There Is A Man Outside Your House

There is a man outside your house. [[You don't see him]].

But he sees you. He watches you through your open windows and through the [[glass sliding doors]] that lead to [[your living room]].

You always keep these doors closed and locked. There's no telling what might be wandering around at night. If your cat needs to get back inside she can climb through the slight space in your open window. You know you shouldn't really have any space in your house open to the outside but you figure there is little risk here. [[Back|You don't see him]]

You're sitting on your couch watching tv. This is usual routine for you. Get home from work at 5:30pm, go upstairs to shower and do some yoga, then head back downstairs around 6:30pm to eat dinner and binge some netflix. [[You don't usually deviate from this routine]].

And The Man Outside Your House knows that. He likes to watch you as soon as you get home from work. He likes your exasperated huff as you finally get through the doors after another long day. He likes watching your face relax as you unwind into your safe space. He is happy to wait as you go upstairs and do your thing, before coming back downstairs to [[heat up dinner]] and [[watch tv]].

Chicken curry tonight. The second time this week. You usually buy the microwavable packs in bulk from the supermarket. You've never been one to cook, and even though you are a bit skeptical about the best before date on something with meat in it being over a year in the future, you resign yourself to eating microwave meals and two minute noodles. [[Back|You don't usually deviate from this routine]]

After heating dinner you plonk yourself down on the couch and scroll through netflix. There are so many shows to watch but you find it difficult to settle on one. Eventually you decide to rewatch one of your old favourites. [[Your cat]] jumps up beside you and curls into a ball. You risk reaching out to pat her. She is a very fluffy but particularly temperamental cat. [[There is a noise outside]].

Your cat likes The Man Outside Your House. She doesn't like many people, but The Man sees her often and has trained her to expect food from him. When The Man comes to your house she visits him and purrs around his legs. You notice that she's gained weight, but you've attributed it to your too-generous neighbours. [[Back|watch tv]]

You look out briefly but go back to watching tv. The Man Outside Your House freezes briefly but then goes back to watching you. He likes the way your eyes light up when you're watching something you like. He likes the way you tie your hair up before eating. He likes the way your long shirt drapes over your body. He watches you until you turn off the lights and head up to bed. Just like he has done every other day of the week. [[A week passes]]

You go to the gym near your house a few days a week. Sometimes before work, always on your days off. Recently you've been thinking about your bad food choices and although you're keeping fit you think it's time to actually make yourself some decent food. [[You visit the grocery store after your workout]].

It's hard buying food that you're not used to. You constantly second guess your grocery list and occasionally throw a random item into your cart even though you aren't sure if it's the one you need. You feel like the people around you don't know what you're doing and blush a little. You reach for an item [[you think you need]] but accidentally drop it to the floor. [[A man near you goes to pick it up]].

Is it the right one though?? Is it really? [[Back|You visit the grocery store after your workout]]

"It's okay, I got it," you say. It's too late though, both of you are already touching it. He got there first though, so he takes it in his hands and personally hands it to you. He looks at it and you do too. Too late you realise that you picked up the largest size and do not need this much. He asks if you're cooking for a big event and you laugh before admitting that you don't cook very often. You joke about being a bad chef and he offers to cook for you. You are surprised by his forwardness but are also quite flattered. [[He invites you to his house]].

You laugh good-naturedly but kindly reject him. Every woman knows not to go to the mans house on the first date. Instead you invite him to yours. He smiles and [[accepts]].

You exchange numbers and tell him your address. You're quite excited to have him over. You haven't had male company in so long. You dress nice, put on makeup, and tie your hair back in a bun. [[There is a soft knock at the door]].

He is on your doorstep with flowers and a bottle of wine. You let him in with open arms. He compliments your house and the way you look with your hair tied back. Your cat prances in from the living room, purring around his legs and meowing to him. You remark that she is never like this around new people and this must be a good sign. He nods politely and gives her a wink while your back is turned. You lead him to the kitchen and he puts down his stuff, making himself at home. [[There is a man inside your house]].

And he is watching you.