Marrying the Man in the Dark

Cherise pursed her lips, puzzled by Damien’s strange behavior that night.

She pushed open the door in front of her, taking the lead as she stepped into the elevator.

However, to her surprise, after stepping out when she reached the first floor, she found herself surrounded by a crowd of people.

“Mrs. Lenoir! This is a small token of apology from our newspaper to you!”

“Mrs. Lenoir, we have prepared a gift for you that we hope you will like! Please accept it!”

“Mrs. Lenoir…”

Amidst the chorus of “Mrs. Lenoir,” a tantalizing aroma of drumsticks wafted through the air…

Cherise furrowed her brow, noticing that each person in the crowd was holding a large bouquet.

However, these bouquets were not filled with flowers.

Instead, they were packed with drumsticks.

Grilled, fried, and coated with various sauces and seasonings…

drumsticks were artfully arranged to resemble bouquets, some even adorned with buttery

herself encircled by

of decorum. The juicy drumsticks looked so succulent, and the smell and sight of

from even just one person, she would be obliged to

gazed at the

of people offering her drumsticks extended from the elevator door to the building’s

might have to consume these drumsticks

despair washed over

despair born of hunger and a desire to eat to her heart’s wishes and the paradoxical situation because she was

“Everyone.”

between acceptance and refusal, the man behind her spoke calmly, “Everyone is overly enthusiastic, and my wife

you set down the drumsticks and leave your business cards on the table by the door. I will remember everyone’s names, and my wife can choose freely

the people have but to comply with Damien’s instructions?

ensued as the individuals placed their large drumsticks bouquets on the pristine table, followed

and more drumsticks were set down, and more and more business cards

the table was overflowing

the crowd dispersed, Cherise massaged her temples, pondering what to do with the abundance of

frozen and were

autumn, the lingering summer heat would undoubtedly spoil them within