Hunter’s POV

I read the message from Hector Grant, and I couldn’t believe he would text me, and he didn’t ask his daughter or my wife, not even Gina. He was informing me that he would take my wife on a vacation while I was away because he knew my wife was missing me, but the last part of his text made me frown, and I couldn’t stop myself from booking the next flight to Choraz, Neospoli Airport.

“I invited the best cook in Archois because I love his menus, and I wanted my granddaughter to feel like she was back in Archois.” Madeline’s grandpa stated on his text, and I read his text message repeatedly as I was on my way to the airport, and I couldn’t stop myself from feeling so anxious.

“What do you want from me at this hour, Hunter?” Calixto asked on the other line, and I smiled as I realized how much I missed him.

“I miss you, Cal,” I said, and he chuckled on the other line.

“Do you miss me, or do you want to ask me about something?” He asked, and I smiled even if he couldn’t see me.

“Are you a mind reader, Cal?” I asked him, and he laughed.

“Come on, Hunter, I don’t need to be a mind reader to know why you are calling me, and spit it out now.” He said, and I cleared my throat.

“Can I ask you a question, Calixto?” I asked.

“Don’t kill me with the suspense, Hunter; you know you can always ask me about anything.” He responded, and I chuckled.

“Can you tell me who is the best cook in Archois?” I asked, and he was silent for a long time.

“And why do you ask me that kind of question, son? Do you want to have a franchise of his restaurant in Neospoli?” He asked.

“Of course not, I know how to cook, but I am already busy with my career, and opening another business will upset my wife. I know I don’t have enough time for Maddie and our son.” I responded quickly.

“Hunter, you can search that on the web, and you will have your answer, but I could tell it will break your heart to know who he is,” Calixto stated.

“Any why do you think it will break my heart, Cal?” I asked, and he cleared his throat before he spoke.

“Jack Morigan became number one not only because he is excellent but because of his charm, and women are going crazy with him every time he showed up on his show, and I heard his cooking show is number one in our country.” He responded, and I slumped on my seat.

“Why do you ask me?” He asked, and I released a heavy sigh.

“Hector Grant invited the most famous chef in Archois, and I was wondering who it could be, and thank you for the information, Calixto,” I said.

“And why do you sound so sad after knowing it was Jack? He is one of Madeline’s close friends, Hunter, and you should be happy.” He declared.

“Yeah, I know, Cal, grandpa was taking my wife and the entire family to one of his vacation homes, and he invited Jack to cook for them,” I said, and Calixto was laughing so hard.

“Oh, I see, so you are jealous,” he said, and I couldn’t disagree with him.

“Yeah, I am fucking jealous right now, and I don’t even know how to control my jealousy, Cal,” I said as I curled my fists on my side.

“Hunter, you have been married for a long time, and for how many times you hurt your wife, but she never goes to Jack’s arms, and do you know why?” He asked.

“Why?” I responded.

“Because your wife’s heart only beats for you, Madeline is in love with you, Hunter, and she told me once, she couldn’t imagine herself loving anyone else, and your wife told me, you are the only man Maddie will ever love until on the day she will take her last breath,” He said, and my heart swelled with happiness.

“Are you sure about that, Calixto? You are not only telling me that because you want me to feel better?” I asked.

“And why do you think I will lie to you? Hunter, your jealousy will not do you good. Jack and your wife are only friends, and you know that in your heart and stop feeling that way because it will only hurt Madeline’s feeling knowing you are jealous of her friend.” Calixto responded.

“You have to get closed with Jack because he is also close with Madeline, and if you really love your wife, you have to let go of your own insecurities because you’ve got it all. You are handsome and have overloaded sex appeal, and you are so rich, so you don’t need to feel insecure, son.” He added.

“Thank you, Cal, I know, but I couldn’t stop myself from feeling this way; that is why I am calling you. I know you will help me control myself, don’t worry, I will be good to Jack this time.” I answered.

“Good, because Jack Morigan is a good young man, and you don’t need to be jealous with him, and he has always been honest with his feelings to Maddie, but for how many times she rejected him, and do you know there were times I wanted Madeline to fall in love with him?” He asked, and I was shocked by his revelation.

“And why is that?” I asked.

“When I saw her in pain because of you, Maddie still wanted you in her life no matter how she was hurting, and she never gave up  on you, not even once, Hunter.” He said, and I felt so guilty.

“I know, Calixto, and I already paid the price when I almost lost her when she saved  my sister. And I could still remember the pain of losing Madeline on the fire, and it made me almost lose hope, but when I learned she was alive, I wanted to swim the ocean to be with her right away.” I responded.

“I know, Hunter, and stop worrying over nothing, enjoy your life with your wife while you are still both young, son, believe me, when you are old, your  mind is the only thing that will keep you busy, but your body will feel too tired to do what was your mind was telling you to do, and I am telling you to enjoy and savor each moment you have with Madeline.” He declared.

“I know Cal, and that is why I am now on my way to the airport; I don’t care if Hector Grant will fire me,” I responded, and Cal laughed.

“It will never happen, Hunter; Hector couldn’t fire Madeline being his only heir so that you will be stuck with her grandfather’s richness.” He said, and it was my turn to laugh, and I said goodbye to Cal, feeling better.

The moment I arrived at the Choraz airport, I asked the company driver to drive me to the beach house where the entire family was having fun, and I felt so anxious to meet my wife and kiss her, and of course, I am dying to have our son in my arms.  I got out of the car when I arrived at my destination and carried my luggage, and when my sister saw me, she came running to me.

“Hunter, I thought you would be coming home this weekend!” Lily  exclaimed as she put her arms around my waist, and I hugged my sister back.

“I miss my wife and son like crazy, Lily,” I said, and my sister smiled at me after I released her from my embrace. She asked me to come with her to the cottage because she wanted me to surprise Madeline, and my mom hugged me right away, and they all greeted me, and Hector didn’t even ask me why I left the summit; he only tapped my shoulder, and he welcomed me warmly.

And I was holding my breath when I saw my beautiful wife walking gracefully on the sand together with her best friend, and Aunt Francine was carrying our little boy while uncle Paul was bringing the umbrella even if the sun hid beneath the clouds.

The beautiful creation around me failed in comparison to the natural beauty of my wife’s face, and I know she stopped in her tracks when our eyes met, and she couldn’t believe I would be here at this hour, and I could no longer contain myself from running to my sweet wife.

Madeline was also running towards me, and I took her in my arms, and I picked her up and lifted her in the air, and I spun her around, and when I put her feet back on the sand, she was looking at me with happiness all over her face, and I caressed her face with my fingers.

“Hunter, are you even real?” She asked in more than a whisper, and I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling; I pulled her closer to me, and my wife’s familiar scent drove me nuts, and I love how she blushed as I leaned down and captured my wife’s enticing lips.

I kissed Madeline passionately, and we made out as I could feel the ocean breeze brushing on my skin.. I kissed her long enough to make her breathless while our family was watching us with smiles on their faces, including Jack Morigan, and I realized Calixto was right; I needed to let go of all my insecurities because I knew how much my wife loved me.