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.

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

was complete. I had

chances of problems were slim since the partners followed the

swollen, and my toes were

have noticed something was off.

I admitted. If I weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes

Kara looked at my face. "Maddie,

pointed at her face. "Maddie, your complexion doesn't

no matter how well a

period soon." I gave her a random

was a chatty girl. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to

a shadow fell over me. Thinking it was Kara, I didn't pay much attention until I

foot on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are your shoes not

say anything; my

me. "Are you still

to pull my

didn't let go as he continued to massage my foot. "It won't

in a navy blue suit with a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled in the sunlight, much like the man

left foot and then moved on to my right, paying no 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

mouthed to me from a

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

for

having an appetite even though

have pan-seared foie gras; it's really good," Chris suggested

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

I couldn't answer him.

lifted my spirits completely. I always felt so pathetic-Chris just had to be a little nicer to

Jewel, I asked,

fine. She's already been