The Wrong Woman

Louis and Campbell entered the kitchen and I reluctantly followed them with Maddie trailing behind me. I was so preoccupied with trying to figure out a way of getting out of this dinner, that I bumped into Campbell.

“Take it easy Harry.” He said with an amused glint in his eye. “Now I hope you weren’t expecting anything elaborate… I’ve just ordered some takeaway Chinese.”

I opened my mouth to speak but Louis interrupted.

“Looks good to me.” He said brightly.

I took in the various takeout containers on the counter and mechanically followed Maddie as she began to pile up her plate with fried rice. We all eventually sat down at the table and I quietly began to eat, avoiding everyone’s eyes. Fuck, I hoped Felicity didn’t decide to walk in now. That would take this awkward situation to a new level.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a couple of days now.” Campbell said to Louis. “About Maddie’s progress.”

“She’s been doing great.” Louis said, casting an affectionate smile toward Maddie who had perched herself on a stool. I looked over at Maddie who smiled uncertainly but remained silent.

“You should be very proud of her. She really tries hard to do well.” Louis’ expression went from affectionate to an almost lascivious smirk. I glanced at Campbell who was too engrossed with eating a spring roll than to notice Louis’ now hooded eyes and knowing smile. Was he for fucking real?

“You don’t have to worry about her, Mr. James. Maddie has been getting a lot out of these tutoring sessions… she will be top of the class in no time.”

His eyes travelled down to her bare legs and he openly stared before returning to her face.
Louis and Maddie then shared a look that I couldn’t quite work out. It was a split moment, but I caught it. But before I could even wrap my head around it, Felicity walked through the door. I could see the tension on her face even before she saw Louis. Our eyes locked for a moment before she leant over to kiss Campbell.

“What’s happening?” She asked.

“Just grabbing a bite to eat before we head out.” Campbell replied. “Have you met Maddie’s tutor? He’s her teacher at school.”

“No, I haven’t. Hello.” Felicity said politely and Louis smiled in response.

She looked trapped as she stood behind the counter, preferring to pour herself a glass of wine rather than join us for dinner. I tried to picture Louis and Felicity together and felt my stomach twist into knots. The guy seemed so sleazy; no wonder Felicity had the sense to break it off with him. I just hoped Maddie could do the same.

Dinner finished soon after and Louis excused himself, reminding Maddie about a test that was on later in the week.

“If you need any extra help, you know you can always see me in my office.” He told her, lightly touching her shoulder. Campbell smiled indulgently and shook Louis’ hand as I looked on in shock. Was this guy blind or was I just seeing and hearing things? Louis briefly glanced at me and I could tell the bastard knew he had gotten under my skin.

Campbell and Felicity were about to leave the house to attend a function or something and I pretended to leave with Louis, after giving Maddie a meaningful look. Once everyone was out of the house, I was knocking on the front door until Maddie answered. It had only been ten minutes since I had “left” and Maddie had changed into her pyjamas. It just a pair of simple cotton shorts and a singlet top, but they were pink and cute and I couldn’t help but lightly run my finger over the soft material.

“Mmm… nice.” I said and she smiled shyly. She turned to climb the stairs and I followed her right into her bedroom.

“That teacher of yours is a real prick.” I announced as I stretched out on her bed, placing my hands behind my head.

“Harry, please.” Maddie said quietly and I could tell by the look on her face that she was not in the mood to argue.

“Okay, okay. I just needed to say it out loud, otherwise I’d fucking explode.”

Her hand lightly brushed over my arm, before she sat on the edge of the bed and just peered down at me with a ghost of a smile on her lips.

“Well at least he doesn’t get to see you like this.” I said poking her playfully in the ribs. The fact that we were actually alone hit me and I couldn’t help but let my finger trail down to her thigh. “Or has he?”

“Noo.” Maddie said, shifting uncomfortably.

“Good girl.” I said and smiled when she stuck her tongue out at me. I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaustion starting to creep up on me, when I felt the bed dip beside me. Maddie placed her face right next to me, so all I could see were her pale blue eyes. I didn’t say a word as I felt her body press up against me. She gazed at me earnestly as her hand disappeared in my jeans and down into my boxers.

