Page 55 of Taking Adalisa

Be a good girl for me. Don’t get into any trouble and shut the store for an hour or two to eat. -

CHAPTER 21

ADALISA

“And I can pay in cash?” I ask over the phone.

“Yes, you can pay cash for however long you need. I don’t need your name,” the man replies. “We have a room available now if you want it.”

I look around my apartment. I didn’t want to do this so fast, but Matthias isn’t giving me any other option. Him showing up at work earlier today and asking questions isn’t what I thought was going to happen.

Nope.

I was hoping he would leave me alone today, which really shocked me when he showed up. I should have known. Matthias won’t leave me alone. That’s why I’m moving and changing my appearance so he can’t do anything to me.

“I would love that. I can be there in an hour. I just need to grab a couple of things,” I gently say. “Is that all right? Can you hold the room for me? I promise I’m good for payment for at least a month. And I can pay upfront if you need me to.”

I really need the room. I need to lay low and change my appearance when I get there.

“I’ll hold the room for you,” is all he says. “Come by tonight and I’ll give you a key.”

“Thank you,” I reply before he hangs up.

I take a deep breath and look around my apartment. What do I need right now that I won’t be able to get later? I can’t risk coming back to my apartment so soon when I know Matthias will be looking for me.

Toiletries and clothes.

Along with all the charging cords I need, appliances to go with those cords, and any spices for cooking.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I whisper to myself. “Everything is going to work out, and I’m going to be safe.”

But I have this bad feeling in my stomach that I can’t shake. A feeling like I’m not going to be safe. One I’ve felt too many times.

“No,” I push those thoughts out of my mind. “Not today. Not tomorrow.”

I quickly go around the house, putting the necessary things in my duffel bag. I’m packing light in case I need to run. I won’t be able to leave my stuff in the new place I’m staying. When I first called, the landlord said anything left in the apartment will be sold if I don’t pay rent on time. I’m not going to let that happen.

Taking one last look around the room, I take a deep breath and leave my apartment.

“Thank you so much.Here’s a month’s rent.” I hand over the cash.

It was a lot of cash, but I don’t want to forget and leave for work and lose all my possessions. I’m not going to risk it.

The older man looks at me and grabs the cash. “A girl like you shouldn’t be in this part of town. You in trouble, girlie?”

I look around the lobby, checking if anyone else is in here. No one is, and I relax a little.

“Not in trouble,” I quietly say, just in case someone is around the corner listening. What if Matthias has people in this building? “Are you running from someone?” he asks, holding the key to the room.

I want to reach over and grab it from him, but I don’t need to get on his bad side. I need to be patient and let him hand it over to me.

“Do you always ask these questions? I thought this place would be safe. No names, pay in cash, and no questions,” I rush out, looking around the lobby again.

On the way here, I was looking at my area, making sure Matthias wasn’t following me. I have no idea what his men look like and if they are following me, but I didn’t think anyone was.

I don’t know what I’m doing here. I’m in way over my head, drowning with each passing second as I try to stay out of his reach.

“You’re okay, girlie. No names, pay in cash, and normally I don’t ask questions. Normally, the people coming here don’t look like you. You are young and have been looking around the lobby like someone is coming after you. I want to make sure you are safe,” he says, holding his hands up. “You remind me of my daughter.”

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