The Engagement Ring

Madeline's POV

The dessert was superb, and I felt so full. I wonder why Hunter's entire family looks so happy to see me now that Hunter is present. Are they trying to pretend they like me because Hunter was sitting beside me? I can't believe these people; they are so good at hiding their authentic emotions, and their facade is perfect. Hunter and his father talked about business, while Lily kept asking me trivial questions about how I met her brother.

"Where did you meet?" She asked.

"At my University," I replied.

"So sweet." She giggled.

"Can you tell me where he brought you on your first date?" Lily asked again, and my throat went dry since I didn't have any idea where we should have our supposed first date.

"I invited her to dinner at my favorite restaurant, which I will not tell you, young lady, where is that restaurant, and I will not let Maddie tell you either," Hunter answered for me. My future in-laws laugh while Lily pouts her lips, but Hunter puts his hand on her head, and he strokes the girls' hair, and she is now smiling again. I can see Lily adores her brother.

"So, when will be the wedding, son?" His father asked him.

"After one month, that is why I asked Madeline to live here in Divenson Mansion, to get acquainted with the place, and so that she will meet you guys. I hope you will help my future wife to enjoy her stay. I plan to move out and reside in our new residence after the wedding." He spoke, and I saw his father's face darkened.

"You can't do that, Hunter. You are the Heir, and this estate belongs to you. For generations, they have passed it down to the eldest son. It would be best if you built your family here. We can move to another estate if you want this home to be your permanent residence." Clark Divenson said.

"Father, you can't leave this mansion," Hunter replied.

"You are not allowed to leave this house, Hunter." His dad responded with authority, and I saw Hunter clenched his fists at his side.

We all stood from the dining table and said good night. Lily hugged me and whispered she would come to my room, and I nodded. She holds my hand while we walk to the stairs, and I can feel Hunter walking behind us. And we are about to get inside my room before her brother speaks.

"Lily, I know you wish to spend some moment with Madeline, but as you can see, I miss her today, and I need to talk with her about some important matter." He declared to his little sister.

"Of course, I understand, Hunter. Good night, Maddie, see you tomorrow." She responded and hugged me one more time and did the same to her brother before she walked away from us.

Lily has been gone for a long while, but he keeps silent, so I open my bedroom door. I was confused about whether I would invite him in, but when I was about to turn around, I collided with his muscular frame, and I didn't know he was walking closer to me.

He puts his hands on my waist to steady me, and I can feel the sparks that travel my entire body. All the things Gina said about the feelings you are going to experience once you find the man you love is happening to me in one night after meeting Hunter Divenson, my future husband.

He smells so desirable, and to be honest, I want to feel his lips on my mouth again. Before I could move away from him, he lifted my chin, and he took my hungry mouth once again; we shared another passionate kiss that brought me to cloud nine.

His crimson lips tasted so good, and how he claimed my mouth felt so wonderful; then, I felt disappointed when he stopped kissing me.

"Don't think we are kissing because I feel for you, Maddie. We are doing this to be familiar with me, and I don't wish my family to think we are not an actual couple. I will sleep here tonight in your room, but don't worry, I assure you, nothing will happen tonight unless we are married." He said.

"I want them to believe that we are in love and we are already doing it. Now give me your left hand." He ordered, and his words hurt me. I know I am only here because he wants a wife, but I wonder why he chose me when I have nothing to offer him.

He could have hired a bride and had a divorce later, and maybe that is his plan for me. He can file a divorce anytime since I don't belong to their society. I am nothing, and it will not become a scandal. He will not be the talk of his social circles.

Why am I feeling this way? Before I meet him, I want to beg him to work at his mansion as a maid, and he doesn't need to marry me. Why did I suddenly feel lonely thinking about what would happen after our marriage?

"Didn't you hear me? Give me your left hand, Madeline." He repeated, and I can tell the irritation in his voice. When I offered him my left palm, he fished out something from his pocket, and my eyes got so big when I realized he inserted the engagement ring on my ring finger. And I wonder why it fits perfectly on me.

"Don't dare to pull it out, Maddie. That ring is a sign that we are in love with each other, and I don't wish them to think this is just an act." He said, and I nodded. I want to ask him many questions, but I don't understand why my mouth is closed.

"May I know what I should call you?" I asked innocently.

"Just call me Hunter." He replied in a haughty tone, and I wondered why he suddenly sounded like this when we were in the dining hall; he looked so happy and alive, and now he looked like we were attending a wake.

"I will be back later, and don't forget to lock the door." He said as he moved to the exit and got out without a second glance. How come he becomes so warm and cold at the same time? His family is weird, too. They are both the same. When Hunter is around, they seem pleased to see me, same with Hunter, but when I am with his family without him, they look at me with total hatred, same with him. He is treating me with coldness the moment we are alone.

I wonder why Hunter instructed me to close the door. Did he notice the way his brother was looking at me?

I undress my dress and pick up the towel from the closet, and I turn inside the bathroom and I take a warm shower. I feel so fresh when I finish taking a bath.

I put on my nightgown and combed my light-brown hair. And I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and my hazel brown eyes looked back at me. And I can't stop myself from smiling. My handsome future husband has kissed me.

I realized I experienced love at first sight with Hunter Divenson, and I felt glad it was him. I felt this way because I was going to marry him. I am not only marrying for money, at least for me. I felt love, and I don't know his real deal.

I can say the reason I am here is that he paid off my aunt's debt, and she is now happy that the bank can't push through the foreclosure of her house.

I can't deny my attraction towards him. I am nineteen years old, but I have never experienced loving someone, and I am uncertain if what I feel right now is love. I am touching my lips and reliving the sweet kiss that we have shared. It was glorious. And I can't wait to meet Gina and tell her about my episode with Hunter.

I was about to go to bed when I heard someone trying to open my door, and I felt so nervous. It suddenly opened, and I was so relieved to see Hunter getting inside my room. And I understood he was using a master key. I thought my stomach was somersault when I recognized he just finished taking a shower.

He looks so young and hot now that he is only wearing sweatpants and a white sleeveless tank top, and I can look at his muscles rippled as he walks towards the bed. He looked so glorious, and I tried my best to remain calm even though I could hear my heart thundering.

I need to control myself, or he will know how I feel about him. He looked at me, and I could tell his eyes lingered on my legs and body, and I felt so hot all over my torso.

"It is getting late already. I have to work early tomorrow. Please go to bed now, Madeline." He said, And that is when I moved to the bed. I felt nervous and excited to be on the same bed with him.

He was just a stranger to me a while ago, but now, I crave to sleep closer to him. I know I am stupid and irrational. I envied him since the moment his body hit the bed. He fell asleep immediately, while I find it so hard to slumber, especially now that Hunter Divenson is sleeping beside me.

He looks so handsome even if he is falling asleep, and I wish to trace the contours of his face, his perfect nose, the ideal shape of his eyebrows, and his enticing perfect lips.

"Maddie, go to sleep and stop checking me out." He said, and I felt embarrassed. How does he know I am peering at him when his eyes are closed?

Maybe he can't handle it. I am staring at him the entire time. I hope to get closer to him by the time I fall asleep. I close my eyes with a wide grin on my face, thinking it felt so nice to be lying on the bed beside Hunter. I should get scared because he is still a stranger to me, but it feels like I have known him for a long time ago.