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.

finishing the discussions by ten, Kara and I headed to the

was complete. I had

chances of problems were slim since the partners followed the drawings closely, it

feet were swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a

must have noticed something was off. "Maddie, are you now feeling

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

looked at my face. "Maddie, do you feel

me pause, Kara pointed at her face.

looked well after barely sleeping last night. Besides, no matter how well

I'm getting my period soon." I gave her a random excuse and took out my phone, pretending to handle

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

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

on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are your

didn't say anything; my

up at me. "Are you

trying to

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

with a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his shirt

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

The resentment from last night melted away as he massaged

mouthed

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

you want for lunch?" Chris asked

," I replied, not really having an appetite even though I was

get grilled fish. They also have pan-seared foie gras; it's really good," Chris suggested while helping

seatbelt, he leaned in, his soapy scent wafting past my nose, making my breath hitch. Sensing my reaction, he smiled, buckled my seatbelt for me, and then kissed my cheek lightly as he straightened up. "Maddie, you look just

I couldn't answer him.

felt so pathetic-Chris just had to be a little nicer to me, and I'd

asked, "How

replied, "She's fine. She's already been