Tainted Desires | 18+

49 - Permission

Terrence Toussaint

Unlocking Mirabelle's phone early in the morning while she was still asleep, my intention was clear—I wanted to talk with Emily. I knew that building a rapport with Emily was crucial if I wanted to take things further with Mirabelle. The start between Emily and me was a bit rocky, but I was determined to show her that my intentions were sincere.

After locating Emily's number in Mirabelle's phone which was a bit difficult with how weird she saved people's names on her phone, I sent her a text message, choosing my words carefully to convey my sincerity and willingness to mend our relationship.

It was past two in the afternoon, and she had yet to reply to my message or give me a call. Usually, I would have dismissed her and not given any thought to it, but Mirabelle was my priority. I needed Mirabelle, and to have her, I had to clean up everywhere because it was the least of the things she deserved.

I took a deep breath, my fingers tapping against the phone nervously as I dialled Emily's number. The seconds felt like an eternity as the phone rang, and I prepared myself for whatever the conversation might bring. Emily's voice came through the line, a mix of curiosity and caution evident.

"Hello?" Her tone was neutral, guarded even.

"Hey, Emily. It's Terrence," I replied, trying to keep my own voice steady.

There was a moment of silence, and then Emily spoke, her tone still cautious. "What do you want, Terrence?"

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I wanted to reach out and talk. I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, and I want to fix that."

There was another pause, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in Emily's mind. "Why now? What's changed?"

I leaned back against the chair, and my gaze focused on a spot on the wall in my office as I tried to convey my sincerity. "Mirabelle means a lot to me. I care about her deeply, and I want to be a part of her life in a positive way. I know I messed up before, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right."

There was a moment of silence before Emily finally spoke, her voice a bit softer. "You hurt her, Terrence. That's not something I take lightly."

"I know," I replied, my voice earnest. "And I'm truly sorry for that. I want to make amends, not just for Mirabelle's sake, but because I genuinely want to build a better understanding between us."

There was a pause, and then Emily sighed softly. "She's been through a lot, and she deserves happiness."

"I want to be a part of that happiness," I said firmly. "I'm asking for a chance to show you that I can be good for her."

There was a silence that seemed to stretch on forever, and I held my breath, waiting for Emily's response. Finally, she spoke, her voice a bit softer. "Alright, Terrence. I understand, but what exactly is the point when you're getting married to someone else?"

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. Emily had voiced the very conflict that had been gnawing at me. My arranged marriage was a complicated knot that I had desperately been trying to unravel.

"I broke things off with the other woman and her family," I admitted, my voice tinged with relief. "It was a decision I made because of the feelings I have for Mirabelle. I want to be with her, and I couldn't continue down a path that didn't have her in the mix."

There was a brief silence, and I could imagine Emily processing the information. "Is this true? Are you really willing to let go of everything?"

"Yes," I replied firmly. "I know it's complicated, and I should have been upfront from the beginning. But I realized that I can't ignore my feelings, and I can't go through with a marriage that would ultimately hurt everyone involved."