Torturous

The Ugliest Stain

•Y/N: Your Name

Author's POV:

The passing days went by tragically slow for the bloodthirsty murderer, full of seemingly endless work in which he must fulfill orders given to him by dreadful customers. He got through it with a false smile plastered onto his face whilst mentally stabbing each and every one of them that stepped through that door. Each chime of the entry bell brought him an inch closer to absolute madness, but, at the end of each day, that feeling would fade because each night he'd venture into the the temporary garden his rose took roots in. It was a cage bound by locks and sealed windows, but there wasn't a lock he couldn't pick or a window he couldn't break to get to her. His precious Y/N.

It doesn't matter what obstacles block his path, one way or another, he'll get to her always. Steadily, the blonde pours fresh, hot coffee into a to-go cup while watching from the corner of his eye as a man approaches the register. His instincts had been heightened due to the few years he's been killing, so he was always aware of his surroundings and would always find himself calculating even when there was no need for it. He's aware of every person, of every breath and footstep in the café, though he did his best to ignore the information sent to his brain. He hasn't a use for it at the moment.

Rich was just thankful that he wouldn't be dealing with the customer, since his, fairly new, coworker stood at the register with a welcoming smile on his face. Unlike the false grins Richard gives to the ugly weeds infecting his sight, the slightly older male fed the masses genuinely kind smiles to brighten their days. The blonde has paid the newcomer little mind, but he was aware of his optimistic personality. It was almost endearing, but such naivety is only cute on his darling rose. On anyone else, it was just idiotic.

The world is cruel and full of dirty parasites. Once in a while, a rose will bloom only to be inevitably devoured, just as Richard has experienced in his lifetime. One would not believe that once, long ago, he too once bore vibrant red petals, but the world had shaped him into one of the most dangerous parasites of all: one that even his own kind fear; one who is self aware. A liar, a thief, a stalker and a murderer, the lowest of the lows, and, yet, he knows all he does is wrong, but does it anyway because he likes it, because he craves it. When he met Y/N, he saw the fullest of roses with the sweetest of scents. A flower so precious it would bring tears to your eyes. A pure beauty that has evaded corruption her entire life, and, with his help, she'd stay that way. He would not let her be lead astray from a healthy bloom.

"A small cappuccino with an extra shot of expresso." Richard froze. That voice sent a strange tingle down his spine. There was a familiar ring to that tone, that bitter, arrogant tone. His caramel gaze wanders over towards the register before his whole body stiffens at the sight of an adult male in his thirties with dyed, ebony locks and uninterested, blue-grey eyes, standing at six feet.

That bastard. That damn bastard had the nerve to show up at his place of work after what he did to his flower, ramming into her shoulder as though she were a condemned building and he the wrecking ball. A silent gasp of pain escapes his lips as coffee splashed his hand after overflowing from the cup he filled. Biting the inside of his cheek to distract from the burning sensation, he sets the coffee pot down. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears as he keeps his back to the customer, trying his best to keep composure, though he wished to loudly curse for numerous reasons.

"Will that be all for today?"

"Uh..." The man's dull orbs glance over to the glass case of pastries displayed in the front counter before landing on a flaky, apple turnover drizzled with a white sugary glaze. He points to the delicious treat to inform the man at the register of what he craves. "One of those turnovers too."

"For here or to go?"

"To go." Looking over his shoulder, Rich accidentally makes eye contact with the customer, but, obviously, he didn't recognize the killer, for he looked away nonchalantly moments later. Growling and mumbling insults under his breath, Richard turns back around and quickly splashes cream into the cup before capping it and calling the order.

"And, what's the name?"

"Jerry." Nodding, the cashier grabs a small-sized cup from the side of the register to write the name given to him on the side of it with black sharpie. After that was done, he tells the man the amount needed to purchase the goods and is handed the money. Before the worker could turn to make the... parasite's drink, Rich touched his shoulder and gave a big, bright smile that no one could tell was false.

"I've got it. Small cappuccino with an extra shot of espresso and a turnover, right?"

"Oh, okay. Thanks!" Oblivious, the cashier smiles back and nods his head before going back to the register to take care of the next customer in line, while Richard prepares the coffee for that... that wretched man, who he wished he could pour the burning pot of coffee down his pants and smash the glass container against his head hard enough to break it into shards. Sadly, there were too many eyes in the café, so he could do no such thing. The cup was prepared slowly as he stewed in his thoughts, wishing it wasn't so risky... or was it?

Observing the disposable cup, he finds no logo on it. Chances of it being traced to Bitter Bliss were slim, so if he were to slip in an "extra special" ingredient, likely no one would ever know. Just slightly, the corners of his lips twitch upwards, but what could he use that wouldn't be too obvious? Suddenly, his eyes divert to the splash of coffee he had spilled on the counter from the last order and nearly grinned from ear to ear as he stopped making the coffee to grab cleaning supplies kept conveniently in one of the cabinets below the back counter. Sifting through the few bottles there, he spots an extra strength cleaner that has bleach and other harmful chemicals that could be detrimental if ingested.

Taking that and a napkin he sprays and wipes down the counter before looking around. The cashier was busy talking to the new customer, that arrogant prick had his nose stuck in his phone, all the other employees were busy with orders, since it's early morning and lots of people want their coffee, and everyone else in the place seemed to have their attention elsewhere. Excellent. Being discreet, he unscrews the sprayer and pours a heavy dosage into the drink before quickly capping the cleaner and putting it back where it was. Rich then quickly finishes making the drink and pops the lid on it before wiping the cup down of any fingerprints. He continues to hold with a napkin to ensure he wouldn't be traced as he grabs a turnover from the case. After bagging the treat, he reads the name written neatly on the cup by his coworker, Damian.

"Jerry!" Shouts the blonde, swiftly grabbing the attention of the murderer's target. After pocketing his phone, the parasite walks up to the counter to retrieve his hot beverage and pastry.

"Enjoy." The man did not notice the peculiar gleam in his server's eye as the murderer's heart pounded excitedly in his chest. Sadly, he wouldn't get the satisfaction of watching his victim writhe around, choking in pain, with the possibility of dying or getting severely injured by the chemicals slipped into his drink, but if he were to ever see that ugly mug of his again, he'd be sure to do much worse to ensure that he has served for his wrongdoings. He watches with glee as the man leaves and felt as though a weight had been lifted off his chest. Now, he could be at peace knowing that no one could escape his punishments. It seems that even the fates had taken his side. This must be his life's purpose, to serve and protect his unsuspecting lover. People for years have searched for meaning in their lives, and most die before any could be found. All this time, he thought life had no aim, no goal, so he played around, but, at last, he's found his reason for living,

And he loves it.