As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow across the sky, Sancho closed the workshop and set off toward  Jack's house. The streets were quiet, with only the sound of Sancho's footsteps echoing against the smooth, worn cobblestones.

He arrived at Jack's doorstep a few minutes later and rapped his knuckles against the wooden door. It creaked open, and Christina's smiling face greeted him.

"Sancho, I knew you would come," she said warmly.

Sancho entered Jack's room, the scent of fresh flowers and clean linen filling his nose. He grinned at Jack, who lay propped up in bed.

"Jack, how are you feeling? You look much better," he said, surveying the room. The soft light filtering through the curtains gave the room a peaceful, serene feeling.

Jack replied, "I'm good, my friend. You know me."

Sancho nodded and chuckled, noticing how Christina's careful attention had made the room feel like a sanctuary. "Yes, I can see that. Is it Christina's magic, or what?" he joked.

Christina's gentle smile indicated that she had heard the jest, and she replied, "Jack is strong by nature. He doesn't need magic to rejuvenate."

The warm and inviting atmosphere in the room made it easy for them to chat, and Sancho felt relieved to see his friend back to his old self. They talked for a couple of hours, and as they were getting ready to leave, Jack asked Sancho to stay a little longer to discuss some work-related matters.

Sancho sat in front of Jack, watching as his friend nervously checked the front door. When Jack returned to the bed, Sancho could see the fear etched into his face. The dim light from the bedside candle cast shadows across the room, heightening the sense of unease.

"Sancho, I want to tell you something strange that I've noticed lately about Christina," Jack said, his voice trembling. 

Sancho's eyes widened in concern, and he leaned forward toward  Jack. "You worried me, my friend. What a strange thing you want to tell me?" Sancho's face furrowed, and his eyebrows drew together in a look of deep concern.

Jack took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to find the words to explain what was happening. "Well, do you remember that nightmare I saw?" he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sancho's eyes grew even wider as he nodded slowly. "Yes, I remember him well. Is it that nightmare?" he asked, his voice filled with apprehension.

Jack nodded, his throat dry with fear. "Yes, it's about that nightmare and Christina as well. I noticed something very strange." He paused, trying to steady his breathing. "The more I saw Christina, the more I felt the scenes of that nightmare dominate my mind. I had a fit of fear, and when I don't see her, his scenes disappear from my mind as if I had never seen him. That's strange."

Sancho's brow furrowed even deeper as he contemplated Jack's words. "I think I know why this is happening to you, my friend," he said slowly, his voice thoughtful. "You love Christina so much, and you meet every day on the beach. She's completely taken over your mind, so you have to reduce the number of appointments you have with her. For example, you can schedule an appointment every week to meet on the beach, instead of every day. I think this will make you better, and your relationship even better."

Jack nodded slowly, his mind racing with the implications of Sancho's words. "I think you're right," he said quietly, his eyes fixed on Sancho's face. "I'll tell Christina about it. I will implement your plan, Sancho."

Sancho smiled, his face filled with relief. "I'm glad I could help," he said warmly. "You'll see, everything will be okay."

The next day, Jack trudged wearily along the winding path that led to the beach. The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of deep orange and pink. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, a combination of the physical exhaustion from the day's workshop and the nervous anticipation of his meeting with Christina.

As he neared the beach, the sound of the waves grew louder and louder, a soothing rhythm that seemed to match the beating of his heart. The salty scent of the sea filled his nostrils, and he could taste the faint tang of salt on his lips.

He saw Christina sitting on the sand, her long hair whipping in the breeze. The golden light of the setting sun bathed her face, making her seem almost ethereal. Jack's heart skipped a beat as he approached her, feeling a surge of emotion rising within him.

The waves crashed against the shore with a steady, rhythmic beat, the sound like a lullaby that seemed to lull Jack into a sense of calm. The seagulls called out overhead, their shrill cries piercing the peaceful quiet.

As he wrapped his arms around her from behind, Jack felt the softness of her skin and the warmth of her body against his. The scent of her hair, a sweet, floral aroma, filled his senses.

"Christina, I love you," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of the waves. "Do you love me as much as I love you?"

Her eyes sparkled with affection as she turned to face him, taking his hand in hers. "I love you more than words can say, Jack," she said, her voice soft and gentle.

As they sat there together, Jack felt a sense of serenity wash over him. The sun sank lower and lower, casting the sky in a deep shade of orange and red. The air grew cooler, and a gentle breeze blew in from the sea.

Taking a deep breath, Jack spoke the words that had been on his mind all day. "There's something I want to talk to you about," he said. "I think maybe we should start meeting at the beach just once a week, instead of every day."

Christina's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded thoughtfully. "You think that would be good for us?"

"I do," he said, smiling. "I think it'll make our time together even more special."

******

It had been a month since Jack made the decision to change his relationship with Christina, but his mind was still plagued by haunting images every time he saw her. The nightmares were so vivid that it felt like he was living them over and over again. The sound of her voice and the sight of her face triggered a sense of fear and unease within him that he couldn't explain.

At lunchtime, Jack sat with Sancho, the cafeteria bustling with the sounds of chatter and clinking silverware. As he bit into his sandwich, Sancho prodded, "So, how are things with Christina?"

Jack's stomach churned. He wasn't ready to confront the issue yet. He stared down at his food for a moment before responding, "I'm still figuring things out."

Sancho didn't drop it. "And the nightmares? Are they still haunting you?"

Jack's mind flashed with the terrifying images of his nightmares, causing his body to tense up. He forced a smile and replied, "They're gone."

But Sancho could tell that Jack was lying. He knew his friend well enough to see through the facade. "Jack, I know something's not right. You can tell me anything."

