Paris is the city of love, despite all odds. No matter how terrible the weather may get or how awful the people may be, everyone will tell you that there is love in the air in the capital city of France. And love is a beautiful, irreplaceable feeling.
Louis Vallentin is only month away from his five-year anniversary with his girlfriend, Ann-Marie Blanc. Although he would usually be busy planning the most romantic evening he could imagine, he has recently been feeling unlike his usual self. Tending to his beloved rose garden doesn't make him as happy as it used to. Working at the town bakery doesn't bring him joy. Even drawing in his sketchbook has begun to feel like a routine chore. He wonders if he's coming down with a cold.
He gets home from the bakery an hour before Ann-Marie will be off of work at the publishing company. Louis has only one thing on his mind.
[[Check on the roses->roses1]]
(set: $din to "dinner")
What will Louis make for $din?
Which recipe:
(link: "Chicken parmesan")[(set: $din to "chicken parmesan")(goto: "cook")]
(link: "Spaghetti and meatballs")[(set: $din to "spaghetti and meatballs")(goto: "cook")]
Louis couldn't help but wonder how his flowers were doing.
Growing in the garden was his pride and joy; his collection of red roses. The rose bushes were lovingly planted, growing healthy enough to produce nearly two dozen flowers. Seeing them grow under his supervision gave Louis a feeling of pride. He loved his roses almost as much as he loved his girlfriend.
He decided to give them a thorough sprinkling of water. He finishes and goes inside to start dinner.
[[Cook->dinner]]
Louis follows the recipe and makes some $din.
Ann-Marie comes home and sees the meal he has made. She says, (if: $din is "chicken parmesan")["Wow, this chicken parmesan looks great. But don't put marinara on mine, please."
The couple eats their dinner and then moves to work on the dishes.
[[Talk to her->talk1]]](elseif: $din is "spaghetti and meatballs")["Ugh, I think I'm going to skip dinner, marinara hurts my stomach."
Louis' shoulders droops. He had completely forgotten about her sensitive stomach. He eats his dinner in silence, then does the dishes by himself.
[[Talk to her->talk1]]]
"How was work, darling?" He asks her. She replies with an annoyed sigh, sitting down at the table and setting her chin in her hand.
"Shitty. I can't believe I got stuck being a proofreader, they have no idea what amazing stories I'm capable of..." Ann-Marie grumbles.
Louis dries his hands on a dish towel before sitting across from her.
"I'm sorry to hear that. How about you take your mind off it, what would you like to do for our anniversary?" He asks gently.
"Are you kidding me?!" She suddenly outburst, "I'm so stressed from work and your idea of helping me relax is more goddamn work?!"
Louis lowers his eyes to the ground, ashamed.
[[Apologize]]"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." He says on cue, reaching over the table to set his hand on top of hers. Ann-Marie closes her eyes and exhales through her nose.
"...I want to go to sleep, I'm exhausted." She says in response.
Louis nods, "Of course, go ahead without me. I'm going to work on my designs for a little bit."
Her eyebrows furrow before she opens her eyes, "Your...fashion designs? Louis, you know how hard it is to get a job in that field. Why are you still trying?"
He falls silent, his eyes returning to the ground.
[[Apologize->apologize2]]
"Sorry..." He says softly, "I guess it's just nice to dream about it."
"Well, you have to be realistic. The world is cruel and only gives free handouts to the gifted, not to you and me." She stands and kisses his head, "Come to bed soon, love." She says with a yawn, making her way upstairs.
"Yes, dear."
[[Go to bed]]
A few days later, Louis wakes up feeling even worse than before. His heart is heavy but he can't explain why. He has his girlfriend, his job at the bakery, his hobbies...
He shakes off the feeling and goes to get started on breakfast. While he cooks, he hears Ann-Marie talking on the phone in the study across the hall.
"Yes, of course, I'll get started right away." She says in a professional manner. "Yes, I can hold." She presses a button on her phone, letting out a sigh before looking over to Louis, "You would not believe how bitchy my boss is being. She's just using me to clean up her shitty messes, she has no idea how lucky she is to have me."
Before Louis has the chance to respond, a loud voice comes from the phone.
[[She didn't mute her phone, she put it on speaker]]"I didn't know having a well-paid job was an inconvenience for you, Ms. Blanc." Her boss said, calm and collected. "I understand you may feel stressed, but remember that this is a job that can drop you for being unprofessional. Please get to work on time so we may get started. Goodbye."
The other line hung up right before Ann-Marie threw her phone at the chair, letting out an annoyed snarl, "How dare she belittle me, I'm not a fucking child!" She growled, picking up her phone and heading to the kitchen.
[[Ask her what happened]]"What was that noise, are you okay?" He asks nervously, flipping his crepe and laying it on a plate.
"Oh nothing, just my boss continuing to make my life a living hell." She said with a huff, crossing her arms, "I made a side comment about how she should treat me better and she happened to hear me. She bitched me out and screamed that she'd fire me for speaking my mind."
Louis blinked in confusion. What she was telling him was vastly different from what he had heard...
[[Confront her]]
[[Sympathize with her]]"But Ann-Marie, that's not what she said at all... A-and you didn't make a side comment, you talked poorly about her from across the house, so of course she would hear it." Louis said, gripping his hands close to his chest as he waited for her reply.
