It was a cold day of November. Usually it wasn't that cold in LA during that specific month of the year but the weather forecast lately had become unpredictable. Most days of this week it was constantly raining until the streets were almost flooded making it hard for any drivers to drive around the city freely. The cool autumn breeze had recently turned into a chilly winter air that made anyone who was dressed improperly freeze within seconds while walking around the city. People were preparing for Christmas time, which Rita personally hated to the core.

After years of living in luxury, of acquiring every single commodity she dared to dream of, of late night dinners that contained music, dances, and abundant booze, she found it hard to appreciate the times when she was truly happy. Because she wasn't. Growing up in a family that suffered from poverty and misfortune you would have guessed that spending a generous amount of years in opulence would make her become more generous and appreciative of her luck, but she continued to feel empty. Something had been always missing.

She realized in a younger age that she would either have people that truly cared about her by her side or she would have to suffer from loneliness and wealth. That was the combination that rich people suffered from she guessed. Now she was left with nothing. She had no one, and at the same time her bank account was depressingly vacant. That was probably the biggest misfortune that ever came her way... of course Alma's temporary release was the topping of the cake.

Katherine Castillo entered the large rustic dining room dressed up into a long black dress that reached the height of her ankles. A pair of black stilettos clicked against the tiles on the floor as she paced elegantly towards the table. She took a seat down and reached on the table to grab a warm pot of herbal tea that was decorated in the middle. She purred some in a porcelain Chinese cup and brought it closer to her full lips to take a sip. An older man with short grayish hair entered the room to grab his coat from the coat hanger. He gave her a nod to acknowledge her presence and that only out of respect. In reality he didn't give a damn about her, especially now that her father was dead and the height of his salary depended on her mood swings.

"Going some place Otto?"

She asked hoarsely and made the man almost jump on his feet in surprise. He didn't think that his temporary departure would mean anything to Katherine. The woman rarely used his services after hiring Moira to run the mansion's chores. He gave her an awkward grin in response and proceeded to wrap a long gray scarf around his wrinkled neck.

"Christmas shopping."

He said quickly and immediately cursed himself in his head. When he was previously going through excuses in order to decide which one would sound more fitting to justify his departure, he felt brilliant for coming up with this one. Now that he exclaimed it out loud he considered himself an idiot for thinking that she would ever fall for it.

Her narrowed chestnut colored eyes confirmed his theory.

"It's November."

"November 28th to be precise. I can't risk not being prepared for any sudden dinner assemblage. The month of constant celebration is soon approaching and I would like to be ready in case of an emergency."

Again he cursed himself. He thought that he sounded too convincing for Katherine's liking. He also was caught off guard with his ability to make up a second excuse in such a short amount of time. He didn't think that he was any good with improvisation. Kathrine's face seemed to soften. She took another sip of the warm tea and positioned it back on its plate. She folded her hands on her lap and gave him a small smile.

"Every day you seem to remind me of the reason why my papa hired you in first place. Always so dedicated and ready to take care of our family."

"What can I say? I feel privileged when it comes to serving you."

Another lie. He didn't feel guilty. Back when he was still serving Carlo he had to come across his rage and wrath multiple times. He wasn't fond of the man's brutal manners and uncontrollable anger but somehow Carlo had earned his respect. He found the man brilliant for his business skills and thoroughness. He might was a terrible husband but he was most certainly an excellent businessman. This very mansion was living proof of that. Katherine on the other hand was weak. He considered her actions thoughtless and based on one terrible thing. Emotion. Feelings of abandonment and betrayal often took control and lead her to deplorable actions.

"Do not forget to add a Château haut brion to your list. I feel like overcoming myself this year at the Christmas table."

She grinned back and run her fingers through her long brunette hair that landed gracefully on her shoulders looking as much disciplined as she was.

"Already on the list."

He smirked proudly and put on a pair of black leather gloves.

"Don't be late. I have guests arriving soon."

"I'm certain that Moira will do anything in her power to keep them happy while I'm busy. It won't take long."

He reassured her and soon exited the tall mansion and disappeared in the fog that surrounded the vast garden.

