บท 25: I Miss Madeline

Hunter's POV

"Calixto, it is almost one week since Madeline was gone. I am not going to postpone the wedding. The date of the wedding is fast approaching, and what do you think I am going to tell the Mayor if you can't find Madeline?" I asked my assistant.

"Just tell him you have a runaway fiancee." He said, and I give him a hard stare.

"I am just kidding, Mr. Divenson, don't worry. I now have a lead. Someone saw Madeline at the train station, and I think we will start searching from town to town." He answered.

"You better make it quick, and I want you to ask her best friend to choose the wedding gown for Madeline. We don't have time. We have her body measurements. After Gina will choose the gown for her best friend, instruct the dressmaker to make the dress." I said.

"Noted, Mr. Divenson," Calixto replied. It had been a hell of a week after Madeline's disappearance. I know my parents are worried about me, but they know I still hate them after what happened to Rebecca. I could never forgive myself and my parents for treating Rebecca that way. And I loathe myself that I let them humiliate and give her mental torture. It was my dark past that I don't want to look back, but having Madeline in my life right now is like having Rebecca around, but I made a promise on her grave, and I will stick with it.

"Calixto, you have been working at this company for so long now, you were my father's right hand, and when I assume my dad's position, you were always there to support me. I hope this time you will not disappoint me, and I don't want to fire you, Cal, but if you can't find her within this week, I don't have a choice but to fire you." I said, and Calixto's eyes widened in shock.

"Mr. Divenson, don't you think it is unfair?" He asked me.

"It will never be unfair, Cal, because I am your boss," I said.

"I know, but Ms. Brownwood left because of you. I think you should blame yourself and not me." He replied, and among all my employees, only Calixto can answer me with what is on his mind. The truth is I always consider him as my friend and confidante. He knows my deepest secret, and I know I can trust him. But I got so disappointed that this is the first time he failed his mission.

"Do you want me to fire you, now, Cal?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"Of course not, Mr. Divenson." He replied.

"You better begin your search now, Cal," I said, and he nodded and left my room. Of course, I will not fire Calixto if he can't find Madeline. I want him to double his effort in finding Madeline. I have a hunch that my little sister knew where Madeline is, and Lily won't tell me because she hated me for what I did to Madeline.

"Hello, Gina." I said the moment I meet her at the restaurant's parking, and I know her shift schedule ended at precisely ten o'clock in the evening. Her steps faltered by the time she saw me, and she is blushing again and this time, I know she knows Maddie's whereabouts, but I know she will never tell me, but I still want to try my luck. I got out of the office late because I had finished reviewing some essential documents. I asked Calixto to ask Gina to choose Madeline's gown, but I want to ask her again about Maddie even if I am sure she will deny what she knows.

"Hi, Mr. Divenson." She replied, and I can sense her uneasiness.

"Can I take you to the nearest cafe?" I asked.

"Sure." She replied, and I motioned her to follow me to my car.

"I am sorry, Gina if I disturbed you once again, but I want to ask you a favor?" I asked.

"Sure, Mr. Divenson, as long as it doesn't involve money, because if you are going to borrow money from me, I can't give you anything, " She replied, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Wow, no wonder my best friend fell in love with you. Even your laughter is very sexy." Gina said, and I ceased laughing and looked at her thoughtfully. I know that Maddie was in love with me, but confirming it from her friend has a different effect on me. It warmed my heart and made me feel scared at the same time. I need to marry Madeline, but I should also find ways to stop her from falling for me. I like Gina's honesty, and I wonder what Maddie had told her.

"I want you to choose Madeline's gown Gina; I would like the dressmaker to make it the soonest possible time." I said, and her eyes turned so big.

"Have you find her?" She asked, and I can see the panic on her face.

"Not yet, but I want everything to be ready before we can locate her, and I am confident you know what she likes in a dress since you are her best friend," I said, and she looked relaxed now that she learned I hadn't found Maddie yet.

