Chapter 36 - A Thousand Stars In The Sky

Madeline's POV

I felt pain in my legs and arm muscles because of swimming and for how many times Hunter asked me to get back to the Villa, but I kept swimming around until he told me that he is going back to the house first when he looked at several people swimming in front of their vacation home.

"I need to go back now, Madeline, since I need to call Calixto." Hunter said, and I smiled at him and showed him my puppy eyes.

"Can I stay for a while? I still want to continue swimming." I asked, and he nodded.

"Be careful, okay? As much as I want to accompany you, I need to make important calls." He replied.

"Don't mind me; I will be okay; besides, other people are swimming now." I said.

"Okay, enjoy, Madeline." He said.

"Thank you, Hunter." I said, and he moves closer to me, and he kissed my forehead before he gets back to the house. And I return to my swimming spree. I am enjoying myself that I haven't noticed someone is behind me.

"Hi!" Said a woman in her late twenties, and I am startled to find her standing near me.

"Hello!" I replied.

"I am sorry that I startled you; I am just curious, are you Hunter Divenson's girlfriend or a fling? I am sorry about my directness since I haven't seen him dated anyone; I am Vivian, and I owned the house next to his place, and I am a journalist. Our caretaker told me that he is the new owner of that vacation home, and I confirmed it now that I saw him with you." She said, and I can feel my face blush, and this is what I am afraid of when people will ask about my relationship with Hunter because I am no one.

"It is okay, I am Maddie, and yes, I am his girlfriend; well, Hunter is a very private man." I said and smiled at her.

"Oh, I see. Finally, someone captured the CEO of the Divenson Mining Company; where did you meet? If you don't mind?" She asked.

"My father is Hunter's driver before he passed away." I said I don't know how to answer her, it is the safest answer I can give her.

"I am sorry for your loss." She said, and I can tell she is disappointed to know that Hunter has a girlfriend already, and I can't imagine what would be her reaction if she will find out I am Hunter's fiancee.

" I wanted to introduce myself to him since I want to interview Mr. Divenson because, among the wealthy individuals and handsome eligible bachelors in the country, he is the most allergic to media. This scope could help boom my career. Do you think you can help me?" She asked.

"I am not sure, Vivian, but don't worry, I will try to talk to him." I said, and I put my hands on my face to wipe my face, and her eyes widened.

"Oh, no, is that an engagement ring?" She asked, and I don't know what to say, but it was already too late to deny it; I don't know what would be Hunter's reaction that someone outside of his family knows about us.

"Yes!" I said, and I can't stop myself from feeling so shy that I can't face her.

"Why you look like that, it feels like you are not so happy to be his wife, girl you are so lucky to get the attention of Hunter Divenson, you should be shouting with happiness and show the entire world you are his future bride if you don't mind when will be the big day?" She asked, and I raised my head to looked at her eyes, and I am not shy anymore; Hunter will be married to me, and he should be proud of it too.

"In less than two weeks." I said, and I give her my signature smile.

"Wow, that is fast, and this information is a lot to process, and I couldn't believe he is going to marry anytime soon; and I have seen him during social gatherings hosted by his mother but never got the chance to know him. I thought he is going to marry someone from the elite families, no offense, Maddie." She said, and I know her words are painful but true, but I have heard worst from my in-laws, so her words didn't get me.

"To be honest, I also still can't believe that I'm going to marry him." I said.

"Well, congratulations, and I hope you will help me. I will be staying here for three days." She declared.

"Thank you, I will tell him later." I replied.

"Bye, Madeline, and thank you." She said and swam away from me.

When I turn around, I can see the sunset on the horizon, and it looks so beautiful that I wanted to take a picture of it and show it to Gina. My talk with Vivian made me feel a little down since she reminds me I am out of Hunter's league. And I think she wants to tell me I am not perfect for him. But I am tired of feeling so little of myself, and Hunter wanted to marry me for whatever reasons he had on his mind. Well, if she will know the real reason why I am in this situation, I don't know what she will feel. Is she still going to feel envious of me, or will she feel sorry for me?

After looking at the setting sun and the colorful sky for a long time, I came out of the water, and I get my towel, and walk inside the house. As I enter the living room, I can smell the aroma of food spicies coming from the kitchen, and I think Hunter asked the caretaker to cook for us. I sprinted to the master's bedroom, and I am surprised that Hunter is not in the room. Where could he be? I take a bath immediately because I want to help the caretaker in cooking our dinner. I chose to wear a knee-length halter rosy dress. And I get some sandals from the shoe rack, and I walk to the kitchen.

My steps wavered when I saw Hunter in the kitchen, and he looked so hot wearing an apron. He didn't notice me as I stopped on my tracks and watched him slicing some vegetables on the countertop, and he is humming, and I can tell he is so happy and at peace, and I can't stop myself from feeling so thrilled that my husband to be could cook. I can see a casserole pot and pan on top of the kitchen range. And I am sure he is preparing an appetizer, vegetable salad, soup, and a steak as a main dish. The aroma that wafted the entire place makes my mouth water. He turned his head in my direction, and his beautiful smile makes me feel the butterflies on my stomach.

"How long have you been there, Maddie?" He asked, and I can see he is looking at me from head to toe, and I suddenly felt conscious.

"Just now, I am impressed that the hot CEO of the Divenson mining company knows how to cook. what can I do to help?" I asked.

"There are still many things you don't know about me, Madeline, and from now on, I will let you know the real me." He said, and he looked at my face again.

"I don't want you to do anything, and I want you to go back to our room and have a rest. I know you are feeling so tired from swimming on the beach. I will call you when dinner is ready." He said.

"Are you sure?" I asked, and I couldn't believe this man is cooking dinner for me. No one has ever done something like this to me. I get back to our bed, and I go out on the balcony of our bedroom where I can see the long white shoreline of the beach, and I could hear the sound of the waves striking on the shore. It is now dark, but the entire coast has lamp posts on the sides near the houses. I sat on the patio chair and leaned my back on the glass wall.

How I wish my mom is here with me; maybe if I meet Hunter before she died, I could perhaps save her, but how can I convince Hunter if I am still a skinny little girl, unlike now, I know as I was growing up, I developed some assets that women are dreaming to have. Still, I don't mind what I have because I always think about getting cash to give to my aunt. My best friend is always crazy about my height, boobs, and even my curves, and I try to hide my curves by wearing baggy clothes because I don't like men to look at me. After all, I don't want to date.

I got up, and moves to the balcony railings, and looked up at the sky when I felt strong arms hugged my waist, and I realize he nestled his chin on the nook of my shoulder.

"Dinner is ready, my sweet Madeline." He whispered in my ear, and I can't stop having goosebumps all over my body. He took my hand and dragged me back to the bedroom, and we get out; and I am shocked that he take me to the stairs going to the roof deck instead of to the dining hall. Hunter Divenson is full of surprises. He set up a table suitable for two, and he covers the table with white linen with a red table runner, and I can see our food displayed on the table on a Fine Dining setup.

"Look at the stars, Madeline, " He said in a sweet voice, and when I looked up, I can see a thousand stars twinkling in the sky, and suddenly felt ashamed of myself when I realized he was talking about the real stars in the sky above us. He pulled out the chair, and he assisted me to sit down, and I am speechless.. And I realized I am falling in love more with Hunter Divenson.