Marrying the Man in the Dark

Emma’s brow furrowed, a subtle indication of her perplexity. “Third year,” she confirmed.

The palpable aura emanating from Cherise unsettled her deeply.

An uneasy tension settled in Emma’s core, manifesting in the nervous nibbling of her lip.

Realization dawned upon her with a jolt.

Though it was evident she held the role of interrogator, why did she find herself unexpectedly assuming the position of being interrogated?

“Oh, third year?” Emma echoed, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Cherise’s smile remained intact as she probed, “Since you’ve graced our halls for three years, I presume familiarity with our school motto?”

Emma pressed her lips together, hesitating before reluctantly acquiescing to Cherise’s inquiry. “Our school motto… it’s to absorb, heed, uphold, follow, enact, embody wisdom.”

Cherise’s smile widened subtly. “You’ve committed it to memory quite admirably. Yet, one must ponder, why do you not abide by it?”

Cherise, her confusion evident. “How can you assume I haven’t

uphold, follow, enact, embody wisdom. Among these

caught off guard. “But what people say

of others‘ private affairs. Does that grant you a license to do the same?”

were enough to send Emma into a stuttering spiral of

contemplating, Emma delicately bit her lip and met Cherise’s gaze. “I did mention that I’m a journalism student. I simply require your assistance for a practical interview,” she explained, her tone tinged with

with a subtle glimmer of pride in her eyes, “Surely, you wouldn’t withhold your

me–it’s only natural,” she added, her words carefully chosen.

is to merely revel in reporting on others‘ private affairs and stirring online controversy.”

willing to accommodate your request,”

have any further inquiries, let’s address them together. I’m prepared to share aspects of my life

found herself at a loss for

her lips together, acknowledging the eloquence of Cherise’s

reporter intent on prying into private

transparency. “As your senior,

her eyes, Emma studied