Ann-Marie stared at him, silent. She stood abrubtly, pushing her chair away from the table, "I don't need this right now. I'm already in a bad mood and you're trying to pick a fight with me?"
"No, I was just--"
"And now you're interrupting me?!" She yelled, slamming a hand on the table.
Louis flinched, his eyes avoiding hers.
[[Apologize->apologize3]]"Oh, darling... I'm so sorry to hear that, she should treat her employees better." He said cautiously, sliding her a plate of crepes.
She sighed and smiled up at him, "Right? At least I have you, you're the only one who understands me." She leaned up to give him a quick kiss. "Thank you for breakfast, lovebug."
He smiled back and nodded, sitting across from her. "Of course." They ate their breakfast before making their way to work.
There wasn't enough time to check on the roses. They were probably fine.
[[Go to the bakery]]"I-I'm sorry, I was just... I um..." He stammered, losing his confidence.
"Just fucking forget it. Great, now I'm going to be late for the job that's driving me insane. I don't even have time for breakfast." Ann-Marie grumbled, grabbing her travel mug of coffee.
"See you tonight. Love you." She said icily, leaving and slamming the door behind herself.
Louis' eyes grew watery. He miserably slid his last strawberry crepe onto a plate and sat at the table alone, eating and sipping at his coffee.
[[Check on the roses->roses2]]Louis took his time finishing breakfast and cleaning the dishes before getting ready for work. He dressed quickly and checked the clock, making sure he had enough time to stop by the garden.
He locked the door behind himself and approached the garden.
His heart sunk.
They were wilting.
[[Water the flowers]]Louis raced to water his plants in a desperate attempt to bring them back to life.
"Come on, don't give up on me." He murmured, trying his hardest to keep the roses happy.
He watered them generously and added a little bit of fertilizer. This would have to do for now.
[[Go to the bakery]]Work goes by in a blur of faces Louis couldn't pay attention to. He worked automatically, taking orders, checking out at the register, baking the confections in the back.
When the crowd dies down after the lunch rush, Louis sneaks out his sketchbook to flip through the pages. He smiled as he admired the outfits he had designed, it was his favorite hobby to draw clothes. He created a simple new design and drew in the face of the model, but she looked displeased, her eyes narrow and mouth slanted, and...
Oh. He had drawn his girlfriend.
He couldn't forget what Ann-Marie had said earlier this week...
<i>"Louis, you know how hard it is to get a job in that field. Why are you still trying?"</i>
He let out a soft sigh, closing the book.
"Aww, I wasn't done looking."
[[Turn around]]A yelp of surprise escaped Louis as he turned around to see the grinning face of his younger coworker and friend. Jean, who used they/them pronouns, was working part time while in college. Their bubbly personality was a perfect duplicate of how Louis used to feel.
"M-morning, Jean." Louis said quietly.
Jean tilted their head to the side, "Morning, Lou. What's the matter, did your girlfriend say something again?" They asked cautiously.
Louis was caught off guard by the question.
[[Ask Jean to explain]]
[[Ask Jean to leave him alone]]"What do you mean 'again'?" Louis asked, "We had a small argument, but it's not like it happens often."
"Are you sure?" Jean asked gently, moving to the front of the store to flip the door sign to 'closed'. "Because lately you haven't been yourself. I'm worried about you."
Louis smiled, "That's very kind of you, but I'm fine. Every couple has their moments, right?"
"I guess, but not every partner gets so affected that they feel miserable for the rest of the day. Do you think she feels just as sad right now, or has she gotten over it already because she thinks she's guiltless?" They said suddenly.
Louis was surprised by their comment.
[[What does Jean mean?]]
[[Stop them from talking->Ask Jean to leave him alone]]"It's just personal problems, I'll be fine. Please, can we not talk about this?" Louis said firmly.
Jean let out a sigh and nodded, "Sure, sorry for prying... But you can always text me if you need someone to talk to, okay?"
Louis smiled, "Of course, and I'll do the same for you. Thanks, Jean."
The two employees returned to work, the rest of their shifts going by uneventfully.
[[Go home]]"Why do you think Ann-Marie would feel like that?" Louis asked, taking a seat at one of the booths. Jean sat across from him, folding their arms over the table.
"Because that's what she sounds like to me. You sometimes mention how kind she is, but mostly you admit that she's upsetting you. But you always say you're fine because you love one another. I really don't think love is supposed to hurt this much."
Louis falls silent. He avoids his eyes, scanning the empty bakery before focusing his gaze on the clock.
"M-my shift is over, I need to get home."
"Louis--"
[[STOP!]]Louis arrives home before his lover, so he goes to get started on making dinner. What Jean had said today was still stuck in his head, but he tried his best to focus on cooking.
When Ann-Marie arrives home, she slips her arms around Louis' waist and buries her face in his back.
He looks back at her, "Ann-Marie? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, setting his free hand over hers to stroke the back of her hand comfortingly.
"...I'm sorry for letting my boss piss me off this morning. She just... She got me so wound up that I turned into this horrible monster. I'm worthless and pathetic." She said, beginning to cry.
Louis turned to face her, pulling her closer and into a tight embrace, "Shh, of course you're not, everything's going to be okay." He said automatically, petting her back and letting her cry.
