章 319: [63.2]Cyrus POV: The Claws Sink Deeper
[Disclaimer: This chapter includes mature material that may not be suitable for every reader. This chapter includes emotional manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, assault, and other themes that may be traumatizing to the reader.]
Reika appeared in an art gallery fixing up her pieces as a group behind her giggled. I could hear them and their "whispers" as they watched her.
"Look at her. She's so proud of that trash."
"She hasn't sold anything in months. You think she would get the message…"
"If it was any of us, we would be kicked out of the gallery. She's so lucky she's dating the owner's son."
"I heard he has no choice but to sell her paintings for mere coins just to get rid of it."
"I heard he actually has to donate the pieces because no one wants them."
Reika's eyebrows pinched together as she stared at her work. Her pride slowly faded to disgust as she stared at her own artwork.
The man referred to as her boyfriend walked from the back of the store and appeared at her side, "What's wrong?"
"Honey… What do you think of my artwork?"
"Hm?" He glanced at it and spoke nonchalantly, "It's not your best work."
Reika's face fell, "R-Really?"
He nodded, "Honestly, I don't find it very impressive. Recently, I've found your work to be derivative and boring."
It only took two sentences to completely destroy whatever pride she had left in her skill.
She stuttered, "B-But I've been working for so long and I dedicate so much time to this. My skill… My skill is unmatched…"
He patted her head with a smirk, "Reika. You haven't sold anything in a while. Skill means nothing if it doesn't reach the eyes of others…"
"Haah?!" I retorted in disbelief, "Her artwork is SO much better than the rest of the crap in here! Anyone with eyes can see that!"
Reika looked to the ground, visibly deflating, "O-Oh… Then I will try harder…"
"Good girl." He turned to leave, whistling to himself.
After she arrived home, she went straight to work trying to paint her new pride. She worked late into the night. However, every time she finished whatever she was working on, she flew into a rage and began to throw red paint across the canvas until she couldn't handle it any longer.
She burst into tears, dropping her paintbrush onto the ground. Trembling, she pulled out her phone while wiping her eyes. Upon seeing the blank screen with no incoming messages, she slowly put it back down. She lay her head in her lap and sobbed uncontrollably.
I reached out to hold her, but my hands passed through instead.
I bit my lip, feeling my chest ripping apart as I watched her cry in solitude.
There's nothing I can do to comfort her.
…I've never felt so useless.
The next memory appeared.
Reika stood in front of her new painting and its violent strokes. Her eyes were devoid of light as she stared at it, silently critiquing herself.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her, "Wow… This is incredible."
Reika turned around in surprise to see a woman staring at her painting without being able to pull her eyes away. She blinked in confusion, "You… You actually like it?"
"Like it? I love it! I love how there are streaks of red. It's as if you are taking a stand against the norm."
Reika looked back at her own work, mulling over the woman's words as she stared at it.
The woman spoke, "How much is it?"
"Y-You want to buy it?!"
"Not just this one. I want the ENTIRE collection!" She pulled out her wallet, "So how much?"
Reika stared with a wide open mouth, "N-Name your price."
"Is 10 million won enough?"
"SOLD!" As Reika helped check her out behind a counter, she asked, "May I ask where you plan to display it?"
"I own an upscale hair salon and I think it would be perfect for the vibe I'm going for. This kind of thing is very popular with my clients."
Reika's face brightened, "Oh! I've been thinking about cutting my hair lately. It's gotten really long and my boyfriend is always commenting that women with short hair look more attractive."
The woman grinned, "Girl! Your hair is fabulous! Why would you ever want to cut it?!"
She laughed awkwardly, "I… I like my long hair, but maybe I should try short hair for my boyfriend's sake."
"Then come to my salon! I will give you a cut free of charge!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
The memory switched to Reika in a chair as her long hair fell to the ground. The woman and Reika spoke with bright smiles as they became well acquainted. Afterward, the two went and got coffee.
It seems she made another friend.
After a few more coffee dates and hair salon visits, Reika asked, "Hey! Would you be interested in meeting my boyfriend?"
"Really? Sure! I wouldn't mind meeting him."
"Oh good! He has been demanding to meet you. Whenever I make new friends, he wants to meet them so he can approve of them first… He's really good at understanding people, you see. Much better than me." She laughed, "He says I'm too naive and trusting."
"Really? That's… Interesting."
It was obvious the woman wanted to say more, but she held her tongue.
In the next memory, I watched as the woman met her boyfriend. She remained polite, but I could tell the woman didn't think much of him.
At least this woman can tell this man is worthless. Hopefully, she can make Reika realize it too.
However…
The woman never said a thing.
Oddly enough, the man didn't forbid Reika from seeing the woman.
