I am a loyal man, Erica. I truly am. But you see, my ego, my soul, and my heart are shattered, you left them to pieces by bringing that girl up.

When people hurt themselves that way, they tend to make mistakes, or feel what they shouldn't.

That's when you arrived, Jasmine. You're pretty as the flower of your name. Soft, and delicate as petals, but something deeper in your eyes says otherwise. It tells me you want more. A deep greed.

Your clothes are just step out of a "Mean Girls" movie from the 2000s, your curly blond strands like Marilyn Monroe's, the watery gloss on your lips is an invitation to be seduced.

He shaked her hand, a firm, but yet gentle shake.

-Same about you.-He smiled-Just call me Joe.

__

I didn't forget about you Erica. I watched your cameras at least 3 times just today, but Jasmine...she needs training! Ethan's at home, he can't help all the time, he has someone to live for. While I'm here, alone, with her.

She isn't like you,Erika. She's comepletely different. Her socials are a tipical Beverly Hills lady's, she's from LA. Glamourous like movie stars.

I wonder why would you enter a bookshop like this, Jasmine. What made twist your rich girl mind and work here. After all, from your perfect nails, it looks like you've never worked before.

You used to live with your aunt, owner of a famous cosmetic's brand, but now you're here, cleaning dusty shelves in New York, sneezing from time to time because of the dirt.

She is nothing like you Erica, she asks for attention, she asks for me. While you just pushed me away.

-Hey Joe!-She came with those high, noisy wheels.-Where do I put these?

She held the books in front of her chest.

-Wich ones?-He asked.

-These.-She only pointed to them.

You could've just told me the name, but you insist for me to look at the cover, wich is, by "coincidence' in front of your medium cleveage shirt, a way to show off your very...blessed, chest.

-Drama session, column G.

-Okie dokie!-She lifted one leg and made a thumbs up, like a cringy anime character.

She has been working with us for 2 weeks now, Erica. Everytime asking me for help instead of Ethan, always with these subtle hints in the air.

While I wonder if you had already deleted my number.

She was struggling to carry a pile of books on her own, well, at least it was what it seemed.

-Need some help?-He asked.

-Oh, no, don't worry-

He took the books from her arms and positioned them correctly.

-Thank you.-She smiled- Pretty strong, huh.-She joked, tapping slightly his arm.

-Not at all.-He chuckled.

-I should be the one working but you keep helping me, Joe, I'm sorry!-She faked to be sorry, making duck lips.

-It's not a problem, you just got started.

You see Erica, you'd never ask for help.

No, sometimes I can picture you in these scenarios. Instead of asking for help, you'd seek those books' sections on your own. Instead of struggling to hold them, you'd have already found a way to make it easier to grab them.

You are independent.

But Jasmine isn't.

Well, at least it is what she wants me to think. Behind all this act, I think she has other intentions.

She stopped in front of him, back resting on the balcony's cashier, her eyes wondering, searching for something.

-So, Joe...-She started to talk, in a suggestive tone- what type of guy are you?

Are you flirting with me?

-Excuse me?

-Okay, I'll go straight to the point, are you dating anyone?

Bingo.

-Uh...

I am currently trying to dedicate my existence to someone else, is that considered dating?

-That looks like a no, and a yes at the same time.-She tilted her head.

-Well, yes...actually no.

Get yourself together, Joe.

She touched his chest with her indicator finger, making playful circles in his blue shirt, teasing as she continued to talk.

-So there's someone..

-Yeah...

-You are so complicated, Joe.-She looked up at him.- A shy guy stuck between dusty books and a complicated relationship.

Says the rich girl in an old booshop working for a weirdo, and worse, hitting on him.

-I guess you're right...-He tried to resist to her spell- I'm a waking red flag.

-You're lucky then, I love problematic guys...

She pulled him closer, and, when he least expected, she kissed him, a tender, sexy wet kiss of her "Queen Bee" lips, while her hands wondered through his body.

Now, what are you doing? Kissing me? While at work?

I really shouldn't Jasmine, I definetly shouldn't, but your kiss, your touch, it's addicting, and, at the moment, I'm helpless.

Saying "no" can be hard sometimes.

He kissed her back, their breaths loosen, shaken, between the make out session, by how she instigated him to do more, to do better, almost as a game.

"I'm sorry Joe" Erika popped into his mind.

Jasmine was pushed away by him fastly, he looked away, avoiding just in time her irritated glance at him.

