Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

The moment my alarm on my phone buzzed, I got up hastily, and I could feel my eyes were heavy, and my back ached. I know it was because I didn't have enough sleep, and I didn't even know if I fell asleep since it felt like I had been wide awake thinking about Madeline the entire time I was lying on our bed, and I hate to think she is not sleeping beside me. I smiled when I heard the loud snoring of Calixto, and I realized he must be so tired to be soundly sleeping.

I felt so happy that Cal came, and he stayed in my room to keep me company. I know he always cares about me, and he is ready to be with me without complaint. I got up from my bed and walked to the bathroom, and I took a hot shower, so the tiredness and heaviness of my body would be gone. I made sure to take a quick shower since we needed to leave early.

I woke up Calixto after I took a bath, and he got inside the bathroom without saying anything, and I was shocked when he got out after a minute, and he lay on the couch once again.

"It would be alright if you would not come with me, Cal. I will go with Roman and few men from my security team. You can transfer to my bed if you want, and I want you to look out for Charlotte.. I know I have to give my sister another chance since she apologized, but I can't trust her yet." I said, and Cal moaned and got up from the couch once more.

"I only needed five minutes more, Hunter; I just need five more minutes." He declared while his eyes were still closed, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing as he dove into the couch.

"I will leave without you, Cal; you knew I needed to meet my friend first at Zambo, and then we will ride with them going to the ocean," I said.

He quickly stood up without saying anything, and he got inside the bathroom; and I heard the dripping of the water from the showerhead, and when he finished taking a bath, I couldn't stop myself from shaking my head when I realized he had taken a shower quicker than me. And I was surprised when I looked at him again. He was already wearing his three-piece gray business suit. And I am impressed since I am still wearing my white button-down shirt and am on my way to putting on my navy blue suit jacket.

We left my room in a hurry, and when we arrived at the helipad, I felt glad Roman was already there. I climbed in the helicopter while the rest of my team followed. As the chopper took off, I couldn't stop looking back at the house, and I realized how empty I felt every time my wife was not in our home with me. I need to find Madeline, even if it means I need to search the entire ocean, but I can't stop myself from feeling so nervous. And I was hoping they didn't do something to my wife and my child.

I haven't talked with my mom about my father yet, but I understood if she would visit my dad, and I know my mom will always be in love with my father, and I am just hoping that everything that Charlotte had said about my father was true.

I am not happy that my father is in the ICU at the moment. Still, knowing that Clark Divenson had nothing to do about my wife's disappearance, I can't deny I felt relieved because even if he wasn't my biological dad, he was the only father I knew. I don't want him to be involved in another crime. I want to give him a chance to repent and renew himself, even if I know it would be impossible for Clark Divenson to accept his faults and schemes.

I didn't file a case against him during the explosion at the mining site, even if I had a lot of evidence. Because I love my mother so much, and I don't want her to suffer, Calixto and I are still alive, so I give my father another chance to redeem himself. Now that he is in the hospital fighting for his life, I hope he will survive because I know mom will become so affected if something happens to him.

The moment we landed at Zambo, we took a car going to meet Phil, my college friend, and I felt so glad my contact had everything ready from our transportation and even food on the go. I only drink coffee since I don't feel like eating anything, but Calixto insisted on giving me some doughnuts, and in the end, I eat the doughnut before I finish drinking my coffee.

When we arrived at the place, we agreed to meet my friend. I realized his team was ready, and he had already approved that I would bring Cal and Roman with me. We boarded another chopper, and this time, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so nervous and uneasy. I know I have to file a complaint so that they can search the boat.

The moment we took off from the ground, I could see the busy port, and I realized my wife was at the pier last night, but we were too late. I hope we can catch up with the Wildflower boat without delay because I couldn't wait to see my wife. I don't have enough sleep, and I don't want to eat, and I am just glad Cal was with me since he kept me sane most of the time. I could tell without Calixto by my side, I would be lost, and maybe I would go crazy without Madeline by my side.

The water below looked peaceful, and I felt so glad because I didn't want Madeline to experience bad weather since she already had morning sickness. I couldn't imagine if they met bad weather along the way, she would vomit the entire day for sure. I just hope they will give my wife nutritious food since she needs nutrition for our baby.

"We have confirmed the location of the Wildflower, Hunter, and approximately one hour from now, we can catch up with the boat." My friend said, and I relaxed a little, and I couldn't imagine if there would be a shoot-out, but I don't think they knew that the person they boarded on their ship was declared missing.

"Thank you for everything, Phil," I said to my friend, and he looked at me sideways.

"You are welcome, Hunter; thank you for calling me, and I am happy to be at your service. I wanted to help during the time I heard the news about the mining incident, but we were so busy that time, and I contacted some of our friends that time to offer their help as well." Phil said.

"And now you are in another predicament, and it seems your life became quite interesting." He added.

"Yeah, I am even more surprised with what is happening with my life," I responded, and he laughed, and then he looked at me in the eyes.

"Kidding aside, I want to see your wife, Hunter, because she made me feel so intrigued that finally, someone captured your heart after a long time, and I believe she became the center of envy of your women fans club after she married you, maybe this incident happened to her because of one of your exes." He declared, and I shook my head.

"I don't have any idea who took her, Phil. All I want to do is find her. I want her to come home with me because she is pregnant." I said, and his face fell, and I could see the worries and concerns on his face.

"Don't worry, Hunter, we will find your wife soon, and you will be reunited with her. I am sure we are approaching the area ." He responded, and I beamed at him, and I couldn't help myself from smiling as I realized I was going to meet Madeline soon, and I could feel the racing in my heart because I felt so sure I would be with her within today, and I can bring my wife home.

We continue to fly above the water, and I no longer take my eyes from looking below; I felt so horrified when I saw a ship from a distance covered in smoke, and then I can see the burning flame that engulfed the boat.

"Shit!" Phil cursed under his breath when he realized the boat was on fire, and when he looked at me, I realized something, and my entire world turned upside down when I understood the Wildflower boat was on fire, and I wanted to scream, but no words came out from my mouth, and I felt so helpless. I unbuckled my seatbelt, and I stood up from my seat, but Phil asked me to get back on my seat.

"Hunter, you need to sit down and fasten your seatbelt because we are going down, and we will do rescue operation; the pilot already asked for backup," Phil said while I was in denial. I couldn't believe this was happening. I am too late again.

"I want to help, Phil. I need to rescue my wife." I said in more than a whisper, and I could no longer keep my tears from falling because I was in too much pain, and I didn't know how I felt anymore. My entire body was shaking, and I felt like the whole world had collapsed on my shoulders as I realized Madeline was in there and we were only a few minutes late, and how could she save herself? And when I looked at Cal, I could see the horrified look on his face, and for the first time, he was speechless, and then I saw his tears poured down on his cheeks.

And as we came nearer, I realized the burning flames followed by explosions swallowed the entire ship, and I could no longer keep myself from releasing the pain I felt.

"No! Madeline! No!! My Sweet Madeline! No!" I screamed and wailed, and I wanted to jump on the water, but Cal and Roman got me, and I was struggling so hard until I felt Roman knocked me down.