Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Cherise returned to her senses and fumbled for her phone while smiling at Ian. “Ian… are you working here?” An easy smile adorned the man’s attractive face. He reached out and ruffled her hair. “You’re still as clumsy as ever. How old are you now?” Her eyes were shining. “I’m twenty now.” He glanced away and laughed. “Why are you at the hospital?” Cherise pointed to the consultation room behind.

“My friend is chatting with her cousin.” Ian glanced at the time. “It’s lunch break. Your friend might take some time. Do you want to join me for lunch? My treat.” She pursed her lips and gave it a thought.

Knocking on the door, she called out to Lucy. “I’m going first.” Ian smiled and went ahead. Cherise followed him quietly. Her crush on Ian started when she was sixteen. Grandma fainted when she came to visit Cherise at school. Ian rushed over. After giving her emergency treatment, he carried her to the nearest hospital. The sun’s rays were shining brightly that day. While waiting in the corridor, Ian told Cherise he was a medical student. He gave her tips on taking care of her grandmother. It was the first time she was attracted to a man. It was also the reason she decided to pursue medicine. She wanted to attend the same school as Ian and walk the path he had taken. Yet, she did not have the courage to meet him even after she had realized her dream. The last time they met was when she was eighteen.

He came to encourage her. Ian led her into a small restaurant. “What do you want to eat?” He seemed even more striking with his coat removed. He flipped through the menu. “I remember you like desserts, right?” “Yup.” It had been too long since they last met. Cherise’s throat felt tight as she answered him.

All of a sudden, her phone rang. It was an unknown number. She apologized and answered the call.

“Where are you?” The man’s voice was familiar. She furrowed her forehead. “And you’re?” “Damien.”

“How do you have my number?!” “Is that surprising?” His cold voice traveled into her ear. “Come back for lunch with me.” Cherise did not reply. She peeked at Ian, who was looking closely at the menu.

“Can I have a little more time?” She could not leave when they had just sat down, especially when she had not met him for a long time. The man was silent for a moment. “Ten minutes.” “Alright.”

“Boyfriend?” Smiling, Ian asked when she ended the call. “No, not my boyfriend.” She scratched her head sheepishly. “He’s my husband.” His smile turned stiff. A few moments later, he smiled again, but it did not reach his eyes. “You’re already married? When was the wedding?” She hesitated before answering, “Yesterday.” The look in his eyes darkened. He coughed lightly. “I didn’t even get you a gift for your wedding. I guess this meal is your gift, then!” He turned to call a waiter. “It’s alright.” Cherise stopped him. “I’ll just finish this drink. My husband asked me to have lunch with him.” Ian’s face turned white. After a moment of silence, he sighed. “How long have you been together?” How long? Cherise pondered. They were together for about… twenty-six hours? Needless to say, she would not tell him the truth. She lied, “It’s been a couple of months.” He smiled. “That’s a pretty short time. Was it love at first sight?” She sipped some water out of guilt. “Yeah, love at first sight.” When the warm liquid touched her pink lips, she remembered the feeling when they kissed last night. Damien’s lips looked firm, but it was soft and hot when they kissed… She felt her cheeks warm up. From Ian’s point of view, she was blushing from shyness about mentioning her lover. His face turned paler. “Cherry!” Lucy entered, breaking the silence between them. “Your husband’s driver is waiting for you outside. Are you going to take more time chatting?” Cherise looked at the time. It had been ten minutes since she ended the call with Damien. She rose to her feet and looked at Ian apologetically. “Let’s chat some other time, Ian.” He nodded. “Take care.” Sitting next to the window, he watched the other woman pull Cherise into a black BMW while laughing. A bitter smile appeared on his lips. It looks like she’s happy. … “Cherry, I got my cousin to prepare this medicine for your husband’s eyes!” Lucy stuffed a few bottles into Cherise’s bag when they were in the car. “Those that are disabled usually feel inferior. If you say these are for his eyes, he will think you’re looking down on him. So, tell him that these are vitamins for his health! I already tore off all the labels. The dosage and time are all written down in the paper!” “Thank you.” Cherise was upset that she did not get to say much to Ian and did not look through the medicine.

Mr. Kolson dropped Lucy off at the university entrance and drove Cherise home. Damien was sitting alone at the dining table in the empty house. The noon sun shone on him. The shadow cast on the floor seemed forlorn. Cherise rushed to the table after washing her hands. She sat on a chair and looked at the table full of food, astonished. “Do we have guests?” “No.” The man with a black silk cloth over his eyes answered, “It’s only us two.” Taken aback, Cherise could hardly reply. “We can’t finish all this.”

“That’s for sure.” He picked up his spoon slowly. “I asked the cook to make more food.” “Why would you do that?” His hand paused before he smiled. “Just in case. In case people say that I’m mistreating my wife when they see her having a meal with some other man the day after we married.” Cherise was speechless. “You… Did you know I was at the restaurant?” He continued eating nonchalantly. “It looks like it’s true that Mrs. Lenoir was having a meal with another man.” She was dumbfounded. Does he think that I’m dense? I can see what he means behind those words! She hated it the most when others minced their words. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I don’t mean that the food at home is awful, and I don’t mean that I don’t want to eat at home. I just met someone I knew at the hospital.” He raised an eyebrow. “What were you doing there?” She went to her bag, pulled out the medicine bottles, and arranged them before him. “I got some vitamins for you since you’re not doing well.”