The door bell rang seconds later and Katherine didn't move. She wasn't the woman that waited for her guests at the door ready to welcome them. She needed to make sure that Harry understood the hierarchy separating them in order to conduct business. Katherine would order and Harry would execute. That was the plan. Or at least that's what Harry made her think.

She heard Moira's rapid footsteps towards the front door and soon the sound of dull greetings and chattering echoed in the first floor. Moira took care of the guests coats and escorted them to the dining room. She opened up the door for Harry and Alma and Katherine rose to her feet to greet them.

"Mister Jaworski. Miss Fillcot."

"Miss Castillo don't you look wonderful."

Alma chirped looking dazzled by the wealth that surrounded her already.

"Well well... you don't look so bad yourself Alma."

Katherine responded with a mischievous smile gracing her lips. Her eyes travelled Alma's thick silhouette only to realize that she hadn't changed at all in a more literal way. The younger woman was still dressed into that old stained red dress. She refused to remove it as soon as the police officers released her and offered her a small trip back to "freedom". She stated that she wanted to experience things exactly how she left them. She wanted to be that person she thought that she had become all this time ago... without that red dress, she wouldn't be only missing her freedom, but her identity as well.

"She looks ravishing like always."

Harry commented and Alma immediately smiled wider at his attempt to flatter her. Katherine on the other hand rolled her eyes in response and sat back down on the chair. It only took one of her firm glances towards Moira in order for the woman to rush by her side. She grabbed the tea pot and served both Harry and Alma almost immediately. As soon as her task was completed she exited the room to give them all some privacy to chat.

"How's the taste of freedom Miss Fillcot? Are you enjoying it already?"

The brunette asked and cleared her throat.

"I prefer the taste of the unexpected."

The woman returned making Harry grin.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Katherine asked again and looked curiously between the couple sitting across her on the long wooden table.

"Is it a sin that I enjoy watching the nervous spasms on people's faces when I fool them?"

"Did your husband's face spasm when he realized that you let him commit suicide?"

Alma's grin disappeared completely at the sound of those words. Thinking of her Bertram always brought her back to reality somehow, but Harry's soothing voice made her feel at ease again.

"Let's not get there Miss Castillo. The three of us didn't gather here to discuss about the past. We're here to plan the future coming our way."

Katherine rubbed her palms together in an effort to suppress her anger. Facing the murderer of her father made her blood boil.

"Allow me to doubt her usefulness. This plan is only between you and me against Rita. I'm not planning to fuel a quarrel that was caused by a silly garden club."

Katherine's fist landed on the wooden table creating a thud. Alma flinched but Harry husked in response.

"Didn't I tell you to be patient?"

He paused and took a sip of warm tea to hydrate his throat. His voice came out clearer and firmer.

"Our revenge is bound to happen. Miss Fillcot is only here to conduct her work and complete it successfully this time."

"I don't see why we should include her. She got the death sentence anyways."

"I did."

Alma continued and her blue eyes glimmered with passion as she spoke, something that frightened Katherine. She witnessed pure madness blinding the woman entirely.

"A woman who has nothing to lose and is only driven by sheer will is the most dangerous kind."

Harry nodded his head in agreement and smiled proudly. What shocked Kathrine the most was the way Harry looked at Alma. His admiral towards her was obvious. He watched her closely as she spoke like he had so many things to learn from her. To him she was precious. Her twisted brain seemed to him like a work of art.

"Agreed."

Kathrine pointed out and pressed her pale lips against each other.

"What's the plan?"

She asked and turned her full attention towards Harry.

"First we locate her, then we isolate her and strike. What I need from you Miss Castillo is to use your resources. A woman with as much power as you hold won't find it hard to track down a woman. As soon as you locate her I'll make sure to give her a discreet reason to isolate. Then it's Alma's moment to shine bright like a diamond."

"I don't understand. She's supposed to be watched over by the police. You're supposed to be looking after her for the sake of your hypothetical experiment. What happens when they find out?"

"We flee."

Harry responded fast and Alma fiddled with her fingers impatiently.

"To where? I can't give up on my heritage."

"Who says you're getting involved?"

Harry quirked a thick dark brow.

"You're sitting in my dining room discussing a plan to kill a woman."

"No one needs to find out."

"Then why do you need me?"

