Loving Madeline

Jack's POV

"Hey, you have to be more patient, Jack. I have plans, and I am sure Charlotte will buy them," Cecily said as she sat beside me on the front porch. I felt frustrated that she got her second date with Charlotte and that I was stuck in her house.

I told Mario I didn't want to stay at the staff house anymore; I wanted to stay here in Cecily's house since I was having fun and I loved her company. And he questioned me if I had some feelings for his sister and told me he would love to have me as his brother-in-law. And I told him the truth about how I feel for Hunter's sister.

"I am trying my best to be patient, but the idea that she went out with you and never called me made me feel useless," I responded, and she laughed.

"Hey, you came here with a mission to tame her, but I don't think it is necessary; she is beginning to realize the importance of hard work. Charlotte is desperate to find a job; too bad, her brother did his best to use his power and money." Cecily responded before she let out a heavy sigh.

"And we are part of Hunter's team. I hope it will not backfire on us someday," I said as I leaned on my seat, and before Cecily could say another word, my phone rang, and I smiled when I saw Charlotte's name flashed on my screen.

"What did she say? I could see the look of excitement all over your face." Cecily asked after I ended the call.

"Well, she needed her knight in shining armor, and wish me luck! Maybe this is my night!" I responded with too much enthusiasm as I got up from my seat while she shook her head.

"Believe me, this is not your night," she responded, and I put my hand over my chest as I looked at her.

"You should give me your moral support and not your word of encouragement," I replied.

"I am not discouraging you. I don't want you to hope too much, but don't worry if this is not your night. You will have your chance, lover boy, and you will thank me later." Cecily responded as she stood up from her seat and followed me inside.

I carried the box of mineral water to my pick-up truck while Cecily watched me from the porch. We got all the supplies Charlotte needed in the storage room of her house.

"Thank you, Cil; see you later, or maybe tomorrow morning. I brought extra clothes just in case she wanted some company," I said before I opened the door on the driver's side. 𝐛𝗲𝐝𝐧𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝗼𝐫𝗴

"Good luck. I wish you would not be back within thirty minutes; it would be a shame," she responded, and I chuckled.

"Please, be positive. I need you to wish me luck, not to give me a negative vibe." I reacted before I climbed into the driver's seat.

"You can do it. I was only teasing you, Jack; good night, you have your key. I don't want to wait for you until midnight." She responded.

"Yes, I have my own key," I responded.

Cecily waved her hand as I drove away from her house, and I felt excited to see Charlotte.

The moment she opened the main door, I wanted to take her into my arms. I don't know why I felt this way; I missed her so much.

"Thank you so much for coming, Jack, I didn't have anyone I can call." She said, and I smiled at her.

"I told you I can be your knight in shining armor," I responded and winked at her.

"Why?" She asked, and I couldn't believe she didn't throw hurtful words at me; instead, Charlotte looked at me in a different light. I don't want to assume because she is Charlotte Divenson. It is hard to predict what would be her next reaction.

"I care about you, Charlotte," I responded, and she shook her head.

"I don't believe you, Jack, and I know you only wanted to stay here in the manor, but I am sorry, there is nothing you can do to change my mind." She replied, and my face fell.

"Okay, I guess I should start looking at the Barcelonia Capital. I am sorry if I was being persistent even if you don't want to see." I replied as I faced the way leading to the main door.

"I am sorry, Jack," she softly answered.

"It is okay, Charlotte, I can't force you. I really like this place, and I fell in love with its grandeur and beauty. I could tell I would have peace of mind once I stayed here and was stress-free. I hate the bustling and the pollution in the city." I declared.

"Good night, just make sure to lock the doors," I added without looking back at her as I strode towards the exit.

I could hear her footsteps behind me, and I wanted to beg her, but I relied on Cecily for this; she told me to let Charlotte think I was giving her up to make Cecily's plan work. I am having doubts, but I am desperate for her help since it seems to me I can never change Charlotte's mind.

"Good night, Jack," she said the moment we reached the door, and when I looked around to face her, she already closed the damn door. I walked towards my car, feeling so defeated.

"Wow! You came back earlier than I expected," Cecily said the moment I got inside the living room. She was watching her favorite TV show. She turned off the television and turned her attention to me.

"What happened?" She asked the moment I sat beside her.

"She is impossible. I don't think you can convince her, Cecily. Charlotte is so determined she can survive living here all alone in Barcelonia without any help from us." I replied with a frustrated voice.

"Not from me; she actually allowed me to pay for her meal and the bus fare. Maybe she doesn't want any help coming from you." Cecily replied, and I slumped my back on the sofa.

"I don't think your plan would work. I have to look for another strategy," I responded.

"She will need your help soon, Jack; just trust me. Hunter made sure she couldn't find any job around here in Barcelonia. Unless she will start her own business, she will survive." My newly found friend and confidante said with a smile on her face, and I shook my head.

"I will only believe you when it happens before my eyes," I replied.

"Be positive, okay, don't waste your energy sulking. You better enjoy your stay here in Barcelonia." She mumbled.

"How can I enjoy when I keep coming back on the first base? I don't think I can do this job. Hunter had been mistaken. I think I should pay for the breach of contract and go back to Archois and manage my restaurant." I declared.

"Come on, Jack, I am sure she will open up to me about you soon. I will go to her house tomorrow, and you better go with my brother and explore the rest of Barcelonia." She responded.

I said good night to Cecily and retired to my room. Mario dropped by early morning and convinced me to go with him, and since I had nothing to do, I agreed with him.

"Wow! This place is beautiful!" I exclaimed the moment I sat on the big rock facing the beautiful waterfalls before us. I almost complained when he took me on a trail that I thought would never end, and I thought we'd got lost.

I could see the big old trees around us, the chirping of the birds, and the splashing of the water on the rocks, and I smiled as I inhaled the fresh air.

"The word beautiful is underrated," Mario responded, and I agreed with him.

"Yes, you are right," I answered as I discarded my jogging pants and removed my shirt. And I dove into the pool of green water, and I screamed when I felt the cold water on my entire body, and I couldn't stop laughing.

"Why didn't you tell me the water is freezing?" I asked Mario as I swam around. I liked how it felt in my body. I was only shocked. I didn't expect it to feel this way.

"It is colder in the morning, but don't worry, your body can adjust to the temperature quickly." He responded as his voice echoed throughout the entire place, and he was right. I started to feel relaxed.

"This is my favorite spot; you can bring Charlotte here," he said the moment I joined him at the bank, and he handed me a plate. I realized he brought food for breakfast, and I couldn't believe I was starving, too.

"He won't come with me, and I am planning to go back to Archois if Cecily's plan won't work out." I softly answered him, and he shook his head.

"Don't surrender easily, Jack. I think my sister's idea will do, but I am sure Miss Charlotte would be skeptical about it at first, but she will have no other choice. Hunter is doing his best to make her life miserable than it already is," he responded, and I arched my eyebrows as I stared at him.

"My sister didn't tell you about her brilliant plan?" He asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yes, she didn't mention anything to me," I replied.

"Then, I don't have any right to tell you anything," he responded, and I sighed heavily.

"Come on, Mar, you can tell me about it, and I won't tell her anything," I said, and I was smiling when he started telling me about his sister's

plans. And I admit Cecily's ideas were terrific, and I began to feel confident they might work out, and all I have to do is to exercise extra patience. I couldn't stop feeling excited about staying and being with Charlotte Divenson.