Love's Redemption

Redmption 24

When I received Chris‘ call again, I was listening to a sermon at Celestial

Church.

“Maddie, it’s almost 11 o’clock. Why aren’t you here yet?” Chris sounded slightly urgent.

“I’m almost there. Just wait a bit longer.” was late on purpose. I had loved him for ten years and couldn’t even remember how many times I waited for him.

Today, I’d make him wait for me. Consider it a bit of interest in my ten years of youthful love.

“Hurry up. Don’t miss the auspicious time that Mr. Xenos had mentioned,” Chris urged me again.

At this moment, I was sitting in front of William. He hadn’t mentioned anything about my marriage. That meant he had no idea that I was going to register with Chris today.

It was impossible for William to have calculated any auspicious time for it.

I hummed in agreement and hung up the phone. I then turned it off and continued listening to William’s sermon.

Chris worshiped gods and deities now because when he was a child, he had a severe illness. Bree had gone up the mountain to pray to the gods for three days and three nights. After that, he had recovered.

Since then, Bree had believed in gods and deities. She had even asked William

to take Chris on as his student.

As I followed Chris everywhere, I had ended up there too. William had prayed for us to end up together. Unfortunately, things still didn’t work out between us.

I left Celestial Church at 3:00 pm. I didn’t turn on my phone and drove to the courthouse. Chris was long gone by then.

I wasn’t surprised at all. I didn’t know how long he waited for me there. But it definitely wasn’t as long as I had waited for him in the past.

I parked the car and turned on my phone. Suddenly, countless messages and

calls bombarded my phone. Most of them were from Chris.

There were 53 missed calls and seven messages.

“Maddie, have you arrived? Why is your phone turned off?”

“Maddie, it’s already time. If you don’t come soon, you’ll miss the auspicious

time.”

“Madeline, what’s going on?”

“Madeline, answer the messages. Answer your phone.”

“Madeline, the courthouse closes in 20 minutes. We won’t be able to get the certificate if you don’t come.”

“Madeline, are you playing with me?”

“You really are something, Madeline…”

Looking at the messages, I could almost see Chris‘ expression. It went from urgency to anger and finally to frustration.

The last message was sent at 11:55 am. So, his patience for me had lasted

less than an hour.

I looked at the 53 missed calls and called him back. But after just one ring, he hung up. Clearly, Chris was mad that I had stood him up today and that I didn’t answer his calls.

I didn’t call again but instead replied to Lisa, who Chris had contacted to ask

about me. She had also asked where I was.

I sent her a voice message, saying, “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I just went

to burn some incense.”

Lisa’s video call came through immediately. She then asked, “What’s going on?”

I pursed my lips. “It’s a long story.”

“Then, make it short,” Lisa said.

I smiled and was about to speak when Chris, who had hung up on me earlier, called again. But I didn’t intend to answer his call.

Now that I had completely given up on him, I wouldn’t be like before. I wouldn’t always answer his calls no matter who I was talking to or video chatting with.

Lisa heard the phone ringing and understood immediately. “Is it Chris?”

“Yes.”

“Answer him first. He’s been going crazy looking for you,” Lisa said.

Really? Could he go crazy for me?