"When sight is lost, the other senses be exceptionally sharp."


    Leaning against Bet''s chest, Yvonne could clearly feel his breathing, his heartbeat, and the gentle rise and fall of his solid chest.


    "It''s just a minor malfunction. It''s okay, don''t be scared," Bet soothed in his maic voice. Perhaps worried she was afraid, he leaned down and ced soft kisses on her forehead and lips.


    The emergency call was answered quickly, and the maintenance crew resolved the issue in no time. The lights flickered back on, and the elevator resumed its normal operation.


    The sudden return of light was a bit jarring, and Yvonne took a moment to adjust.


    She buried her face in Bet''s chest, only opening her eyes once they had adjusted. She found herself still in his arms, his eyes looking down at her intently.


    In the cramped space of the elevator, an inexplicable, ambiguous tension filled the air, and the temperature seemed to be rising.


    Just then, the elevator arrived at their floor, and the doors slowly slid open.


    Bet averted his gaze and took her hand, leading her out of the elevator.


    After the fingerprint scan, the apartment door opened.


    Since it was a holiday, Helen, the housekeeper, had the day off. The only one in therge apartment was their dog, Bullet.


    Hearing the noise, Bullet jumped up alertly. Seeing his owner, he started to leap forward excitedly but was gently nudged aside by Bet''s foot.


    The lights in the apartment were off, the only illuminationing from the scattered moonlight and the shimmering reflection of the river.


    In the dim, hazy light, the charged atmosphere returned.


    Bet swept Yvonne into his arms and strode toward the bedroom, his steady steps betraying a clear sense of urgency.


    The bedroom door opened and closed. They tumbled onto the soft bed, entangled in each other''s arms.


    Kisses, caresses. A jacket, a shirt, and a pair of pants were tossed onto the floor, one by one.


    Just as their passionate kiss deepened, a phone in the jacket on the floor began to vibrate, its buzzing sending a faint tremor through the floorboards.


    Yvonne''s phone wasn''t on vibrate; it was clearly Bet''s.


    The romantic mood was instantly shattered Bet frowned, swung his long legs off the bed, bent down to pick up his phone, and answered without hesitation after ncing at the caller ID.


    As Bet spoke on the phone, his expression grew serious and cold.


    When the call ended, he bent down, picked up his clothes, and quickly put on his shirt.


    Yvonne had already sat up in bed, pulling the sheet around her, her bright eyes watching him.


    "Do you have to go out?" she asked.


    Bet nodded.


    He walked to the


    edge of the bed, pulled her into his arms, and gave her a deep, forceful kiss. "Are we being plot-blocked? he murmured helplessly. "Every time we get to the good part, were, interrupted.


    Her cheeks were still flushed with desire, and he looked as if he wanted to devour her whole.


    But he''d been urgently summoned back to the base and had to leave immediately.


    "Get some rest. Let Bullet keep youpany. I probably won''t be able to take you to the airport tomorrow, be good. And leave me a message if you miss me."


    "Mm, I will. You should get going," Yvonne said, nodding obediently.


    Reluctantly, Bet left.


    Yvonne spent the night alone at Cherry Bay again and managed to sleep reasonably well.


    Early the next morning, she was woken by a call from her assistant.


    Yvonne had booked an early flight, and her assistant''s call was her wake-up to rush to the airport.


    Sitting in the van on the way to the airport, Yvonne couldn''t stop herself from dozing off.


    "Yvonne, did you get any sleepst night? You look exhausted,'' her assistant teased, a knowing smile on her face as she eyed a red mark on Yvonne''s neck."