Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I looked at Brandon, who was also looking at me. The atmosphere in the room was a bit ambiguous.

It was absurd. We had slept in a hotel room together without any issues before.

Yet here, in this spacious two-bedroom apartment, it felt cramped, like even the air was suffocating.

After a brief, silent stare, Brandon spoke. "I think it's more appropriate for me to sleep on the couch."

I was speechless.

"Only your real boyfriend should sleep in your room. I... I'll stick to the couch," Brandon said. It made me feel like I was somehow mistreating him.

But I knew he was trying to pressure me. He wanted to become my actual boyfriend.

The old saying about quiet men being the most cunning seemed true.

However, I wasn't falling for it. I simply said, "Suit yourself," and quickly went into my parents' room.

bed, but I couldn't sleep. The lingering fear

defensive preparations might not have been enough, and

coincidence that he came to

so I couldn't see outside. Was he really sleeping on the

he was washing up

sound of his footsteps reminded me of my childhood. I used to hear

never thought much of it back then,

to check on Brandon once he fell asleep, but I ended up dozing

use the bathroom. As I got up, I

on my way out and saw him sleeping there. His tall frame barely fit,

Double standards.

was not my real boyfriend, so he wouldn't sleep in my

to protect me even though

bathroom. After that, I always had trouble falling asleep again. I felt alone and abandoned in

abandoned me, with no one to care for or love