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.

inspections. After finishing the discussions by ten, Kara

was responsible for overseeing all the projects. Now, 80% of it was complete. I

since the partners followed the drawings closely, it was still a necessary procedure for me to

swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a

was off.

weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give

Kara looked at my face. "Maddie,

me pause, Kara pointed at her

looked well after barely sleeping last night. Besides, no matter how well a woman put on makeup, it was no use if she was in a bad

a random excuse and took out

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

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

shoes, placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging

didn't say anything;

looked up at me. "Are you still mad?" he asked

I replied, trying to pull my

he continued to massage my foot.

was dressed in a navy blue suit with a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his

no attention to the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed envious

admit, I was touched. The resentment from last night

Kara mouthed to me from a

last night's incident, it would

for lunch?" Chris

having an appetite even though I was

gras; it's really good," Chris suggested while helping me

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 as shy as you did when we were

I couldn't answer him.

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

asked, "How

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