Chapter <b>276 </b>


    Gai was waiting for me. “Do you want to go with me to that new deli that opened up around the corner for lunch?”


    “No, thank you,” I said in a shaky voice. “I, uh, have to run an errand.” I grabbed my purse.


    Gai’s brow furrowed. She stepped closer to me and lowered her voice. “Is everything alright?”


    The concern in her eyes made my heart warm. “Yes,” I said, wishing I could confide in her, but knowing it was too dangerous. “I’m fine. I have to run, though. Maybe we can try the deli tomorrow.”


    I walked away on shaking legs.


    My mind raced as I rushed to the pharmacy. I knew that I was freaking out more than I should be because my life felt like it was spiraling out of control, but I couldn’t calm myself down. Maybe buying emergency contraception would help me feel like I was getting control back over the situation.


    “I need to buy, um, n B, please,” I told the pharmacist at the


    counter.


    I didn’t know why I felt so embarrassed. I was a grown woman just protecting herself. The older woman who sold me the medicine smiled when she handed me that bag, but it still felt like she was judging me. As I walked out, my neck heated in shame. Even though I knew that it was only in my head that it felt like everyone was staring at me, that still didn’t lessen my embarrassment.


    000%


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    285 Vouchers


    I blushed. “Um, no, thank you.”


    “Suit yourself,” she said. “Anyways, I was actually calling to invite you to a ball next Friday. There will be a bunch of celebrities there.”


    It was still my goal towork more, so I agreed.


    As I opened the n B package, I heard footsteps behind me.


    I froze. Everyone was supposed to be at lunch. And those footsteps sounded familiar…


    I turned around, and my stomach flipped. Alexander was standing there, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed..Just from the smirk on his face, I knew that he had overheard my conversation with Rose.


    I pushed the contraception package back in the stic bag.


    “So,st night was great?” he asked, his grin growing even wider.


    “You’re afraid you will be addicted to it? I’m ttered, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”


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