Novels by Miriam Mavuzi

"We have nothing left because of him." Dad said, staring at the ground. "I can't believe I trusted him that much.""Who is it, dad?" I asked."None other than your very own half brother, slash cousin, slash no relation at all, Francis.""What?" I asked. "What is he looking for? He wants to make money out of Toko Village meanwhile he is stealing from us and still gets a basic salary on top of that. How can someone love money this much? So much that you'd steal from your own..."Alice and Yoké joined us, they had heard the news too."I knew that that sneaky guy was dodgy." Alice said as she stopped behind the couch Delilah was sitting on and leaned on it.

Uma was awake, and as soon as we entered his ward and he saw us, he smiled, looked away and began sobbing. He covered his hand over his eyes and sobbed. "Aww." We chorused in unison, as if we had planned to. "Don't cry babe." He's girlfriend, Esther said, quickly walk-runned to him. She sat on the side of his bed and hugged him. She hugged him for a while as he continued crying. "We are here..." She told him, she looked sad too. "We love you and we'll always be here for you." Yoké stood behind next to his bed, the opposit side to where Esther was and placed his hands on the cotside. I came over to her side and she stood up to let

I stopped at the door way before entering the living room. He was in a navy blue suit, standing next to the couch, instead of sitting. Rosalie had just brought him his drink. He briefly pointed towards the table where she was supposed to place his drink. I went to sit on the couch opposite the one dad was standing next to. Yoké stayed at the room door post and leaned against it.Dad paced to and fro and stopped where he had started."So we've lost more than half of our clients..." Dad said, voice still powerful although the sad message.I kept quiet and watched him."We've lost most of our projects we were busy with, the clients asked to cancel their contracts or else they'd take us to court. Most of our employees, has resigned because they see the downfall. They know that we won't be able to pay them. Only the loyal ones remain."He then shrugged. "Maybe they're not even loyal. Maybe they are just

We stopped a block away from the motel just incase there were people put in place by Nathan to watch Yoké. But we could see the motel from here. It was a cheap old building. So cheap that the light of the ‘M’ in ‘Motel was flickering so bad that you’d think it would just die any moment. “So what will happen is you’ll give me Nathan’s phone so that when I get in, I can ask him which room number he is at.” The woman half turned to talk to me.“But I’m going in with you.” I told her.She shook her head. “I may not have been entirely loyal to your father but I’m not bad enough of a worker to put your life in potential danger.”“What do you mean danger? I’m—”“I have a gun. Although I’m going in there alone, I know how to defend myself up to a certain point. We don’t know whether Nathan’s men are in there, or around here, in some building, possibly watching us right now. What happens if they fire at us?”“They’ll never fire at me—”“You d

"Yoké...""Gen— Genesis is that— oh my, are you okay?”“I’m fine Yoké. I’m fine.”“What— how did you— Did Nathan put you on the phone with me?”“No Yoké. You don’t ever have to worry about Nathan ever again. He’s in custody…”“Nathan is in custody?”“He’s gone. He’ll never stand between us again. It’s all good now.”“No, no, no Geny. You don’t know Nathan, he’ll never be ‘gone’. You have to hang up right now and never call this number again.”“I’m telling you, my love. It’s over for him. The police have him and my dad knows about him—”“Look Nathan can’t be in custody. We have a— Look, I’m sorry Geny but you and I can’t ever be together. It will never work. Just p

I slammed the car door and fell back on the back seat. The woman, who was supposed to shut the already shut door for me gave me an unbelievable look and then got into the driver's seat."So what happened to your twin? Isn't he going to come with us?" I asked, bitterly."I understand you're upset that your father won't help you with your boyfriend but you don't have to take it out on me, or the car door." She told me looking back at me.We maintained eye contact for a while until she turned back and fastened her seat belt. She started the car and we were on the road again after a few minutes.I was too angry to care about how much this woman was looking at me in the rear view mirror."What?" I suddenly asked after a while of more rear view eye contact.She suddenly stopped the car causing me to fall forward and hit against her seat."Hey!" I shouted as I sat back in my seat. "Are you crazy?""Look, I'm not sure whether or not Mr

Preetah We turned around and saw Steve in a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. I was so used to seeing him in his formal clothes that for a second it felt like I was staring at a stranger in our front yard. Still, my heart relaxed just a little. “Ma'am.” He beckoned. “The young lady needed a lift back home, so I gave her one.” The officer informed us. “You should be careful being outside at these times, Miss Kimti.” Who is that? Artha and I exchanged looks. “Thank you for bringing her home safely.” I told the officer. “Good night.” He then turned to Artha, “Stay safe.” She nodded, avoiding eye contact with him. I placed an arm around Artha's shoulders, and we walked inside. “Where’s Arjun?” She asked me. “In the room, sleeping.” “Please don't tell Arjun anything about this.” Artha told Steve. He looked confused but managed something that looked like a nod. Steve closed the gate with his remote as we made it into the house. Artha slowly closed the front door, grimacing

