Loving Madeline

Jack's POV

"Just leave your things, Jack, except for the food," Charlotte said when I was about to carry my suitcase and my hand-carry bag.

"No one will touch your things; you already said this place is secluded," she added before she got inside the house, and I let out a heavy sigh before I went after her with the take-out food in my hands; my eyes widened when I saw the interior of the manor.

It was perfect on the inside, from the high ceiling to expensive chandeliers, and I could see expensive paintings hanging in the hallway as she led me to the dining hall. My mouth was agape as I saw the delicately carved long wooden table surrounded by twenty-four dining chairs made from the most expensive wood.

I carefully put the food on top of the table as she pulled out a chair, and I could tell Hunter's sister was checking me out; I liked the feeling of being scrutinized by her seductive eyes.

I hate that I noticed how sexy she looked when she unintentionally bit her lower lip, and I couldn't believe I wished to have a taste of her sweet mouth; it was insane, Charlotte was the last woman I wanted to see and to make out with; but why I was wondering how it felt to kiss her, I never felt this way with anyone except with Madeline.

She watched me with hunger all over her face, and I couldn't stop my heart from wanting to feed her. I hated how Charlotte threw hurtful words at me, but I knew she was only doing it because of her damn pride. She doesn't want me to see that she is broke and all alone in this lonely place.

I tried my best to win her over, but she was so determined to drive me away after I ate my lunch, so I decided to watch her eat her food even if I was starving. I wanted to buy some time and look for the perfect words to convince her.

I had to start eating my food since she noticed I didn't take a single bite. We finished eating, yet, I still couldn't find anything to make her say yes, I cleaned the table while she continued staring at me, and it seemed we both couldn't stop stealing glances at each other.

I love the kitchen, it has a stone cooktops hood, and the quartz countertops are sparkling. I was trying to check the stove when Charlotte asked me to stop.

I smiled when Charlotte told me I could stay in the master's bedroom, and I wished to hug her for giving me such accommodation. But I almost gagged when she informed me I had to pay five hundred dollars.

"That is overcharging, Charlotte; this is not a hotel," I said to her, even if I didn't need to pay anything since Hunter would be the one to pay all the expenses I incurred during my stay. I will only email him the total amount for the month, including the rent his sister would charge me, but it was too much for one night.

"Then you must leave, Jack," she responded as she put her hands on her hips.

"I can take the couch in the living room, and I will give you fifty," I said.

"No, two hundred," she said, and I sighed.

"Okay, I will take the master's bedroom for two-fifty," I answered, and her smile widened.

"Deal," she responded with a triumphant smile on her face.

"Take your bags, and I will show you the master bedroom; you can cook later, but the thing is, I have to go to town tomorrow to buy some groceries, which means you have nothing to cook from the fridge," Charlotte added.

"Don't worry, I will still cook you a nice meal," I responded before I walked past her to take my luggage.

Charlotte was waiting for me in the living room, and I could see the sadness on her face as she looked at the family picture on the wall. I just stared at the picture and smile.

She was young back then; maybe she was only eighteen. Her hair was perfect, and Charlotte was smiling while she curled her arm around her little sister's shoulders. It was an ideal picture of the Divenson family.

"Why didn't you tell me you are here already? Are you an assassin?" She asked.

"What? First, you had mistaken me as a hired killer and now an assassin; come on, Charlotte," I responded, and she laughed.

I couldn't believe I would hear her laughter, it felt so wonderful to see her laughing like that, so carefree, and she suddenly stopped and scowled at me. Charlotte walked ahead of me towards the grand staircase without saying another word.

"What made you think I am an assassin?" I asked, feeling so curious.

"I haven't heard your footsteps," she responded, and I smiled as I ascended the stairs and looked at her walking barefoot. Charlotte is hot; I couldn't deny she is sexy, she got long smooth legs, and I tried to focus on the steps and not on her beautiful figure.

