Love's Redemption

Redmption 48

Chris sat in his chair. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and tie dotted with stars. It was the tie I had given him for his birthday last year.

He had never worn it before. I guessed he didn’t like it. But now, after our separation, he was wearing it.

His face was dark, and his eyes bore into me with a fierce intensity. I knew why. he was angry, but I calmly asked, “What do you need, Mr. Gildon?”

“Where have you been these past few days?” His voice was icy.

“On annual leave,” I replied, not directly answering his question.

His fingers curled slightly on the desk. “I asked where you went.”

“Amaty,” I answered honestly, having no reason to hide it.

His frown deepened, and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes. He probably didn’t know where Amaty was. It was a small and obscure county. How would he know?

9

But if he truly cared about me, he would know. I had mentioned that it was where I was born and that it was the place my parents had most wanted to take me to. He had heard it before, but he didn’t remember because he never really cared.

“You went to such a place?” His question made me want to laugh..

I smiled and nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“Then, why did you turn off your phone? Why didn’t you respond to messages?” His tone was accusatory.

I pressed my lips together. “That’s my prerogative, isn’t it, Mr. Gildon?”

His face darkened even more. “Yes, it’s your prerogative. The company policy states that employees must not let personal matters interfere with work.”

“Did I let my personal matters interfere with work?” I asked coolly.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. For some reason, I suddenly thought of Brandon and how his jaw had brushed against my nose and how his Adam’s apple had

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moved when he had swallowed. Brandon’s Adam’s apple was bigger and more masculine than Chris‘.

“The amusement park issue… Do you dare to say that your personal matters didn’t interfere with work?” Chris pointed at me.

“It didn’t,” I flatly denied. “Whether I was on leave or not, the lighting issue would still exist. Besides, when I found out about it, I cut my leave short and returned immediately.”

My leave was supposed to be ten days, but I had only taken a week.

Chris fell silent for a moment, then nodded angrily. “But this is your project.. Any problems are your responsibility.”

“I know, I’m actively working to fix it and will not let it affect the project’s completion,” I promised.

He knew my capability and determination. He nodded. “Fine. I’ll give you time. But if it delays the project, don’t blame me…”

He didn’t finish, but I understood his meaning. I finished for him. “If the project is delayed, I will bear the consequences.

“Can you afford it?” he suddenly shouted.

“My fingers curled slightly. “I know I can’t, so I won’t let it delay.”

Our back–and–forth should have reassured him, but I saw his anger grow. Chris didn’t speak for a moment. He just stared at me.

“Is there anything else, Mr. Gildon? If not, I’ll get back to work,” I said, turning to leave.

“Stop!” he commanded.

“What other instructions do you have, Mr. Gildon?” I asked formally.