Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"Maddie, Mr. Gildon would like to speak for you." Kara Spraggins, who had come with me, held out the phone.

I had underestimated Chris' persistence. In this situation, I had no choice but to take the phone. I spoke very formally. "Mr. Gildon, what can I do for you?"

"Maddie." Chris' hoarse voice was filled with guilt. "Why did you leave so early today? I came home but couldn't give you a lift."

Realizing he wasn't talking about work, I walked a bit further away. "I went out for breakfast."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't leave last night. That's why I didn't come home."

My heart grew cold, a sarcastic smirk on my lips. "Why couldn't you leave?"

When he didn't answer me, I held my breath and gave him an out. "Couldn't find a nurse?"

He said hesitantly, "Yes."

I didn't say anything more.

Chris continued, "Maddie, when will you be done? I'll come pick you up, and we can have lunch together."

We hadn't had lunch together in a long time.

According to what Yerick said last night, Chris had been spending his time with Jewel.

Was he suddenly asking me out of guilt for leaving me halfway last night, or did he suddenly have a conscience?

I didn't know, and I didn't want to tire my brain cells guessing. I replied indifferently, "I'm not sure. It might not even be finished by noon. Besides, don't you have something to do every day at noon now?" "Maddie." Chris must have caught my sarcasm. He called out my name sternly, only to pause for two seconds before he said, "Don't overthink it."

He left me in bed when we were in the middle of doing it last night. What else could I be overthinking about?

Not wanting to discuss personal matters during working hours, I told him, "I'm busy right now. I'm hanging up if there's nothing else."

He didn't say anything, so I hung up the phone.

on-site inspections. After finishing the discussions by ten, Kara and I headed to

was responsible for overseeing all the projects. Now, 80% of it was complete. I had to check on-site to see if there were any discrepancies between the finished work and the

since the partners followed the drawings closely, it was still a

were swollen, and my toes were

something was off. "Maddie,

feet hurt/" I admitted. If I weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give my feet

"Maddie, do you feel unwell

pause, Kara pointed at her face. "Maddie,

matter how well a woman put on makeup, it was no use

gave her a random excuse and took out my phone, pretending to

chatty girl. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up the pretense if she kept

it was Kara, I didn't pay much attention until I felt warmth on my ankle and

my foot on his knee, and

anything;

at me. "Are you

I replied, trying to pull my foot

Chris didn't let go as he continued to massage my foot. "It won't happen again," he quietly

custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled in the

attention to the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed envious looks, whispering about finally seeing a real-life version of a handsome guy who

touched. The resentment from last night melted away

mouthed

night's incident, it would make me seem petty, as if I were overly

you want for

having an appetite even though I was

fish. They also have pan-seared foie gras; it's really good,"

my breath hitch. Sensing my reaction, he smiled, buckled my seatbelt for

I couldn't answer him.

lifted my spirits completely. I always felt so pathetic-Chris just had to be a little nicer to me, and I'd be over the

of Jewel, I asked,

fine. She's already been