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

construction project for an amusement park. I was responsible for overseeing all the projects. Now, 80% of it was

the chances of problems were slim since the partners followed the drawings closely, it was still a necessary procedure for

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

noticed something was off. "Maddie,

on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give my feet a

"Maddie, do you feel

pointed at her face.

I looked well after barely sleeping last night. Besides, no matter how well a woman put on makeup, it was no

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

was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up the pretense if she

Thinking it was Kara, I didn't pay

on his knee,

didn't say anything; my throat

me. "Are you still

I replied, trying to pull my

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

custom cufflinks on his

to my right, paying no attention to the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed

The resentment from last night melted away as he

Kara mouthed to me from

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

for lunch?" Chris

really having an appetite even

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

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.

pathetic-Chris just had

Jewel, I asked, "How

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