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.

partners and on-site inspections. After finishing

was complete. I had to check on-site to see if there were any

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

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

something was off. "Maddie, are you

weren't on site, I would have

"Maddie, do you feel

pause, Kara pointed at her face.

night. Besides, no matter how well a woman put on makeup, it was no use if she was

because I'm getting my period soon." I gave her a random excuse and took out

I was afraid I wouldn't be

shadow fell over me. Thinking it was Kara, I didn't pay much attention until I felt warmth on my ankle

taken off my shoes, placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are your shoes not fitting properly?"

didn't say anything;

at me. "Are you still mad?" he

replied, trying to

continued to massage

suit with a white shirt. The custom

massaged my left foot and then moved on to my right, paying no attention to the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed envious

The resentment from last

mouthed

incident, it would make me seem petty, as if

for lunch?" Chris

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

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

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

I couldn't answer him.

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

I asked, "How

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