บท 21: Magnolia Village
Madeline's POV
I reread the note on my hands, and I smiled as I scanned Tony's handwriting. He gave me the letter after I met Gina, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I realized he had written down the name of his sister and her complete address, including the name of the diner. His nephew is Jack, while his niece is named Lianne.
I felt excited since I always wanted to work serving customers because the tip is always a bonus. I hope they will accept me and will allow me to work immediately.
What made me more shocked was when I saw on the last page of his note telling me his sister, Lydia Morigan, would pick me up at the train station.
I happily admired the beautiful scenery that the train passed by, and I have never traveled far away from the city since my mom couldn't afford to have a vacation. When I was in my aunt's house, it became more challenging for me to have leisure because it was when my mother got sick.
It was always my dream to have a beach resort vacation, enjoying the sun's heat and running barefoot on the sand. Gina always invites me to come with her every time they have summer vacation on the beach, but I always decline since I can't afford to waste one day without work.
Now that I am alone and enjoying my freedom, I may enjoy my stay in Magnolia; it feels like I have my first vacation. I don't want to think about Hunter anymore, but it is hard not to think about him because he is the only man I feel this way.
I never knew what love meant until the night I first laid my eyes on him. And I hate myself thinking about the kisses we shared. I wish we met in a different situation wherein he could be mine.
I know I am dreaming too much. Hunter is famous among the most successful people in the business industry in the entire country, while I am just a nobody. The worst part is that I am just simply a debt repayment.
The train passed the last town before my stop, and I felt nervous and thrilled. The moment the train stops at the station of Magnolia, I carry my backpack and disembark the train with new hope that everything will be alright.
Many tourists got off the train, and I felt like I was also a tourist, but I couldn't stop feeling sad thinking I was not a tourist. I am in this place because I run away from the man I love, and I need to start a new life.
"Excuse me, are you Madeline?" A beautiful woman asked before me, and she was undoubtedly Tony's sister because of her undeniable resemblance to his brother.
"Lydia?" I asked, smiling at her.
"Yes, and I am glad to meet you, Madeline." She said while she extended her hand to me.
I was not mistaken; Tony's sister is like him and has a good heart; we only met today, but I can feel it in my core that I like her. It feels like I have known her for a long time, and I can tell she is only younger than Tony by two years.
"Nice to meet you too, Lydia," I replied.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Madeline, and knowing that my brother personally asked me to hire you, I am excited to work with you. It was unexpected that I would lose some of my employees during this season, but you know, things like that could happen. I didn't expect Tony to find a replacement in an instant, knowing I just texted him last night." She said.
"Well, I need this job," I said.
"He told me you are Frank's daughter, but no offense, I couldn't believe Frank would have a daughter as beautiful as you." She said, and I remember Tony's same statement, and it made me curious why they both said they couldn't believe I was my father's daughter.
"Thank you," I uttered.
"I think we need to go now. You must be starving. I am just glad it is summer; my son and daughter are helping me in the diner, and they will be happy to meet you." Lydia declared, and I smiled as I walked behind her in going to the parking lot.
"Get in, Madeline." She motioned me to get inside her pickup truck, and I quickly opened the passenger's door and sat on the front seat.
Magnolia Village is beautiful, and I fell in love with the place. There are trees on the road's side, and I can see beautiful summer flowers planted on the flower beds at the center of the road.
I saw a beautiful park with beautiful landscaping, and I want to go there one of these days during my day off, and I will read my favorite book under the shade of the tree.
"I am glad you like our place. I don't need to ask you since I can tell by your facial expressions that you love Magnolia." She declared.
"Yes, your place is lovely, and I like it here. Magnolia Village has less traffic and lesser pollution, and it seemed the people are friendlier," I replied.
"Yes, that is why I never leave this place, even though my siblings are already enjoying their life in the city. For me, this is the place where I belong, and I want to stay here until the day I die." She responded as she glanced my way before she returned her attention to the road.
"Well, I know Archois City is lovely, Maddie. Still, it is very chaotic for me, and it seems like I can't keep up with its development. That is why I stayed here, and the diner is my father's legacy to us." Lydia said.
"None of my siblings are interested in running the place except me. So, the ancestral home was left for me by my parents, and by the time I got married, my father passed down the diner to me before he died." She added, and I am happy that Lydia told me about the diner's history where I will work from now on.
"We are here; welcome to "The Magnolia's Friendly Diner.", Madeline." She said as she pulled over in front of the establishment.
"Thank you, Lydia, for accepting me here in your diner," I said. I can't stop admiring the native style of the restaurant, and if I were one of the customers, I would love the place because of its beautiful ambiance.
Trees surrounded the diner, which gives the place fresh air. Flowers blossom in the garden in front of the restaurant.
"You are welcome, Maddie." She replies before she climbs out of the car. Lydia motioned me to follow her using the back door of the restaurant. The moment I get inside, I hear my stomach grumble, and she turns around and smiles at me.
"I know you are hungry, Maddie; sit over there, and I will ask Jack to serve you a meal. If you will excuse me, it seems tourists are coming in big groups, and I need to help them out." Lydia said.
"I hate to ask you to work after you eat your meal. You need to start working right away because we need a hand, but don't worry, and you will start working as one of my employees today." She added with an apologetic look on her face.
"Of course, that is why I am here, Lydia. I am excited to work for you," I replied, and she nodded with a smile before she turned her heels and got inside the kitchen.
After Lydia left, I sat on a chair facing the four-seater table. And I am sure the restaurant staff used this area to eat their meal.
I need to familiarize myself with the menu, but I can wash the plates or help in the kitchen for the time being.
Minutes passed, and when I was about to stand up, I was shocked to find a handsome young man carrying a plate striding toward me.
"Hey, I am the chef. Call me Jack, and welcome to the famous Magnolia's Diner, Madeline." He said with a gorgeous jaw-dropping smile, and if Gina is here with me, I am sure she will be drooling over this guy.
Jack looks so hot even if he is wearing a white chef coat with an apron, and I can tell behind those clothes is a toned body. And he smiles with his eyes, a kind of smile that made me feel warm.
"And this is your meal, Ms. Maddie, and it would be so lovely to work with you." He added, and I smiled at him.
I was not sure how to answer him since his presence made me nervous, maybe because of how his eyes were checking out my entire frame, but not in a scary way.
"Thank you, Jack," I replied, and he gave me another killer smile that made me blush, and I wondered why I felt this way. I know I never have time to meet friends because I am constantly busy finding time to work; maybe I feel this way because I am not so used to being friends with the opposite sex
"You are most welcome. Enjoy your meal, Madeline." He stated.
He turned his heels away from me, and my mouth watered as I looked at the steak on my plate. I groaned in delight after I took a bite; it tasted heavenly.
If I were not only in love with Hunter, I am sure I would be crushing Jack Morigan because he is not only handsome but an excellent cook. After I ate my sumptuous meal, Lydia got back to me, and she gave me a uniform.
"I think it fits you since I believe you are the same size and height as my daughter, Lianne." She declared.
"Change your clothes in the changing room and get back to me, okay?" She instructed.
I feel so happy that at least I have a job, and I will also gain a new family. After I receive my first paycheck, I will buy a phone to call Lily, Tony, and Gina to thank them and inform them I am now okay and on my way to start my new life in Magnolia Village.
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