Loving Madeline

Jack's POV

I was singing my favorite song as I listened to it on my playlist, blasting on the stereo of my pick-up truck. I knew it wasn't my truck, but I had to pretend it was mine to convince Charlotte.

I need to persuade Hunter's sister I could be her driver, and I was hoping she would allow me to rent a room in their manor before the renovation ended since I knew Hunter asked to renovate the place not only for me but for his men who were working on their estate.

I felt excited as I got near the archway of the Divenson manor, and I shook my head and laughed when I couldn't believe my luck. I saw Charlotte walking toward the house, and I hated to see her carrying those heavy grocery bags because of her damn pride.

She put the bags on the ground, and I could tell she got third from walking from the bus stop. She was catching her breath and trying to recover her energy as she inhaled some fresh air.

I wished to see her that way, and I am not saying I love watching her suffer from being cut off from everything she used to have in her life. I knew I shouldn't be smiling, but I couldn't stop feeling so amused that Charlotte Divenson suddenly became an ordinary woman.

Never I imagined I would see her in this kind of situation. She looked so simple, and I smiled as I realized as she became helpless; I found myself falling for her.

She turned her head in my direction when she noticed my car's headlights. I could tell even from a distance that she was happy that someone had finally come for her, but I couldn't stop feeling a little hurt by how her smile turned into a scowl when she realized I was the driver of the vehicle that stopped beside her.

I couldn't understand Charlotte, but the more she threw hurtful words at me, the more I became interested in getting to know her better. It was crazy that I was the one who fell in love instead of her, but I wouldn't be discouraged, and I will pursue her and worry about Hunter's anger later.

I felt glad Charlotte let me stay out of guilt that I brought her food for dinner, and before she could change her mind, I hastily got inside her house without an invitation and walked straight toward the dining room, grinning like an idiot.

"How can I eat peacefully if you keep staring at me like that?" She asked, glaring at me, and I stifled a laugh since she looked so adorable, even if she seemed so irritated.

"Why? Are you affected by my presence, Charlotte?" I asked back, and I could see the blush that crept all over her lovely face before she snapped at me again.

"I already told you to stop your illusion, Jack, I tried my best to be civil with you, but if you continue what you are doing, you better leave." She responded coldly, and I stood up and faced the wall.

"You may continue to eat now," I mumbled, and she didn't say anything, and I didn't know what to say either. There were moments I thought she liked me, but most of the time, I knew Charlotte hated me.

I should remind myself that she was only a job for me. I needed to do all this for the money her brother would pay me, and I should remember Ieft my hometown to give myself a break to finally get over with Madeline and not flirt with this spoiled brat who was still trying to pretend she was okay even if she was so broken inside.

I have to forget this foreign feeling and do my job as Hunter expected me to do. I need to leave and talk with Hunter.

"You can choose another place, Jack; there are a lot of beautiful towns and cities in our country where you can put up your restaurant, and why do you like it here?" I heard her ask, and I smiled that I didn't need to speak with her first.

I slowly turned around and tried not to give her my beautiful smile.

"I knew I got a lot of fans here, so why not? I am sure my restaurant would be packed with customers every day." I responded, feeling so confident.

It was only a lie, but after I told Charlotte about it, it felt like I wanted to have a restaurant in Barcelonia. Maybe living here permanently would be a good idea; I could discuss this matter with Hunter, and I couldn't wait to call him.

"I knew it; you only wanted to show off with the women here in Barcelonia," she said with a frown, and I could tell she was unhappy about it; I let out a heavy sigh as I looked at her in the eyes.

"Princess, I don't need to show off what I am good at, they know I am an excellent chef, and I should be proud of who I am," I responded.

"I couldn't believe you bought a pickup already," she replied as she averted my gaze and she was playing with the fork with her hands.

"Well, I don't want to commute back and forth to the capital and your estate, I needed a service, and I met someone who needed to dispose of his truck," I answered.

"I think it is the latest model of Ford," She stated, and I smiled at her.

