Charlotte POV
Growing up in a poorly funded orphanage was tough. I never knew my parents or had a family to care for me. But everything changed when I met Aurora in high school. We became inseparable friends, and our shared struggles brought us closer together.
We would often sneak out of school to work part-time jobs. It wasn't that we didn't value education, but we had to fend for ourselves. Our families weren't there to support us financially or emotionally. Aurora lived with her mother, who had a boyfriend, but her situation was just as dire. Her mother was a drug addict who ran a small, rundown beer parlour with her boyfriend.
Aurora's mother didn't care about her well-being. She made Aurora work to support her and her boyfriend, treating her more like a servant than a daughter. But Aurora never complained. She was a kind and selfless person who always put others first. She didn't see anything wrong with her situation because she had never known anything different.
We struggled to make ends meet, but we supported each other through thick and thin. After high school, we were eager to move forward, but our dreams were crushed when we realized we couldn't afford to attend college. Our futures seemed uncertain, and we were left to wonder what lay ahead. Despite the challenges, our friendship remained strong, and we held onto hope that things would get better.
Aurora called out to me, "Charlotte, it's already 6 o'clock. Let's go home. I'm exhausted." I checked my watch to confirm, and indeed, it was time to head home. I was relieved that we had a shorter day, but I knew I still had a long night ahead.
To be honest, work was really getting to me. Sometimes, I wished someone would take care of me and help me relax. I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
We quickly gathered our things and headed home. As soon as we walked in, Aurora asked, "What are we having for dinner tonight?" She looked really hungry.
I joked, "Come and devour me!" and laughed sarcastically. But Aurora didn't find it funny. "Be serious, Charlotte. I haven't eaten since morning," she said.
I replied, "We'll just have to manage until our next payday, which is next week." Aurora sighed and decided to check the kitchen. "Whatever, let me see if there's anything in there to make dinner," she said.
I was grateful that she was taking charge of dinner. I was too tired to think about cooking, and I just wanted to rest.
AT THE MADISON GREY'S MANSION
Madison POV
Charles walked into the room with Jon and Albert, beaming with excitement. "Bro, I've really missed having fun! When is our new guest arriving?" he asked, looking around the room as if expecting someone to pop out.
Jon and Albert congratulated me on my engagement, shaking my hand and patting me on the back. "Congratulations, man!" they chimed in unison, their faces filled with happiness.
Albert teased, "I hope this new one lasts, unlike your ex, Sophia." Jon helped him remember her name, and we all burst out laughing.
I grinned mischievously, feeling a sense of excitement and renewal. "Don't worry, guys. Aurora is a fresh start," I said, emphasizing the word "fresh."
Charles looked puzzled, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
I announced happily, "Aurora has never been in a relationship before." The room fell silent for a moment, before Jon let out a low whistle.
Jon exclaimed, "This calls for a celebration!" He pumped his fist in the air, and Albert started making party noises, shouting "Woo-hoo!"
My phone was ringing, so I took it out to check who was calling. It was my mom. "Excuse me, guys, I need to take this," I said, stepping outside to talk to her.
My mom was upset. "Madison, do you want to hurt your father and me? Why did you announce your engagement publicly? You know people are still talking about what happened with your ex-wife."
I tried to respond, but instead, I pretended the connection was bad. "Hello? Hello? Mum, are you still there?" I said, even though I could still hear her. Then, I quickly ended the call and went back inside.
The guys were waiting for me, and they started laughing as soon as I walked in. "Don't tell me Mrs. Christine Grey is upset about the engagement announcement," one of them joked. They all burst out laughing again, and I couldn't help but join in.
"We just got here," Charles said. "You're not leaving already, are you?"
"Yes, I have to go," I replied. "My mom can be a bit much, and I don't want her to send her bodyguards to come get me."
We all stood up, said our goodbyes, and I left for my parents' house.
As I walked in, my mom greeted me with a big hug. "My boy!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy to see you." She kissed my cheek and said, "I was just about to send Calvin to get you." Calvin is my mom's trusted bodyguard, and he does confidential tasks for her.
But before I could say anything, my mom started talking about my ex. "Madi, what happened to Sophia? She just disappeared without a word..." I cut her off. "Mum, let's not talk about that. We should be discussing my wedding."
My mom smiled. "Okay, when are you bringing your fiancée home?" I replied, "Tomorrow evening."
My mom raised an eyebrow. "You're full of surprises, aren't you? First, you announce your engagement publicly, and now you're bringing her home. I'm curious to meet her."
Then I dropped a bombshell. "Mum, I want a small, quiet wedding. Just us, no outsiders." My mom looked confused. "Why just us? You made a public announcement, and doesn't your fiancée want to plan her own wedding?"
I replied, "You can plan it for me, can't you?" My mom smiled. "Of course, I can. I was just curious."
I leaned in and whispered to my mom, "Just a little secret, don't tell her I asked you to plan the wedding." My mom smiled and nodded. She would do anything I asked her to do.
I turned to her and asked, "What about Dad? Is he awake?" She replied, "He's sleeping. Don't disturb him. You can talk to him tomorrow during dinner. I'll let him know that you're bringing your fiancée home."
I nodded and stood up. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then," I said. My mom smiled and hugged me again. "I'm looking forward to meeting her, sweetie."
I headed out, feeling satisfied that my mom was on board with my plans. As I walked out, I couldn't help but think about how much control I had over my family's dynamics. My mom would do anything to make me happy, and my dad was always laid-back. It was going to be easy to get them to do what I wanted.