Madeline’s POV

I am still in a daze because of the hot kissed I have shared with Hunter. I can’t deny it anymore that my feelings with Hunter become more intense, especially if he kisses me. I know I should protect my heart not to fall for him, but I think there is nothing I can do to stop my foolish heart from going crazy with him. He is the epitome of an ideal man any woman can dream of, and even though he looks so cold, I can’t stop my body from feeling so hot every time I am near him. Hunter Divenson excites me, and there is something about him that I can’t put into words.

And I couldn’t believe my best friend agree to Hunter’s request quickly because I know she is not free tomorrow, Gina has two-part time jobs she needs to attend to, but it seems she is so excited to see the beauty and glamour of the Divenson mansion. I hope she will not meet Charlotte.

“Hello, Ms. Brownwood. I want to ask for an apology for what happened earlier, I didn’t expect Mr. Divenson will look for you, and since you didn’t answer his call, he called me instead because he thought we were together.” Calixto said after I settled myself in the passenger’s seat of his car.

“I think I should be the one who needs to apologize to you, Cal, and it was me who didn’t answer his call.” I replied, feeling so guilty that I drag Calixto’s name because of my desire to meet Gina today.

“I am sorry if I wasn’t there when he met you earlier. Did he scare you?” He asked, smiling at me, and I nodded.

“No, it was the opposite, and I wonder why he is like that towards me, he seems so distant and cold when we are alone, yet he appears so sweet every time we have an audience.” I said as I turn my attention to the road.

“I can’t answer you about that, Madeline, but I hope you will make him fall in love with you.” He replied, and I turn my gaze towards him, and I half-laugh.

“That is so funny, Cal, and I think your boss has a cold heart; maybe he is a vampire after all, and he is just pretending to be human.” I replied, and it was Calixto’s turn to laugh.

“Ha! I couldn’t imagine what would be his reactions if I am going to tell him about what you have said.” He spoke as he adjusted his necktie.

“I am sure he doesn’t have the heart to love since he was looking for an uncomplicated wife to be the mother of his child.” I said, and just thinking about the process of how I am going to become pregnant makes me feel so excited and worried at the same time. I can’t imagine being in bed with him, and I am afraid if he will be frustrated since I don’t have any experience with lovemaking since I am still a virgin.

I don’t have time to date. Besides, I want to experience my first with the one I love. What I felt for Hunter is not a question, but I hope he will develop some feelings towards me so our lovemaking would be more meaningful. What is wrong with me? Why do I think about such a thing? I should feel embarrassed about it, but I can’t help myself to think about him after he kissed me and made me want for more.

“I doubt about that, Ms. Madeline. I know he seems so frigid, but I still believe Hunter is capable of loving.” He declared.

“I hope so, Cal.” I replied and tilted my head on the glass window of his car, and remain silent for the rest of the ride going to the Divenson mansion.

Calixto opens my door, and he assisted me climb out of his car, and he gets back to the driver’s seat in haste. Then he waves his hand before driving away from the mansion. I can tell Charlotte’s friends are still around because I can still see cars park outside that don’t belong to the Divensons. I am still in a good mood as I get inside, and I am shocked to find Cerila in front of my doorstep.

“Good evening, Ms. Madeline. I should prepare your dress for dinner tonight.” She said, and I stopped in front of her and looked at her on her face.

“Cerila, you don’t need to do such a thing since I can take care of myself, and Hunter does not need to know. You can get inside my room, and we can talk as friends while I will prepare my dress.” I said to her, and her eyes widened.

“I can’t do that, Ms. Madeline, because I need to assist you with everything that you need, and please let me do my job.” She is pleading with me, and I can tell I can never convince Cerila to stop giving me her assistance. Besides, I don’t want her to lose her job. I opened my bedroom door widely and asked her to come inside. I still need time to make her comfortable with me. She lay my dress on top of my bed, and I can’t stop admiring the beautiful long gown in front of me.

“Dinner will start at seven o’clock. Ms. Maddie and I think Mr. Hunter will come home early because Charlotte asked him to join the family dinner because of her friends.” She said, and I raised my head to look at her, and I just nodded my head. I can’t stop the butterflies on my stomach, and I hate myself for feeling so excited to meet him.

Lily came to my room before dinner, and she looks so beautiful with her lace tulle pink dress.

