Loving Madeline



Charlotte's POV

"You came!" I exclaimed the moment Cecily sat beside me at the waiting shed.

"Of course," she replied with a broad smile on her angelic face, and before I could ask how she was doing, the bus arrived, and we climbed the bus giggling. I felt so happy to ride a bus. I never imagined myself riding public transport, and I realized it was fun and far from what I had imagined before.

Growing up, I always had a driver in going to school since my parents were busy running our business, and when I learned how to drive, my mom insisted that I should have my own driver for my safety.

I suddenly missed my mom and sister. I loved Lily even if I knew how much my little sister hated me because she idolized Madeline, and I knew it was all my fault. I showed Madeline my bad side and never showed her who I truly was.

My jealousy of my brother blinded me, and I let my anger of the world take over my life. I lost a brother who was so dear to me, and I lost my dad, too, the only person who understood all about me.

And most of all, I made Hunter angry with me, and this is all I got for all my bad choices because of my best friend. I thought Kaye was my real friend, but she manipulated me, and it was too late now to redeem myself.

"Are you okay, Charlotte?" I heard Cecily ask after I spaced out.

"Yeah," I replied timidly.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" She asked, and I looked at her for some time before I answered her question.

"Yeah, actually, there are so many things that I wished to share with you, but I don't think this is the right time to tell you about those things because I don't want you to stay away from me," I answered, and she shook her head.

"This is the first time I found a real friend, and I want you to like me for who I am. And I am scared that you will stop being my friend after discovering the truth about me." I added, and she smiled at me.

"I am excited to hear all about you, and please, don't worry, I will not judge you. I will remain as your friend." She responded.

"But, if you are not ready, it would be okay; take your time," she added.

"Actually, I don't want to continue seeing you without telling you who I am," I replied.

"Okay, I am listening," Cecily answered.

"I am Charlotte Divenson, and I am currently staying at the Divenson manor," I said, and her expression remained the same as she smiled at me.

"Oh, I loved your brother; he is so handsome and hot," she answered, and I widened my eyes at her.

"You are more excited to know about my brother and not me," I said, feeling hurt.

"Hey, of course, I am happy to know his sister, and I couldn't believe you befriended me," she replied.

"No wonder you looked so beautiful; you must be so lucky to have your mother's genes. I had seen her multiple times featured in the magazine, and I admired her so much." Cecily added.

"You didn't know me?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"I am sorry, I was too busy dreaming about your brother," she responded, and I sighed heavily.

"He is crazy in love with his wife; my sister-in-law is so beautiful and has a pure soul. She is a real angel, and I hate to admit I wanted to be like her." I declared, and I could see the quizzical look all over her face.

I told her everything, even if I was the villain of the story, and if she really wanted to be my friend, she would stay, and I wouldn't blame Cecily if she chose to stay away from me.

"You must hate me now," I mumbled, and she took my hand.

"I don't have the right to hate you, Charlotte. I understand how you feel and what you have been through. Everyone deserves a second chance and regrets everything you have done; that is the best part, and what matters the most is you accept your faults." Cecily declared, and I smiled at her.

"Really? You still want to hang out with me?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course, people tend to commit mistakes occasionally, and maybe your sister-in-law is one of a kind. and I am sorry to say this, but I am intrigued to see the woman who captured your brother's heart." She replied.

"I am sure you will love her too. Everyone loves her, and not only that, her family is richer than my family; her great-grandfather was the founder of the biggest diamond mining company in the world, and she is the only heir." I declared, and her eyes widened.

"Your nephew or niece would be so lucky then," she mumbled, and I agreed with her.

"There is something you should know about me, Cecily; aside from having the family name of Divenson, I don't have anything. I am broke, and that is why I needed to find a job. My brother made sure I would suffer, and here I am, paying the prize for conniving with my best friend who betrayed me." I said, and she looked at me with tenderness.

"I don't think that is the case, Charlotte. Maybe Hunter wanted you to learn things on your own and to make you realize the true meaning of life by being independent. I am not taking his side, but for me, I am sure he cared about you so much." Cecily said, and I raised my eyebrows.

"You are a Divenson by birth, and your brother could never take that away from you. I am sure you still have your shares in your company, and who knows, maybe when you are ready, he will let you run the company that you love so much." She added, and I laughed.

"You don't know what you were talking about, Cecily; that is not happening. I am not an outcast; I need to work to support myself; my entire family abandoned me." I said, and she fell silent.

"Don't worry, I am sure things will get better; who knows, you will meet someone here and fall in love." She replied, and I laughed and suddenly remembered Jack and this foreign feeling I felt for him.

"Falling in love is not part of my plan, Cecily. I need to find a nice job." I added.

"You are staying at the manor, right?" She asked.

"Yes, of course," I replied.

"Can I visit you sometimes?" She asked.

"Sure, I would love it," I responded, and I felt happy as I got off the bus.

I enjoyed my time roaming around the center of Barcelonia. And Cecily was the one who paid for our lunch, and we had eaten snacks before we left the capital.

"Are you sure you are okay? It is already late, Charlotte," Cecily said when I neared my stop.

"Don't worry, I will be okay," I replied, and I said my goodbye to Cecily, feeling happy that she never minded if I didn't have money. She even offered me some money, but I rejected it since I didn't want to take advantage of our friendship.

I used my phone to light my way since I didn't have enough money to pay extra electricity charges. I stopped using the heater, didn't care if I had to use cool water if I showered at night, and avoided having a bath early in the morning. If I have to turn on the lights from the archway of our estate towards the manor, I will be in too much trouble.

I could hear the sounds of nocturnal animals, and I wanted to run, but I needed to be strong and act like an independent woman. I was panting as I reached the main entrance of our house and quickly opened the door with my trembling hand.

I switched on the light in the living room but didn't turn on the light in the hallways leading to the kitchen. I was still full but felt so thirsty that I needed some water, only to find out I didn't have water left on the pitcher inside the fridge, and I didn't have mineral water left.

I moaned in frustration, and I didn't want to ask for help from Cecily again. She was the one who paid even the fare for the bus, and I hate to ask for help from Jack, but he was the only one whom I could think of who could bring me drinking water.

I dialed his number, and I could feel my heart racing as I waited for him to answer my call.

"Hey, Charlotte, are you okay?" He asked with a worried voice.

"Hi, Jack, I am fine," I answered, trying to control the shaking of my hand as I realized even his voice was sexy.

"I kind of need your help," I mumbled.

"What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I don't have anything to drink. And I don't know where to, but at this hour, I responded as I felt the dryness of my mouth.

"Okay, I will be there," he responded.

"Thank you, Jack," I replied.

"Thank me later," he stated and said his goodbye, and ended the call.

"You are so fast!" I exclaimed the moment I opened the door for him, and he was grinning as he carried a box.

"Aren't you going to let me in?" He asked, and I blushed as I pulled the door wider. And he walked inside and carried the box inside the kitchen, handed me a bottle, and put some bottled water in the fridge.

"I can't thank you enough, Jack," I mumbled after drinking the water.

"How come you arrived so fast?" I asked, and he beamed at him, showing me his perfect white teeth.

"I have to find a place nearby to come to you whenever you need something." He answered as he looked as he looked at me with tenderness, and I hated myself that I wanted to throw myself at him and taste his kissable lips once again.