"Yeah, it is, and I got lucky since he needed to go after his wife; I am not happy that he had a misunderstanding with his spouse, but I think Barcelonia liked having me here." I declared.

"Are you still alone?" I asked, and I could see how her face turned red; I am not sure if it was with anger or if she were afraid I would know she no longer had maids who worked for her in the manor.

"Why are you so concerned if I am alone, Jack? It is no longer your concern. I called the butler and instructed him to tell all the staff to give me space. I realized I wanted to be alone for now." She responded with annoyance in her voice.

"I don't want anyone to disturb me, and for the time being, no one will come here unless I will ask my Butler to assign personnel to clean the house and the surroundings," Charlotte added. Still, this time she lowered her voice, and her worries were evident behind her strong demeanor.

"I heard there was some robbery going on in the neighborhood, but I don't think they will come here," I said, and her hands shook as she picked up her plate, and I stifled a laugh.

I hate that I needed to fabricate a story to make her get afraid so she would ask me to accompany her; it was so lame, but her brother asked me to do anything in my way to convince Charlotte to make me stay in the manor. I am just doing my job.

"My father's men are there watching me, Jack. I don't think robbers could get inside here." She answered with confidence before she turned around and walked towards the kitchen.

Charlotte was right; even if Hunter had frozen all her cards and accounts, she still had bodyguards, but she didn't know she still had bodyguards; Charlotte couldn't see them. They were guarding her secretly, I don't even know where they are, but they knew what I was doing here in Barcelonia.

They will never interfere with my affair unless someone puts Charlotte's life in danger which will never happen while I am around since I want to be her knight in shining armor and be her hero.

"Okay, but I don't see anyone around; I am just worried about you, princess," I replied.

"I already told you to stop calling me Princess, and I don't like it, Jack. Besides, I have a beautiful name." She replied, and her irritation amused me.

"Of course, you have a great name, perfect for a princess. I should go now; I am sure you wanted to make me leave." I replied as I turned around and left, hoping she would stop me.

"Don't forget to close the door; you don't need to lock it," she said instead, and I walked out of her house with a heavy heart.

"Based on the look on your face, I could say you didn't have a good time at the Divenson manor," Cecily said when I got inside her house.

"I thought you were asleep already," I replied as I sat beside her on the sofa and smiled when I saw her knitting.

"I couldn't sleep thinking you are still at the manor," she responded without looking at my face, and I blushed.

"I couldn't wait to hear what happened out there; knowing Ms. Charlotte's attitude, I doubt you would convince her, Jack, but I am still rooting for you and Hunter's sister. She replied with excitement all over her face as she looked up at me.

I almost laughed as I realized I got the wrong notion why she waited; I thought Cecily was going to flirt with me, and I admit I felt relieved when I learned she wasn't interested in me; she wasn't one of those girls who would be charmed by my looks without knowing me first.

"Well, it's my job to woo her, but I could tell it would not be easy; she was strong-willed, and her ego is higher than the Divenson's building at Archois," I responded, and Cecily's laughter made me smile.

"Good luck, Jack, and you should be careful, Charlotte Divenson is one hell of a beauty, and I am sure it would be hard on your part to be with her every day and not to fall for her; I could say Hunter has you a tough job." She declared, and I shook my head.

"Cecily, she is just a job for me," I replied, and she raised her eyebrows as she beamed at me.

"Whatever you say, Jack," she stated as she stood up from the sofa.

"Good night; I hope tomorrow you will tell me something interesting; if you want, I can help you," she said, and my eyes widened.

"Can you really help me convince, Charlotte?" I asked, feeling hopeful.

"Well, I am also a woman; I could give you tips," she answered as I grinned at her; I was about to ask Cecily how when my phone rang, and I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw an unknown number appear on my screen.

"Hello," I answered.

"Jack," a woman's voice said on the other line, and my heart quickened when I heard Charlotte's sweet voice, and I was beaming like an idiot as I waited for her to continue talking as I looked at Cecily's silly expression.