-What happened?-She questioned.

-Sorry...-He shaked his head.-I can't...

She rolled her eyes, got away from his arms, observing the window for a moment, thinking.

-It's her.-She suggested-The complicated girl, right?

He nodded.

-Yeah.

And now, I look like a jerk. I'm sorry, Jasmine. You really don't deserve this.

But I can't get her out of my mind.

I can't get freed of you, Erica.

Kissing Jasmine feels like cheating on you, cheating so dirty that I feel like I deserved to die.

No matter what, the only one I want is you. And I can't change that.

-Jasmine-

When he tried to talk to her, she had already left.

__

Jasmine is not mad as I thought she would be. Actually, it's like someone pressed a reset button and now she is back at her happy, extroverted heels again.

Anyone would say that this is good for me, maybe moving on would be for the best. But it's impossible, Erika.

Specially when you try to come in without my knowing.

But I could recognize your sweet voice like honey everywhere.

-Hey, Ethan-She spoke in a low tone.

-Hey Erika.-He greeted her with a smile.- How u doin' ?

-Great, just wondering, do you have any sociology books?

-I gotta take a look, give me a sec, okay?-The man replied friendly.

-Okay, thank you.

He left, as Erica stood there, something about it felt like home, but also cold. Being there reminded her of him, and, she truly hoped to don't bump into Joe again.

But just staying there, all those details, each person, shelf, book and sentence in the air screamed his name.

-Joeeyyyy-A femine voice filled everything, pitched and loudly.

She turned into its' direction and they saw each other. Brown jewels meeting his, unspoken feelings and twisted emotions when Jasmine put an arm around him. Erica's lips aparted to say something, but quickly closed again, giving up.

You are here.

-Joey?-Jasmine looked at him confused, he was mesmerized by Erika'd presence.

No, no, you look...different.

He glanced at Jasmine.

You saw me with her...No, Erika that's not what you are thinking-

-I've found one, it's your lucky day Erica!-Ethan came back with a smile and a a book with hard leather cover in his hands.-It's in promotion too.

She tried to avoid Joe's stare at her, giving a light smile to the salesman.

-Oh really? That's great, I'll take it.

-I'm gonna ask Joe-

-No!-She lifted her hands in the air, maybe speaking louder than usual. Blushed embarrassed-I mean...there's no need to bother him...

-It's no problem really, remember when I told you that things were busy here and you told me to hire someone? Yeah, we've got a new employee now, so it's way easier.-He explained, looking at the aisles and spotting him- Hey, Joe, look who is here!

He walked towards them, the atmosphere heavy, maybe awkward, behind, Jasmine observed with doll eyes.

You barely look at my face. I feel ashamed and for no reason.

-Hi.-He greeed her.

-Hi.-She replied with not much enthusiasm.

-Hiii!-Jasmine interrupted, waving her hands.

Oh, no.

-Jasmine- She shaked Erica's hand- I'm new here.

-Oh- She tried to be friendly-I bet you like the job.

-I love it!-She rested her head next to Joe's arm.-You know, I have a cool boss who takes care of me.

Your eyebrows trembled for a moment, almost as you forced your expression to remain the same, Erica. You looked away two times in just 10 seconds, you are bothered, even better, annoyed by Jasmine's presence.

Specially at her gestures towards me.

Erica gave him a lethal glance, a toxic smirk on her lips, an eyebrow lifted.

-I bet he does.-Was her answer.

Did you...what was that supoosed to mean? You should be embarrassed, maybe shy, but no, instead, you give me this, mortal, hot burning glance, that doesn't just make me surprised, but also shaking, attacked, and breathless.

-Well, have a great day you all.-She smiled, now normally.-I need to go- She chuckled, looking slightly at him- My girlfriend and I made plans for lunch.

-Ooh! Sounds nice, have a great lunch!-Jasmine waved her hand.

-Good lunch...-Joe spoke bitterly, but she had already went to the cashier, procceding to leave later.

He walked back to the books, trying to ignore the annoying feeling of imagining Erica and Sam at lunch, holding hands as she told her an unfunny joke with that beautiful voice of hers.

Worse, imagining how she'd kiss her with those soft, delightning lips.

-Hey Joey, you alright?-Jasmine popped up next to him.

He glanced at the friendly, comforting Jasmine, she was so supporting, yet, not what he wanted. He knew that Jas didn't love him, and neither did he.

