Marrying the Man in the Dark

So… Such was the perception others held of her–flirtatious, seductive, feigning innocence, and repulsive.

Confronted with these unfounded allegations, Cherise harbored no anger, merely finding them absurd.

The time for wrath had passed when she had already elucidated the situation with Sebastian to Damien.

Now, confronted with these accusations, she couldn’t help but find them bemusing.

There were too many who blindly trailed the crowd, too many who propagated rumors.

What mattered to these individuals, who had never even crossed paths with her, about her relationship with Damien, lifestyle, or character?

With a deep breath, she cast the magazine aside and turned her gaze, only to find Blake fixedly staring in a particular direction.

She furrowed her brow, trailing his gaze–towards a young female student.

Innocent and charming, adorned with large glasses and double ponytails, she emitted a cute and pure aura.

With brisk steps, she approached the desk diagonally across from them, deftly retrieving a thermos from her backpack and rising to pour water.

From Cherise and Blake’s vantage point, they could admire her lovely profile.

his admiration

that the locale he often mentioned visiting was where he sought glimpses of this

herself dragged by an enamored teenager to see

and made her

at him and spoke, “Have you been busy lately? I haven’t seen you

to reply but his nomies

few days

her brows. “You were injured?

his words stumbling, “It’s

as

from her pocket and placed it before Blake, her lips forming a subtle pout. Tve been keeping

noting there were seven

girl had been diligently saving a sweet treat

affection sparked

his girlfriend?”

as the moment, the young woman beside her interjected. “He’s never brought you here before, so I

You…