Redmption 76


    I hadn’t washed my hands, and neither had Conrad


    I was fine with that, but I could see that Conrad was embarrassed.


    “A little dirt won’t hurt,” I said to ease the awkwardness.


    Brandon walked over, holding some wet wipes.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Conrad tried to take them, but Brandon didn’t let go. I ended up taking them before handing one to


    Conrad and using another to wipe my hands.


    “Maddie, who’s this?” Conrad was curious about the imposing and unfriendly


    Brandon.


    “This is Brandon Howell. He’s the lighting technician,” I introduced Brandon.


    Brandon’s gaze bore into me, prompting me to introduce Conrad as well. “This is my… brother,


    Conrad.”


    “Hello,” Conrad said, extending his hand to Brandon.


    But Brandon nodded, and Kara quickly said, “Mr. Howell has germophobia.”


    Conrad smiled slightly, withdrew his hand, and looked at me. “Let’s sit down and eat. It won’t taste


    good if it gets cold.”


    Kara licked her lips. “Can I have one?”


    “Of course,” Conrad said. Then, he offered some to Brandon, saying, “Mr. Howell, please try some


    too.”


    “I’ll be having risotto,” Brandon declined and walked away.


    Kara paused mid–bite of her food and then looked at me. “Maddie, why do I feel like Mr. Howell is


    suffering from premenstrual syndrome?”


    I gave her a thumbs up. “You’re spot on.”


    Conrad chuckled at our exchange and then said, “Mr. Howell has quite a temper.”


    “Not usually. He was fine before, a bit aloof but not hostile. Today he seems on edge, like he ate a


    bowl of chili peppers.” Kara’s mouth ran even as she ate.


    Chapter/b


    Fortunately, the food we ordered arrived. After eating the risotto and sd, I didn’t eat any more of


    the food we had ordered, leaving the rest for Kara and


    Brandon to finish.


    Kara was happy to eat with Brandon, but he told her to eat first while he went.


    back to work.


    I could see Kara’s disappointment at being stood up. It was honestly quite


    amusing.


    “You seem happy. I was worried you might be upset.” Conrad’s words brought my attention back.


    “Why would I be upset?” I asked as I ate. “I’m not one to go crazy over love. When I’m in love, that


    person will be my whole world. When the love is gone, they’re nothing to me.”


    Conrad nodded. “Bravo, that’s my girl!”


    “How are Bree and Zack?” I probed cautiously.


    It was strange that they hadn’t called. Had they epted that Chris and I were over? I felt it wasn’t


    that simple.


    Conrad looked at me, smiling faintly. “What do you think?”


    I paused while eating. Conrad continued, “They still think that you and Chris are! inseparable. They


    assume that the both of you are just upset with each other. for now. So they’ve decided to give you


    both some time to sort things out.”


    So, that was it.


    The risotto in my mouth lost their vor as I swallowed. If that was the case, was going to have to


    disappoint them, then.


    “Maybe with time, they’ll be able to ept it. Don’t feel pressured,” Conrad reassured me.


    I wasn’t feeling pressured, just indebted to them. They had raised me, after all.


    “They treat you as their daughter and can’t bear the thought of you leaving home,” Conrad said


    softly.


    “Daughters will inevitably marry, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t return home anymore,” I


    said..


    Choose 76


    When I looked up, 1 saw Conrad’s gaze. something. He smiled at me as he said, you’ll never have


    to leave home.”


    That was impossible now.


    3/3


    When I looked up,1 saw Conrad’s gaze. His eyes seemed to sparkle with something. He smiled at


    me as he said, “But if you marry into the Gildon family, you’ll never have to leave home.”


    That was impossible now.