Redmption 130


    After a brief silence, Brandon’s deep, smooth voice broke the silence. “Have you been drinking?”


    “Are you willing to be my fake boyfriend? I dodged his question.


    Ignoring my response, he pressed, “Where are you?”


    “Forget it. I already know your answer,” I replied curtly.


    was ready to hang up, but Brandon stopped me.


    “Madeline, where are you? Are you at home or out somewhere?” His tone was firm, almost


    demanding.


    My suppressed emotions erupted. “Who are you to tell me where I can be? I’ll go wherever I want!


    I…”


    Lisa suddenly leaned over and spoke into the phone, “Mr. Howell, don’t worry. She’s with me. I’m


    her best friend.”


    ”


    Then she whispered in my ear, “Be nice when you’re asking for help.”


    I pushed her away yfully, but Brandon’s voice came through the phone again, “We’ll talk again


    tomorrow when you’re sober.”


    He hung up, leaving me staring at Lisa in disbelief. “He thinks I’m drunk.”


    Lisaughed. “He’s just afraid you’ll take it all back tomorrow when you’re sober.”


    I had been drinking, but I wasn’t that drunk.


    But maybe this was his way of rejecting me. After all, Brandon did hear me say I wasn’t into him.


    He probably thought I was messing with him, or maybe he was getting back at me for rejecting him.


    The next day, I was so hungover that I didn’t even know when Lisa left for work.


    My phone rudely woke me up.


    “Hello,” I answered without checking the number.


    “Ms. Crown, can youe to the amusement park now?” Gordon’s anxious Voice came through


    the line.


    I frowned. “Mr. Yates, I’ve quit. Didn’t you hear? If you need something, talk to… Conrad–Mr.


    Conrad.”


    “Ms. Crown, I need your help.” Gordon’s insistence made me smile and snap out of sleep.


    I rolled over and ran a hand through my tangled hair. “What do you want?”


    “You have toe. You’ll understand when you get here,” Gordon said mysteriously.


    I I checked the time on my phone. It was already 10:00 am, and I was still in bed. These moments


    ofziness felt surprisingly good.


    “I’ve already resigned. None of this concerns me anymore,” I reminded Gordon.


    “Ms. Crown.” Gordon’s voice was desperate. “Please, consider it a personal favor. Can youe?”


    I pursed my lips. “I suppose. But do we have to meet at the amusement park?”


    “Where would you like to meet?” Gordon asked.


    Sensing the gravity in his tone, I said, “Just tell me what’s going on over the phone.”


    Back when I was at thepany, Gordon was Chris‘ secretary.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    However, because of my rtionship with Chris, Gordon took care of me a lot. Many of Chris‘ gifts


    and holiday arrangements were handled by Gordon.


    In some ways, Gordon did more for me than Chris did.


    “It really can’t be discussed over the phone. We need to meet in person,” Gordon insisted


    solemnly.


    Still, I wasn’t going to give in. “Mr. Yates, if you won’t tell me now, then forget it.”


    “Maddie.” Gordon suddenly used my nickname. “If you don’te, I might lose my job tomorrow.”


    33


    I frowned and thought of something. “Is this Chris‘ n?”


    “Yes,” Gordon admitted awkwardly. “Actually, Mr. Gildon wants to… propose to you at the


    amusement park.”