Chapter 4 Madison's Attitude

Ariella finally can't take it anymore and gets on the next flight to Malaysia. Mary is acting weird, however, avoiding giving any concrete answers to Ariella's questions about Carol leaving for Texas and a man crying in their room.

Ariella believes her and heads up to Juanita's room, where she finds a picture of Maxwell and calls him again. This time, he does pick up, but when Ariella asks him about Carol, and if she later left for Texas, he tells her that he can't really say it aloud right now and that he'll text her instead.

Juanita comes back from school in a cheerful mood and immediately asks about Carol. Ariella tells her that she just spoke to Carol's father, but trails off when his text arrives. Her face goes pale "What is it? Let me see" Juanita says as she reaches for her mother's phone.

Ariella grabs her hand "Nita, pack your things, we're going home." Juanita grabs her suitcase reluctantly and packs her things.

Confused, Juanita follows her mom out into the living room, where Mary is still maintaining her happy façade. Ariella demands how Mary could do such a thing: "Are you afraid of losing customers? How could you hide Carol's death?"

Startled, Juanita screamingly bursts into tears at the sudden revelation, and Mary pulls her into her arms, angry at Ariella for upsetting her; "customers? I never thought of the kids as customers. They're like my kids. I didn't say anything yet because Juanita wasn't prepared". Juanita continues crying bitterly as Mary holds her and tells Ariella that she's okay with her taking Juanita home; "if you're going to take Juanita home, you should at least take care of her like a proper parent rather than just calling often to see if she's studying."

That seems to hit Ariella hard, and she books an immediate flight to take Juanita home.

She finally revealed what Maxwell texted her: "If your daughter ever feels uncomfortable, take her straight home. Carol is no longer in this world."

Maxwell sits in a church and calls Madison. He asks how she's feeling, but Madison only begs him not to bring Carol back and to bury her in Malaysia instead, otherwise, she won't be able to live with herself. He sits a bit longer in church looking at the urn that contains Carol's ash.

Ariella is on duty on her way back from Malaysia to Texas again. Maxwell is one of the passengers. He watches her work until her hair is mussed and sweaty, "Hey there. Don't cry. It's okay, don't cry" she says, rocking an infant to sleep.

He recognizes her as the person who gave up her ticket to Malaysia for him. She finally recognizes him when he goes to find her, as he offers her his bracelet to tie up her hair and thanks her for giving up the ticket.

Ariella prepares beverages to deliver to the pilot and co-pilot, and asks to sit in the pilot's compartment for a while

"It's stuffy back there," she says.

They welcome her, telling her she's just in time to see a lunar eclipse.

She asks what it looks like, and the pilot responds: "It's like you're jumping into a ball of fire, and you're about to burn up, but you won't." The moon suddenly emerges from behind the clouds, it's bright red, showering them in light.

Ariella's mind suddenly flashes back to the picture of Maxwell she saw at the homestay and of different encounters she's had with Maxwell. She gets up and heads out in search of Maxwell.

As the plane prepares for landing, Ariella returns to her seat, right across from Maxwell. She finally has the right pieces and asks: "Are you Maxwell Stone? Carol's.. father?"

He nods to confirm, asking how she knew, she introduces herself: "Hello, I'm Juanita's mother. It's nice to meet you" They stare at each other at that moment.

Maxwell is appalled to find out that Ariella is Juanita's mother, his eyes widened at first in shock, and then understanding. He starts asking about Juanita, but Ariella has to maintain her professional composure when the passenger sitting next to Maxwell returns. Maxwell reads her penitent expression and decides to keep his mouth shut for now.

They arrive in Texas and the two exchange another polite look as Ariella sees Maxwell off the plane. She watches him as he teeters the rest of the way down the jet bridge, lost in thoughts. She heads back to join the rest of the crew to tidy up.

Maxwell's stuck in his trance all the way to the terminal until a familiar figure walks up to him.

"Joe," Maxwell says in surprise. Joe is Carol's uncle, and he's here to pick Maxwell up. As they drive back, Joe berates Maxwell for coming empty-handed "your mother's angry you're returning empty handed."

"What kind of mother wants her child buried overseas?" Joe wonders if Madison is in her right mind for asking Maxwell to bury Carol in Malaysia or if Maxwell is in his right mind for actually succumbing to her;

"Why on Earth did you agree to that? Is that how I raised you?" he says, jokingly.

"At least a few dozen people who claim they raised me" Maxwell responds.

Maxwell instructs him to just head to the hospital, but Joe says "there's no need. Madison isn't there since she's too busy planning the big event at the firm." Maxwell looks at Joe.

"Don't look at me, she insisted on carrying on with the preparations" Joe says, dryly as he counters Maxwell's gaze.

"Madison isn't at the hospital?" Maxwell asks in surprise.

"Your wife scares me really. She's acting too normal. I'm the one who should get admitted to get a drip" Joe replies as they drive off.

Joe drops Maxwell off at the shop, and lo and behold, Madison really is keeping herself busy; she's demonstrating how to tie one of the traditional knots, looking rather elegant and poised in a beautiful white dress. From afar, Maxwell stares at his wife in concern as she smiles for the crowd.

June (Maxwell and Madison's mutual friend) finds him and drags him off to talk in private, she says "I told her this event should be canceled and that you won't be in your right state of mind. She asked what nonsense I was talking about".

June too doesn't understand Madison's behavior since Carol's death. Madison hasn't told anyone and she just acts as if nothing transpired.

Maxwell looks up at Madison and asks June "Does that seem like 'it's nothing'?" The two return outside to find everyone waiting for Carol's grandmother, the star of the show.

Maxwell watches Madison excuse herself, and barely some seconds later, he gets a call from her. When he answers, Madison quietly pleads "do not look at me that way"

"I'm just worried. Don't push yourself" he replies.

Maxwell insists it's only because he's worried about her. He knows how much she's hurting after all.

"I'm not. This is better for me. June is the only one who's aware of her death. Let it stay that way. Don't tell me what happened or what you did. Don't say anything," Madison cuts him off.

She doesn't want him mentioning whatever happened in Malaysia. She tries to change the subject to bringing Grandma out "Bring your mother for me. People wish to see her demonstration".

Maxwell won't let her "It may be hard, but our daughter is dead. Let's accept that she's gone." Madison doesn't reply, and they both turn towards the front when the crowd starts clapping at Grandma's entrance. Before beginning her demonstration, Grandma announces sadly to the entire party "a few days ago, my granddaughter abroad died in an accident".