BEAUTY MARKS

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Kaede opened her eyes; it's was Sunday at last. Situated in a touristic area, Da Stuff rotated seven days a week.

For Kaede, Sunday was her first day off, followed by any other day of the week. She never got two days' weekend, and it did not bother her the slightest. Weekends were for those who had people to see or a lover to please. The woman was friends-free, and as far as the relationship went, the weekend getaway remained a far-off mirage.

So what did a single black woman have to do Sunday, which did not consist of vegging out in front of Netflix?

Kaede did not know, and every Sunday came with the same interrogation. When Joseph first hired her, Kaede would stop by the store and work while saying I'm not here, carry on. For this, too, Joseph had to take extraordinary measures to prohibit the woman from the store's premises.

How to be in the world and disconnected at the same time, ask Kaede.

Kaede called the Sephora at St Germain. It was open on Sunday, and it was the only one with a beauty institute.

Yes, she was single, but Kaede liked to keep up with her beauty routine. It was one of the things that prevented her from sinking further during her burnout.

"Hi, I wondered if it was possible to have an appointment today with Dima for legs and armpits waxing? ㅡGreat, yes, miss Missoni Laurence. ㅡAt 12:30, ok, I'll be there."

Kaede hurried, she showered. Not wanting to prevent the hair removal, she didn't put on her body cream.

She put on her Pleasures sweatpants and hoodie set. It was men's, but Kaede did not care. She did two twin cornrow twists to her hair and left.

It was only 10:30, and Kaede got the call, which pushed her to go somewhere holy, so she found herself in front of Saint Rose. It was a small church at Pigalle not far from the Moulin Rouge. Most people missed the chapel, which was between two sex shops.

Kaede liked this chapel, and somehow she felt God's presence in this place surrounded by sin. She did not plan to stay long. Kaede bought four candles for each of her parents she lost and went to light them. As usual, she was alone; the next service was at 11:30 AM. Kaede knelt and closed her eyes, "hi, how have you been doing? I know it's been a while. I'm a bad child," Kaede sighed; she never knew what to say. She felt blessed; still, something in her existence was missing.

In the meantime, she woke up the clubber, who fell asleep on the bench when the first service began. The man's head pounded; he looked about in the dimly light space and got up; he approached the vestibule close to the entrance where Kaede was.

The woman searched her words, unable to ask for what she wanted, not by pride but shame. She hated the idea of wanting and needing, especially that thing. She sighed, "ㅡGod, can you send me a man? I know it's ridiculous, but I'm not a mean person. I won't be picky, but please let him have beautiful teeth, and be tall, am thick, andㅡ, "Kaede stopped.

Kaede said she would not be complicated, but here she was with her bucket list, "I'm sorry, I know I said I'd keep it simple, but I just want the right one. The one you made for me if you had someone planned because I feel soㅡ," She got up; the embarrassment to admit she felt alone took over.

Someone was there as if things could not get more awkward. Kaede pulled on her hood, lowered her head, and advanced using her hand as a vizor not to meet the person's gaze," excuse me," she said as the person appeared to want to pass her.

It was only a split second; all the person saw of her face were her lips and the most prominent beauty marks of the three she had on her risen hand. Kaede left the chapel.