Hunter’s POV

I was busy the entire day with all the paper works that I needed to sign and review. My neck and back ached. Calixto barged in without knocking on my door, which caused me to raise my eyebrow, and I am about to scold him when I looked at his face full of horror, and I could tell something is going on. And I can look at his entire body is shaking.

“Calixto, why are you shivering? What is wrong with you?” I demanded in a controlled manner.

“I am sorry, Sir, that I forgot my manners. I get inside your office without knocking. Your car has been hit by a drunk truck driver, sir.” He said, and he is trembling, and I froze on my seat, and I cannot speak for a while.

“What? How’s Frank?” I asked, and by the horrified look on his face, I can tell something terrible happened to my chauffeur. I forgot about my headache and asked him all the details, and we go to the hospital together using his car. Of course, it was technically my car, and I provide care for my staff. Calixto has been my assistant from the time I assume my father’s company. And Frank has been our family driver since I can remember.

In short, Calixto and Frank are so close to me, but I never told them that, and I will never will because I am a private type of person, and they thought I am haughty. I just don’t like to show them I care that it is not me if that happens. My father trained me to be like this, always to look tough. By the time we arrived at the hospital, Frank is on his way to the operating room, but the doctor asked for me, and I wonder why.

“Frank wants to have a word with you, I advise him not a good idea, and he told me he rather dies right now than not talk to you. It must be imperative, Hunter. I guess your driver has something to confess to you.” Dr. Silva said he is a family friend, and he knows Frank.

“I will give you a few minutes because we need to operate him now.” He spoke, and I get near Frank’s fragile frame, and his face looks so pale.

“Frank, this is Hunter, the doctors desire to bring you to the operating room now, and I think it is not a good idea to communicate right now,” I said, and he squinted his eyes, and I can say he is aching all over his frame, but he wants to talk to me, I can tell it. He motioned for me to come closer.

“Hunter, I know the operation can’t save my life, I know my body, Hunter, I am dying, and no doctor can spare me. Please, there is only one wish I would like to ask from you. I have an estranged daughter, and her name is Madeline Brownwood, help her, Hunter. I perceive you don’t wish to marry anyone, but I need you to wed her and take care of her.” He said, and I almost laugh. How could he ask me such a request?

“Please promise me, Hunter, I want to die with a radiant face. Make me a lucky man.” He added, and I can see the pain on his entire face, and I don’t want him to suffer anymore since he needs to go to the operating room, and I am sure Frank will get through. He is a strong man.

“Okay, I promise.” I declared, and I grinned at him, and I saw him smiled widely at me. They brought him to the operating suite with a joyous smile on his face, and I couldn’t believe he didn’t live. Frank died that night, and he drove me wide awake the entire night, thinking about the stupid promise I created.

How can I marry someone I didn’t even know? I avoided women since after her, the only woman I adore and love. I don’t want to be involved with another woman. No matter how my parents pressure me to get a girlfriend and get married. I don’t have any plan yet because I am still mourning. It happened a long time ago, but it is still fresh in my memory. I was young back then and so naive, I was just Hunter that day, and I never thought that I would lose the only girl I love and my capacity to love anyone.

I partied and met girls and tried having another relationship, but I realize I can never be a wonderful boyfriend because her memories still haunt me.

“Madeline Brownwood? Who is she, and what am I going to do with her after I met her?” Calixto asked for the third time.

“Calixto, I don’t wish you to show yourself to her, just spy on her, we need her actual identity, and I need to know about this woman,” I said.

“But why?” He inquired again, and I lost it.

“Just do what I asked, Cal, I don’t need you to ask me any more questions, and don’t tell me about her if your information is lacking, research all about her, and when you are ready, that is the time we will have a serious talk about this young woman,” I said to him, and he nodded. And Calixto never asks me again about Madeline, and I know he started his investigation since there are times he is not around two months after Frank’s death.

“Are you free this afternoon, Mr. Divenson?” Calixto asked one afternoon.

“Asked yourself that question, Cal, you are my assistant, and you are the one who scheduled all my meetings and conferences,” I spoke, and he smiled.

“Of course, your last appointment for today is the coffee time at your favorite café.” He answered, and I raised my eyebrow.

“With whom?” I inquired, confused.

“With Calixto Morgan, Sir.” He said, and I can’t stop myself from laughing.

“Wow! I didn’t realize you still learn how to laugh, Mr. Divenson.” He spoke.

“Who can’t laugh at what you have done? You scheduled yourself to have a meeting with me. You are funny, Mr. Morgan.” I replied.

“Of course, I have too, since you are a very busy man. I am now ready to talk about Madeline Brownwood.” He declared, and the smile on my face faltered since I haven’t thought about her for almost one month, and now he made me feel of the promise I carried out to her dead father.

“Well, what time is our schedule? I don’t need to prolong my agony.” I muttered, and I know I made him confuse with my words.

“At four in the afternoon, Sir.” He replied and left my office while I am still bothered about Frank’s dying wish. Am I willing to do this? I felt so confused. By the time I arrived at the coffee shop, Cal had handed me my espresso. At first, he didn’t speak, and he only gave me an envelope, and when I fished out its contents, I saw a young woman’s candid photos. She looks so beautiful that it stopped me midway in drinking my coffee. I put down the cup on the table as I continue scanning her pictures.

Madeline Brownwood is gorgeous. I have only seen her pictures, but it feels like her eyes are talking to me; I can’t stop my fingers from trailing the contours of her perfect face from her eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth. Her enticing lips made me ache for her. She looks like this in the pictures; how much more in person.

“She is nineteen years old and living with her aunt. And now I know she is Frank’s daughter. He left her when she was little with her mom. Maddie’s mom got sick when she was thirteen and left her no choice but to beg her aunt to take them.” Calixto said, and I looked at him, and I can see the tears that welled up in his eyes; I couldn’t believe he was about to cry.

“Doctors diagnosed her mom with lung cancer. She wanted to save her mother at a young age, she needs to look for different part-time jobs to provide medicine for her dying parent. She has no one to turn to, only her aunt. She helped Madeline until she realized they were already full of debts, and her aunt’s house is now under foreclosure. Maddie wants to preserve her aunt’s house by helping her with all the means she can get. She works and studies, but her income will never be enough to pay off her aunt’s arrears. She felt guilty that this happened to her mother’s sister.” Calixto continues talking, and I realized I felt interested to know her.

Her determination in pursuing her studies amidst the crisis was exemplary. I admire her courage.

“Madeline Brownwood has no kissing experience, so I assume she is still a virgin. No boyfriend since birth, and no time for dating. Currently, she is working three part-time jobs, from the grocery store, restaurant, and convenience store.” Calixto said.

“The most shocking news, she has no cell phone, and she is already nineteen years old. Can you believe that? Who doesn’t own a phone nowadays? Her aunt lets her borrow her cell phone every time she goes to work.” Calixto added.

“I want you to communicate with her aunt, compute the amount they need to pay off all the debts they have, I need you to settle off everything, and give her aunt extra cash, buy Madeline a phone, and bring her to Divenson Mansion this Thursday,” I ordered him, and he looks surprised.

“Why do we need her at your residence? You know your family; they don’t like strangers unless you are going to make her your maid.” He responded.

“No, you are wrong, Calixto; I am going to make Madeline Brownwood my wife; that is why I need you to bring her to the mansion to get acquainted with my family..” I declared, and this is the first moment I made Calixto speechless for a long moment, and I can’t help but smile.