Madeline's POV
"On the night before your father took his last breath, he asked Hunter to look out for you and to save you. I know you are upset about your father, Maddie because he left you when you were just a toddler," Cal said.
"But, I am certain you have a pure heart and soul, so no matter how hard your life is growing up, you never felt anger towards Frank," Calixto added as he focused his eyes on the cafe in front of us; it seemed like he was trying to check every corner of the place.
"Frank asked Mr. Divenson to marry you because your dad knew Hunter's parents have been bugging him to get married for years now. It was your father's dying wish because he knew you had a tough life." He continued.
"We are all aware Hunter is the most eligible bachelor in the country, yet he doesn't have time to find love. And I understand Hunter grabbed this chance so his parents would stop urging him to get married. His father wanted to see an heir before he died." He declared, and I understand now why he wanted to have me as his bride.
The realization shocked and hurt me. Hunter only wants to marry me to have an heir, and I am the most suitable candidate because he can discard me anytime he wants since I don't have a family who will fight for me.
If he chooses a wealthy young elite lady in our society, he will have a complicated life. I am the most qualified for the job. It was so foolish of me to fall for him. I should have taken care of my heart, and I guess it is too late now to keep my heart safe from being hurt.
"Don't look so sad, Madeline; Hunter is a good man, and he will take care of all your needs. I know you want to finish your education, and you will." He said and looked at me in the eyes.
"I know you are worried about your feelings towards him, but don't worry, Maddie, I am not sure about him, but I hope he will learn to love again. Just be his wife and love him with all your heart because there is no harm in loving someone, Madeline. " He added.
"Do you think Hunter knows how I felt about him?" I asked.
"I doubt about that, but you don't need to feel embarrassed about it, and he is your future husband. It is nice to see the love in your eyes every time you mention his name." He declared, and I can't stop myself from blushing.
"I don't want him to know how I feel about him, Calixto, but it seems I am that obvious," I said.
"Men are so good at hiding their genuine emotions while women find it so hard to keep what they feel." He responded, and I nodded.
"It looks like I need to go now, Madeline; your friend is here." He said, and I was shocked that he knew Gina's sedan. She had just arrived, and she was parked next to Cali's car.
"I understand that look, Maddie; yes, I know your best friend. Actually, I have seen her many times with you. I am sorry for invading your privacy during those times." Cal said with guilt all over his face.
"I was only doing my job since I also wanted to know and protect you. Your father always talks about you, and he has regrets, Maddie." He added, I want to know more about my father; maybe some other time I can ask Cal about my dad's life.
"Goodbye, Maddie, and see you in two hours." He said, and I said goodbye to him as I climbed out of his car. And my best friend screamed the moment she saw me standing beside her in going inside the cafe.
"Wow! Madeline! You look so gorgeous in your outfit." She said as her eyes scanned my body from head to toe.
"I think you need to tell me everything about what is going on with your life. I am happy seeing you now wearing fancy clothes, yet I can't stop myself from thinking, are you doing illegal, aren't you, Maddie?" She whispered, and I can't stop myself from laughing.
"Of all people, you are asking me that kind of question?" I asked her, and she smiled and shook her head.
"I am just kidding, Madeline. I know you are a law-abiding citizen, and you always follow the rules, so now, you said you only have two hours to talk with me, and your time starts now." She said.
"Is this a contest? Why are you setting your stopwatch?" I asked, beaming at her. I felt so happy to see my best friend; she was the only person close to me now.
I handed Gina my aunt's phone and asked her to give it to her. I want to see my aunt, but not now. I am still upset with her for dealing with Hunter Divenson without my knowledge. Though I am so happy that I met Hunter, the idea that my aunt planned to barter me as payment for all our debts was still humiliating.
We sit at the far corner of the cafe since I want to have some privacy with my Gina. I ordered a mocha latte and butter croissants, while Gina opted for a strawberry milkshake with French toast.
"I am getting married, and I want you to be my Maid of Honor, Gina," I said, and her eyes widened, and she laughed hysterically. That made the other cafe customers look in our direction with a disgusted look.
