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.

After finishing the discussions by ten, Kara and

it was complete.

were slim since the partners followed the drawings closely, it was

swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a

off. "Maddie, are you

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

looked at my face. "Maddie,

her face. "Maddie, your complexion doesn't look

barely sleeping last night. Besides, no matter how well a woman put on makeup,

period soon." I gave her a

was a chatty girl. 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 and

placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging

anything; my throat

me. "Are you still mad?" he asked

trying to

massage my foot.

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

my 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 doted

from last night melted

you're so lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from a

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

do you want for

appetite even though I was feeling a

grilled fish. They also have pan-seared foie gras; it's really

reaction, he smiled, buckled my seatbelt for me, and then kissed my cheek lightly as he straightened up.

I couldn't answer him.

though the kiss was fleeting, it lifted my spirits completely. I always felt so pathetic-Chris just had to be a little nicer to me,

of Jewel, I asked, "How is

fine. She's already