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?

tone, which could mirror Damien’s deep timbre.

which is

carefully chosen words was evident.

smile. “Ms. Weiss, I presumed your late call

wish for an

your deliberate choice of words only muddies the waters between you and my husband.”

that my husband maintains a distance from you.”

late, Ms. Weiss. Rest well. Perhaps in your dreams, you’ll succeed in winning over

waiting for Yolanda’s retort, Cherise

and Damien with

No way!

“Finished?”

the chill of the night air, a smile gracing his lips. “Just like the

crimson. “You… you heard

“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. Lenoir.”

pushed against him. “I’ve told you I’m not a fool!”

my eyes, you’ll always be my