Page 53 of Taking Adalisa

Now it’s giving my boss enough heads up that she can find a replacement for those two weeks and also securing my new apartment and moving my stuff over there. I’m going to rent a storage unit for a month or two to keep my stuff that I can’t move into the apartment right away. Someday I’ll be back to get those once I move them.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I mutter to myself and walk out of the bathroom.

I don’t want to be at work today. I want to crawl back into my bed and sleep for the rest of the day and night. But nothing in life is ever easy or goes my way. I sit in my chair behind the counter and lean back, looking at the front door for any potential customers.

This is getting into our slump, where we don’t have to be open all day, but my boss wants us to. Or well, it’s just me since Margery is still missing. Is she all right? Matthias said she was, and that he could take me to her when he could, but I’m still worried.“Have you eaten since I last saw you?” Matthias asks as he walks into the shop.

I sigh and look down at my hands. Why did he have to be here? Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?

“Adalisa, answer me.” He steps right in front of me.

I look up, my eyes slightly widening. How did he get to me so fast and quietly? He can’t teleport. Was I really that out of it not to hear him?

“Adalisa,” he gently says, placing a hand under my chin. “Did you eat last night when you got home, and did you eat breakfast this morning?” he questions, concerned.

“Yes, I did.”

I didn’t eat much last night since I didn’t have a lot in my fridge, but it was enough to tide me over to this morning. One egg and a piece of toast. That is all I had for breakfast. Thankfully, I’m not much of a breakfast person, so it was just enough for me. Sadly, I don’t have anything for lunch or dinner, and I know I will be suffering for that.

“And lunch?” He raises an eyebrow like he knows.

I stay silent as I look at him, knowing he already knows.

“Adalisa.” His voice drops an octave.

“I don’t, but it’s okay. I’ll grab groceries on my way home and make something tonight, and I’ll leftovers for work tomorrow,” I rant, unable to stop myself.

Matthias cups my face, and I melt into his touch. Oh, I love his hands around my face. It makes me feel so safe and secure, like nothing can happen to me. When was the last time I felt this way with someone?

Never.

I’ve never felt this way and feeling it with Matthias of all people is freaking me out a little. I shouldn’t feel this comfortable around him. I shouldn’t feel this safe around him, and yet I do.

“That won’t do,” he murmurs. “I won’t have you going without a meal.”

I pull my face from his hands. “I won’t eat anything you bring me.”

He sighs. “I know. Not even if it’s a cup of noodles I got from the store that hasn’t been opened? You can put the water on it after I give it to you sealed.”

I look at him, trying to figure out why he cares so much. I’ve never had anyone worry about how much I eat or when I eat before.

“Are you trying to poison me?” I blurt, my eyes going wide.

I push my chair back, flinging myself away from Matthias. If anyone knew how to get poison into food without it being detected, it would be Matthias. He said his job isn’t the best, and now he wants to make sure I eat.

No.

I won’t have this happen again. Gone are all the safe and comfortable feelings, and now I am petrified.

“Woah.” Matthias holds his hands up. “I’m not trying to poison you. I promise. I wouldn’t do that to you. Not ever. I want you to be healthy, and skipping meals isn’t good for you. You need the nutrition.”

“And a cup of noodles is going to give me that?” I raise an eyebrow.

“It’s better than nothing.” He shrugs. “I don’t want you to go without food. I want your stomach to be full, so you can properly do your job and not feel exhausted. I want you to be the best version of yourself.”

My mouth hangs open as I stare at him. That was not what I was expecting him to say.

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