“Hi! Madeline, how was your driving lesson today?” She asked while smiling at me, and I couldn’t help but return her infectious smile with a broad grin. Lily will always be my guiding light in this house.

“It was fantastic!” I replied enthusiastically

“That is great then, and I can’t wait to go to the city center with you, so we can stroll and have fun.” She said, and I beam at her.

“I don’t think your mom and dad will allow you to come with me to the city, Lily.” I said.

“Once you will become Hunter’s wife, Madeline, you will no longer be a stranger to us, and you will be part of our family. You will become a Divenson, and I can’t wait to be your sister officially.” She muttered.

“I am thrilled to become your big sister too, Lily.” I replied.

“I know, Maddie. I can tell the way you look at me, and you are not fake. Unlike those women, my mom wants to be Hunter’s wife.” She said, and I raised my eyebrow at her.

“Maddie, there are a lot of women who came here in Divenson mansion because my mother loves holding social gatherings, and I can tell she is always doing that to find my brother a bride, and I am so happy because none of them captured Hunter’s interest.” Lily added.

“You are lovely, Madeline, and I know you are special because you are the only girl who caught my brother’s interest.” She said, and I can’t believe I am talking to a twelve-year-old girl because she acts and talks like she has the same age as me.

“Thank you, Lily, and I think I am now ready to go.” I said to her.

“Okay, let us go then.” She said, and she offers her hand to me, and I happily take her soft palm.

I felt nervous, but Lily keeps my nerve relax a little. I know facing Hunter’s family will always be a challenge for me because they show it to my face they don’t like me, and I am also scared of what they want me to do for them. I am not terrified to serve them, but I am aware they want to find fault so they can drive me away from this place. How I wish I have enough money so I can pay off Hunter, but it was just wishful thinking because I know I will grow old, and I still can’t pay off my aunt’s debt. I know our obligations filed up because of the interest.

The dining hall looks so alive the moment we get inside because of Charlotte’s friends. I greeted his parents, Charlotte and Parker, but they all ignore me, except his brother, who looks at me with lustful desires on his face, and I want to go back to my room, but I felt Lily’s hand, and she is giving me an encouraging smile. Hunter is not yet around, and I felt like I am invisible to them as they continue talking. I know they are all waiting for Hunter since her mother asked the kitchen staff to serve the food once his eldest son arrives.

I wonder how I will stay at this house if they continue to treat me this way. I can’t imagine dealing with this type of people, and I can’t even visualize what will happen to me once I get pregnant and fulfill my duty as Hunter’s wife.

“Kaye, I suggest you stay for the night so you can catch up with Hunter, and I am sure he will love to spend his time with you tonight.” Leticia said, and I know how she emphasized her every word, and I can tell she is doing her best to make me jealous and hurt.

“That is what I told her, mom. I know Hunter will be delighted to spend his time with Kaye. Maybe, we can go to the bar and have drinks.” Charlotte seconded.

“You don’t need to go to the bar to have a drink. What is the use of having a great house bar in this mansion? You ask one of the kitchen staff to prepare cocktails that you like, and you can drink your heart out.” Clark Divenson added, and Charlotte grinned at her father.

“Thank you, Dad, that is a beautiful idea.” She said.

“You need to convince my son to change his mind, Charlotte, you know what I mean. I want him to stop his craziness.” Clark said and eyed me meaningfully, and I don’t need to be a genius to understand what his father is talking about, and I can’t stop feeling so hurt, but I didn’t let them see how broken I felt inside.

They all stop talking and focus their attention on something, and I can tell there is no doubt, Hunter arrived, and I can’t stop myself from feeling so uneasy. My anticipation is killing me, but I felt like someone jabbed my heart when he moves closer to Faye, and he sat beside her without even glancing in my direction. The kitchen staff started serving dinner, and I felt like an idiot being in this house, and maybe he will really change his mind and dispose of me now that Kaye is in the picture, and I hate myself for feeling this way.

Before I came here, I planned to beg him not to marry me, but why I felt like dying now that I see him being so sweet with Kaye. I am already hurt when I learned he only wants me because he needs an heir, and now watching him talked with Kaye like he is a schoolboy makes me want to run away from this place for good.. He is hurting me, and I loathe him now.