Ann-Marie took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes and looking up at her boyfriend. "You're the only thing that's not turning against me in my life. I love you, Louis."
Louis kissed her forehead and held her tighter, "I love you too."
[[Eat dinner]]"STOP!" Louis suddenly cried out, making Jean jump in surprise.
"Whoa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry!" Jean explained quickly.
"...I-I understand, but..." Louis took a deep breath, untying his apron, "I've spent so long with her, I can't give up on our relationship because of a few fights." He folded the apron, swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat. "...I love her."
Jean nodded, standing and taking the apron from Louis, "I understand that. But... please don't brush off what I said, I really don't want you to feel this miserable."
Louis sighed and gripped his hands. "...I'll be fine."
[[Go home]]The couple eats their dinner in silence, Ann-Marie still shaken and Louis still hesitant. Once they finish, Louis quickly collects the plates, "I'll do the dishes, why don't you relax in the living room?" He said with a smile.
She looked up at him with a sad smile in return, "You're so thoughtful. Thanks, sugarcube." She stood and gave him a quick kiss. She turned on the kettle to make a fresh cup of coffee before going into the living room.
Louis let out a soft sigh in relief, glad that he could cheer her up a bit. He scrubbed the dishes and set them on the drying rack before joining Ann-Marie in the living room.
She sat at the coffee table, flipping through the pages of a scrapbook. As Louis got closer, he recognized it as the one he put together for their last anniversary. He smiled and sat next to her, setting an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into his embrace, relaxing against him.
[[Look at the scrapbook]]"I drew your face without realizing it, b-but it's only natural because we live together, right?" He said quickly, setting his mixing bowl onto the counter.
"You drew me looking like a huge bitch!" She screamed, pointing at the face, "Is that what you think of me?! I'm just an annoyance that makes your life so miserable?!"
"No, darling, of course not--"
"Then WHY?! Why do you keep drawing these outfits for a job you'll never get?! Why are you villanizing me?!" She continued to scream, tears streaming down her face. She gripped the edge of the page.
[[No!->No2TRUE]]"Ann-Marie, I'm sorry, please! Don't--"
"You need to GIVE UP!" She sobbed, tearing the page out of the book and throwing it into the stove's flame. Louis watched in horror as the page was consumed by the fire and burnt to an ash.
"This is for your own good." She said through grit teeth, her tears rolling off her chin and onto the floor. "You need to give up on this dream before it gives up on you. Just like everything does in my fucking life."
She grabbed her coffee cup and her car keys, "I'm going for a drive."
Louis stood in silence, his girlfriend storming past him and slamming the door behind herself with a force that made the walls tremble.
He falls to his knees, beginning to hyperventilate.
[[Cry]]"I'm sorry..."
[[Check on the roses->roses4]]Louis whimpered and wiped his eyes, shakily standing and pouring himself a glass of wine. He sipped slowly, trying to catch his breath.
He finished, set his empty glass in the sink, and went outside to the garden.
At least he had his roses... But something was wrong. They looked worse than this morning, yet they were still wet. And the smell that came from them...
Realization hit him hard. His heart dropped down to his stomach.
The roses were soaked with coffee.
They were dying.
[[Make a choice]]After what had felt like the longest few weeks in Louis' existence, the end of the month was coming up.
His 5 year anniversary with Ann-Marie was a week away.
What will he do?
[[Stay with her->stay1]]
[[End the relationship->end1]]He couldn't give up on their relationship. Even if Louis makes stupid mistakes and upsets her, she still loves him and he still loves her.
They had been through so much together and would come back stronger than ever.
He loved her.
She loved him.
And love is a beautiful, irreplaceable feeling.
Isn't it?
<b>THE END.</b>
<i>[[Play again?->INTRO]]</i>How could he stay with someone who made him miserable? It wasn't fair.
Louis took a deep breath of the crisp night air before going inside to think of his plan for how he will talk to her. When she finally returns, he confronts her.
"Ann-Marie, we need to talk."
"I'm not in the mood to argue with you." She said curtly.
"We have to! We can't keep brushing this under the rug, we need to talk about everything that's happened recently, because I can't live like this anymore!"
Ann-Marie stared at him, eyes wide, "...You can't live with your girlfriend who loves you?" She asked in a cold whisper.
"Can we still call this love?" He asked, his eyes watering, "Because it hurts. I care about you so much, but the way you act when you're upset... You take your anger out on me, and I can't take it. I try my hardest to help you in anyway I can, but it's been making me miserable. I can't keep putting your needs before my own."
Tears streamed down Ann-Marie's cheeks, her jaw clenched tight, "...So you don't want to be with me?"
"I can't. I can't keep letting this happen. I wanted to help you change for the better, but it all feels for nothing if you don't want to meet me halfway. If you don't want to change yourself, that's fine, but... I can't stay around and let you hurt me." Louis's tears rolled off his chin as he waited for her reply.
The house was silent as the two stood together for the last time.
"Then... it's over?" She said at last, breaking into sobs. "You're giving up on me? On our relationship?"
Louis took a deep breath. "I have to. We've changed, Ann-Marie. We have to move on." He passed her and went upstairs to pack his belongings.
It was late, but Louis called the only person he had left.