Kathrine asked in confusion and didn't realize that her fingers lying on the top of the table were already trembling.

"I need the trust you emit to people. Alma told me about a common acquaintance you two share. His name is Scooter Polarsky. Does it ring a bell?"

His eyes narrowed and his face softened. Kathrine shifted on the chair uncomfortably and tossed a look at Alma. If it wasn't for Harry's presence she would have jumped over the table and attacked the woman for speaking about something that personal. Harry didn't have to reveal the story Alma shared with him cause Alma's cunning smile was more than enough to give Kathrine the answer she needed.

"What about that young man?"

Kathrine asked hesitantly.

"If we want to succeed in our first step of this mission then we need to contact someone that Rita would turn to."

"No way. Scooter is married... Rita can't get near him."

"Marriage didn't seem as an obstacle when it was the other way around."

Alma added and run her fingers through the long strays of her hair pretending to be uninterested over their topic.

"The boy was in love. He gave up on my poor daughter. He left her on her own. Decent men do not let good girls raise their child with a fake father."

"That boy only cared about money! He doesn't have a heart, either does Rita. Now that I think about it... they were literally made for each other."

"Touching."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I don't wish to face him again. He humiliated me."

Kathrine announced and folded her hand under her chest to hide her nervousness. The daughter of Carlo Castillo shouldn't be a coward when it came to claiming her own justice.

"Then take your revenge. Talk to him and if Rita contacted him recently he will most certainly reveal her location out of remorse. He's not that smart."

"Literally. His brain is the size of a pea."

Alma smirked.

Kathrine took a moment to herself to process the information. There wouldn't be any harm if she talked to Scooter. That man was far too innocent to hold a grudge against her. After all he wasn't the kind of person that would ever betray someone that used to worry and take care of his well being.

"Very well... Then what? We locate her and you kill her for your own reasons.. what makes you that sure that the police won't come after you?

"They will."

Harry admitted but he didn't look worried about it.

"Then we disappear."

Alma added and smiled proudly which made Kathrine furrow.

"How?"

"Don't worry about me. A wise woman once taught me how to reinvent myself. And when I do that again no one will be able to guess that I was ever someone else."

A wicked grin spread on her face and made her cheeks fluster.

"You look like you know what you're doing miss Fillcot. I'll contact mister Polarsky soon and then we can have another chat."

Harry nodded in agreement and rose on his feet. Alma followed him quickly and silently exited the dining room to go grab her coat. There was a mere moment where Kathrine examined Harry's posture. The man straightened his blazer and locked eyes with her.

"You seem troubled."

"She thinks that she can escape."

Kathrine commented and chewed on her bottom lip skeptically. It couldn't be that simple right?

"We'll see how that works out."

"Are you planning to put the blame on her?"

She asked in her strong northern accent.

"Like you said, she already got the death penalty."

With a quick wink he left the room and left Kathrine standing in there frozen on her feet like a column. She stared at him escorting Alma out of the mansion and straight to his vehicle. She didn't mind the betrayal of someone that committed so many sins, but Harry's confidence throughout their conversation made her wonder if he was a threat to her as well.

The sky was getting darker whilst the last sun rays for the day hid behind gloomy clouds that threatened to wash over the city with their wrath for once again. Rita was sat down on a bench outside the railway station. The cold breeze caressed her cheeks and made her entire body shiver but it wasn't because of the cold. She was nervous about her decision. She lowered her sight for once again to confirm the name of her destination that was written in bold letters on the top of the ticket she was holding for dear life. New York. She read it again and bit her bottom anxiously. Leaving Grace was her best option she thought to herself. That woman already had lots of burden to carry on her shoulders and she didn't want to give her one more reason to struggle.

Her former plan was to start over and she wanted to stick to that plan. Only difference was that she was about to do it alone this time. There would be no Isabelle to escort her through the cruelty of this world, and no Scooter to keep her company during lonely nights. All she had left was herself and she wanted to cherish that. She folded the ticket in her palm and squeezed it hard seeking for some courage. She wished to have kept her former persona's confidence but she found herself unable to be optimistic when her heart felt that empty. Truth be told, she wasn't afraid of Alma... not anymore. But she was afraid of watching Alma destroying other people in order to get to her. Last time she killed her dear cousin, an innocent woman that spent her life seeking solutions to make Rita's living comfortable and safe.

