Novels by faithifionu

Jason I pulled the car to a slow stop in front of the house, the engine humming softly as if reluctant to break the quietness that had settled inside the vehicle. The light glowed dimly, casting long shadows across the driveway. For a moment, none of us moved. Clara sat stiffly in the back seat, tiredness written into every line of her body, while Mirabella leaned forward, already reaching for her bag.“I’ve got her,” Mirabella said gently, opening the door before I could step out. The cool night air rushed in as she helped Clara to her feet, one arm steadying her waist. Clara’s steps were unsteady, losing her strength, and Jason watched closely, jaw tight, every instinct urging him to do more than simply stand back. I carried Mirabella’s overnight bag from the car and followed them up the walkway, my gaze never leaving Clara.We got inside the house, Mirabella guided Clara to the couch, easing her down carefully, adjusting the cushions until Clara was comfortable. “Just sit,”

Jason Clara lay still on the narrow hospital bed, the sheets tucked too tightly around her legs, the faint scent of antiseptic clinging to the air. Clara's head throbbed dully, as if her thoughts had to push through fog before taking shape. She stared at the ceiling, tracing invisible cracks, trying to gather fragments of memory that slipped away the moment she reached for them.I stood there.For a moment, Clara wondered if she was still drifting somewhere between sleep and waking. I looked real enough, the crease between my brows, the slight slump of my shoulders, the way my hands hovered uselessly at my sides as if I did not know what to do with them. Confusion rose sharper than the ache in my body.Clara's voice came out weak but clear. “Jason?” Clara swallowed, forcing herself to focus on me. “What are you doing here?”I opened my mouth, then closed it again, as though the answer were too heavy to lift all at once. Clara frowned, her thoughts racing now, pushing past the ha

Jason I got home, freshened up, took out a pair of trousers and a shirt, quickly brushed out my hair, and I just feel everything is fine with Clara. I didn’t remember grabbing my keys or shutting the door behind me; I only remembered the blur of streetlights streaking past my hands gripping the steering wheel as if it were the only thing keeping me grounded. By the time I got to the hospital, the building looked cold and unforgiving, its bright lights harsh against the darkness outside. I jumped out of my car, I ran through the entrance, my breath uneven, my heart pounding louder than the echo of my footsteps on the tiled floor. The smell of antiseptic filled my lungs as I looked at faces, desperate for something familiar. I went through the corridor near a partially closed door marked Emergency Ward, I saw a young lady standing there with one hand on the door handle, her body angled as if she were trying to shut the world out. Mirabella face looked pale, her eyes red and glossy

Jason I was halfway through my last set when my phone buzzed on the couch. My arms trembled, sweat slicked my palms and the gym's mirrors reflected a version of myself. I exhaled and glanced down at my screen, to know who was calling and it was Mark. I was deciding whether to pick or not. My brother really called, so strange. I quickly clicked on the red button. “Hey Mark,” I said.“Hi bro,” Mark answered. “How’re you feeling?” Mark asked. “I’m alright, how about you?” I answered. “I’m good, what’s this call for?” I asked. “Nothing serious, I’m calling in respect of dad's funeral arrangements, what has been decided,” Mark whispered. I listened, nodding even though Mark couldn’t see me, staring at the floor as if it might crack open and offer something solid to hold onto. “Okay, and I’m aware of that,” I whispered.“I hope you know that,” Mark said. “ Yes I know,” I answered.“Just a reminder,” Mark said. I wiped my face with my towel, sweat mixing with something sharper

Clara I closed the door behind me with more force, the sound of the door cracked through the quiet hallway, the lock clicked absolutely, and only then did my body seem to remember how tired it was. I stood there for a while, with my back to the door, my keys clenched so tightly in my fist. I was looking so stressed but I needed to freshen up and all. The house smell was the same as usual, but at this point instead of comforting me, it made my chest tight.I took a few steps forward, dropped my bag and keys on the bed, and the silence was too loud. My room seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for me to explain myself, to justify why I felt so hollow.My shoulders were sagging, I pulled my dress off, letting it fall to the floor in a crumpled heap I didn’t bother to pick up. I pulled my shoes and placed them on the shoe rank. I quickly rushed to the bathroom, I took a deep breath, applied my cleanser on my face and on my body, I poured water then cleansed my face properly. I t

ClaraWho is this man??????I swallowed hard, trying to get my words together but my brain was suddenly blank and my chest tight.“It's nice to meet you, again,” he said and stretched out a hand for a handshake. I looked at him, at his hand and swallowed hard. “Do you want to explain what's going on?”“Oh that,” he said and laughed. “I will… In my car.”Jesus… How did I even get here? The air in the car thickened as we drove off.He looks even more handsome than I remember. Although I don't remember much, every single detail from when his hands touched me remains stuck in my brain. Not one word had left his mouth and that alone made me nervous. I sat right in the passenger seat with the seatbelt tucked and my head tilted to the side, just so I don’t have to look at him. When another thirty seconds passed without any word from him, I swallowed hard and forced my lips to part. “Where are you taking me to?”“To talk business.”His hands remained on the steering wheel and his eyes on