Loving Madeline

Jack's POV

I couldn't believe my eyes that I would witness such a beautiful scene. I could see the happiness on Hunter's face as he looked at his sister, and I am sure he had already forgiven Charlotte for everything she had done to his wife.

At this stage, I am sure he is willing to give his sister a second chance. I could feel my heart ached as I watched Charlotte cry. I knew they were tears of happiness, but I couldn't stop from feeling sentimental.

"Jack, it is nice to see you here with my sister," Hunter said with a broad smile on his face after he let go of Charlotte and turned his full attention to me. He extended his hand, and I shook it firmly, trying my best to look at ease even if I felt so guilty that I was his accomplice.

"It is my pleasure to work with her, Hunter." I casually replied.

"I am happy to know you are the chef, and I couldn't wait to taste your specialties." He responded, and I beamed at him. Charlotte showed Hunter to his room while I went to the kitchen.

"Are you really my sister's business partner?" Hunter asked after he summoned me to his room after eating his dinner. He ensured his sister was already in her room before he called and instructed me to proceed into his suite.

"Hunter, I am sorry if I didn't tell you anything about this partnership thing. I did it for Charlotte because I wanted to help her." I answered.

"Don't worry, I am not upset that you offered help to Charlotte. I am even glad that you volunteered." He replied without taking his gaze from me.

"Are you in love with my sister, Jack?" He asked, and I fell silent.

"I could tell your silence means yes. I asked you to work for me and make my sister fall for you, but it seemed like you reversed our plan." He declared, and my face blushed.

"You don't need to feel embarrassed about your feelings; my sister is irresistible. She is a Divenson, after all. Congratulations on a job well done." He added, and I looked at him with confusion all over my face.

"Don't give me that look as if you don't know what I am talking about," Hunter continued.

"I don't know what you are congratulating me for; as far as I know, I haven't done anything yet," I responded.

"Come on, Jack, don't be too humble to take credit for your accomplishments. You turned Charlotte into a different person; look at her; she is now an independent and responsible woman." Hunter declared.

"I don't know how you do it, but I am satisfied with your accomplishments, and I don't have any regrets that I hired you for the job." He added, and my face fell.

"Hunter, I knew I signed a contract, but things changed, and I know I am selfish, but I couldn't help it. I am falling for your sister, and I am guilty." I replied, and he beamed at me.

"You don't need to feel guilty, Jack. I don't judge you, and I trust you. I know you will never hurt Charlotte." He responded, and I sheepishly smiled at him.

"Aren't you angry with me?" I asked.

"Why would I be angry with you?" He asked back.

"I came here for the job, but..." I trailed off.

"I knew you were under contract, but I can tear the contract and pretend it didn't happen if that is what you want." He said as he combed his sleek hair with his finger. And I couldn't blame Madeline; she chose Hunter. Her husband is the embodiment of a perfect man.

"But don't worry, I will still pay you what is due for you," he added, and I shook my head.

"That is what I want to discuss with you, Hunter," I replied.

"Please, stop paying me, and I will return all the payments I have received from you," I responded, looking at him with my head high.

"You don't need to return the money, Jack. I owe you, and a deal is a deal." Hunter insisted, but I shook my head in protest.

"Look, I want to court Charlotte, and I don't want to feel guilty about it," I replied.

"She doesn't need to know about it, Jack. You can still make my sister your girlfriend without telling her the whole truth; besides, I believe your intention is pure. What matters is how you feel for her." Hunter said, and I fell silent.

"I am happy you developed real feelings for my sister, Jack. I knew she was not that bad. I am sure Charlotte is willing to change, and she is trying her best to be a good person." He added.

"Hunter, your sister has a pure heart, and I understand her. I knew she was fighting her feelings for me, but I hope in time Charlotte will open her heart to me." I declared.

"I can see it in her eyes; she got it bad for you, Jack. But my sister's pride could be the main hindrance to her feelings for you. Just don't give up on her. I am thrilled to have you as my brother-in-law in the future." Hunter said, and I shook my head.

"I don't know if I have a chance," I answered.

"Of course, don't you believe in yourself?" He asked.

"I can't tell if she likes me, Hunter," I replied.

"Charlotte is my sister, and I knew her very well even if she tried to distance herself from me from the moment Kaye manipulated her." He said, and I fell silent, and I was hoping he was right.

I left Hunter's room feeling happy that he didn't ask me to stay away from his sister, and he even encouraged me to court her.

"What did he want from you?" I almost jumped on my feet when I heard Charlotte's voice when I turned towards my room. She was leaning on her bedroom door. I was surprised by her presence since Hunter and I thought talking was safe after she retired to her bed to sleep.

"Nothing important," I said.

"I don't believe you, Jack," she answered with raised eyebrows as she looked at me.

"Charlotte, I am telling you the truth," I replied and combed my hair with my fingers as I let out a soft sigh. I could still see the apprehension on her face.

"Jack, we are partners. I expect you to be on my side," she responded, and I chuckled.

"I couldn't believe what you are saying right now. Do you think I will make you look bad in your brother's eyes? Come on, Charlotte, I am not that kind of person," I said, trying to control my anger.

I like her a lot, but sometimes I can't take her attitude, just like what is happening right now.

"I ask you a simple question, Jack; you can tell me what you talked about." Charlotte insisted, and I looked at her for a long time without saying anything.

"See, you fell silent," she declared.

"Do you really want to know what we talked about? Can't I have a normal conversation with your brother?" I asked, and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"You knew how much I wanted to impress my brother, and I don't want you to ruin my only chance, Jack." She said in a stern tone, and I could feel my face turned so hot.

"I will never do that to you, Charlotte, and you know that if you really want to know every single detail I discussed with your brother, it is fine with me," I responded.

I curled my fists on my sides. She infuriated me to the highest level, and I wanted to walk away without saying anything, but I knew she wouldn't stop until she had some answers.

"I told him that I like you a lot, and I wanted to court you. I informed Hunter my intention was pure. But right now, I don't know if I made the right decision. Maybe my heart was wrong about you after all." I said, and I could see how her face flushed as she fell silent and looked at me with wide eyes.

I didn't say goodbye to Charlotte as I turned away from her as fast as possible and went straight to my bedroom after I slammed the door harder than necessary. I was pissed with her, but I hated myself for wanting to go back and take away her worries.

"What is wrong with you two?" Cecily asked the following morning after we ate breakfast together with Hunter and his sister.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pretending I didn't know what she was talking about.

"You and Charlotte, I could tell you were avoiding each other, and I noticed she was stealing glances at you the whole duration of breakfast while you were talking to Hunter as if she wasn't there," Cecily answered.

"She didn't say a single word to me this morning," I replied, and she furrowed her forehead as she stared at me.

"Charlotte is too much, and I was upset that she thought I tried to ruin her only chance to redeem herself with her brother," I said.

"Jack, you have to understand she is under stress," Cecily said.

"No, I don't think that is why, Ces. I could say Charlotte will never trust me." I said, feeling frustrated.

"I tried my best to impress her and win her over, but still, my effort was useless," I added, and she weakly smiled at me.

"If you want to win Charlotte's heart, you must be patient enough," she said.

"No, if I have to tame her, I need to do something to put her in place," I replied. Before Cecily could react, I saw Charlotte out of the corner of my eye on the kitchen door, and without any hesitation, I put my hands around Cecily's tiny waist, pulled her closer to me, and kissed her lips.