Novels by Kira.E

Chapter 8Fresh StartFor a moment, she said nothing. Just stared.“Good morning Aunt May.“ Maria repeated Aunt May was still too shocked to reply properly. She smiled again, wider and walked closer to her. She touched her face and nearly laughed seeing her expression.“Aunt, don't you think that expression is too much? Nothing serious happened”Aunt May finally got her voice.“You say nothing serious happened, like what you are wearing is not serious. Sweetheart, it is.““Aunt you are exaggerating.“ she chuckled.This was the girl who had worn baggy sweaters and extreme casuals to go out for three years straight. Who pulled her hair back so tight it looked like she was trying to erase it. Who She, May had begged, pleaded, on more than one occasion: "You are a woman, Maria. Let yourself be seen."And Maria would just shrug, mutter something about it not mattering, and disappear into her room.But today—Today her hair fell loose, not styled or blown out, just free, a simple middle pa

Chapter 7Lingering Thoughts Maria stepped into the house and met Aunt May watching her favourite series. "You're back, sweetheart?" She said while staring at the screen. "Yeah" she changed to her flip flops and sat beside Aunt May. She rested her head on her laps. Aunt May understood her action. This was how she always felt after visiting her mom. "Hey, baby. Are you okay" She asked stroking her hair gently. "I am fine, I just want you to cuddle me for a while." "No problem dear but don't you want to eat something." "I'm not hungry" She didn't persuade her further just kept on stroking her hair softly. Soon Maria fell asleep on her laps and she smiled.She looked down at Maria's sleeping face and saw her best friend staring back. Same nose. Same stubborn chin. Same fire hidden beneath the softness."I promised you, Hailey," she whispered. "I will never abandon her.“ "Though life hasn't really been fair to an innocent girl like you Maria. I promise to make sweet memories

Chapter 6 Attitude He was genuinely curious about what she would say next. She smiled after a while. "I thought as much" Francis said after seeing the smile. The next thing she tore the paper into pieces and there it at his face. "You can have your money, arrogant man," she said with a sick smile on her face. "I am so sorry I am the one at fault for expecting an apology from someone with your kind of personality. An apology from you will definitely reduce me to your level. So way beneath me. Do have a good day" She said and turned and walked out to the next street. "Boss should I go after her" Francis' eyes were on her till she turned a corner. "Sir" The driver said getting his attention. "Get in" The driver got in and drove of to their initial destination. ★ROSE HAVEN★ This place is just like it name, roses are everywhere of different color. The place was a lovely place for picnics but it was privately owned not for the public. Maria walked through the gates and took a

Chapter 5 AN UNFORTUNATE DELAY High above the restless city, the office remained quiet. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the far wall, revealing a skyline that looked almost peaceful from that height. Far below, traffic crawled through the streets like slow-moving ants. Inside the office, everything was perfectly organized. Sharp. Clean. Controlled. The man sitting behind the large glass desk preferred it that way. His fingers moved steadily across the keyboard of his laptop as numbers and reports filled the screen. The faint ticking of a clock echoed softly against the walls. He barely noticed the time passing. Work had a way of pulling his full attention. And when he worked, everything else ceased to exist. Which was exactly why the soft knock on the door irritated him. “Come in.” The door opened hesitantly. His secretary stepped inside, clutching a folder nervously. “Sir… about your four o’clock meeting—” His fingers stopped typing. Sl

Chapter 4 MAY’S HEARTH The bell above the door chimed softly as Maria stepped inside May’s Hearth. Warmth wrapped around her instantly. The restaurant buzzed with life. Plates clinked, chairs scraped lightly against the floor, and the rich aroma of grilled meat, herbs, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Conversations blended together in a pleasant hum that made the place feel alive. The afternoon rush had already begun. Customers filled most of the tables. Some laughed over drinks while others focused on their meals. A few well-dressed men sat near the windows, their expensive watches glinting under the warm lights. May’s Hearth was never quiet. Maria paused just inside the entrance, letting the familiar atmosphere settle around her. “Look who finally decided to leave the house.” Maria turned. Aunt May stood behind the counter, flour dusting the front of her apron and a teasing smile on her face. “I have good news, I got the job,” Maria replied. “Really

Chapter 3 A Restless Afternoon The movie continued playing on the television. The actors cried and argued dramatically, but she barely paid attention anymore. Her mind kept drifting to places she didn’t want to revisit. Gabriel. Even after she changed the channel, the memory of his face refused to leave her mind. She hated that. Hated that after everything he had done, a single glimpse of him on television could still stir something inside her. “Pathetic,” she muttered to herself. She stood up abruptly and began pacing the sitting room. The apartment was big—more than enough space for her and Aunt May—but right now it felt like the walls were closing in on her. Her eyes wandered again to the photograph sitting on the table. Her mother’s warm smile seemed to follow her no matter where she stood. Maria sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “You would probably scold me for sulking like this,” she murmured quietly. “You always said I think too much.” The memory made