Novels by justinajohn0509

REINAAlan’s hand falls off my face and he rushes towards Ethan. But Ethan shuts the door again. And locks it.Alan’s palms are curled in fists as he stands there, pitch silent. I swallow and move closer, until I’m standing right in front of the door—beside him.I look up at him for a brief moment but he doesn’t even spare me a glance.“Ethan?” I call out in a sing-song, facing the door. I wait for a few seconds. I’m about to call out his name again when the door creaks open a little and Ethan’s small head pops out. My heart constricts a little and I crouch down, asking him,“Can I come in?”He takes a while, then nods.“Ethan.” Alan’s voice booms, startling us both. Ethan looks up at him.“Can I come in too?” Alan asks, and I can tell he’s struggling to say it calmly. Ethan shakes his head, then pulls me in with his both hands.I pretend to have been forced in because of his grip, then when we’re both in, I peek through the door.Alan starts to push the door open. I push back hard.“

REINA“You paid off every single penny of Gramma’s medical bills. That’s a lot of money, Ray. Where did you get all that money?” Tee’s voice is a whisper as he shuts our room’s door behind us.I stand in front of the cracked mirror above our dresser, brushing my hair. The room reeks of menthol and Gramma’s herbal medicine, a smell we’d gotten used to overtime.I’m getting ready for my first day at Alan’s house… as his son’s nanny. I’m nervous, and not because of Ethan. The curiosity in Tee’s voice barely even gets to me.“I promise I’m not doing anything wrong. It’s just work. I told my boss about Gramma and he said he’d clear the debt and send me the balance of my payment when I’m done working for him. The balance would be for rent.”“What?” His voice bounces off the walls. I shoot him a sharp look, gesturing to the door with my hand. Gramma’s right in the other room, trying to sleep!Tee sighs, moving away from the door.He’s tense still, his jaw locking even he whispers, “Ray… What

ALANI watch all color drain from her face.Her eyes are laser focused on the stairs, her body trembling from my son’s rejection. I take the time to properly watch her. Button nose, blue-green expressive eyes, heart-shaped lips, thick brows and lashes… Reina Summers is no doubt the prettiest little thing I’ve seen in a while. A pure sight for sore eyes.Her hand goes through her long, pale-blonde hair which spills over her shoulder in loose, careless waves. She says something to me. I don’t register. Her worried gaze returns to the stairs.This woman is going to be a problem around here, I note to myself. First glance and I’m already wondering how well she takes to instructions. Hmm.She speaks again. This time I’m listening. “I need to… is he okay, Sir? Can I meet him?”I give her a nod. “Your job here depends on whether or not he likes you. If he doesn’t, we’d be done here.”Her throat bobs as I turn around, making my way up the stairs. Ethan better fucking like her.He’s sent a tot

REINA“Ray! Ray, Gramma is not responding to me!”I spring up from bed, eyes snapping awake as I scramble off the mattress. My hands reach for the flashlight on my bedside table and I rush to Gramma’s room.She’s unresponsive, cold and a bit stiff. I burst into tears at once, unable to even try to act strong for Tee. We’re both a crying mess as we lift her and take her outside by the wee hours of the morning, manically flagging cabs.It’s almost an hour before we find a cab, we’ve stopped crying by now. Gramma’s gotten even colder. We’re cold as well, but I don’t care. I comb my fingers through Gramma’s silky gray hair. She seems to be slipping away, but even until now, I can’t seem to imagine a life without her.At the hospital, we’re pacing about when Tee asks, “I think we’re behind on a drug, I couldn’t find any medication in her room. Did you forget, Ray? I gave you my cut.”I’ve been unable to make mine.I shake my head no, looking everywhere but at him. “I didn’t. Pete refused t

REINASo, this is definitely not the Christmas I expected.“Enjoy!” I chirp to the kids and their parents with a smile that stretches out my face. Their legs bounce on their chairs, eyes widening with excitement as they immediately clamor for the gingerbread men and sugar cookies shaped like bells and stars in the trays I served.I can’t help a small chuckle despite myself as I walk away.Then my eyes drift to my wristwatch, and my lips immediately pull into a pout. A whole hour left for this shift to be over.I still have to feed the pigs at John’s sty and serve tables at the club, I think distastefully. Yesterday was just my first day as a waitress at the club, and I'm already over it. Only a few weeks before Christmas, and I already lost all iota of Christmas spirit.Unfortunately, rent has to be paid one way or the other. Suck it up, Reina.I get a nudge just as I start to rest my back against the wall behind the counter. I turn to face Gina who’s… blushing pink?“Are you okay?” I