from that day on, my routines had a slight change.

every wednesday, he joined me in my usual coffee and muffin.

he never ate anything.

he never brought anything.

and though at the time i didn't think anything about it, it was just another warning.

so after a two months of our every wednesday talks in the cafe, i received a knock at my apartment door.

i opened the door to see his face and a rose in his hand.

"may i come in?" he asked, with a smile so charming, i felt my heart flutter.

"sure." i say, realizing i was wearing a tanktop and sweats.

"i'm just..going to go change into something more presentable." i say, nervously.

his hand gently pulls me back.

"no, you look perfectly nice." he says.

i give him a sideways glance.

"okay. i'm sorry. my house looks like a wreck. i wasn't expecting anyone." i ramble.

"no, i apologize for coming unannounced. i just..just wanted to see you." he says, his breath hitches.

i could feel my cheeks turn a bright red.

he clears his throat.

"i brought you a single rose." he says, holding it out towards me.

i smile and take it from his fingers.

"thank you." i say, shyly.

"i better put this in a vase so it doesn't die." i say, walking over to the empty vase i had bought a week before.

i was planning on buying flowers to decorate around my apartment.

at the time i thought this was a coincidence but later i found out it was far from one.

he watches me across the room intently.

i could see his chocolate brown eyes melting into mine.

i turn away to blush.

i shakily fill the vase with water, and place the rose's stem inside.

"it should go by the window." he says, breaking the silence.

i nod, and smile.

"good idea." i say, turning away from the table.

i place it by the window and stare at it deeply.

"a single rose symbolizes love." he says.

i turn to look at him.

"oh really?" i say.

he nods.

"well how nice." i say.

"i just realized...you don't know my name." i say.

i was about to open my mouth and introduce myself but he speaks.

"it's ashley. such a lovely name." he says.

"how did you know that?" i ask, in shock.

"i saw it on your artbook." he says, laughing.

"and your name is?" i ask, with a smile.

"call me whatever you like." he says, revealing his shiny teeth.

i thought of possible names that he looked like but none came to mind.

something else did though.

"how did you find out where i lived?" i ask, suddenly walking closer.

i lean against the wall.

his eyes look left to right then bore into mine.

"i asked around." he says.

"who? i don't know many people." i ask, curiously.

i was thinking of people who knew my apartment number and complex but my mind stayed blank.

he glances at his watch.

"i better get going. it was nice seeing you." he says.

"thanks for the rose." i say, as i wave.

he walks over to me and caresses my cheek.

"your welcome." he says, and he kisses my cheek softly.

he calmly walks to the door and smiles as it shuts.

as his face disappears i stand frozen in confusion.