Love's Redemption

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How awkward!

I felt embarrassed for Kara.

She was embarrassed too, but had a knack for handling such situations. She flashed a grin and said, “Alright, Mr. Howell. Thank you.”

Kara put down my bag and hurried over to me. She nudged me, pulling me forward. “Is Mr. Howell having premenstrual syndrome again? He seems to be in a bad mood today.”

I stayed silent. Kara sensed the harshness in Brandon’s words, but I felt… he was making Kara get her own food to avoid burdening me.

Was he… worried about me?

I shuddered at the thought. I felt like I was becoming increasingly narcissistic and overthinking things.

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“Let’s sit separately,” I suggested to Kara after we got our food. After spending the night in his room, I didn’t want to face Brandon.

“Why sit separately? Isn’t it better to sit together? We can discuss today’s plans. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Kara countered with a work–related excuse, leaving me unable to refute.

But I saw through her. “Your appetite improves just by looking at your crush.”

“Maddie, you know me so well!” Kara said with a mischievous grin.

Realizing I couldn’t avoid sitting with Brandon, I gave in. If I kept arguing, Kara would sense something was off and start guessing wildly.

Her mind worked in unique ways, and she was smart.

As we sat down with our meals, someone approached. “Kara, is that you?”

A pretty girl holding a breakfast tray.

Kara stood up, looking delighted. “Clara, what are you doing here?”

“I’m on a business trip. It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other. Why don’t we eat together?” The girl invited Kara.

Kara glanced at Brandon first, then at me, and said, “Sure!” She picked up her tray, and nodded to us, before leaving with her old classmate.

Suddenly, it was just Brandon and me at the table. I was already uncomfortable, and now even more so.

“You don’t need to feel awkward. Last night, you only slept in my bed. It’s not like we… slept together.” Brandon’s words almost made me spit out the soup 1 had sipped.

I covered my mouth, and he handed me a napkin.

I locked eyes with him, then suddenly snatched the napkin from his hand and glared at him.

After wiping my mouth and trying to suppress the choking sensation, I leaned closer to him. I whispered, “Why didn’t you wake me last night?”

“I did, but you didn’t wake up,” Brandon said casually, eating his breakfast.

“I don’t believe you,” I replied. I’ve always been a light sleeper.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do about that I did try to wake you.” Brandon had a

take–it–or–leave–it look.

I was fuming. The thought that he must have carried me to his bed made me feel mortified to the core. “Even if I didn’t wake up, you could have taken me back to my room.”

“Alright, next time I’ll do that.” Brandon’s response caught me off guard.

Next time?

Not a chance! There won’t be a next time.

I bit into my poppyseed bagel angrily. After a couple of bites, I remembered something and warned him. “Don’t let Kara know about last night.”

Brandon had already finished his meal. He grabbed a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.

“What are you afraid of? Are you worried she’ll misunderstand that there’s something between us? Are you concerned about your reputation? Or maybe… you’re afraid your boyfriends will find out

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His words caught me by surprise again. “What did you say?”

“Ms. Crown, if anyone should be worried, it’s me,” Brandon said as he folded

the napkin into a neat square.

“What are you worried about, huh?” I was both confused and angry.

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