Author Note: This is something shorter than I normally write and I have purposely left certain elements up to the reader's imagination. I heard the song When Love and Hate Collide, by Def Leppard, on the radio and it gave me an idea, which I hope comes through here. Something short and hopefully sweet. Obviously Def Leppard wrote the song, which I use part of in this story, and I do not have any claim to their work. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and as always thanks for reading my work, I appreciate it.
Chapter 1
Looking in the mirror at her outfit, Madison Westcott felt uncomfortable. The female entourage that came with her rising stardom had helped dress her in the skin-tight leather pants, designer top and high heels. It was all designed to show off her enviable figure as was her makeup and long, light brown styled hair. She looked incredible but at the same time felt alienated from herself. Was this really who she wanted to be? Sure, her looks had helped grow her singing career, but at twenty-four years old, Madison had worked her butt off to get where she was. She had just completed another tour, finishing the tail end shows to support her last album and was already in the process of recording her newest songs. It was a never ending cycle, but one that she found herself on to appease the record executives. Letting out a sigh and resigning herself to just let loose, Madison left her room and found the four women in her large suite, giggling and chatting amongst themselves.
"About time girl, you look hot," Tiffany said with a big grin. "We're finally going to break this dry spell of yours."
Tiffany was one of her dancers who was gorgeous and should have been a model. The dark haired, tanned and slender woman looked a million dollars in her tight leather pants and handkerchief for a top. It was held on by the barest of threads and was basically there to cover her modest, firm breasts. Even in high heels she only came up to Madison's mouth, but the woman had a big personality.
"Thanks, so do you," Madison said getting caught up in the energy of the room.
"The execs told us to go and have a wild night, so that's what we're going to do," Tiffany said as the other ladies cheered. Madison felt herself struggling with the notion given the record label was always trying to drum up exposure in the press. She couldn't help but wonder if this was another on one of those moments that would wind up across the news. In a way as long as she didn't do anything stupid, it didn't matter, did it?
"Yeah, let's have a few drinks," Madison said as Tiffany bounced around her and then grabbed one of the other women by the arm.
The other three women were friends of Tiffany's and wore the tightest dresses anyone could imagine, leaving nothing to the imagination. They could have worn nothing and still it would have looked the same, since it was obvious not one of the sexy women were wearing underwear.
"We are going to pick up so many guys tonight," Tiffany said causing the other girls to laugh.
"I'm hoping for a black guy, with a huge cock!" one of the blondes said laughing.
"God, I can't wait to fuck," another one of them said as they all giggled and laughed.
"Come on, let's go ladies," Tiffany said as they marched out of the suite and into the elevator.
The energy of the group was contagious and Madison felt herself wanting to have a good time. Sure, the record company wanted its stars to keep their noses clean as they had an image to protect but they didn't mind their stars letting their hair down. Madison felt it was time, after all the hard work she had done so far for her new album, to have a few drinks and party.
The elevator doors opened and the luxurious hotel foyer came into view. The ladies stepped out and began walking through the foyer, giggling and carrying on when Madison saw him. John Maloney. He was as handsome and dreamy as ever, his tall broad-shouldered stature and that wonderful dark hair always making her do a double take. He hadn't aged a day, even if he was now twenty-seven years old. To her he was something out of the movies. Standing just over six feet tall, Madison immediately remembered how she could look into his mouth when they stood face to face and it made her smile. He always had the loveliest smile.
Without thinking, Madison was walking towards him and when he looked up and locked eyes with hers, she stopped dead in his tracks. He looked so handsome in his suit and she had to wonder what he was doing at the hotel, when she saw some other guests that looked like bridesmaids walk past him. She realised then, there was a wedding function going on in the grand hall of the hotel. That didn't stop her walking over to him as he just stared and stood frozen.
It had been nearly five years since they had last saw each other face to face. Yet here they were in a hotel, staring at one another as if all those years never happened.
"It's good to see you," Madison said with a smile.
"I have to go," John said turning away the pain on his face clear.
