"The formula?" Autumn glanced at the small bottle of sparkling pink liquid.
"I'm an alchemist and herbalist. I create perfumes and potions for various purposes," Jacob explained, his voice softer now. "And then, I stumbled upon something special. Something that could bind two souls together."
Autumn shook her head, trying to make sense of this madness. "So what, are you trying to make me drink a love potion or something?"
“No,” Jacob shook his head firmly. “The potion worked, Autumn. Why do you think you were attracted to me even though you were afraid? Why do you think you didn’t run away from this house even though you found those photos?”
Jacob’s words hit Autumn like a wave of cold water. He was right. Even now, with all the evidence of this horrific obsession before her, part of her still felt drawn to this man. Still wanted to get closer to him, not away.
“What did you do to me?” Autumn whispered, her hands gripping the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white.
Jacob stepped closer, his gaze intense. “The perfume I gave you the day you moved in, remember? I said it was a welcoming gift. But it was a weak version of this formula.” He pointed to the shimmering pink bottle.
Autumn remembered it as a scent of roses and something mysterious, that made her feel both peaceful and excited every time she put it on.
“You poisoned me?” Autumn’s voice trembled.
“I opened your heart,” Jacob corrected her softly. "The formula only strengthens what's already there, Autumn. If there's no attraction at all, it won't work."
"You can't force love," Autumn shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.
Jacob smiled sadly. "I know. That's the dilemma I face. I want you to love me of your own accord, but I'm afraid you'll never see me if I don't... help a little."
Autumn felt anger burning in her chest. "Help? This is manipulation, Jacob! You're taking away my choice!"
"Not entirely," Jacob argued. "The potion only serves to open up possibilities. Your heart decides the rest." He reached out, almost touching Autumn's cheek, but pulled it back when he saw her recoil. "I just want you to see me the way I see you."
"And how do you see me?" Autumn asked softly.
"Like the sun," Jacob answered without hesitation. "The center of everything. Bright. Vital. Without you, my world is cold and dark."
The words should have sounded ridiculous, but somehow Autumn felt the sincerity in them. And that only made her more afraid.
"So what's your real plan?" Autumn asked, trying to sound brave. "Make me stay in your house, slowly poison me until I'm your obedient puppet?"
Jacob shook his head vigorously. "No! I don't want you to be anything other than yourself, Autumn. I love you for your freedom, your courage, your rebelliousness. I just want... a chance."
Autumn laughed bitterly. "A chance? After lying and stalking me? Taking notes on me like I'm some kind of research object?"
“I know I was wrong,” Jacob admitted, his voice dropping. “But I didn’t know any other way. Every time I tried to approach you normally, you were always surrounded by other people. And when I finally got up the nerve to say hello to you at the cafe, you didn’t even look at me for more than two seconds.”
A vague memory came to Autumn’s mind a tall man asking if the seat next to her was free. She remembered nodding without really looking, lost in her homework.
“Was it you?” she asked hesitantly.
Jacob nodded. “And it wasn’t the only time. I tried, Autumn. But you always seemed to be in a different world.”
Autumn felt her head spinning. Part of her wanted to understand, wanted to believe that this was just the reckless act of someone who loved too much. But another part of her screamed that this was predatory behavior.
“What are you going to do now?” Autumn asked finally. “Now that I know everything.”
Jacob sighed heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor. “It’s up to you.”
“Up to me?” Autumn repeated in disbelief.
“Yes,” Jacob looked up, his brown eyes brimming with determination. “You can leave now if you want. I won’t stop you. You can even report me to the police.”
Autumn blinked, not expecting this answer. “You’re just letting me go? After all… this?” He gestured around the room at the paintings and photographs of himself.
“I love you, Autumn,” Jacob said softly. “It means I want your happiness more than my own. If my presence scares or hurts you, then yes, I’m letting you go.”
Autumn felt her chest tighten with conflicting emotions fear, anger, confusion, and, oddly enough, a tinge of pity.
“But,” Jacob continued, taking a step forward, “if there’s even the slightest part of you that’s curious, that wants to know what could have happened between us without potions or manipulation… I’m asking you to stay.”
“You’re asking me to consider a relationship with someone who’s been following me for years?” Autumn laughed dryly. “That’s crazy.”
“Maybe,” Jacob smiled sadly. “But isn’t all love a little crazy at first?”
Autumn shook her head, trying to keep her thoughts clear even though Jacob’s words somehow resonated with her.
“I need some fresh air,” Autumn said finally. “I need some time to think.”
Jacob nodded, stepping back to make way. “Sure. Take as much time as you need.”
Autumn moved slowly toward the stairs, not daring to turn her back on Jacob completely. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped.