Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV",

I couldn't believe I felt so affected by the hot chef who showed up unannounced on my doorstep. It was still a mystery to me who paid for that advertisement in the newspaper if I only had money; I am sure I already went to the publication and complained I didn't pay for it, but I couldn't deny I felt so glad someone did it for my sake.

No matter how I squeezed my mind, I couldn't think of anyone else who would do something like that; It would be impossible if Lucia did it for me, she has no money too, and her child needed milk.

I hate myself for feeling so conscious that Jack Morigan was walking behind me as I climbed the grand staircase. I didn't want him to see me like this; I used to wear makeup since it made me feel confident, but who can think of putting lipstick and blush on when you are too hungry to make yourself beautiful?

I felt so hot when he stood so close to me, and I couldn't stop feeling conscious. Jack's proximity made me feel something I had never felt before, and I wanted to say yes to his proposal, but I didn't want to embarrass myself.

I have to get out of the master's bedroom before I do something I might regret later on. I avoided his gaze and got out quickly, and made a beeline to my room. I let out a heavy sigh after I close my door.

I was wondering what was going on with my heart. It was racing like I had been running for miles, and I hate to admit this is all because of the hot chef who invaded my privacy.

I smiled as I walked towards my bed and collapsed on the soft mattress while giggling like a child. I couldn't stop thinking about his penetrating gaze that would make me feel like jelly.

I didn't realize I had dozed off, and when I woke up, I was groping on my bed since it was dark already. I used my phone's flashlight to light my room; my feet still hurt from walking this morning.

I felt glad Jack showed up, or else I didn't know where to get something to eat, but I hate that I am starving again. I could feel the grumbling in my stomach; I needed to ask Jack for the payment for his stay, but I couldn't do it; it was only a tiny amount of money, and he might think I was broke if I asked for the payment tonight.

I have to wait until tomorrow morning, but I hope Jack will knock on my door and hand me the money. I couldn't believe I would experience something like this, which was humiliating.

At least I have money for the coming days, enough to buy some food until I will find a decent job to pay the bills and to buy food.

I switched on the light and made my way to the bathroom; I lazily took off my dress and turned on the water, and let it flow on the bathtub. I could tell I needed a luxurious bath to take away the foreign feeling which is trying to ruin my sanity.

I got inside the tub, and after adjusting the temperature to my liking, I could smell the aroma of lavender that soothed my nerves, and I lay and positioned my head by leaning on the opposite side of the tub from the tap.

I tried my best to shut off my head, but I couldn't stop thinking about Jack and thinking what he was doing right now. His mysterious smile brings tingles to my core, and I love how he speaks and even when he walks. He is damn hot and handsome, and he is still the same man I had a crush on a long time ago; he was the only guy who made me feel this way.

After thirty minutes of pampering myself on the tub, I rinsed off my body and got out of the bathroom. It took me a while to decide what dress to wear, and I didn't want Jack to think I dressed up for him. I chose to wear simple walking shorts and a white Versace t-shirt with logo text printed on the front.

I wanted to look simple in his eyes since it felt like Jack loved how I looked now compared to the last time we saw each other. He never looked at me before with interest. I don't know if I was right, but it seemed like he was interested in getting to know me.

What the hell am I thinking? I planned to kick him out in the morning, yet I was trying to make him like me; I wished to impress Jack Morigan, and it scared me. I should stop my craziness before I will further embarrassed and hurt myself.

I got out of my room hurriedly, and I smiled when I smelled the aroma of delicious food wafting in the air coming from the kitchen, and I knew Jack was cooking; I was wondering where did he get the ingredients unless he went to the town capital.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw my guest facing the stove, and he looked so sexy even if his back was on me; I needed to lean on the wall to control the rapid beating of my heart. He was so lost in his own world that he didn't even notice I was watching him.

"Wow! You are really something, Jack Morigan," I said, and he chuckled.

"Why, Ms. Divenson?" He asked as he turned around with a seductive smile plastered all over his handsome face that I could feel my heart skip a beat.

"Well, I didn't expect you would really cook something for dinner," I responded, and his smile widened.

"I am a man with a word of honor, Ms. Divenson, and I never make a promise I will not fulfill." He said as he looked at me, and when his eyes lingered on my lips; I couldn't stop blushing as I tried to avert his gaze.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"I will tell you later; for now, I want you to sit down and relax," he replied before he turned around and continued what he was doing while I watched him with amusement on my face.

I admit I was a spoiled brat, but there were moments in my life I wanted to learn things like cooking or baking or to do household chores, but I didn't want my friends to laugh at me since, for them, only the household staff would do things like that; and we got more than a dozen of helpers in our mansion.

I thought my friends were right, but I realized there were things more to wealth and being famous. I never realized I would be desperate to look for a job to survive in this place I hate the most.

I watched Jack set the table while my mouth watered as I looked at the steak with a garnish of minced garlic, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. He also prepared a side dish of scalloped potatoes, and what made our dinner special was a bottle of red wine on a bucket filled with ice cubes.

"Where did you get the ingredients?" I asked as he sat down across from me.

"I had my ways, Ms. Divenson." He responded as he looked at me with seriousness.

"Come on, Jack, please, stop addressing me by using my family name," I said, and he smirked at me.

"You were the one who addressed me with my family name first, and I thought you wanted me to call you in the same manner." He replied.

"Okay, from now on, we should call each other on a first-name basis," I declared, and he smiled as he nodded his head.

"That is fine with me, Charlotte," he responded, and I hated that I loved how he pronounced my name.

"Are you going to deduct my dinner from the payment of your stay?" I asked in the middle of our dinner, and he laughed.

"Of course not; I told you if you will allow me to stay for the night, I will cook you a sumptuous meal; this is my way of expressing my gratitude to you for allowing me to stay and use the master bedroom." He responded.

"I hope you will reconsider my proposal," he added, and I shook my head.

"One night would be enough, Jack," I answered, and his face fell, and I hated that even if he looked sad, he still looked so adorable.

Jack was silent as he continued eating his dinner, while I felt guilty, but I would never let him stay here in our house since I still have my pride. I didn't want him to know what was going on with my life; I couldn't deny I had feelings for him until now, and the last thing I wanted from Jack was his pity.

"If I can't change your mind, could you at least think it over tonight?" He asked as he poured wine into the wine glass.

"No, I won't change my mind," I answered without hesitation.

"Okay, I can't force you, but I wanted to make this night memorable. Would you join me in the swimming pool later?" He asked as he looked me in the eyes.

"Please?" He added when I didn't answer him.

"I don't know, and I am busy, Jack," I lied.

"Come on, Charlotte, I know why you are here in Barcelonia," he said, and I suddenly felt nervous.

"You came here to relax, so you better enjoy yourself too. Aside from being a chef, I can give you a nice body massage." He added.

My face turned bright red; I couldn't imagine how it would feel to have Jack's hands all over my body; just one look coming from him had already made my body on fire, and I wondered how I was going to control myself if he touched me.