Love's Redemption

My heart skipped a beat. "I already told you that we can't be together. If you're still holding onto that idea, I think we should stop pretending to be a couple. I'll find someone else."

As soon as I said this, he suddenly took a step toward me. "Then who will you find?"

Instinctively, I stepped back. He advanced while saying, "Are you going to go on more dates? Or find some other guy or friend?"

He sounded incredibly jealous.

"Brandon!" I put my hand out to stop him as I backed into a wall. I was unable to retreat any further.

But before I could say more, he said, "I do have feelings for you, but you rejected me, so I won't persist."

Huh?

Now I was a bit confused.

Brandon's expression remained cold and handsome. His deep eyes fixed on me. "I'm just a regular tenant living across from you now. Don't overthink it, and nothing will happen."

Was he implying that I was overthinking things?

As I struggled to find words, Brandon spoke again. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

His question smoothly shifted the conversation. It relieved the awkwardness I felt. I followed his lead, "It's pretty late. Are you off work already? Is everything done at the amusement park?" Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"No," he replied, matter-of-factly.

I scoffed. "Brandon, if it's not done, why did you leave early? You said you'd finish on time or even two days early."

"I will," Brandon said confidently.

I felt my irritation rising again. "But changing the testing process like this could cause more delays if there are issues during the final inspection."

"I understand that, but I'll handle it. If there are any problems, I'll take responsibility," Brandon said with a tone that suggested he could handle anything.

I wanted to ask where he got his confidence from.

But considering he was the lead on the lighting project, he did have the authority to say that.

After a few moments of thought, I reminded him, "Brandon, even though I've resigned and am no longer in charge of the lighting, I won't ever forgive you if the final result isn't what I envisioned."

Brandon's expression didn't change at all. "I promised I'd deliver, and I will."

There wasn't much more I could say after that.

"Fine. I hope so," I said before turning to leave. But Brandon blocked my way.

I wasn't sure what he was up to, but I didn't want to stay there a second longer. I tried to sidestep him, but he just moved to block me again.

I got angry. "Brandon."

"I need your help with something," Brandon said while looking uncharacteristically vulnerable.

This was a man who could fix a water pipe. What could he possibly need my help with?

I was curious. "What is it?"

"I cooked too much food. Can you help me eat it?" His words left me stunned for a couple of seconds. Then I nearly burst out laughing.

All the anger I felt since discovering he lived here dissipated. I kicked at him lightly and swatted him with my hand. "Are you kidding me, Brandon? Do you think I'm a child?"

He let me hit him a few times before grabbing my hands and saying, "New neighbor, I hope we can get along."

"Brandon!"

He pulled me to the dining table, which had four dishes and a soup laid out.

Did he need this much food for himself?

Or had he planned for me to discover his move tonight all along?

No, he couldn't have known for sure. He must have decided to reveal it to me tonight regardless of whether I found out by chance.

Feeling a sense of helplessness from being outplayed, my anger flared again. "Brandon, you..."

I was about to berate him again when his deep, pleasant voice interrupted me. "Ms. Crown, please do me the favor of helping me with this food."