Artha When I looked back, Dean was galloping down his stairs. It didn't take him long to get right behind me. Shit, didn't know he could run so fast. I started running faster when his voice sounded closer. “Will you just listen to me? Just one minute, Artha. Stop, please.” Dean begged. I felt him suddenly grab me and slam my back against his chest. He had my arms in a cross against my chest. “Dean, I am warning you to let me go.” The words came out through clenched teeth. “No.” He sounded sorry. “Bear, please.” “Dean, I said to let me go, otherwise I am going to call my brother right now.” “I won't let you go. Just– please, Artha. I'm– I'm sorry, okay?” He murmured as I tried with all my might to escape his grip. The only part of me I could move were my legs. “I'm gonna call my brother.” I sobbed, feeling overpowered. “I love you so much Artha and I never wanna lose you. If I let you go, I am gonna lose you and I know that. Please forgive me, I was wrong. I really was

ArthaI was kinda glad Dean didn't call me back. This way, he wouldn't scold me for being in an Uber at this time, to his place. I looked at the time on my phone – midnight.I was scared. I had never sneaked out of the house before, and if I got caught... I wasn't really afraid of what dad would do; he was very passive when it came to me. As I grew up, he got less strict and stricter. It was as if he had transferred it all to Arjun.As if they had traded places. Arjun acted more like him and he just... just faded. Faded in every aspect. We spoke

Preetah As soon as Steve stopped in the driveway, Arjun got out and closed the car with a loud bang. “Thank you, Steve.” I said and got out of the car. “Preetah, wait.” Elza called, stepping out too. “Arjun said that Steve must drop you—” “I know. It's not about that.” She said, walking up to me. “Uh... just wanted to say that I am sorry if I offended you.” “Oh, when?” I responded, sarcastically. “When you kept touching my husband or when you asked me to act like a rich man's wife?” “I didn't mean any of it like that.” Why was she apologizing now? Acting different all of a sudden? “Sister to sister, Arjun is married now, I don't do married men.” I frowned at the comment. Not only because she used the word 'sister' but also because she said the word 'now'. With using the word 'now' and how comfortable she was, laying her hands on him, I could read between the lines. “Bye, Elza.” I said, not having anything good to tell her. She called my name again, but I ignored

Artha Me: Come on, they won't be back until really late D: stop Artha. Me: but I really miss you... D: If your brother gets home and doesn't find you, he'll freak. Stay home. Me: Arjun said they will stay for Dinner with Trevor Noah. Please let me come. D: you don't listen, I said no. I rolled my eyes and threw myself back on the bed. Such an uptight boyfriend. I called Bianca to vent but she didn't pick up, she wasn't responding to any of my texts the whole day although she was online. Me: talk to me, please. Dean is being a daddy as usual. Thinking of just showing up to his place. Arjun and P are out. Should I do it? I stared at the message, wondering whether just showing up was a good idea. Bianca was typing, so I waited. This was the first time she was responding to my messages in 24 hours. B: yes, do it. Hurry before they get back. I tried calling Dean, but it told me that he was busy on another call. Dean “Don't come, Bianca, I am not playing with you.” “Well,

Preetah “And no giving out private information about us or what happens in our home.” Arjun added. Each time he kept saying 'and' as if it would be the last rule. He was nervous about tonight. I could see it. It was more about me, making sure I didn't mess anything up. “Don't tell them anything they don't already know about me or my family. Whatever you say, make sure it makes me, and my company look good.” He added. Did he even realize that his family was now mine too? Why would I want to say something that could make the family look bad? “Any questions?” “Uh... I don't think so.” I said, feeling my dress get tighter as if it was shrinking. I placed my palms on my belly and looked down at the black designer dress that revealed my calves. “If they ask you an uncomfortable question that you don't know how to answer, just laugh and look at me, I'll take over.” He went on. “Okay.” “I doubt Trevor would ask a question that could damage my reputation. But still, just stay alert.

"Rebecca?" Elizabeth asked. "Are you okay?" Hunter asked her. She looked mortified but managed to nodd her head. Sylvester took a few steps back and then was caught before he fell backwards. "Sir, are you okay?" One of his men asked him. Sylvester grunted. "I... am shot." He dropped the gun to the floor. The wound was on his left upper arm and was bleeding profusely. Rebecca's palms flung to cover her mouth as she watched the guards rush to provide Sylvester with medical attention. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." Rebecca was shaking. Hunter came to hug her. "It's okay, you didn't pull the trigger, he did." "But still—" "Let's get out of here." Hunter placed an arm around her and they quickely made for the gate. "Rebecca!" Elizabeth was crying behind them. "Get in, get in." Hunter opened the car door for her and then shut it. He could see cars approaching in high speed. "Shit..." There was only one way out of here, and it was the same way the cars were coming, the othe

