Novels by Lumi

Nicole’s POV The office didn’t feel the same after she left. Not quieter, not louder… just wrong. Like something had shifted half an inch out of place and refused to go back. I stood where she’d left me, staring at the door a second too long, like it might open again and fix whatever that was. It didn’t. It never does. My reflection caught in the glass before I meant to look. Still composed, still sharp, still exactly what everyone expected to see. I held my own gaze for a second, then another, like I was waiting for it to crack first. It didn’t either. That almost annoyed me. I moved.Not out of hesitation, but intention. The photo was still open on my phone. The angle sat wrong in my head, like a word on the tip of your tongue that refuses to come out. I lifted it again, zooming in just slightly, not on myself this time… on the edges. The reflection. The glass. The faint outline of something behind it. My brows pulled together. “…that’s not outside.” The realization didn’t hi

Nicole’s POV The office felt… too bright. Not the normal kind of bright. The kind that sat behind your eyes and refused to dim, no matter how many times you blinked. My heels clicked against the floor.Steady, Measured and Controlled. people would think everything about me At least… from the outside is stable not knowing my mind is rollercoaster Inside. The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out without hesitation.Because pausing meant thinking and thinking meant replaying. My grip tightened slightly around my phone. “Morning, ma’am.” I didn’t even look at who said it. “Morning.” My voice came out smooth. Easy. Like I slept......Like I wasn’t standing in my apartment last night staring at a photo of myself taken from across the street. Like someone wasn’t watching me or will I say Still watching me. I reached my office door, pushing it open. I stepped inside, closing it behind me with a quiet click. My hand pressed against the edge of the desk, finge

Nicole’s POV The kettle clicked Soft Almost like nothing. But it landed too loud in the silence. My phone was still in my hand, the screen dimming slowly before going dark. Behind me, water began to heat again.A low hum. Then the faint tremble of it nearing a boil. Mom moved around the kitchen.Cup against the counter Ceramic tapping lightly. Like she was being careful not to make noise.....m And somehow making more because of it. “You should sit, you've been standing for a while now.” Her voice came from behind me. I didn’t answer. l My thumb brushed the side of my phone, waking the screen again. Light spilled across my palm Cold and Unforgiving. The message sat there. Something about it felt deliberate. Like whoever sent it knew exactly how long I’d stare before giving in. Another second passed. The kettle hissed softly now,Steam building,Pressure rising. I tapped the screen. You’re asking the wrong people. My fingers tightened slightly. The words

Nicole’s POV > Now she knows. The words didn’t leave the screen. They stayed there. Burning into my eyes. Into my chest. Into something deeper I didn’t want to name. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t even breathe properly. Because whoever this was.... They weren’t just watching. They were listening. To everything. Every word. Every reaction. Every crack. My fingers trembled slightly around the phone. Not fear. Not exactly. Something sharper. Something colder. “Nicole.” Raphael’s voice cut through it. Low. Controlled. I dragged my eyes off the screen slowly. Looked at him. And suddenly..... Everything felt different. The hallway. The messages. Him. “You knew my uncle before that day?” I asked quietly. He didn’t answer immediately That silence..It pressed harder than any words. “Nicole...” “No.” I shook my head once. “Don’t.” Because I could feel it...,. The truth sitting right there, waiting to break somet

Nicole’s POV this can't be random Raphael? at my place ? How did he get to know were I stay.....that was all that was running through my mind. The sound of his voice outside my door should’ve calmed me. Instead .... It made my pulse spike harder. Because relief only lasted for half a second before another thought slammed into me. I stayed frozen near the door with my back pressed on it , Listening. The hallway outside remained quiet. Then another knock came. Softer this time. “Nicole.” “Open the door.” Something about the way he said it made my stomach tighten. Not commanding but Urgent. I swallowed hard and finally forced myself to move. My hand wrapped around the lock slowly. I hesitated. Just for a second, Then unlocked it The door opened barely halfway before Raphael’s face came into view. And immediately..... Something felt wrong.... Not with him but With the situation. His expression was unreadable as always. Controlled and Sharp. But h

Nicole’s POV “Nicole.” Nora’s voice softened when I didn’t answer immediately. Streetlights spilled across the sidewalk in pale gold, catching against the worried crease between her brows. I forced my hand to relax around the phone. Too late. She already noticed. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said quietly. I let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “Trust me,” I murmured, locking my phone quickly, “I wish it was that simple.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. That was the problem with Nora. She paid attention too much sometimes. “What happened?” she asked again. The question sat between us. Heavy. Dangerous. I opened my mouth. Closed it again. Because what exactly was I supposed to say? Hey Nora, someone has apparently been secretly taking pictures of me for years and sending them to me like some twisted scrapbook of my life? Even thinking it sounded insane. My throat tightened slightly. “I’m just tired,” I said finall