Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

I can't stop thinking about Madeline after our fishing date, and I am so happy that Lily told me that my mom likes Maddie now. I know I should say to her about the Pre-Wedding Ball tonight, but I don't want her to freak out. That is why I only told her this afternoon, besides. My mom prepared everything because before she gets married to my dad, she also attended the same social event; it is always part of our family tradition.

I got busy lately. After all, I will not be around after our wedding day because I have to spend days with my bride, and I can't stop myself from feeling excited. Thinking about Madeline right now makes me want to go home and spend the entire afternoon making love with her. I am eager to claim my bride-to-be and hear her moaning with my every kiss and touch. I know Madeline is waiting for this moment because I know she became more in love with me, and I hope everything will be alright.

"Maddie, please get ready with the Pre-Wedding Ball tonight, my mother prepared everything to make this event successful, and I can't wait to see you. Just choose any gown you want from your closet." I texted her.

"Pre-Wedding Ball? What does it mean?" She texts back.

"It is one of our family traditions, and it is for us, so I want you to get ready. It would involve eating, drinking wines, and dancing." I replied.

"Oh, I see, but I don't know how to dance." She responded to my text quickly.

"Don't worry because I will be dancing with you." I replied.

"I can't wait." She said in her reply with heart emoji, and I smiled, and I felt so excited.

"Mr. Divenson, I am glad you are texting Madeline." Calixto said after he looked at me, smiling on my phone.

"And how did you know I was texting, Madeline, Cal?" I asked.

"Because you are smiling, you seldom smile with your clients and employees, Mr. Divenson, and you were looking at your screen with Madeline's photo on it." He said, and I couldn't deny it with Calixto.

"Don't forget to attend the ball tonight at our house. I will be expecting you, and Madeline will be happy to see you." I said.

"Of course, I will not miss it because I want to see her, and I haven't seen Maddie in a long time." He replied, and I looked at him.

"Tell me honestly, Cal, is Madeline, your daughter?" I asked, and my question took him off guard. 

"What you mean? I don't understand you at all." He declared, and I half-laugh.

"Nothing, never mind my question, Cal, don't be late, okay?" I declared, and he nodded.

"Of course." He replied, and he took the papers on my tray and got out of my office quickly.

By the time I arrived at the mansion, I can see the cars had lined up outside our main gate, and I can tell the parking lot is already full, and my mom won't allow having the car parked on her Bermuda grass, so the guests who would come late need to walk reasonable distance going to the mansion. I couldn't believe my parents invited so many guests. I used the back door to get inside my room without passing the main living room where the party is held.

I thought my mom wouldn't do this, and I was shocked when she informed me about it last week. I choose another formal suit from my closet and put it on my bed before I get inside my bathroom; my excitement of seeing Madeline is killing me. After taking a warm bath, I put on my clothes and walked towards the reception, and I can't stop myself from feeling so nervous.

"Hunter!" Kaye said the moment I find her wearing a sleeveless backless dress with a long slit from her thigh down to her ankle. And a lot of men are looking at her with lust. 

"Hello, Kaye, thank you for coming." I declared, and I can see her enthusiasms, and I am shocked to find Kaye so excited for tonight when she hated the idea that I am marrying someone. Maybe she already accepted the fact that I am not marrying anyone except Madeline. The host opened the program by talking about some of the wedding traditions, and I guess my mom already told him about our family beliefs. 

"Without further ado, I would like to welcome the groom to be, no other than, Mr. Hunter Divenson, the CEO of the Divenson Mining Corporation. A big round of applause, please." The emcee called my name, and I walked in front of the guests at the bottom of the stairs waiting for my fiancee.

"And now, let us all welcome the future bride of Mr. Hunter Divenson, Ms. Madeline Brownwood." She added, and the crowd clapped their hands as I can see Madeline descended the stairs. She looked so beautiful, but when I looked at her dress, it feels like I have seen a ghost. I am no longer seeing Maddie but Rebecca. She was wearing the necklace I gave her on her eighteenth birthday, and she was wearing the same dress she wore on the night before our wedding.