[[Call Jean]]That one night had changed everything for the better. Louis had confided in Jean, who was able to comfort him and assure him that what he had done would be better in the long run. Jean even let Louis live in their apartment while he looked for a place to live. And rooming together proved to be for the best, as Jean got to see more and more of Louis' fashion design work. They encouraged Louis to send in his drawings to companies to get recognized, and he wound up making connections that helped him get his start in the industry.
Now, Louis is one of the head designers at a small fashion company. He is single but content with where he is in life. He has made new friends and keeps in touch with Jean even after moving to his own apartment. He has tried to keep in touch with Ann-Marie, but he had learned that she was talking about him in the publishing industry, telling her side of the story to make him sound like a villain. He decides to give up on being friends with her, because it seemed that she couldn’t change her old ways. Although it hurt, Louis knew it was for the best.
He sits at his desk, looking through the window and into the sky. He takes a deep breath and feels relaxed. He glances to the flower pot sitting on the window sill, where a single red rose is growing beautifully. He waters it and brushes his fingers across the soft petals, a smile crossing his face.
Paris is the city of love, despite all odds. And someone may tell you that love is a beautiful, irreplaceable feeling. But someone may not mention the importance of putting your own feelings first every now and then.
<b>THE END.</b>
<i>[[Play again?->INTRO]]</i>Paris is the city of love, despite all odds. No matter how terrible the weather may get or how awful the people may be, everyone will tell you that there is love in the air in the capital city of France.
But tonight is a loveless, cold winter night.
Louis walked along an empty street, his hands buried in the pockets of his thick coat. He and Ann-Marie had just had another argument, and Louis decided he needed the walk.
He got lost in his thoughts, reflecting on what had happened... He had decided to focus on working at the bakery a few years back. Despite his best efforts to keep the business running, the customers were frequenting less and less. But he knew he had no right to complain, as Ann-Marie's work continued to pile up on her and make her miserable. He would spend most nights comforting her and trying not to make anything worse.
He had completely given up on his dream of becoming a fashion designer. Ann-Marie was right, it was a dream job he could never achieve because he wasn't gifted enough for it.
Any day now, the bakery could go under and Louis would be out of a job. But he had decided that what ever happened, he would figure it out when he got there.
That was his plan back then.
[[But...]]Plans change. This was his new one.
He couldn't bear being stuck in the same routine for years. Nothing had changed like everyone had promised it would. He still argued with his girlfriend, he had given up his passion for drawing fashion, he was still working at the bakery.
His beloved rose garden was still wilted and lifeless.
Louis took off his jacket and folded it neatly on the ground. He removed his shoes and set them on top of the jacket.
He turned and faced the bridge he had arrived at.
And he fell.
<b>THE END.</b>
<i>[[Play again?->INTRO]]</i>Ann-Marie came home right as Louis finished cooking. She set the table and poured two glasses of wine, sitting down as she waited for her boyfriend to join her. Louis served the food and sat down, smiling and taking a sip of his favorite drink.
Dinner went by uneventfully. The couple finished eating and did the dishes together. Louis noticed his partner was being awfully quiet.
"How was work?" He asked, trying to make small talk.
"Same as always, awful." She said, sighing and running a hand through her hair.
Louis nodded, placing his hand over hers. "I can finish cleaning up, how about I make us some dessert?"
Ann-Marie smiled sadly and nodded, heading to the living room, "Thank you, love."
Louis decided to make a skillet cookie instead of using the oven again. As he prepared the ingredients, there was the sound of pages being flipped. He stopped stirring and looked back just in time to see Ann-Marie coming in with his sketchbook.
"What is this?" She said, deathly calm. She held open the drawing of the fashion model that wore Ann-Marie's annoyed expression. Louis froze.
[[No...->noTRUE]]"Do you remember our first kiss?" She asked quietly, resting her fingertips on a photo.
Louis nodded, kissing her head, "Of course. We were about to start college and were celebrating with friends. We snuck away to get more drinks, and you were telling me about all the books you wanted to write. You spoke so passionately, I was entranced by everything you said. My crush on your was getting worse and worse until I finally asked you to date me."
Ann-Marie smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, "And I said 'I thought you'd never ask'. In response, you gave me the most loving kiss I had ever had. From then on, I knew we were meant to be together."
"And here we are now." He murmured.
"Louis... have we changed since then?"
[[Yes]]
[[No]]"In all honesty, I think we have." Louis confessed. "But it's because we're growing up and facing the world. And it's not turning out like what we were hoping for before college."
Ann-Marie fell quiet, closling the scrapbook with a sad sigh. "I guess so... I just wish we could stay the same. We were full of hope and ambition, and now look at us." She rubbed at her eyes and stood up.
"I'm going to go to bed early. I need to sleep this off."
Louis stood up, petting her back, "Alright, love, I'll be up soon. I'm going to..." He hesitated.
She let out a sigh, "You'll draw, right? Just don't keep me waiting for too long." She mumbled, letting out a yawn.
"I know, I know. I'll be there soon, okay?" He pecked her cheek and went to get his sketchbook.
[[Draw]]"I don't think so, I still feel the same electricity whenever we're together. Why, how do you feel?" Louis asked her.
"I feel the same, I'm just... worried that sometimes I'm losing my mind to this job. I wish I could quit and publish my own books..."
She let out a miserable sigh, "Some dreams weren't meant to be."