They were on the back of the store alone, and at that moment, while his blood boiled, his head wasn't in good judgement, leading him to commit mistakes.

His lips glued to hers, her back pressed against the wall behind her, as she wandered her hands through his chest, instable breaths, uncontrollable desires. She thought he wanted her but in his mind, Erica was there, alive, intense, and illuding his sight.

They aparted realizing where they were. When he realized that wasn't the fantasized he dreamed about.

-Wow....-She gasped, chuckling softly.

-Sorry...-He shaked his head, feeling ashamed.

-What? No, it's fine.

No it isn't. Because, Erica, I can only think about you, and no matter how high or twisted my mind might be, it won't fix it. Jasmine isn't you, and will never be.

He walked away, leaving Jasmine alone, full of doubts.

...

Packing it up to close the store, Ethan had already left. Only the two remained organizing the cashier and some shelves. It was night outside.

The silence was loud, and Joe didn't dare to say anything. But Jasmine did.

-That girl from earlier.-She said, while sitting at the counter.-It was her, right?

Joe stopped counting the coins on his hand.

-The complicated girl.-Jasmine gave a half smile.

He looked back at her, didn't reply, but it wasn't necessary anyway. It was obvious already.

-She looks nice.

-What is your point Jasmine?-He finally told her.- what do you want? First you are after me, then you compliment Erica.

-Woah there.-She lifted her hands in the air.- I think you're getting things twisted. I thought you knew this.

-Knew what?

-I don't uh...like you this way?- She tried to don't be too harsh on him.- Okay, this might get me fired, but whatever. I don't have any...uh, how do I say, "feelings" for you.

-Then why-

-Look at me.-She gestured to herself.- Do I look like the type of person who'd work at a dusty bookshop? No, thank you. I'd rather be shopping Versaci.

-So?

-So, I flirt with you, so you can take it easy on me.-She said like that was the simplest thing in the word.-Didn't work though.

-You're a manipulator.

-A strategist.

She almost made me confuse me about my feelings Erica. I can't believe I deceived myself for a person like her.

-Then why the hell are you here?

Jasmine made a pause. Stood in silence through the night, the cold turned a bit warmer, and maybe she realized that she wouldn't be able to keep a secret for too long.

Well, a secret he already knew of course.

-My aunt...she kind of, well...that bitch disowned me.

Of course. That explains the lack of effort. Your shiny Chanel boots would never dare to step on a place like this if not obligated to.

-So?-He crossed his arms.

-And she said that she wouldn't help me financially if I didn't find a job.-She tilted her head- You know, she's kind of rich.

-Right...

-Are you going to fire me?-She asked worried- Joe, look, I really need this job- She leaned towards him on the counter.

-You don't act as if you do.

-But I do-

He sighed. The girl was indeed a brat, who tried to deceive him by her charms. He doubted she would a good job.

-Why work here?

-No one would accept me, I dumped college.-She explained embarrassed- I passed by and there was a sign asking for help, the interview didn't recquire much, and I didn't have any other options, so...-She observed Joe's grumpy face.-Please, just let me keep the job!

Now she really seemed desperate.

-I have no reasons to keep you here.

-I can learn how to work! I promise I'll try harder!

He still didn't seem convinced. Jasmine tried to think fast.

-Oh, got it!!-She snapped her fingers- That girl, what was her name...Erin?

-Erica.

-Erica! Yeah, I'll help you pull her off!

-What? How could you possibly help me?

-Convincing, charming, seducing her.-She played with her hair.- You know, unlike you, who just wish the girl you like a "good lunch", I manage to have actuall attitude un dating.

-You're bluffing.

-Am I?

She grabbed her phone searching for picture that could prove her point of view. Many guys, handsome ones, and according to the poses, that seemed to be her ex boyfriends.

One of them brought Joe's attention:

-Wait, is that Chris Evans?!-He widened his eyes.

She stared at the picture not very interested.

-Oh, yeah. We had a thing back then. Why? You like him?-Jasmine asked.- Or she likes him?

-The later one.

-See?-She opened a big commercial smile.-I can help you.-She crossed her legs- After all, who knows a woman better than a woman?

A stalker.

But in this case, I might need extra help. I don't want to jump into...harsh, attitudes, if you know what I mean.

-Alright. But it better work.

-You have my word.-She offered her hand- so, do we have a deal, Goldberg?

Making deals with the devil for you Erica.

He shaked her hand firmly. A glow in Jasmine's eyes.

-Deal.