Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV

Jack had been long gone, and I felt frustrated as I heard his truck drive away from our manor. I was clenching my fist as I held my phone tighter. I tried calling Lucia, but her phone was out of coverage.

I looked tough and brave in front of Jack, but after I realized my life could be in danger, I ran towards the main entrance of our house; just in time, I saw the tail lights of his car fading away as he got out of the archway of our estate.

"You are such a fool, Charlotte, he came and begged you, but your damn pride was making you miserable," I said to myself after ensuring the main door was locked. I double-checked even the back door.

I was living alone in this big house, and robbers were the least of my concern, but they could harm me; worst, they would kidnap me and ask for ransom from my family.

My body trembled as I realized I was in danger; if what Jack had told me was true, I was sure the kidnappers would kill me if they found out my family didn't care about me at all. I am sure I made my entire family hate me for siding with my father.

I knew my mom loved me, and my sister Lily adored me, but after what happened to Parker and dad, I couldn't blame them if they told anyone I was not part of the Divenson family anymore. I am grateful Hunter didn't force me to leave this place.

I hated Hunter for cutting me off with everything, but I deserved all this; I wanted to prove to my elder brother that I could be someone he could be proud of someday, but thinking of ways how to do it made my face fall; there is no way I can be someone aside being a Divenson.

I am proud to call myself. I am now an independent woman, but I can't deny I am the loneliest human being on earth. I don't have a family I can call and talk with, not even friends I can rely on. There is no one I can share all my frustrations in life and the secret I have right now.

I don't even have a boyfriend who can be here to cheer me up and would tell me everything will be alright. The household staff left me since I could no longer pay for their services, and I realized there was only one person who was bold enough to ask me to rent one of the manor's rooms, but why, of all people around the world, it has to be Jack Morigan?

It could be someone who didn't know me, someone who was not as hot and handsome as Jack. There is too much at stake If I will allow him to stay with me. He would find out about my real deal now.

And what made me more worried was my attraction to him. Even if I became an outcast in our family, I am still Charlotte Divenson, the eldest daughter of my parents, who used to be the center of attention of elite families.

I was once the envy of most girls in our society, and I have to bear in mind I could never have Jack as my boyfriend; I couldn't lose my pride in him no matter how I wished to taste his lips again and to be in his arms.

I must be crazy for thinking about Jack this way, and he is so out of my league; there is no way I would lower my standard because of him. But why is he the only one I can think of at this very moment when I lost all my hopes? Also, I am so scared that something might happen to me.

I hurriedly walked towards the kitchen and looked in the trash bin, where I crumpled and threw the paper where Jack put his phone number; there was no one I could ask for help but him.

I don't care where he is staying; all I need is company only for tonight; I promise myself on the next day, I should learn to control my fears and find ways to calm myself.

I felt relieved I found his number, and I collapsed on the stool near the kitchen counter. My hands were trembling as I dialed and waited for him to answer.

I didn't care what he was going to call me after I contacted him, even after I told him I didn't need his presence and I didn't need him in my life, but this is a matter of life and death; I needed his help to get through the night.

"Hello," he answered after so many rings that I almost ended my call. I hate to think why even his voice sounded so perfect in my ear that I couldn't stop visualizing his handsome face. He stated, and I could feel he was unhappy, but I felt glad he still took my call.

"Jack, this is Charlotte," I said after a moment of silence since it felt like I had lost my ability to speak.

"Yes, Ms. Divenson, what can I do for you?" He asked, and I could feel my face turn bright red. I don't know why talking with him, even over the phone, would make me blush; I don't like how I felt towards him, but I couldn't control myself.

"Ms. Divenson, are you okay? Are you still there?" He asked when I became speechless again.

"Yeah, I am still here," I softly mumbled.

"What do you want? I know you are not the type of person who would call me at night without a purpose." He responded coldly, and I felt a little hurt.

"Do you change your mind? Do you take my offer?" He asked.

"No, I am not changing my mind; I only made sure you gave me a legit phone number, that is all, Jack. Goodbye," I replied with sarcasm and ended the call before I made myself look like a fool.

I knew he must be laughing at me now. I shouldn't have called him. Jack would think I was interested in him for calling him at this hour. My phone rang, and I almost threw it when I saw his name appear on my screen.

I ignored his calls, and after five missed calls, I felt glad he stopped calling. I gathered all my strength and walked towards my room gracefully, pretending I was not afraid of anything, even if I felt like screaming.

Our manor got many rooms, and I felt so scared since I only lit some hallways lights because of my idea of saving some electricity. When I reached the first step of the staircase, I ran and took two steps at a time.

The sounds of nocturnal animals outside made me feel more scared that I jumped into my bed after I locked my door and covered myself with the blanket.

I tried my best to fall asleep, but I could hear the clock ticking on the wall reminding me that I was still wide awake. I could feel the pain in my back and shoulders when I woke up the following morning because of my lack of sleep.

I am still proud that I made it through the morning, survived, and can do it; I am Charlotte Divenson. I feared no one, and I was not afraid of anything. I knew I was only fooling myself, but I realized I'd got no one, and the only way to survive was to look tough and strong; then, I would be okay.

I boiled two eggs, and I whipped some butter in the wheat bread before I put them

on the toaster. I was enjoying my breakfast alone for the first time.

I left the house after I checked myself in the mirror. The below-the-knee length dress with a black blazer made me look like I was applying for a job. I browse resume samples on the web, and I found it easy to make my own.

It was perfect, and I knew I wasn't good with writing, but I could tell someone would hire me today. I was in high spirits as I walked out of the house. I already found some

job hirings on the internet, but I believed applying in person would do me good.

They would be impressed with my looks and hire me immediately. I was yelling as I neared the bus stop hoping the driver would hear me, but I wasn't lucky. I didn't catch the bus and needed to wait for the next one.

I didn't want to deal with the town's people who were sitting in the waiting shed, and I opted to stay away from them as possible.

"Hi," I heard a sweet female voice, and when I raised my head, I found a beautiful lady standing in front of me, and she had a contagious smile that I couldn't stop smiling back at her.

"Hey," I answered back since I am not good at talking with strangers.

"I could tell you are new in this neighborhood since this is my first time seeing you here." She said, still smiling at me.

"Yeah," I responded.

"My name is Cecily," she introduced herself as she handed her hand to me, and I slowly took her warm hand and shook her hand.

"I am Charlotte," I responded, and her smile widened.

"Welcome to Barcelonia, Charlotte; it is nice to see a new face and not to mention a beautiful one. I hope we can be friends, and I look forward to meeting you again." She declared.

"Of course, I would love to," I answered.

I felt so happy that I had met someone and thought maybe Cecily could be my first real friend aside from Lucia since Lucia was one of my maids, and my idea of going to town was not a waste. I giggled when my newfound friend dragged my hand and pulled me with her toward the bus stop.

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