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2024-10-29 19:42:56Inara could not sleep at night. She lay on her bed, moping at the ceiling. She had heard that a change of environment usually made that happen but for her, that wasn’t the cause. She was completely miserable.
Freedom from Lemuel was a notion she had entertained at some point in her life but now that he had given it to her, she didn’t want it. She was addicted to him.
He had been a friend, lover, husband, big brother, mentor and father because he had loved her and parented her. She didn’t know how to be without him. That was why she had been crying. Even now, her eyes were welled up. Of course he had never mentioned love
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Dark Love 68
Inara flung herself onto the bed in frustration and curled herself into a fetal position. She was still heartbroken. Her phone rang and she hoped it was Lemuel but a quick look at the screen told her it was Zee.She put the phone on silence and ignored the calls. Zee would soon get the message and leave her for good, she thought. And then for the mega question causing her more worry. Why had Lemuel not called her? It had been over seven days.She would give him a call everyday but he neither responded nor returned it and she would cry her eyes out as softly as she could so that no one would hear.
Dark Love 69
When Inara placed the phone on the bed, a feeling of peace encompassed her. At last, love had been mentioned in her relationship with Lemuel. She had thought that the word was of no importance but now that it had come into play, she was feeling elated about it and she couldn’t help but smile as she knew that he was on his way.Lemuel grabbed his car key and exited his office, pausing by Glory at the reception, his mood lifted.“You can take two days off Glory.” He told her and saw her eyes grow huge with surprise.“Really sir?”“Sure.”Glory smiled. His mood had brightened considerably from the smile she saw him wearing. “Has the problem been solved sir?”“You bet it has.”“Congratulations.”“Thank you.” He said, exiting the office and leaving her smiling in anticipation of her much needed break.Among his Staff, she had borne most
Dark Love 70
In the kitchen minutes later, Lemuel was whipping up pancakes. Inara sat on the counter at a corner, pointing to him where the ingredients were. When he was done, they had a batch in their plates as they watched a movie together in the living room.“I didn’t take you for a kitchen person.” Inara commented as they ate. “It tastes good.”“I know my way around the kitchen, thank you.’’ Lemuel responded giving her a wink. As usual, it made her giggle while he just laughed.T
Dark Love 71
Unable to believe what was happening, Inara felt paralyzed, as she remained standing. Still, she was aware of the loud thumping of her beating heart. Terror had immobilized her. He yanked her phone away from her hand, switched it off and stuck it into his pocket.“I said move!” he bit out and jolted back from her frozen state, she thought of how to delay his taking her away. She had to stall his kidnapping for as long as she could and hope for help to come somehow, though the possibility of help finding her right now was at zero percent.“I…I don’t know how to drive.”
Dark Love 72
The sun was out in its full glory, casting its shimmering rays across the horizon, scorching the earth and raising temperatures all around.In the woods, it was worse because there was no shelter but most of the wildlife didn’t mind and still carried themselves about. Birds flew, called and sang, perching atop branches of trees and surrounding hills while crickets chirped amidst varying sounds from different unseen creatures that filled the air as they wandered and basked at home in their habitat.Inara was not faring well. The forest wasn’t her element and under the heat of the sun, she was strapped to a dying tree with scan
Dark Love 73
The City’s bustling landscape receded as Lemuel rolled off one of the main express roads that gave way to a single lane road on which he drove for a few minutes until an arrow with a sign that said pal estate directed him northward.The estate was low cost and situated on a property line marked by a large flowering tree that shadowed low wooden gates. The gates were open, meant for décor rather than security.Lemuel parked across from the third apartment, which he knew, was Suzy’s and the agent parked behind him. Alighting from their vehicles, they both squinted at the harshness of the sun’s glare.Lemuel wondered where Inara was. Was she in a shelter or burning in the heat of the sun? Was she alive or dead? God forbid! He thought. She must be
Dark Love 74
“Is there somewhere you think she might be?” Lemuel pressed. “I really need to see her.”The woman shook her head and remained silent.“I’ve been trying her phone number but it isn’t connecting. Has she changed it like, does she have another one?”Lemuel pressed again.The woman hesitated and he suspected that she was not willing to divulge information about that. It w
Dark Love 75
“What’s your name?” Lemuel asked the woman as he rose to his feet.“Vann.”“Get up. You’re coming with us.” he told her and the agent pulled her up to her feet quite roughly.“I’ll come willingly.” Vann stated. “There’s no need to be heavy handed with me.”“Desperate times.” Lemuel said and led the way t
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Dark Love Epilogue
