Erica...I know you are an...affectionate fiancé.

I can truly feel your excitement and eagerness for the wedding, from your meticulous preparing for the ceremony to your sudden bipolar attacks on me whenever I receive a text on my phone.

But I'm not complaining, no, of course not, after all that way I know that you truly care for me. I know that every word you say you mean it (even the ones covered by high-pitched screams at my face).

Even simple glances at us can make your blood boil and make your sense of belonging hurt. You don't want other women staring at me, even if I'm on the way of what they are truly staring, at or if it is all just a misunderstanding.

No one can be in your way.

And I am understanding that. I am starting to take notice of your subtle passive-aggressive stares, or how you act when you say you're fine when you clearly aren't.

It reminds me of when we went to that restaurant together and you almost threw a fit at the manager, not because of some sort of Karen syndrome of yours, no, because...well, you are simply jealous all the time.

-What was that?- Erica suddenly asked as she cut the meat ruthlessly on her dish.

-What was what?- Joe asked before chewing some food and staring at his fianvé clueless for a minute.

-The way you looked at the manager.- She furrowed her eyebrows. -You were sizing her up and down.

How many times do I have to say that if I want to size someone up and down would be you, Erica?

For fuck's sake, why would I look at someone when I have you? I mean have you looked at yourself in the mirror?

-No, I didn't.-He simply replied.

-Yes, you did.-She insisted, now making noise with the silverware on purpose to annoy him.- I saw you staring at her ass in front of me, Joe.

-In front of...Oh, please, Erica, that's not true!

And besides I'd have to be very stupid to do that in front of you, knowing that you'd be like this.

-Oh, so you're saying I'm lying now?-She overreacted.

Joe looked around at the restaurant they were in, noticing that some people had begun to pay attention to their discussion. He mentally cursed and kept a polite face.

-No, it's not that.-He said in a serene tone trying not to fight. -I'm just saying that you are misunderstanding me.

-So I'm delusional, is that it?-She raised an eyebrow.-Is that what you're implying Joe? That I'm seeing things that don't exist?

Hell yeah, you're being a maniac.

-Of course not, darling.-He tried to hold her hands above the table, but in a matter of a minute she avoided them at lightning speed.

-If I am so delusional and insane, you should go marry the waitress then. -Her attacks never stop.

-Era can we please stop fighting now? There's no reason for this-

And when he least expected, she got up from the table, leaving him there, her chin held up as a high building scratching the sky as her heels almost broke the floor by their strength, pushing slightly the innocent waitress with her shoulder on the way.

Yes, you can be very...intense, when it comes to those fights, and honestly, I hate that. But I think I can fix that, I mean, we always fix it afterward in my room, tangled in the sheets, while you pull my hair and use me just the way you like.

Maybe the fights are worth it just to feel your heavy breathing on my ear and your hips commanding me as an object of your desire.

And it was after one of those nights that the polished colored glass of our twisted fantasy broke down when the pieces scattered across my hands and cut m deep, deep enough to awaken all my previous scars and the man I thought I've buried inside me. 

Erica was lying on his bed, her sleep was peaceful as he watched her and carefully stroke her cheek with his thumb, in moments like this, he reminded himself that all of this was worth it, that she was worth it. 

He got up a little lazy, the first sunshine rays entered through the window as he put his pants on, and wandered through his apartment with a dreamy mind. Maybe he could prepare breakfast for her when she woke up, a way to start a good day, to make her smile, God he was addicted to that smile, and maybe even read some poetry, to increase the romance and reduce the stress they had lately, to ignite again that old flame of passion that was now fragile between them.

His eyes scanned through his bookshelf, it was a bit dusty, and he didn't have time to clean it in a well, much less to read what was on it. The fingers rubbed against the covers with a moderate speed as he searched for the ideal book. His smile increased when he spot the ideal one, a certain quote from Erica's favorite book would pay the deal, Me Before You.