"Madeline, what happened to you? You are now wearing a luxurious dress with an expensive bag and shoes, and now you know how to joke. And I am dying to know who is responsible for this transformation of yours." She responded.
" I think you need to tell me everything from the very beginning so I will understand if you are having hallucinations right now." She added.
I know it is a lot to process; I am still in a state of shock at what is happening with my life, too. I can't blame Gina, and it is only natural for my best friend to react this way.
"You don't even have a boyfriend, for heaven's sake." She declared, and I nodded.
"Yeah, I understand it would be hard to believe, and you are right. I don't even have a boyfriend and have never kissed a boy until I met him." I said, and I told her everything about Hunter Divenson and my aunt's agreement, including my father's dying wish.
"Wow! If you are not only my best friend, I will never believe you. I can't blame your aunt, though, and I can tell it was hard on your part." Gina said, and she looked at me with seriousness.
"I am sorry, Madeline, I don't have any cash to help you. Being your best friend, I felt guilty that I had done nothing to save you from this mess. But you are the luckiest young woman in the entire world right now, and I wonder how come you haven't known him." She added, and I could see the tears that welled up in her eyes.
"Because you are so busy helping your aunt, there are lots of school activities that you haven't attended, and one of those was when Hunter Divenson came into our school and made a speech. He was one of the primary philanthropists who donated cold cash." She said, and I raised my eyebrow.
"I told you about him, but you weren't interested. Many of our classmates are crazy about him; he is still young, and I guess he was only twenty-five years old at that time. He is so handsome and hot. How does it feel when he kisses you?" She asked, and I can't stop myself from blushing.
"I felt like I was in heaven," I replied.
"Oh, Madeline, I can't even imagine being kissed by Hunter Divenson. Many actresses were associated with him, but I think he is so busy with his career that he has no time for love. I searched his profile on the internet, and my jaw dropped when I saw his net worth, and I couldn't imagine my best friend would be his wife." She said.
"Temporary wife," I replied.
"Did he tell you you will be just his temporary wife?" She asked, and I shook my head.
"No, but the way I see it after, I will give him an heir, and he will discard me, so I think I am just his interim spouse," I replied.
"Are you crazy? You have your chance, Madeline, and I think all you have to do is seduce him all you can so he will fall for you." She said, and I can't stop myself from laughing.
"It wouldn't be that easy, Gina; dealing with his family members alone was challenging enough for me. I told you everything, and do you think I can survive in that mansion?" I said.
"You have to survive, Maddie. I am your best friend, and I know all about you, and I can see in your eyes that you love him. Don't surrender, Maddie; who knows you will make him fall in love with you." She declared.
"You are talking about an impossible thing, Gina. He is different, so distant and cold, and I wonder why he does look so sweet every time we are with his family." I said.
"Well, we do not know what the future will bring, but I am sure you will have a colorful love life, Madeline. It turns out your aunt's betrayal of you made you meet the love of your life." Gina replied.
"Just be strong, Madeline. At least you are debt-free, and you are living in a fabulous mansion. And since his assistant asked you to drive, it means a fancy car will follow. Aren't you excited to taste your future husband?" Gina asked, and I couldn't stop my face from feeling so hot.
"Hey! Maddie, you will be his wife soon. Sooner or later, he will claim you, and you don't need to worry about that since you love Hunter; I am sure you will love all about lovemaking." My best friend teased me.
"I know you are a virgin, and Hunter is so lucky to have you as his bride, and it is a beautiful feeling that is so hard to express." She added, and now that she talks about it, I can't stop thinking about him and his glorious body. And I felt so excited when I realized Hunter Divenson would be my first, and I realized I wanted him to have my body, heart, and my soul.
"Oh, my!" Gina's eyes got so big, and it was like she had seen a ghost.
When I turned my head to know why she suddenly got so stunned, I saw Hunter get inside the cafe looking so dashing that it made the other female customers look at him with wide eyes.
I felt my entire frame feel so weak, and I wondered what is he doing inside the cafe. I suddenly realized I had been caught talking with my best friend and not with Calixto.
I abruptly felt nervous about what he was going to do to me. And I could feel my stomach somersault when I found his beautiful eyes staring at me with so much intensity.