Each of Joelle's tears, shed in awe, felt like a direct affirmation of Raymond's worth, deepening his infatuation.

It might have been ages since a woman stirred such emotions in him.

Raymond had toyed with the idea of a cross-cultural romance leading to marriage with Joelle on several occasions.

"Why has she blacklisted me? Why.."

Slumped on the waterbed, Raymond mulled over this question, unable to shake off his feelings of dejection and heartbreak.