She let out a long exhale and lifted her eyes to gaze over the dark scenery. Withering leaves covered the tracks making the scenery look like autumn still ruled but in reality winter was fighting hard to rule on this land. An ear piercing sound echoed when the train arrived to the station. Men in uniform exited rapidly to escort passengers out of the wagons and help with their suitcases. Rita watched the different faces exiting. They were all dressed up differently. Others wore fine fabrics that indicated their origin to the high society, others looked simplistic and others looked completely ratchet. She hadn't realized how many details you can find out about a stranger just by being observant.

The look on their faces also differed. They were all coming from a different place. She witnessed a family reuniting. The children attacked the father with loud chirps and giggles echoing. They jumped happily on his lap to greet him. The large suitcase standing tall next to him only indicated that his absence occurred too long. His wife looked happy. She approached the strange man and wrapped her hands around his nape lovingly to bring him closer for a welcoming kiss. They looked happy. They could be suffering from their own turmoil but there was no way she could ever find out. She didn't intend to be that nosy.

She turned her sight to her left. A young woman exited the train carrying two large suitcases. Her clothes were wrinkled and simplistic. She hadn't put too much effort on her makeup and hair. Soft hazel eyes, thin lips and long ginger braided hair that reached the height of her waist. She carried her suitcases gracefully to the closest bench and took a seat down. Her face was unexpressed like nothing could impress her. She put her suitcases aside and opened up her purse to grab a book. She positioned it on her lap and started reading. Then a small grin graced her lips making Rita think that the woman was probably enjoying the content of that story. She wondered if she was starting over like she did a bunch of years ago. The girl looked like she had no intention of leaving the train station for now. Maybe she had no place to go to, or maybe she was awaiting for someone to pick her up. The important thing was that she didn't look like she was bothered with her current state, no matter what kind of state that was. And for a moment Rita was jealous.

The answer to Rita's questions would remain as a secret. Again, she wasn't that nosy to seek for any further details.

But she found it enchanting that people could differ so badly from each other. All people came from different places, carried different burdens on their shoulders and stories to tell but still they had the tendency to approach each other and connect.

One's trauma could heal someone else's.

She shifted on the hard wood beneath her and a sound shook her thoughts away. Someone cleared his throat to grab her attention. She turned her head to face a taller man with grayish short hair. He was wearing a long dark coat and a woolen grey scarf that was wrapped around his neck multiple times to fit him. His stare was blank and his lips firmly pressed against each other. The brunette beauty tilted her head to the side and clicked her tongue in her mouth seeking for an answer to a new question. Who was that man? Cause she definitely knew him...

"Can I help you?"

She cleared her throat and asked confidently. Her tone was sharp and steady.

"Not really."

"Then have good day."

She clenched her jaw in annoyance and looked back at him again.

"Do I know you?"

"Yes you do."

Otto responded and took a seat down next to her. His baby blue eyes roamed her figure and landed on the ticket between her fingers.

"Where to?"

He asked but he didn't seem that interested.

"Who are you?"

She asked and the annoyance was pretty obvious in her voice by now but he didn't look at her. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to read the letters that indicated her destination.

"New York is nice but I advise you not to leave. You can call me Otto. I could have become your battler but you chose family over strangers to run the house."

Rita's eyes doubled in size and she moved a little further on the bench. Anything or anyone coming from her past seemed to annoy her.

"Relax. I'm not here to put you in jail. My salary is not that sufficient to afford a lawyer."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I'm here as a stranger with an important information to share with you. The only thing important is that if you don't wish to get in trouble whatever you find out, you didn't hear it from me."

She lifted her eyes to look at him and she found it funny how different his demeanor was from the way he looked at her. She witnessed a sense of gentleness in those baby blues but his face was rough. Tortured by the years of living in this world.

"You work for Katherine."

She acknowledged.

"Yes I do."

"What does that hypocritical nun want from me this time?"

"I can reassure you that Miss Kathrine is not aware of this meeting."

"Why should I believe you?"

She let out a sardonic chuckle and rubbed her palms together to warm herself up.

"I'm just a battler."

"A battler and a snitch."