Pulled the book with easiness at once, decided about it, and was excited to put his plan into action when he heard an artificial plastic sound on the floor. His eyes narrowed at the sound, and once his gaze met the ground and he bent to pick up the object, he spot a distinguished surprise.

What the fuck...?

A hidden camera.

Not a digital camera you used= to take pictures, no, one that you hide and sneak, take peaks of someone, watch and monitor them while they sleep, or while they do whatever else you have interest in.

Joe had a great knowledge of those cameras, after all, he used them for a while in Erica's place, but never, in his wildest dreams, he would expect to find one in his own apartment.

Tried to shake the first evil thought, changing his mind into thinking he left it there, but he couldn't agree with that theory, he couldn't agree with that model he never used, or the moment he left there. Actually, he has never seen that device before until this moment.

And that thought scared him.

If Karma could be materialized, it would be in the shape of this camera.

Now, what the fuck is this?

How did this come up here in the first place?

It couldn't have been me, no, I am certain that all the cameras I have were used in your apartment Erica, I got rid of every proof, every sign of them so you would never discover. I would never be stupid enough to leave them here, within your reach, by your favorite book's side.

No, the spell turned against the one who cast it.

Someone put this here, and I'm sure they must be having a lot of fun watching me discover this just now. How long have I been watching? What did they watch?

-Joe?- A voice suddenly called behind him and he quickly hid the camera before turning around. -You woke up early. -Erica came to him only wearing his T-shirt again with a soft smile on her face. - What are you doing there?

-I just couldn't sleep.-He lied bluntly- I was looking for some book that could knock me to, you know.

Erica only nodded, luckily her sight was still a little blurry, the senses still drawn into her previous sleep, too oblivious to notice the growing anxiety on Joe's face.

-Come back to bed- She mumbled while holding his cold trembling hand in hers.

-Sure...-He replied in a short mutter. -give me just a second.

With those words, Erica dismissed herself back to the warm bed, while Joe's thoughts returned to the void of his mind, the engines working nonstop in search of answers.

I'm gonna kill this fucker.

...

It would be funny if not terrifying. I've never been a fan of reality shows, and George Orwell's 1984 big brother never made so much sense. The privilege of privacy is a rarity, and when it is taken from you...well that can drive someone insane.

It can drive me insane.

The furniture was thrown across the apartment, the bookshelves on the floor, and the clothes scattered away from the closet. And at each spot, he met with an unpleasant surprise that smiled back to him in mockery.

I am not a fucking celebrity, Erica. I don't want to share what is happening between these four walls, such as what I had for breakfast or how many times we fucked this week. My life is not a show, but apparently, to someone, it is.

34 Cameras. Do you have any ideas of what is this? 34 cameras, there isn't a single place in this damn apartment where I am not monitored. And they are online 24/7, I connected them to my computer, high-quality cameras that are on all the time looking at me, looking at us.

I can't even tell you something like that, I can only imagine how terrified you'd be. And the thought that you have been watched too by this same maniac never fails to make my blood boil.

They watch me, they watch you, but I have no idea who this is.

But I think I have an idea on how to find out.

After all, I can buy myself some time if this watcher keeps believing that I didn't find out about his show, if I place every camera back on its' spot, and delete the timestamp of when I found them.

Gives me enough time to get rid of him and roll his body over a carpet only to dump it into a river.

-You seem distracted today.- Erica said as she lied her head on his lap another day. -What are you thinking about?- She asked eager to know everything about his mind.

The creepy stalker that has been watching us.

-The wedding decoration.- He lies bluntly.

-Really?

-Really.

Of course I won't worry you over this matter while we watch Bridgerton and I wait patiently for the next steamy scene that may turn you on.

No, for now I'll just preserve the peace, maintain the beuatiful garden we cultivated and continue trying to progress and fix little by little our problems. You don't have to concern yourself Erica, I'll keep everything under control for us. I'll take care of it.

After all, I'd do anything for you, for us.

