Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"What's up with Murray?" Cliff glanced at the man drowning his sorrows in scotch, quietly sliding closer to York.

When they entered, Murray had been sporting a glower that could kill. The lively buzz of the party had noticeably dimmed.

"Somebody got blocked," Ever the instigator, York couldn't help but add fuel to the fire, reveling in the drama.

Murray's face darkened even more at the words.

Crash! He slammed down his wine glass on the glass table, his frustration palpable as he roughly undid the top buttons of his shirt, a hint of aggression in his movements. "I said, stop mentioning her. Can't you understand what I said?"

York just shrugged, opting to stay silent.

The mood shifted instantly. The singers fell silent, and the chatter around them died down, nobody daring to speak up.

Cliff almost choked on his drink. Roseanne was seriously not messing around, huh?

A bit tipsy, Corley leaned in and whispered to Cliff, "Did Roseanne come back yet?"

Cliff just shook his head and mumbled something noncommittal, not daring to say much.

got the hint, guessing Roseanne probably hadn't

round, and feeling brave, someone suggested, "How about a game of Truth or Dare?" Everyone quickly caught on, eager to lighten the mood

love Truth or Dare," announced a

over here. We've got

sit beside Murray, the club's star attraction and no stranger to keeping

stood up, obviously disinterested. "Have fun, you

and a Janie, who had

the bar, the driver asked Murray where to go

a few glasses of brandy, Murray felt his

of the empty mansion, he muttered, "To the

What brings you here?" It was ten at night, and the assistant, ready to leave, was surprised

schedule around this time, playfully demanding he go to bed early. Despite his protests, he'd usually give

coldly, "Wrapping

answered humbly, "Yes, Mr. Sherwood. Anything

pang of hunger and the alcohol stirring uncomfortably in his stomach. He turned pale. "Could you get me some soup?

within twenty

upon opening it, he couldn't hide his