He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Orders came in. Coffee machines hissed. Conversations happened around me and, strangely, with me. Tessa stayed close; talking,

asking questions and laughing. Like the other day never happened.

It was… strange, but I wasn’t stupid. I let it happen. But I noted it. And by the time we started closing, the energy had settled into –

something quieter.

We were cleaning when Tessa spoke to me again.

“So… is your boyfriend picking you up today?”

I turned so fast I almost knocked something over.

“Wait,” I said immediately. “Wait. No. He’s not my boyfriend.”

The reaction came out sharper than intended. But I didn’t take it back.

“Yes, he’s coming,” I added. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh. Nothing,” she said quickly, like she hadn’t just asked the question..

Silence stretched for a second.

Then, “So did you two meet then?”

There it was.

The dreaded question.

“How are you close to someone as good-looking as that?” she added. “Like, where do you get the confidence?”

Confidence?

If only she knew.

I opened my mouth but nothing came ou

What exactly was I supposed to say?

“Oh, you know. Was wrongly kidnapping, now I have to deal with strict surveillance and occasional light chaos.”

I hesitated with my response, still thinking of what to say. But just then, luck shined.

Or something close to it.

The cafe door opened. Heads turned and the air shifted… not the good kind.

Mabel.

Of course.

She walked in like the space belonged to her- which, technically, it did as I had later confirm that the owner/manager of the cafe

was truly her uncle.

Two girls followed behind her, both already scanning the room like they were here for entertainment. Meanwhile, Mabel’s eyes

landed on me immediately.

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