At 3:30 AM, Morris and Cherise had been sitting there, locked inrach other’s gaze for a full 30 minuter.
Truman’s boredom got the best of him, and he let out a yawn soud that it shattered the peace at Ebb & Flow The others, dozing off, were jolted awake by the sound.
Xenia, disoriented from her nap, sprang to her feet. “What’s going on? Did Cherise make Morris go bungee jumping or something? Where at? How many rounds?” she shouted.
Dora rubbed her sleepy eyes. “No, they’re still up there, just looking at each other.”
Xenia was bewildered. “What? What time is it? Is Cherise not tired yet?” As soon as she finished speaking, Cherise’s eyes suddenly closed, and she slumped backward.
Morris, his hand firm and strong, slipped it through Cherise’s so brown hair, his grip gentle on her shoulder. The contrast of his rough palm against her scented, velvet skin was electric, sending a jolt straight to his core.
Morris pulled Cherise towards him, enveloping her in his broad embrace. “Cherise, just sleep,” Morris whispered softly.
With a swift, graceful move, Morris scooped Cherise into his arms, carrying her off the stage like she was something precious, his every step careful not to jostle her as she slept soundly in his embrace.
As they passed Truman, Cherise’s eyes narrowed at him, shooting a cold glare that seemed to say, “You better explain tonight’s events, especially those ten handsome guys!”
Truman, his heart pounding, thought to himself, ‘It wasn’t me. I didn’t arrange that; it was my niece, Xenia. She did it Dora stepped forward, blocking the path with her arm outstretched.
Morris nodded at her and lowered his voice, saying, “Rest assured, Ms. Xenakis. I won’t take advantage, and I’ll take good care of her.” Only then did Dora nod and step aside,
Morris took a few steps with Cherise in his arms and then stopped “I don’t want anyone to see a single moment of what happened to Cherise tonight! With that, he continued on his way.
Outside Ebb & Flow, a black Rolls–Royce waited at the entrance with Hugh standing by to open the door as he saw Morris emerge, carrying Cherise.
Leo was behind the wheel, with Hugh still in the passenger seat, while Steven
n was back at Ebb & Flow,
ow, still on oxygen.
Leo drove as fast as he could from Beinisburg to Betrico, but from Ebb & Flow to Glenshire Gardens, he drove as slowly as possible. The 5–mile journey took a full hour.
Morris kept complaining from the back, “Too fast, the brakes are too sudden, it’s too bumpy,”
Leo and Hugh rolled their eyes in the front, thinking Morris was treating Cherise like a porcelain doll.
Morris gazed down at Cherise, her soft features relaxed in drowsiness, his eyes brimming with affection. His expression was one of deep tenderness, as if he wanted to say so much without a word.
He thought she felt a bit too thin in his arms, like she needed some extra cushion, probably because she lived on a diet of instant ramen and wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed.
Finally, when they arrived at Glenshire Gardens, Leo and Hugh breathed a sigh of relief.
Morris gently picked up Cherise, carefully and slowly exited the vehicle, and went straight to the 26th floor.
1/2
Chapter 47
Upon reaching the Matr floor, he realized he didn’t have the code of Unit 2001, Cherise’s apartment. He glanced at Unit 2602, signaling with his eyes for Leo to open the door.
When the door opened, Morris carried Cherise inside, closing it with his foot and leaving Leo and Flugh outside.
Leo looked at the closed door and patted Hugh. “You know, when Mr. Chivers is after a woman, he’s got a whole playbook. All that talk about his not being close to women was fake. It’s jus because he hadn’t met Ms. Leach yet.”
Hugh looked worried. “No, Mr. Chivers is being too aggressive. He hasn’t ever won over Ms. Leach yet, is he trying to get
closer in bed?”
“Ouch, why are you pulling me?” As soon as Hugh spoke up, Leg dragged him towards the elevator.
