphere in the living room quickly wiped away his earlier calm. His parents sat with Maddie's parents, Stella and Thomas, their faces heavy with disapproval. Maddie sat stiffly on the couch, her hands fidgeting as she avoided eye contact with anyone. His mother was standing, gesturing nervously as she tried to diffuse the situation. "Please, Stella, you know how kids can be. I'm sure Ronald didn't mean to upset Maddie," she said with a placating smile. "Didn't mean to upset her?" Stella retorted, her tone sharp. "Your son left her stranded and humiliated her in public! Is this how he treats the girl he's supposed to marry?" Ronald frowned, finally piecing together the situation. "Hold on, what's this about me leaving Maddie stranded?" Maddie finally looked up, her expression carefully crafted to appear hurt. "You know what you did, Ronald," she said softly. "You just walked away and left me at the mall... for her." "For..." Ronald started, then stopped himself. His mother's warning glance reminded him to tread carefully. Stella folded her arms. "Is it true? Did you leave Maddie to run off with some other girl?" Ronald sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't leave her stranded. I got her a cab and made sure she got home safely." "And what about this girl Maddie mentioned?" Thomas asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "There's no 'girl,'" Ronald said firmly. He paused, then added with a wry smile, "Unless Maddie's talking about my fiancée who tried to ruin someone else's reputation with a stunt." The room went silent, the weight of his words settling heavily. "What are you talking about, Ronald?" his mother asked, her voice uncertain. Ronald sighed again, his gaze locking on Maddie. He hadn't intended to bring this up, but he couldn't let her version of events go unchallenged. "I'm talking about the kiss. The one Maddie orchestrated with Helena to make Jason and Dorah look bad." Stella's face paled as she turned to her daughter. "Maddie, is this true?" Maddie's composure slipped for a fraction of a second before she forced a defiant expression. "I don't know what he's talking about." Ronald's laugh was bitter. "Don't play innocent now, Maddie. You admitted Ronald's laugh was bitter. "Don't play innocent now, Maddie. You admitted it yourself earlier today." Stella and Thomas exchanged looks, their disappointment evident. Stella's voice was tight with anger. "We're leaving. Maddie, come with us. We'll talk about this at home." "But, Mum...." "Now, Maddie," Thomas said, his tone brooking no argument. As they left, Ronald's mother turned to him, her expression a mix of exasperation and relief. "You didn't have to say all that in front of them." "They needed to hear it," Ronald said simply, his gaze lingering on the door where Maddie had just exited. His mother sighed, shaking her head. "This betrothal... I don't know if it's ever going to work." Ronald didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes.