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 the discussions by ten, Kara and I headed to the

responsible for overseeing all the projects. Now, 80% of it was complete. I had to check on-site to see if

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

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

was off. "Maddie, are you now

I admitted. If I weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes

my face. "Maddie, do you feel

her face. "Maddie, your

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

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

afraid I wouldn't be able to

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

foot on his knee,

anything; my

"Are you still

I replied, trying to

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

a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled in the sunlight, much

moved on to my right, paying no attention to the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed envious looks, whispering about finally

was touched. The resentment from last night

lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from

night's incident, it would make me seem petty, as if I were overly eager

want for

appetite even though I was

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

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

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

I asked,

fine. She's already been