His Addiction

Chapter 10

Madeline turned around and scowled at her boyfriend, standing a few steps away, looking mad like never before. She couldn't understand the reason behind this. All she knew, she didn't say anything infuriating. It sounded more practical than no one ever gave Catherina. Suddenly, Bash came close to her and spat, which shocked her to her core, "Apologies to her."

"Seb?" She looked into his eyes with unshed tears in her eyes. The tone he used and his expression hurt her so deeply that she clenched her hands and walked past Bash to leave that place right at that point, but he grasped her by her elbow and stopped her.

"Madeline."

Bash looked at her warningly. His grip wasn't hurtful but firm. It was only three of them could hear, but still, she felt humiliated.

Gritting her teeth, she looked up and said, "I said nothing wrong. Why are you behaving like that?"

"Sebastian, let it go. Please," Catherina pleaded, swallowing the pain, but Bash wasn't taking that any.

"This is her home. She doesn't need anyone's permission to do whatever she wants at her place. That boy you call hopeless is my littlest cousin. . .someone who should be adored. He would be your brother-in-law." No matter how angry he was with his Eline, he couldn't raise his voice at her, but that didn't mean he would let it go. "I won't tell you to force yourself to love Harper, but I expect you to ask for forgiveness from someone who was always nice to you and never judged you as others did. She doesn't deserve this."

I want the best for you, but you. . .you always misunderstood me. Why don't you see you are letting others take advantage of you, Seb? Madeline thought with a broken heart. Her eyes welled up, but she looked away, knowing how he was. The whole world thinks we are perfect for each other, but little do they know you are never there for me when I need you the most. I was wrong even thinking you would ever understand me, Sebastian, or have that time in your hand to see what has been bothering me and how someone there has been threatening me with your life, making me leave that city when I wanted to go there to make sure you were safe. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked at Catherina. "Please forgive me if you feel offended by what I said. I just. . .well, never mind."

After that, Madeline left, shoving Bash away from her. She didn't trust anyone. She just couldn't. On her way to her room, she heard a ping on her phone, and her face paled, seeing the text she had just received from that number that could never be traced.

'You are making a mistake. That man you love will never marry someone like you. Do you know he is still in touch with that heiress? Oh, my bad. You aren't the type of girl who checks her man's phone to read texts he receives from other women, do you? But it's okay, you know? It shouldn't bother you when you can have the money all for yourself. Isn't that why you are still with him?'

"No," Her heart clenched in pain. No, it can't be. With shaky hands, she typed, "Who are you? You have already sent that envelope to my home. What else do you want? Please stop lying to me about him. Sebastian can't do something like that to hurt me."

Madeline waited after sending a message, but time passed by like that, and she didn't receive any text from whoever he was. But she knew she would receive one soon. And she got that a few minutes later, and her phone slipped from her hand when she read it.

'Next week, you are traveling to LA for his movie. The success party of his film will be arranged there if I'm not wrong. I am proposing a deal now. If you don't see the heiress there with your man, you won't hear a thing from me again. Otherwise. . .you have to go to the address where I will ask you to, and you will have to do as I say if you don't want me to frame you for your man's death.'

Meanwhile,

Bash's mood worsened by the kind of way she apologized to Catherina. He was about to go after her, but his aunt stopped him.

"Please, son, let her be." Catherine intervened. The young couple was close to her heart. She didn't want the misunderstanding to affect the pure relationship they had. "She didn't mean to be rude. You. . .you also know how things are getting there in her home."

"That still doesn't explain the way she talked to you."

Bash exhaled harshly, looking into the hallway where his girlfriend had disappeared.

"We are all human, Sebastian. And humans make mistakes. You shouldn't be rude to her." Catherine held Bash's arm and made him face her. "Unlike you, Madeline tries her best to handle her home and you. She failed in her business, but she is fighting on her own. You have to understand her side that it isn't easy for her either. She lost but didn't want the same to happen to you in your business and acting career. When you had to stay in Sao Paulo, she went places where you couldn't go to your factories, fundraising events, family gatherings, dealing with your clients and everything." What Catherine said wasn't wrong. The words did help to calm him down, but not entirely. "Be nice to her, please. Don't judge her about how she talked to me just now. You should be ashamed of keeping her waiting so long to make her your girlfriend. You met her at sixteen, but it took you over ten years to be your girlfriend. Madeline is busier than you, but she bought one for you after showing me. But you. . .you are always late for everything."

His aunt shook her head and looked at him in disappointment.

"What kind of accusation is that, mama?" Bash scoffed. "No one should rush things in doing something important like that. You also say she deserves better. Then how do you expect me to treat her any less?"

Catherine sighed. "It's up to you. I won't interfere as long as you both are okay with this. But I am feeling offended now. You bought the ring but haven't shown it to me."

When his aunt pretended to be angry, Bash laughed, saying, "She will show that to you when I put that on her finger next week. You should wait and choose a tux for Harper, who I would like to see as my best man."

Catherina felt warmth in her chest when she followed Bash's gaze, where her adopted son was kicking in the air, still sitting on his swing. She hardly believed anyone on either side of their family would want to have anything to do with her adopted son, but she felt blessed to see her elder one accepting the younger one. What Madeline said didn't affect her as much as it did to witness the softness in Bash's eyes for Harper. She became emotional and said with a grin, "I can't wait for the day. Son. Don't keep us waiting."