Maddie taking the initiative was rare and I found myself jumping in response.

“You scared?” She smiled.

I breathed in sharply as I felt her touch me. It felt good, but there was something stopping me from enjoying it. The number sixteen kept flashing in my head. I had wanted her when I thought she was eighteen, but now that I knew she was only a recently turned sixteen year old…well let’s just say I was feeling a little uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” She whispered. I could feel her hand clumsily rub me, so different to the way Felicity handled me.

"Nothing.” I said, but I could see she wasn’t convinced. She pressed harder and I found myself wincing in pain.

“Sorry.” She said, suddenly looking nervous.

“It’s okay… we don’t have to do this.”

“But I want to. I want to know how it feels. I want to feel close to you.”

“We are close.” I said uncertainly.

“Not in this way.” She said, unzipping my jeans.

She was now pink cheeked and looking a little unsure of herself, but she persevered, climbing on top of me. She awkwardly took my hands and placed them on her body, underneath her singlet and onto her small breasts.

“Touch me.” She urged.

“Maddie.”

“Just touch me, like you want me. Like you used to…”

I could feel her hips grind against me and couldn’t help but laugh when she almost lost her balance and fell off me.

“It’s not funny.” She said with a pout.

“It kinda is.” I said and almost regretted it when I saw the thunderous look on her face. The sound of the home telephone interrupted the moment and she angrily pulled down her top before climbing off me. I watched as she left the room to answer the telephone and I idly zipped my jeans while I waited. My thoughts wandered to Felicity and to the kinds of things she could do to me; as if she had memorised every inch of my skin and knew exactly how to get me off.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Maddie’s cell phone ring out on the bedside table. I lazily glanced at it only to freeze when I saw Louis’ name flash across the screen. What the-? The phone rang out and with no sign of Maddie; I quickly took it into my hands. I swiped across to find it was unlocked and then clicked into her messages. Louis’ name came up a few times and I quickly tapped into one conversation.

Louis: Not as young as you!

Maddie: Really?

Louis: Nope. Haha.

I frowned. What were they talking about? I glanced up at the door and could hear Maddie still speaking on the phone. I scrolled down to find another conversation.

Louis: It was cute.

Maddie: Nah!

Louis: So cute.

I instinctively paused and heard the sounds of Maddie’s footsteps returning to the room, so I swiftly placed the phone back where I found it.

“It was my Dad calling to check the alarm was on.”

“Oh okay.” I couldn’t help but stare at her, trying to figure out what was happening between her and Louis. It felt like just as they were getting closer, we were both growing apart. Dinner was a great example of that. Louis seemed to fit in just fine, while I sat on the fringes, barely interacting with anyone. I remember sharing a couple of looks with Felicity about how fucked up everything had become and I could tell she felt the same.

I breathed in deeply but I could feel the walls closing in on me. I had to get out of here.

“Well, I’d better get going then.” I said awkwardly.

“Okay.” Maddie responded listlessly.

The old me would have confronted Maddie about the messages from Louis. I would have been full of anger and brimming with accusations. But all I could do was just walk out. I drove home feeling confused. I drank the rest of the night away and then woke up bleary eyed.
I had promised Felicity I was going to start extra early today, but instead I sat in my car outside the office. My head started to pound when I saw Campbell pull into the carpark followed by Felicity’s car. I sat and watched as Felicity checked her handbag and Campbell embraced her from behind. A sick feeling came over me as she smiled when he nuzzled her neck, his hands circling her waist.

His lips were moving but I could not hear a word, but I could tell from Felicity’s response that it was something dirty. She seemed to giggle and cast her eyes around nervously as though she were aware that anybody could see or hear them. He was unrelenting though; his hands all grabby before he tongued kissed her. She opened her eyes and I knew she had caught sight of my car. I shrank under her gaze, but I could tell she knew I was there. Our eyes locked for a moment before I saw her uncomfortably pull away from his embrace. Moments later they disappeared into the office.

What the fuck was wrong with me? One minute I was telling Felicity that it’s just for fun, the next minute I was consumed with hot jealousy.

I heaved a sigh before I followed them in. I needed to talk to Felicity. Now.

Notes

Haven't updated in ages!! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and take the time to review and let me know what you think. :)