Novels by chriswrites

MaliaHis text seemed to call out to me.My thumb hovered over the screen. I should have just ignored him and should’ve tossed my phone across the room and buried myself in assignments or music or literally anything else that doesn't include continuing the conversation.But my pulse began to race with anticipation, with Maverick, you could never be certain. Before I could talk myself out of it, I hit video call.The ringing barely lasted two seconds before his face filled the screen. Maverick was sprawled across his bed, shirtless just like in the photo he had sent and on his face was a lazy and satisfied grin, like he knew he’d already won.“Finally,” he drawled. “Took you long enough.”I swallowed hard and tried to mask my nerves with annoyance. “You’re ridiculous.”“Yeah? Then why’d you call?” His eyes gleamed, shifting as he angled his phone lower. He stretched and I saw his muscles ripple, he made a show of settling back into his pillow.I rolled onto my side, clutching the phone

Later that day, as per our new routine, I waited for Maverick by his car for him to take me home.The ride home was quiet and not in a peaceful way, it was undeniably heavy with the things neither of us wanted to admit out loud. Thankfully the hum of the engine filled the silence while I diligently scrolled through my phone, pretending to be invested in posts I wasn’t even seeing.From the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me intently. I could tell before he even opened his mouth that he had come up with something to say.“All day, I’ve been thinking about how funny some things are.” Maverick said in a voice edged with a familiar tease. “Rumors have a way of being right sometimes.”Heat flooded my cheeks and before I could stop it, the words were out of my mouth. “You’re insufferable.”His grin widened. “And yet…” his eyes flicked to my face, catching the way I was biting down on my lip, “…you can’t even deny it without blushing.”I groaned and sank lower into my seat, glari

Malia The smell of grease and overcooked fries from ether cafeteria amped up my discomfort, I felt like I was walking into a boxing arena ready to take hits. I could feel the looks before they landed, hear the hushed whispers before they were spoken, my skin buzzed with negative anticipation, today was going to be the same as yesterday, if not worse. As I walked into the cafeteria, tray in hand, I could feel like somehow things had quelled down. Had someone else become trending news? Some sort of relief flowed through me. I clutched my tray tighter, bracing myself as I scanned the room. It didn’t take long to figure out why things had changed. Venessa. She sat on top of one of the long tables, With her legs crossed and her glossy hair catching the fluorescent light. Around her, her group leaned in, hanging on to her every word like she was performing. Which, knowing Vanessa, she absolutely was. Her voice carried, loud enough for the entire cafeteria to hear. “Oh my God, can we

Malia The silence in my room felt heavy. Dinner was over but the weight of it hadn’t left me. I could still feel the ghost of Maverick’s hand against my knee under the table, a touch no one else had noticed. Now he leaned against my wall, arms crossed over his chest, eyes pinned on the floor instead of me. His shirt stretched tight across his shoulders, and the chain at his neck reflected the dim lamplight. He looked untouchable, like he wanted to stay that way. I sat on the edge of my bed, pretending to adjust the hem of my dress, but really I was trying to figure out how to breathe in a room that seemed too full of him. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and full of warming. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t need pity.” My chest squeezed, what I felt for him wasn’t pity, it wasn’t not even close. What I felt for him had weight and the kind of ache that came from watching him act like nothing touched him when I knew deep down everything did. “It’s not pity,” I counte

Malia Before the dinner, I had been pacing around my room since I returned from school. My stomach tangled in knots after everything that had during the day. Ethan’s careful voice still rang in my ears, his eyes sharper than usual when he asked me about the rumor, and I had pretended like it rolled off me. Pretended like Maverick’s stare in the cafeteria hadn’t burned me through and through and like I wasn’t still restless, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I leaned over the mirror, fixing my hair for no real reason. My reflection looked flushed and uncertain. I tugged the hem of my dress straight, smoothing the fabric against my thighs as if that would settle me. I knew dinner downstairs would be nothing more than my mom talking too much, Maverick brooding in silence, and his father pretending to play the part of a man who cared but still, my pulse picked up. Maverick would be there and my body couldn’t wait. Mums voice rang out from downstairs. “Malia! Dinner!”

Maverick By the next morning, the rumor had teeth. Before I even got to my locker, I could feel the stares on me. They were staring for longer than they usually did, and then pretended not to, then leaned close to themselves to whisper. I knew exactly whose name was in their mouths, and it made my blood run hot. Then I saw Nancy walking like she was proud of herself, all sway and lip gloss, eating up the attention. I didn’t hesitate. I fell in step a few paces behind, silently and steady. She didn’t notice of course, why would she? She was too busy smiling at the mess she’d made. She pushed through the back doors, sunlight hitting her hair just right, like the world had staged it for her. Out on the field, it was quieter and we were without any audience. That was when I called her name. “Nessa.” She turned around and looked at me with her stupidly fake smile. “Maverick,” she said, like she’d been expecting me. I closed the distance, and the smile slid off her face

