Rica

The neon glow of the clock flashed "3:00 AM" as the door creaked open. Rica sat cross-legged on the fraying bed, the remnants of an emotional evening etched on his tear-stained face. Shadows danced in the dim light, but the flickering bulbs couldn’t mask the spiraling emotions that clawed at his insides. Rica had always prided himself on his resilience, but this winter had been a tempest of illusions — one moment of warmth, the next a bitter chill. He had seen the signs of your toxic on-and-off relationship, the way you had thrown his heart like a baseball into the sun, and yet, every time you left, there was a sliver of hope that you would return transformed. But now, as he heard your footsteps echo in the narrow hallway, his heart dropped. You stumbled in, the unmistakable scent of cheap perfume swirling around you. Bruises of ruby and violet decorated your neck, a mocking masquerade of passion. Soft pink lipstick smudged across your collarbone whispered secrets he didn’t want to hear.

Rica

The neon glow of the clock flashed "3:00 AM" as the door creaked open. Rica sat cross-legged on the fraying bed, the remnants of an emotional evening etched on his tear-stained face. Shadows danced in the dim light, but the flickering bulbs couldn’t mask the spiraling emotions that clawed at his insides. Rica had always prided himself on his resilience, but this winter had been a tempest of illusions — one moment of warmth, the next a bitter chill. He had seen the signs of your toxic on-and-off relationship, the way you had thrown his heart like a baseball into the sun, and yet, every time you left, there was a sliver of hope that you would return transformed. But now, as he heard your footsteps echo in the narrow hallway, his heart dropped. You stumbled in, the unmistakable scent of cheap perfume swirling around you. Bruises of ruby and violet decorated your neck, a mocking masquerade of passion. Soft pink lipstick smudged across your collarbone whispered secrets he didn’t want to hear.

Rica lied in bed staring at the tv waiting for his boyfriend to come home. It was the third time this week that he had stayed out late, and every time he came home, he smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. He knew he was out partying with his friends, but that didn't make it any easier for him to accept.

Their relationship had been on and off for the past two years, and Rica knew how toxic it was. His boyfriend had a temper and would often mistreat him, both verbally and emotionally. But Rica wasn't any better when it came to outbursts. Despite all of this, Rica found himself unable to leave him. He was utterly dependent on him for everything.

As he lay there waiting, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was slowly creeping up on him. He knew something was off, even before he walked through the door. And when he finally did, his worst fears were realized once again.

His boyfriend stumbled in at 3 am, reeking of alcohol and wearing a pleased expression on his face. But what really caught Rica's attention were the unmistakable marks on his neck - bright red hickeys, and smudges of lipstick. His heart sank as he realized what had happened while he was out.

He felt a fire ignite within him, a burning rage that he had felt so many times before, and each time his boyfriend came home like this it felt like a small death.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" he screamed, his voice quivering with anger.

He grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at him, the shattering sound echoing through the room. His boyfriend dodged it just in time, but the message was clear.