Hunter’s POV

“What?” I asked in an angry tone because I couldn’t believe what I heard from Calixto’s mouth.

“You heard me, Mr. Divenson, Ms. Brownwood begged me to stay three more days in Magnolia Village, and I think it is only understandable because she likes her new family in that village.” He answered.

“Cal, I told you I am going to fire you if you can’t bring Madeline to me. Are you challenging me?” I asked, and I am still irritated that I can’t see her. For the past days, I became so preoccupied with scanning Madeline’s pictures, and I asked Calixto to put all her candid photos on a photo album. I locked my office door every time I watch her beautiful photographs, and I don’t understand why I need to feel this way towards Madeline.

“Well, I will bring her to you after three days, Mr. Divenson. I didn’t say I couldn’t bring her. There is a big difference, so you can’t fire me, but if you insist, I am willing to lose my job, but it was all worth watching the happiness on Madeline’s face. Besides, Madeline said, you can’t fire me because you were the reason she ran away from your mansion, and not me.” Cal said.

“So, it seems your loyalty now is transferred to my wife to be, well, you have a point I can’t fire you, but I need to deal with the people who helped her, especially my smart little sister, Lily, she is the only one close with Tony, and there is no way Charlotte will help Madeline finds a job.” I declared.

“Please, Mr. Divenson be fair in dealing with Tony, he helped Ms. Madeline to be safe, and I think you should be thankful to him that nothing wrong happened to your fiancee.” Cal said.

“Don’t tell me what to do, Cal. I am your boss, remember?” I responded.

“Of course, my apologies, Sir.” He replied.

“You may go now, Cal. I will not acknowledge what you have accomplished today since you didn’t bring Maddie home. I am very disappointed with your performance, Calixto. You can do better than that.” I said.

“But you should appreciate my effort, Mr. Divenson. At least I was able to convince Madeline to come home and marry you. And I am sorry to say this; I granted her request because I can see she is happy in Magnolia Village compared to living in your enormous mansion, maybe because your entire family except Lily treated her indifferently. Your treatment towards her is the worst.” Cal answered, and I can feel my face turned so hot.

“Cal, I know you care about me, but talking something like that about my family and me is something I can’t tolerate. I don’t want to hear something like that in the future. And before I lose my temper towards you, I want you to leave my study right now, it is getting late, and I am sure your wife is waiting for you.” I said.

“I am sorry, Mr. Divenson, I just stated a fact, and I know you will get angry with me, but if you want to keep Maddie, you should protect her from the awful treatment of your family towards her. Goodbye now, Sir. Please forgive me if I offended you.” Cal said, and I am speechless, and I don’t know how to respond to him, so I glare at him. Then, he went to the door and left my office in a hurry. I realized Cal was telling me the truth about my family and my treatment of Madeline.

I know Calixto is a family man. That is why every time I mention his family after office hours, he will always go rushing. I left my office early because I am so excited to meet Madeline, but it turned out, Calixto didn’t do his job well; he was probably carried away by Maddie’s pleading, and I am impressed by how nicely she convinced Cal, or it was Cal who advised her to stay there for more days since I can tell he pitied Madeline. I released a heavy sigh before I get out of my study room.

“Hunter? What can I do for you?” Lily asked the moment she saw me outside her door.

“Can I talk with you, Lily?” I asked.

“Sure!” She replied as she opened her door widely, and I get inside of her tidy room. I know Lily can be more reliable than Charlotte because I am sure she can survive without the maids’ help. For how many times I caught her helping the maids on the household chores. But I let her joined with them, and I didn’t reprimand her, but every time my mother finds her doing such a thing, she will not allow my sister to come out from her room for days as punishment. I am proud of my sister for being so down to earth, and I am sure she will survive in the outside world.

“So, what do you want to talk about, brother?” She asked.

“Do you know that you can never outsmart me, Lily, and I will be able to find out your involvement in Maddie’s disappearance?” I asked, and I can tell she is not afraid that I found out about it, and she even stared at me with wide eyes.

“Of course, I know, big brother. I am aware you are an influential person, and I know you can pay people to find Maddie. But I am still triumphant that it took you so long to figure it out, so I still outsmarted you, Hunter.” She said as she sat beside me at the edge of her four-poster bed. Her words shocked me.

“Why did you do that to me, Lily? I thought you love me. How could you betray your brother and helped her instead of doing the opposite? I trusted you to keep Madeline here in our mansion.” I said to her.

“Yeah, because I love you, that is why I did it. I don’t want you to turn into a monster, big brother. I know you are a compassionate person. That is why among our siblings, you are my favorite. You turned into a jerk by flirting with Kaye, and I wouldn’t say I like it that you did it to Madeline. When she begged me to help her, I didn’t hesitate because I pity her. She is in love with you.” She said, and I felt a sting on my heart.

“You have no one to blame but yourself. Please don’t blame the people who help her because we only want her to be happy. You made her so miserable, and I guess if you want her back, can you at least be brave enough to show her some respect, and if you don’t love her, why are you marrying her?” She asked and looked at me with sadness on her face, and I couldn’t believe that Lily is talking to me like she was my best friend. When did she grow up like this?

“Lily, there are things that are so hard to explain, and no matter how I want you to make you understand about it, you just can’t.” I said.

“Really? It is a simple logic, Hunter, a man should only marry someone because he loves her.” She responded, and I want to hug her for her wits and sense of reasoning.

“When you grow up, Lily, you will understand all about this, but since you are still young, it would be so hard to understand. But you are right people should marry because of love, but as you grow older, there are a lot of things you will realize you should consider in marrying someone.” I responded.

“Whatever, Hunter, but I think you only make things complicated, I may be young, but I understand how she feels about you. If you will take her back, please, all I ask from you is be gentle to Maddie.” My sister pleaded, and I can’t help but smile widely at her.

“I will.” I replied, even though deep inside my heart I don’t want to make any promises to my sister, but it is so hard to hurt her feelings right now that she looks so adorable. If she only knows how much I care about Maddie. I bought the beautiful Villa in Magnolia and her new car because I want to make her happy. I am scared to love again because the agony I felt losing the one I love is still haunting me.

“That is good, and I can’t wait to see Maddie again. I felt so happy right now. I have her number if you want. I know I am betraying Madeline by giving you her number, but I guess she will be happy to see you again.” Lily said, and a broad smile came out from my mouth. I handed her my phone immediately, and I can’t believe she even memorized her number as she key in Madeline’s mobile number on my phone book.

“Thank you, Lily.” I said to my sister as I stand up from the couch.

“As long as you will make her happy, I will help you win her back.” She replied, and I can’t stop myself from grinning because she is only a twelve-year-old girl, but it feels like I am talking to some guidance counselor.

“Yes, ma’am.” I said, and I ruffle her hair, and I kissed her head before I walk out to her door.

I undressed my clothes and went to my bathroom, and I take a cold shower. And I can’t stop thinking about Madeline, and it made me realized how much I yearn to kiss and touch her again. And I realized Madeline is the only woman who makes me feel this way. I let the cold water takes away my frustrations. Three days is long enough to wait for her, but knowing that I can see her again makes me feel so excited, and I hate that just thinking about her makes me so hard that I want to go to Magnolia Village and let her know how much I wanted to take her and make her mine.. And I can’t wait to make her my wife.