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?”

glanced up at Cherise, her confusion evident.

uphold, follow, enact, embody wisdom. Among these

caught off guard. “But what people

others‘ private affairs. Does that grant you a license to

few sentences from Cherise were enough to send Emma into a stuttering

gaze. “I did mention that I’m a journalism student. I simply

of pride in her eyes, “Surely, you wouldn’t withhold your

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

is to merely revel in reporting

than willing to accommodate your request,” Cherise assured, her demeanor

to share aspects of

found herself at a loss for words.

her lips together, acknowledging the eloquence

her as a reporter intent on

interrogation wasn’t a concession to Cherise but a testament to her transparency. “As your senior, I’m

her eyes, Emma studied