Chapter 7

Only the sound of the clinking of spoons on the glass plates could be heard at the dining table during breakfast the next morning. Nathan and Madison hadn’t said anything to each other since they assembled at the table for their breakfast.

“The meal’s great,” Nathan said, breaking the jinx of silence.

“Thank you, sir.” Madison struggled, but she was finally able to say those three words.

Madison was almost choking on her food, even more when she glanced at Nathan and noticed he was also staring at her. She swallowed the chunk of food with an embarrassing sound.

“Are you okay?” Nathan asked her.

“I’m—I’m, yes, sir, I am okay.” The difficulty Madison experienced when responding to Nathan’s question made the meal appear more chili than it was. She almost passed out while coughing. It was a good thing Nathan extended the glass of water to her.

“I’ll ask you again, Maddie—are you okay?”

“Yes, sir, I’m alright.” She sounded more confident and calm