Seasons were changing, that day when she met him again. There weren't that many hints about the usual setting. Only a maple leaf which landed on the doorstep to her usual cafe. Most people would disregard it as it wasn't anything more than a yellow creation of nature. It managed to catch her attention, though. A distant, non-present memory resurfaced after many years asleep. Not for very long, but for the required amount of time in order to make another customer impatient. 

When a knocking reached her consciousness, she looked up and saw a young man waving through the windows, to catch her attention. Now brought back to reality, she realized her inconvenience because she was blocking the door while holding the handle. A slight blush colored her cheeks before she hastily stepped backwards to get out of the way. To make up for her hindrance, she tried to open the door for the young man. Instead, it didn't improve her situation. In her haste, the metal bar slipped from her hand and the heavy door swung back right when the man went through the opening. A mess of spilt coffee, eyeglasses, a laptop and the newest cell phone laid all over the entrance. 

Naturally, her blush intensified as she realized what had happened, what she had caused. Quickly, though, she got on her knees to help the poor fellow. On the other hand, he wasn't so interested. She managed to get out a tissue from her handbag to dry off the man's face. But he only jerked away in annoyance, and sat up slowly. When she found his phone, the expensive kind, she began to rub off the coffee stains on its display. This seemed to annoy the fellow once again since he grabbed and jolted it out of her hands. 

His actions were reasonable and justified, and made her understand what she had done. The fellow was probably very proud over that phone, while his laptop might have been damaged. The same with his eyeglasses he seemingly relied heavily on. And the cup of coffee he bought perhaps a minute or two earlier had gone to waste. If he had showed any other emotion than anger, she would've been scared. 

Still, she never saw his anger come in such huge amounts. After having looked at his phone for breakage, it triggered him. She didn't know what, but possibly something she did. Because the young fellow now stood up on his two feet and rested his hands on his hips. His facial expression wasn't pleasant, a given, yet it froze her stiff. Much about his posture and aura let her transcend from consciousness to unconsciousness. It helped. She saw his curses coming. The same with the rise of his voice and yelling. 

When she didn't answer, only sitting there in silence and waiting for her punishment, the usual outcome was to be expected. It was no different this time. Discipline was the consequence of mistakes. And since she was the one who had misbehaved and caused problems for others, she needed to receive retribution. In order to learn how to be the perfect wife her husband wanted and needed. If it was verbal or physical, so be it. Her last thought wished for it to be over fast, before she closed her eyes in anticipation of the unavoidable impact. 

"Hold it right there," a voice interfered. 

Suddenly, it came. Out of nowhere. Quickly and unforeseen. A moment ago, everything was still in provision. But the moment later, something intervened. A large hand, which belonged to a man that rose up and covered her from behind. Shrunken on the floor, she couldn't see who it was. Yet the image of a beast came to mind. A mother bear protecting her cubs, or a male lion defending his pride. Metaphors alone, though, weren't enou