Sylvester took out his phone and phoned Angelo. It rang and rang. Sylvester thought it would go to voicemail but then he picked up."Hello?" It was a female."Who is this?""You called me, who are you?""I got this number from the card at the reception. Is this not Angelo's gym?""This is Better Life Gym." She responded."Exactly." Sylvester said. "Can you get Angelo on the phone.""I don't know who that is, sir.""Cut the crap lady. I was there yesterday with Rob Holland, the billionaire. Remember me? And then we went down to basement to Angelo. Can you just pass him the phone.""Would you like to know about our membership packages?""Tell Angelo it's about Hunter King."The lady stayed quiet for a while and then sighed. "Hold on."Music started playing on the other side of the line."Shit..." Sylvester said in annoyance. He watched the guards dragging Hunter to the side building."Hello?" At last it was Angelo."It's Sylvester, head of security for Rob Holland and—""Get to the poin

"I guess there's no talking you out of this?" Joe asked. "Like she said, you're so damn stubborn. Really. Gosh!"They were sitting on the edge of bonnet of Fred's car.Hunter looked off into the pitch dark forest. "I don't have a choice, Joe." He whispered. "Look how we're living. Doing this gets all of you immunity.""Maybe there's another way." He placed a hand on Hunter's shoulder."What way?"Joe stared back at him desperately, the desperation was reflected back. "Uh... I don't know."Hunter's face fell and he looked the other way."But we can work something out together. Let's just tell your dad and I am sure he will work something out.""If he had a sollution, we wouldn't have spent almost a week in this cabin. The guy's been in hiding himself for how many years? From the very same person. It's hopeless Joe.""No—""This is the only way.""Getting yourself killed, really? That's the best you could come up with?" Joe scracthed his head roughly. "Maybe we can get money. Like milli

Hunter laid topless on their bed, facing the ceiling. He and Rebecca had just made love and she was now sleeping on top of his chest. "What are you thinking about?" She asked him. He smiled. "Nothing." "You sure?" She looked up at him. "Not thinking about 'sending me back to the palace'?" He frowned and then looked at her. "You were eavesdropping?" "I didn't intent to, but the walls of this cabin aren't that thick. I can hear George snoring right now." "Sorry if it sounded rough." He responded. "Sorry if it looks like I'm getting tired of always being locked up." Hunter scoffed. "Are you being sarcastic?" "Do you remember what you told me while we were still at the warehouse?" "What?" "You said that when everything was over, we'd live a normal life. That you'd stop that work and we'd be together like normal people." "Yeah..." "Well, you left your work, but I just want to know when we will be able to live like normal people again." Hunter sighed. "As soon as your dad pay

"We're not stabbing that man in the back." Rob said as he entered the passenger side of his all black SUV."You know, I don't get it, sir." Sylvester responded. "You're gonna keep choosing Hunter, even if it's over your daughter?" "I am not choosing him over Rebecca, I am trying to protect them both." Rob stood his ground. "Protecting him is not gonna get us far, sir."Rob thought for a few seconds and then responded. "I am not leaving him out to dry. He doesn't deserve it.""He's the reason we're in this mess in the first place. He kidnapped miss Rebecca." Sylvester started the car. "With all due respect, I think you're forgetting that.""You know, you keep saying 'with all due respect' but don't seem to be giving me any. I said we are not turning on Hunter and you should respect that.""My job is to protect your family. I wake up every morning and devote my life to you and your family, sir."Rob sighed and then pinched the space between his eyes and lowered his head. "I know, I kn

"Don't ever look for me because you will never find me. Take care of yours and I will take care of mine. Bye forever." That was the note that had come with the baby.Although George didn't understand the second sentence, he placed the note on their coffee table and took the wailing baby out of Stella's hands. It was his first time carrying a baby, and he feared holding him too tight or not holding him firm enough and drop him. As he tried to craddle the baby, his heart pounded. The baby had light brown skin and not much head hair. His mouth was pink and his wails were woarse."Shh shhh..." George tried walking around the room trying to sooth it. "Is it a boy or a girl?" He asked his mother."It's a boy." George looked at the baby's face and fell in love. "But how could she just leave you like that, little guy?" He asked."Because she's crazy that's why." Stella responded. "She knows you're studying full time and I am working full time. How are we gonna take care