~

The Next Week

Bash looked nervous. For the first time in his life, he felt like he would pass out at any moment, but only he should be blamed for it. It was the big day of his life. It was supposed to be his girlfriend's too, but he lost the ring. Somewhere on this cruise, he was dying there, cursing his luck. Everyone was celebrating the success of their movie, but he was walking back and forth on the deck and growled at his partner, "What is taking you so long to find my ring, Julian? I thought you were best at shooting. I hired you for that!"

The ex-militant bit back a curse he wanted to throw at the actor's face. "You chose the wrong place to propose to her, boss. It will take some time to find that box, but we will. Why don't you go inside and spend your time with Ms. Madeline? I will bring that for you when I find your ring here. Do stay with the others in the hall. It's your mother's order. Call me if you need help."

Bash scoffed but left for the party anyway. Everyone looked happy there, but he wanted to make his girlfriend happier.

Without her contribution, this movie wouldn't have been this successful, and even the directors, screenwriters, and cast members who were annoyed with her praised Madeline for that. She did the major at her graduation, but she found her interest in fashion design afterward. Bash was determined to help her with her depression and urged her to continue with what she felt connected to, even if that meant taking a break from his acting career. That was the plan. He had been there in this profession for seventeen years.

Besides, Bash had a business in Dallas and some other cities now, and Madeline wouldn't have to humiliate herself for him before her family. She sacrificed so much for him in her life. . ., and now, it was his turn to do the same for her. He knew he wouldn't regret his decision because that was how much he loved her and cared about her feelings, but Madeline. . .she seemed to be getting a lot edgier. And distant like now, he noticed her standing with the ladies, but her smile was forced, and her eyes looked dull. Lifeless.

"Are you okay?" Bash asked, stopping at her side after wearing his mask like the rest.

Madeline looked startled, but she composed herself instantly. His brows furrowed when she said through her teeth under her breath, only for him to hear, "Why are you standing so close? People around us are watching. Can't you see that?"

"Since when did their gaze start bothering you suddenly? Everyone here is aware of our relationship." Saying that he shrugged.

She looked irritated. "No, it's different. Don't forget we have media here. You know how much my parents hate this, but you. . ."

"Alright, alright, I am joining the guys, okay?" With that, he stepped back. Looking at her worriedly, he asked, "Do you want me to bring your favorite juice? I am sure you will feel better if you- "

"Seb- " Taking a step toward him, she tried to look calm, but her voice betrayed, "You are giving me a headache now. Would you please leave me alone for some time like you did in your aunt's home last week?"

The corner of his eyes twitched, thinking he realized her issue with him.

"Are you still mad at me for that? Oh, come on, Madeline. My mama is the sweetest. She even went to your room to feed you your dinner in her hand. I even borrowed two ice cream tubs from Harper. I should be the one to buy that to that kid, but you know I. . ."

"You know what, Sebastian." Madeline rudely cut Bash off, feeling annoyed with him bringing his family again. "You stay here. I am going to catch some breath outside. Please don't follow me there. If you do that, I will leave this party right now."

Bash saw her leaving, and he could only do to stay rooted in his spot and watch her with his dimmed eyes. He didn't show that to his face, but he was hurt. He planned many things for today, but his clash with a waitress cost him his ring.

Sighing heavily, he joined the guys and talked about their next project while he waited for Julian to bring him the ring he had dropped somewhere close to that area of this cruise. A while later, a waitress came with a few drinks and gave Bash his whiskey before moving to the other guests with the tray in his hand. Bash gulped that down in one go and indulged himself with it.

Suddenly, Bash felt dizzy and excused himself to wash his face in the toilet. He only had a few glasses of alcohol, but why was he feeling this way? Still, without anyone's assistance, he made his way toward what looked like a suite or something, so he entered, hoping there wouldn't be anyone there assaulting the bed. How he wished Madeline was with him. If she had stayed by his side, she would have given him medicine she always kept in her purse, fearing someone would spike their drink someday.

As Bash entered, with hazed vision, he saw someone standing in that red gown he told Madeline to wear for the party. Madeline refused to wear that as she didn't like the color, and it was heavy, but seeing now her wearing that gown, his lips curved up with a smile. "I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for long." He stumbled toward the girl standing while her back facing him and embraced her like that, thinking she was Madeline. He slurred and felt weak, but he still thought to apologize to her first. "I know I hurt you that day. But you know I didn't mean that. Could you forgive me for this time, please? I promise this to you. I will listen to you for the rest of my life and scold our children even if you are wrong." He gasped, and his eyes enlarged, thinking he had messed it up again. "Oh, no, no. You can't be wrong. Mamas are always right. You are right. My mom is right. Only I am wrong. No, I mean- "

Before he could finish it, he was pushed onto the bed, and with his blurry vision, he noticed it wasn't Madeline sitting on him.

"You talk way too much, gentleman!" The woman groaned and began undressing and then to Bash.

His blood ran cold, and the pain in his head worsened, but he tried to push her away from him, "W. . .who? Who're you? Get off me!"

"Come on! It won't take long. Trust me. I will give you the best night today."

"I love someone. Please leave. I will give you whatever you ask, but- "

He clenched his jaw, trying to keep his eyes open, but he couldn't fight it for longer and passed out with that naked lady on him.

The next moment, when Bash opened his eyes, he felt sticky and sickly, but he didn't find himself in the bed anymore but in the water. . .?

Someone asked softly, "Are you okay? Hey, can you hear me?"

He looked up, and his emerald met with hazel eyes he was familiar with before passing out again, sinking in the water.