Loving Madeline

Chapter 359: A Job

Charlotte’s POV

As I watched Jack get down on his knees, the world around us seemed to blur, fading into a soft hum as his words sank in. My chest felt like it might burst, every heartbeat echoing with a joy so profound it felt surreal.

His eyes held mine, steady and full of love, and in that moment, I could see everything: our future, our dreams, a life woven together. It wasn’t just happiness; it was the kind of bliss that wrapped around me, warm and certain, like coming home after being lost for so long.

When I said yes to his proposal, it wasn’t just to him; it was to us, to every beautiful moment waiting for us to create it. I couldn’t contain the happiness in my heart, and I knew I had been dreaming about this day to come, and nothing could beat the raw emotion of gratification I felt as he slowly put the ring on my finger.

"It is beautiful," I mumbled as I stared at the ring sat on my finger like a dream made real, its delicate band gleaming softly in the light. At its center, the diamond twinkled with an inner fire, each facet catching and refracting the world around it as if holding tiny galaxies within.

The setting was timeless, elegant yet intricate, a perfect blend of simplicity and artistry. Every time I looked at it, I felt its weight—not just of the stone but of love, commitment, and the beautiful journey ahead that we were going to share together.

"You are more beautiful than anything in this world, Babe," he whispered in my ear, making my body ignite with fire and passion. We made love, and this time, it was different. I felt a deeper connection to Jack.

The world had dissolved, leaving only us in a sanctuary of love and promise. Every kiss was a vow; every touch was a celebration of the life we were about to build together. Our bodies moved in perfect harmony and sync, guided by a tender and consuming passion.

It wasn’t just physical; it was the merging of hearts, a silent exchange of everything we couldn’t say in words. In his embrace, I felt infinite, as though, at that moment, love itself had taken form, and I had never felt this happy and complete.

"Wow! Congratulations, Charlotte! At last, Jack proposed to you!" Cecily exclaimed as she looked at the ring on my finger with wide eyes the moment we got back in the manor.

I couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear as I showed her the ring. It was beautiful, and until now, I couldn’t get over the happiness I felt. Everything seemed perfect for us.

"So, do you have the date of your wedding day?" She asked excitedly.

"Not yet. We are going to discuss it this weekend. We are both busy, and we need to find time to discuss the details, but one thing is for sure: I want it to happen right here.

I fell in love with Jack in this beautiful place, and we should tie the knot here." I responded with a big smile on my face.

"Oh, I love that, but I wished to go to Archois too,"

She responded, and I laughed.

"Don’t worry, I will take you to Archois one of these days," I replied, and my friend’s face lit up.

"Really? Are you sure about that?" She asked with excitement all over her face.

"Of course, I plan to have my wedding dress tailored in Archois," I responded, still feeling lightheaded. It seemed everything was just a dream.

"Is it okay if we have our wedding ceremony here in Barcelonia?" I asked Jack as I sat on his lap after a long day of work. We were alone on the roof deck, watching the starry night.

"Anywhere as long as you will become my wife, and I am glad you chose this place since it significantly impacted our relationship. I fell in love with you in this magical place, and I never thought at first coming here would be the worst decision I could ever make, but I was wrong." Jack mumbled in my ear as he tightened his arms around my waist, and I leaned my body closer to him, feeling the butterflies swarming on my belly.

"You are the best thing that ever happened in my life," he added, making me feel like the luckiest woman on earth.

"I feel the same way, Jack. You came into my life when I felt so lost and alone. I admit, I wouldn’t say I liked it when you suddenly showed up here. I thought you truly wanted to invade my privacy, but I fell in love with you, and I love it here, Jack. I want to celebrate our union here." I replied as he caressed my arm.

"I want it to be intimate, just our family and selected friends; I didn’t want our wedding to turn into a circus," I added, and he chuckled.

"I like that; I want Hunter to be my best man," Jack replied, and I straightened up to face him.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked, and he nodded with a wide grin.

"If it is okay with you to make Madeline your maid of honor," he responded with mischief on his face.

"I love her to be my maid of honor; I just hope she says yes," I responded, feeling excited that we were talking about our wedding day.

"Of course, I am sure she would be thrilled to be part of the entourage." He responded, and we talked about the food and motif. It was such a wonderful night.

"Oh, Charlotte, that is amazing! I would love to be your maid of honor. I can’t wait to fit my gown." Maddie said that after I asked her to be my maid of honor, I knew she was so happy to be part of the entourage.

"Thank you, Madeline. I will call you once we finalize the date of the gown fitting," I responded, smiling even after I had ended the call.

As I counted the days down, a whirlwind of emotions filled me. Excitement buzzed in my chest like the flutter of a thousand wings while nervous anticipation danced in my mind. There was joy—bright and uncontainable—at the thought of stepping into forever with the person I loved most.

Yet beneath it all was a quiet sense of awe as if I were standing at the edge of something vast and beautiful, ready to leap. It felt surreal, like a dream I’d waited my whole life to live, now just within reach.

"Leave everything to me, Charlotte. You don’t need to be here; you need to take a leave. Your wedding will be in two weeks," Cecily said.

"I can’t just sit and watch you do all the work, Cel. Everything is under control. We only have a limited guest list, so there is nothing to be worried about," I replied as I opened my email.

"You need a beauty rest, but you don’t need that since you are already beautiful." She mumbled.

I was in my room since Jack was in Magnolia, and I miss him already. He only left this afternoon to pick up his family. I wished to accompany him, but he insisted I stay home. I couldn’t wait to be with him, and I didn’t want to feel so alone that I decided to sleep in his room instead. I stood up and made my way to his room.

The air in his room is thick with a rich, intoxicating fragrance, earthy yet sweet, with hints of leather and musk. It carries a subtle sweetness like the scent of wood burning in a distant fire, mingling with the fresh crispness of cologne that clings to his clothes and sheets. It’s a smell that wraps around me, pulling me closer and making me ache with the absence of his presence. Every breath I take seems to hold a piece of him, reminding me of how much I long for him to return.

His room is immaculate, and I knew he was well-organized, which is one of the things I love about him. I collapsed on his bed but couldn’t sleep, so I got up and decided to list the things I needed to do the following day. I went to his desk and opened the drawers, looking for a memo pad and pen.

I got curious when I found an envelope with our company logo. I wondered why Jack had it, and I suddenly felt eager to fish out the documents inside. I could tell Jack had hidden it from me, but I understood if my brother offered him something and he was still thinking about it. And I was right—there was a contract inside.

I stood on the floor, shaking and turning cold as I continued reading the stipulation on the contract. The truth unfolded like a storm breaking across a calm sky. My heart clenched as the weight of what I’d just uncovered pressed against my chest. It wasn’t the secret that stung me the most; it was the realization that Hunter and Jack fooled and played a trick on me.

The air felt heavier, and every sweet memory I shared with him replayed in my mind, now tinted with doubt. I wanted to call and ask him why, to demand an explanation, but my mind was tangled with disbelief and hurt. I was just a job for him, and I couldn’t believe I fell in love with a man who wanted nothing from me and my family but money.