Brian looked back at me sadly. “Ma’am I’m really sorry.” He replied. “I can’t do that. We’ve received strict orders from your father to return with you. The whole country is awaiting your return.” “Please.” I begged him. “I’m sorry ma’am.” I turned to Malcomore. “I’m begging you.” “The boss is in front; I have no right to do anything I’m not ordered.” “I need him, I’m carrying his child.” “I’m sorry ma’am.” He told me. “If it were up to me I would let you stay since you are pregnant and maybe keep supplying you with proper food, water and clothes every week but it’s not up to me-“ “Malcomore do you want to walk all the way back to Duran?” Nathan asked him. “No sir.” “Then shut the hell up.” Nathan said. “She’s my fiancée. Not some village girlfriend.” “Forgive me sir.” Malcomore responded. “She’s still my fiancée.” Nathan replied. “We’ll fix it when we get home. She’ll remember everything soon again when she sees a doctor.” “How do you fix pregnancy?” Brian

“You have to go with them. I'll go to Kuja village. Gamu is right.” “No. What are you saying, Yoké?" I shook my head at him” “We will both run to Kuja village then.” “Please stay safe. I’m leaving now.” Gamu said quickly. “Bye Rena…” She turned to leave hastily. “Gamu.” Yoké called her. She turned back again. “Thank you.” He told her. “Just forgive me for what I’ve done and take care of this baby. Although I still can’t believe you two.” “We will.” Yoké said turning to me. “Bye Rena.” Gamu said. “Bye, friend.” I replied. She gave me a small smile, turned, and left us. “We will take care of this child. You'll leave with the Durans.” Yoké told me. “If you go to Kuja village you won’t be able to hide your pregnancy for too long. Soon they will start noticing and might suspect us. I don’t want to put our baby in danger.” “Baby?” Francis asked me. “Genesis, are you pregnant?” I looked up at him and he was holding a camera towards us with one hand and the other ha

“How could you do this to us, Gamu?” I asked slapping my hands over my mouth as soon as I saw the people she was with. “I’m so sorry Rena..." Gamu told me. She was trembling with fear and shaking her head. Her hair and clothes were damp, and her feet were covered in mud. “You’re sorry?” Yoké asked her angrily stepping out of the hut leaving me at the door. “I’m so sorry but I really had to do this.” Gamu told Yoké. I looked over at the Durans. They were standing with umbrellas and watching me. They were four. It was the same three people that had come the last time plus one more. The new man was a tall brunette and was wearing a black suit. He looked so superior compared to the others. For a second, I thought it was my father, but he was too young to be my father. He looked in his late 20's. When he saw me, his eyes popped. “Genesis?” The man said taking a step forward towards me. “Genesis Leticia Roseburg…” I looked back at Gamu. “Why did you bring them here, Gamu?" “Becaus

I shook my head and more tears fell that he couldn’t catch in time. “We’ll both stay out of it.” “Without you everyone will back out, I will do everything in my power to keep the group together. And they won’t even know that you are not with us because I will lead them to the cliff, and I will speak in your place.” “Our baby will need her father too.” Yoké hugged me and began running his fingers through my hair. “Yes, she does but she needs her mother more.” He tried to comfort me as I cried in his arms. “Don’t do this to me Yoké.” “If the uprising fails, just promise me that our child will always be safe and happy, that you will give her so much love to make up for mine.” “Stop saying things like this.” He loosened his hug but I did not want to let him go. I couldn’t even imagine my life without Yoké. How miserable would I be? What happiness would I reflect on to my child if my own source of happiness was to be taken away from me forever? He tried to loosen my arms gently and

Despite the grave trouble I knew I could get into if I was caught sneaking out again, I left the hut and walked to Yoké’s hut. I was trembling, not because of the cold but because of fear. The fear of telling Yoké about my pregnancy and the decision that I have made. When I got to his hut I entered without clapping. He was seated on his bed and painting with the little light from the oil lamp. When he saw me enter he looked up at me with a frown. “Genesis?” I nodded. I was still shaking in fear. He abandoned his wooden board on the bed and came towards me. “What’s wrong?” He asked me taking me into his arms. “I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him. Even hearing myself say it suddenly scared me. “What?” Yoké asked stepping away from me and looked at me. “I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him again. “How?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “What do you mean how?” “How do you even know?” “The witch doctor.” Yoké placed his hands on his head and just looked at me, he looked blown away, like he had

At night the lightning and thunder continued but the rain had stopped. Despite the grave trouble I knew I could get into if I was caught sneaking out again, I left the hut and walked to Yoké’s hut. I was trembling, not because of the cold but because of fear. The fear of telling Yoké about my pregnancy and the decision that I have made. When I got to his hut I entered without clapping. He was seated on his bed and painting with the small light from the oil lamp. When he saw me enter, he looked up at me with a frown. “Genesis?” I nodded. I was still shaking in fear. He abandoned his wooden board on the bed and came towards me. “What’s wrong?” He asked me, taking me into his arms. “I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him. Even hearing myself say it suddenly scared me. “What?” Yoké asked stepping away from me and looked at me. “I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him again. “How?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “What do you mean how?” “How do you even know?” “The witch doctor.” Yoké placed his