Loving Madeline



Charlotte's POV

I don't know what will be Jack's reaction after I close the door on his face. I should have asked him to stay a little longer or offered him some tea since that was the least I could do for him to bring me drinking water.

But what I did was horrible, and I knew it was because of the foreign feeling that I felt. I don't want to look like a fool in front of Jack. I kept my distance from him because his intoxicating scent alone made me want to come closer to him and hug him.

I didn't linger behind the door since I didn't want to hear his pleading. I was afraid that I could no longer say no to him, and while I could still control myself, I did what was best for us. I thanked him, and that was enough.

I was in my room rolling on my bed after I took a shower and blew dry my hair, and I quickly sat up on my bed. My face felt so hot as I realized I hadn't given Jack the payment for the water. It would be too late to call him now, for he might be home already.

I felt so stupid, and I didn't want Jack to think I was only using him. I am a terrible person, and the best thing I can do is to call him and ask for an apology.

I could feel the trembling of my hands as I dialed his number, and I felt disappointed when he didn't pick up my call. I called again, but there was no answer, and after the fifth time, I gave up and collapsed on my bed.

It is still early in the evening, but there is nothing I can do; the Television set is not working, or I don't know how to turn it on since there were so many wirings and I pulled them all when I realized I have to save because I can't afford to watch TV while I was struggling financially.

Besides, the cable is not working, for they already cut off the subscription, and I don't have internet conection. The smart TV was useless since I was only using data on my phone to check my email and text messages of my new friend. I was waiting for Celia's text message too, but it seemed like she had stopped communicating with me.

I owe her a lot, and I couldn't stop feeling guilty that her husband lost his job and I didn't have the money to pay her wage for the remaining days of her services. I want to pay her salary, but I can't afford to pay her now.

My budget is very tight, and I hate that no one hired me. And most of the companies I applied for told me I could re-apply after six months. For the last couple of days, I submitted my resume to almost all the companies around Barcelonia capital, and they have the same stupid reason.

I don't know what they want. I tried putting no work experience for them not to consider me as more qualified, yet it still backfired on me. The Human Resources personnel questioned me why I didn't work after I graduated from college.

I don't know what to do anymore. It seems like I have to plant my own food from now on. But I don't know how to grow crops. I don't have any idea about farming. I have acres of land around me, but I don't know anything about agriculture, and there is no one who can help me.

I was still thinking about my misfortune when I heard the ringing of my phone, and my heart raced as I realized Jack was calling me. I calm myself and do my best to make my voice sound calm and try not to sound flirtatious. I love to flirt with Jack, but I don't want him to take advantage of me.

"I am sorry, Charlotte, I was in the shower when you called. Are you okay?" He asked the moment I answered his call, and I smiled. I felt ashamed about what I did a while ago.

"Yeah, I am sorry I couldn't give you the payment for the water," I said, and he laughed.

"I can deliver you a ten-wheeler truck filled with mineral water for free. It was okay; you don't need to pay for them." He answered, and I could feel the excitement in his voice.

"You don't need to worry about it; just call or text me if you need anything before I leave." He said, and I suddenly panicked.

"What do you mean? Are you leaving Barcelonia?" I asked, trying to stop the trembling of my voice. And I don't understand why I suddenly panicked and felt so sad after he mentioned he was leaving.

"That was my plan, but I hope before I leave, I can see you one more time," he answered.

"But why? I thought you fell in love, Barcelonia, and you like to stay here for good." I responded.

"You were right, I fell in love with your estate and the manor, but you didn't want me to rent a room, but it was okay. That is your house, and you have all the right not to allow any stranger to stay there with you." Jack declared.

"I am sorry, Jack," I softly replied, wanting to take back my words.

"No need to apologize, Charlotte, I am only a stranger to you," he answered, and I wished to tell him he was no longer a stranger to me, and in fact, he was the only person aside from Cecily I could trust.

I know after sharing those sweet kisses with Jack, it dawned on me; he became so familiar that I could still smell his scent even if he were long gone.

"When are you leaving?" I asked, and he chuckled.

"I am not sure yet," he responded, and I hated myself for feeling a little relieved that he hadn't finalized the date of his flight.

"Can I visit you one more time?" He asked.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Jack," I replied, and he let out a sigh.

"Of course, I understand, Ms. Divenson. I guess this is goodbye. Please, take care of yourself." He said and ended the call before I could reply to him. and I threw the phone on the floor as I screamed.

I only needed to say one word and why it felt so hard on my part to say yes. I wanted to see Jack, but at the back of my head I didn't want to give myself something to hope for when I knew it would only end with a sad goodbye.

I couldn't deny I liked Jack so much, but because of my status in life, I can't. I am now broke and an outcast. I don't want him to drag him down with me. At first, I thought we couldn't be together because I belonged to the Divenson family, but I was such a fool for feeling that way.

I was only a Divenson by name, but the truth is, I have no family, no friends, and I have nothing to be proud of; Jack can't have someone like me as his girlfriend. I lay on my bed, trying to keep my tears from falling, but I couldn't stop them from trickling down my face as I realized I was so alone.

I screamed and let my tears fall like waterfalls. I still couldn't believe this was happening to me. I thought I was strong and could do it, but I needed my family with me. But because of my poor choices in life, I suffered this way.

They all hated me for hurting Madeline, and as much as I wanted to hate her, I couldn't anymore because I knew how much she cared for me, even after all the things I had done to make her leave our family alone.

And Jack was here because he wanted to forget about Madeline and not because of her ex-girlfriend, Madeline's best friend. I am just a rebound girl for him, and I don't want to be that girl. I want Jack to love me like the way he loved Maddie.

I fell asleep hugging my pillow with tears in my eyes, and I felt glad I dozed off to sleep, but when I woke up the following morning, the pain was still there, and I only smiled when I got a text from Cecily, and she told me she wanted to visit.

I don't want her to see my situation, but I consider her my best friend now, and I told her everything about me. There is nothing to hide, and after my heartbreak with Jack, all I need is a friend with whom I can share my disappointments and pains.

"Good morning, Charlotte!" Cecily greeted me with a beautiful smile on her face.

"You are so early," I responded as I widely opened the door for her.

"Of course, I planned to help you clean your house." She answered, and I shook my head.

"No, you can't do that; you are my guest," I answered, and she beamed at me.

"And your friend, friends help each other with anything besides, don't get me wrong, but I am sure you know nothing about household chores. You grew up in a mansion with maids all around you." She added, and I couldn't disagree with her.

"You don't need to feel shy about it. I can help you with anything." She continued, and I smiled at her.

"Thank you, Cecily," I mumbled, and I was surprised when she hugged me.

"You don't need to thank me; that's what friends are for," she responded, and I couldn't stop the happiness I felt in my heart as I realized I didn't care if I had to go through with this kind of hardship as long as I found a true friend.