Novel-novel oleh Oluwabuyi Kafaru

Maria’s POVI didn’t want to waste the day. Not today.I sat up slowly from the bed, still remembering how Luca and I had made love to each other like we were the only ones left in the world. His scent was still on the sheets. His warmth still lingering near my skin.As much as I wanted to stay in bed, soaked in his scent and in the memories of our time together, I needed to do some thinking.Luca said I needed to think of a business, something I could do on my own. Not just for the sake of doing something, but because he needed it for… cleaning money. That part still sounded too big for me. Like something from the movies. But this was real.I got up, tied my robe, and walked to the small desk by the window. I turned on the lamp and opened a note while scrolling through my phone.I wasn’t even sure what to search for.I typed in the first thing that came to my head: business ideas for women.Endless results came in. Lists and videos. Top ten. Easy-start. Low-cost. Beginner-friendly.

Luca’s POVI woke up just a little over an hour after we’d both fallen asleep again. The room was still dim and Maria was laying on my chest.She looked peaceful.I didn't want to wake her.Quietly, I lifted her off me, careful not to stir her. I stood from the bed and pulled on my pants. The floor was cold under my feet, but I didn’t mind.My mind was already switching into the day ahead. There were calls to make, people to meet, and a few other things to get done. I needed to be out soon.Just as I picked up my shirt, I heard her voice, soft but clear.“Luca?”I turned. She was awake now, stretching slightly as the blanket slipped off her shoulder. Her hair was messy from sleep, her eyes half-open.“I have to go now, Maria.” I said, walking back to the bed, brushing her hair off her face. “Work.”“What about me?” Maria sat up slowly, hugging her knees underneath the blanket. “I want to work too.”I raised a brow. “What?”“I want a job. Something I can do. I want to be more involved,

Maria's POVI woke up the next morning wrapped in Luca’s arms.The early morning light slipped through the curtains in soft lines, giving the room warm shadows.Luca's chest was warm against my back, and the way he held me… it felt like he didn’t want to let go. Like even in his sleep, it felt like he needed me so close to him.I smiled a little, pressing my body into his, just to feel him more. His scent was still there—sweet, calm, familiar. I let my nose rest near his neck and just breathed him in.He didn’t say a word, didn’t open his eyes. But I felt his arm tighten around me. Not roughly. Just enough to pull me closer.I stayed there, thinking. About last night. About the way he had touched me. The way he came to me like I was what mattered. Like I wasn’t just someone to fill a space—but now someone he wanted to keep.And then… I felt his hand move. He slid up slowly from my waist to my breast. And I knew what was coming.I turned around to face him. His eyes were still closed,

Luca's POVThe house was quiet when I stepped in.Louisa was the first to appear, her footsteps soft on the floor as she came to meet me.“Welcome back sir,” she said in Italian.I gave her a short nod. “Thanks, Louisa. Please, don’t worry about dinner. I’m not hungry.”She looked like she wanted to say more, maybe ask if everything was okay, but I didn’t give her the chance. I climbed the stairs without another word, loosening my tie on the way up.The hallway felt colder than usual. Maybe it was just me. Maybe it was the silence.Inside my room, I dropped my jacket and slumped into the chair by the window. My head leaned back. I closed my eyes.After a moment, I got up and walked over to the stereo shelf. I slid open the glass cabinet and picked a disc—one of those old Italian ballads I liked when nights felt heavier than usual. I slid it into the stereo, pressed the button, and listened to the soft sound before the music filled the room. Slow. Familiar. The kind of music that lets

Maria's POVWhen I got home, everything was quiet.The lights in the living room were on, the TV humming softly in the background. Louisa sat on the couch, one leg tucked beneath her, a bowl of popcorn resting on her lap. She stood up as I came in.“Welcome Ms. Maria,” she said, giving me a small smile.“Thanks,” I muttered back, barely making eye contact. I didn’t stop to talk or even ask what she was watching even though it's my first time finding her like that. It's always the kitchen or the dinning for her.Anyways, I just kept walking. Straight to my room.I dropped my bag by the door and collapsed onto the bed. My face to the ceiling. Arms by my side. My shoes were still on.I just lay there.No thoughts. No movement.The silence of the room was thick, almost comforting. My chest rose and fell slowly, eyes locked on the little cracks in the ceiling paint. Nothing made sense. Not even the day.Then… Liam came to mind.Like a breeze that slipped under a door—soft and cool.I didn

Maria's POV I didn’t ask where he was taking me. I didn’t really care. I just let Liam drive.The drive was quiet. He had some music playing low, but neither of us talked. I didn’t mind the silence. In fact, it was kind of peaceful.I just looked out the window, letting my mind drift. My chest still felt heavy, like I had swallowed a stone. But at least I wasn’t crying. That's good for me.When Liam entered into a small parking lot beside a dark building, I frowned a little and turned to him.“A shooting range?” I asked.Liam gave a small smile, unbuckling his seatbelt. “Trust me. You’ll like it.”I didn’t answer right away. I looked up at the sign again. Part of me wanted to say no. I wasn’t exactly in the mood to play games. But something about the way he looked at me—like he actually wanted to help, not just distract me—made it hard to say no.So I followed him inside.The place smelled like oil and metal. A man behind the counter gave us safety glasses and headsets, and Liam wal