Loving Madeline

335  No Choice

Charlotte's POV

I felt so conscious the entire time we were eating our dinner since I could feel Jack's eyes were on me. And his presence alone made me have butterflies in my stomach.

I was aware of how handsome and hot Jack was, and I couldn't deny it. I felt so happy that he was the one who showed up, but I didn't want him to know about how I felt.

I wanted to start my own business so much that I had to lower my pride to realize my dream, even if I had to deal with the smoking hot chef who could make my heart beat faster than it should.

Cecily believed in him, and I knew she was right; Jack was the only person who could help me. And Jack was clever enough; he didn't give me a choice but to say yes right away.

I could see the amusement all over his handsome face after I said yes to him. I was not sure if I was doing the right thing or if I would regret my decision later on. But I have Cecily now. I am sure she will never leave me, whatever happens. She is my true friend, and I can say she is my best friend now.

Besides, Jack promised he wouldn't leave me if things didn't go smoothly according to our plans.

"Are you sure about your decision? It would help if you didn't decide based on my recommendation. You will always have the last say because that is your business, Charlotte." Cecily said after we drove away from the restaurant.

"Don't worry, I will not hold you responsible if ever he betrays me," I responded, and she shook her head.

"I admit I only knew Jack recently, but I don't think he will break his promise; he is a well-known chef, and I don't think he will tarnish his reputation. I trust him, Charlotte." Cecily said.

"Is there something going on between you two?" She asked when I didn't comment anything since I didn't know how to answer her.

"What do you mean?" I asked, feeling defensive.

"Well, I don't know, but it felt like there was something going on between you two." She replied, and I could feel my face blushing. I am just glad she focused her attention on the road.

"Nothing is going on between us," I responded, trying to around unaffected by her words, but how can I stop myself from reminiscing about the kiss I shared with Jack?

"Okay, you can tell me anything when you are ready. Jack couldn't take his eyes away from you the entire time we were eating our dinner. I am sure you stole his heart, and you can't look at him in his eyes either; you were avoiding him the whole time." She declared.

"You could be a spy, you know," I responded, and she laughed.

"You like him!" She exclaimed.

"No, I don't like Jack," I answered, and she beamed as she glanced at me.

"Liar," she replied, and I chose to remain silent. I don't need to confirm the obvious, and I don't want to talk about it yet because I don't want to get hurt. I am not sure if Jack was serious about his feelings for me. He came to Barcelonia to mend his broken heart and forget about Maddie.

The last thing I want is to become a rebound girl. It would be more painful; I must focus on my business and worry about my love life later. I knew I was already in a marrying age, and most of my batchmates and fake friends in college were already engaged or married. Some were legally separated already.

It is not a race; how can I have a family when I don't know where to get my next meal? I have to be on my own. If I had known it would be this hard, I would have saved my allowances and the salary I received from the company even if I didn't earn it. I mainly worked for fun and never took it seriously.

I wanted to run the company even if I knew I wasn't capable, and I only did it to mess with my brother since I felt so jealous of Hunter, even if I knew he cared about me so much. It was too late for me now, and I could never turn back the time.

I regretted everything I had done; I should have listened to my family and not to Kaye. She poisoned my mind because she wanted to have Hunter so much, and I was too naive to believe in her lies. She tricked me, and I deserved all this for betraying my family.

"Thank you so much, Cecily," I said after she pulled over in front of our manor.

"You are welcome, Charlotte," she responded.

"You should call Jack tonight," she added, and I raised my eyebrows as I glanced at her.

"Why should I call him?" I asked.

"It would be impractical if he stayed in a hotel where you have so many rooms; besides, it was part of the deal. He should move in with you tomorrow; the sooner, the better." She replied, and I let out a soft sigh.

"Okay," I responded, feeling defeated.

"Good night," I added softly.

"Good night, don't make that face; Jack is a good man, Charlotte. He is a decent one, and I could say a good catch." She responded.

"I am not worried about Jack. I am more concerned about myself," I replied, and she laughed.

"Oh, that is interesting," she said with a wide grin on her face.

"I guess it is for another time; we really need to have a girl's talk soon. It is a bit late, and you need to have your beauty rest since we will be busy tomorrow." Cecily added.

"There is no need for a girl's talk. I wasn't hiding anything from you," I replied before I climbed out of her car, and I knew I was blushing.

"Okay, good to know. I like Jack. I don't want to complicate things between us if you don't like him; then, I don't need to feel guilty if I flirt with him." She replied, and her words took me off guard.

"Of course, I won't mind," I answered after a moment of shock. Cecily said goodbye before she drove away from my house, and I could feel a pang on my chest. Just thinking about Cecily and Jack together made me feel sick.

I should have been honest with her, but I don't want my new friend to laugh at me, and I envy Cecily for being so open about her feelings for Jack, and I don't want them to be together. And for the first time in my life, I realized I liked someone, and I didn't wish for Cecily to have Jack in her life.

I couldn't stop thinking about what Cecily had said, and I lay on my bed with my phone on my chest. I had been trying to call Jack, but for how many? I put the phone down before I could dial his number.

"Hello, Charlotte?" Jack answered right away, and I couldn't stop smiling. I wanted to ask him to come to my house immediately before he met Cecily again.

I can't hurt Cecily, but I want Jack, too. I don't think it will become as complicated as this. I couldn't believe that for the first time, I met a real friend, and we liked the same person.

Jack could be the reason that I will lose a true friend, but I don't want to give up Cecily because of one boy; if he likes her back, there is nothing I can do about it. I must keep the pain inside me, and I will never tell Cecily how I genuinely feel for Jack.

"Charlotte, are you still there? Do you hear me?" Jack asked on the other line when I didn't say anything.

"Yes, I am sorry, I have to look for a place with a clear connection. I can hear you now." I lied.

"What can I do for you? Don't get me wrong, I was happy you called me, but I didn't expect so soon." He responded.

"Well, since I agreed with your terms, you can stay here at the manor starting tomorrow," I responded, trying to calm the loud beating of my heart. Jack's voice alone could make my entire covered with goosebumps, and I couldn't stop having butterflies in my belly.

"Wow, that is good news," he excitedly replied.

"It is a waste of your money if you will be living in a hotel. You are my partner, and I need your financial support now," I said, and he laughed.

"Don't worry, I still have enough money to support your business." He responded.

"Thank you, Jack. I knew I had been harsh with you, and I tried to drive you away for how many times, but you still say yes." I declared.

"You don't need to thank me, Charlotte. I am doing all this for Cecily. She begged me, and I couldn't say no to her." He responded, and his answer made my heart bleed.

I don't understand why I felt this way when all I want is for him to leave me alone. If he agreed to be the chef of my resort because of my friend, then it only means he likes Cecily, too.

My heart is pierced with the kind of pain I never knew existed, and I have to deal with it because I chose this, and I need to show them that I don't care if they will become a couple. I don't know if I can take it, but I need to be strong if I want to be successful with my dream of becoming an independent businesswoman, even if my heart will suffer.