Novels by Zinachi_

~ LUCA VITIELLO ~With my hand, I signalled to the men to hide behind the door as it opened and in no time, in a swift tick, a bullet swiveled into the building, hitting one of the bulbs.We all ducked and Damien controlled the machine gun, while we shot back. It was risky, it was stupid or maybe… cowardice, but it was brave too. We rushed forward, hiding behind broken building blocks, aiming swiftly and firing shots. The sound of gunshots made the ground shake tremendously. The cloud that was once bright almost turned grey, as if oblivious of what's happening beneath it. I slipped from behind the building, rolled forward and a bullet hit the eyes of one of the masked men, causing him to groan loudly until he hit the floor, another shot got to the brain of another behind him which got him flying to the other side.From the side of my eyes, I saw Damien moving forward, his hands tight as he controlled the machine gun. Surprisingly, more men came. It was as if they hid somewhere far

~ LUCA VITIELLO ~ My eyes widened, unconsciously counting the intricate dots on the thick, brown ceiling. I couldn't sleep. How could I? When everything was almost coming to an end yet I couldn't understand, I couldn't understand this burning ache in my chest. I drifted my eyes to my little Mia, her eyelid didn't shutter as her mouth opened slightly. On impulse, I bent to give it a light kiss, her breath mixing with mine. Snaking my hands around her waist, I brought her closer to my chest, her warm skin felt like a low heater over my cold flesh and my blood that had run cold earlier, melted. I let out a heavy breath. It felt right, yes, everything felt real with my Mia on my chest and her palm unconsciously laying on my stomach. I didn't want to wake up if it was a dream. Neither did I want the morning to come but the buzzing of my phone was a paid actor. I dragged my hand to the small drawer bedside me and ‘Gabriel’ flashed visibly on the screen. If Gabriel calls at this time

~ MIA ANTHONY ~I rushed to Tristan in the waiting car. “Good day, ma'am,” he murmured softly, his long hair tied into a low bun with a small band as usual.“Hmm.”The car ride was quiet with the soft hum of the morning breeze.We reached the tall and large gate of my school. Without a word, I alighted from the car as I rushed to class. Today was the first day of our exams and somehow, I was late.Before I could take more steps, my phone vibrated in my bag, making me stop abruptly. It was Diane.“Girl, you're late. Where are you?” Her voice came out low yet heavy through the phone, making my legs remember their purpose. I sprinted along the school tiled floor to the hall, my hands clutching my bag tightly.“I'm at school already…”The low beep of the call didn't let me finish as the call ended.The door to the hall was slightly ajar and I stepped in quietly. The invigilator slowly looked my way, making my heart skip a beat but my feet froze the moment it took three more steps.The inv

~ MIA ANTHONY ~I stormed into the mansion, my hands coiled as my nails carved marks into my palm. Walking up the stairs, I ignored the sour look on Miss Betty who was standing beside the dining table. I flung the room door open, the thud echoing like a war drum as I slumped onto the bed.I held my head, my eyes darted around the room like I saw a ghost, the air hanging thick and heavy while I gasped for breath.The sound of the door opened and his scent hit me. I wanted to vomit.If I'd ever said he smells nice, please I take back my words because he's repulsive. Adjusting myself on the bed, I turned towards the wall, tired from the emotional turmoil as I closed my eyes to succumb to the will of sleep but the bed dipped beside me.And his cologne wafted strongly through my nose, making it hard for me to sleep. It's been days and he's been avoiding sleeping on the bed but suddenly, today, he feels the need to?I took the largest pillow and created a bridge on the bed. “You're not

~ LUCA VITIELLO ~My heart crumbled into tiny pieces. How could she not see that everything I was doing was for her good?How could she not see the world I lived in? I watched her brush past me into the bathroom and I felt my body shudder at the sound of the door. The room suddenly felt small and suffocating, my breath coming at a ragged pace as I clenched my fist tightly.I heard the rush of water and a scream.I was torn between breaking the goddamn door and standing her in front of me to tell her the many reasons why she should understand that dangers don't give signals, that she shouldn't cry because that was all I could do, that that was the only way but then I remembered that she was too naive for my world —too innocent to be tainted.I dropped slowly onto the bed. The soft feel of the mattress was at odds with the turmoil I was feeling.One minute turned into two, then three, and an hour passed, yet my little Mia had not yet come out. I didn't like the effect of what her tearf

~ MIA ANTHONY ~The helicopter landed in the field and Luca and I walked to the mansion. The sound of the gate as it opened echoed within the quiet surrounding.As we stepped into the mansion, the maids stood uniformly in one vertical straight line.What was happening?My eyes moved from Miss Betty who stood at the far end of the queue to the last person at the right end.I heard Luca clear his throat behind me and I moved my body to meet his eyes that were staring at me.“What?”He stuffed his hands in his pants pocket, a boyish grin appearing on his lips as he spoke. “Well, I told them they should all make sure to wait at the door to welcome us.”“Why?” I asked, not getting the reason for his action.“Erm,” he uttered, his hands over his hair as he weaved through them, nervously. My anger grew thicker by the seconds and his wait was eating through my bones.“I just want to say, I'm sorry.” He scratched his neck, his eyes not meeting mine. Before I could mutter any words, the maids a