Page 15 of Taking Adalisa

ADALISA

Isuck in a deep breath as I stare at Matthias, not knowing what to say or do. I’ve tried telling him he can’t be in here, but he’s obviously not paying attention. I can’t go to the police since he said they will act as if nothing is happening.

Who do I go to?

I can’t tell Margery about it. She wouldn’t understand that I can’t go to the police. They are in so many people’s pockets; I don’t trust them.

No.

I can’t and won’t do it.

“Let’s go have breakfast,” he says. “I know a place just around the corner.”

“No,” I state. “I am not getting breakfast with you. I need to get ready for work, and you are not part of it. I don’t want to see you again.”

His face hardens as he looks at me and my mouth drops open on a gasp. Okay, not the right thing to say, but I need him to understand that he can’t just walk all over me. That he can’t just declare that I am his and expect me to roll over and be okay with it.

I’m not.

I never will be.

“You will come out to eat with me before you work,” he declares.

“No, I won’t. I will kick and scream the whole way and make a scene if you drag me there,” I fire back, not giving in.

He inhales deeply, keeping his eyes on me. We stare at each other for a while, not a word passing between us.

“I promise I’ll make a scene,” I tell him again, wanting him to really know I mean business.

He smiles.

He fucking smiles.

“Good. You making a scene won’t bother me,” he states, and my mouth falls open again.

“It… it won’t?” I ask.

“No, it won’t. Everyone knows who I am. It won’t do anything. They know not to interfere if I am with someone.” He smirks and cocks his head to the side. “Did you really think it would deter me? Oh, baby, you are so wrong.”

Tears prick my eyes, and I blink them away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down in front of him.

“It’s okay,” he whispers. “Everything is going to be okay. You can come peacefully, or you can kick and scream like you said. Either way, you are coming to breakfast with me.”

I clench my jaw as I glare at him.

Pick your battles.

I need to be wise about this until I have a way to get out. I need to come up with a plan. Maybe I can move somewhere he won’t be able to find me and lay low for a little while until he forgets about me. Margery won’t understand, but maybe if I tell her I’m going on a vacation, one I really need, she’ll understand.

“Okay,” I whisper, forcing the next couple of words out of me. “I’ll come with you.”

Am I really doing this? Am I really about to go to breakfast with someone who claims I am theirs and won’t hear anything else?

Yes, I am, and I can’t do anything about it. I could try and make a scene like I said I would. But if he is telling the truth, then I’m just wasting energy that I could be saving for something else. I am going to need this energy at a later date, I can tell.

“Good. Let’s get dressed,” he says as he pushes away from the wall and walks out of the bathroom, leaving me alone.

I take several deep breaths, trying to calm myself as I think over the situation. I didn’t think putting on the bracelet would make him possessive of me like this.

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