I don't know if Hunter was right; he was confident his sister would fall for me, and just thinking about kissing Charlotte made me feel hot all over my body, and I needed a cold bath to calm my nerves; this is not happening to me, I am not going to fall for this brat.

"Wow!" I mumbled as I stared into the extra king-sized bed with a customized headboard at the center of the spacious master bedroom.

"This bathroom has a jacuzzi, you can have the best relaxation you could ever ask for, and your balcony's view is heaven. You can see the thousands of stars at night, and you have the best view of the sunset." She said.

"On this side, you can see the view of the backyard swimming pool," Charlotte added as she walked towards the window and pulled the curtain to the sides, and I moved closer to her; I smiled as I looked down at the contemporary swimming pool with jacuzzi at the center, I could see chaise lounge on the sides.

"Too bad, I am only staying for one night," I mumbled, and she slowly turned around, and I wanted to step back since I could inhale her sweet feminine scent; it was a wonderful fragrance that I wanted to pull her closer to me.

"Then, I guess you have to enjoy your stay; maybe you can have a night swimming later," she responded, and I could see Charlotte was blushing.

"I will leave you now so you can rest, but you don't need to unpack," she added, and I chuckled.

"Of course," I mumbled, and she walked through the door, and I was left standing on the floor feeling like a fool.

"Hey, Jack, how are you, man? Do you need a place to stay?" Mario asked the moment he answered my call.

"Not yet, Charlotte will only allow me to stay for one night, but I will worry about that thing tomorrow; for now, I need your help, man," I responded.

"Anything for Ms. Charlotte," he replied.

"I wanted to cook some dinner for her; I want to make it special so I can convince her to allow me to stay," I said.

"Is there any grocery store nearby?" I asked.

"Yeah, but it is not complete; I can drive to town; text me what you need. Hunter already gave me money; if you need something on your first day, I will deliver it at the manor." He replied, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Mario. I will text you the list," I stated.

"Okay, Jack, I hope you are getting along with the princess," he said, and I chuckled.

"Well, she is still the same, Mario, a pain in the ass; but I could tell there is something about her personality, and I admit she changed a bit. I mean, regarding her looks, she used to be so vain, but when I met her, I almost didn't recognize Charlotte. She is even more beautiful without makeup." I declared.

"Oh, I could tell love is in the air," he responded, and I could feel the amusement in his words, and I couldn't believe I said the last part aloud. I should not share that thought with Mario, and now he thought I had a thing for Hunter's sister.

"Come on, buddy; she is just a job for me. Goodbye, bro." I replied, and I could hear him laughing on the other line before I ended the call.

I texted Mario the list of ingredients. I took a cold shower, changed into a white shirt and black cargo pants, and left my room hurriedly. The house was so quiet, and I was looking for Charlotte, but I couldn't find her anywhere, and I didn't want to check all the rooms; besides, I knew she would get angry if I looked at the rooms.

I knew I only had access to the master bedroom. So, I don't have a choice but to go straight to the kitchen and fix the stove. As per Mario, her wife left only yesterday, which is why the house is still tidy.

It was past four in the afternoon when Mario got back, and I felt glad Charlotte was not yet around, and I wondered what she was doing.

I get busy immediately, and once I am in the kitchen, I am lost in my own world. Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by my grandparents, especially my grandpa. I loved watching him cook in the kitchen of our diner.

I used to taste every menu my grandfather cooked and every dessert my grandma baked and made. At a young age, I already started helping in the diner, cooking, serving, and cleaning the kitchen; since then, I had been dreaming of becoming a famous chef, and I did it, and I became an instant celebrity.

I wasn't prepared to face the world of showbiz, especially when I was linked to an actress. I was still crazy about Madeline at that time, and I chose to have a normal life again than to be famous and lose my privacy, and now, I am hiding from the world.

After my conversation with Charlotte, I couldn't stop thinking about her, about what she had been through, and I could tell behind her facade she was lost, and I realized she was not the only one who was lost since I needed to find myself too.