Love is like a thin layer of bliss, once dissipated, it can become a hurricane that wipes away your existance and any memory, creating a void of emotions in between.

The thin layer was finally fading in front of Joe Goldberg's eyes. He could feel slowly the same anxiety Guinivere Beck felt back then when she realized the monster she fell for.

He didn't need to search for any enemy in the shadows, no, the devil slept with him.

The cameras comnected to her phone, the images taken were in secret, and the monitoration happened way before his mind could think of when.

Erica Souza didn't seem like the sweet exchange student he once fell for, the same adorable woman who blushed at his sentences and that he worked so hard for the conquest. No, when he looked at the figure on his bed, now all he saw was the shape of a siren that fooled him into some sort of spell.

What was a lie? What was true? From which moment did this obssession start? Hoe far did she plan to go with it?

The walls spinned around him, the legs failed for a moment, tried to remain strong but couldn't help but remember her words, all the promises and then compare them to this.

This...this...

I don't want to believe this, Erica.

I don't want to see you like this. I don't want to change the vision I had of you, of my girl, my soulmate destined to be.

Goddamnit, you are my future wife.

My wife.

What is this?

What is this shit? These pictures, these footages, God this is...this is...

Are you insane?

I need to get to the bottom of this, I need to know. Why did you do this? And how long have you been doing this?

How much do you know?

Do you know about...me?

About my...past?

How did I never notice? How long have you been hidden in the shadows whatching me? Did you enjoy to watch me?

It is a mixed emotion, to have someone so obssed with me, so in love with me to reach certain level, but at the same time, I feel completely horrified to even look at you with the same image I had of you before.

You are not the same woman I met before.

Now this Erica matches perfectly the jealous, tantrum throwing one, bratty one that has been more exposed lately as i uncover her past. The same Erica your mother told me about.

Suddenly something popped inside his mind.

When I called Jasmine, you knew I did it.

Why were you so jealous about Jasmine, Erica?

Yes, I know you never liked her, you made that obvious, but that expression...that expression was more than anger, I could see the subjective meaning of them through the underlines.

I have the feeling that the ending of these secrets is not close yet.

But at the same time I want to discover them, I question myself if I want to discover them.

Am I willing to change what we have for truth's sake? Will we be the same after this  Erica, or will you destroy us?

I won't let this destroy us.

Joe walked through the streets in an incognito mode, the cap covered his sight, appealing to be invisinle through the crowd as he seatched for a sunbathed hair and sparkling green eyes he hasn't seen a long time ago.

Never imagined I'd actually search for her, but here I am, searching through the chaotic streets of new york in order to find a blonde wannabe mean girl who, the last time i've seen, looked more like a beggar.

And if my guesses are correct, she'd be somewhere peoppe would be willing to pay. She is not dumb, she knows that sticking next to fancy stores and high leveled up chin people would never grant her a miserable coin, which is funny to think since that would be a small bargain back in the day for someone who used to wear Chanel everytime.

It's like the person I knew disappeared from my sight as bliss, similar to you when I saw those pictures Erica, and I know that now that I have my sight on the poor version of Jasmine, sitting at the sidewalk, shaking a mug asking for a dollar, while he thair is hard and sticky, her feet are black and cracked, and the long gel neils are gone by anxiety and dirt. I know that this...have something to do with you, my love.

If not, then why would Jasmine instantly gasp at ny sight as if I came here to murder her?

Do I need to murder her?

No, she seems rather scared of me, of the consequences of seeing or meeting me instead. And she tries to run, leave all she has behind only to escape.

Joe runs after Jasmine across the streets, but she didn't manage to keep the pace for too long bare feet on the ground. Slowly, she stopped and met herself at an alley, where there was no escape from him.

-Jasmine!- He shoited as he finally spotted her.-Wait...Wait Jasmine I just want to talk...-He tried to calm the blonde. His eyes quickly analyzed her figure in horror.-What...what happened to you?-Her eyes reflected a hidden story- or better...who did this to you..?