One Year, Six Months Later The day was bright and sunny with a clear blue sky that was almost surreal. Heaven’s Vine had a full congregation witnessing the wedding ceremony between Nana and Feedwell. Reverend Anthony was officiating the ceremony at the altar where the love stricken couple stood, facing each other before him. In the congregation, Lemuel was seated beside Inara, her hand in his. He was wearing a navy colored suit while she was wearing a long peach colored dress. She looked radiant and a bit plump like a nursing mother. “I still can’t believe that I’m supporting those two.” He said, smiling. “They clearly broke the domestic rule.” Inara chuckled. “Because you love them.” She said. “They captured your heart.” “Just like you captured mine.” He said caressing her hand with a finger. She blushed. “Definitely, sir.” “Hmn. That’s true. They are very efficient and I will miss them.” “Why? They made it clear they weren’t leaving.” “I know but I’m sure it’s out of loyalty
Dark Love 79
The room was a six-by-six with soft ashen vinyl walls and low, level ceilings. A hospital bed fitted with leather restraints took up most of the floor space. High up on one wall was a solitary window. It had the translucent look of old Plexiglas and steel posts kept it barred.Detective Kyle was talking to a nurse who was already leaving them. She gave Lemuel a glance and walked away with a sullen face.The detective walked up to Lemuel.“This is Suzy’s room. She had a crazy moment an hour ago, kicking and screaming but has been stabilized. You’ll see her right about now.’’“Okay, I’m ready.”“Your conversation will be recorded and monitored by the Psychiatrist in charge of this place and other officers.”“I understand.”Shortly after, Lemuel was in a small room with the detective, a technical sergeant mounting a recording equipment and a male Psychiatrist in a white doctor’s coat who was in his sixties.Before them was a transparent glass that clearly showed a blank room fitted in the
Dark Love 78
“I should be aware of something like this.” Lemuel said furiously through gritted teeth. He didn’t want Inara knowing that something like that was going on. She hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma and the last thing he wanted was for her to know about what Milo had just told him.“The police detective thought it better not to tell you so that you can concentrate on taking care of your wife.”“That is not their call to make.”
Dark Love 77
The hospital sat on a headland overlooking the lake, enveloped in acres of emerald green trefoil that rolled and toppled into the city mist. It was a paragon of modest architecture, auburn-colored bungalows thrown unevenly around a two-story administration building, the compound veined with pebble pathways and flower beds, partly shaded by the spreading branches of shore live oak.Blade points of grey tile roof intruded upon a cerulean sky so untainted it bordered on the imaginary. At the intersection of land and sky, a single twisted city pine clawed at the sky. Beneath its swaying trunk, patches of yellow and blue lupine flowed like paint drips down a slanting green canvas.
Dark Love 76
Milo moved the seat-belt around Vann and belted her in. She was starting to panic, her eyes rounding with fright.“Hang on.” he said as he belted himself in.“Is the Officer following us a bad man?” Vann asked nervously.“Relax.” Lemuel said, “Even If he probably is, I’m sure he has orders from your beloved daughter not to harm a hair on your precious head.”
Dark Love 75
“What’s your name?” Lemuel asked the woman as he rose to his feet.“Vann.”“Get up. You’re coming with us.” he told her and the agent pulled her up to her feet quite roughly.“I’ll come willingly.” Vann stated. “There’s no need to be heavy handed with me.”“Desperate times.” Lemuel said and led the way t
Dark Love 74
“Is there somewhere you think she might be?” Lemuel pressed. “I really need to see her.”The woman shook her head and remained silent.“I’ve been trying her phone number but it isn’t connecting. Has she changed it like, does she have another one?”Lemuel pressed again.The woman hesitated and he suspected that she was not willing to divulge information about that. It w
Dark Love 73
The City’s bustling landscape receded as Lemuel rolled off one of the main express roads that gave way to a single lane road on which he drove for a few minutes until an arrow with a sign that said pal estate directed him northward.The estate was low cost and situated on a property line marked by a large flowering tree that shadowed low wooden gates. The gates were open, meant for décor rather than security.Lemuel parked across from the third apartment, which he knew, was Suzy’s and the agent parked behind him. Alighting from their vehicles, they both squinted at the harshness of the sun’s glare.Lemuel wondered where Inara was. Was she in a shelter or burning in the heat of the sun? Was she alive or dead? God forbid! He thought. She must be
Dark Love 72
The sun was out in its full glory, casting its shimmering rays across the horizon, scorching the earth and raising temperatures all around.In the woods, it was worse because there was no shelter but most of the wildlife didn’t mind and still carried themselves about. Birds flew, called and sang, perching atop branches of trees and surrounding hills while crickets chirped amidst varying sounds from different unseen creatures that filled the air as they wandered and basked at home in their habitat.Inara was not faring well. The forest wasn’t her element and under the heat of the sun, she was strapped to a dying tree with scan
