Celeste
"That soon?" I ask Matthew, aghast. I check the calendar by the front door, realizing the date. My eyes widen. I return to the kitchen, pacing. "You're right. That's the last day of the month. Time eluded me. What's your proposition?"
"I need you to stay home during the strike. I don't want you to participate in the strike."
Taken aback, my head jerks as I stop pacing and stare at Matthew, wondering if I heard him correctly. He completely subverted my expectations, threw me a plot twist. I furrow my brows, worrying that this is a test, even more worried that I am going to fail if I don't answer carefully. When he begins walking toward me I recede backwards until I hit the counter. He grabs my upper arms, grip firm, fingers digging into my skin.
"Once the strike breaks out, me
