Novels by Julieth Athanase

KyraMy mouth falls open when I see the woman working inside.She’s gorgeous, too beautiful to even be human.Steven lets go of my hand and smirks, like he’s enjoying my discomfort.“Why the fuss this morning?” he asks lazily, his eyes fixed on her.The girl walks up to me, her smile soft but sharp, almost mocking. She touches my hair, studying me like I’m something she just bought from the store.“She’s beautiful,” she says, still smiling.Steven’s smirk “I know what you’re pulling, Lora.”“Stay out of this, Steven. This is girl talk,” Lora says sweetly.“Too bad.” Steven steps closer, his presence dark and suffocating. “Me and this girl have somewhere to be.” He takes my hand before I can react.“Oh, is that so?” Lora says, picking up her bag. She leans closer to me. “Be careful with this man, beauty,” she whispers, almost like a warning.Steven’s expression darkens. “Suits yourself,” he says, pulling me outside.Without a word, he opens the car door for me. His sudden gentleman act

Steven I return from working out and head straight to my room. Seeing Kyra sleeping peacefully on my bed makes me chuckle. No, I can’t bring her into my world. It’s too dangerous. No one, especially her, deserves to experience the cruel life I live.She’s too innocent for this.As I drink my water, I don’t notice she’s awake. She’s watching me from behind. When I finally turn around, her eyes are still on me. She’s staring, no! devouring me with her gaze, because I’m shirtless. It makes me smirk. Yeah, she’s a girl after all, so of course this should attract her. But she’s trying hard to play innocent.She sits up on the bed, still looking at me. I walk closer, and her eyes go wide. I tilt her chin up and tuck her messy hair behind her ear. She’s beautiful enough to make me smile in the morning. Weird.“You’re going back to Mr. Robert’s,” I say, sitting down next to her.“Really?” she giggles.“I don’t know what your relationship with them is, but I’m sure Robert won’t take you back.

Steven “This is all I got about her, sir,” Ray, my second-hand man, says, handing me the documents.“Good,” I reply, taking them. Ray leaves.I flip through the pages quickly.“She’s twenty, lives with her adopted father after she accidentally separated from her real parents at the amusement park. she's studying at St. John’s College. No boyfriend.”I chuckle slowly.“Kyra, you’re living such a boring life,” I mutter, placing the documents on my car seat. I’m about to start driving when Nancy, my maid, calls.“Your new girl got kidnapped,” she pants.These motherfuckers. Did they think they could threaten me with that?“They shouldn’t have done that,” I say, lighting a cigarette and hanging up.I know exactly where to find these idiots. Thinking they can fool me? They’re dead wrong. I drive like a madman to the CAH Broken Store. At the entrance, a lot of men with guns wait. I smile mischievously.“Hands up!” one of them shouts, shaking in fear.“Why would I?” I reply, stepping closer

KyraAgain, I find myself in Steven’s terrifying mansion. The same woman from yesterday is waiting for me.“Hurry up and send her to me,” he says without looking at her.“But I—”“Am I going easy on you?” he snaps, grabbing my neck.“No, I—” I stammer.“No talking! I’m the only one who talks in this house!” he thunders before flinging me away and leaving.The woman grabs me and puts me in another revealing short dress. I don’t know why they keep doing this to me.Before she sends me to Steven’s room, five girls appear, carrying baskets of strawberries and mangoes. I wonder.“I’m in charge of giving him these fruits!” one of the girls shouts, smiling.“No talking,” the woman shouts back.“Who’s this girl?!” another girl glares at me angrily.“Get out, both of you!” the woman orders, her voice terrifying.The girls obey, but both give me death stares before they leave. This damn mansion! I can’t understand what’s going on at all.It’s better to satisfy this demon and leave as early as p

KyraAnd just like that, he lets me escape. The night is dark and terrifying. I run in the thin nightdress, cold biting my skin, but my body doesn’t notice. My legs carry me as fast as they can, and I keep glancing back, terrified someone might be following me.When I reach the road, I sweat and gasp for breath. I hide behind the curb, desperately hoping for help.A car appears. I wave frantically.“Help me, please!” I shout as it stops.A middle-aged man steps out.“What’s wrong with you, young lady?” he asks, eyes wide but when he sees me, he freezes.“Are you… a ghost?” he stammers.“No! I need your help! Someone’s after me!” I pant.“Why are you dressed like this?” he asks, confused.“HELP ME! Will you?” I beg, trembling.“And where should I drive you? My house?” he asks quickly.“Anywhere… just get me out of here. It’s dangerous,” I gasp, climbing into the car.“Oh my goodness!” he exclaims, starting the engine. He glances at me through the side mirror.“Another Steven victim?” h

KyraI return from the grocery store, but when I reach the gate, my blood runs cold. Thugs are all around the house. One of them is holding my dad by the neck. I drop the basket, cover my mouth, and hide behind the wall, shaking. If I make one wrong move, they’ll see me.“I’ll pay you tomorrow, I swear,” my dad begs.The thug laughs cruelly. “Look at this lunatic old man. Do you think we’re falling for your lies again? Either you sell this house… or you die.”“Dad!” I cry, my voice trembling.The thugs turn to me. One of them grins and starts walking my way.“No, Kyra!” my dad shouts bitterly “Well, well,” the thug sneers. “Forget the old man. Look at this little treasure.” His eyes are full of hunger.“Take me instead!” my dad says. But then he starts laughing like he’s gone mad!“Dad?” I whisper.“Help me, daughter!” he mocks, stepping closer.“Is your daughter a virgin?” one thug asks.My dad nods with a twisted smile.It feels like the ground disappears under me. This can’t be m