You think I don't catch the signs but I do.

I see you looking at me across the room.

I see your smirk while you read that magazine I told you I'm not interested in.

I see your eyes sparkle as we have walk together and you spot an old married couple.

I see your enthusiasm when you meet a child on the sidewalk.

She told me things about you, Erica.

But I know what you truly want.

I know what you truly desire.

And right now is...

-That fucking ring is more expensive than my apartment.-Joe Goldberg groaned to the salesman.- That's insane.

-Look, I'm just saying, if you want your girl to say yes, this is the way to go.-The asian man with a fine suit continued to announce his project. -It is made of gold, and this diamond is imported, this is a fair price for its' value.

Joe glanced again at the wedding ring he showed him, there's no way he could afford that.

I know you deserve everything in this world, you deserve only the finest Erica, but it's not my fault you fell for a poor man as me.

I can't even afford a real proposal and I know my time is running out.

It's a matter of two months your visa will expire, you will have to go back to your country, and hell no. I'm not letting that happen.

Marriage is not only a way to make you stay with me in this country, but to also make you mine.

I know you want this, those wedding magazines, those subtle glances and signs you leave for me. God, you ecen asked me if you look good in white, Erica you know you look good in anything.

Just the thought of marrying you, of seeing you as my wife...it makes me breathless. It makes my head spin with so much enthusiasm.

I like it.

I like the idea of coming back home to you everyday, or waiting for you to come back, whatever dynamic we make, I'll love it.

You'd tell me about your day, I'd make dinner for us, and we'd make love all night long, whispering everlasting promises.

And we could even create a family...what a wonderful mother would be. Have a little daughter for us both , I'd pamper and spoil her with all my heart, I'd make you both so happy, we would be so happy.

My heart aches by just imagining it. And what make sme even more excited about this is that nothing seems too early for you, we must know each other for a matter of almost a year, date even less than months, but you want this just as much as me.

You're not like the others, not like their selfish souls who couldn't care less about the future or what I felt you.

We love each other, then why not?

That will be just another step into our love story my princess. I just need you to say yes.

And I know you will.

He walked daydreaming through the streets, the sun shined beautifully, and if has just been some weeks since Barbara Alves stepped into their lives and shaked their romance. But that didn't manage ro scare him off, Joe was determined to spend the rest of his days by Erica's side, and no one would change his mind.

He even felt generous that day, stopping by a blonde woman who asked for money on the street. Her clothes were completely dirty and torn, he couldn't see her face, but she truly seemed miserable.

He dropped some money inside the beret on thr floor, which almost seemed like an expensive one, which made him confused for a moment.

-Here you go.-He said to the woman, as she turned around. Those green emerald eyes sparkled against his, and even beneath all that dirtiness he could recognize her. -....Jasmine?

The name seemed to awake the girl to reality, her eyes opened wide. He barely had time to react, she looked at him almost as if she saw a ghost. Her hands gripped onto the beret and once the object was in her arms, she speeded running away from him.

Joe continued there, oblivious to what happened, trying to tell himself that was only a trick of his mind.

That could never be the same Jasmine.

The biten nails, the bare feet on the floor, the dragged and torn clothes, the dirty, almost sticky hair and the cracked white mouth.

No, that's not Jasmine, Jasmine went to live with her aunt, the same rich aunt she has always complained about.

Joe geabbed his phone and dialed the girl's number "Heeyyy, this is Jas, if you want to talk to me, I can't since I'm doing some hot girl shit, leave your stupid message after the beep!"

He turned off the phone, shakes away the thoughts and headed back home.

He has better things to take care of.

...

-What is that wonderful smell?-He giggled pn her ear, dropping kisses on her nape as his arms wrapped around her waist.

-Just something I'm preparing for you.-She gave a half smile as she cooked.

-Wasn't just talking about the food.-He whispered while giving a small lovebite on her neck.

-Joe!-She laughed-That tickles...stop.-She smiled, of course she didn't want him to stop. She lowered the fire and then turned to him- You seem very happy, where were you?

-Just solving some stuff from the shop.-He lied.

-Really? What stuff?-She lookes at him with quite some interest.

-Looking for some prices, comparisons with other shops around.

-Really?- She looked at him and nodded.- Okay...and did you go alone?

Why so many questions?

-Um...yeah, why?

-Why not send Ethan instead?

Alright, there's something clearly fishy here.

-Because I'm the manager.

-And did you meet with someone, Mr.Manager?

Joe furrowed his eyebrows.

-No, I didn't.

-You didn't?-She asked unconvinced.

-I already told you I didn't.-He replied a bit impatiently. -Why?

Erica stared into his eyes for a moment, almost as if she tried to rip the truth from them just by her blank stare.

-Nothing.-She simply said and gave a monotone smile.- Sit down, I'll serve lunch soon.

Now that scared me.

I feel like a comitted some sort of war crime and I don't even know which one.

But I can feel it in your eyes, by the way you put the dnishes abruptely on the table, or how you finished the food so fastly only not to speak with me.

You're pissed with me.

-There's this new movie staring...I thought that maybe we could-

-I can't. My finals are coming.-She answered sharply.

Ouch. That hurt.

-Oh...okay.-He nodded simply.- Do you need help with anything?

-No.-She grabbed her books and ignored him.- Just silence.

That was very extra and unnecessary.

It's so frustrating Erica, you're only inchea way from me, but you won't speak, you won't reveal to me what is wrong while i'm here, anxious about proposing a woman who won't even talk to me.

You are perfect, yes, you are the best woman to ever exist, but there is one thing that I've always wished you could change: you are too unpredictable. Your opinion can change as the weather, and you can do something unexpected within the blink of an eye. I never know what the future awaits for us, and it either makes me feel excited or awful about it because off you.