Rita corrected him and rolled her eyes.

"I was only conducting my duties towards the Castillo family."

"And what changed now exactly?"

Rita quirked a thin brow.

"Carlo is dead. His case is solved and you weren't the murderer".

"Of course I wasn't. It took you all quite some time to acknowledge that fact."

She rolled her eyes.

"You got greater problems to deal with Miss Castillo."

She flinched at the reminder of her last name. Carlo was dead but his reputation and heritage made sure to accompany her through the rest of her lifetime.

"Such as?"

"I once read those letters you used to exchange with your cousin when she was back in Galveston. She brought up that man. Harry Jaworski am I correct?"

She froze on her seat and stared at the man speechless. She didn't feel embarrassed. After the hardships she went through because of Alma she learned not to worry over that secret identity anymore. It was all over... she was free... but something about Otto's look made her feel uncomfortable.

"What about him? That man is dead. If you had read the letters you would have known that Isabelle shot him."

She swallowed hard. It was the first time saying it out loud.

"She did, what a brave woman. The only thing is that that prick didn't die. He didn't give up on life when you left. He was hospitalized for quite a while but he's going strong."

She swallowed hard again but this time her mouth was dry. In fact, she felt like she couldn't breathe. She felt like her lungs were shrinking and the tiny amount of oxygen left within her didn't suffice to win her another minute.

"No... she shot him!"

She repeated breathlessly.

"He's here Rita! I don't know what made me come to you after your horrific actions and attitude towards people but he's here! He works with Kathrine... and miss Fillcot. It can't be good."

She pushed herself up from the bench and pinched her nose bridge as she paced in front of the bench. The cold air was getting worse but her body felt warmer. She felt like she was burning. Even if she changed, even if she made things right, god didn't let her prosper. She was doomed, cursed, convicted to a dreadful life...

"You shouldn't leave..."

"He can't be alive! Why are you telling me this? Your boss came up with a wonderful idea to ruin my life for good this time and you're here to ruin it for her. Why?"

She turned towards him and her index finger pointed towards him in a definitive way. She raised her voice as she spoke but it wasn't out of anger, it was out of pure terror. Images of her past miserable life with that man played in her head, messing with her sanity. She felt shivers. Carlo was better than him.

"Kathrine planned out a plan that's going to get her killed. She doesn't know that yet because she didn't read those letters closely. She sees Harry as her savior and she tends to forget what he did to you. She may hates your guts but your story should become a lesson. Instead of learning from your pain or her own, she keeps digging her own grave. I don't wish to be left without a job."

"Your final argument should be the main one. I'm not here to rescue her."

"Then rescue yourself."

"How?"

She argued.

"Stop the madness."

"Who am I to stop the madness? In case you didn't notice I was preparing to leave to new York. Good luck with solving this out."

She was about to walk away but Otto rushed by her side and grabbed her arm.

"If you leave you'll spend an eternity worrying over him following you. How's that an ideal fresh start?"

Rita sighed and run her long red nails through her brunette hair in despair. Her brunette eyes turned glassy at the idea of facing that man again. She knew very damn well what he was capable of.

"Then what do you suggest? It looks like you have an answer to anything."

Otto smirked and continued.

"Open the case. Go to the police."

Rita locked eyes with him and squeezed the ticket in her fist. She handed him the wrinkled piece of paper and croaked.

"If you're lying to me you're a dead man."

She turned away and swayed her hips towards the main road where she lifted her hand to stop a cab. Otto grinned at her egotism and slid his hands in his pockets to protect them from the cold before he walked away.

Grace Berk was an emotional woman. She could retain a strong demeanor when it came to facing her husband and justifying her lies but she couldn't control herself when it came to people that she loved. She walked into the old time classic restaurant that the garden club conducted their meetings at. The place was established as their meeting centre by Rita but as soon as Mavis became president after the tragical events she made sure to carry on the tradition. Tonight was supposed to be an important night. The ladies of the garden recently came to the conclusion that they had lost enough members already. Rita Castillo and Alma Fillcot were obviously tragical loses for their club. The figured that it was about time their previous members finally got replaced by decent citizens that cared only about the garden club's reputation.