In the next memory, Reika was back in the gallery and watched as a newcomer put up his work. He looked confused before walking over to her, "I'm sorry, but do you know where we keep the nails? I can't seem to find any."
"Of course! Let me get you some." She strolled over to a drawer and pulled out a box. She handed it to him with a polite smile, "You're new here?"
He gave her a smile back, "I am. Is that your section over there?"
"It is."
"Wow! It's so magnificent. You're really skilled. I almost feel embarrassed to hang up my own work when it's next to yours."
She laughed, "Don't compare your work to mine. Each artist is valid on their own. You have skill too, so don't say you are embarrassed. Have more pride in your work."
He smiled brightly, "You really are too kind… Honestly, I don't know how long I can make it in this career. I had to take another job just to try to make this work."
She shrugged, "Yeah, it can be hard. I'm lucky to have my boyfriend as the boss. He is always covering my bills and meals when I don't earn enough money."
"Oh, your boyfriend is the owner?"
"The son of the owner, yes. He works as the manager for their galleries."
"That's so cool! How did you two meet?"
As they chatted happily, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and looked past them. Leaning against the wall, her boyfriend was glaring at the two, grinding his teeth as he crossed his arms in irritation.
From the way he was looking at Reika, I could sense something was very wrong and I didn't have to wait long to find out what it was.
After work, Reika returned home with her boyfriend and he quickly accused her, "Are you cheating on me?"
Reika was startled, "W-What? Why would you say that?!"
"I see how you've been looking at that newbie! I know you are thinking about being with him and not me!"
"I would never! I'm not interested in him!!!"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!"
His hands wrapped around her arms so tightly she let out a cry of pain, "S-Stop! It hurts-"
He shoved her against the wall, leaning close to her face. He continued to shout obscenities at her, getting more and more violent the more he shouted.
Reika wanted to shrink back, but there was nowhere to go. She tried pleading with him instead, "Please… Please stop… Please-"
"YOU'RE SUCH A ****!"
He grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground. Reika reached out to grab something solid, but her hand wrapped around a lamp that crashed on top of her. A cut appeared along her forehead and soon a drop of blood trailed down.
I jumped in front of her quickly, my instincts overriding my reasoning, "Get away from her!!!"
Reika looked through my invisible self and up at her boyfriend with fear in her eyes. Before he could do anything else to her, she sprinted out of his apartment and fled down the stairs. She ignored his cries to her as she ran as her life depended on it.
"REIKA! REIKA COME BACK! PLEASE BABE! REIKA!"
Reika continued to run.
She ran all the way to her friend's home where the woman graciously opened her door and comforted her.
"Reika… This isn't okay. He's not good for you. You need to break up with him."
"But… But he's all I have."
"No, he's not. I'm here."
Reika shook her head, "But I work for him."
"Then quit!"
"I can't do that… This is my dream job."
"Then go to another gallery!"
"Even if I could find one to accept me, I would never make enough money to survive. I only have enough money because he pays me on top of commissions."
"That's not right either. He has complete financial dominance over you. You need to stop relying on him!"
"But I will lose my apartment!"
"Then stay with me! If you need work, I can hire you at my salon."
Reika finally bit her lip and gave a weak nod. The woman sighed in relief and rubbed her head. The next day, Reika went to the gallery to collect her things when no one was around.
However…
That man was there waiting. He didn't waste the chance at seeing her and quickly grabbed her to prevent her from leaving, "Reika. Wait."
She tried to shove off his hand, "No. I have nothing to say to you!"
For the first time, I saw tears appear in his eyes. He held her desperately, "I love you! Please don't do this to me… Please don't leave me!"
She wavered seeing his pitiful expression, "You… You hurt me."
"I didn't mean to! I just got a bit emotional… I just love you so much, it drives me crazy. Sometimes when I get crazy, I do some really stupid things that I would never do. It was a one-time thing."
I scoffed, "What bullsh*t."
The man continued, "Please give me another chance… It was an accident. I promise I won't ever EVER hurt you again. I will get help. I will do anything if you come back to me."
Reika glanced at him timidly, "...Really?"
"Really! Please?!"
"I… I don't know."
My mouth dropped at her wavering expression, "Please don't consider it…"
"Move in with me."
Reika and I were both equally shocked, "What!?"
He nodded, refusing to drop her hands, "I want to take the next step in our relationship. I really see a future with you. You're the only person I've ever felt this strongly for. Please? Won't you come to live with me? I promise that I will treat you like a Queen. I promise I will never hurt you again. It will be perfect."
Reika held her breath, her saddened expression lifting, "Really? You promise?"
"I do… I love you, Reika Kang." He emphasized, "And I can't live without you."
A smile broke out across her lips, "I love you too!"
Ugh.
I really wish I could kill that smug degenerate.
After that, Reika's friend never resurfaced again in her memories.
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