"Of course, I know what she likes, but are you sure you are going to marry my best friend?" She asked, and I can now tell Gina is the woman version of Calixto. She is not intimidated by me, and she is direct and speaks her mind.

"Yes, and I have never been so sure in my entire life," I said, and she smiled.

"Now, can you tell me where Madeline is?" I asked.

"I am sorry, Mr. Divenson, I don't want to lie to you, I know where she is, but I hope you understand the code of ethics between best friends. I don't care what you will do with me, but I know you are not that type of person. You are not going to force me to tell you where she is, but instead, you are going to use your money and influence to find her." She said.

"Wow! It seems I can never change your mind even if I am going to buy you a brand new car." I said.

"I am sorry, Mr. Divenson, but I love Madeline more than any material thing in this world." She said, and I admire Gina, and I am happy that even though Maddie experienced hardships in life. She found one true friend.

"I am glad Maddie has a true friend she can rely on, and don't worry, Gina, I will not compel you to tell me where she is, and all I ask from you is to choose a wedding dress for her because I am confident I am going to find Madeline soon before our expected wedding date."

"I will do that, Mr. Divenson. And I wish you will make Madeline happy after you marry her." She said, and her words took me off guard, and I don't know how to answer her because I can not guarantee if I can make Madeline happy, but one thing is I am sure I can satisfy her in bed.

"All I can ensure you, Madeline, will never experience hardships again. I will allow her to pursue her dream, and she can take up any course she wants. I will provide her everything that she needs, from money, shoes, bags, and all the material things this world can offer." I said proudly, but Gina's face turned sad.

"I don't think material things can make her happy, Mr. Divenson. I think what she needs from you is your love, devotion, and your time." She said, and it made me swallowed my saliva.

I send Gina back to the restaurant so she can get her car. And I drive home feeling more confused than ever. Gina's words penetrated my heart, and I know I am a jerk for fighting my feelings for Madeline, but this is the only thing I can do, for now, make her my wife.

I slowly enter the mansion, and the entire place is so quiet; and I am surprised to see my mom in the living room, and she stands up immediately by the time she saw me.

"Hunter!" She exclaimed.

"Hello, mom, what are you doing here in the living room alone?" I asked, and it is unusual for my mom to be alone because she is always with my dad.

"I was waiting for you, son. I want to talk with you." She declared as she sat back on the couch.

"About what, mom?" I asked, and I sat down beside her.

"About Madeline Brownwood." She said, and I turned my head to look at her face.

"What about Maddie, Mom?" I asked again.

"I found out that you sent people to look for her. Do you think it is a sign? I mean, why do you need to marry someone like her, Hunter? Why not marry Kaye instead." My mom spoke, and I suddenly feel my face felt warm, and I can tell my face turned red.

"Mom, I have my reasons for marrying Madeline, and I don't need to elaborate things. You wrecked me years ago, mom, and I hope this time you are not going to do something stupid again to make my bride be disappeared again. I hate that I was helpless back then, and this time you cannot manipulate my life, and I won't allow you to ruin my relationship with Ms. Brownwood; I am aware that you made her stay here hard and unbearable. If you want me to remain as the CEO of our mining company, Mom, don't intervene with my personal affair." I said, and I can tell I hurt my mom, but I know how she broke Madeline by her insults, and she did the same to Rebecca years ago.

"Hunter, I am still your mother. You should respect me." She said.

"I respect you, Mom, and because of my high regards to you, I lost the only woman I love. And if you are my mom, you must know how much pain you had caused me when I lost Rebecca. You should feel empathy towards me, but you never make me think you are my mother. What matters to you is how I can give this family fame and success. I am your son, and I need a motherly love, but it seems until now you are still concerned with what society will think about our family. You never worry about how I feel." I said, and I get up from the couch, and my mother remained speechless.

"I am tired, mom, and I want to rest. Good night." I said, and then I climbed the grand staircase in going to my room, and I am now more eager to find Maddie. After all, I can't wait to see her again because I can't deny I miss Madeline Brownwood.