Chapter Three: Do You Remember Me Now?

After taking a bath, I wrapped a towel around my body and I dried my long auburn pin straight hair with a towel and brushed it, cursing whenever a tangle is caught by the hair brush. Satisfied when there were no tangles left, I looked at my reflection and I saw a stranger. Bags under my eyes, lips chapped, eyes red and puffy, and my skin looked paler than usual. I look tired. I look sad and tears decided to come out once again, remembering the sadness that I had been holding back for hours now.

It hurts really bad and I know it's all my fault. I never listened to my parents before when they were warning me about Carl. Right from the start, my family hates Carl. My younger sister, Maria, hates him so much that we even had a fight because of the huge dislike on Carl.

I can't stop reminiscing old memories inside my head. I sat down on a vanity chair infront of the mirror, looking at myself with pity and sorrow.

After anouncing our engagement two years ago, our family and I had a huge fight. They don't want Carl to be in our family due to his career and that he doesn't know anything about business. They saw him as someone who only wants me because of my money and family name.

Gaining their disapproval, they asked me to choose. I chose Carl and they didn't let me, I was grounded and I can't go out without a bodyguard. One day, I sneaked out of our house and left, meeting Carl a fee blocks away from our house.

I cried even more, realizing that my family was right. I don't want to assume about things but him ditching me is enough to make my family right about him.

How foolish are you Maddie? Why didn't you notice him being so attractive in college and you're just a nobody but he asked you to go out with him?? Why would he sit with you at the cafeteria back in college when you're all alone, when he can be with his friends? Why did he ask you if you're a real Spark Heiress and not ask for your name or number the first time you talked? Why?

Because he used me. Amazing MADDIE! What a FOOL!

I asked my uncle Benny to give him a shot in one of his shows because he was a director. That was the first time Carl appeared on TV. Since then, Carl never let me go. Now I see everything. I'm so stupid.

We were together for eight years. Eight years!

For eight years, I gave him everything that I can give. I even left without daying goodbye to my grandfather's tomb. I was supposed to get my grandfather's piece of wealth at the age of 24. Now at 26, I was supposed to get them two years ago, but I didn't because I am ashamed of what I did to my family. I was 18 when my grandpa died, 2 months before I met Carl.

I told him about the last will my grandfather gave me. He was so persistent in getting it but I didn't.

Remembering everything at once, sadness is not what I felt but more like rage.

I still love Carl deep in my heart because of our past but rage took over it. Now that I clearly understood everything, I realized that I didn't lose him at all but it was me whom he had lost.

Standing up from the vanity chair, I went out of the bathroom.

This time, I had the chance to gape at the sight. The room is too big but it doesn't look creepy. Instead, the room looks cozy in way that it warms my heart. The dark navy blue colored walls decorated with several paintings. The king sized bed with beige and brown sheets and plush white pillows is in the upper middle corner of the room, a nightstand in both sides. The black elegant sofa with gold detailing is located in the far right corner of the room. A floor to ceiling bookshelf and a study table with a laptop and papers on top.

It took my breath away, the room feels like home. But my subconscious mind says This is not your home Maddie. Be cautious. It can be a scam or anything.

I shook my head and made my way towards the bed. On top of the bed are two paperbags with a clothes inside.

The first paper bad had a pink cotton pajama,a white tank top, a red lingerie set, and a pair of white fluffy indoor slippers. The other paper bag contains a yellow sundress, a black lingerie set, and a pair of black leather outdoor sandals. I settled on the latter which is the sleapwear because it's already nighttime and for the fact that I'm beginning to feel drowsy, I have to wear it.

The person who bought it knows my style. I don't like elegant and expensive clothes, I prefer to wear comfortable ones.

I entered the bathroom again with the first paperbag and changed.

After changing my clothes, I made my way downstairs. Remembering where we came from earlier, I've reached the kitchen. The kitchen looks astounding as it was the first time saw it but the man cooking with his back facing me is a plus this time. I trudged my way silently and I sat myself in one of the high chairs. Plopped my chin into my palm, elbow ontop of the center island eyes ahead looking at his back.

He's cooking something. He moves like the kitchen was made perfectly just for him. His muscles contract everytime he moves. My eyes traveled down to his firm ass. His ass the same as his body, a sight to indulge. This is absurd, I can't drool over someone that I don't even know. I do't even know his name.

And yet you married the man Maddie. The voice inside my head said with a matching eyeroll. I, on the other hand, am contemplating what to ask him first. This is the right time to ask him everything that I want to know, but where do I start?

Thinking about my decision earlier today, my mind felt tired. I don't know If I should be happy that I'm married or not but I guess, there is a reason for everything. I'd like to look at every outcome in a positive way, negativity is not on my list. I don't know why I decided to marry this guy. I don't know him but why do I feel like he knows me and that I know him too? Why does Margarita seem to know something that I don't? The way he looks at me makes me weak. He acts around me with intimidation but his eyes tells a different story, his eyes looks at me with care and adoration. It scares me that someone can make me feel so weak and then make me obey them so easily.

"Do you like what you see ?", his voice cut me out of my internal battle and then it's too late when I've realized what he was talking about, I was ogling his firm ass. HAHA. Very funny Maddie.

"I-I ahhh. N-No?", my answer sounds more like a question than an answer. He only chuckles at my response. A shiver ran down my spine. He turned off the stove and opened one of the cupboards with plates in it. He got two and laid them on top of the kitchen island and discarded the contents of the pan. My favorite. OMG. What if he poisoned it? Well, atleast before I die I've had my most favorite food.

"I know you like homemade Alfredo Pasta. This will be our dinner Maddie . Margarita got out earlier today than her usual 9pm off". Is he some kind of a stalker? Well if he is, that answers all of my questions. He knows me because he is my stalker.

Why does he have to stalk someone like you Maddie? He is a rich man, no need to ruin his name by kidnapping you or anyone.

"How'd you know?", I asked.

"Because I know you Maddie." His answer shocked me. It's not the creepy kind of answer but I feel like it was real.

"How? How do you know me? How di you know I like Alfredo pasta? Why did you come to my wedding? Why did you marry me? Who are you? Why are you so ri----." My statement was cut off because he placed his pointy finger into my mouth. Long masculine fingers pressed against my lips. His fingers moved down to my chin. He used them to raise my chin, his eyes met mine with intensity.

"I was the fat kid with a tupper of Alfredo Pasta princess cupcake. Do you remember me now?"