Irene became immersed in her own little half of the business while her soon to be husband made his rounds about the city and ran the barber shop. Only seeing him at mealtimes and at night, she couldn't help but wonder about it all.
They laid in bed one night after a particularly busy day. He turned to her said without expression. "We will be married next month."
She smiled and went to cuddle next to him but his body felt rigid. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He replied quickly. "Go to sleep."
Irene held onto her love throughout the night, unsure of whether to be happy or concerned. But then again, Mr. Todd was the type to take care of things. He wouldn't let her slip from his grasp.
The next morning they awoke to loud banging on the shop door. Sweeney calmly through on a red robe and went to the front without a word. Irene quickly put a light sweater over her nightgown and followed him silently. She peaked into the storefront to see one of the judges speaking to the barber. He merely exchanged a paper with her fiancée and left, didn't even bother to come in.
She approached him cautiously. "What is that?" Peering at the parchment she saw that it was for an appointment with city officials.
"Just connections, my pet." He tucked it into his robe pocket. "Let us lay down a little while longer. I'm terribly tired."
"As you wish." She nodded taking him by the arm.
"You've learned well. A fine wife you'll make." He smiled.
They went back into their room and slept a few more hours before rising again. It was Sunday so the shop was closed. Mr. Todd discussed what he wanted for the wedding over breakfast, they were to be married at the largest church in the city and practically anyone with money or status was invited to attend. He informed her of the dress style she would wear and how things were going to be afterward. Irene agreed without question.
She was to conform to all the usual formalities of a bride and maintain an image of a model woman at all times. To continue living like this she was to love and serve him until death. There was no question that she was under his control but where else would she be? If a woman didn't belong to one man she would simply belong to another. She felt it was her duty to be with the broken man that lay next to her every night now.
"I'll be wonderful wife." She promised him.
"I'll still be examining my food and drink before tasting." He grinned.
"You have no reason not to trust me." Irene protested.
His eyes got an intense look in them. "Oh yes I do, my lovely."
"I find that undesirable." Irene picked at the remaining egg on her plate.
Mr. Todd started to get angry. "Where in the Hell are you going to go then?" He snarled.
"You know I love you." She sighed.
He rose to his feet and paced behind her slowly. "Love, such a corruptible emotion. So easily swayed, mimicked and destroyed." She was starting to get uneasy as he lightly held her chin in his hand. "You're lucky you're pretty." He released her and sat back down across from her. "Or you'd be sitting in some medical school. Well, pieces of you." His eyes pierced through her over the cup of tea that he sipped.
A chill ran down her spine and she was sure she was sweating to. She didn't know what to say to him. Would he have really killed her? How could a man be so interested in her and give so much but still be so hostile? She simply stood up and took care of the dishes without a word.
"I'm being too forward with you." He walked toward her. Forcefully he began to kiss her, holding her so close she could not pull away. She felt no sense of pleasure, love or even lust from this kiss. He sensed this and pushed her away. "Get out."
She gave him a blank stare.
"Get out!" The barber yelled and took a few steps toward her.
She ran into their room and locked the door. Proceeding to weep on the bed she looked at the various bottles of perfumes and oils that were kept on the vanity. A notion came into her head, she will tame the barber.