Novels by AttractaIzakpa

Aria’s footsteps echoed softly against the polished hallway as she sprinted out of the club, her bag clutched tightly in her hands. Every step sounded louder than it should.Her chest heaved with each breath, sweat slicking her palms, and the weight of last night’s chaos still pressed against her like a physical force.The staff corridor was unfamiliar by day, stripped of its night-shrouded secrecy. The echo of her hurried steps was almost deafening.Outside, the early morning air hit her with a cold slap. Damp from last night’s drizzle, it mixed with the scent of wet asphalt and city smoke. Aria drew in a sharp breath, letting it steady her, even as panic clawed at her chest. She had escaped the club, the process to leave, easier than entering.Her bag felt heavy across her shoulder, the contents threatening to press her down, as if the universe were conspiring to remind her how fragile her position was.Lena’s rules came back, sharp and unrelenting: Never stray. Always follow the ru

Aria’s breath came fast as she pushed herself back across the mattress.“Don’t touch me.”Her voice shook despite the sharpness of the words, her eyes narrowed.She kept her eyes leveled with his, while looking around for any weapon.It just so happened that at a time like this, the only possible weapon against the giant of a man was far away. Times like this made her wish she’d listened to Lena and kept her pepper spray.Roman froze.He stood beside the bed, shoulders rigid, one hand braced against the edge of the mattress as if he needed it to remain upright. His breathing was uneven, each inhale slow and deliberate, like he was forcing air into lungs that refused to cooperate.He barely registered the slap. The slight sting on his face felt more like warmth than pain. The problem was her. Her scent filled the room now, thicker than before, making it difficult for him to focus.Roman closed his eyes briefly, willing control back in a way he was grateful for the slap, as it seemed t

The tray felt heavier than it should have.Aria balanced it carefully as she followed Lena down the dim corridor lined with towering black doors polished to a mirror sheen, thin lines of white light tracing their edges.The glossy floor reflected every step, and the quiet glow along the walls made the entire passage feel unreal.Each door had a small brass number fixed beside it, Lena stopped in front of the first one and nudged it open with her elbow.Inside, four men also in suits sat around a low table scattered with documents and half-empty glasses. Their conversation paused as the two servers entered.Aria kept her eyes lowered as Lena had instructed.Invisible. That was the rule.Lena moved smoothly, placing fresh drinks on the table while collecting the empty glasses. Aria copied her movements carefully, her fingers steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.One of the men leaned back in his chair, watching her a little too closely.But Aria ignored him and finished plac

After parting with Lena, Aria started her walk home.It wasn’t a far distance from the cafe to her house, but at that time, a stroll seemed like the best idea..Strolling had always been a hobby, especially in the evening or after dark. Simply walking, feeling the wind on the skin, having the chance to simply relax and let your thoughts envelop you.The problem was that with the hustle and bustle of work, trying to make money, she’d found less and less time to indulge.The streets glistened faintly under the scattered streetlights, the rain from earlier leaving puddles behind.. The scent of petrichor hung heavy in the air.Every step toward home felt heavy, weighted with exhaustion. She clutched her bag closer, half-hoping the world would stay distant enough tonight that she could just disappear into her small apartment.Eventually reaching home, she walked in.The building was quiet, as if it too were holding its breath. The paint on the walls had begun to chip away, and the narrow s

The café smelled like burnt sugar and overbrewed coffee, a scent that had soaked so deeply into the walls that no amount of cleaning could ever remove it. It lingered in the air like a stubborn memory, clinging to the wooden counters, the chipped ceramic mugs, and the faded curtains by the narrow windows.The place was small, barely large enough for the six mismatched tables scattered across the tiled floor. Dim yellow lights above the counter flickered occasionally, casting soft shadows that further aged the room.Outside, the city moved on without noticing the little café tucked between a laundromat and a convenience store. Headlights from passing cars occasionally flashed through the window, briefly illuminating the dusty glass before disappearing again into the night.At this late hour, the café was nearly empty.Only one customer sat in the far corner, lazily stirring a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold. The quiet hum of the refrigerator behind the counter filled the