Madeline’s POV

“Madeline, please don’t run away from me. I come in peace.” Calixto said, and his voice is begging me.

“Take my order first. Then we will talk after, and I will also speak with Lydia before I eat.” He said, and I hate that I like Calixto. He is like a father to me. I nodded as I handed him the ala carte menu. And as I write down his order, I can’t control my hands from trembling, and I am so afraid now that he found me, and there is one thing I am terrified of, Tony’s job will be at risk, and he could get fired because of me. 

“Hey, Madeline, stop shaking. You know I am not going to bite you, besides you know me. I will not do anything to hurt you, so there is nothing you should be worried about, and I hope you take down my order correctly.” Cal said, and his words make me relax a little. And he was right, and he will do me no harm. Cal smiled at me, and it would be so hard not to smile back at him.

“Okay, that is what I want you to do, Maddie. Smile.” Cal said as he studied my face.

“I know you are scared because I came to get you, Hunter is my boss, but I also care about you, Madeline. I am not saying I will not convince you to go with me to the Divenson mansion, but it can wait. For now, I want you to serve me my food, Madeline.” Cal declared, and as I am about to go to the kitchen, I saw him stood up and walked to the cashier. Lydia is the executive chef, but this time that Jack works full time. She is the cashier most of the time, and I can see how her face saddened when she saw Calixto coming to her.

I want to listen to what they will talk about. He moves and stays beside the counter while Lydia stands up and goes to him quickly. I will do everything I can to protect this family, and I don’t have a choice but to give up my dream for the meantime, and the next time I will run away from the Divenson mansion, I will make sure no one will get involved. I don’t want anyone’s job to be affected because of me. Besides, I need to listen to Cal’s words, and maybe Hunter decided to let me go. But, I know it would be so impossible. I can only pay off my aunt’s debts by the time I will give him an heir. Can I give up my child if ever I will get pregnant with Hunter’s baby? It is the number one question I need to consider before having this baby.

I deliver Cal’s food, and he acted as if he is an ordinary customer of the restaurant. I get back to my post and let him eat his meal. Lydia has told me about the history of the diner. It used to be a diner when her great grandfather started the business, and they developed the place to become more enhance like restaurants in the city, yet they never change the name. It remains The Magnolia Friendly Diner.

Lianne asked me to come to the staff room, and I am shocked to find Lydia sitting on the chair.

“Lydia, I am so sorry,” I said.

“Madeline, there is nothing you should ask sorry for, and I should apologize that I failed to protect you. Tony asked me to take care of you. I should have asked you to stay in the kitchen, not on the front line. I am sorry, Maddie, I should have thought about it seriously.” Lydia said.

“Lydia, it is not your fault. Besides, I want to learn so many things, and being a waitress here in your restaurant makes me so happy, and I love serving the customers.” I replied.

“I know, Cal is a good person. He asked me to excuse you for the rest of the afternoon. He wants to take you somewhere where you can talk. I think you should go with him, Madeline.” Lydia declared.

“Yes, of course, I will talk with him, Lydia, and I will beg if necessary. I don’t want to leave Magnolia village, I felt so at peace in this place, and I like all of you.” I responded.

“Same here, Madeline.” She responded, and I go back to serving the customers.

“Hey, Madeline, I have a car; we can leave now while Cal is still eating,” Gina whispered in my ear, and I can hear the worries in her voice.

“And where are we going, Gina? Do you think there is a place where I can stay like here in Magnolia? And do you realize Hunter Divenson will still find me, and I can’t leave the Morigan now? They need me to protect them because Lydia’s brother will be in trouble because of me. I need to talk with Calixto, Gina.” I said, and she looked at me sideways.

“Well, you are right. What if something will happen to Lydia’s brother? You will forever have guilt in your heart. I just gave you an option because if you want to leave and hide, I will drive you.” She declared, and I can’t stop myself from smiling. I know I don’t have my parents and I don’t have siblings, and having Gina in my life is a blessing. She was always there for me even though I have nothing to offer her.

