She came to this cafe every morning at 9:45 a.m. to get a venti hot latte. She always carried this beige shoulder bag with her, no matter what she was wearing. Her high heels were always the same color as her outfit. She had long brunette hair with a blonde highlight in the middle. She had a plait down her back today and looked gorgeous in her navy-blue outfit. She most likely had to meet with her client or attend a meeting.
She smiled sweetly as she took her drink from the barista. Why would she give him a smile? She kept smiling at other people but never at him. Despite the fact that he was standing so close, close enough to smell the strawberry scent emanating from her body.
She took the coffee and left the café. He took his and followed her. They went their separate ways. It was a small encounter that started last week. Seeing her face in the morning made his heart flutter. He already knew it was going to be a great day, even though his boss could get upset at work, but that was okay.
His workplace was so dull. Everyone worked like a robot. They could have been robots because they were surrounded by machines. He was told by many colleagues that their boss wanted to layoff employees. They were fired every now and then. The colleague who worked with you today may disappear the next day. It could be him someday, so he kept his mouth shut, saving money like an ordinary person.
He regularly drove to East River Park on Manhattan's Lower East Side after work, where he could see the Williamsburg Bridge and the East River. He enjoyed sitting there and staring at the surface of the river. This site was packed with both happy and sad memories for him. He let his thoughts float away with the cool winter breeze. He might occasionally spot a jogger or someone stopping to take in the scenery. Tourists snapped photos while one woman stood by the river, admiring the bridge and the sky...that lady from the coffee shop.
When he saw her, his heart skipped a beat. She didn't look at him. He looked at her happy expression. Her gaze was riveted on the breathtaking scenery in front of her. She was beautiful and charming. She was an angel to him.
But then something happened. His heart was racing; both hands on his lap were gripped hard. She turned to the man who had just walked in. He was tall and slim. His blonde hair blew in the breeze. The man kissed her on the cheek. Her face turned bright red, even brighter than the strawberries on her shower cream bottle. Her lips formed a smile. She encircled him and rested her head on his broad shoulder. He tilted his head in her direction. Even though he was looking from behind, he could tell they were kissing.
Disgusting! So disgusting! She was his, but she snuggled with another man. When did she meet him? How did he not know? He was a fool not to keep an eye on her and let her have another man.
He sprang out of his seat at the sight. He was walking directly toward her, but they both joined a group of friends who had just arrived. His fist tightened firmly. As the woman went away, he took a deep breath.
Why did these girls always make him mad? Everyone was the same!
He turned around and walked back to the parking lot before driving home.
He eventually returned home. A peaceful home. A residence with a beautiful lady waiting for him to return. She always smiled at him and welcomed him with a sweet voice, so why did he feel so disgusted? He couldn't figure out why he had stayed with this woman for so long, perhaps because she had never made him upset. Yes, it had to be. She wasn't picky, she wasn't curious, and she didn't ask questions she shouldn't have asked. She...if you want to be dramatic, loved everything about him, but she couldn't please him. His heart was quiet, colorless, and dead every time he touched her. She was boring, but he kept coming back to her.
"Dinner is about ready. Go freshen up."
Her gentle touch made him want to vomit. He wanted to wipe the smile from her face, yet she served a purpose for him. She was necessary.
He nodded and walked towards the bathroom but did not enter. He made his way to the basement. It was just a regular room with a small refrigerator. For his entertainment, there was a sofa and an old television. There were so many dusty items that it was a shame to discard them. He allowed her to come down and clean once a week. She complied and showed no interest in this room. She would have discovered a concealed secret entrance if she had attempted shifting the shelf aside.
The gateway to paradise.
He was in here at least once a day. He felt a tingling sensation all throughout his body when he saw the desk. He picked up a black folder, mixed with books and other files. It was filled with images from newspapers he had accumulated over the years.
He thought it was so little, yet reading the contents reminded him of the good times. The first piece of news he gathered was a report of the discovery of a naked woman's body in the East River, which demonstrated his own recklessness. How inconsiderate he was to leave a beloved woman naked. He'd have to cover her with a sheet the next time.
The Carver is back?
He really liked the headlines in this newspaper. What an impressive journalist! However, the corpse floated faster than expected. Nature was unpredictable.
He returned the folder and unlocked the drawer, taking out a rectangular wooden box containing three little plastic envelopes. Each packet contained a different piece of jewelry. The first were diamond earrings, followed by a necklace with a heart-shaped gold pendant. The final piece was a necklace with an oval locket.
The joyful moments returned as soon as he touched them. His heart was thumping furiously. These women were his precious treasures. His and his alone.
It was so little. He thought about it again. This wooden box should be filled with his jewelries and memories. Yes, he had to fulfil it. He already knew where to find it.
That woman must be punished!