A.R: 9

He strode past the docks, passing the stunning views of the water and sunset. From what he could see, the sky was filled with pulsating shades of orange, purples, blues, and yellow. To an average eye, the sight would look copied straight from a fairy tale. Couples – probably on some sort of vacation – sat on the edges of the wooden docks, feet in the water and phones out to capture the exhibition.

‘When are we going back to Japan?’ V inquired, reminding Rae that she even existed.

Rae shrugged, not bothering to look at the redhead behind him,

‘Aren’t you African?’

‘Half South-African, half Japanese.’ V hissed, crossing her arms as she stepped up to walk in stride with Rae, ‘It counts.’

The couples sat on the docks trickled down to only a few, as the others got ready for the night. There was a lone man near the far end, staring out into the ocean but Rae paid no mind to him; single people existed too.

They entered their hotel room, Rae immediately flopping on his bed, the suitcase he was carrying falling on the wooden floor beside him.

‘Are we not going to talk about… our argument?’ She asked, her voice quiet and somehow terrified.

Rae had no clue what “argument” V was talking about. In the time they had worked together, they’ve had countless bickers, but none too major.

‘Don’t know what you’re on about.’ He groaned, turning his head away from V, who stood near the edge of his bed, looking down at him worriedly.

‘You know…’ She trailed off, ‘on the boat.’

Rae was silent.

‘When I nearly got shot in the head by James.’ V said, her tone becoming intertwined with annoyance. That triggered the memory for him. He couldn’t exactly remember what they had been arguing over back then, but he had deemed the bicker another one of their regular squabbles.

‘What about it?’ he muttered; his voice partially muffled by the pillow he was laying on. He could feel V gently sit down on his bed.

‘I meant what I said.’ V started.

‘That’s the thing,’ He paused, ‘I don’t remember what you said.’ The male responded.

A few moments of silence passed between the two, Rae nearly falling asleep, assuming V had given up trying to make conversation.

‘I am so sick of you.’ V seethed, startling Rae awake by her menacing tone, ‘I’m sick of you and this whole assassin thing!’

Rae sat up alertly, staring at V’s red face. Was she… mad?

‘You always assume that you’re right despite what I say! I can never tell you my opinion about something without you judging me or dismissing it!’ V yelled, standing up from the bed and glaring at Rae, ‘You’re so self-centred and egotistical, Rae!’

At that point, V had begun to full out scream and Rae was worried they were going to be kicked out by a hotel owner. He had pulled a lot of strings to book the hotel room they were currently staying in so he would not allow V to ruin that for him.

‘V, calm down!’ He hissed, starting to become agitated by V’s outburst.

‘No! You’re always telling me what to do and always making my decisions for me! You say were partners but really, I’m just like your assistant! You constantly take your anger out on me and never allow me to do what I want! And whenever I do one thing wrong, I’m suddenly useless!’

‘Am I wrong?’ He spat back, standing up from his bed, ‘You are always messing up and you blame me for your mistakes. You always play the victim.’

‘Don’t act like you never make mistakes either.’ She said, to which Rae began to counter before getting interrupted, ‘You criticise me daily! I can never go a day without feeling like everything I do is never good enough!’

‘You’re right. It isn’t. You know why, V?’ Rae seethed, taking massive steps towards her, ‘Because you are useless. You just take up space and contribute absolutely nothing.’ Rae scowled, narrowing his eyes as he made sure his words contained the amount of venom he wished them to encompass.

V stood deathly still, but her face gave her away. She had gone red and fat tears had begun to form. She bit her bottom lip to keep any sobs from escaping.

He didn’t care.

V had been the one to start the stupid argument so if telling her the truth was all it took to get her to shut up, so be it.

‘Not so snappy now, are you?’ Rae snarled, looking down at the woman he was towering over. V frowned, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip so hard Rae swore she was going to draw blood.

That’s when she hit. With every ounce of venom she could muster.

‘You’re a dirtbag with no purpose in the world. With the way you’re acting, I wouldn’t be surprised if you died alone and, in fact, I hope you do.’ She was progressively getting louder, ‘Because you’re never going to find someone who’s going to care about trash like you! You’re never going to be happy in life and I hope you stay miserable and hopeless forever!’

Silence.

When Rae didn’t react how she desired, she went for the final blow, certain to make sure what she said stung.

‘I can see why your parents gave you away for cash.’ V spoke, her voice cold and uncaring.

It was only when Rae’s face contorted into one of immense displeasure did she understand what had just escaped her mouth. She let out a gasp, as if someone else had said her words, and reached out hands towards Rae.

But he would rather be anywhere but near her at that moment.

Her voice trembled as she spoke,

‘Rae, I’m so sorry. I didn’t… mean to say that.’ V stammered, stumbling towards Rae who simply shoved her arms away and headed out the door. Outside, the sky had gone dark, the night beginning to settle. No one was outside, at least from what he could see, and he was grateful for it.

He was grateful no one had to witness his pathetic state.