Marrying the Man in the Dark

Yolanda’s voice dripped with flirtation in the delicate cocoon of her ear. “Damien, you mentioned you’d come over once Cherise drifts into slumber. When might that be?”

“I’m a bit weary. When do you think Cherise will doze off?”

“Why not utilize the sleeping pills you’ve prepared? Didn’t you prepare them?”

Cherise offered no reply.

She simply listened, her silence a canvas for Yolanda’s monologue, punctuated by soft utterances of “Mm,” “Ah,” “Okay.”

“Excellent. Let’s convene at our usual haunt tomorrow!”

Confronted with Yolanda’s buoyant tone, Cherise sighed inwardly, rubbing her temples. “Ms. Weiss.”

Finally, Yolanda exclaimed through the line, “You are…”

“I am Cherise.”

With the phone nestled in her palm, Cherise sighed again, her brow furrowing.

While she didn’t consider her initial “hello” particularly loud, it wasn’t muted.

If her voice reached Yolanda’s ears, why did Yolanda persist in this charade?

her softened tone, which could mirror Damien’s

Weiss knowingly played this game, which is evident

behind her carefully chosen words was evident.

faint smile. “Ms. Weiss, I presumed your late call was in pursuit of an accord

wish

your deliberate choice of words only muddies the waters between you and

that my husband maintains a

this declaration, her tone turned icy. “It’s late, Ms. Weiss. Rest well. Perhaps in your dreams, you’ll succeed

retort, Cherise terminated

her and Damien with such crude methods?

No way!

“Finished?”

outside, exuding the scent of tobacco and the chill of the night air, a smile gracing his lips. “Just like the

checks flushed crimson. “You… you heard everything?”

“Mhmm.”

smile, Damien entered the car, closing the door. His imposing frame once again enveloped Cherise. “My dear little fool, you’ve grown, defending the honor of Mrs.

weakly pushed against him. “I’ve told you

you’ll always be my dear, my