Louis moved the scrapbook out of her hands, intertwining their fingers, "I guess not. But... you're my dream now."
Ann-Marie looked up at him, eyes wide and brimming with tears. She threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed him lovingly, tears rolling down her cheeks and dripping off her jaw. Louis held her and kissed her back, the butterflies in his stomach easing all of his worries in a matter of seconds.
He loved Ann-Marie so much.
[[Sleep]]
Louis slept peacefully, his arms wrapped around Ann-Marie with hers against his chest. Their breathing was in sync, allowing them to drift into the best night of rest either of them had had in a long time.
Louis had a dream that his rose garden had grown 10 feet tall. They looked beautiful and healthy.
[[The next morning->bad morning]]Louis wondered if he made the right choice when Ann-Marie asked if they changed. He didn't want to lie, but maybe it would've been best to reassure her that everything was alright, especially since there was already so much for her to worry about.
He took a deep breath through his nose, slowly exhaling through his mouth. He had done what felt right, and there was no turning back from it now. He picked up his pen and began to draw, letting his lines curve and arch from one point to the next.
Any mistakes he made were permanent but not unfixable. With a little bit of extra care, he could make the best out of anything.
[[The next morning->good morning]]The next morning, Louis woke up to a cold, empty bed. His heart sank to his stomach and he all but leapt away from the mattress, making his way out of the bedroom.
When he reached the hallway, he was surprised by the smell of eggs, bacon, and toast. He blinked away his confusion and entered the kitchen.
Ann-Marie was cooking, singing under her breath as she finished making their food. Louis smiled and set the table, filling the kettle to make a fresh brew of coffee.
"Good morning, love." He greeted, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Morning." She replied quietly, carrying the frying pan to the table to divide the food onto the plates. She set the pan back on the stove top and slid into her seat, poking at her food with a fork.
Carrying over two mugs of coffee, Louis sat across from her. "Thank you for breakfast, it looks wonderful."
Ann-Marie nodded, "Sure."
The room fell quiet as they ate in silence.
[[Get ready for work]]The next morning, Louis woke up to a cold, empty bed. He let out a whine, sitting up and leaving the bedroom.
As he reached the hallway, he was surprised by the smell of eggs, bacon, and toast. Echoing against the walls was the voice of his girlfriend as she sang her heart out. Louis smiled and made his way to the kitchen.
Ann-Marie was cooking, singing proudly as she finished making their food. Louis went to set the table, filling the kettle to make a fresh brew of coffee.
"Good morning, love." He greeted, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, love of my life." She replied cheerfully, carrying the frying pan to the table to divide the food onto the plates. She set the pan back on the stove top and slipped into her seat.
Carrying over two mugs of coffee, Louis sat across from her. "Thank you for breakfast, it looks wonderful."
Ann-Marie smiled and reached over to squeeze his hand, "Of course."
They ate and made small talk, enjoying their morning together.
[[Get ready for work->kiss]]Louis cleared the table and got dressed for work, collecting his belongings and making sure he had everything he needed for the day. He passed the kitchen to see Ann-Marie still sitting at the table.
"Ann-Marie? What's wrong, are you feeling alright?"
She stood to set her empty coffee cup in the sink and let out a long sigh, looking at him with a tired smile, "I'm fine. I'll see you tonight, love you."
Louis smiled back and kissed her cheek, "I love you too, see you tonight."
[[Check the roses->roses3]]Louis only had a few minutes to spare, so he glanced over his roses quickly. They still weren't back to normal, and they even looked worse than before. A sigh escapes Louis as he watered them, hoping they would be okay.
[[Go to work->work2good]]The bakery wasn't nearly as busy as usual. A few regular customers came and went, but the store remained empty for the majority of the day. Louis took the time to mop the floors, drawing in his sketchbook as he waited for the next batch of cookies to be done.
Jean finished cleaning the pots and pans before making their way to their friend, "Hey, Louis. How are you?"
Louis glanced at them and smiled, "I'm doing pretty well. Ann-Marie and I had a small fight, but she apologized for it. And she made breakfast this morning."
Jean hoisted themself onto the counter, raising an eyebrow, "Can I ask what the fight was about?"
"It wasn't anything bad, her boss was making her stressed, so she was upset over it and lashed out a little bit."
"How did she apologize? Do you remember what she said?" Jean pursued.
Setting his sketchbook aside, Louis gave a shrug in response. "Not entirely? She said her boss made her upset and made her act like a villain, something like that. Why?"
"That doesn't sound like she's apologizing for her actions. It feels like she's pushing the blame onto her boss instead of owning up for what she did wrong."
The bakery fell quiet as Louis absorbed what Jean had said.
[[Ask Jean to explain->jean2TRUE]]
[[Tell Jean not to interfere->jean2BAD]]Louis cleared the table and got dressed for work, collecting his belongings and making sure he had everything he needed for the day. He passed the kitchen to see Ann-Marie sitting on the counter, grinning widely.
"Ann-Marie? What are you up to?"
She held out her arms to him, "I'm waiting for my goodbye kiss!"
Louis grinned back and walked over, hugging her waist as he pulled her into a deep and loving kiss, "You're too cute. I'll see you tonight, darling, I love you."
Hugging his shoulders, she smiled up at him and nodded, "See you tonight. I love you too."
There wasn't enough time to check the roses.
