Chapter 2. Love is a Disease for One’s Heart

Vionna hates romance. Every novel, comic, anime, even drama, all of those seem like bullshit. Having someone to hug, to kiss, or to rely on when she needs them the most is a life that this teenager thought she would never experience.

Still trying to forget the memory when her first love rejected her bluntly, the second time was even worse than that. What could have been more painful than being bullied by your own crush in highschool? Vionna became a hopeless romantic.

Her thirst for affection is vented on her hobby. It all begins with just idolizing fictional characters, spending money on musical artist posters, or writing cliche romance stories starring Javionna Belle and her idols. The pretty teenager ended up being carried away, clubbing and drinking. Buying cheap shots, she waited for a miracle to come and change her life while getting lost in her own delusion. Sitting on the sidewalk in front of the bar, she dreamed of having her own house, bringing her parents to Bali, and at least paying off the small debts that haunts her.

"Hey mistress, why are you sitting alone?" A man in his late 20s stopped in front of Vionna with a plaid outer shirt, dark blue jeans, and worn leather shoes. To the man standing still, she replied "None of your business. What do you want?"

"Oh, a fierce one. How about two hundred dollars to keep me company?" he offered.

"Spend your money on something else that's more useful, asshole."

Just like that, Vionna spitted beside him and walked away.

"Oi, Vivi!" Faintly, a tall man her age wearing a white shirt was waving enthusiastically. Seems like he is a familiar person.

"Kane? What're you doing here this late?" She asked her friend with concern.

"Just finished closing the shop. The boss is kinda fussy today. I'm the one who's supposed to ask. Why are you still here?"

Turns out, the friendly man who had planned to accompany Vionna is her co-worker, Kane Roune. Only known each other for a few weeks, it felt like there is a bond between them. A friendship bond. People nowadays call it 'sharing the same brain cells'. If one is in need, the other would easily give a helping hand.

"I'm just hangin' out. Now I'm going back home," the girl answered.

"It's really late, Vivi. You're a girl. Let me walk you, 'kay?"

"But your house is in the opposite direction…"

Kane found an excuse, "You know the small bakery beside your place? My brother wants me to buy something there. We could go together."

"Oh, fine then." Vionna finally complied.

Moments like these means so much in her life. Before, she wanted to have someone who is perfect, reliable, making her the apple of their eyes. But now, being cared for is more than enough.

Walking down the dim lighted streets, little conversations are exchanged.

"Your brother, Cale, right? How's he doing?" Vionna asked.

"He's good. Busy with school admission and stuff," Kane replied, "How about you? Why did you look gloomy in front of the bar?"

"Nothing. It's just, life's been boring."

"Is that it?" He looks at her, "You should have brought me with you."

With a little more laughs and chit chat, both of them finally arrived at their destination.

"That's your house right?"

"Yeah, I'll get going. See you, Kane!" She waved him goodbye.

The young man went inside the bakery, peeping outside just to ensure Vionna got back home safely. She sees him as a considerate man.

Would such a normal life bring anything as culminating? Or will they be fixated at one point? Going nowhere, finding no love to obtain. A single person could change it all.