A DANGEROUS ENTICEMENT

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my breathing was shallow. There was no way he could be serious, right? But the look on his face to

was starting to feel a sense of dread creeping up on me. This didn't feel right. Bu

to pay for it." He handed me a card, and I could feel the weight of it in my hand. "Call me if you're still inter

erchief as she walks up to me, the heat of the day beating down on us. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I did talk to the boss," I said,

hat I would see the pity and sadness in her eyes. I didn't want her to see me cry. I felt like a

ng over and over in my head. He had been so cruel, so dismissive. How could he treat me like that? "We're going in there and getting my stuff," Mira said, determination

ection of my boss's office. It was Mira's voice, raised in anger. She was arguing with him, her voice full of passion and conviction. I could hear Mr. Kai's v

had to get her out of there. I grabbed her arm and pulled her out the door, my grip tight. She tried to pull away, but I held on. I knew she wa

my mind!" I could feel her struggling against my grip, but I held on tight. I knew that if I let her

else. We can make it on our own." I kept my grip on Mira's arm, trying to calm her down. I could feel her beginning

It's a silly, useless job anyway," she said. I felt a

nto a sly smile, and I knew she had a plan brewing in her head. I looked at her, trying to read her expression, bu

smile as I said it. Mira had a mischievous streak, and whenever she smiled like that

leeve." She grinned and shook her head. "You're not getting anything out of me! I'm not spilling

at handsome guy who came into the restaurant yesterday. You two seemed pretty cozy. What were yo

t rising in my cheeks. "And as for you saying you saw us together, I hav

Mira asked, h

ant. I could tell that my response was only making Mira more curi

....

cent of the roses on the windowsill, and the faint smell of wood polish from the furniture. It was

wing that she was right. My apartment had a warmth and comfort that was hard to find elsewh

stioned. Her voice was gentle, but I could hear the concern beneath the surface. I took a deep breath,

f to look at Mira, knowing that my eyes would betray my sadness. I felt tears welling up, and I tried to

I tried to explain as best I could. "The doctors said it was a rare form of cancer, and that it would be difficult to treat. They're still run

lord, telling him that my mom had cancer just to get out of being evicted. I felt like a horrible pers

rting hug. I knew she was trying to make me feel better, but it was hard to shake the guilt and regret I was feeling. "I only told my landlord

ook a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "He knows about my mom's cancer. He even knows my na

How?" she a

even offered me a job that pays $50,000 a month!" Mira's jaw dropped, and I could tell that she was shock

Mira's eyes were wide, her face a mixture of surprise and ex

t made me stop and think." Mira's expression was serious,

g slightly. "I asked him what the condition was, and he told me to call him if I wan

e with disbelief. "What kind of condition?" I could tell she was nervo