Finally, Jack relented. "The truth is, Sancho, nothing's changed. I still see those scenes every time I'm with her. I don't know what to do."

The hum of the cafeteria faded away as Jack spoke, the weight of his confession heavy on his chest. Sancho reached out and placed a comforting hand on Jack's shoulder, the warmth of his touch a grounding force. "Have you tried talking to her about it? Maybe she can help."

Jack shook his head, the thought of opening up to Christina about his nightmares daunting. "I don't want her to think I'm crazy. I don't even know why this is happening."

Sancho's gaze softened with understanding. "You're not crazy, Jack. And we'll figure it out together."

******

One bright morning, Jack rose early and ventured outside into the cool, refreshing air that filled his lungs with invigorating energy. His mind was set on making a significant decision he had been contemplating for weeks. The intense struggle of trying to suppress his feelings for Christina had taken a toll on him, and he knew he needed to take action. Jack had finally resolved to marry her and build a life together, and he wanted his friend Sancho's opinion before sharing the news with Christina.

He made his way to the workshop where he found Sancho fully immersed in his work, focused and determined. Jack could not contain his excitement and walked over to his friend with a broad grin on his face, eager to share his news. 

"Sancho, I have good news for you," Jack exclaimed with a quiver of excitement in his voice.

Sancho looked up from his work, his eyes inquisitive. "Tell me, Jack, what's the good news? You seem very excited about it."

Jack took a deep breath and approached Sancho, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I've made a decision to marry Christina," he announced, his heart racing with anticipation.

Sancho's face instantly lit up with a broad smile of pure joy. "Wow! That's amazing news! Congratulations, my friend. This is incredible news, did you already tell Christina about it?"

Jack shook his head, "No, I haven't yet. I'll wait for her to finish work, and then we'll go together to the beach and share the news. But, I wanted you to be the first to know."

Sancho nodded, his eyes beaming with happiness for his friend. "That sounds like a fantastic plan. I'm genuinely thrilled for you, Jack. Christina is a remarkable woman, and I'm sure you two will have a wonderful life together."

*******

The sun was high in the sky, casting its golden light on the bustling streets of the small village where Christina worked. The air was filled with the fresh scent of fruits and vegetables that Christina had been arranging in the store. As she worked, Christina gazed outside the window, taking in the lively scene outside. Suddenly, a commotion caught her attention, and she turned her head to see a group of people gathered around a figure outside. Their excited voices reached her ears.

"What a beautiful young girl! I've never seen a girl as gorgeous as she is before!" said a woman, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Is she from this village? For the first time in my life, I have seen a girl as beautiful as her," added a man, his voice filled with wonder.

Christina's curiosity piqued, and she decided to investigate. She stepped out of the store and was met with the sight of a stunning young girl. Her long blond hair cascaded down her back, and her wheat-colored skin glowed in the warm sunlight. Her striking green eyes were like blades of grass, and they were accentuated by a flowing, princess-like gown that draped her lithe figure. The girl looked confused and was searching frantically, as if looking for something she had lost. Christina approached her with a friendly smile.

"Can I help you?" Christina asked kindly.

The girl replied, "I'm looking for my necklace. It was on my neck a few moments ago, and when I checked for it, it was gone. It's a gift from my father, and I've been carrying it with me for many years. I can't leave without it; I have to find it."

Christina empathized with the girl's distress. She had a similar necklace that her grandfather had given her, and she knew how much it meant to her. "I'll help you find it," Christina said with determination.

Christina scoured the dusty street with her eyes fixed on the ground, trying to spot any signs of the missing necklace. The sun beat down on her, and she felt beads of sweat trickling down her neck. She had been searching for hours, but there was no sign of the necklace. Just as she was about to give up, she spotted the girl sitting on a nearby bench, her head hung low in disappointment. Christina approached her with a kind smile.

"Any luck?" the girl asked, her voice tinged with hope.

Christina shook her head, her heart heavy. "Not yet, but I won't stop looking until we find it."

The girl's eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "Thank you so much. It means everything to me."

Christina suggested they take a break and go inside the store to cool off from the scorching heat. As they pushed open the door, a blast of cool air hit them, sending shivers down their spines. Christina's eyes scanned the store, taking in the array of colorful items on the shelves. The scent of fresh produce and fragrant flowers filled the air, making her feel invigorated.

She noticed a box of oranges on a nearby shelf, their bright orange hues catching her eye. The juicy fruit looked refreshing and tempting. But as she reached for the box, something shiny glinted in the corner of her eye. Intrigued, she approached the box and sifted through the oranges, her heart pounding in her chest. And there it was - the missing necklace, lying in the midst of the fruit.

"Girl! I think I found your necklace!" Christina exclaimed, holding up the piece of jewelry. The girl's eyes widened with amazement, and she rushed over to Christina, tears streaming down her face. She threw her arms around Christina and squeezed her tight, her sobs echoing through the store.

"Thank you, thank you so much," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. Christina felt a surge of satisfaction and happiness.

Christina waved away the girl's thanks, but the girl insisted on giving her a gift in return. She pulled out a ring from her pocket, and Christina's breath caught in her throat. The ring was a work of art, with delicate etchings and a sparkling red gemstone at its center. She felt a thrill of excitement as she slid the cool metal onto her finger, reveling in the sensation of the smooth metal against her skin. It was a perfect fit, as if it had been made for her.

"This is mine, it's cool. I've never done anything worthy of a gift like this," Christina said, admiring the ring. But the girl smiled and shook her head.

"You deserve more because you gave me my necklace, which is part of my life," she said.

Christina hugged the girl once more, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment spreading through her. As they parted ways, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to make a difference in someone's life. She made her way back to the store, the ring glinting in the sunlight, and felt a sense of satisfaction and joy that stayed with her long after the encounter was over.