Mavis had made her own suggestions already. In fact she was that thorough with her choices that she wrote down their names on a piece of paper and delivered it to each one of the garden club ladies in order for them to examine her suggestions thoroughly at home and then vote. The main members of the garden club were sat down around a rounded table in the middle of the restaurant that was closer to the orchestra playing soft jazz music right across them. They often enjoyed the sweet notes of jazz or just typically enjoyed flirting with the musicians. Their purposes were always "innocent".

Grace Berk was late. She made her way into the restaurant wearing a long light blue gown that reached the height of her ankles. The thin velvet fabric was decorated with thoroughly knitted patterns of flowers that covered the shoulders of the dress and the edges. Her hair was up into a low sleek bun like usual and a beautiful necklace made of pearls was wrapped around her neck. She paced in the restaurant and gave the rest of the ladies a broad smile to greet them. Of course they greeted back except of Joan. The ginger haired woman looked quite skeptical and gloomy but again the rest of the ladies were too occupied with their looks and makeup to notice a troubled friend.

Grace on the other hand noticed almost immediately. She knew when her lover was troubled and she could already guess the reason why. Her shared days with Rita didn't go unnoticed by Joan and no matter Grace's efforts to soothe her the woman remained annoyed. She reached the table and Mavis filled up a glass of champagne for her and handed it over. Grace accepted it gracefully and took a small sip before she sat down.

"I'm sorry I'm late my darlings. I just couldn't figure out what to wear for the occasion and I wouldn't dare to show up and look improper."

Mavis giggled softly and caressed her hand.

"Your absence didn't remain unnoticed. You know how much we've missed you my dear. You've been quite busy lately and we wish to enjoy this night with you, after all we have so much to gossip about."

The older woman exclaimed in a chirpy tone and the rest of the women on the table began chattering. Grace folded her hands on her lap and looked around the friendly faces. She finally glanced over Joan and the woman stared at her back. She gave her a small grin but Joan didn't respond. She just proceeded to refill her glass and empty it all into one big hungry sip.

"Someone's thirsty. My dear Joan is craving some extra champagne."

A brunette woman with red full lips named Brenda commented and winked at Joan playfully. The rest of the women broke down in ostensible laughter. Grace didn't join them.

"My god, you must have read my thoughts Brenda."

Joan exclaimed and giggled making Grace cringe at how fake her attitude seemed.

"I must order a second bottle then! Excuse me for a moment."

Mavis chirped and raised her hand elegantly to attract a waiter. Joan faked a smile and pushed her chair back. She stood on her feet pretending to be fixing her hair with her hands and gave them all a quick glance.

"I'll be right back my darlings. I need to freshen up."

She excused herself to the bathroom and Grace frowned to herself. The rest of the ladies didn't seem to bother to ask for any further questions. They went back to chatting about their options between new garden club members.

Grace was uninterested. She pushed her chair back without interrupting their discussion and walked herself to the bathroom. As soon as she entered and closed the door behind her she heard a sniffle. She turned to take a look at the source of the sound and found Joan wiping a bunch of aggressive tears running down her rosy cheeks. Grace's eyes immediately softened at the heartbreaking image. She extended her hands towards the woman preparing herself to soothe her but Joan pushed her away. Grace's lips parted in awe at the ugly state of the other woman that she considered as her lover. She hated it when she was troubled but again she couldn't justify her temporary lack of time anymore. Looking after Rita consumed multiple hours throughout her day and at the same time a greedy husband awaited for her back home every night. She had to balance them both and some days she couldn't find some free time to spend with Joan.

"Oh dear… Please don't cry."

Grace mumbled and her blue eyes filled up with sorrow. She wanted to hold her hand and reassure her that everything would get better soon but at the same time she couldn't be sure. She couldn't make a promise when the future seemed unpredicted. Joan sniffled and wiped away another tear that dared to escape and roll down her cheek until it landed on her upper lip. She turned around to face the mirror. Grace didn't speak. The ginger haired woman glanced over her reflection in the mirror and her lips drew back in disgust. She despised herself when she turned weak and human. Such a demeanor didn't fit a lady of the high society.

"What can I do to make you feel better?"

Grace sighed and Joan inhaled heavily.

