𝙐𝙎 | Joe Goldberg ✓

15

-What are you doing here?! -Her voice broke the silence and snapped his eyes wide open. Her gaze fell onto the box he had on his hands, as a sudden concern grew up inside her lungs- What is that in your hand?

Joe wanted to believe it was a delusion of her mind, but he couldn't. Once he turned around and spot Erica on the door, he saw a look in her eyes he has never expected to see. It was a self defensive, suprised and almost dark expression that made him tremble.

-I-I...I wanted to make a surprise for you.-He answered in a weak voice, trying to open up a fragile puppy smile.- But you got home earlier than I expected.

-Did you break into my apartment?!-She reacted badly to his gift. -What the fuck, Joe?!

No, no, no, this can't be happening.

-Look, I can explain.

The worst way to possibly start an apology.

-I wanted to surprise you, so I used the fire emergency stairs, and your window was also open.

-No, it wasn't!-She closed her fists.- What is wrong with you?!

What is wrong with me?

What is wrong with you?!

Hoe come the sweet, gentle and kind Erica suddenly became this interrogative and self defensive woman who can't even let me explain what happened?

Erica walkes fastly torwards him, and instead of receivibg a warm greeting, she took the small velvet box with the rings from his hands in a rough movement.

-You were even looking into my stuff!-She shoited at him, holding the box tightly in her hands, so tight that her hand even trembled in the process.

-I was just trying to decorate-

-Decorate your ass, Joe!-She suddenly yelled, making him froze in shock. -This...this is so weird...-She curved her mouth in disapproval.

I feel like you are slipping through my fingers and I hate that feeling, I know that feeling, and I don't want to feel it again. Not with you.

-Erica...I'm sorry, please let me-

-Get out.-She looked at him serious. -Now.

You can't be fucking serious.

-What?-He asked in a fragile whisper.

-I need to be alone.- She crossed her arms.

I don't want to leave you alone.

It's when people start to get alone that things go bad. That thoughts go wrong. And when you realize, someone's buried six feet under the ground.

Joe looked around the apartment, his hands placed on his hips. The taste in his throat was rather bitter and sour, her words were rather offensive than sad to him, and that may have hurt his ego.

-Are you really gonna fight with me because of such a stupid thing?-He snapped back, unable to hold it.

Erica's glance shifted at him, almost as if his sentence only deteriorated the situation.

I should just sew my mouth at this point.

-Stupid?- She raised an eyebrow at him. -You invaded my apartment and looked into my stuff without my permission, Joe.

I love when you speak my name, I truly do. But when you say it like that, full of despise and disgust, makes it sound like the worst word ever created.

And that box. That fucking box. Now my i can't stop thinking about the grip you have against it. About how your tone, your whole behaviour changed only because of it.

There's something about that box you don't want me to find out.

There's a secret about you, Erica.

And you know I hate secrets, darling.

-Why do you have an engagement ring inside your closet?- He finally questioned, a tone of accusation took over the atmosphere.

-It doesn't matter.-She replued defensively, holding tighter to the box.

-What do you mean it doesn't matter?! I'm your boyfriend, Erica, of course it fucking matters!-He growled a bit frustrated over the situation.

The once supposed to be romantic moment, was now an angst and betrayal. The decorations, the petals and the wine now were forgotten into the tense atmosphere, the neighbours attentively listened to the sounds of a shattered couple.

-If you are my boyfriend then you should respect my privacy!-She yelled back, the hair covering her sight for a moment as she leaned forward.

-Privacy? Privacy?! -He scoffed. -That's not privacy! You are keeping secrets from me! You have a fucking engagement ring in your closet and you won't tell me who is it from!-He walked torwards her as Erica stepped back, when she least expected she was against a cold wall, and his piercing intimidating eyes were glued on hers, a boiling rage grew up inside his veins.- You can't just leave me in the dark like that Erica.-He said in a rather somber tone that made her tremble. -I trusted you -He whispered softly, his hand caressing her cheek in a gelid touch for a frightening second.-I love you, Erica...which is why you're going to explain to me right now. You can't have any secrets from me.-This sentence sounded more like a menace. -Did you understand?

Her lips trembled into making a sentence as she looked at him, the breath hitched.

-Step away from me.-Erica said instead.

He didn't like that answer.

His large hand suddenly punched the wall, cornering her every move, forcing her to blankly stare back at him. He didn't seem like the gentlemen she once fell for, no, he seemed like the devil's offspring on earth.

-Gonna ask you one more time.- he hissed with dead dark eyes.- What are you hiding from me, love?

He held her chin as his hot breath touched her lips, Erica's whole body shakened in fear, and she closed tight her eyes not to stare at him with pure terror.

There she was, completely given to him, at his mercy, and yet she wouldn't speak.

-Whose ring is that from, Erica?-He repeated once again.- Is it yours?- He suggested. -Who is it? Tell me!-He yelled.-Are you cheating on me Erica? Is that what you're doing?-He pressed her even harder against the wall. -Who is it?!

-I-I'm not I swear!-She whimpered in fear- Please...please, Joe just let me go...-Her lips quivered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

The grip his hand had on her chin got harder and firmer.

-Then you better tell me.-He warned her. -I don't want to hurt you, Erica...look at that pretty face of yours...-He pouted his lips-You know I'd never hurt you....if you stay by side, of course.-The menace made her sob. -Now...be my good girl and tell me the truth.

Before Erica could open up, there were sounds at the door, someone knocking incessantly.

-What is going on there?!-The old lady next door yelled. -I'm gonna call the cops!

Erica opened her mouth to speak but Joe covered it, muffling any sound.

-Don't.-He only said looking into her eyes. -We'll meet again soon. And you're gonna tell me the truth then, got it?- He ordered her.- Don't try to play any games.- He uncovered her mouth and she only nodded in fear, the skin pale, the lips almost black from the horror. Joe leaned forward for a moment, and let a soft kiss on her cheek as he whispered in her ear. -Remember that I love you.

After those wordsx he vanished through the fire emergency stairs again, and Erica was left there, inside the apartment, shocked with the situation as her body still shivered under his touch. She looked back, seeing a whole formed by his hand on the wall.

She fell to her knees on the floor and looked at the ring in front of her. Her hands grabbed it on a fragile aspect as she opened the box and lookes at the content inside, her eyes sparkling against the diamond and the feeling inside her heart.

She could only think one thing, one thing that hammered inside her consciouness and made her heart speed.

That's the real you.