Loving Madeline



Jack's POV

Telling Charlotte I was leaving came out unexpectedly. Maybe I wanted her to feel something, but she didn't ask me to stay. I felt so bad that when I came home to Cecily's house, I went straight to my room after I said good night to her.

The following day, I was waiting for something to happen. Cecily promised me she would help me, and I don't know if we can make it work. But after being impatient, something finally happened.

Cecily texted me and told me everything she talked with Charlotte, and I admit she was so good. She was able to make Hunter's sister trust her.

I was excited as I drove to the Barcelonia capital to meet them. I chose a fancy restaurant since I knew Charlotte had been craving her favorite food. I wished to cook her anything she liked, but she didn't give me the chance.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" She asked with wide eyes while I stood up, smiling at them.

"Well, Cecily texted me," I responded, and I could see the shock on her face.

"You knew each other?" Charlotte asked as she turned her head and looked at Cecily.

"Do you know him?" Cecily asked back, looking innocent as if she wasn't fooling Charlotte with our lies. Don't get me wrong, I knew from the start she only wanted to help me, but after spending time with the Divenson heiress, she cares about her like a friend.

I am happy that Charlotte finally found a real friend, but Cecily was helping. I don't want to call it a betrayal since the latter was only helping a friend.

"Of course, I knew him; he originally came from Magnolia and was one of the men who were crazy about my sister-in-law," Charlotte responded, and I smirked at her words.

I wanted to tell her I was falling for another woman, and that was her. But I don't want to make a confession at the moment in front of Cecily. I must tell her at the right time.

"Why do you know each other?" Charlotte asked.

"Well, he rented one of the rooms in my house," Cecily answered, and Charlotte's eyes turned big.

"But I asked him to move out since my brother came home." She added, and I liked how she could quickly formulate a lie.

"No wonder you came to my house that night in an instant. You were staying within the neighborhood, and I couldn't believe you were the chef Cecily was talking about." Charlotte said, and I smiled at her.

"Why don't you like to hire me?" I asked, and she looked at Cecily, and I could tell she didn't want to hurt her friend.

"I don't know," she replied as she averted my gaze.

"It is alright," I answered, and she raised her head and stared at me.

"You don't need to answer me now, and I am staying at one of the hotels in Barcelonia, and my flight is the day after tomorrow; if you change your mind, I can cancel my plane ticket anytime," I added.

"Please, have a seat. I invited you to have dinner with me, not because I am interested in your offer. It would be tempting, but I don't want you to get forced into something you don't really want to do. I can't force you to hire me. I don't want you to blame me one day." I continued as I pulled out a chair for her since Cecily had already taken the chair across from mine.

I could see the hesitation on her face, but Cecily held her wrist and sat down to look at her friend. I don't know what was playing in her head, and I was hoping Cecily was right.

"But if you will hire me, I assure you I can be the best cook," I added.

"You are among the best and most famous chefs nationwide, Jack. Don't be too humble." Cecily said, and I laughed.

"Come on, I am not that famous," I replied.

"Oh, no wonder all the women in our neighborhood wanted to have your autograph, and if I didn't ask them to leave you alone since you chose to stay in my house after I promised you that I would have a peaceful vacation." She answered, and she didn't need to lie about this one.

I was even shocked when I found her neighbors in front of her house waiting for me, and when I came out of my car, those women screamed my name, and I felt glad Cecily took control of the situation.

"Thank you, Cel. We should take our order now, and you must be starving." I said.

I asked Charlotte to order what she wanted, but she chose the less expensive food on the menu. And I am thankful that I texted Hunter that they were her favorite food, and I ordered them for her.

She was looking at me, surprised as I mentioned the expensive menu, And I could tell she wanted all of them. She had been eating instant food lately, and I am sure she missed them. I am glad she stayed and didn't walk out of the restaurant.

Cecily and I chatted while we waited for our order, and Charlotte was only listening to our conversation. I tried my best to look cool even if I felt nervous. I find it so hard to make her say yes, but I was hoping Cecily's plan would work.

Our food arrived, and we started eating. I felt so happy seeing how Charlotte's face lit up when they served the seafood platter. It includes shrimp, squid, and mussels with oyster garlic butter sauce. The aroma of the food made my stomach grumble.

The rest of our orders arrived, and we ate in silence. Charlotte was eating heartily, and I felt glad she enjoyed it as she chewed her food with grace.

"Thank you so much for the dinner, Jack. I really enjoyed the food." Charlotte said after we ate the dessert.

"It is my pleasure, Charlotte. I am glad you enjoyed our dinner. I am sorry to disappoint you that it was me who showed up. I am sure you were expecting I was someone else." I replied.

"Jack, I..." she trailed off, and I smiled at her.

"You don't need to explain. I am just happy to see you again before I leave." I answered.

"I will think about it," she responded, and I shook my head.

"You don't need to think about it; if you are unsure now, your answer will be the same tomorrow," I answered.

"Jack, you are making this harder for me," she responded, and I could see the frustration on her face.

"You can say no or yes right now. It will not make any difference. If you will hire me, I can guarantee you that your business will succeed." I declared.

"I don't have the capital to pay you. I don't have enough money. I can't afford your services." She answered as she averted my gaze.

"I can be your partner, I will be the chef, and in exchange, we will share the profit; it is okay with me if we will not share equally. I am okay with a 20% share as long as I will be staying at the estate." I said, and her eyes got as big as saucers.

"Jack, you can't do that," she responded.

"It would be okay. You have to start your business, and when you have enough profit in the future, that would be the time you will increase my share," I replied, and Charlotte smiled.

"Does it mean we have a deal?" I asked, and she looked at Cecily, and her friend nodded her head.

"Jack is the only one who can help you, Charlotte. I am sure guests would like up the moment they learn Jack is the chef." Cecily replied, and I beamed when I saw Charlotte frown.

"Do we need to mention his name on our website? I don't need that is necessary." She asked.

"Of course, to attract more customers," Cecily replied, and I wanted to hug her eight now for giving me points with Charlotte.

"Well, just make sure you will commit to me, Jack. I don't want you to leave me alone when things become rough. I am just starting with my business, and I need someone I can really trust." Charlotte said with seriousness in her voice.

"Of course I am. I will not leave you whatever happens," I replied.

"Then, you are hired, Mr. Morigan," she answered with a beautiful smile on her face as she handed her hand to me. The moment our palms met, I could feel the electricity, and she quickly pulled her hand away from me, and I am sure she felt it, too.

"Thank you, Ms. Divenson. I am looking forward to working with you." I said, and not only that, I wished I could win her heart too.

We left the restaurant, and I sent them to Cecily's car.

"See you tomorrow," I said as I opened the passenger's seat for Charlotte.

"Yes, of course," she replied.

"Goodbye, Jack," Charlotte added, and I watched the car move away for me after Cecily said goodbye to me. I was screaming with happiness, at last, I got her. And I should celebrate with Cecily tonight.

I left the restaurant after I bought a bottle of wine. Ten minutes after they left, I drove back to Cecily's house since I was still staying at her place and I was not staying in a hotel. I couldn't stop from grinning as I drove my car, feeling so excited that finally, I would be living at the Divenson manor.