Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

I got out of my classroom in haste because I want to go home immediately when I felt my smartphone vibrated on my bag, and I fished it out before I get inside my car and I smile when I saw Jack's name on the screen.

"Hello, Jack!" I answered excitedly.

"Where are you?" He asked, and I can tell by his voice that he was smiling on the other line.

"I am still on the campus." I replied.

"Good, can you drop by at my restaurant?" He inquired.

"In Magnolia? It was too far away, Jack, and it is almost nighttime." I replied.

"Nope, I have a new place here in Archois City, and I am sorry if I didn't inform you ahead of time; today is my opening, and I should have called you in advance." He said, and I am surprised that he build his restaurant here in the city; and I know it was his dream to have a restaurant of his own, and I felt so happy for him.

"It is okay, Jack, and I won't miss it; I will come to your restaurant even if I am late," I replied, and I said my goodbye to Jack after I asked him the address of his place. I called a flower shop to deliver some flowers, and I am just glad I found one who can prepare the flowers with free delivery in less than an hour. I plan to come home early, but I know my husband will come home late, and sometimes he will be out of the country without informing me in advance, and usually, it would be Cal who would tell me where they are.

I drive to Jack's restaurant with a smile on my face, and I am excited for his entire family. And I called Gina, and I can tell by the sound of her voice that she was a little hurt that Jack didn't invite her.

"Come on, Gina, Jack invited me less than an hour ago; where are you?" I asked her, and she told me she was on duty to one of her part-time jobs.

"Are you almost done? I will pick you up." I said to her, and I heard her let out a soft sigh.

"I want to come with you, Madeline, but I can't get out from here because I don't have a reliever. Tell Jack congratulations, and I am so happy for him that he made his dream come true, and I am sure he will become a well-known chef in the city of Archois." She declared, and I agree with her because I know Jack is an excellent chef.

"Okay, I will; we can visit his restaurant when you are free. Just tell me when." I said and ended the call.

When I arrived at the restaurant, it was full, and I was trying my best to find a table where I can sit and order food when I saw a familiar face smiling at me.

"Madeline! Thank you so much for coming." Lianne welcomed me with a wide grin on her face, and she brought me to the far side of the restaurant, and I realized they reserved a seat for me. The restaurant is cozy, and it has a similar concept to the Friendly diner but more upgraded.

"Do you work for your brother?" I asked when I noticed the notepad and ballpen on her hands.

"No, but I need to help because we did not expect to be overwhelmed by many customers, and I don't have a choice but to help; even mom is in the kitchen helping my brother to catch up with the orders." She said, and I stand up, and I want to come with Lianne to take orders and deliver the food.

"I am ready to help." I said.

"Please get back to your seat, Maddie; you are my brother's special guest, so don't bother, okay?" She declared as she pulled me back to sit down on the wooden chair with an elegant decorative chair slipcover.

"I didn't order any menu, but I am shocked when Jack brings me a steamed seafood platter, and I realized I am starving the moment I saw the lobster.

"Hi, Jack, congratulations!" I stand up, and I gave him a comforting hug, and I felt shocked when he pulled me closer to him, and he tightened his arms around my waist, and I suddenly felt warm because I am conscious if someone might see us, and I felt relieved when he released me from his embrace.

"Thank you, Maddie; I am still busy in the kitchen, and I will go back to you later, and I hope you will stay longer, enjoy your meal, Madeline." He said, and he gave me his signature sweet smile that can melt any woman's heart, and how I wish I meet Jack before I encounter Hunter Divenson. My husband imprisoned my heart, and every time I think about the secret room, I can't stop myself from feeling hurt. I tried to calm my emotions and focus my attention on the mouthwatering food in front of me.

I felt so happy when I devour the food, and I can taste the tenderness of the lobster meat. I wish Gina was with me because it would be nice to eat with a companion, and I realized it had been a long while now that I have been eating alone at our long table at home because my husband is always not around, and I think he did it on purpose, so we will not see each other. He wants to avoid me at all costs, and I wonder why he has to do this to me. 

I finished my meal with a happy stomach, and when I looked around, I can tell the customers are starting to leave the restaurant, and I am so excited for Jack because his opening was a success.

When the last customers walked out of the door, the Morigans came to me, and I am so happy to see all of them; Lydia hugged me and kissed my cheeks. We talked, and they informed me that Jack bought a condo unit in the city, so they will not go home to Magnolia Village at this hour, and I promise to visit again if I have time. We talked, and I am laughing, and I realized I haven't laughed since we moved out from the Divenson mansion, and I realized how I wish to be with them and forget that I married the man who has the coldest heart of all time.

I said goodbye to the Morigans, and I insisted on going to my car alone since I know they still need to clean the area, and my steps faltered when I found Clark Divenson on the parking lot, and he was leaning on my car.

"Madeline, you are a married woman, and you came to this restaurant without your husband? What kind of wife are you?" He asked, and I am lost for words because of my shock, and I couldn't believe I will meet him here at Jack's restaurant.

"What is your relationship with the owner of this restaurant, Madeline?" He asked in an angry voice.

"Jack Morigan is my close friend, and he even attended during our wedding ceremony." I replied, and I tried my best to hide my nervousness and fears.

"Really? I have seen you two get comfortable with each other, and I am sure you were like Rebecca too." He said, and his statement made me confused.

"Don't look so stunned, Madeline because I know your type, and you are no different from Rebecca. She tried to use Hunter to climb the social ladder of society, but I am just glad I found out the truth before they can get married, but I hate that her memories almost wreck my son, and I know until now her recollections still haunt Hunter." He continued.

"Now, tell me what you want, Madeline, or shall I rephrase my words? How much do you want so you will stay away from my son?" He asked, and I am astounded by his question, and I suddenly felt angry.

"Mr. Divenson, I married your son because I love him and not because of his money." I said as I tried my best to keep myself calm while I can feel the shaking of my entire frame.

"Really? Do you think you can fool me, Madeline? I knew that my son paid all your aunt's debt. Now, if you didn't marry my son for his money, how can you explain that circumstance to me?" He asked, and I became speechless, and how can I tell him that I was innocent when I know he will never believe in everything that I will say. 

"See, Madeline? I want your husband to marry Kaye, but because of you, it didn't happen, and now you were the reason Hunter moved out from the Divenson mansion." He said, and I can see the anger in his eyes.

"I am warning you, Madeline, you should leave my son before something awful will happen to you. I will give you enough time to leave Hunter, and if you continue to be stubborn, then I don't have a choice, but I will do it my way. And don't blame me that I didn't warn you. Think about it, Madeline.." He said and turned his heels away from me, and I leaned against my car because I felt so weak, and I needed some air to breathe because Hunter's father made me breathless with fear, and it made me realized that there is no doubt Clark Divenson has something to do about Rebecca's death.