“Thank you, Gina, for being always there for me,” I said.

“Of course, for me, you will always be my sister from another parent.” She said and offered me her sweet smile that always keeps me happy and content.

“I think Cal is looking for you now, ” Gina stated, and when I turn my head towards Calixto’s table, he is looking in our direction. He signaled me for his restaurant check, and I moved closer to him and handed him his bill, and he gave me a one hundred dollar bill.

“Take the change, Madeline. I will wait for you in my car.” He said and walked away from me, and he continued walking to the exit door without a second glance. I immediately give the payment to Lydia and put the change on the tip box.

“Lydia, I need to go with Cal now,” I said.

“Good luck, Madeline.” She responded.

“Please take care of Gina for me,” I asked.

“Of course, you don’t need to worry, and your friend is no longer a kid, Maddie; she is a grown-up woman.” She said while shaking her head, and I get away from her, feeling uneasy. I know I think this way because I am so worried about my talk with Cal.

The moment I get out of the restaurant, I can tell Cal is escorted by Hunter’s bodyguards. He opened the passenger’s door immediately, and I can’t stop myself from feeling nervous. Cal keeps silent the entire ride, and I was afraid if he would take me back to the Divenson Mansion right away, but I felt relieved when we take a different route.

He stopped in front of a villa facing the beach, and I am speechless of the beauty I see before me. It has its swimming pool, and the landscape in front of the house is breathtaking. I am mesmerized by the beach longshore line, and this is my long-time dream to be on a beach resort. I can tell the entire area is private because I have seen no guests or people around the place. Cal gets out of his car, and I climbed out after him.  He opened the villa’s entrance, and I closed my eyes when I felt the breeze touched my skin. And I hope I will stay in this place forever together with Gina and the Morigan family. I always think of them as my family now.

“Follow me inside, Madeline.” Cal said.

“Wow! This place is fantastic.” I said, and I don’t want to say it loud, but Cal heard me.

“I know, I don’t have to ruin the surprise, but since I know you love this place, this is Hunter’s gift for you.” He said.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“When he learned you love spending time on the beach but never got the chance, he acquired this for you as a gift on your wedding day. Hunter cares about you, Maddie. And I can tell if you will give him a chance, he will fall in love with you too. But, since Mr. Divenson is fighting himself right now, you better come home with me, Maddie. I know you still love Hunter, but at the same time, you also hate him. I understand why, but I am asking you to please stay by his side because he needs you.” Cal declared, and I am shocked about what he said.

“Wow, if Hunter wants me to go back to the Divenson Mansion, why he sent you instead of him?” I asked, and I can’t hide my frustration anymore. Cal opened the living room’s curtain, and I can see the beautiful scenery outside by the glass window.

“I don’t need this place, Cal. All I need is my freedom.” I added.

“Madeline, my job is on the line, and I understand if you don’t want to go back. I am going to lose my career if I can’t convince you to come back with me to the Divenson mansion, and Hunter will have no choice but to ask your aunt to work at the Divenson mansion under the supervision of Leticia Divenson.” He said, and my entire body felt so numb. I can’t let my aunt work for Leticia Divenson because I know how cruel she is. If she realizes she is my aunt, she will make her suffer every day, and I don’t want Cal to lose his job.

“But that is unfair, Cal.” I said.

“Maddie, nothing is unfair for the Divenson family. They are influential and among the wealthiest family in the entire country. So, what do you expect? But don’t worry, Maddie, I will not force you; if he is going to fire me, then I am sure I can look for another job. Besides, I have enough savings to support my family. The Divenson compensates me well.

Calixto’s words touched my heart, and I can’t let him make a sacrifice for me, and I have never felt so confused in my entire life. I love Hunter, but I wouldn’t say I like how he treated me, and I know I can’t allow my aunt to suffer under Hunter’s mom. I know I am the only one who can face my future in-laws because even though they try to evict me, I never back down from them because I know I am strong, and there is no way I will allow them to hurt my aunt.. I need to decide to save my aunt and Cal’s job, and I realize I only have one choice.