"Vine, wake up."

There is nothing more beautiful than waking up to see the person you love. I opened my eyes to the sound of Akira’s voice.

"Aka..."

He was already fastening the buttons of his shirt. "I’ll be home late tonight."

"In two years, you’ve never been late, Akira. What’s wrong?"

"I just need to get the shop in order."

We left the house together. "Listen, Aka," I said as he drove. "I want to make some changes at the shop. I’ve decided to sort the chocolates into sections. Milk chocolate on the right, dark on the left, and white in the middle. Aka... Akira? Are you listening?"

He pulled the car up in front of the boutique. He leaned over and kissed my lips. A moment later, he pulled back. "I have to go."

I got out of the car and found Kaori waiting by the door.

"Kao."

"Vayn."

We stepped inside. "The shop is closed today," I announced. "It’s time to organize everything."

The day wasn't even half over, but my legs were already failing me. I sank to the floor and began to open a box of chocolates. Kaori came over and sat beside me.

"I want some too."

I handed him the box and rested my head on his shoulder.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"Just let me rest for a moment." I felt my eyes growing heavy. All I wanted to do was sleep. "Kao?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you in love?"

Kaori looked flustered. "What? Well... um... yes. But he doesn't know. I don't think he ever will."

"You know, I met Akira right here," I murmured. "This shop is truly important to me."

"You’re important to me, too." Kaori lifted my head, cupping my cheek with his left hand as he looked directly into my eyes.

I pulled back. I stood up and continued arranging the shelves. The rest of the day passed in a heavy silence.

"Kao. It’s already eleven o'clock."

"So?"

"You can go. I’ll clean up the rest."

"No, I’ll stay and help."

When we finally finished, I untied my apron. "Kaori."

"Yes?"

"Let’s have some coffee before we go."

As we drank our coffee, habit took over, and I sat on one of the empty shop tables.

"We’re dressed exactly alike today," Kaori noted.

"Maybe because it’s the shop uniform?"

We both started to laugh.

"Well, yes. But you made a great choice: white shirt, black trousers, and white sneakers."

"Akira chose it," I said. "He thinks I look attractive like this."

Kaori stood up, walked over to the table, and positioned himself right in front of me. "He’s right. Only... you’ve left a few too many buttons undone."

He began to fasten the buttons of my shirt. At that exact moment, Akira walked in.

"Vine!"

He stormed over and shoved Kaori aside. He grabbed my arm so forcefully that I fell off the table.

"Vayn!" Kaori moved to help me up.

"Stay back!" Akira barked. He dragged me by the wrist toward the "red room" in the back of the shop. He slammed the door, locked it, and threw me to the floor.

"Aka!"

"Is this how you 'organize' your shop? Is it?"

I stood up and approached him, catching his hand. "Listen, Akira. We were just talking."

"By unbuttoning your shirt?"

"He wasn't unbuttoning it. He was fastening it."

"Oh, he was fastening it now, was he?"

"Aka!"

"What?"

"You know what? I’m tired of you! Yes, I’m tired! You’re always the same, and I’m exhausted from living with you! I have to wake up at 05:50 every single morning. I have to eat dinner with you at exactly eight o'clock every night. And don't even get me started on our 'lovemaking.' You never once ask if I actually want to do any of it! I loathe you, Akira!"

I realized only then that I had been screaming.

He slapped me. He hit me so hard that I cried out from the pain.

"You loathe me? Truly?"

He began to rip open the buttons of my shirt. He bit into my neck. I tried to push him away, but he wouldn't stop. He pinned me to the floor and stripped me of my clothes. When he moved to kiss me, I turned my face away. He gripped my head, forcing his mouth onto mine. The metallic taste of my blood mingled with the wine on his lips.

"Akira... you're hurting me."

He covered my mouth with his hand and continued to hurt me.

A short while later, he lay down beside me and closed his eyes. Lying there next to him, I began to wish for death.

He stood up, dressed himself, and walked toward the door. I sat naked on the floor and began to sob.

He turned back.

"Make sure we never cross paths again for the rest of our lives, Vine."

He opened the door and walked out.

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