A few weeks had passed, and Cane found himself painting a portrait of a woman.  However, this one was different from all the others that he made. No longer were her eyes light and sharp, but softer and bigger, her hair no longer straight but in waves, and her skin no longer flawless as he painted the bruise on her forehead. He mixed and watered down colors for a perfect hue of purples, blues, and greens to mimic the healing process. He wondered if he should depict her with her usual smiling face or with that hollow expression he first saw her in. 

     As he was engulfed in his painting, a knock at the door startled him, making him drop his brush. Cane retrieved it from the floor and headed to the door. 

     As he opened it, Damien stood in all his radiance, smiling and bubbly, holding a bag of fast food as he walked in. "My Sweet Candycane, you ready for movie night...have you been painting again?", he swiftly walked to the easel, his eyes shifting from canvas to painter. A devious smile was etched on his face as Cane hurried over and covered it. "No need to hide it from me. I can read you like a book on these things. And let me say, this painting is so much better than the rest, but...her eyes are a little dark. So... when are you gonna ask her out?". 

     Cane set out the food as he sighed. "To be honest...I am not sure how I feel about her. I...whenever I look at her...her eyes look like stars to me... it's odd". Damien sat on the couch, stretched out as he stared at his friend, "Could be astigmatism", Damien began to laugh at his own comment.  

     Cane let out a longer sigh as he sat next to his friend, "Hilarious, you ever consider stand-up comedy instead of dancing?". 

     Damien smiled, but that expression soon faded as he dwelled deeper, " I understand that you are on the fence on this. Moving on from what you experienced isn't easy. But you have been trying. And right now, I see you finally want something in life. I am not saying you should jump in and declare yourself to another person. You can start as friends, and if the feeling is mutual and you feel comfortable, you can proceed. But please, recognize that you want to move on. Cane... you've listened to me when it came to my rants on how I felt about Estelle. You are one of the few who believed what I said and didn't push further. I've found my happiness, and it's time you found yours. I don't want to keep seeing my friend miserable and hung up in the past".

     Cane saw Damien's eyes plead for him to listen. It was heartwarming seeing his friend try so hard to help him out. He almost wished he could tell him that he had already decided to pursue her. This was just a formality to have Damien help out with his plan. "Damien.... I don't want to regret anything I do. Yvette makes me feel a certain way, I won't lie about that. But, I feel like I need help with this. Can I rely on you, please?". 

     Damien's eyes lit up immediately as if bursting with excitement. "Of course, whatever you need. Hell, I'll even get Estelle in on this. Whatever it is, you can count on us". 

     Cane laughed throughout the night as he envisioned a life with Yvette. He felt like finally, he would have someone all to himself. Someone who could make him experience something new. Someone who would love him unconditionally. Would this be the kind of woman she was? He couldn't wait to find out.

     A month had passed. Two lessons a week and a drink after. A continuous cycle that etched a bond between the group. The routine had incorporated Yvette into the friend group's daily life. She was more outspoken and more expressive in conversations. Mundane task and repetitive chat was something that Yvette thought she had long lost. She felt she was slowly rebuilding her life again as each day went by. However, the hunger was still there. It lingered like a ghost attached to her back.

     She felt awkward as her newfound friends spoke and laughed with her, and all she could think about was the hole in her stomach. But, for now, it was fine if she didn't tell them everything. Yet, there was a sense of guilt in hiding herself from them. 

     If they knew, what would they say, what would they do? She doubted anyone could accept a person like her, but it was still limiting to feel this way. At times like this, she wondered if there was someone just like her, someone who could understand how she felt. The anxiety and thrill of what she had done,  she never wanted to apologize for it, but she understood the world she lived in. It was wrong, but she wasn't sorry.

     The evening reached its end, and the same dance commenced. She walked to her car with Cane as they commenced in idle chatter.  Then, as they said their usual goodbyes, he shyly interjected. "Yvette, I was wondering... I know this arrangement started as a way for you to pay me back, but I really do enjoy spending time with you. I know this may sound straightforward, but... would you like to go out to the farmers' market again or go to dinner? Something casual so we could talk more, just by ourselves". 

     Yvette was taken aback, but she didn't reject the idea. She also enjoyed spending time with him, so her answer came naturally, "Um... yeah, that sounds like fun. We can text each other our schedules to see when we're free." 

     Cane agreed, and as they exchanged information, they saw two men approach them from a distance, both dressed formally. 

     The men immediately introduced themselves, startling the couple. "Sorry to interrupt you two, we just wanted to see if we could have a few words with Ms. Yvette. I presume that's you, ma'am." Both revealed their badges to the couple. Yvette was surprised but didn't seem shocked at their arrival. She guessed it was about 'him'.

     Cane waited on a nearby bench, where he was within earshot of the conversation. 

     "Ms. Yvette, were you involved romantically with a Mr. Silas?", they asked.

     "I was, but not anymore," She responded dryly.

     "Did you know that he's been missing for about 2 months?"

     "No, I cut all contact with him after we parted". 

     "May we ask about this separation that you had?"

     "Um...yes, of course. I... found out he was having an affair. I tried to leave. He grabbed me and slammed me near a steel railing and gave me this scar. Since he wouldn't let me leave, I decided to run away in the middle of the night".

     "Did you report any of this to the police by any chance?".

     "No."

     "Why not?"

     "I couldn't."

     "Hmm. Do you have anyone who could corroborate this story?"

     "Yes. The landlord saw me, she called for a cab to help me, she was the last one I saw after I left our apartment". 

     The detectives wrote every detail down. Cane saw Yvette's face become stiffer as the questions went by. Each statement becoming more accusatory and more degrading. 

     As they finished, they gave her their contact information and left abruptly. She walked back to Cane, but she couldn't speak. Cane could only stare as he didn't have any words that he knew would console her. So, as she stood in front of him, he gently took her in his arms and laid her head on his chest. She let it happen as she tried to calm herself down. 

     The sound of his heartbeat was so soothing in her ear. Tears escaped as she spoke in whispers, "I didn't do anything wrong. I promise I didn't do anything wrong". Cane felt an ache in his heart seeing her like this. Her heart raced against his as she returned the embrace. 

     After a while, Yvette separated herself from him and laughed it off. However, Cane held on to his concerned look and cupped her face. "Are you okay? I can stay right here for as long as you need". 

     Yvette looked at him and felt so warm in that moment. Her fake laughter gave way to a grim look, one she had never shown others, as she nodded, "Please, I don't want to be alone right now."

     Cane held her tight as he tried to hide his blushing face. His face then twisted into a smile as he thought, "What could you be hiding?".