Chapter 214 - Invitation

Madeline's POV

"You need to eat, Madeline. I know you felt worried about what would happen once we arrived at our destination, but don't worry, l promised I would help you. I can't help you now because I need to help my brother. His life might be in danger if he will not do his end of the bargain." Karen said while she looked at me. We are sitting in front of our food on top of the two-seater wooden table.

"Thank you, Karen, I felt hopeful that you promised to help me, but I want you to be careful as well because we don't know how Kaye's mind works. I don't want something to happen to your while you were trying to help me to get back to my husband." I said as I took a look at the food on my plate, and I knew Karen was right; I needed to eat for my baby's nutrition. I started eating my meal, and Karen followed suit.

"Of course, don't worry about me, Madeline. I will be careful.. I want to help you, and after what happened on our ship, I could tell the one who hired my brother is someone who hated you so much because I could tell they wanted to eliminate you or make you suffer. " Karen replied.

"I am sorry if I didn't believe in you right away, Madeline. Our client didn't hire us to take good care of you for good because we don't do illegal business, Madeline. That is why she hired people to get you, so it would look like we lost you during transit. Noah will be in great trouble, he can't receive the money without you, and I couldn't believe she tried to double-cross my brother." She added.

"You don't need to apologize to me, Karen. I can't blame you; they fabricated everything, especially the medical records. I could say I am physically and mentally healthy because that was one of my husband's requirements before he married me." I responded, and her eyes got so big.

"What? That is ridiculous, and this is the first time I have heard something like that, and I wonder if it will become like that in the future. It would be funny to ask someone who asked you to go on a date if he doesn't have any illness." She replied, and I agreed with her.

I don't have a choice but to tell Karen everything about Hunter and me. Karen was curious why someone would require such a thing before getting married, but my love story differs from most women's tales. I got married out of convenience, and I just felt glad I fell for my husband on the first night that we met while he fell in love with me along the way.

I need Karen's trust so that she will help me, and I can tell she was captivated by our love story. I saw her tears welled up in her eyes when I reached the point Hunter met Rebecca for the first time after believing for so many years she was dead, and they were kissing each other in front of me. That was one of the most painful experiences I have ever had in my life.

"Wow! That was unbelievable. I couldn't believe Hunter Divenson had that kind of life story." Karen said after I told her everything.

"I know, and that is why I became more in love with him," I replied.

"What you have been through together was too much, and I want to help you both." She replied, and I beamed at her.

"But I hope you will understand that I can't bring you with me. We need to take you to the person they said, your uncle. I felt worried about you, Madeline. I hope they won't do something to you." She added.

"Me too, Karen, I hope they will not hurt me, but I think the reason she sent those men so that she can't pay your brother the agreed amount, and if ever my husband will look for me; your brother will be held liable for my disappearance, and don't worry, I understand that your brother signed a contract." I declared.

"Yes, you are correct, Madeline." She responded, and I felt glad I shared a room with Karen because I felt less lonely.

I still felt lucky I passed out during our escape from the burning ship, or I would be in deep trauma. Watching the vessel engulfed by the enormous fire plus the big waves would be enough to make me faint. I know it was a horrible experience for all of us, but I could tell they are used to this kind of life, and I hope the weather will continue to be friendly like this because I don't want to experience that kind of plight again. I couldn't imagine lying on my bed the entire day feeling nauseated most of the time.

Nighttime came, and I started to get worried when I felt the rocking of the boat begin to get rough, and when Karen told me it would not continue, I felt so relieved. The days passed so quickly, and I felt so thankful that the pirates didn't ask for my presence even once. I stayed in my room, while there were moments Captain Noah would come and will ask Karen's presence, and I could tell they were talking about the pirates or me. But the day I dreaded came when the captain of the pirates asked for my presence.

"Don't worry, Madeline, I will be with you. Noah said it was the captain's birthday, and he wanted everyone to come and celebrate with him, and he invited you to join his birthday celebration." Karen said, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so worried.

"Can't we just stay here in our cabin?" I asked because I felt uneasy about seeing the captain and the rest of the crew, knowing they were pirates

made my entire body trembled.

"I am sorry, Madeline, but you can't say no to the master of this ship, and it would be better if you will put this on," Karen replied and handed me some clothing.

"Where did you get this dress?" I asked Karen the moment she handed me a beautiful dress.

"One of the crew gave it to me." She responded.

"Are there any women on this ship?" I asked, and she nodded her head.

"Yes, some of them are wives of the pirates, while most are crew members." She responded, and I wonder what would be the life of them inside of this ship.

"Is this a pirate ship?" I asked.

"Yes, it is." She replied.

"How come we have our cabin?" I couldn't stop myself from asking because all I could think about the pirate ships was different from this.

"Well, the captain of this ship made some renovations, and this cabin belongs to one of his crew." She said, and I could tell based on the design of our cabin, this is more modern than the pirate ship I could think of, and I know it is not the best time for me to worry about the cabin's design.

"You better get changed now, Maddie." She said, and I started to undress my clothes while she did the same. And I could tell Karen has a beautiful figure. I already have a small bump on my tummy, but the A-line design of the dress is suitable for pregnant women, and it looked so good on me, I could tell that my breasts started to swell, and I could no longer hide my cleavage because it was late for me to realize the dress has a plunging neckline.

"Wow, it feels like we are going to attend a real party." Karen said when she looked at me, and I was trying to adjust the neckline of my dress to hide my cleavage.

"You have a wonderful asset, Madeline, and the design of the dress emphasized the beautiful size of your breasts, so I guess you have to deal with it for now, and even if you are married, I could tell a lot of guys will still yearn for your attention, and if I didn't know your husband is the handsome CEO of the Divenson Mining Corporation, I would have to ask you to marry my brother." She said while she helped me with my hair, and I was stunned by her words.

"Relax, Maddie, I was only kidding. My brother's wife passed away three years ago." She added, and I suddenly felt sad for Captain Noah. I remember how I felt when the explosion on the mining site happened. I thought I would lose him that day, and I couldn't imagine the pain he underwent by the time his wife died.

"Life could be tough sometimes, and there are times we wonder why we need to suffer while others are having a good time. It feels unfair, but that is life after all. Sometimes we need to undergo hardships to appreciate the real beauty of life." I replied, and she looked at me.

"Yeah, I couldn't imagine your life, Maddie, and I am sorry if we made it harder for you. It seems like we belong to the people who made your life harder, and I hope when the right time comes, I could make It up to you." Karen responded.

"It is okay, Karen; your presence alone is a big help because if you weren't here, I don't know how I would feel," I said, and she smiled at me.

"Thank you, Madeline, for your understanding," She said, and I smiled at her.

Karen offered her hand to me, and I took it, and we walked out from our cabin, and we proceeded to the reception area. I heard singing, and I could tell right away, the pirates were singing their hearts out, and I hoped they were now drunk enough to ignore me, so I will no longer be in trouble.