The Man of My Dreams

Chapter Six: The Uneasy Heart

Six months had passed since Mia and Ethan had become a couple, and from the outside, their relationship appeared picture-perfect. They shared laughter and warmth, exploring each other's passions and reveling in the closeness they had developed. Mia felt happier than she had in a long time, but lately, a nagging feeling had settled in the pit of her stomach, one she tried her best to ignore.

One evening, they decided to dine at a cozy Italian restaurant. As they waited for their food, Mia noticed Ethan's gaze lingering on a nearby table where a young waiter was chatting with customers. Ethan's jaw tightened, and his smile faded.

"Is everything okay?" Mia asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, just... I don't like how he's looking at you," Ethan replied, his voice slightly strained. Mia frowned. "He's just being friendly. It's his job."

"Still, it's annoying," Ethan muttered, his tone shifting. "You don't need that kind of attention."

Mia felt a flutter of unease. She dismissed it as protective behavior, but deep down, something felt off. "I can handle myself, you know. You don't have to worry about me."

Ethan forced a smile, but the tension lingered. "Of course. Just looking out for you."

As the weeks rolled by, Mia noticed Ethan's peculiar interest in her daily activities. He had taken to asking about her calendar, wanting to know every detail of her plans. It was flattering at first, but as he began to ask more probing questions, it started to feel invasive.

"Mia, what's this dinner with Neal about?" Ethan asked one evening, glancing at her phone as she scrolled through her calendar.

"It's just a catch-up," she replied lightly. "He's my best friend."

"Yeah, but you two seem pretty close," Ethan said, his tone hinting at something darker. "I just don't want you to get too wrapped up in that."

Mia felt her heart race. "Neal and I have been friends for years. You know that."

"I know, but I can't help but feel like he has other intentions," Ethan said, the edge in his voice palpable.

"Neal would never! Mia shot back, trying to mask her irritation. Yet, in the back of her mind, that familiar unease began to creep in again.

Ethan's gaze softened, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made her feel small. "I just want you to be happy. I want to protect you."

Despite his affection, Mia found herself growing increasingly uncomfortable with Ethan's reactions. It was as if he viewed her life as something to control rather than share.

Another evening, they went to a local art show. As Mia admired a piece, she felt Ethan's presence shift beside her. "You seem to really like this one," he said, his voice a mix of admiration and something darker.

"It's beautiful," Mia replied, turning to him. "Don't you think?"

He hesitated, then shrugged. "Yeah, but I wonder why you're drawn to it. I mean, you could have painted something like this."

Mia's brows knitted together. "What do you mean? Just because I'm with you doesn't mean I can't appreciate other artists.

Ethan's eyes darkened momentarily before he flashed a smile. "Of course. I just want you to focus on what really matters."

As the days passed, Mia began to notice a pattern-Ethan's protective nature was slipping into obsession. He would often show up unexpectedly at places he knew she would be, and though she tried to brush it off, the feeling of being monitored settled like a weight on her chest.

Despite the growing discomfort, Mia was still deeply in love. Ethan had a way of making her feel cherished, and his affection felt intoxicating. But every time that gut feeling stirred within her, she found herself pushing it aside, convincing herself that love was messy and complicated.

One afternoon, while scrolling through her phone, Mia saw a photo of Ethan posted on social media-a candid shot of him with friends, looking carefree. She smiled but felt an odd pang of jealousy. Why did he seem so at ease with others, yet so tense around her?

When she mentioned it to him later that day, his expression shifted. "You shouldn't feel jealous, Mia. You're the one I care about most," he said, but there was an edge to his words that made her pause.

"Why would I feel jealous?" she replied, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm happy for you!"

"Good," he said, his smile returning but not reaching his eyes. "Just remember that."

Mia brushed off the remark, but the unease remained. Each day, she felt torn between the love she had for Ethan and the instinct that something was amiss. But for now, she chose to focus on the joy he brought her, hoping that her gut feeling was simply a fleeting shadow, one that would disappear with time.