A bit of a dilemma --

Let's say one has the habit of staring intently at random things while kinda zoning out. And, one of the objects that one stares at sometimes is the pendant on a necklace worn by a certain woman.

After about a year, it suddenly dawns on one that such staring would amount to well, significant creepiness (to put it mildly) and has likely been noted by the woman in question since she appears to pull her blouse upwards ever so often.

Would the woman's discomfort decrease or increase if one were to bring it up and apologize profusely (while of course stopping above-mentioned behavior in both cases)?

Would your answer change if said woman is one's therapist?

Totally hypothetical of course, or you know, asking for a friend.

[The.mortification.never.ends]