Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 32
"Brandon, this is the lady I mentioned who wants to swap rooms. Why don't you two discuss it?" Kelly's voice made me look
away and break eye contact
with the man.
I walked over and said, "Hello, I'm Madeline Crown. Can we switch rooms?"
"No," he bluntly refused.
My lips twitched as a surge of irritation raised within me. I also felt a stubborn determination, so I asked, "Why not?"
He glanced at me but said nothing. He slung an army green towel over his shoulder and walked past me. The coldness of the
water made me shiver involuntarily. "Mad... Maddie, right?" Kelly asked as she approached. "Don't be upset. This is Brandon
Howell. He doesn't know how to sweet-talk women. I'll talk to him later."
I had a temper too. I deliberately raised my voice. "There's no need for that. Staying in that room won't make me a saint.
Whoever wants it can have it."

Kelly pulled me aside and said, "Don't be so harsh. He used to be in the army. If you anger him, he could carry you out and throw
you outside."
I scoffed and laughed, realizing I had mistaken a distinguished member of the army for a criminal.
"Don't laugh, Maddie. I'm not lying. It's true. There's a widow called Hammy who lives across the street. She used to knock on
his door nonstop. In the end, he wrapped her up in a bedsheet and threw her out. Everyone saw it."
Another widow. It seemed I had a knack for encountering them.
"Really? Did the widow try to make out with him?" I asked curiously.
"She tried but didn't make it before getting tossed out. It was humiliating." Kelly clicked her tongue.
I smirked. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in men that widows fancy."
Just then, Brandon came out again. He no longer wore a tank top. He had

Chapy 32
changed into a black T-shirt with a black leather biker jacket over it. He looked solid and tough.
"Brandon, are you heading out this late?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah," he replied tersely.

"Don't come back too late. I need to lock the gates. If thieves get in, it'll be a problem...
Before she could finish speaking, Brandon had already left.
I turned to head back to my room when Kelly said, "Brandon is a good man. He's very upright. Any lady who ends up with him
will be lucky."
What did that have to do with me? My heart, though not entirely shattered, was still bruised.
"Madeline," Kelly called as I was halfway inside.
I turned and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Brandon never locks his door. Do you want me to show you his room? If you like it, I'll talk to him again tomorrow," Kelly
insisted.
I smiled. "That doesn't seem right, though."
"It's fine. We won't take anything. And although he's a man, there's no women in there. Don't worry," she said, already heading
toward Brandon's room.
"No, it's alright," I declined. "I don't want to switch anymore. This room is fine."
Kelly stopped, and I gave her a warm smile. "Thank you. You should rest early
too."
"I can't sleep," she muttered as I closed my door.
I couldn't sleep either. Today had been more eventful than the past ten years combined. I should've been