"We've been through this before. It looks like you don't have time for me anymore… you're constantly too busy."

Joan admitted and bit her bottom lip as tears threatened to fall for once again from her closed eyes.

"I've explained my position. We've talked about it. I cannot leave Rita alone."

"Why not? She looks fine in my opinion. If she's capable of wondering around the city, meeting up with her gigolo and consuming huge amounts of booze it only means that she's not counting on your nursing. What hurts me the most is the very fact that you're here only because she left…"

Grace took a step back to defend herself and was about to speak but Joan cut her off and continued.

"Do not deny it. She doesn't need you, but you insist on keeping her close. Why?"

Joan folded her hands under her chest and lifted her head to glance over her lover through the mirror. Grace looked stunned. Her light features darkened with something that looked like a combination of guilts and sorrow. Joan couldn't exactly read her face.

"The doctor said that she needed someone to be around in case she felt unwell… she has no one. She's all alone."

Grace croaked and wet her lips uncomfortably.

"That's not it. Rita decided to leave only to prove how selfish she is for once again. She hurt you."

Joan announced and the very admission of that very fact made her heart break.

"What are you implying?"

Grace quirked a brow. Joan took a deep breath and looked down.

"You're in love with her Grace."

Grace's eyes doubled in size at the woman's words. She immediately spatted.

"Where did that come from Joan? I'm taking care of a friend in need! Spending some time with another woman doesn't mean that I'm in love with her… this is childish…"

Her words came out so rapidly and confused like she was drowning in a verbal Niagara fall.

Joan nodded in response but it took her a moment to find her voice again. The truth was pretty obvious, like an elephant standing in the middle of a room, but Grace was the only one that refused to acknowledge pure facts.

"Again, don't lie to me. I know you… unfortunately I do. I've seen the way you look at her. You always stand up to protect her from anything that could possibly upset her. You're trying to save a suicidal woman my darling Grace. She doesn't want to be saved! She's spent her entire life making bad decisions… what makes you think that you can save her? What makes you think that she can love you?"

Joan tried unsuccessfully to will the anger out of her voice but Grace couldn't process the painful reality. She swallowed a string of profanities and tried to retain her steady tone. Losing this argument could only lead her to more turmoil.

"As a friend!"

The blonde croaked, her voice low and her tone uncertain.

"You don't understand.… giving her your all, sacrificing your time and patience for her sake doesn't make you a better friend. It only presents you as an appealing lover."

"Joan… I'm not trying to attract her…"

"But you are."

Joan sniffled and run her fingers through her silky red hair. She tucked a stray of hair behind her ear and turned to face the mirror for once again. She grabbed a piece of paper and pressed it against her cheeks to remove the stains of smudged mascara.

"You can't do this to me… you can't accuse me of a "crime" I didn't commit!"

"You'll see. When the time comes, you'll recall this conversation and agree with everything I said."

Joan pressed her red lips together and tossed Grace another look.

"I have to get back to our table."

"Come up with an excuse then. I need to leave."

Grace swallowed hard and looked down. Crystal clear tears gathered in her eyes making it hard for her to retain herself any longer.

"I'll say that it's a family emergency."

Joan swallowed hard.

"I appreciate it…"

Grace stated and before she had the time to state anything else Joan disappeared through the door. She just couldn't keep facing her any longer when truth stung so badly. The blonde woman felt beyond confused. Once upon a time ago she hated Rita. She hated her very guts to be exact.

She could have never imagined that the one and only Rita Castillo would have turned into a better version of herself. She watched the woman grow, become more mature and thoughtful of people. She admired her from afar afraid that if she tried to get any closer that Rita would push her away for once again. She was a strong woman with delicate feelings that seemed nonexistent on the first glance. When you got to know her everything changed. She was more than just the epitome of beauty. Grace was standing in the middle of the bathroom wondering… when did this happen? When did her motive to be around that woman change? She didn't realize… or maybe Joan was just jealous. She could have been trying to mess with her head all along, to create guilts in order to keep her to herself… but again there was something about Joan's words that made her feel something besides fury and sorrow. She got skeptical. Confused. Hatred is as near to lust as flame to smoke she thought to herself and somehow it made sense. All those years of bickering suddenly made sense. But again Rita was gone.