Silence filled the cabin of the truck as Matilda sat quietly in the passenger seat, tucking her hands in her lap in attempt to calm the tremors striking her muscles. Her jaw remained clenched as she focussed on regulating her breathing in attempt to settle herself. Occasionally,  she’d glance over at Alex. He must hsve thought she was psychotic; paranoid. No wonder he didn’t make much of an attempt to speak during the trip. She’d only just made him victim of her word vomit, demands and heavy statements.<i>How embarrassing. </i>She could only imagine the story he’d tell his brother.<br/><br/>Swallowing sharply, Matilda exhaled deeply as the pulled into the parking lot of a cafe she frequented. The familiarity brought a sense of comfort, a slight smile curving at her lips. “Thank you,” she said quietly as blue orbs followed the man as he drew closer to the passenger side of the door. The chivalrous gesture sent warmth pooling in her stomach, instilling a sense of safety within her — something she hadn’t felt for a long time.<br/><br/>Matilda clambered out of the car and followed Alex into the store. “A small flat white please. Double shot,” the woman replied, settling herself at a table near the corner of the store, glancing around nervously.<i>Poor Alex, </i>she thought,<i>He’d surely think I’m insane. Probably the last thing he wanted this morning, to babysit me while I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown. </i>Pink lips were pressed into a tight line as she waited, flashbacks of the bird and the necklace creeping into the corners of her mind. Forcing her gaze to stay focussed on the slow-moving action in her peripherals, Matilda folded her hands together, attempting to give herself a reassuring squeeze.<br/><br/>“Alex,” she spoke softly as he took a seat across from her; her voice evidently calmer, more controlled than before, “I am so sorry for springing this upon you. I panicked this morning, you were the first person I saw that I knew.” The confession felt uncomfortable. Admitting to feeling like she was being stalked was a large claim and held a lot of weight behind it.<br/><br/>“Please don’t tell Andrew about this, it’s something I need to figure on my own. I can’t have him getting involved.” Her brother would lose his shit if he knew something was up. He’d always been protective over her, and she appreciated it — but on the same note, she was also protective of him. God only knew what was to happen if Andrew got in the way or stood inbetween her ex and his cruel game of cat and mouse.<br/><br/>A staff member approached them with a gentle smile, settling two coffees in front of them. Quickly, Matilda flashed her a thankful smile and brought the warm beverage immediately to her lips. Momentarily, she closed her eyes, savouring the bitter, yet soothing taste of the coffee. She also didn’t know whether she should continue confiding in Alex, what he would say, or whether he would rat her out to her brother. Hell, she didn’t even have any concrete evidence that she was being tormented.<br/><br/><i>The necklace. </i>Yes — she did have concrete evidence. But there was nothing she could do with it.<br/><br/>“Alex, do you remember my ex?” Matilda didn’t even bother mentioning him by name, he didn’t deserve the honour, “I think he’s been stalking me. Tormenting me. Tragedy seems to follow me wherever I go,” her tone was solemn, eyes saddening. “I can’t say anything, I can’t even go to the police,” Matilda’s voice lowered, before glancing over her shoulder to ensure no one was able to overhear her conversation, “he’s involved with the mafia — he<i>is </i>the mafia. If I say something to anyone, he will make my life worse. He will go after Andrew, track down everyone I love.”<br/><br/>The woman sipped at her coffee again. She didn’t even know why she was telling Alex, there wasn’t anything he could do for her. Although, if anything, it felt good to talk to someone about it. Technically, she could have been putting him in danger just by telling him — but she at least owed him an explanation for her wild behaviour this morning.<br/><br/>“A dead bird showed up on my doorstep this morning. With a necklace wrapped around it I had given to him for our 3rd anniversary. I think it’s a very real threat,” Matilda confessed, chewing on her lip nervously, “I don’t know what to do, Alex. I don’t even feel safe in my own home anymore.” She seemed almost defeated after expressing her concerns, despite the weight being lifted off her shoulders.<br/><br/>“Maybe I should buy a guard dog,” Matilda smiled, attempting to lighten the mood with a light joke, “At least that would cut out some of my concerns about my doorbell camera not working periodically. A dog wouldn’t have those sort technical difficulties with alerting me when someone is lurking around my home.”