Love's Redemption

Redmption 27

Lisa seemed to have read my thoughts. “Where to? I’ll go with you, or

“You could tidy up my house with me,” I interrupted Lisa.

She looked at me in surprise. “You… Did you already have everything planned?”

“Yes, but I only planned it two days ago. I poked the backseat with my finger, where I had some bedding that I hadn’t bought yet.

“I bought it with Jewel yesterday,” I added. Lisa looked horrified with curiosity clearly written in her eyes.

On the way to my place, I told Lisa the whole story. She nodded vigorously in anger. “It’s right of you not to marry him. Chris is just a whole other level of a scumbag who wants to have it all.”

“Scumbags are scumbags. There are no different levels,” I replied back jokingly with a smile.

Lisa looked at me. “Maddie, you don’t have to force a smile in front of me if you’re sad.”

“I’m not sad, really,” I said, looking at the road ahead.

“Maybe my feelings for him were like his for me. We’re so familiar with each other that there’s just no spark between us anymore.”

That was genuinely how I felt. But later I realized that these seemeling familiar yet dull feelings were like aged wine. Its aftereffect was much stronger than I initially thought.

That was how it was for me and even more so for Chris.

Lisa didn’t know about this house that belonged to my parents. We met after I

moved into Gildon estate and started school.

‘This house is nice, though it’s a bit far and old,” Lisa said frankly as we always did with each other.

‘Yes. This is where my parents and I lived together. I don’t wanna change it,” I said, putting the bedding on the couch. Then, I took the new kettle to wash and

oiled water.

Lisa wandered around the place, finally leaning against the doorframe watching me. “It’s nice–old but cozy. I can tell your family was very happy here.

Yes. If it weren’t for that car accident. Even now, it felt like a nightmare.

My parents dropped me off at school in the morning, saying they were going to discuss a contract. My dad even said that if the contract was successful, he’d build an amusement park for me.

But they never came back.

“Maddie, Maddie,” Lisa called until I snapped out of my thoughts.

“Why are you not saying anything?” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I looked up at her. “What should I say?”

Lisa noticed something was wrong. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just miss my parents,” I said as my throat tightened. A mix of indescribable sorrow filled my heart.

9

I knew that Chris would be my future boyfriend after moving into Gildon estate. But our relationship only became official three years ago..

That was on my parents‘ death anniversary. I was crying at their graves. He hugged me, saying I still had him. He even said he’d love me on their behalf in front of my parents‘ tombstones.

At that time, I was naive. I really thought I found someone I could rely on; someone like my parents.

“What’s the use of missing them? Focus on what you’re going to do next.” Lisa saw the pain in my eyes and deliberately changed the topic.

“Since you broke up with Chris, are you still gonna work for him?” Lisa asked.

The water just boiled, so I made two cups of instant coffee. “I’ve already sent the handover materials to the respective people. I’ve written my resignation letter. Once the amusement park inspection is done, I’ll resign.”

“Resigning is the right choice. The idea of staying friends after a breakup is nonsense. Only distance can keep your mind clear.” Lisa fully supported my decision.

I nodded.

Lisa was afraid that I’d be sad, so she didn’t dwell on the subject. She then looked around my house. “You should get some new appliances here. Maybe a fully auto washing machine, a coffee machine, and a robot vacuum.”

“I’ll do it once I get back,” I said.

Lisa, who was sipping coffee, looked at me. “Where are you going?”