Novel-novel oleh Abraham Edwards

Alessia's Point of view I was seated in Ethan’s exquisitely furnished living room, surrounded by opulence that felt both foreign and suffocating. The plush leather sofa I was perched on seemed to swallow me whole, its deep red hue contrasting sharply with the cool, modern decor. Elegant artwork from famous artists adorned the walls, and a crystal chandelier hung overhead, its harsh beams highlighting my unease.I glanced at the gold-plated clock on the mantelpiece—an hour had passed since I arrived, and with each tick, my resolve wavered. What were you thinking, Sia? Go home before it's too late.I had been initially repulsed by Ethan's offer of a contract marriage but the persistent calls and emails from the bank had worn me out.I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache threatening to take hold. I had exactly twenty-four hours before the bank took action against me. The weight of that deadline pushed me to this point. As I stared at the glossy coffee table

Ethan's Point of view The laughter and chatter of the reunion faded as I stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air hitting my face like a refreshing slap. I needed a moment to clear my head after that awkward encounter with Alessia. How had I let her get under my skin so easily? As I walked towards the balcony, I caught sight of her silhouette, leaning against the balcony’s edge, lost in thought. The way her blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders made my heart skip a beat.She looked different—more mature, more beautiful. The soft glow of the moon illuminated her features, highlighting her dimples and the delicate curve of her jaw. Damn it, she looked like a goddess.“Alessia,” I called out, unable to stop myself. The moment my voice broke through the silence, she startled, spinning around as if she hadn’t expected anyone to follow her. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me out here?” she shot back defensively, backing into the rail as if trying t

Alessia's Point of view The atmosphere buzzed with animated chatter as I stepped into the elegant banquet hall for our college reunion, my arms linked with Hailey's. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off polished tables, and laughter filled the air, but I felt a knot of anxiety twist in my stomach.“I told you I didn't want to come to this event, Hailey. Look at how genuinely happy everyone looks,” I pointed out, scanning the familiar faces with a hint of jealousy.“Ninety-five percent of the people here are faking it, Sia. Don’t be fooled,” Hailey replied, rolling her eyes. “Have you forgotten how it used to be? The various cliques and their fake friendships?”“I remember,” I said, trying to suppress a smile at her bluntness. “But a lot of time has passed since then.”“Exactly,” she stressed, squeezing my arm reassuringly. “Time has passed, and that means you’re not the same person you were back then. Through everything you’ve been through, you’ve evolved into a confident

Ethan's Point of view I parked my car in front of the restaurant. I sat there for a minute, as memories flooded to my head. I recalled the times my friends had dragged me here because of the delicious meals they whipped up.I unbuckled my seat belt with one hand while I speed dialled my best friend and personal assistant, Mark. “I'm inside, get your ass in here.” he chirped.I sighed and opened the car door. As I stepped outside, I placed my hand across my face to shade it from the blinding sunlight. I didn't need to search for long because there was Mark seated at one of the tables in the center of the room, looking conspicuous in a red blazer. A waitress stood by his table, blushing hard at whatever lies he was feeding her.I strode towards the table and took my seat. Mark continued conversing with the girl, ignoring my presence. “Are you here to work or you are here to fraternize with customers?” I snapped.The girl shuddered visibly and turned to me with wide eyes, the menu

Alessia's Point of view The aroma of freshly made chicken soup filled the air as I lifted the pot from the cooker. What once brought a sigh of contentment over my culinary skills now served as a stark reminder of how far we had fallen from our days of glory.I glanced through the glass windows of my kitchen, my heart sinking at the sight of the empty seats in the restaurant. Just then, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned, reluctantly pulling my gaze from the view.“Hello, Martha. How are you?” I greeted, forcing a smile. She was in her mid-forties and one of the longest-serving staff members at my restaurant.“I’m doing fine,” she replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Is everything alright? Is there something I should know?” I asked, feeling my heart rate quicken. I wasn’t ready for any more bad news this week. It was the weekend, and I had already endured more than enough since the beginning of the week.“I’m just concerned about t