Chapter 27: Maddie

The dinner went on well and was funny at some moments I learned that she her parents died in a car accident when she was ten and was raised by her brother who was seventeen when the occurrence happened, she was living alone at that moment because his brother moved to California with wife and two children.

“Are you single?”. Even if she had been working for us for two years I didn’t knew the answer to that question and it was a perfect way for dad to notice her as a option other than Maddie.

“Uhm...uhm...no...yes...I mean...” Celia stammered blushing as she peek at my dad.

‘That is good, she is interested in him.’ That was a good sign for the mission I had in mind.

“Yes or not?” I asked instantly.

“This is not your problem her love life and you’re making her uncomfortable.” My dad said to. “Sorry Celia you don’t have to answer that kind of question.” He said to her.

“I’m sorry Celia I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I didn’t thought it would bother you me asking about your life.” I had said in order to control the damage I have made.

‘I should probably have this conversation alone with her, even if I can’t ask about her love life there are other way to make her appear interesting and a better option compared to Maddie.’ I thought.

“Have you always lived here?” I asked her even if I knew the answer to that question but dad didn’t ‘perfect topic for discussion and no one would feel uncomfortable’.

“I was born I’m Miami but when I was five we had to move in here because of my father job when I was five.” She said looking at me suspiciously, I figured she was suspecting that I was on for something but I didn’t care as long as it help me getting rid of Madeleine.

“How it was like life in Miami?” I continued.

“I don’t have a lot of memories of Miami.” She said putting on an apologetic smile but I didn’t buy it I knew for what she had told me about the beach trip she used to do with her family but most frequently with her brother who at that moment was learning surfing.

Furthermore, she had counted me about her grandma and apple tart she made for them on holidays or family reunions, also what she still remembered of her friends from kindergarten and Ms. Emily her kindergarten teacher.

I was stuck because I couldn’t talk about that and give away my true intentions.

“Did you finish your painting?” Celia once told me that she received a scholarship to study art but didn’t made till the end, she didn’t told me the reason and I didn’t mind at the moment, but she continued painting and wished to go back to school also she was a great painter from the paintings she had showed me. “Dad you should see her work, she is awesome.” I said to my father.

A good thing when I thought about it, he was a art lover and she was a painter so perfect match.

‘Why didn’t I thought about it earlier ?” I wondered.

“I’m not that good, your being partial over praising my work like that.” She said and tried to make me drop the subject, I didn’t understand why she was so reluctant to talk about it.

“Oh no I’m not being partial here even if I don’t know much about art or painting but dad you know, and you should see what she does. You won’t believe your eyes.” There I was overstating a little bit but it was for the good cause.

“It that so I would like to see what you have done so far.” Dad said.

Perfect step number one, get him to notice for more than a housekeeper.

“I don’t know sir...I’m not a professional maybe...” she was saying but I stopped her.

“Don’t say that you’re great and dad she is great you should see it.” I stated, and they started chatting about painting, famous painters most of them already dead and to me it was the most boring subject but they seemed to enjoy talking, so I plastered on my face my most genuine fake smile and nodded for time to time when one of them asked me something. They both seemed very relax and at ease.

I wondered if dad had conversations like this with Maddie.

And thinking of the devil my father’s phone started ringing and Maddie’s photo appeared on the screen. He excused himself and went to answer the phone call into his office.

“What are you trying to do?” Celia ask when we heard him closing his office door.

“What do you mean?” I asked instead playing dumb.

“All the questions you asked about me, my life even if you knew the answers?” Celia said looking at me straight into the eyes.

My heart started beating fast but I wouldn’t fail and let her see through me.

“Nothing important I was just trying to make a small conversation over diner.” I responded shrugging my shoulders.

“If you say so.” She said but still with suspicion in her eyes.

Even if I feel guilty for manipulating her and dad it was for the greater good so I had to continue.

She cleaned up the kitchen, kiss me goodbye as usual and was about to exit the back door when dad came back with his cellphone in hand and an anxious face.

“What’s wrong? It everything ok with Maddie?” I asked.

“Maddie is fine, it’s her friend the one who it not good at the moment. She won’t make it tomorrow, she had to accompany his friend to see her doctor in DC and it would be days before she come back.” He said.

Alleluia, that would give me time enough to make Celia and dad get closer to each other.

I started smiling but stopped before he caught me I was supposed to be sympathetic no rejoicing myself.

“It doesn’t matter, her friend needs her and she has to stay by her side that’s what good friend does.” Even if I didn’t mean at all.