CHAPTER TWENTY ONE – THE STALKER

The next day, Jack returned. And the day after that. Soon, he became a regular, always finding an excuse to linger and talk to Rebecca. At first, Rebecca didn't think much of it. It was nice to have someone to chat with during the slower periods of the day. But as the days went by, she began to notice something... off about Jack's behavior. He always seemed to time his visits for when the bakery was quietest, often staying for hours at a time. His questions became more personal, asking about her family, her routines, her dreams. One afternoon, as Rebecca was cleaning tables, she felt a prickle on the back of her neck. She turned to find Jack staring at her intently from his seat in the corner. "Is everything okay, Jack?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light. Jack blinked, as if coming out of a trance. "Oh, yes. Sorry, I was just... admiring the view." Rebecca felt a chill run down her spine. She forced a laugh. "Well, I'm glad you enjoy our decor so much." As the days passe