Page 5

Visha

Just wow.

I stand in the perfectly polished bathroom, wondering what to start with. Everything is so white and clean, from the marble on the floor to the shower.

I notice that there’s not a single product on display on the sink other than hand soap. The mirror hides a cabinet behind and out of curiosity I open it.

“Didn’t expect that.”

I thought he’d have many perfumes and skincare or whatever else people usually have in their bathrooms but no. There’s only one bottle of cologne, a pack of toothpaste, one toothbrush in a sage green container, and a box of Q-tips. I scan the row below and find some moisturizer and a cleanser.

“At least he washes his face,” I huff.

That man has the bare necessities and nothing more. But why? He seems to live alone and has money so why doesn’t he treat himself?

That’s stupid. He should live well if he can afford it. What’s he holding back for?

I turn toward the shower curtain and part it, revealing a beautiful and modern white shower. On a metallic corner rack there are a bunch of products. One shampoo, one body wash, one loofah, one exfoliator. Just one of each. This bathroom proves that there’s barely any sign of a living person.

Confused, I open every other cabinet and drawer I can find and scan for more clues but everything’s half empty. Even the drawer under the sink with towels scarcely fills the space.

“What the-”

None of this is normal. For someone as radiant as Aoi, he surely doesn’t make an effort turning this apartment into a home. Either way, it’s none of my business so I don’t fret it and get undressed instead. The cold and wetness of the snow makes my clothes stick to my skin as I pull them off. It’s gross and my skin feels cold and humid.

I stare at my bruised and flawed skin through my reflection. Every patch of purple, every healing wound reminds me of the hell I just escaped. My flesh resembles a canvas of sunset colors only waiting for the opportunity to fade into nothingness.

Sighing loudly, I focus on the matter at hand, occasionally glancing at the closed door. He won’t come in while I’m showering right? Maybe I should lock the door just in case.

The system of the shower confuses me, and it takes me at least five minutes to figure out how to turn it on.

“Okay, so this is cold and this warm? Wait, is it the other way around?” I turn on the faucet and sway my fingers under the stream. “Ah nope this is warm.”

I grunt under the warmth of the water washing today’s and the past year’s hardship off.

“I wanna stay in here forever.” I drop down on the cold shower floor.

The stream rains over me in burning hot waves as I bring my knees to my chest and lean my head on them. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I love it.

I haven’t taken a long warm shower in ages. Managing to even take a shower is almost impossible in the Keytons’ household because Robert won’t ever let me in the bathroom if he hasn’t showered first.

I don’t get what his problem is with me but apparently, he just loves to torture me, and I let him. His parents dote on him like a little lord, though he doesn’t deserve it. His little brother, Dean, doesn’t get the exact same treatment, but he’s still better cared for than me. If they’re little lords, then I’m a peasant and a beggar. Maybe even a maggot.

But they’re worth nothing. Not a single coin, not an ounce of oxygen and definitely not freaking kindness. They can be lords if they wish to but despite being a mere nuisance I got blessed with the help of an angel.

“Who’s the loser now, huh Rob?”

I reach for Aoi’s body wash. I’m somehow all giddy at the thought of smelling good. I smear the body wash on me and scrub my skin raw.

“Honey…” I grin. “It smells like honey.”