Madeline’s POV

I reread the note on my hands, and I smiled as I scan the handwriting of Tony. He gave me the letter after I met Gina and I can’t stop myself from smiling that he wrote the complete name and address of his sister’s house on his note, including the name of the diner, the name of his sister’s son named Jack, and the name of her daughter Lianne. I felt excited since I always want to work serving customers because the tip is always a bonus. I hope they will accept me and will allow me to work immediately. And what made me more shocked is when I saw on the last page of his note telling me his sister, Lydia Morigan, will pick me up at the train station.

I happily admired the beautiful scenery that the train passed by, and I have never travel far away from the city since my mom can’t afford to have a vacation. When I was in my aunt’s house, it became more challenging for me to have leisure because it was the time my mother got sick. It was always my dream to have a beach resort vacation, enjoying the sun’s heat running barefoot on the sand. Gina always invites me to come with her every time they have summer vacation on the beach, but I always decline since I can’t afford to waste one day without work.

Now that I am alone and enjoying my freedom, maybe I can enjoy my stay in Magnolia; it feels like I have my first vacation. I don’t want to think about Hunter anymore, but it is hard not to think about him because he is the only man I feel this way. I never know what loves means until the night I first laid my eyes on him. And I hate myself thinking about the kisses we shared. How I wish we meet in a different situation wherein he can be mine. I know I am dreaming too much. He is famous among the most successful businessmen in the entire country while I am just a nobody. And the worse part I am just simply a debt repayment.

The train passed the last town before my stop, and I can’t stop feeling nervous and thrilled. The moment the train stops at the station of Magnolia, I carry my backpack and disembark the train with new hope that everything will be alright. Many tourists got off the train, and I felt like I am also a tourist, but I can’t stop feeling sad thinking I am not a tourist. I am at this place because I run away from the man I love, and I need to start a new life.

“Excuse me, are you Madeline?” Asked, a woman is standing before me, and there is no doubt she is Tony’s sister because of her undeniable resemblance to his brother.

“Lydia?” I asked, smiling at her.

“Yes, and I am glad to meet you, Madeline.” She said while she extended her hand to me, and I can’t stop feeling so happy that I am not mistaken; Tony’s sister is like him, has a good heart, we only meet today, but I can feel it in my core that I will like her. It feels like I have known her for a long time ago, and I can tell she is only younger than Tony by two years.

“Nice to meet you too, Lydia.” I replied.

“It is my pleasure to meet you, Madeline, and knowing that my brother personally asked me to hire you, I am excited to work with you. It was unexpected that I would lose some of my employees during this season, but you know, things like that could happen. I didn’t expect Tony can find a replacement in an instant, knowing I just texted him last night.” She said.

“Well, I need this job.” I said.

“He told me you are Frank’s daughter, but no offense, I couldn’t believe Frank would have a daughter as beautiful as you.” She said, and I remember Tony’s same statement, and it made me curious why they both say they couldn’t believe I am my father’s daughter.

“Thank you.” I uttered.

“I think we need to go now, I can tell you are now hungry, and I am just glad it is summer, my son and daughter are helping me in the diner, and they will be happy to meet you.” She declared, and I smile while I walk behind her in going to the parking lot.

“Get it, Madeline.” She motioned me to get inside her pickup truck, and I quickly open the passenger’s door and sat on the front seat.

Magnolia Village is beautiful, and I fell in love with the place. There are trees on the road’s side, while I can see beautiful summer flowers planted on the flower beds at the center of the road. I saw a beautiful park with a beautiful landscaped, and I want to go there one of these days during my day off, and I will read my favorite book under the shade of the tree.

“I am glad you like our place. I don’t need to ask you since I can tell it by your facial expressions that you love Magnolia.” She declared.

“Yes, your place is lovely, and I like it here, it is less traffic and lesser pollution, and it seems the people are friendlier.” I stated.

“Yes, that is why I never leave this place even though my siblings are already enjoying their life in the city. For me, this is the place where I belong, and I want to stay here until the day I die.” She said as she glanced my way before she returned her attention on the road.

“Well, I know Archois City is lovely, Maddie. Still, it is very chaotic for me, and it seems like I can’t keep up with its development. That is why I stayed here, and the diner is my father’s legacy to us. None of my siblings are interested in running the place except me. So, the ancestral home was left for me by my parents, and by the time I got married, father passed down the diner to me before he died.” She said, and I am happy that she told me the diner’s history where I will work from now on.

“It seems we are here; welcome to “The Magnolia’s Friendly Diner.”, Madeline.” She said.

“Thank you, Lydia, for accepting me here in your diner.” I said, and I can’t stop admiring the native style of the restaurant, and if I am one of the customers, I will love the place because of its beautiful ambiance. The trees are lined up at both sides of the diner while blossoms are in the garden with a beautifully trimmed Bermuda glass in front of the restaurant.

“You are welcome, Maddie.” She replies before she climbed out of the car. Lydia motioned me to follow her using the back door of the restaurant. The moment I get inside, I hear my stomach grumbles, and she turns around and smiles at me.

“I know you are starving, Madeline; sit over there, and I will ask Jack to serve you a meal. If you will excuse me, Maddie, it seems tourists are coming in and out, and I hate to ask you that after you eat your meal, you need to start working because I need a hand, but your salary will also start today.” She said and winked at me.

“Of course, that is why I am here, Lydia.” I replied, and she turned her heels and got inside the kitchen.

I know I need to familiarize myself with the menu yet, but I can wash the plates or help in the kitchen. Lydia left me, and I settle myself on a chair facing the four-seater table, and I am sure the restaurant staff uses this to eat their meal.

Minutes passed, and when I am about to stand up, I am shocked to find a handsome young man carrying a plate striding towards me.

“Hey, I am the chef. Call me Jack, and welcome to the Magnolia’s Diner, Madeline.” He said, and if Gina is here with me, I am sure she will be drooling over this guy. He looks so hot even if he is wearing a white chef coat with an apron, and I can tell behind those clothes is a toned body. And he smiles with his eyes, a kind of smile that will make it so hard for you not to return his smile.

“And this is your meal, Ms. Maddie, and it would be so lovely to work with you.” He said, and I smiled at him, and I am not sure how to answer him since his presence made me nervous, maybe because of how his eyes are scanning my entire frame, not in a scary way.

“Thank you, Jack.” I replied, and he gives me another killer smile that made me blush, and I wonder why I feel this way. I know I never have time to meet friends because I constantly busy finding time to work; maybe I think I feel this way because I am not so used to being friends with the opposite sex

“Enjoy your meal, Madeline.” He said and turned his heels away from me, and my mouth water as I looked at the steak on my plate, and as I devour my meal, it tastes heavenly, and I think if I am not only in love with Hunter, I will be crushing Jack Morigan because he is not only handsome but an excellent cook. Lydia gets back to me, and she gave me a uniform.

“I think it fits you since I believe you have the same size and height as my daughter, Lianne.” She declared.

“Change your clothes at the change room and get back to me, okay?” She instructed, and I feel so happy that at least I have now a job, and I will also gain a new family, and after I receive my first paycheck, I will buy a phone to call Lily, Tony, and Gina to thank them and inform my friends I am now okay, and in my way to start my new life in Magnolia Village.