Novels by Anthony Udoh

The color was the first thing she noticed. A deep, rich royal blue that seemed to change under the light, becoming brighter wherever the fabric caught it.Then she noticed the details.Tiny sequins covered the dress, reflecting light with every slight movement. The neckline was elegant without being too modest, and the slit running up the left thigh was high enough to make her question the intentions of whoever had selected it.The back was even more daring. It dipped low, leaving most of the back exposed.Maya slowly walked closer."Jesus Christ."She circled the bed, examining it from different angles."This is a dress??"She picked it up carefully. The fabric felt smooth against her fingers.It was beautiful. There was no denying that.And judging by its size, it would fit her perfectly.She held it against herself and looked toward the mirror.For a moment, she imagined what she would look like wearing it.A knock interrupted her thoughts.A makeup artist stood at the door, carryi

A hotel room would have been enough. But no, he had to give her an entire suite? What exactly was he trying to prove? That he could take care of her? Maybe she was just overthinking things. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for the company to provide accommodation before an important executive meeting.The elevator chimed and the doors opened onto a quiet corridor with soft lighting, thick carpeting, and several doors spaced neatly along the walls. Ethan stepped out first, glancing briefly down the hallway before gesturing for Maya to follow.They walked to the last door on the right.He used the keycard to unlock it and pushed the door open."After you, ma'am."Maya stepped inside.And stopped.For several seconds, she simply stood there, staring.The suite was bigger than the apartment she lived in. Much bigger.The entrance opened into an expansive living area furnished with cream-colored sofas that looked soft and comfortable. A glass coffee table sat in the middle and a large tele

Three days later...Maya zipped up her bag and glanced around her parents' living room one last time.Her father was recovering well, complaining as usual about being told to rest.Her mother had already packed enough food for what looked like a month-long trip.She wished leaving home were the only thing on her mind.For three days, she had tried to think about the pregnancy without panicking. Some moments, she was almost excited about having a baby. At other times, the thought of everything ahead of her was enough to keep her awake at night.A child needed more than love. There would be hospital bills, sleepless nights, school fees, and a thousand other things she probably hadn't even considered yet.And then there was Xander.She still didn't know what to expect from him. He had made it clear that he wanted her to keep the baby, but that didn't mean he would suddenly become the kind of father she wanted for her child.Still, whenever she thought about terminating the pregnancy, she

The next morning, Maya woke up feeling sore.After her father was discharged, she spent the whole day supervising the workers who were building a ramp for him. By the time they finished, she was exhausted, and her body was reminding her of it now.She stretched carefully before getting out of bed.Downstairs, Cheryl was already bustling around the kitchen while keeping an eye on Mr. Thompson, who sat on the couch with his cast propped up on a stool.The moment he saw Maya, he sighed dramatically."I've become a prisoner overnight.""Good morning to you too, Dad," she said, coming down the stairs. "It's just for a few weeks, then you'll be back to normal”."I only have one broken leg. It's not that big of a deal.""And I'd like to keep it at one," Cheryl shouted from the kitchen.Maya laughed quietly as she poured herself a cup of tea.After breakfast, Cheryl wiped her hands on a kitchen towel."Maya.""Hmm?""Can you stop by the supermarket for me?""Sure.""I was supposed to go this

The drive to the hospital was quiet. Maya sat in the passenger seat looking out the window while Xander drove. They hadn't spoken since leaving her parents house. When they arrived Xander parked without saying a word. "We'll be quick " he said. The maternity wing was surprisingly peaceful. A TV played quietly in one corner. A few expectant mothers chatted with their families. A nurse smiled warmly welcoming them both. "Mrs. Blackwood?" Maya blinked. "...I'm not—" Xander answered before she could. "She's here for an assessment." The nurse nodded. "Please have a seat. The doctor will be with you shortly." Maya shot Xander a look. A minutes later the consulting room door opened and a man stepped out. Maya blinked. Well... She hadn't expected that. She'd always imagined doctors as old men with grey hair and thick glasses. Dr. Adrian Vale looked nothing like that. It was nice to see one young as this. He looked to be in his thirties. He had f

‎Maya stood there breathing hard. ‎Her chest was moving up and down fast. She tried to slow it down. It wouldn't listen. ‎Her hands were shaking. She pressed them against her jeans. ‎Behind her one of the men groaned. ‎Her whole body reacted before she could stop it. ‎Then she looked at the guy who saved her. ‎"Thank you " she said. ‎Her voice came out rough. She cleared her throat. ‎"Seriously… thank you. That could have gone really bad." ‎He nodded once. ‎"Not bad yourself " he said. ‎Maya blinked. "What?" ‎He nodded toward the man on the ground. "That throw." ‎"Oh… that." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Just basic self-defense classes. A girl's gonna learn how to protect herself. " ‎"Even wfith that I was still pretty outnumbered. So thank you again" she stopped. ‎He nodded smoothening his clothes. ‎She started picking her stuff that had fallen over the floor. ‎"Can I know your name?" she asked after a moment. ". Or do I call you Bruce Lee?" ‎"…Ethan." ‎ ‎"May