Loving Madeline

Jack's POV

"I am sorry for kissing you unexpectedly, Cel. I knew I should have told you what happened last night, but it was too late. Charlotte suddenly appeared at the kitchen door, and I felt so angry with her that I wanted to teach her a lesson she wouldn't forget," I said after I let go of her.

"Do you think it was worth it?" Cecily asked with concern in her face, and my face fell.

"I don't know, maybe I lost my chance on her, but she was too much," I responded and told her what happened between Charlotte and me after I talked with Hunter.

"Jack, I told you to be patient with her. I don't want to ruin our friendship. I like her, and judging by the expression on her face, she didn't like what she saw," Cecily replied, and I half laughed.

"Are you serious? She wasn't affected at all, and she even told us to continue what we were doing. Charlotte is heartless, Cecily," I declared as I put my hands over the kitchen countertop.

"Yes, I am. She may be good at hiding her real feelings, but I can tell we hurt her." My friend mumbled.

"I knew I gave you the idea of making her jealous by using me, but I saw the pain on her face every time I flirted with you, Jack. Charlotte loves you, and her ego is her greatest enemy." She added, and I wished she was right.

"You have to woe her, Jack," Cecily continued, and I shook my head.

"I confessed to Hunter how I felt for her, but in return, Charlotte accused me of doing something I wouldn't do. I don't think we will work out if she ever gives me a chance." I responded.

"It was her nature, and I knew from the start taming her would be a big challenge for me. I shouldn't have accepted this job in the first place," I added as I picked up the knife and continued slicing the fruits for breakfast.

"Hey, aren't you happy you are here in Barcelonia?" Cecily asked.

"Of course I am," I replied as I gave her a quick glance.

"Don't tell me you are giving up on her?" She asked, and I fell silent since I didn't have the right answer for her.

I served Hunter his breakfast, and he insisted that we should join him. I hated myself that I felt upset that Charlotte didn't eat breakfast with us. She avoided us the whole day, and I am sure she was angry with me. And I don't know if it was because of what happened last night or if she saw me kissing Cecily.

"I will go out tonight with my little sister, don't bother to cook me dinner, Jack. You can relax, buddy." Hunter said as I served him his snack.

"Okay, enjoy Barcelonia," I replied.

"I want to have dinner with Charlotte," he mumbled, and I just nodded my head.

"Hey, is everything alright?" He asked.

"Yes, of course," I quickly replied.

"Are you sure? It seemed like my sister was not in the mood today; she looked disturbed." He declared, and my heart raced as I tensed up.

"I haven't seen her," I replied, and he cocked his head and looked at me with a quizzical look on his face.

"Jack, you must make a move if you want to win her over," he mumbled. And I wanted to tell him I made a wrong move earlier this morning, but I remained silent.

"I am sorry. I have no right to meddle with your personal matters, but we are talking about my sister here, and I guess I have all the right to know what is going on between you." He added as he looked at me in the eyes.

"You looked anxious, too, and you don't need to tell me something is wrong. Your facial expression tells me everything. You just told me last night you liked my sister, and I was expecting you to look happy, but it was the opposite." Hunter declared, and I took a deep breath before I told him everything.

"Hmmm, so Charlotte, don't get discouraged, Jack; if you really love my sister, you need to be more understanding." He said.

"Thank you for your advice, but I think it is better if I stay away from her for the time being and give her enough space that she needs," I responded, and he shook his head.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Jack, but if that is what you want, it is all up to you. I just wished you wouldn't give up on her." He declared, and I opted to remain silent.

Charlotte was able to avoid me for the rest of the day until evening came. I was on my way to my room to shower when I came across her in the hallway, and my stupid heart betrayed me as I looked at her, wearing a strapless knee-length dress with a dangling neckline. And I have to control myself not to come closer to her.

She looked surprised when she found me staring

at her, and she blushed and quickly avoided my gaze. She looked down at her shoes, and I could tell she was as nervous as I was.

Her beauty took my breath away, and I was standing there like a fool, admiring her lovely face and luscious curves. Damn, this woman is driving me crazy.

"You looked so beautiful, Charlotte," I mumbled as I continued to walk.

"Thank you, but Cecily is more beautiful than I am," she replied without looking at me, and I chuckled and stopped walking in front of her.

"Are you jealous of us?" I asked, and she blushed even more.

"What? Are you crazy?" Charlotte asked as she raised her head and looked at me with her eyes blazing with anger.

"Why would I be jealous of you? I don't care if you will be kissing from time to time as long as it will not interfere with your work. I don't give a damn about your personal life." She added before she turned her heels and walked away from me.

I needed to lean on the wall to keep myself from running after her and declare all my love for her. I shook my head as I realized how much I wanted to shut her mouth by kissing her.

"Are you okay, Jack?" Cecily asked after I joined her near the garden. It was a starry night, and the house seemed quiet after Hunter and Charlotte left.

"Yes, I am good," I replied.

"Liar!" She said, and I let out a soft sigh as I sat on the bench beside her.

"She was avoiding me, too, and I don't like to be treated this way because of you. You better fix things before I lose her, Jack." Cecily said.

"I am sorry, Cel, for dragging you into this mess," I replied.

"You need to tell her tonight, Jack." She said, and my eyes widened.

"No, I can't," I responded.

"Then, I will do it for you," Cecily replied, and I became more shocked.

"Please, don't do it, Cel," I asked.

"I can't sleep tonight knowing she was angry with me." She responded.

"You need to tell her that I was not the one you wanted to kiss," she added, and I slowly nodded my head.

"Okay, I will try if she will speak with me," I replied.

"You have to use your charm, or you can kiss her before telling her everything," she said, and I laughed.

"I am sure she will slap me if I do that," I responded.

"You wanna bet?" She asked, and I shook my head.

"No, I don't want to make another game with her. I am tired, Cecily," I said as I looked at the stars above us.

"Then, you must do something and make things right before it would be too late." She replied, and I hate to admit Cecily was right.

"But what if it will go wrong?" I asked, and she smiled at me.

"You are the hottest and most handsome chef in the country. I don't think things will go wrong with a face like that," she replied, and I shook my head.

"Charlotte is immune to my kind, Cecily. Do you think she was affected by my handsomeness? I don't think so; in her eyes, I am just an ordinary guy, Cecily. Besides, she doesn't want someone like me to be her boyfriend because I am not rich." I responded.

"You are so humble, Jack. I knew how loaded you are, and I was even shocked when you agreed to work with Hunter Divenson since you have money and are now considered rich." She replied as she looked at me, and then she fished out her phone from her pocket.

"She came from the elite society, Cel. She suffered financially because her brother wanted her to learn things the hard way, but it doesn't mean she lost her inheritance." I declared.

"The moment she gets all her privileges back, I am sure she will forget me right away, and she will go back to the real world where she belongs, and I will be left with a broken heart," I added.

"Jack, don't be too hard on yourself. I couldn't believe Charlotte would affect you this much; you are the most confident man I have ever met. Don't lose yourself; get a grip." Cecily stated.

"Believe me, Jack, she loves you too, and I am not telling you this to boost your confidence, but as a woman. I knew how she felt for you." She added.

"I need to go now; my brother is here," Cecily added before I could reply. She stood up, and I got up and walked to the front door with her.

I chatted with Mario, and I felt glad to have some friends here in Barcelonia; I knew I was falling in love with this place, and I felt horrified as it dawned on me I was more in love with my lady boss. I couldn't get away with what I felt, and I needed to find the courage to tell Charlotte I wanted her to be my girlfriend.