[[Go to work->work2bad]]The bakery wasn't nearly as busy as usual. A few regular customers came and went, but the store remained empty for the majority of the day. Louis took the time to mop the floors, waiting for the next batch of cookies to be done.
Jean finished cleaning the pots and pans before making their way to their friend, "Hey, Louis. How are you?"
Louis glanced at them and smiled, "I'm doing pretty well. Ann-Marie and I had a small fight, but she apologized for it. And she made breakfast this morning."
Jean hoisted themself onto the counter, raising an eyebrow, "Can I ask what the fight was about?"
"It wasn't anything bad, her boss was making her stressed, so she was upset over it and lashed out a little bit."
"How did she apologize? Do you remember what she said?" Jean pursued.
Louis gave a shrug in response. "Not entirely? She said her boss made her upset and made her act like a villain, something like that. Why?"
"That doesn't sound like she's apologizing for her actions. It feels like she's pushing the blame onto her boss instead of owning up for what she did wrong."
The bakery fell quiet as Louis absorbed what Jean had said.
[[Ask Jean to explain->jean2NEUTRAL]]
[[Tell Jean not to interfere->jean2WORST]]"You think she's pushing the blame off of herself?" Louis asked.
"That's what it sounds like to me. Louis, you deserve someone who makes you happy no matter what. Even when you have your fights, you shouldn't be feeling this terrible. She sounds like she doesn't want to take responsibility for her actions, as if being stressed gives her the right to take her anger out on you." Jean leaned away from the counter, resting their hand on his shoulder.
"You need to take care of yourself. So I really hope you take this to heart and choose what makes you happy. And I'm always willing to lend an ear if you need to talk some more."
Louis took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He nodded and smiled at his friend, "Thanks, Jean. I need some time to think this all through, but I'm really glad you're willing to listen."
Jean smiled and pat his back, "Of course, since I know you'd do the same for me." They stretched and returned to the back of the store, "The cookies are almost done, by the way."
"Right, I'll take care of it."
[[After work->After work TRUE]]"Jean, please don't do this again." Louis said, "I know you want to help, but I don't want to give up on my relationship. Everyone has fights, we'll be fine once we figure out where our careers will lead us. I love her with all of my heart."
Jean shook their head, "Love shouldn't have to hurt, Louis, she's making you miserable."
"You don't know that! She makes mistakes every now and then, but so do I. We're strong enough to get over this, so just leave us alone!" Louis nearly yelled his final sentance, his volume surprising himself.
Jean stared at Louis, their eyes narrow, "...Fine. But I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." Jean turned and went into the back of the store, getting back to work.
Louis took a shaky breath and went to retrieve the cookies.
[[Go home->After Work WORST]]"You think she's pushing the blame off of herself?" Louis asked.
"That's what it sounds like to me. Louis, you deserve someone who makes you happy no matter what. Even when you have your fights, you shouldn't be feeling this terrible. She sounds like she doesn't want to take responsibility for her actions, as if being stressed gives her the right to take her anger out on you."
Louis took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "Thanks, but... I'm not sure about that. I don't think she's intentionally trying to take her anger out on me, she's just affected by the stress."
"Sure, but it's still hurting you either way." Jean said gently.
"Right... I'll try to talking to her."
[[After work->After work NEUTRAL]]"Jean, please don't do this again." Louis said, "I know you want to help, but I don't want to give up on my relationship. Everyone has fights, we'll be fine once we figure out where our careers will lead us."
Jean sighed and nodded, "Okay, but... if you ever want to talk about this, just text or call me."
"Alright, thank you." Louis gave them a tired smile, brushing a bit of lint from his apron and making his way to the back of the kitchen to retrieve the cookies.
[[After work->After work BAD]]Louis arrived home before Ann-Marie, as per usual. He left his sketchbook on the coffee table and went to get started on dinner. He put his carefully measured ingredients together and set the dish in the oven.
While the food was cooking, Louis decided to slip out and check on his garden.
[[Check the roses->roses4TRUE]]Louis arrived home before Ann-Marie, as per usual. He went to get started on dinner. He put his carefully measured ingredients together and set the dish in the oven.
While the food was cooking, Louis decided to slip out and check on his garden.
[[Check the roses->roses4BAD]]Louis approached the rose bushes and he felt his heart sink. They still weren't improving, despite all of his best efforts to keep them satisfied. He watered them quietly, hoping for a miracle.
He heard the oven timer go off and went back inside to finish cooking. Ann-Marie would be home any minute.
[[Eat dinner->dinner2TRUE]]Louis approached the rose bushes for the first time in a while, and what he saw made his heart sink. They were doing poorly, drooping and withering. He didn't understand, why were they still refusing to get better? He watered them and decided to wait and hope for the best.
He heard the oven timer go off and went back inside to finish cooking. Ann-Marie would be home any minute.
[[Eat dinner->dinner2B pt1]]Ann-Marie came home right as Louis finished cooking. She set the table and poured two glasses of wine, sitting down as she waited for her boyfriend to join her. Louis served the food and sat down, smiling and taking a sip of his favorite drink.
Ann-Marie sipped her wine, smiling at Louis, "How was work, dear?"
He smiled back, "It was pretty good, how about yours?"
She sighed and shrugged, "Still bad, but... Coming home to you is the highlight of my day."
