Novels by Irene Izuakor

Lucas slowly turned to face his father. “Oh, Dad. What are you doing here?” “I just ask you the same question. This isn’t the way to your office.” “Come on Dad, I know that. It’s just that…well, there’s this girl I’m interested in, and I was trying to talk to her.” His father’s face lit up. “Trying to make her your girlfriend? I like that.” His father exclaimed happily. “Now, you're following. Good job, just let me know if you need my expert advice with that, okay?” His father winked at him mischievously. Lucas nodded quickly, forcing a smile just as the person his father was waiting for stepped out of the nearby office. Lucas gave a casual wave and waited until they entered the man's car and drove into the main road. The moment they were out of sight, he rushed into the culinary program building. “Too close,” he muttered under his breath. *** Meanwhile, after two years, Alex had become the owner of four extra branches of McBen's eateries scattered across Atlant

A young guy in his mid-twenties stood there, a little breathless, as he gripped the handle tightly. He was in chef's clothes and a nose mask. His eyes darted from Alex’s face to the knife, then back. Fear flashed across his features, but he didn’t move. “You should be using that knife to enjoy those juicy apples…” the guy said with a shaky smile, “…not staring at it like it’s your way out.” There was a beat of silence. Alex blinked, stunned, as the tension in the room paused…just for a second. The young guy took a step further in, heart pounding, ready to scream for help if Alex made the slightest wrong move… but hoping, praying, he wouldn’t have to. Alex shot the guy a cold glare. “Get the hell out. No one asked for your help.” The guy stood firm. “Yeah? Well, I’m asking for yours. Help me by staying alive. My grandmother’s in the ICU, barely holding on, and she’s still fighting. Meanwhile, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you, and you're about to throw it away? Doe

Alex’s eyes widened, his voice trembling. “Ja…James? Is that you?” A cold chill shot through his body, goosebumps rising instantly. A sharp gasp echoed from the other end. “Oh shit,” James muttered. Then the line went dead. “No… no, this can’t be happening.” Alex’s fingers shook as he checked the number again. It was the blackmailer’s. The same number. His heart dropped. Frantically, he redialed. It rang…once, twice…no answer. He typed out a message: James, please tell me this isn’t what I’m thinking. He waited but no reply came. He slumped onto the couch, staring blankly. His thoughts spiraled. Was he the blackmailer all along? Did he really plant that camera? He called again…now the number was switched off. Alex’s chest tightened. “Did he just… use me again? Was it all fake? Good heavens, no… please no,” he whispered, tears pooling in his eyes as the truth began to crush him. A sudden knock on the door startled Alex. The door swung open and it was Jason, his you

“Oh my goodness, who the heck is doing this?” James gasped, stumbling back until he collapsed onto the couch. He buried his face in his hands, his voice shaking. “What the hell are we going to do now? Where the fuck are we supposed to get ten million from?” He shot to his feet again, pacing. “How did they even get a camera into that room? That’s supposed to be a premium suit!” Alex remained frozen, still trying to process the nightmare unfolding before him. James suddenly turned to him, eyes wide with realization. “Someone must’ve planted the camera before we checked in. Maybe after I made the booking. This is serious, Alex. We need to go to the police. Blackmail is a crime. We can’t sit on this.” He walked over and gripped Alex’s shoulders. “Please, my love, come with me. Let’s face this together. If that bastard wants to release our nude, let him. We’re two consenting adults. He’s the one invading our privacy, not the other way around.” But Alex didn’t move. He reache

The day seemed brighter as Alex moved through his duties with a lightness in his steps and a quiet smile tugging at his lips. Everything felt great, even the customers seemed kinder. But his eyes kept darting to the clock, counting down the hours like a teenager before prom. He had a date with his new boyfriend, James. At exactly quarter to seven, Alex was already standing in front of Room 223 at the Kornelly Hotel. His heart thudded against his ribcage. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. “Okay, calm down. It's just James… or not just James, he is my boyfriend.” He smiled, raised his hand, and knocked. To his surprise, the door flung open almost instantly. “Hey, honey!” James beamed, his face lighting up like he had just won the lottery. Before Alex could say a word, James grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. The door slammed shut behind them as Alex stumbled forward, landing right into his arms. James held him tightly, inhaling his hair scent like he had mis