I felt my entire body turned so hot with anger. How could Madeline get over Rebecca's things? I keep it in her secret room. How dare she touched her belongings, and before I can say bad words to Madeline in front of all the guests, I walked away from her, from my family and all the guests.

When I am outside, I run to my car, and before I can drive away from the mansion, the passenger's seat on the front seat suddenly opened, and I see Cal got inside and fastened his seatbelt.

"Calixto, get out of the car now!" I yelled at him, but Cal didn't budge.

"Do you want me to drag you out?" I growled.

"If you want me to leave, then try to yank me out because I am not leaving you, and I am going with you, Hunter. I am calling you now by your first name not only because we are not in the office but I am here as a friend. Come on, Hunter, you need someone to talk to." He replied, and I couldn't disagree with him. I felt so lost and betrayed, and most of all, I hate feeling this way, and I was thinking when I am going to stop loving Rebecca. 

I drive my car without looking at Cal, but deep inside, I felt so glad he came, and when we reach the highway, I drive fast without caring if I am hitting more than the speed limit.

"Oh, I am sorry, and if you only told me when we were in your mansion's parking lot that you plan on killing yourself, I should have climbed out from this car." He said, and I change my gear and run at maximum speed.

"When you are angry with yourself and with someone, always remember to calm yourself first before driving your car. You only have one life, Hunter, and in our life, there is no repeat, only play. I don't know what happened out there to make Madeline a laughing stock of the elite society. I know I don't have any right to judge you, but I hate you for leaving Madeline like a fool. You embarrassed her, and most of all, you hurt her." Cal said, but I keep my eyes on the road, and I didn't talk back, and his words get make me feel guilty, but I can't stop the anger that I feel.

It was a one-hour drive without heavy traffic before we arrived at my new house. Everything is ready, and we can move at any time. The house is enormous, and I know it is also a mansion. After all, I like living in a big house because I grew up on an estate, and this place is another gift for my wife.

"Wow!" Cal said as he looked at the house before him with his mouth hangs open.

"I never expect it would be like this after the construction; this place is lovely, Hunter." Cal said after he recovers from his shock, and he followed me as I get inside the house. We passed in the living room, and I asked him to get hard drinks from the bar as I go to my room and change my clothes. Before I met Maddie, I spent more of my time here than in the Divenson mansion, but I want her to know my family. That is why I asked Calixto to bring her to my parents' house. I change into shorts and a sleeveless tank top, and I get back into the living room.

"Is scotch alright with you?" He asked, and I nodded.

"So, you want me to take Maddie back to her aunt? But I suggest I should bring her back to the Magnolia Village because I can tell she will be happy over there, and I think Lydia's son would be delighted to have her back." Cal said, and I think he is testing my patience.

"Who told you to do that?" I asked, and I can't hide my irritation. I know I am selfish right now.

"Well, your actions tonight are an indication that you want to cancel the wedding." He responded, and my face hardened.

"The wedding will happen tomorrow, Cal. I am still marrying Madeline Brownwood." I said firmly.

"But do you know you hurt her?" He asked.

"Which do you prefer Cal, should I stay with her tonight at the ball and will not show up tomorrow?" I asked him.

"I don't know how to answer your question. Do you think Madeline will marry you after what you have done? You can't force her to marry you, Hunter. You embarrassed her in front of many people." Cal said, and I felt cold all over my body.

"Cal, please call the head of my bodyguard to secure the place, and watch Madeline's room. She can't leave the house, Cal. I know I am an idiot, but watching her with that dress, I lost it." I said, and I can see the confusion on his face.

"He was wearing Rebecca's stuff, and she has no right to touch her things." I said.

"How come she knew Rebecca's stuff? I don't think Madeline has access to her room, Hunter." Cal responded, and I realized he could have been right, but I have to ask her about it. I am so angry with Maddie right now.. And I can't stop myself from remembering Rebecca and our memories together.