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10
In the evening, when Lemuel’s SUV pulled up at Inara’s place, she watched from her bedroom window, petrified.
She was already dressed and pulled herself away from the window as her father entered to see her in her room the second time since she had gotten prepared for the evening.
The first time was he informing her that they would be meeting Lemuel’s family a day after the engagement. It was an information she had received with trepidation, overwhelmed by how fast things were going, based on a single lie.
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Dark Love 11
When she stepped out of the car, he shut the door and took her hand in his, leading her towards the cozy lit entrance of the restaurant.“Mr. Lemuel, Madam.” the Spanish attendant greeted them, handing a ticket to him, “Your reservation according to your expectations senor.”“Thank you Hugos.”“Anytime.”When they stepped inside the restaurant, she admired the ornate surroundings; elegant décor and sparkling chandeliers. The people inside looked affluent. A quiet, live piano music filled the room from one corner where a female musician was skillfully manipulating the keys. The guests were few and he led her to the table for two in the middle of the room. “You’re having lean tuna steak and vegetable salad without cream.” He said as they sat down. Inara wasn’t sure he was serious about what he had just said.“What?”“Just remember to recite it when the waiter gets here.” He said, studying one of the menu on the table.The waiter drew forward to attend to them.Inara stared at the secon
Dark Love 12
Inara slowly raised the glass to her lips and took a sip, praying that it wouldn’t be bitter because she had a sweet tooth.She didn’t like any drink that wasn’t sweet. Which was why when Zee would take all those bitter alcoholic drinks, she always went for any vodka or alcoholic drink that was at least sweet like Smirnoff Ice or Gordon’s Spark. She didn’t like red wine either. The ones that she had tasted were still not sweet. She would pick ice cream over it any day.Surprisingly, as she let the tiny quantity of wine she had sipped, flow over her taste buds, she found that the drink wasn’t bitter as she had suspected. Thankfully, she took another sip, before placing the glass on the table. Lemuel had his gaze on her the whole time, keeping her in a constant state of nerves.“Was that bad?” he asked.“No.” she answered, shaking her head.“Tell me why.”She lowered her g
Dark Love 13
There were five pictures inside the envelope. The first featured him on his knees, presenting the engagement ring to her.On the second picture, he had slipped the ring onto her finger. The third showed him kissing her engaged hand. The fourth was when he had her locked in his arms, his lips to her ear, whispering those dark words that had almost paralyzed her. And the last was when they waved at the people in the restaurant.The moment she had returned home, Inara had watched her family pass the pictures between them. They were pleased and happy about the feedback the photos presented.“I certainly approve.” Amara said. “He’s a gentleman and seems very confident.”You have no idea,Inara thought and returned Amara’s smile with a forced one of hers.“I am happy for you, baby sis.” Amara said excitedly, hugging her.“Thanks love.” Inara said, returning her hug.
Dark Love 14
Inara and her choir colleagues rose to the applause of the congregation, ready to present their piece for the evening Church Service.She loved the choir because it was where she could momentarily forget problems and just participate in being part of the music.Today was a free day before Lemuel’s family would meet hers the next day and nervous as she was about that, she had decided to forget about her present problems.She adjusted her robe, straightening it presentably and stepping up to the microphone as the keyboardist began playing the keys to the hymnI’ll Stand By Until The Morning (Fierce and Wild The Storm is Raging). When he cued her in, she sang;Fierce and wild the storm is ragingRound a helpless bark,On to doom ’tis swiftly driving,O’er the waters dark!The rest of the choir joined her at the chorus:Joy, behold the Savior,Joy, the message
Dark Love 15
Lemuel was reading a business email in his office when Suzy barged her way inside with a newspaper in hand.She flagged before him, a page that reported his recent engagement with a picture of him proposing.The CEO, Men’s Aura is Set to Tie The Knot it read. Then she started a tirade of complaints while he just listened to her, watching her complain.“Am I not good enough for you? I thought we were an item. Now she comes into the picture from nowhere. Gosh. I just can’t believe this. How did this happen? Just look at her. She doesn’t even look as good as I do.”Suzy stopped talking, her breath heaving with anger. Lemuel rose from his seat and approached her, seeing that she had stopped expressing herself, at least voc
Dark Love 16
In the cool of the day around 6:00 pm, Inara peeked from her room window as two SUVs, black and white, pulled up before her home. Then a red one, the one she was familiar with, pulled up last. It made her heart beat faster, knowing that it was him in there. And she couldn’t help but touch the ring that he had slipped onto her finger. It clung to her skin, constantly reminding her of him.Her family had already pre
Dark Love 17
You’ll be fine.” her mother said and she allowed her mother’s encouraging words guide her towards the dinning, glad she was leading her by the hand.The table was large and accommodated her family on one side but accommodated Lemuel’s on the other side. The last empty seat was directly opposite him.“This is my daughter Inara.” her father said proudly as they reached the room and her mother released her hand.“I like her too.” Wisdom announced, causing laughter again.“I like you too.” Inara said to him and he just laughed.“You’ve picked a lovely bride son.” Lemuel’s mother said. “She’s adorable.”“I agree.” his father said.“Thank you mum, dad.” Lemuel responded and when she looked at him, he was smirking at her. “I feel blessed.” he added.Inara quickly looked away and noticed Tirzah wavin
Dark Love 18
Inara’s dad informed her the next morning that Lemuel had insisted on funding the wedding arrangements and had already wired some good money in. Inara went to her room and texted;Thank you for the fund.Few moments later, he responded with;Good Manners.Afterwards, she received a call from a strange number and picked it up.“Hello.”“This is Cassy Blake.”Inara was shocked. Cassy was her bully in junior high. Cassy and two other snobbish girls called Eve and Amy had always made her life a living hell. They had often called her a fatty and messed with her lunch box until Zee who had come in as a new student, stepped in and made them back off. It was how she and Zee had become friends. She wondered why Cassy would be calling her.“Hi Cassy.” She said, not sure what to expect.Cassy laughed in her familiar high-pitched voice that had Inara putting the phone some distance away from her ear. It sounded like sirens wailing up close. Then she returned the phone to her ear as soon as the lau
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