Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

"Hunter, I think we need to stop and have something to eat." Frank said after hours of searching the entire city. We went to her place, and Carmen told us that Rebecca didn't come home, and I became more frustrated. I keep calling her phone, but it was off, and I think her phone was out of battery. I know I am hungry, but I don't want to eat unless I can see Rebecca, but I need to consider's Frank health.

"Okay, you can find any restaurant near us, but we need to eat faster because I can't waste even a minute, Frank." I said, and he just nodded his head. We stopped at a Chinese restaurant, and we got out of the car immediately. I can still feel my light headache, but I am glad Frank gave me a pain reliever before we left the house and I felt better now, but I realized I am so hungry when I saw the food in front of us. I ordered chicken noodles for my headache and some dumplings, while Frank ordered pork steamed rice and vegetable egg roll.

After eating, we hit the road again, and I already asked for some help from my friends at school; and I am glad they are eager to help me, but they didn't even see Rebecca's shadow, and I think she left the city. And I became sadder, thinking I lost my chance with her, and there is no way I will let her stay away from me.

"Dad, please help me find Rebecca." I begged my father, and I can hear his heavy sighed on the other line.

"I told you she was trouble, Hunter, but you didn't listen to me." He declared, and I want to oppose my father's words and defend Rebecca, but I need my dad's help to find her, so I keep myself in control and listened to his words. I know he was very upset about what happened last night because I put the Divenson name on the line. I embarrassed our entire family in front of honorable guests.

"You put the Divenson name in shame, Hunter. How could you humiliate me in front of our guests? You could have controlled your emotions and leave that girl after the event, but what you did was disgusting. You didn't consider your mother's effort in making everything in order." He said.

"Dad, I am very sorry; I know I humiliated our family in front of your friends and associates, and I know you have to punish me, father, but right now, I need to find Rebecca, Dad. Please, no one can help me but you." I said, and he let out another sighed before he answered me again.

"Okay, I deploy some of my men, including Calixto." He replied, and I felt so happy.

"Thank you, dad." I said, and I can't stop myself from feeling so emotional.

"This would be the last time I will help you with your problems with a girl, Hunter; if you only choose Kaye, then everything must be in place." He said, and before I can reply, he already ended the call, and I felt glad even if my father was angry, he still helped me find Rebecca.

We continue searching her to the bus station, train terminal, and the possible places she could be, but I don't find her, and it was almost five o'clock in the afternoon when I received a call from Calixto.

"Hello, Cal?" I answered his call with trembling hands.

"You should come to the park near the port. I saw her right now on the bench, and I think she needs you, now, Hunter." He said, and I felt so relieved that Calixto found her.

"Okay, I will be right there." I said and instructed my driver, Frank, to go to the park near the pier. I felt nervous and delighted simultaneously, but I can't stop myself from feeling scared that she will push me away. I know she didn't come to her parents' apartment because she was afraid they would drive her away. Carmen had quit her job as a cleaning lady in the Divenson mansion when she knew Rebecca got pregnant because she found out my father was against our relationship.

"Can you drive faster, Frank?" I asked my driver.

"I am already driving fast, Hunter. If you want us to reach Rebecca on time, just let me take you there and be patient. If I will move this car over the speed limit, that is another problem. We could be in an accident, and I value my life because there is still something I want to do with my life." He responded in a calm tone, and I wonder why he sounded so serious, and it seemed he was going through with something too. By the time we arrive at the park, I get out of my car immediately, and Cal met me.

"Hunter, I am sorry, I was busy answering your father's call that I haven't notice Rebecca left, but I know she hasn't gone far yet, so let us split up and search the entire place." Cal said, and I felt so frustrated the I haven't found Rebecca right away. I ran and started looking for any trace of Rebecca, but she is no longer in the park. I asked some of the people in the park if they have met her as I described her physical appearance to them, and I am just glad a woman with a toddler told me she must have gone to the highway because she came to her and asked the way in going to the next town.

I didn't waste time as I jogged to the other side of the park, and after I have passed so many blocks, I reach the main road, and I am catching my breath until I saw a familiar figure. And she was walking on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road.

