Hunter’s POV

By the time I get back to the office, I spend my time checking reports and signing documents, and from time to time, I stop what I am doing and stared at nothingness. And I can’t stop myself thinking about Madeline’s sweet lips. What is wrong with me? I have kissed so many lips before, and why am I so affected by this young woman’s soft red lips? Madeline’s innocence captured my interest, and her natural beauty amazed me. I know I need to take good care and protect her as my future bride. It appears I should also need to save her from myself.

Before I get my things and sign the last contract on my table, I can’t stop feeling angry, and my eyes widened when I received Lily’s text. My little sister seldom texts me when she knows I am at work.

“Hunter, I think Madeline got sick. She didn’t join us during dinner, no matter how many times I knock on her door. Cerila has been waiting at her door for so long now, but she didn’t come out.” She said in her text.

“Why? What did she do today?” I asked her.

“Well, our parents and siblings ordered her to served them during breakfast and lunch; they don’t want the maid to fill the table. And mom asked her to wash the laundry together with the laundry staff. For sure, she got tired by working today.” She replied, and I can feel my anger boils on my blood.

I plan on spending my time at the bar tonight to have some drinks with my college friends, but my desire to check on Madeline is so strong that I texted my friends that I couldn’t make it tonight. I drive my car fast, and by the time I arrived home, I find Lily sitting on the staircase. And her knees are bent, and her eyes are closed.

“Hey, what are you doing here at the bottom of the stairs, Lily?” I asked, and her eyes opened, and I can tell her face lights up the moment she saw me coming.

“I was waiting for you. I am so worried about Maddie. She should eat dinner, Hunter.” She declared, and I give her my reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, and this night will not end without Madeline eating her dinner,” I responded.

“You should sit on the couch and not on the stairs, Lily, don’t worry, I will check Madeline’s condition,” I said to her, and she nodded.

“Can you at least tell me if she was alright?” My sister begged, and I nodded, and she smiled. She said goodnight to me, and then she turned her heels in going to the living room. I go to my room, and take a quick hot shower, and get dressed immediately. I take out the spare key of Maddie’s room in my drawer. And I walk fast on going to her chamber.

My heart melts when I saw her delicate frame on the bed; her full legs are on display since her dress is raising above her knees, and she is sleeping peacefully. I walk to her bed quietly and sit on the edge of the bed beside her, and I can hear her steady soft breathing. She looks so tired and drained, and I felt glad my sister told me about what happened to her today. I need to talk to my parents about Madeline.

They need to treat her as my wife already, not an outsider. Then I saw that her knuckles are red, and I can tell she feels the soreness on her fingers from washing. She must have washed many clothes. I can’t stop myself from sighing. She could have said no to my mom; she is my future wife and not my maid. I know my family always treated an outsider as a maid. My mother is so active with her social status and events. She still loves to have a social ball in our house while I usually hide in my room. But by the time I take over our company, I don’t have a choice but to socialize for our business’s success.

I took her hand and caressed it, and I can’t help myself but kiss her soft fingers. And I felt guilty for being so unfair to her, but I can’t give her false hope. I go to her drawer and get a lotion, and I applied enough to massage her sore hands. I want to wake her up, so she can eat dinner, but I can tell she was exhausted. I want her to have some rest and eat later. I froze when she stretched her body, and I felt glad that she didn’t wake up. I don’t want Maddie to find me massaging her hands. She shouldn’t know I am starting to care about her.

I get out of Maddie’s room and go back to my bedroom. Then after a few minutes, I felt so uneasy, and I realized I need to talk with my family. I go to the living room, and I find my parents talking with my siblings, and I felt glad that they are all present.

“Good evening, Dad and Mom!” I greeted my parents, and they both turn their attention to me, including my siblings. Lily beamed and got up from the couch, and she runs to me and hugs me. I ruffle her beautiful dark brown hair and put my hand on her shoulder.

“Good evening, son. I didn’t know you will come home earlier today.” My mother said.

“Well, I am excited to see my future wife, but it seems she got so tired, and I wonder why she is sleeping at this hour. And I can tell she was doing laundry. I find her fingers are swollen and turned so red. Maybe she has some allergic reaction to the laundry detergent. Mom, I asked you to looked out for Madeline. How could you let her work? We have the laundry personnel who are in charge of doing such a thing. I don’t want Madeline to work too much. She can do something she wants and likes as long as she wants to do it. Besides, please let them use the washing machine.” I said as I try to hide my anger.

“She insisted on helping, Hunter. No one told Maddie to do some housework. And I can tell your future wife is hardworking. You should be proud of her, but it seems you look so upset.” My mom responded, and I am too tired to argue with her.

“Of course, I know she is hardworking. That is why I want to pamper her. I like to treat Madeline, my Queen,” I said, and I can tell the horror that registered on my sister’s face. I know Charlotte has always hated me since she wants to work at our company, but my father stopped her and told her to finish her studies first. She always contradicts my opinions in the house.

“Hunter, why of all people you chose her to be your wife? You could have at least chose someone who belongs to our society; I have so many friends who can be suitable to be your wife, but why her?” She said in a disgusted manner.

“Watch your mouth, Charlotte; I only want Maddie to be my wife, so you have to accept her because no one can stop me from marrying Madeline Brownwood,” I said, and I can’t stop myself from feeling so annoyed by my sister’s words. I know I only want Maddie to be my wife to have an heir, but why it seems I want to protect her from my sister’s insult and any possible threat that could hurt her. I know I need to stop all this nonsense, but I promise to take good care of her because I know what she had been through growing up. Madeline is an orphan now, and I pity her, and I don’t want her to have a hard life.

“Mom, I hope this incident will not happen again,” I said, and I look at my mom seriously.

“Son, I know you are already of legal age, and we want you to settle down and have children, but we didn’t expect you to settle with someone who doesn’t belong in our society.” My father said and looked at me in the eyes.

“I am sorry, dad, but this time I won’t allow you and mom to decide who I want to marry. I allowed you to dictate my life growing up from my clothes, cars, schools, and friends.” I said, and I try to look calm; I never tell my parents how I felt about what they did to me, but now that they questioned Madeline’s presence in our estate, I suddenly felt like her protector, and I am shocked that I expressed what I genuinely think.

“The time I fell in love with Rebecca, you did your best to separate us because we came from two different worlds, and you never accepted her as my girlfriend. I was young and so naive back then, and I listen to you. You didn’t even allow me to mourn. This time I want something I can call my own. You even chose my career for me; you both know I want to travel the world after graduating. I love my profession, dad, and I perceive that one day I will be like you because I want to follow in your footsteps, but I want to experience life away from you for a while to enjoy my life and to forget all the pain I endure of losing her.” I said while I am still standing, and I put my hands on my pockets.

“You begged me to stay and take over the company right away, and you never give me the chance to say no,” I said, and Rebecca’s memories flashed back on my mind.

“I lose her because I was so afraid of your stupid rules. I tried myself to be a good son to you. And in the end, I ended losing the only girl that I love. You even lose your grandchild.” I said, and I can see the horror in their faces.

“I don’t like to talk about the past, and I don’t want a repeat of what happened to Rebecca,” I said and turned away from them, feeling so lost and hurt again. I am so tired of thinking about her every waking moment of my life.. And I want to forget, but I just can’t, and I hope I can change for Madeline.