KAYLA POV The penthouse was masterpiece adorned with glass and steel. It was a work of art that was associated with Lucas as he loved artwork. Remembering the mansion's heavy oak and stone materials is a relic for the betrayal I got from my father whom I thought was my hero. Leaving that place might be a move for my healing process but it won't be easy.I went inside the penthouse to be marveled by the floor-to-ceiling windows it points to the sky. For the first time in several months, I realized that there is still peace in the world. I guess that was freedom calling out to me. Being free from sneaky cameras and being constantly watched is a past era. "It's really quiet here", I whispered to myself. Lucas moved past me and kept his hands on the railing. "I've sent the security team to sweep this place for any hidden cameras or bugs but nothing has been found. They've cleared the area that it's safe". "Can I really start over here as my safe zone?" I asked him as I maintained eye

KAYLA POV The silence which presides in the study was terrifying as it seems to rule over everyone and everything in that study. Before being here, I had to look for a place to clear my head. The study was a good choice but Lucas followed me. I sat before the bright light of his twin monitors and Lucas standing behind me. "I don't think you should do this", Lucas said as his hands was resting on the arm rest. "You know that Clara is Hunter's blood and she will make sure she poison the well and spoil the waters". "My mind can't settle as if it seems my belief was based on a lie. If it's true, then the drive will prove it", I said as I turned to face him. "This drive has raised my curiosity to the max and I can't stop it". Lucas did hesitate for a while but he gave the permission. I thought the screen will only to one video but it came out like a directory which comprise of files organized by dates and rooms. It includes file names like Master Suite, kitchen, dinning hall and their

KAYLA POV The dining hall in Lucas' mansion seemed different from the way I did see it. Probably it's because I didn't pay detailed attention to it. The crystal chandelier gave a mesmerizing light over the long mahogany table where chairs were arranged accordingly in a orderly manner. This place houses the members of the board before in one of their meetings but this is for a special reason now. Today, I sat on a chair there as a guest which my mom and Lucas played the role of a hostess and host respectively. Before approaching the table, my mom already brought in everything we needed for this dinner. These two have a terrible history with me but I realize what change can do if it's given an opportunity to oversee. Even the betrayal from my mom hasn't died down completely, there's still space in my heart to accommodate her. There's a significant change I noticed in her. Her original motive with Lucas was being a premium gold digger who makes sure she and her world is satisfied. But

KAYLA POVAfter my experience in Zack's room, I excused everyone to be alone for a while. With that, I went to the poolside which I sat down looking at the undisturbed waters. The aesthetics of the pool is still the same way I remembered it. It shows the amount of work the housekeepers put in order to keep everywhere in check. The water surface provided a portal for my illusion to set in. Memories of the time I spent with Zack displayed on the water surface. It felt so real that I nearly stood to get a hold of it. Walking steps behind me interrupted me as I turned to see the person. "Kayla, I really want us to talk about something important", Lucas said as he walked towards me. He sat beside me as we faced the swimming pool together. "I really want to back to the company to clear my name from those sneaky rumors spreading around", I said as I still focused my gaze on the pool. "That's why I'm here, Kayla". His eyes switched position as I sensed it. Eventually, our eyes met with ea

KAYLA POV A brief uncomfortable silence was in our midst as we looked for who will break it. Eventually, the cold wind made its appearance breaking the silence on the surface. I was so tensed up because I fear about anything going wrong here. "Joe, thanks for protecting her", Lucas finally spoke as he looked at Joe who reciprocated. Joe didn't say anything at first but I decided not to say anything yet. "It's alright", he responded to Lucas and he turned to me. "Kayla, let's get back". From his tone, I knew he didn't welcome Lucas fully even if my heart still had a space to accommodate Lucas. Then, I realize that it's high time I stepped into the situation before it worsen. "Lucas, so where are you headed", I asked Lucas. "Wherever the wind takes me to but I'll like to return to my mansion", he said as his gaze was on me. Joe already deciphered what I want to bring up but he choose to stay calm. "Pls, I will like to sit and talk things together, Kayla". This plea was from Lucas

KAYLA POV Leaving Tom's apartment with a free mind, I has a change of plans which I confided with Detective Joe. My plans was going back to the old bridge house as there's something unknown that is calling out to me. According to my instincts, I felt like going there alone but Joe hesitated for a while. But he has to accept since I was stubborn on going on this adventure. Since we were still in Switzerland, we returned to New York together as he offered to drive me to that house. "That place possesses different memories which you might not like, how would you cope?" Detective Joe said as we both entered his SUV to begin the journey. "Since I need complete and total recovery, I think facing it will strengthen me instead of the opposite", I responded while looking at the bustling street of New York. He nodded slightly as his attention was on the road. After some time, we entered the deserted street which lead to the old bridge house. He stopped at a distance to the bridge house whi