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.

on-site inspections. After finishing the discussions by

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

the partners followed the

making my rounds, my feet were swollen, and my toes were aching. I

must have noticed something was off.

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

at my face. "Maddie,

pause, Kara pointed at her

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

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

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

over me. Thinking it was Kara, I didn't pay much attention until I felt

had taken off my shoes, placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are your

say anything; my

up at me. "Are you still

I replied, trying to pull

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

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

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

The resentment from last night melted away as he massaged

so lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from a

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

do you want for

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

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

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

I couldn't answer him.

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

Jewel, I asked, "How

fine.