Hunter’s POV

Ever since I almost lost my wife during the fire on the boat, I always feel worried about her every time I am not with her, and like what is going on right now. And now that she is going shopping with my mom and her aunt and the rest of the girls, I can’t deny I have another panic attack. I was waiting for them in the living room when her grandpa joined me, and I suddenly felt nervous, and even if I had a serious talk with Hector Grant, I still felt worried about being alone with him. I know it is because of his reputation being the most influential man in Neospoli country.

“How are you, son?” He asked, smiling at me, and I relaxed a little.

“I felt great, grandpa,” I replied.

“Are you sure? Why does it seems like you look so worried?” He asked.

“I am just nervous about my wife, and no matter how I tried to control myself, I couldn’t stop worrying about her,” I replied, and he smiled at me.

“Now, I am convinced that you love my daughter that much.” He said as he looked at me.

“Of course, I am crazy in love with your granddaughter. I hope everything will be alright from now on. I can’t afford to lose Madeline.” I said as I released a heavy sigh.

“The feelings are mutual, Hunter; she is my only granddaughter and the only reminder of my son. After I lose Frank, I have never been the same. I know I lost a part of my life. My son looked like her mother, and even his character. He loved the simplicity of life, and I know how I hurt him when I told him I would disown him if he walked away from me. From this life and his family.” Hector Grant declared.

“I never shared with anyone how I felt.” He said as he looked at the portrait of his son on the wall.

“Tonight, I wanted to tell Frank I love him, and I miss him so much, and I wanted to give his only child and his grandchild all the best things this world can offer, and I am asking you to help me reach my goal, Hunter.” He declared, and I suddenly felt nervous about what he would tell me that I couldn’t even formulate a single word.

“As you can see, my days are numbered since I am already old, and before I die, I wanted to make Madeline my heir, and to do that, as her husband, I need your cooperation.” He added.

“I am asking you to be part of my company, Hunter; for me, you are not only Madeline’s husband. The moment you took good care and loved her, you became my grandson. I wanted to be part of your lives.” He continued.

“I know what I am going to ask you is too much, but I am confident because of your love for Madeline, you will do it for her sake, and I hope you will not disappoint me, son. I know you gave my son’s last dying wish fulfillment. I hope this time you will also give this old man the same.” He muttered.

“I want you to be the CEO of my company, Hunter, work for me, I will transfer all my shares to you and Madeline, and I know my daughter, Francine, will also give her share to your wife. I want someone to like you to be the successor of our family businesses because I know you are trustworthy, and most of all, you will do everything for Maddie.” He said, and I was speechless.

I know this will happen, but now that this is happening, I don’t know how to respond to Hector Grant. How can I say no? He is offering me more than I can ask for, and I know it would be too much to handle; what if I will bankrupt his companies instead of making them more profitable.

“I am not asking for your answer now, Hunter, I will give you enough time, but I hope it will not take long.” He said, and I smiled at him. At last, I was able to find my voice.

“I felt so honored that you gave me your trust, grandpa, but I don’t know if I can make it. I mean, I am not like you. Your name is known in the industry all over the world.” I declared, and he tapped my shoulder, and watching him with his business suit even he is inside his home on an ordinary day like this made me feel more intimidated by him.

“Hunter, you think you are an ordinary businessman, I may be old, but you can’t fool me, son. I have read so many articles in the magazine about you. I know how you made your family business afloat after it almost went to the bottom. I believe in your capabilities, son.” He said, and before I could respond to him, I saw my father with Calixto and Parker walking towards us, and Hector Grant greeted them while I was lost in my thoughts thinking about his offer.

Calixto made Maddie’s grandpa laugh a lot, and even if I had a dilemma at the moment, I couldn’t stop myself laughing with them especially when Cal told them how we survived during the explosion at the gold mine, and I could see how my father’s face turned so pale. I know he planned something not to hurt me, but only to scare my wife, but the men my father hired made a wrong move, and we almost got killed.

