Love's Redemption

As I was paying, Brandon returned my call.

"I was busy earlier and just saw your message," Brandon explained.

"I understand. Are you free tonight?" I asked.

Brandon replied, "What time?"

I thought for a couple of seconds. If we went at six, it would be dinner time, and Zack and Bree would surely invite us to stay for dinner. I didn't mind, but Brandon might feel awkward.

"Seven-thirty," I decided. By then, the Gildon family would have finished dinner.

"Okay, I'll pick you up at seven. Is that alright?" Brandon asked.

I laughed. "How are you planning to pick me up? On a shared bike?"

I didn't mean anything by it; I just found it funny. But when Brandon didn't respond, I realized my words might have been misunderstood.

"No, I didn't mean anything by that," I quickly explained. Then I added, "I'll come pick you up."

"I'll be home half an hour earlier. When the time comes, we can go together," Brandon said, then paused. "Do I need to prepare any gifts?"

"No need. I've got it covered," I replied and hung up, only to see Jewel watching me.

Whether in the past or now, Jewel always looked at me with a mix of envy and jealousy.

I had nothing to say to her, so I picked up my things and left.

Instead of going home, I went to a men's clothing store. Since I was taking Brandon to the Gildon estate today, I couldn't let him wear his usual clothes. Although I didn't know if he had anything suitable, it was necessary to buy him a fitting outfit, considering I was asking him to play a part for me.

At six in the evening, I had a light meal and waited for Brandon to come home.

Instead of him, I got a call from Kara. "Maddie, do you have time tonight? I want to chat with you."

Unfortunately, I didn't.

"What do you want to talk about? We can talk on the phone. I'm going to the Gildon estate tonight," I said without hiding it from her.

"Oh, what a pity," Kara sounded disappointed.

I picked up an apple from the table and took a bite. "How about I treat you to dinner another day?"

"I don't want dinner," Kara grumbled. "Maddie, I've been so angry these past two days. I didn't want to bother you with it, but if I don't tell you, I might explode."

I frowned slightly. "What happened? Did Brandon give you a hard time again?" All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

"It's not him. It's Jewel. She's such a homewrecker," Kara's words made me pause mid-bite.

I had run into her this morning, and now someone else was talking to me about her. She seemed to be my jinx today.

"What about her?" I asked slowly.

Kara started rattling off like a machine gun. "She flaunted her pregnancy, acting like she needs to be carried around in a sedan chair everywhere she goes. If she's so worried about something going

wrong, why doesn't she just stay home in bed?"

I chuckled. "She's just trying to earn milk money for the baby."

"Yeah, right. She's just showing off, pretending like she's carrying the crown prince, like it's Mr. Gildon's child," Kara's words made the food in my mouth taste bitter.

"It's possible," I responded lightly.

"Really?" Kara sounded surprised. "If she's pregnant with Mr. Gildon's child, then he's already betrayed you. That would make him a real jerk."

I could no longer swallow the bit of apple in my mouth.

I set the apple down and didn't respond.

"Maddie, I don't think it's possible," Kara added. "If she's really carrying Mr. Gildon's child, she would have used it to her advantage by now, instead of always looking like she owes you money when she sees you."

I couldn't help but laugh at Kara. She managed to insult someone and drag me into it too.