Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

I know it was a hell of an adventure to be with Captain Noah and Karen, and I am beginning to get attached to them. As we sailed on the water, we ate only a little food and drank little water, and I know we only had a limited supply, and I could tell they were afraid we would starve, but I felt so guilty that they ate less because of me. They both wanted me to have more portions of food and water because, as per Karen, I needed more food for the baby.

"Guys, you don't need to do this; you can share the food equally," I said to them, and they both smiled at me that warmed my heart.

"Maddie, we are used to this kind of situation, and we don't want your baby to be malnourished." Captain Noah said after he finished eating his meal while I felt hesitant to open my mouth and take another food into my mouth. And I wonder how Karen managed to get food supplies.

After forty-eight hours, a fishing boat rescued us, and I felt so happy when we had a sumptuous meal after a while. This time I eat my food heartily because I don't need to feel guilty because there are so many fishes the fishermen caught, and it feels so wonderful to eat the fish fresh from the water, and we have grilled tuna fish tonight that made my mouth water. We didn't have enough sleep for twenty-four hours. Now the captain of the fishing, the boat was kind-hearted enough to let Karen and me use his cabin so we could sleep comfortably, and I can tell I sleep like a baby, and when I woke up, I felt so happy when Karen told me we are near the port of Choraz. We walked together to the bridge, and the captain smiled at us right away.

"It seems your wife has a wonderful sleep now since she no longer looked pale." The captain said as he looked at me, and I couldn't stop myself from blushing as I internalized what he had said. I realized Captain Noah still used the same story, and I could tell this was his way of protecting me, and I smiled and looked at him the moment he came closer to me and held my hand while his other hand touched and caressed my face.

"Did you have a good night's sleep, honey?" He asked, and I nodded my head, and I was trying to contain my laughter because he sounded so adorable when he called me honey.

"Thank you, Captain, for allowing Karen and me to sleep in your cabin. I had a wonderful sleep, and it feels so good to have a beautiful rest after a long while." I replied.

"You are welcome, Maddie. It must be hard on your part since you were pregnant." He replied.

"Yes, but my husband always sees to it that I am comfortable even if we are in a very delicate situation, and I felt so glad we could escape from the pirate ship; it was a terrifying thing I ever experienced. Still, I can't deny it was fun." I replied, and the captain beamed at me, and then we fell silent as we watched the peaceful water.

We said thanks and bid farewell to the captain and his crew the moment we docked at the port, and I could tell right away the fantastic way of living of the citizens of Choraz.

They said Choraz maintained its old way of living. And it was known only the wealthy family living in this place has the privilege to use and enjoy technology like electricity and other means of living. But I realized it was all a lie because what I see before me is a place where technology is present. Maybe I forgot to read more about Choraz. Perhaps they happen to have a leader who welcomed technology in a different light. That is why as I looked at the port, it has no difference in Archois.

I was fidgeting while we waited for Captain Noah's client, and he found it hard to reach his contact because he didn't have a phone or money to buy one, which cost a fortune.

I felt so thankful when the fishing boat captain came down from his boat and joined us. Captain Noah asked him if he had a mobile phone he could use, and I released a sigh of relief when he handed him an analog cellphone. We don't need to search the internet since Noah only needs to call his client.

Once again, we say thank you to the fishing boat captain, and we walked out from the port to meet the person who will bring Captain Noah the full payment and the one who will take me to the place of my supposed uncle.

"Madeline, I am sorry, I want to take you with us, but I can't risk it. I know I will put myself and Karen's life in danger the moment I help you. Besides, this is our way of living, I will only transport the goods, but I don't have any right to interfere." Captain Noah said as I waited for the person who would fetch me.

"Hey, it is okay, I understand. At least you both helped me and protected me from all harm. I will never forget both of you. And I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. It was an exciting journey, and I never thought I would reach this place in one piece. I owe you my life, and I know we will meet again someday, and I hope I can escape from this place soon, but for now, I have to enjoy the moment." I said, and I knew I should keep my nervousness at bay. Karen smiled at me, and I knew she told me not to worry because she would find a way to help me. And I know Karen is my only hope to flee from this place.

"I hope you will have a comfortable life here in Choraz," Karen said, and I smiled at her.

"Me too," I answered back, and I saw a carriage coming into our way, and I was shocked when it stopped in front of us. The coachman climbed down and opened the carriage, and a gentleman wearing a black suit came out from the carriage, and he looked so regal, yet I could feel beneath his formal clothing was a man who was hiding a dark secret.

"Captain Noah, I am the Butler of her uncle; thank you for delivering Ms. Brownwood to us." He said and looked at me for a long time, and I could tell he was sizing me up.

"May I know your name?" He asked, and the man shook his head.

"No need for that, Captain. It is enough that I know your name." He said, and I could tell Captain Noah was looking at him intently.

"You are not Mr. Rogers, aren't you?" Captain Noah asked, and before the captain could answer him, black cars came and stopped in front of us. Gentlemen wearing black suits who had the same emblem on their coat pockets to the man who was talking to us came to his side immediately, and I could tell they were his bodyguards, and I wondered why he was riding a carriage where he could ride on a car.

"You can count the money inside the carriage, Captain Noah." The butler said as he handed Captain Noah an attached case, and without saying a word, he accepted the briefcase and got inside the carriage while the butler was looking at me from head to toe. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, but I could tell he was harmless even if bodyguards surrounded him.

"Thank you, Butler, you didn't tell me your name, but I think the most suitable name for you is Mr. Butler." Captain Noah said.

"We heard what happened to your boat, Captain Noah, and my employer was generous enough to buy you a new ship as a way of thanking you for delivering his niece. Just stay at Choraz Hotel for the time being, and I will meet you again after two days to take you to your new boat." The Butler said, and I wondered who his employer was willing to spend a tremendous amount of money for my sake. I don't think Kaye's family will do this to get rid of me. She could have killed me right away than spent millions. The Butler helped me get inside the carriage after I said goodbye to my new friends.

"Welcome to Choraz, Lady Madeline." He said, and I looked at him.

"Who are you? If you plan to kill me later, you better kill me now." I coldly said while I was looking outside over the carriage window, and I heard him chuckle, and I turned my head to look at him, and I could see the amusement on his face.

"Do you think we are going to kill you after everything we have done to intervene and save you from your abductor?" He said, and I raised my eyes at him.

"Don't be so surprised, Madeline. I said your uncle was waiting for you, but I was lying. Mr. Grant was waiting for you at his castle." He said, and my entire body turned so cold as I realized who this person could be, and I am getting more confused as of the moment.

"Yes, my dear, your grandfather is excited to see you now, knowing he is going to be a great-grandfather." He declared, and my eyes widened.

"For how many times I told him to reach out to Frank, but he was adamant about his decision. Your father ran away from home when he was a teenager and changed his family name, which made Mr. Grant so furious with your dad. You are a Grant by birth, Madeline. I will tell you everything later and don't worry, and you are going to talk with your husband soon." He said, and everything he said has lost its meaning, and only his last words matter because I can't wait to hear Hunter's voice.. I couldn't stop my tears from falling as I realized I was safe, and even if this grandfather he was talking about was fake or not, as long as I can speak with my husband and inform him where I am, everything will be alright.