"What type of decoration are you thinking then?"

-Um...something simple maybe?

-Like what? Marrying in a library?- She chuckles.

-Doesn't sound like a bad idea.- She looks at him for a moment as he says that. "Uh...nevermind"

-Wait - She sits on the couch and holds his shoulders -Let's do it, a book themed wedding!"

-A what?

-And we could let the guests go as their favorite characters, and we could dress simply too, and it would be so romantic- She giggles like a little girl. -What do you think? Do uou want to be my fairy tale prince?

I look more like a frog, but you turned me into a prince, so be it. Anything for my girl.

-You are already my princess.- He kissed the back of her hand softly and gave a half smile. -Of course.

Erica hugs him promptly, filling the moment of tenderness and sweetness, almost making them both forget about the sour and suspicious parts of that relationship for a while. Almost defying the twisted fate casted upon them.

That was until his phone popped up a message.

By then, Erica's lips were already blending with his own when he noticed that the notification sound was duplified whenever his own popped up, and that the second sound didn't come from his, but Erica's mobile.

Another notification showed up, probably a text from Ethan about the shop, hence Joe didn't have much contacts, neither desired to have. At the same time, the sound echoed in Erica's phone again.

His eyes widened while her hands slided through his chest, his breath speeding fastly by the adrenaline and sudden anxiety built inside his lungs. The theories and the thoughts running around, but quickly being vanished away as her hands reached his belt.

Maybe he could worry about that later.

...

It is hard to worry when your hips are slamming against mine as drums Erica, but I manage to successfully get off this bed, to finally focus on what I just noticed while you sleep as an angel, or so I thought.

Luckily I still know your password, and...what the fuck?

Why doesn't it open?

What the hell?!

My app that spies on your device also doesn't work. How long has it been this way? I started to trust you so blindly that I didn't even check on it for a while. Now I realize how wrong I was to do that.

Why did you change your password? Why would you do that Erica? How could you?

Now it's some sort of word or number I have no idea of what it is. I tried your birthday, your name, some old dog you had name's, something related to a song or a movie, nothing works.

What if I...

He tried his birth date.

Access granted?

Aw you are too sweet.

I am really your soulmate, am I not? The key to your heart, is me.

Now, let's get down to bussiness.

Who have you been talking to? What have you been up to?

You know I kinda missed this.

To have the thrill of the chase, to the time you were still innocent.

But it's alright, after all, I have you now.

And you are perfect...right?

Of coursebyou are perfect, what am I even thinking? Of course you are perfect.

You don't have much conversations just as me...unless you deleted them.

No, you wioydn't do that.

Photo gallery, maybe a nude you didn't send me yet or-HOLY SHIT.

Is that me sleeping?!

And that's me at my window...a photo taken from outside the street.

How are these other angles even possible?

How did I not even notice when you took this?

That's me at mooney's...wait...

He almost lets the phone down.

Is that...

...Beck?

Joe zooms at the picture where he talks to a blonde woman.

How do you have this on your phone?

Erica you don't know Beck, you weren't supposed to, I enver even mentioned her to you, she was supposed to be unexistant in our story.

Then how the fuck you got a picture of her with me back when she was alive?

He felt chills across his spine, his fingers scrolling through the gallery fastly as he found old pictures he could recogbize from the time he was dating back, mostly of him at Mooney's, almost as if the person who took the pictures was hiding.

Alright, there must be an explanation fot this, there must be an explanation for this.

Maybe I am dreaming, yeah maybe the sex was so fucking good that i am havibg a nightmare. Pinch me.

He pinched himself.

Fucking reality.

Joe's phone beeped with a notification, some stupid ad, and at the same time, Erica's phone showed up with the same ad.

Maybe the algorythm knows we are soulmates?

He pressed the pop up and it led him to a spy app, where it cloned cell phones, just as he used to do before. He took a glimpse of the device registered and...

Stalkers aren't scary.

Gilfriends are.