She took in a dep breath, her pale lips quivered as he took a step closer and closer, conering her against the alley.

-I-I don't know what you're talking about, I don't know you.-She muttered but the voice was the same, the hidden charm and gestured were the same.

-Don't lie to me, Jasmine.-He said a bit more serious- What's going on? Why are you running from me and...-He looked at her up and down- Are you living at the street?

Her eyes showed a true horror as she realized he wouldn't fall for her act.

-You need to leave.-She said as an urgent warning.-Right now, she can't see you here.

-Who?-He furrowed his eyebrows confused- Who can't see us, Jasmine? Your aunt? Did you two fight again? You can talk to me-

-There is no aunt-She said frustrated pursing her lips- The Jasmine you know doesn't exist, now go!

Then who the fuck am I talking to?

-Jasmine I don't have time for your little games. I need answers. Who are you hiding from?

-You.

Her answer echoed in the air for an instant with a thick tension that raised his suspicions.

-What?

-You need to stay away from me.

-Jasmine...I don't know what you're thinking, but I won't harm or hurt you in away.

Unless it's necessary.

-It's not you I'm worried about...-She looked above his shoulder to check once again if they were alone.-It's her.

-Who, Jasmine?- He insisted, this time his gaze was more persistant, intimidating even.- I won't leave until you tell me.

She knew he wouldn't give up, but also knew that either not telling or telling the truth, would risk her life. She could see that in his eyes, at his determination that creeped below.

Knew that if she didn't play by the rules, she'd awaken another demon in her life.

-...Erica.

...

Seeing Jasmine eat so much now compared to her old all nutritional and fitness one can be quite shocking, but a meal is cheap compared tp the story she promised to tell me while we're a KFC and her eyes keep darting at the windows in search for imaginary enemies.

Her hands tremble, her pupils are quite dilated, and considering her state, I wouldn't fail to think that she is a drug addict. I wonder how I've never noticed that though, or did it happen after we met?

-Now, are you gonna say the truth?-He said as she finished the last chicken wing, her mouth covered with spicy and greasy souce.- Why are you saying that you are hiding from Erica?

Jasmine takes a deep breath, as if that story takes great strebtgh for her to say.

-Can you guarantee that I'll be safe?

-Safe from what?

-From her.

Why would Jasmine be so scared of you, Erica? Did you two fight somehow? But you wouldn't hurt a fly Erica, you are so delocate so sweet, so...

...unpredictable.

Joe only nodded, lying only to obtain answers.

-Before...before we met, I met Erica. -She took in a deep breath- She found me on the street one day, and paid me a generous tip...she seemed very sweet and kind, and asked me to come with her because she had a an offer to make to me.-Joe only listened quietly. -She said she would give me enough money for my drugs for some good time if only I played my part in sonething she'd ask me to do.

-Wait, what did she ask you to do?

-She...-Jasmine sighed- She said I would play a character, just as in a book. The glamorous mean girl who would risk her relationship. It seemed crazy, of course, and I didn't believe her until she provoded me the outfits, the money and told me all about her idea to make me work in this store and seduce a guy named...Joe Goldberg.

Joe's head spinned, he didn't want to believe in what she was saying, but couldn'y help but listen more.

-Woah, wait.-He shaked his hands.- If...if what yoi're saying is true, if all you were was an act, why would Erica do this? I mean, why would she push me away and then bring me back?

-She said it was a test of loyalty. -Jasmine replied.- To know if you'd be completely willingly, submissive to her in order to prefer her over anyone else. To be obssessed only with her.-She explained carefully.- So she talked into Ethan's mind to hire a new employee for the shop, and I went to the interview with my script fully in mind prepared to be used. And simple as that, we met.

This...can't be real.

You? Playing as some sort of director in this sick plau we call my life? Manipulating people in order to make me yours? You couldn't fo thie, Erica, I refuse to believe.

