Chapter 101 - Killing Me Softly

Hunter's POV

It feels like my entire world is falling down. I felt so angry with my dad. How could he toy with my feelings? I am his son; I couldn't believe why he has to do all this to me? I have been a dutiful son to him growing up, and I always follow his wishes, except when I fall in love with Rebecca and meet Madeline. No wonder Maddie looked so sad lately, and it was because she knew Rebecca is alive. How can I live my life now? I have never been so perplexed in my entire life. I want to stay with Maddie in our bed and take her into my arms, but I couldn't do it because my mind is in disarray. I can't stop thinking about Rebecca.

Rebecca was my first love, the only girl I love since high school, and I never felt anything towards anyone until Maddie came into the picture. I was so lost when I thought Rebecca died. My world crumbled down, and I am pleased to know that she is still alive so I can finally ask forgiveness to her for hurting her feelings, and most of all for doubting her love for me. I have always been in love with Rebecca until my jerk of a father ruined everything. He paid Luke to wreck the beautiful love story we had, and what am I going to do with my life right now? In my confusion, I called the only person who always makes me feel better and at peace, but I know there is nothing he can do to make me feel alright, but I need someone to talk to because this information is driving me mad.

"Mr. Divenson, do you know what time it is?" He asked, and I can tell I woke him up from his sleep because he sounds groggy; I didn't talk right away as I tried to control my tears.

"What is wrong, Hunter?" He asked, and I was smiling through my tears because I can imagine Calixto's face right now, and even though he sounds irritated, I know deep inside him, he cares about me.

"Is it a crime if I am going to beat my father right now until he can no longer walk?" I asked, and I can hear his heavy sigh over the phone.

"Is Madeline alright? Did your father hurt her too?" He asked in a worried tone.

"No, Madeline is physically fine, but I am sure she is broken emotionally." I said, and I put the phone on speaker while getting a bottle of whiskey from the bar. I poured some liquor on my glass while waiting for Cal to answer me.

"What is going on, Hunter?" He asked, and even though I felt like I am dying inside, he makes me smile a little because he seldom calls me on the first name basis, and I can tell Calixto is now on a friendly mode, not my employee, and I can tell he is getting impatient.

"Rebecca is alive, Calixto." I declared.

"What????" He asked, and I know he is shocked as me.

"Hunter, are you alright? Did your nightmare come back again? You told me recently that your bad dreams had disappeared, and why are you talking about something like this? I should call your doctor tomorrow, and you need to seek help from a medical professional because I am not a doctor, and you are scaring me. You call me this late only to tell me your ex-fiancee is alive. We both witnessed how the car hit her fragile body on that awful day." He added, and he sounds so fearful that I lost my sanity.

"Cal, Rebecca is still alive, and Clark Divenson hid that information from me for ten fucking years." I said, and I smashed the bottle on the granite countertop because of the pain, anger, and devastation that I felt, and I can tell Cal is in shock because he is no longer talking on the other line.

"How did you know about all this information, Hunter?" He asked after a long while, and I drink my liquor on my glass in one gulp, and I got up from the stool to get another bottle from the back bar. I avoided the broken bottle pieces, and I know I am not a violent type of person, but right now, I want to go to the Divenson mansion and meet my father. I want to make him realize what he had done to me. I don't even know if my dad has a heart. What he had done to me is beyond crazy.

"Madeline found out about it during one of her visits to the Mental Care Homes. Can you imagine what I am going through right now, Cal? I am losing my fucking mind. How could my destiny play tricks on me? How am I going to deal with this situation? You realize how much I love Rebecca, and you also know how much I became so in love with Madeline. I don't want to hurt my wife, but I can never abandon Rebecca knowing she is having a hard time because of my father." I said, feeling so lost and defeated.

"How can I save Rebecca without breaking Madeline? Would I be so selfish to have them both in my life?" I asked, and I know I don't have any answers to my questions.

"Oh, Hunter, I don't know what to say, I want to comfort you right now, but it seems I can't find the right words to make you feel better, and if I were in your shoes, I would go crazy too, but at least you are no longer guilty about Rebecca's death, and for how many years you suffered because you keep on blaming yourself for what happened to her. Finally, you are free from your past, Hunter." Calixto replied.

"How can I take care of Rebecca, Cal? And how am I going to play the role as Madeline's husband at the same time without hurting them both? Cal, how did this happen to me? Why do I need to suffer this way? Am I a bad person?" I asked him.

"No, I admit you are strict, but you care about your employees in your ways, Hunter. If you are a terrible boss, I would have retired a long time ago; you are compassionate in your owns ways, Mr. Divenson." He said, and I continue to drink my alcohol, and we both fell silent for a while.

"What is your plan, now?" Cal asked me after a long moment of silence.

"I need to see Rebecca, Calixto; I want to see her with my own eyes." I replied.

"And Madeline?" He inquired, and I know Calixto's loyalty will always be with Maddie because I know he cares about my wife.

"That is the problem, Cal, she wants to come with me tomorrow, but I don't want to hurt her because I am not sure what would be Rebecca's reactions the moment she will see me and my responses towards her." I replied.

"Oh, Hunter, whether you like it or not, in one way or another, Madeline will get hurt along the process." He responded.

"Of course, I know. And you know what, Cal? I became more in love with Maddie knowing she didn't hide everything from me even though she knows how much I care about Rebecca, and I can see it in Maddie's eyes that she wants to save Rebecca too, and even though my wife already know she will get hurt in the end." I declared.

"Madeline is selfless, Calixto, and I hate why this is all happening right now when I became so in love with Madeline. Please, Cal, I am begging you to be there for Madeline. I know for the coming days, I have to stay away from her because I can't help Rebecca if I will be dealing with Madeline too." I added.

"Don't worry, I will do everything I can to help her, Hunter, and I am sure Madeline is having a hard time right now. Your wife is crazy in love with you, yet because of her great love for you, she gives way. I know deep inside her she wants you to stay with her, but she also understands that Rebecca is your first love, and was the only girl you love." Cal responded.

"Yeah, that is true, until she came along." I said, and I threw the glass on the floor.

"Hey, Hunter, what are you doing? I can hear the breaking of glass over there, and please calm down." Cal said.

"I am so angry right now, Cal. I want to beat my dad. How can he be selfish? He messed up with my life." I said, and I can't stop my tears from falling again. I had been under therapy for so many years. He made me believed that Rebecca was dead, he didn't even consider how I suffer, and I almost lost my sanity when I thought she was gone. Now that she came back, I can't say I can celebrate because, at the back of my head, I know there is someone I want to be with, but I can't run from Rebecca because deep inside me, I still care about her, and I need to know everything that happened with her.

"Hunter, son, you have to listen to me, I know you are in a state of shock, and you hate your father so much, and most of all, you are hurting, but you have to be strong. Whatever your decision will be, you have to think it over, and you have to follow what your heart desires. The decision is in your hands, and I hope whatever judgment you are going to make, you will not regret it, and I always wish for your happiness, Hunter. Don't worry, I will come over there early morning. You need to have some rest, Hunter." He said.

"Thank you, Calixto. Good night, and I will be waiting for you tomorrow." I replied, and I ended the call.. I have never felt this kind of pain before, and my father's betrayal was too much for me to deal with, and my longing to see Rebecca is making me miserable, and thinking about the sadness beneath Madeline's smile is killing me softly.