Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)
Redmption 8

Redmption 8

"Maddie, Mr. Gildon would like to speak for you." Kara Spraggins, who had come with me, held outthe phone.

I had underestimated Chris' persistence. In this situation, I had no choice but to take the phone. Ispoke 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 homebut 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 replace 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 lunchtogether."

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 aconscience?

I didn't know, and I didn't want to tire my brain cells guessing. I replied indifferently, "I'm not sure. Itmight not even be finished by noon. Besides, don't you have something to do every day at noonnow?"

"Maddie." Chris must have caught my sarcasm. He called out my name sternly, only to pause fortwo 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 beoverthinking about?

Not wanting to discuss personal matters during working hours, I told him, "I'm busy right now. I'mhanging up if there's nothing else."

He didn't say anything, so I hung up the phone.

Today's fieldwork included discussions between partners and on-site inspections. After finishing thediscussions by ten, Kara and I headed to the site.

This was a construction project for an amusement park. I was responsible for overseeing all theprojects. Now, 80% of it was complete. I had to check on-site to see if there were any discrepanciesbetween the finished work and the design drawings.

Although the chances of problems were slim since the partners followed the drawings closely, it wasstill a necessary procedure for me to inspect.

After making my rounds, my feet were swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a place to sit andrest.

Kara must have noticed something was off. "Maddie, are you now feeling well?"

"Yeah, my feet hurt/" I admitted. If I weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give my feeta good rest.

"Oh." Kara looked at my face. "Maddie, do you feel unwell anywhere else?"

Seeing me pause, Kara pointed at her face. "Maddie, your complexion doesn't look good."

It would be weirder if I looked well after barely sleeping last night. Besides, no matter how well awoman put on makeup, it was no use if she was in a bad mood.

"It's probably because I'm getting my period soon." I gave her a random excuse and took out myphone, pretending to handle some messages.

Kara was a chatty girl. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up the pretense if she kept askingquestions.

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

Chris had taken off my shoes, placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are yourshoes not fitting properly?" he asked.

I didn't say anything; my throat felt tight.

He looked up at me. "Are you still mad?" he asked softly.

"No," I replied, trying to pull my foot back.

However, Chris didn't let go as he continued to massage my foot. "It won't happen again," he quietlypromised.

Chris was dressed in a navy blue suit with a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled inthe sunlight, much like the man himself.

He massaged my left foot and then moved on to my right, paying no attention to the people walkingby. Some girls passing by showed envious looks, whispering about finally seeing a real-life versionof a handsome guy who doted on his girlfriend.

I admit, I was touched. The resentment from last night melted away as he massaged my feet.

"Maddie, you're so lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from a distance.

Chris had gone to such lengths. If I kept holding onto last night's incident, it would make me seempetty, as if I were overly eager for what had happened.

"What do you want for lunch?" Chris asked me.

"Anything," I replied, not really having an appetite even though I was feeling a bit better.

"Let's get grilled fish. They also have pan-seared foie gras; it's really good," Chris suggested whilehelping me into the car.

As I reached for the seatbelt, he leaned in, his soapy scent wafting past my nose, making my breathhitch. Sensing my reaction, he smiled, buckled my seatbelt for me, and then kissed my cheek lightlyas he straightened up. "Maddie, you look just as shy as you did when we were little."

I couldn't answer him.

Even though the kiss was fleeting, it lifted my spirits completely. I always felt so pathetic—Chris justhad to be a little nicer to me, and I'd be over the moon.

Thinking of Jewel, I asked, "How is Jewel doing?"

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

When I didn't say anything further, Chris glanced at me and asked, "Why are you so quiet?"

"I don't know what to say," I answered honestly.

As I said it, his words about how we knew each other too well echoed in my ears.

Indeed, Chris and I were too familiar with each other. We knew everything about one another. Weknew each other so well to the point where there wasn't much left to say between us.

Chris took me to the restaurant, where the waiter led us to a table by the window with a bouquet ofwhite roses I loved. It was then I realized he had made a reservation in advance.

The grilled fish and foie gras were served, along with my favorite dessert. It was clear he had putthought into this meal.

The delicious food, the beautiful flowers, and Chris' long, elegant hands; I took photos and postedthem on my social media. My colleagues from the office immediately liked the post, and Karareplied with a pouting emoji and a comment saying, "Should've brought me alone!"

Before we came here, Chris had told Kara to handle lunch on her own and submit the receipt forreimbursement later.

Lisa saw the post too but didn't like it. Instead, she sent me a private message.

"Looks like he's making an effort to make up for his mistake. Not bad. Plus, I checked with the nightnurse yesterday; he was just in the room with Jewel. Nothing happened."

I quietly read her text.

"Stop looking at your phone and eat," Chris reminded me as he cut the foie gras and placed it infront of me.

I picked up my fork and was about to take a bite when a familiar figure entered my line of sight.

Jewel, who also saw me, glided over with a smile. "Ms. Crown." Then she turned to Chris. "Chris,you're here too."

Seriously, would it make sense for someone else who wasn't my fiancé to be sitting in front of me?

"What a coincidence, Ms. Massey. What brings you here?" I asked directly.

"I visited Ian's grave. I happened to pass by when I smelled the foie gras from here and got acraving," Jewel replied, her voice as soft and delicate as her appearance.

"You're by yourself?" Chris asked.

"Yes! If you don't mind, can I join you?" Jewel asked as she placed her coat on the chair next toChris.