"Mine too. I love you, Ann-Marie."
"I love you toom, Louis. With all of my heart."
[[Finish dinner->dinner2BAD]]But he loves her.
But she loves him.
[[End the relationship->endTRUE]]
[[Reconsider->Make a choice]]But she hurts him.
But she loves him.
[[Stay with her]]
[[Reconsider->Make a choice]]Louis arrived home before Ann-Marie, as per usual. He left his sketchbook on the coffee table and went to get started on dinner. He put his carefully measured ingredients together and set the dish in the oven.
While the food was cooking, Louis decided to slip out and check on his garden.
[[Check the roses->roses4NEUTRAL]]Louis approached the rose bushes and he felt his heart sink. They still weren't improving, despite all of his best efforts to keep them satisfied. He watered them quietly, hoping for a miracle.
He heard the oven timer go off and went back inside to finish cooking. Ann-Marie would be home any minute.
[[Eat dinner->dinner2NEUTRAL]]Ann-Marie came home right as Louis finished cooking. She set the table and poured two glasses of wine, sitting down as she waited for her boyfriend to join her. Louis served the food and sat down, smiling and taking a sip of his favorite drink.
Dinner went by uneventfully. The couple finished eating and did the dishes together. Louis noticed his partner was being awfully quiet.
"How was work?" He asked, trying to make small talk.
"Same as always, awful." She said, sighing and running a hand through her hair.
Louis nodded, placing his hand over hers. "I can finish cleaning up, how about I make us some dessert?"
Ann-Marie smiled sadly and nodded, heading to the living room, "Thank you, love."
Louis decided to make a skillet cookie instead of using the oven again. As he prepared the ingredients, there was the sound of pages being flipped. He stopped stirring and looked back just in time to see Ann-Marie coming in with his sketchbook.
"What is this?" She said, deathly calm. She held open the drawing of the fashion model that wore Ann-Marie's annoyed expression. Louis froze.
[[No...->noNEUTRAL]]"I drew your face without realizing it, b-but it's only natural because we live together, right?" He said quickly, setting his mixing bowl onto the counter.
"You drew me looking like a huge bitch!" She screamed, pointing at the face, "Is that what you think of me?! I'm just an annoyance that makes your life so miserable?!"
"No, darling, of course not--"
"Then WHY?! Why do you keep drawing these outfits for a job you'll never get?! Why are you villanizing me?!" She continued to scream, tears streaming down her face. She gripped the edge of the page.
[[No!->no2NEUTRAL]]"Ann-Marie, I'm sorry, please! Don't--"
"You need to GIVE UP!" She sobbed, tearing the page out of the book and throwing it into the stove's flame. Louis watched in horror as the page was consumed by the fire and burnt to an ash.
"This is for your own good." She said through grit teeth, her tears rolling off her chin and onto the floor. "You need to give up on this dream before it gives up on you. Just like everything does in my fucking life."
She grabbed her coffee cup and her car keys, "I'm going for a drive."
Louis stood in silence, his girlfriend storming past him and slamming the door behind herself with a force that made the walls tremble.
He falls to his knees, beginning to hyperventilate.
[[Cry->cryN1]]"I'm sorry..."
[[Check on the roses->rosesN4]]Louis whimpered and wiped his eyes, shakily standing and pouring himself a glass of wine. He sipped slowly, trying to catch his breath.
He finished, set his empty glass in the sink, and went outside to the garden.
At least he had his roses... But something was wrong. They looked worse than this morning, yet they were still wet. And the smell that came from them...
Realization hit him hard. His heart dropped down to his stomach.
The roses were soaked with coffee.
They were dying.
[[Make a choice->choiceNEUTRAL]]After what had felt like the longest few weeks in Louis' existence, the end of the month was coming up.
His 5 year anniversary with Ann-Marie was a week away.
What will he do?
[[Stay with her->stay2]]
[[End the relationship->end2]]But she hurts him.
But she loves him.
[[Stay with her]]
[[Reconsider->choiceNEUTRAL]]But he loves her.
But she loves him.
[[End the relationship->endNEUTRAL]]
[[Reconsider->choiceNEUTRAL]]How could he stay with someone who made him miserable? He had to escape.
Louis took a deep breath of the crisp night air before going inside to think of his plan for how he will confront Ann-Marie.
When she arrives later that night, he tells her they need to talk. After an hour of tears and screaming from the both of them, they end their relationship abruptly with Ann-Marie all but kicking Louis out of her house.
It was over. Louis had decided to take care of himself first. It wasn't going to be easy, especially after leaving someone he once considered to be the love of his life.
But he was going to try his best.
<b>THE END.</b>
<i>[[Play again?->INTRO]]</i>He couldn't give up on their relationship. Even if Louis makes stupid mistakes and upsets her, she still loves him and he still loves her.
They had been through so much together and would come back stronger than ever.
He loved her.
She loved him.
And love is a beautiful, irreplaceable feeling.
[[Years later...]]"Louis? What's going on?"
"I-it's over. I... I broke up with her."
"...Do you want to come over?"
"Yes, please."
[[A few years later->TRUEend]]Louis stopped his girlfriend from clearing the table. "I can finish cleaning up, how about I make us some dessert?"
Ann-Marie smiled and nodded, kissing his cheek and heading to the living room, "Thank you, love."