"John," Madison said quickly moving towards him as he stopped. "Are you here long? Can we catch up?"
"There is nothing to talk about. You're a success now and you clearly don't need me," John said causing Madison to feel that blow right in the chest. He noticed her wince and that hurt him also. "I have to go."
"John," Madison said again but he walked off as Tiffany, came up beside her.
"Who was that? He's cute," Tiffany asked with a cheeky grin. "Are you trying to pick up already? We haven't even left the hotel yet!"
"Ah no, not really," Madison replied deflated.
"Wow, he must be someone special then. Who was that guy?" Tiffany asked while Madison looked at the hallway John walked down.
"Someone who's heart I broke into a million little pieces," Madison said softly as the memories came flooding back. "You know what, you girls go without me. I'm going back to my room."
"Madison, come on," Tiffany said in shock that Madison would be so flippant. "We're going to party and pick up. You know it's what you want..."
"No, I'm feeling tired. See you tomorrow," Madison said heading back to the elevator.
"Okay, sure, whatever," Tiffany said as the girls headed out and Madison back to her room.
Of all the nights he had to walk back into her life, it had to be this night. Perhaps it was time to deal with it once and for all.
Chapter 2
With her busy schedule, Madison tried as hard as ever to find time to head back home and try to see John. He was all she could think about after seeing him. If she thought about it, Madison had buried herself in work to try and distract herself from what was really going on for her. Her lack of attention was making it harder to record the new material but after her final blow up at the producer and her manager, Madison was able to secure a few days off to take some personal time.
Madison knew it was going to be hard to face him, the man she had avoided because the pain was too great. But it needed to be done. Seeing him a few weeks ago had reminded her about it all. There never was anyone else, she could never get him out of her head, instead burying it in work to try and forget. But then he showed up out of the blue by chance and Madison started questioning why she was doing any of it.
She thanked his parents, Peter and Susan for letting her come over and see him. Madison hadn't seen any of the family for a number of years. They directed her to the Alfresco area out the back where John was sorting out the grill. He immediately stopped when he saw her and she needed something to break the ice.
"I saw some of your videos online. They're fantastic," Madison said with a warm smile. She knew she had to get through to him. Ever since seeing him in the hotel, she knew she wanted him back in her life. She just wasn't so sure he did.
"It's just a hobby, I record music from time to time and I do the occasional wedding too," John said with a shrug.
"I've always loved hearing you sing, when you would," Madison said recalling how he would write her songs and then sing them to her. But that didn't seem to thaw the ice that was around John's heart as he cut her off.
"What are you doing here?" John asked bluntly.
"I came to explain... I came to apologize," Madison replied softly.
"You? You think you can apologize? You know what, forget it. You can leave, I want to spend the holidays with my family having a good time," John said letting out a frustrated sigh.
"John, please? You're the love of my life, you always have been. I made a terrible mistake five years ago. I've never forgiven myself," Madison said trying to keep her emotions in check.
He turned to look at her and could see she was still in pain, but then again so was he, albeit he had gotten over some of it. Barely. The thing was though, this was in the past and it was time he moved on.
"You know what, fine. You're forgiven Madison. I don't care anymore," John said clenching his hand together to try and stifle any emotion he was feeling. Every time he saw her, it was the same damn thing and he hated it. He could tell Madison felt it too, and she was trying hard to hold it all back. The best thing to do was not do it at all. "Now would you please leave?"
"John, please..."
Trying his best to be calm, John opened the door and knowing what he meant, she nodded accepting his decision. John then led Madison into the family room but stopped when he saw his whole family and Madison's mother, Tamara, there. If anyone met them all, they could tell they were his family, just by looking at them. John seemed to get the best parts of both his parents, Susan and Peter, where his sisters were spitting images of each parent. Even his fraternal twin Victoria looked like their mother. Madison was a prettier version of her mother, who apparently was a model in her youth.
"What are you all doing here?" John asked shocked that they were all standing around as though it was an intervention.
