Finally, the dreaded conversation.

When John Doe entered, Amina instinctively took a step back. She had to catch herself and make an effort to not lose her cool. Quickly, she caugth herself and faces John Doe.

Instead of confronting him, she willed herself to put on a mask. A warm smile, a twinkle in her eyes, and a sultry undertone to the way she struck a quick pose for him.

Just hours before, she'd done all that without thinking. It'd seemed natural to always present her best side to him.

Now, it feels discouraging. It feels like a cheap act.

An act she has to do to allow her true master, Rose Atkinson, to take the initiative. Even though the past few minutes had broken her life and her reality into pieces, she felt like she wasn't important in this interaction.

This is something that is clearly important to her master, and Amina would do everything in her power to support Rose Atkinson.

She steps aside elegantly, revealing her master to the liar, John Doe.

"Ma- Mister Doe, this is Rose Atkinson. I believe she's the one you wanted to talk to." Amina is particularly proud of the fake "slip-up" in almost calling him Master. It seems to please him.

He nods and looks at Rose. Amina can almost feel the way his attention fades from her. As soon as he doesn't look at her anymore, she's gone to him. She seems to fade from existence like an object not worth his regard.

She feels anger well up inside her, but as she looks back at Rose, a wave of calm washes over her.

She must trust Rose.

Rose was her master.

Rose stood still as a statue. Her eyes wandered up, drinking in the perfect form of the man in front of her.

He was in a blue suit that fit him perfectly. His shoulder-length hair framed the most beautiful face in existence, and Rose found it hard to form full thoughts.

The two of them locked eyes, and Rose's heart stopped for a single beat. Already, she was afraid that she'd messed up.

He must be able to see her truth now.

Could he tell what she'd done?

Did he already know that Amina no longer saw him as his master?

Could he read her thoughts?

Then, just as the man inhaled to say something, with a perfect smile on his lips and his hand reaching out for a greeting, she finally saw the red letters above his head.

"John Doe has access to three aspects of the truth."

Bad.

This is bad.

What's the third aspect he has?

What if he'd already made her his ****?

"Rose?"

The man's voice was calm and powerful. Beautiful, even.

Rose blinked and jolted out of her panic attack as her heart seemed to calm and melt as he spoke.

She focused again, seeing John Doe hold out his hand for a handshake.

She took it. Her hand was clammy.

"Rose, can I call you that?"

Rose nods.

"Rose, I want to apologize. I must seem like the biggest, most cowardly asshole. I have changed your whole reality and then just left you alone. I'm very sorry for that and am so glad you came here. You must have questions. Let's sit down and talk. I will tell you all I know, and I have questions for you too."

Rose still can't bring herself to speak. She simply nods again and sits down. Her eyes dart over to Amina.

The hopeful look she sees in Amina's eyes is like a slap in the face. A look that carries raw, naked trust. The future of this woman's life is in Rose's hands. She has to pull herself together. This is just like a job interview, right?

A job interview about reality-changing powers.

"Y- Yes. Let's talk." Rose's voice sounds painfully insecure.

John Doe nodds and flashes another perfect smile. Without looking away from Rose, he gestures to Amina over his shoulder. "Amina, be a dear and get us some refreshments and some snacks. You don't need to be here for this."

Rose's inner creep-alarm would've long gone off with any other man. Chills should be running down her spine after hearing how he talks down to Amina.

Instead, she's calm. She feels drawn into his voice and has to **** herself to look away from his eyes towards Amina.

Amina's face, behind him, has dropped the mask it carried earlier. She sneers at him with distain, like someone who's about to spit at his feet.

"Of course, Mister Doe." Her face doesn't change, even as her voice rings out as flirty as it's always been. She locks eyes with Rose again before walking out.

The floating red letters above her head once again remind Rose about what she'd done.

The guilt she feels is enough for Rose.

It's time to lock in.

Determination bubbles up inside of her, and she steels her heart.

Job interviews and panic attacks, be damned.

If this is her new reality, it is time to get a grip on it.

"You're right, John Doe. I do have questions."

Author's note: I will continue this storyline whenever I have time, but it will be sparce. Though the story is now public, so please feel free to have fun with the concept.