Loving Madeline



Charlotte's POV

I found it hard to sleep since I felt excited about my own business, but I knew it was because of Jack. He will be coming tomorrow, and he will be staying here in the manor with me. I don't have any idea what I am doing, but I am sure Cecily would help me.

The sound of my alarm clock woke me up, and I felt too tired to get up because of my lack of sleep, but I didn't want Jack to find me sleeping when he arrived. I want to show him that I am ready to start with our business.

He promised to help me with everything. I am excited about our partnership, but I don't want to see him flirting with Cecily, and I hope he will not fall for her. But it would be impossible; Cecily is beautiful and hot.

"Good morning!" Jack greeted me with a beautiful smile, and I felt like a stone as I stared at him, looking so handsome with his rugged jeans and plain white t-shirt.

"Can I get inside now, or do you still want to scrutinize me?" He asked, still smiling at me, and I had to look away from him. I felt so embarrassed as I opened the door for him. I remained silent as he got inside.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked when I didn't say anything.

"Yes, everything is fine. I didn't sleep well last night, and I don't feel good." I replied, and he looked at me with concern.

"Just show me my room, and you can return to bed. I will wake you up when breakfast is ready. I will cook for us, and I brought some

ingredients." He answered.

"You don't need to do that, Jack. I am okay," I responded.

"I am cooking for both of us," he insisted, and I fell silent and led him to his room.

"Wow! I didn't expect you would give me a fancy room." I declared after we got inside my assigned room.

"All the rooms in this house are spacious and elegant," I replied, and he beamed at me.

"Of course, this is one of the Divenson properties," I responded as I watched her draw the curtain of the glass window of my room to allow the sunlight to brighten up my new space.

I could see the Bermuda grass that needed mowing, and I had to contact some

of the household staff, including the gardeners. If she wants to make this place a sensation to our future guests, everything should be perfect.

I knew Cecily would handle the registrations and all the government documents. I don't want a business without papers; paying penalties would be a pain, and I don't want to worry about those things.

"Thank you, princess. You should get back to your room and have a sleep. I will knock on your door when breakfast is ready." Jack said, and my face blushed. I knew how much I hated it every time he called me princess, but why couldn't I stop from having butterflies in my stomach?

"Can you make it good for three? I asked Cecily to come as early as possible." I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh, she didn't tell me, but it would be more awesome if she joined us for breakfast," Jack responded. My face fell, but I tried to give him one of my sweetest smiles.

"Thank you," I sheepishly answered, walked out of his room, went straight to my room, and collapsed into the bed, sighing.

After ten minutes, I gathered all my strength to get up from the soft bed and proceeded to the bathroom to take a shower. Jack was in my kitchen preparing breakfast, and it made me feel excited.

I was listening to my playlist on my phone as I put on my dress, and I was singing along with the artist. I never felt this happy, but when I thought about what Cecily said, it made me grimace.

I was on my way to help Jack when I met him in the hallway, looking so fresh and hot, even if he was cooking in the kitchen. I felt conscious when I found him checking me out, and I wasn't wearing a mini dress without makeup since it was damn early.

"You are ready," Jack softly said as he ceased walking and stood before me.

"Of course, I don't want you to remind me I needed to wake up and get ready," I responded, and he chuckled.

"Breakfast is ready," He said as he stared at my face with great intensity, and made my knees feel weak.

"You don't need to do that, Jack. I can take care of myself." I responded since I felt too conscious.

"Well, that is part of our bargain. I stay here, and in return, I will cook for you and our guests. I need one or two assistants the moment we start accepting guests. But rest assured, I will be the one to cook for you unless there are some emergencies that I need to deal with," He answered.

I hated that I was so lost in his eyes that I didn't know how to respond to him, and I felt glad my phone chimed, and I smiled when I saw Cecily's text.

"Cecily is here," I said as I stared at my phone, for I was so afraid to find him still staring at me, and I couldn't stop throwing myself at him.

"Oh, I will open the door for her; you should go straight to the dining hall," Jack responded, and my face turned sour as I continued walking without saying anything.

"Hey, good morning, handsome!" Cecily greeted Jack with too much enthusiasm, and I knew she was doing all this to flirt with him, and I couldn't stop from feeling jealous.

"Good morning, Cecily!" He responded, and they walked towards the dining hall, chatting while I was walking lazily ahead of them. I don't want them to think I was trying to listen to their conversation.

Jack couldn't stop smiling, and when they reached the dining room, I was sitting on the dining chair, frowning.

"Hey, good morning!" Cecily greeted me, and I tried my best to fake a smile as I raised my head and looked at them. And it pierced me to my core that they looked so great together.

"Good morning, Cil; thank you so much for coming," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Of course, I felt so happy when I woke up this morning; I couldn't wait to join you. I have so many things on my mind that I wanted to talk with you two. And having the hot chef around inspired me more to work harder." Cecily responded, and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming.

My face turned redder, and I couldn't believe I would be this jealous. And Jack was watching Cecily with a wide grin on his face, and I wanted to throw hot water on his face.

"I don't know what to say," Jack mumbled, looking at her.

"You don't need to say anything, Jack. I am just happy that you are here with us, and I can see you every day." She said with a wink, and I tried my best not to choke my newly found friend.

"I think we should eat now since there are so many things I need to discuss with you today; we need to double time if we have our soft opening in less than a month," Jack replied as he handed me my coffee.

"Thank you," I softly said.

"You are welcome," He responded, and I blushed when I felt his hand brush my skin.

"I missed your cooking, Jack," Cecily declared, and I coughed. I couldn't believe she won't stop flirting with Jack.

"Oh, really? I am delighted that you enjoyed eating the food I prepared for you." The hot chef responded while I was trying to finish eating my food without choking.

"Of course, you are a great chef, Jack. You really exceeded my expectations, and I told you my mom loved your show, and every woman in our neighborhood adores you." Cecily responded as she looked at him, and Jack smiled at her, which brought pain to my heart. I could have said yes when Cecily asked me

if I liked Jack.

I remained quiet as we continued eating breakfast. I helped Cecily clean the table while Jack opened his laptop and opened the file where he saved the list of things to be done and the menus he planned to present to us.

"Are you two ready? I want to discuss what we should do to complete the work faster." He said after we finished washing the dishes.

"Sure," we both answered. Cecily was smiling at Jack while I was avoiding his gaze.

I want him to look at me with the kind of longing I had seen before, but I must be patient. I am not on the right track; business comes first, and when everything is in place, I will flirt with him if I have to, but for now, I need to control myself since I have to uphold my reputation.

It wasn't my forte to chase a man, but with Jack Morigan, I don't know if I could control myself; he was like a magnet that I couldn't stop myself from getting closer to him. I longed for his kisses and touch, and I hated that I needed to compete with Cecily.

I liked her a lot and considered her my new best friend, and we should not fight each other because of a man. But I hate to admit that Jack is worth fighting for, and I am losing my mind.