Chapter 49: NAIVE

In the plush confines of his dressing room, Raymond attended to his morning ablutions, meticulously preparing for his day of work. A dutiful hand slid his phone from its spot atop the vanity, and he glanced at the message that shone on the screen. Miranda's summons. He placed the device into his trouser pocket, the weight of it a reminder of her authority. His gaze drifted to the array of neckties that adorned the room, an endless rainbow of silk and wool.

And then, as if by some divine intervention, Emily appeared, her presence a gentle breeze stirring the air of the dressing room. In her hands, she held a tie, its colors vivid and inviting. "This will look better on you." She said, her voice a sweet, familiar melody that Raymond knew so well.

He allowed himself a smile, his heart lightening as she approached. "Thank you, my love." He said.