Novel-novel oleh Bukunmi Gold

My breath stilled. There he was—Bryan. Of all people. Standing right next to Mr. Denmark like fate had a cruel sense of humor. Sharp suit, smug smile, and that unmistakable gleam in his eyes—like he still thought he was better than everyone in the room. My stomach twisted. I didn’t need to hear him speak to know exactly what was coming. “Small world,” he said, his voice smoother now, deeper. But still cocky. Still Bryan. Andrew shifted beside me, tense. His hand hovered near my back, but he didn’t touch me. Not yet. “You two know each other?” Mr. Denmark asked, looking from Bryan to me with mild curiosity. “Oh, yes,” Bryan said. “Maria and I go way back.” My mouth was dry. I could barely breathe, much less answer. “She was unforgettable,” he added, like it was funny. Like the years of bullying and whispered insults were just some harmless inside joke we both shared. Andrew cut in, voice cold. “Let’s not waste anyone’s time.” There was something dangerous in his tone, like

Maria's POV “Five thousand dollars… We both know that you’re not worth it, but I’m that nice.” The words replayed in my head, taunting my sanity. It had to be a joke, except that his face was as hard as a rock.I brushed the tears off my cheek. He should never have seen me break. “If this is your way of making jest of me again, the joke’s on you.”Turning to flag down a taxi, he gripped my wrist and made me face him. His gaze, stern.“Do you think I’d leave my abode,” he looked at his grand complex. “Just to play some shitty game.”I shrugged. “Show me a more petty man.” “Fine. Ten thousand, and that’s it.”Now, it dawned on me that he meant every word he said. It all began to look fishy. “Are you this desperate?” Cocky, he adjusted his suit like he was not talking to a peasant like myself. “In or not? I’ve got work to do.”“I leaned closer, almost grazing our bodies. Chin tilted, I looked directly in his fierce gaze. “If I were your savior, I’d drag you by the balls into fucki

**Andrew’s POV** I smirked as she stood there, frozen in shock. Her face was priceless—lips parted, eyes wide with horror. Good. Let it sink in. “Well, well,” I drawled, leaning back in my chair. “If it isn’t my favorite drunk.” Maria’s jaw clenched, her hands curling into fists at her sides. She looked like she wanted to throw something at me. Again. “What the fuck is this?” she hissed. I tilted my head, pretending to think. “This? Oh, sweetheart, this is your new workplace.” My smirk widened. “Surprised?” She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. The movement only accentuated her curves, and my brain betrayed me for a split second—flashing back to the way they had felt beneath my hands last night. I clenched my jaw. Fucking hell. Only last night, I had been too drunk to realize who she was. Too wasted to connect the dots. And now? Now, I knew exactly who she was. Maria fucking Smith. The daughter of the people who had destroyed my family. And I had fucked he

Maria's POV Everything felt strange; the bed, air… my body. A groan slipped from my lips as I stretched, my body aching in ways I couldn’t explain. My head pounded like a drum, my mouth was dry, and everything felt off. I blinked against the harsh sunlight streaming through the curtains, frowning. I sat up slowly, trying to piece together how the hell I had gotten home. Except—this wasn’t home. The sheets beneath me were unfamiliar—smooth, expensive. The air smelled faintly of cologne and something musky. Panic shot through me as I glanced down. I was naked. “What the fuck…” I whispered, yanking the covers tighter around me. My breath hitched as I turned to my side, and my heart nearly stopped. A man was lying next to me. Fast asleep. His bare chest rose and fell with steady breaths, his toned arms resting against the pillows. His dark hair was tousled and fell over his face, covering his features completely. I swallowed hard. My heart pounding in my ears. Wh

Maria's POV The cold water hit me like a brick wall. It was like being slapped, punched, and suffocated all at once. My body seized up from the shock, my lungs locking down as if trying to keep me from inhaling the freezing liquid. For a moment, everything was silent. Still. I kicked. Flailing wildly. My hands reached upward, desperate for something to hold onto. But the surface was too far. I can’t even swim.Panic surged through me, sharp and electric. My mind screamed at me to fight, but my body was too weak. My limbs felt heavy, sluggish. The cold seeped into my bones, numbing every part of me. I coughed, a rush of bubbles escaping my lips. My vision blurred. I don’t want to die. The realization hit me like a freight train. I didn’t want to die. Not like this. Not alone. I kicked again, this time with purpose, but it was useless. The water was stronger than me, merciless in its grip. My lungs screamed for air. Oddly, something grabbed me. Strong hands. A f

Maria's POV Dear skies, just this once… I need your help.“So, Maria,” the hiring manager, Mr. Conway, skimmed my resume with zero enthusiasm. “You applied for the receptionist position, correct?” I nodded, forcing a smile. My sweaty palms clutched tight to my file. “Yes, I’m great with organization, and—” “Mm-hmm,” he interrupted, setting my resume aside. “It’s just—our receptionists have to maintain a certain image. Polished. Professional. Fit.” Fit. There it was. My face burned, but I kept my voice even. “I’m more than capable of handling the job.” He gave me that pitying smile again. “I’m sure you are.” Then he reached for another file—already done with me. Panic bubbled in my throat. I needed this job. “Please. Just give me a chance.” He exhaled through his nose, like I was exhausting him. “We do have openings in janitorial services. If you’re interested.” My heart dropped. Janitorial. He was telling me I was too fat to sit at a damn desk but maybe, just