Chapter 4

I woke to a stream of early morning sun, shining through a gap in the curtains and lighting up the room. I turned over to look at Ben's sleeping form; he looked so different without his glasses on; less formal and even sexy even while sleeping.

I didn't have the dream last night which was a relief and I felt so much more refreshed even if I did have to work today but seeing as though I worked from home I wasn't over concerned and I had time to do some grocery shopping before I needed to start today. I glance back at Ben still sleeping and decided maybe breakfast would be a great idea too.

I walked just a few blocks away till I reached I small cafe I could get some coffee and some pastry that would start off the day just great. As I stepped inside I was sure I caught sight of the strange guy I had seen in the park on Saturday but when I looked again properly there was no one there, I was definitely ready for my morning coffee!

I carefully balanced my two drinks and the paper bag containing some breakfast treats and started walking back to my apartment, I glanced across the road and I saw him there stood staring as he did that day in the park. He was dressed casually in dark jeans and a dark jacket and leaning against a lamp post wearing dark glasses. I couldn't help but notice how still he stood as people rushed past him making their way to work or to school, he was like a statue. It was then I realised that I too had stopped walking and I was staring at this mysterious person who suddenly seems to be everywhere I look. I looked away and glanced down at the floor, embarrassed that he would have seen me gawping at him from across the street.

I sneakily stole another look his way and he was gone. I searched the street for him but there was no sign that he had even been there maybe I hadn't had as much sleep as I had thought! I hadn't even thought about that particularly part of the day in the park so I was at a loss as to why I was hallucinating about seeing this person with the bronze hair and sunglasses.

I continued my journey and shaking my head as I scolded myself for being completely insane especially as I still had the feeling of being watched. Jesus this guy is making paranoid – that is if he even exists!

I finally made it back to the apartment and Ben had not even noticed that I was missing so I carefully brushed his face and wafted coffee under his nose to rouse him from his sleep – which always worked a treat!

"I got some breakfast so wake up sleepy head!" I said much more loudly so that he had no choice but to open his eyes.

"Thanks babe, your too good to me" Ben half propped himself up on the cushions and reached for his glasses on the bedside table and gabbed the paper bag of me and pulled out a Danish pastry.

"I need to call at the hospital this morning but I should be able to come back over later." Ben said almost covering me in bits of half chewed pastry.

"That's okay, I need to get some groceries and then do some work so later will be good."

When Ben was finally ready I walked outside with him and as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk I saw him again – My bronze haired stalker!

I stood still staring at him as he stared back at me, I even found myself blinking several times in the hope that this weirdo would disappear but he didn't.

"What's that guy's problem?" Ben quizzed.

"W-what, I mean, you can see him?" I was almost surprised.

"Well I have got my glasses on" he laughed while pointing at the glasses he was wearing "I'm not that blind you know!"

"No course not..."

Ben took me in his arms and kissed my lips softly "I'll be round later but I'll let you get on with some work first so I won't rush. Maybe we should just get take out for dinner tonight, what do you think?"

"Yeah sure sounds good" I replied before waving him off. As soon as Ben had driven off I looked back down the street to where the stranger had been standing and once again he had disappeared and I felt a cold shudder and suddenly very uneasy but at least I knew I wasn't hallucinating – although in a strange kind of way I wish I was.

The rest of the day went by quite uneventful mainly in a blur of coffee and work but in many ways I liked my simple uncomplicated life and I felt angry towards this dark sunglass wearing guy for almost shaking things up! Not that he had directly affected my life but he had for period made me think I was going crazy and the way he constantly kept turning up out the blue was quite unnerving and even more so being almost outside my apartment. I made a mental note to ensure my door remained locked at all times I couldn't take any chances especially not in this day and age!

I glanced at the clock and it was only 2 o'clock in the afternoon and needing a break I decided to head out to the park and do some reading only I decided to stay around more people this time, so instead of sitting under my favourite tree I chose a picnic bench. My reason being that if I am being stalked then it would be better to stay in full view of everyone!

I had just started reading and was trying to concentrate hard on the story when some began speaking to me.

"huh? Sorry?" And there he was my mystery stalker.

"I said do you mind if I sit with you." His voice was much softer than I would have thought it would be, hypnotic almost and very soothing.

"No sure" I replied and moved my book in front of my face as I continued reading.

"I would never have had you down as reading Tolken." The stranger chuckled and I felt rather annoyed as I lowered my book to the table.

"And what exactly would you have had me down to read instead?" I knew my voice sounded quite sharp but I didn't care.

"Well I thought maybe Jane Austen or something similar"

"Ugh! How insulting! I am most definitely not interested in reading about weak heroine martyr figures it's probably the dullest thing you could ever wish on anybody!" He smiled at me and I felt my heart skip a beat.

"So you don't like reading Austen but you will read about Hobbits, Orcs and Wizards?" He was obviously amused.

"Well at least they have some personality!" I snapped.

"Ahh I see I have offended you and I am sorry Bella"

"What did you say? Bella? I think you must have mistaken me for somebody else I'm Cara not Bella." I suddenly realised that is why this stranger must have been following me he had thought I was somebody else – somebody he knew. He wasn't stalking me after all! Ha!

I couldn't see his eyes but the expression on his face became unreadable before quickly regaining his composure.

"Forgive me, I apologise for the intrusion I will leave you to your reading. Nice to meet you...Cara"

He walked off at a quick pace and was soon out of sight while I was left completely baffled with the meeting that had just occurred.

I wondered if now that he knew I wasn't who he thought if that would be the last I would see of him?