Louis decided to make a skillet cookie instead of using the oven again. As he prepared the ingredients, there was the sound of pages being flipped. He stopped stirring and looked back just in time to see Ann-Marie coming in with his sketchbook.
"What is this?" She said, deathly calm. She held open the drawing of the fashion model that wore Ann-Marie's annoyed expression. Louis froze.
[[No...->noBAD]]"I drew your face without realizing it, b-but it's only natural because we live together, right?" He said quickly, setting his mixing bowl onto the counter.
"You drew me looking like a huge bitch!" She screamed, pointing at the face, "Is that what you think of me?! I'm just an annoyance that makes your life so miserable?!"
"No, darling, of course not--"
"Then WHY?! Why do you keep drawing these outfits for a job you'll never get?! Why are you villanizing me?!" She continued to scream, tears streaming down her face. She gripped the edge of the page.
[[No!->no2BAD]]"Ann-Marie, I'm sorry, please! Don't--"
"You need to GIVE UP!" She sobbed, tearing the page out of the book and throwing it into the stove's flame. Louis watched in horror as the page was consumed by the fire and burnt to an ash.
"This is for your own good." She said through grit teeth, her tears rolling off her chin and onto the floor. "You need to give up on this dream before it gives up on you. Just like everything does in my fucking life."
She grabbed her coffee cup and her car keys, "I'm going for a drive."
Louis stood in silence, his girlfriend storming past him and slamming the door behind herself with a force that made the walls tremble.
He collapses into a chair, sobbing and gripping his sketchbook.
She was right, wasn't she? This was as hopeless as bringing his roses back to life.
[[Give up]]
[[Stand up to her]]Louis wiped his eyes and got a dish towel from the pantry, wrapping his sketchbook and carrying it to their bedroom.
He opened his storage trunk and buried the sketchbook under all of his other aged belongings, locking the trunk tightly and putting the key away.
He wouldn't let his unachievable dream get in the way of his relationship.
He loved Ann-Marie. He wanted to make her happy.
He loved her more than anything.
[[Don't leave her->WORST END]]"Ann-Marie, I'm sorry, please! Don't--"
"You need to GIVE UP!" She sobbed, tearing the page out of the book and throwing it into the stove's flame. Louis watched in horror as the page was consumed by the fire and burnt to an ash.
"This is for your own good." She said through grit teeth, her tears rolling off her chin and onto the floor. "You need to give up on this dream before it gives up on you. Just like everything does in my fucking life."
She grabbed her coffee cup and her car keys, "I'm going for a drive."
Louis stood in silence, his girlfriend storming past him and slamming the door behind herself with a force that made the walls tremble.
He collapses into a chair, sobbing and gripping his sketchbook.
She was right, wasn't she? This was as hopeless as bringing his roses back to life.
[[Give up]]Louis wonders how the roses are doing.
[[Check on the roses->rosesBAD4]]Ann-Marie came home right as Louis finished cooking. She set the table and poured two glasses of wine, sitting down as she waited for her boyfriend to join her. Louis served the food and sat down, smiling and taking a sip of his favorite drink.
Ann-Marie sipped her wine, smiling at Louis, "How was work, dear?"
He smiled back, "It was pretty good, how about yours?"
She sighed and shrugged, "Still bad, but... Coming home to you is the highlight of my day."
"Mine too. I love you, Ann-Marie."
"I love you too, Louis. With all of my heart."
[[Finish dinner->dinner2WORST]]Louis stopped his girlfriend from clearing the table. "I can finish cleaning up, how about I make us some dessert?"
Ann-Marie smiled and nodded, kissing his cheek and heading to the living room, "Thank you, love."
Louis decided to make a skillet cookie instead of using the oven again. As he prepared the ingredients, there was the sound of pages being flipped. He stopped stirring and looked back just in time to see Ann-Marie coming in with his sketchbook.
"What is this?" She said, deathly calm. She held open the drawing of the fashion model that wore Ann-Marie's annoyed expression. Louis froze.
[[No...->no2WORST]]Louis approached the rose bushes for the first time in a while, and what he saw made his heart sink. They were doing poorly, drooping and withering. He didn't understand, why were they still refusing to get better? He watered them and decided to wait and hope for the best.
He heard the oven timer go off and went back inside to finish cooking. Ann-Marie would be home any minute.
[[Eat dinner->dinner2Worst pt1]]Louis whimpered and wiped his eyes, shakily standing and pouring himself a glass of wine. He sipped slowly, trying to catch his breath.
He finished, set his empty glass in the sink, and went outside to the garden.
At least he had his roses... But something was wrong. They looked worse than this morning, yet they were still wet. And the smell that came from them...
Realization hit him hard. His heart dropped down to his stomach.
The roses were soaked with coffee.
They were dying.
[[Make a choice->choiceBAD]]After what had felt like the longest few weeks in Louis' existence, the end of the month was coming up.
His 5 year anniversary with Ann-Marie was a week away.
What will he do?
[[Stay with her->stay2]]
[[End the relationship->end2]]Louis arrived home before Ann-Marie, as per usual. He went to get started on dinner. He put his carefully measured ingredients together and set the dish in the oven.
While the food was cooking, Louis decided to slip out and check on his garden.
[[Check the roses->roses4WORST]]