Novels by Faithchi

RAELYNNIt had only been three days since I started working for Lucio, but I was already convinced he was out to get me.“Rae! You’re going to be late for work if you keep snuggling your sheets!” Claire’s voice floated in my dream.“Oh my god!” I shrieked, flinging back the covers and scrambling to check the time.7:30 a.m. Less than thirty minutes to get dressed, grab my things, and somehow catch a bus.I rushed to the bathroom, took the fastest shower of my life and brushed my teeth like my life depended on it. Stepping out, I slipped into a cream-colored, tailor fitted gown. It was cinched at the waist and smooth over my hips, the hem resting just above my knees. I ran a comb through my hair, letting the soft waves fall freely around my face. A quick swipe of makeup, heels on, bag in hand, I dashed toward the door.“No breakfast this morning?” Claire’s voice made me freeze. She was plating a sandwich at the counter.“Nope. I have less than five minutes to get to work.” I said, peck

RAELYNN I woke earlier than I wanted, my stomach twisting the second my eyes fluttered open. Today was the day I’d step into Lucio Ashford’s world, fully aware that every step might make me a headline or worse, a punchline. I stared at the ceiling for a long moment, wishing I could vanish back under the warm cocoon of my blankets. But I couldn’t. Bills waited. Mom’s prescriptions waited. And somehow, I was stuck between fear and determination. I dressed slowly, choosing a crisp white blouse tucked into a navy pencil skirt. Not flashy. I didn’t want to look like I was begging for attention. I wanted to look professional, invisible, but capable. I pulled my hair into a neat ponytail and lingered a second too long in the mirror. You can do this, Rae. It’s just a job. But the thought of seeing him again, the man who had turned my life into a headline, made my chest tighten. The city was alive with its usual chaos, but I felt invisible. People hurried past me, coffee in hand, earbuds

RAELYNN I didn’t stop walking until my legs burned. I didn’t bother looking back. Not once. Not even when the elevator doors closed, not when I passed through the marble lobby of Ashford Companies, not even when I stepped outside and felt the chilly breeze hit my face. I kept walking because I knew if I wasted any more minutes I would break down on the busy road of Downtown LA. By the time I reached the bus station, my hands were trembling so badly I had to shove them deep into the pockets of my jacket just to keep them steady. Around me, people moved with purpose, students waiting to catch their rides, office workers drinking their coffees while scrolling through their phones. The noise of chattering voices and distant announcements filled my ears, but I barely noticed. All I could feel was the emptiness in my stomach, the way my heart hammered like I had so much to say but had forced myself to keep it buried deep within my heart, and the strange, sinking weight that my wo

LUCIO ASHFORD “I need you to stop this news from spreading any further,” I said, keeping my voice steady as I stared at the trending headlines on my tablet. “My team’s tried everything, sir, but the rumors aren’t slowing down,” my PA Cal replied, fingers flying across his tablet. “Any calls from Sophie yet?” I asked, my chest tightening at the thought. “None, sir. But Mr Elliot has been trying to reach you.” “I know,” I said, waving him off. “That’s all for now.” He left quietly, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My phone rang again, probably for the twentieth time today. I swiped to answer. “Come on, bro, you can’t ignore me forever,” Eli’s voice said from the other end. “I can, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing,” I replied, exhaustion weighing on every word. “I can’t blame myself for pushing you that night,” Eli continued, almost too casually. “I mean, you liked her first, I just nudged you along and It’s not like what you and Sophie have is serious,” “

RAELYNN The campus felt… weird. Off. Like everyone had suddenly decided to stare at me all at once. And maybe they had. Every step I took, every whisper behind me made my stomach twist. “Why are people staring at us?” Claire whispered, walking beside me. “I don’t know,” I muttered, keeping my head down. “It’s… weird.” She gave me a look, a mix of worry and curiosity. “Weird? Try scary.” We found our usual seats in class, but it didn’t help. People kept sneaking glances, whispering to each other, some even pointing. My fingers drummed nervously on the desk. I wanted to disappear. Claire leaned over. “Any luck with your job applications?” I sighed. “Not really. Everyone wants experience, and… I don’t have much. But I’m still trying.” It hadn’t been easy. Mom has been the one holding down the fort at home, doing all she could to support me. My little side income barely covered my expenses. Every application I sent felt like I was tossing a hopeless bottle into the ocean a

RAELYNN I woke up with a dull ache behind my eyes and the uncomfortable awareness that something was wrong. I lay still for a moment, blinking slowly as my eyes adjusted to the soft lighting of the room. The sheets beneath my fingers felt too smooth and too cool. The faint scent of cologne in the air was definitely not mine. The bed beneath me was too big, and the ceiling above me wasn’t familiar. My room back at the apartment barely had space for a bedside table. This bed could fit three people comfortably. The ceiling above me was high and spotless, the soft glow from the lights casted faint shadows along the edges. Nothing about this place felt lived-in in the way a student apartment did. There were no scattered clothes, no mismatched furniture, no signs of chaos. That was when it sank in. I wasn’t in my apartment. When I tried to move, a sharp wave of soreness hit between my thighs, forcing a quiet breath from my lips. My heart skipped as I glanced down and realize