The moment the girls arrived, it felt like I hadn’t seen my wife for a long time that I couldn’t stop myself from running towards her, and I kissed her on the lips, and I took the paper bags from her hands, and we excused ourselves as I brought her to our room because I want to be alone with Madeline.

“I missed you.” I blurted out the moment we got inside her room, and she laughed.

“Why are you laughing, Mrs. Divenson?” I asked, and she was only shaking her head, and I moved closer to her, and she stepped back while giggling until her legs hit the bed, and she had nowhere to run. I lay my hands on her waist, and I looked at her intensely, and I could see the blush on her face, and it made me feel so happy that I still make my wife feel this way every time we are near each other.

“How could you miss me already when I was only away for more than five hours.” She declared.

“I miss you every time you are out of my sight, Madeline,” I whispered in her ear, and I could tell right away her skin had goosebumps.

“Oh, that is so sweet, my love.” She said, and then she put her arms around my neck while she looked up at me.

“I felt the same way, Hunter! And I love you so much; thank you for bringing your entire family here to my grandpa’s place. You make me feel so happy, and I wanted to tell you, you also make my grandpa so happy and my aunt Francine as well.” She added

“It must be so lonely here. And I couldn’t imagine grandpa is living in this house alone, of course, he was with his staff, but they are workers, not family members.” Madeline declared. I put my forehead on hers, and I can smell my wife’s intoxicating scent that always drive me so crazy.

“What do you want to do about it, Madeline?” I asked, and I could feel she suddenly felt nervous, but I gave her an encouraging look that told her whatever kind of answer she would give me would be alright with me.

“I always wanted to know my family from my mother and father’s side, and I felt so happy when I learned about my grandpa. And knowing he is living in this house without my aunt most of the time, I wanted to be here for him.” She said as she cupped my face.

“But you know I will never live my life away from you, Hunter. You are my life now, and I know my grandpa understood about it, but we will make sure to visit him frequently, and I will also ask him to visit us in our home.” She added, and I pulled her closer to me.

“Then let us stay here with your grandfather.” I declared, and her face lit up.

“Are you sure about that, Hunter?” She asked in disbelief.

“Of course, I already told you, I am willing to do everything for you, my sweet Madeline,” I answered, and she put her head on my chest as she tightened her arms around me, and I could tell she was crying.

“Did I make you upset, Madeline?” I asked her, and she shook her head.

“No, my love, it was the opposite; these are tears of joy. You make me feel so happy, and I couldn’t wait to tell my grandpa about this good news, and aunt Francine will become thrilled once she learns we will be staying here in Neospoli for good.” Madeline replied.

“Thank you, Hunter, for loving me this way. I will forever be grateful to have you in my life, and I can’t express the happiness I felt right now; it is hard to express them in words.” She added, and I answered her words by giving her a sweet kiss; and we were kissing passionately, and we only stop from kissing each other when we heard someone is on our door.

I stopped kissing Madeline, and I smiled as I realized how her face blushed after we shared a beautiful kiss, and I could still feel the sweetness of her mouth as I walked and opened the door with a beautiful smile on my face, and my smile broadened when I saw my little sister and Madeline’s best friend standing outside our door together with two women I am not familiar with, and I could tell they are here to do their make-up.

“We will be having our make-up now, Hunter, since the make-up artists are here, so you better leave us now, big brother,” Lily said right away, and instead of going out, I only opened the door wide, and I motioned them to come inside.

“I am sorry, Lily, but I wanted to be near my wife, but you don’t need to worry. I will be on the sofa.” I said, and she pouted her lips.

“I just want to surprise you after Madeline’s got her hair and make-up done,” she responded after getting inside our room.

“Lily, my wife’s beautiful face will always mesmerize me; with or without makeup, she will always be the most beautiful woman in my eyes,” I said, and my sister beamed at me, and when I darted a glance on my wife, Madeline was wearing a beautiful smile on her face.. I felt so proud that I made Madeline this delighted, and that would be my forever goal, always give her the happiness that she deserves, even if it means I will give up the life I have in Archois and stay here with her in this lovely castle.