"Rebecca! Rebecca!" I shouted at her, and I felt so glad that she heard me, and when she turned her head in my direction, her face lit up. But suddenly her face darkened, and I can see hatred in her eyes mixed with sadness, and she walked faster, far away from me, and I know I hurt her, I realized I was drunk when she called me on my phone, but I can still remember everything that I have said to her. And for how many times I called her a slut, and I want to go to her immediately and say sorry, but I was looking for a pedestrian lane. But my desire to be near her made me no longer cared about the rushing vehicle, and I don't care if I get caught crossing the road.

But when she realized I was chasing her, Rebecca suddenly crossed the highway, and my entire world turned upside down when I saw with my two eyes how she was run over by a speeding car. I can never forget the image of Rebecca on how her body flew and hit the surface of the highway. And I can see blood all over the ground near her unmoving body, and I can see the dripping of blood from her head to her beautiful face. I screamed louder than the ambulance's siren, and I almost fainted from where I was standing; and I hate myself that because of my shock, I couldn't move my legs.

I was just glad Frank and Cal arrived, they call emergency hotlines, and it was Frank who facilitated everything; Rebecca was declared by the doctors dead on arrival at the emergency room. My parents arrived immediately, and they talked with the doctors, and my dad insisted that I should not see Rebecca's dead body. My father helped and gave Rebecca's family a large amount of money. I didn't attend her funeral because I was confined in the hospital after the accident. After I was discharged from the hospital, I visited Rebecca's grave, and I wept from morning until dusk. I didn't leave her tomb telling her how much I love her, and I vowed I would never love anyone except her.

"Mr. Divenson, if you want to marry Madeline tomorrow, I think you should have some sleep. It is already three o'clock in the morning." I heard Calixto's voice, and I am back to the present as I was wiping my tears.

I suddenly remembered Madeline's beautiful face. She was the first woman I met after Rebecca that made me smile genuinely, and she made my heart skipped a beat on the first night that I saw her, and I realized I made the same mistake again, I left Madeline on the stairs on the night of our Pre-Wedding Ball. I know I should find the courage to face Maddie wearing Rebecca's stuff, but my anger blinded me. And I realized Cal was right; I should marry Madeline tomorrow. After Rebecca's death, I swear I will never love another woman, but I didn't vow never to marry because I need someone like Madeline to be my wife to provide me with an heir.

"Don't worry, Cal, I will make Madeline Brownwood as my wife tomorrow, and I will try my best to be a dutiful husband to her because I can't love her, Cal, not in this lifetime." I declared.

"Well, I am glad that you come to your senses, but good luck with that, Mr. Divenson; Madeline is beautiful, and her innocence will make you crazy about her, and in no time, you will fall in love with Madeline." He replied.

"Cal, I have been in love with Rebecca, and when she died in front of me, I know on that dreadful day I lost my capacity to love. Because of my anger, I lost her, and as punishment for my sins to Rebecca, I will not fall in love again even if I have to go against my will because I will forever bear the guilt of Rebecca's death and our child.

"Hunter, son, I was there with Frank on the sidewalk watching you like a lunatic crossed the freeway and you were just lucky you weren't hit by a car, and I think it was her time, Rebecca didn't wait for you, but instead she traversed the highway without thinking there were so many cars out there. How many times do I need to tell you it wasn't your fault that she died. It was an accident, but more or less she chose to die than to be with you, Hunter." He declared, and I looked at him angrily.

"I am sorry, I don't mean it to make you angry with me. I just said those words to check if you are not drunk." Cal added, and I got up, but I can feel the entire house is spinning, and I didn't realize I have drunk a lot of alcohol; and Cal was on my side immediately, and he helped me settle myself on my bed.

"You should bring me back to the Divenson mansion, Cal; I need to marry Madeline." I declared and hit the mattress of my bed with a loud thud, and as I close my eyes, I remembered Madeline's face as I walked out from the mansion. The sadness on her face made me want to come home, and I hate that I became like this.. And I hope Maddie will forgive me and stay by my side whatever happens.