Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I checked my calendar and realized that Zack's birthday was in three days.

It wouldn't be appropriate to bring up this matter on his birthday. I didn't want to dampen his celebration. So, I decided to deliver the gift early to ensure I wouldn't have to go on his actual birthday. However, before I could take action, Conrad came to find me.

I hadn't seen him since we left the amusement park, and I almost didn't recognize him at first glance.

"Have I changed so much that you can't recognize me?" Conrad joked.

Seeing him like this reminded me of Brandon, and I smiled faintly. "If your mom saw you like this, she would definitely be worried."

"No, she said I look more manly now," Conrad said, trying to make me laugh again.

I pressed my lips together. "Indeed, you do look more masculine."

Conrad touched his face. "I think so too."

Despite his efforts to lighten the mood, I still didn't know how to respond after he spoke.

plan to visit Zack, I asked

lot."

day after work, and they saw me daily. But since I moved out,

to visit them today," I said and paused for a

confusion. I understood what he wanted to know, and I saw no reason to hide it from him. "Chris has been aggressively undermining the company I joined, even to the

look surprised. It was clear he already

moment, he said, "I've already told my Dad about this, and he's adamantly against your

response from me, Conrad continued, "I'm here today as a messenger for my Dad. Maddie... please

I couldn't help but smile. "If you fail your mission today, will

year living with the Gildon family, Zack had assigned Conrad a task, which he didn't complete well. When he returned, Zack kicked

remembered that incident vividly. It was the first time I saw

the time. He didn't cry or explain himself. But when he saw me, I noticed the embarrassed flush on

I should have hidden away to

me?" Conrad smiled,

started to deny

I'm not here to persuade you today, even if it means