Now it's getting dark outside, I cleaned up your place because I had nothing else better to do. And you're still there, with your face buried into those books.

I've never wished to burn a book before, but now I suddenly feel an urge to do it.

I've had enough, I can't stand this loud silence anymore.

-What did i do?-He asked. She looked up at him her book.

-What do you mean?-She pretended not to know of what he was speaking about.

-You've been acting weird the whole day.-He confessed.- you are angry with me.

-I'm not angry.-She said, looking at the book again.

A sudden annoyance filled his veins.

-Yes, you are.-He sighed.- Erica...come on, talk to me. I don't want to be like this with you.

-Oh, is that so?-She closed the book in her hands.- Then maybe you should seek someone who would rather be with, isn't it? Someone much more pleasent than me.-She said with a rather disapproving tone.

What the fuck?

-What are you talking about?

-You tell me.-She got up from the sofa.- Where were you today, Joe?-She asked again with an accusatory tone. -Who did you meet up with?

Her posture was quite intimidating now, and Joe had to gulp in quite an anxious act by the sudden mood change.

-I already told you I-

-You are lying to me!- She suddenly yelled. His eyes widened by the sound.-Don't lie to me, Joe...-She whispered with a creepy soft tone.- You don't want to lie to me...

What happened to you...?

-Who did you meet up with, Joe?-She asked again impatiently.

-I-I already told you! I didn't meet with anyone!

-THEN WHY THE FUCK DID YOU CALL JASMINE?!

Her sxream echoed inside the apartment as she stared blankly at him, his face showong clear shock from the moment.

How do you know that?

-You called her, didn't you?-She asked again.

-I....I...I did...yes I did.-He asked still a bit surprised. -But it's not what you think.

-Not what I think? You called your ex and lied about it.

How the hell do you even know I called her?!

-I called her by an accident.-He lied.- My finger slipped.

-Your finger slipped?-She said unconvinced.-You really want me to believe in that excuse?

-I'm telling you the truth! Why won't you believe me?

-BECAUSE THAT'S THE SAME DAMN THING MY FATHER USED TO TELL MY MOM!-She yelled at last, using all the air inside her lungs. Erica glanced at Joe again, taking deep breaths in her insecure nature.- The same damn thing he used to say whenever he got home...whenever he cheated on her...

-I would never do that to you.-He responsed with clear confidence. -Erica, I love you.-He confessed once again.- I love you, I don't have eyes for anyone else except you.

He was desperate to prove her otherwise, but she remained there, at the same spot, with that same accusatory stance and those betrayed words.

Are you...crying?

Erica's eyes started to fill with tears, and she crossed her arms almost as a shield to protect herself.

Did I make you cry?

No, fuck, no. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Please, please don't cry.

-Erica...-He tried to approach her but she took a step back.-Erica you need to believe in me.

She shaked her head, almost as a scary child looking back at him.

-How coukd you do this with me...?-She accused him once again.-After all we've promsied each other, after how much i loved-

-I WAS LOOKING FOR A FUCKING RING!-He yelled suddenly. Her eyes widened at his revelation.- I was looking for a man wedding ring because I was going to propose to you! I didn't meet anyone, I didn't cheat on you!-He whimpered frustrated. -All I want is to marry you!

Erica's lips parted in a small gap of surrpise, and just the Joe realized he had ruined the surprise.

I'm a fucking idiot.

-You...want to marry me...?-She looked at him incredulous.

This can't be happening right now.

It wasn't supposed to be like this, I had it all planned. I didn't even read my speech, I didn't even buy you flowers, I don't even have the stupid ring.

-I...I do.-He whispered a bit shy.-That's...that's all I want.

-Joe...-She mumbled while letting the tears fall down her face. At that point he didn't know what to expect, but he definetely didn't see her enthsuiastic hug coming.-Oh, Joe....I... ai meu Deus (oh my god). Sim! (Yes), yes, yes!-She shoited multiple times as she hugged him tight.

Joe was paralyzed, still trying to process how everything escalated in just a matter of minutes, from how she was wishing he was dead to now wishing to spend her days by his side.

That's the weirdest proposal I've ever seen.

He hugged her a bit hesirtant, as Erica looked up at him with the brightest of the smiles on her face.

-You...really want to marry me?-He asked a bit unsure.

She sealed the vow with a tender, reassuring kiss that made him melt, erasing all the suspicions and the strange tension in the room away.

-You're all I want...-She smiled sweetly, almost as the angel he loved again. -I can't wait to marry you...-She kissed his cheek- God, I love you so much.

An spontaneous smile formed on his lips.

-...I...I love you too...-The two giggled with pure happiness.- but you kinda ruined the surprise.- She laughed.

-I'm so sorry.-She facepalmed herself.- I overreacted a bit, didn't I?-She pouted her lips.- Can you forgive me? Pretty please?- He grinned.- I just can't even bare imagine you with someone else...makes me go mad.

I know exactly how you feel.

-Apologies accepted.-He teased and kissed her tip.- but now you must marry me in return.

-Such a hard task.-She joked and they chucjked again.

-I didn't buy your ring by the way.-He confessed.- But I'm going to work out in that, I promise.

-Hey, it doesn't matter.-She whispered and cupped his face, her warm hands brought him to this sweeter place they built in their dreams.- I don't need anything else.-She looked tenderly into his eyes.- You can't even imagine how i feel... how you make me feel so loved...you're everything I've ever wanted, Joe.

-And you're all I've ever wanted, Erica.-He kissed her gently.- I've been waiting my whole life for you.

-And I plan to be the rest of it.-She smiled at him, determined.- Until your very last days...there will be only us.