-No, that's not true, she was even datingcSam at the time-

-Sam was alsp paid to do this. You can try to contact her, but I believe she already left the country by now.-Jasmine replied fiercely.- Erica made us promise to never reveal our deal to you, to stay away after our part was done.

-So...that is why you simply...disappeared?

-You were obssessed with her again, she didn't need Sam to make you jealous, or me to prove your fidelity. So she called off our deals and we parted ways.

-How much did she pay you for this?

-Some good cash, but as you can see, I spent it all on drugs already. Sam probably used to leave the country, we used to have contact during the time we acted in order to have better convincing performances.

Joe looked down, still in shock, the mind peocessing all the acts fastly attempting to take it all in.

-Why should I believe you?-He accused her.- Who guarantees you are not fucking lying to me?

-If you are here, then you already noticed something's off with your girl.-Jasmine said as she took a sip of her diet coke, almost resembling the delicate Jasmine he met again

Joe slowly nodded in silence, swallowing dry as the whole restaurant paralyzed around him, the scenes flashing into his mind, the awful timing where everything happened, the strange attitudes, everything centered into an evil mastermind plan.

-If she was so generous to pay you, why are you running away from her?-He asked at last.

-If we tolf you the truth, or if we tried to reach you in any way after the deal was done. Erica would...-She hesitated.- I'm not sure what she would do, but from her tone, it wouldn't be something good...and I never dared to ask either.

He looked into Jasmine's sincere emerald eyes again, begging for him to keep that maniac confession in secret for the sake of her life.

-I won't tell her. I promise.-He answered to reassure her.

-Thank you.-Jasmine only replied as he paid the bill and got up from the table.-And Joe.-She looked at him.- Escape while you still can.-She advised. -My last advice as your old friend.-She gave a small half smile recalling the old times.

But Joe didn't retribute the smile, he was too stunned to even think about that, to ecen be kind to her. He only left, the mind on fire, the heart in pieces.

...

The lights were out when he entered the apartment, but he didn't bother to turn them on anyway. Felt a drain of exhaustion taking over his body, ready to lie down and sleep, only to wake up fron that nightmare.

But the nightmare was slender, mystique and was sitting on his armchair through the shadows at the living room, waiting for him to arrive with her smooth legs crossed.

-Where have you been?-Erica asked in a emotionless tone.

Joe almost jumped from her sight.

-I...how did you come in?-He asked confused.

-You left the door open.

I've got better excuses than that, love.

-I...was checking the storage at Mooney's.

-No, you weren't.

Joe stared at her in silence.

-Yes, I was.

-No you weren't. -She got up from the sfoa and walked torwards him, leaning a bit to smell his shirt. -You smell like trash and cocaine.-Her eyes lingered at his, creeping, bloody.-Where were you, Joe?

Her tone this time was quite menacing, and the thickness of the air suffocated him.

-How did you know I wasn't a Mooney's?-He asked instead.

-Don't avoid my question.

-Then don't avoid mine.

The two stared at each other in a long while in silence.

-I called Ethan and he told me.-She replied.- Now, your turn.

Smart bitch.

-I met a friend.

-A friend?-She questioned curious.

-Yes. An old friend.

-How interesting.- Erica said as he walked around him, her fingers softly caressing his shoulders.- i thought you had no friends.

Great timing to rub it on my face.

-Well, I do.

Erica nodded in silence.

-Should I turn on the lights?-She questioned.

-You tell me.-He replied.-Or do you prefer to stay in the darkness?

Slowly, a small smirk formed on her face.

-Looks like you are tired of being in the darkness.-Her eyes glostening with a hidden mystery of her own.- Don't you like it? The sweetness of the unknown?

-For a while, yes.-He replied cautiously as she now was behind him, her hands massaging his shoulders. -But I'd like to see you in the light.

A low chuckle met his ears.

-As you wish, Joe.- A fabric covered his nose and mouth  the smell intoxicated as he lungs, but before he could fight it, his sight got blurry, his senses became numb, and his body fell unconscious on the ground.-Let there be light.