Page 28 of Taking Adalisa

“You being friends with someone butt ugly? I don’t think so. You aren’t mean, and you just attract hot men. You always will. They take one look at you and know you are everything they need and want.” Margery smirks brightly. “I don’t know how you aren’t dating or married.”

I shrug. “Haven’t found the right person yet.”

“And you will… eventually. You just need to take a leap of faith. Maybe your friend is the right person for you. Have you guys tried dating before?” she asks.

“No, we haven’t. He’s wanted to, but I don’t want to ruin the friendship if anything happens,” I lie.

How big is this lie going to get?

Margery places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “I think you should really think about it and then decide. Maybe you should have a conversation and let him know that. I know a lot of people who were friends before, started dating, didn’t work out, and are still great friends to this day.”

“Okay, fine. Maybe I’ll message him and see if we can meet up this weekend to talk about things,” I lie once again.

I have no intention of messaging him. If anything, this weekend I am going to come up with a plan on how to get away and be undetected. Someone in New York has to know what to do and where to go, so he can’t find me.

How much cash do I have in my bank? I’m going to have to withdraw all of it since I won’t be able to work. Maybe I can tell my boss I’m going on a little vacation and lay low that way. Then, when he is looking for me, I can stay away and come back to work a few months later. I could change my hair color and appearance to make myself look different.

He won’t know that.

“Good. I really think you should do this. I don’t think you will regret it,” she gently says.

I hope I don’t.

CHAPTER 10

ADALISA

Several days have gone by without hearing from Matthias. Maybe he has forgotten about me. Maybe leaving the apartment before I normally do, not wearing the bracelet, and keeping a distance from the places I normally go—not my work though—has kept him away from me.

That is what I like to think, but he could have just been busy. Maybe this is the perfect time to leave on my mini-vacation to get away from him. It has to be, but I can’t just leave, not when Margery needs me and especially not when work is starting to get busy.

“I think someone is following me,” Margery whispers from next to me.

My eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“I think someone is stalking me. Leaving me presents. I can feel their stare.” She looks at me, worry painted all over her face.

“How much sleep have you gotten?” I ask.

“Just a couple of hours last night since I got another stuffed animal. I brought it in, and it just kept staring at me. I don’t know what to do. They are all the same stuffed zebra,” she rambles.

“All the same color? Everything is the same?” I look in her direction. “Maybe they had a mix up at the store and you got another one by mistake. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. He’s going to come forward soon.”

She shakes her head, wrapping her arm around herself.

“Take some sleeping pills tonight and get some rest. Do you want to go home and sleep?” I ask. “I can look after the shop if you want. Boss doesn’t have to know you weren’t here.”

“I can’t. I shouldn’t. I need to be here and I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts,” she mumbles.

“But you need your sleep. Maybe you should get some food. Fill your belly up with something warm and then go to sleep. I think that will help,” I suggest. “But I really think you should go home and sleep. Maybe you should take a vacation.”

If she takes a vacation, then it means I wouldn’t be able to, but Margery looks pretty rough. Out of the two of us, she needs it more. And it will give me more time to think everything through. Get everything in order so I can get the most out of my escape.

“I don’t know,” she whispers, looking at me, unsure.

“Have you called the police?” I ask.

“Yes, I have. They told me it was just a secret admirer and to let it run its course. But I don’t think it is. This is different.” Her voice contains a note of panic.

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