Novels by Cranium

North’s POVThe second we stepped into the car at the end of contract signing with David Langston, Finn didn't waste a second before sliding right next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. Before I could react, he kissed my forehead and at once, I stiffened. “Don’t do that.” I said through my teeth, shoving him to the side. “You saved my ass back there, that was impressive.” He smacked his lips with his gaze still on me. “I didn’t do it for you,” I said flatly, resting against the door just in case he decides to make another move. “I did it because I want what you promised.”Still smiling, he asked, “The money?”“Yes, Finn. The five million dollars, and the event, you promised both before I accepted to play this game with you.” I huffed. "A forehead kiss will not pay my bills.” I muttered, hands crossed on my chest. “Wow. You're still mad at me.”“You think this is funny?” I snapped. “You paraded me like a trophy. Like your personal showpiece. I had to lie through my teeth

North’s POVThe next morning, I woke up to warmth, not the one from the sunlight but the one that will make your heart do a stupid skip.Finn’s arms were wrapped loosely around my waist like he owned me. His breath fanned the back of my neck, sending goosebumps racing down my spine. And pressed right up against me?His morning wood.I blinked at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, trying to ignore the heat rushing to my cheeks. The pillows I had used to divide the bed were on the floor. I tried not to breathe.Tried not to react.But his arm tightened even more.“Morning, North. You look cozy.” He whispered into my ear, causing me to jump out of my skin in fright as I rolled off the bed.I had no idea that he was awake.“You… I… What the hell happened to the pillow?” I gulped, trying to keep a steady gaze. “You snuggled into my chest last night." He teased, a lazy smirk tugging the side of his lips. “You keep acting like you don't want me but your body says otherwise." “

Finn’s POV“8:13 pm." I muttered, tearing open another bag of chips, chewing angrily on it. Time was crawling slowly and it was driving me crazy. It was barely three hours since I arrived in Washington DC yet I was sick of the place already.I was waiting impatiently for the time to chime at six am and then I will be out of this place for good but the time was crawling slowly. “Ugh! This is frustrating.” I tossed another chip into my mouth and then resumed chewing on it angrily. North's brief presence somehow softened my mood but then she left in anger.When she didn't return about half an hour later, I became worried and scared at the same time. The only thought ringing in my head was father cornering her and bombarding her with a lot of questions that will make her give away our plan. At first, I wanted to stay back without acting but then, I couldn't risk it.Turns out she was with Liam and not father like I had imagined. I had heard their voices chattering into the kitchen h

North’s POVThe first thought that came to mind was to lunge at her and grab her hands but somehow I was able to hold back from doing so.The last time I shared a room with Finn was three years ago and since then I vowed not to make a repeat of it. But now, it was void now just as my resolution of having nothing to do with him. "North, are you okay?” Elijah asked, her tone tingling with concern. Nodding vigorously, I flashed her a smile."Thank you.” I was still wearing my smile so she wouldn't suspect anything. "I will see you in the morning.” After giving my shoulder a squeeze, she took her leave.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the handle of the door and then pushed it open only to see Finn’s broad back turned on me.Biting the inside of my cheek, I closed the door behind me gently as I walked further into the room. Beside Finn were snack wrappers and a half eaten bag of chips was in his hand. He was chewing like he hadn’t eaten in days, his eyes locked on the ceiling like he

North’s POVI bet this was the exact reason Finn had done all he could to avoid his family while we were still dating three years ago. Even after Elijah had made me comfortable in the large living room that screamed nothing but opulence, I was still uncomfortable. Unable to handle my fright anymore, I rose only to lock eyes with Viktor Timber. “I want you to stick with Finn, he is the crazy type but do everything you can to keep him under control." He spoke in contrast to how he had acted earlier.Confused, I raised my brow. “You think I did all that because I hated him." He laughed, his almost sunken eyes glinting like that of a teenager. “I have to keep him in check, don't misunderstand me.” I nodded, though I was still confused. Just when I was about to lower myself on the couch, he said, "He is going to exchange fists with his brother, go and stop him.” True to his words, when I stepped out I met both of them arguing. I was going to yell at him like Elijah but I didn't tru

Finn's POVSeeing father, Elijah and Liam at the front of the mansion was the least I expected.A warm welcome? No way! If it had been only Elijah, it would suffice but father and then Liam that hated me with everything he had inside of him, I doubt. Rolling my eyes, I slowly approached the trio with North by my side. North never went below my expectations. Her acting skills were now on a whole different level making one think we are level headed when it was the direct opposite. It was supposed to end there but father decided to take it further, “Are you guys really married?" His question didn't come as a surprise to me. I was expecting him to toss it at us the moment we appeared before him but he delayed it. North tried to speak but I held my hand. She might be good but not when my father was involved. He wasn't someone she would be able to go against. “You watched the marriage on TV." I shot at him. “The media presents whatever it's handed to it. It doesn't separate fake fr

Cross’ POV “You mean Cross Voss is your boss?" I asked with a raised brow, trying to sound all natural but my heart was slamming against my chest mercilessly. Judging by the crispness of the magazine, I knew it was a new one but I couldn't bring myself to ask her for it.For months, I have been off the radar thinking that they have forgotten about me already, how wrong I was. The press was a dangerous organization. No matter how you try to steer away from them, they always find a way of popping their heads before you.“I think this line explains why he hasn't been at work for several months now." She mouthed, bringing me back to the present. With my brow raised at her, I asked, "What's the reason?" “He is crippled and no one knows where he is, not even his family." She replied. “I bet his family is behind this, they must have been looking for him so they decided to employ the power of the press." She mumbled. Taking a deep breath, I was relieved when she didn't press further bu

Cross's POVThe frown on Mulan's face deepened as she glared murderously at me. If she doesn't stop glaring, I was going to end up dying, not on the operating table like I had instigated but right here and now.“Are you trying to kill me with your eyes?" I mouthed, watching as her lips twitched to the side. She was getting even more angry now. The only reason why she was yet to flare up was because we were in public and for that, I was grateful. “Why are you acting like I said sometimes out of the ordinary?" I huffed. “Getting into surgery is a gamble, you either lose your life or you retain it." Reaching for her hand, I tried to give it a soft squeeze but she pulled away, still glaring at me. “Come on, you are getting worked up over nothing." I laughed, tossing my face towards the window only for her to tug my arm.“Have you lost it?" She gulped, trying to remain calm but it was to no avail. Her breathing was erratic and it would be a miracle if she didn't pass out. Pushing he

Mulan’s POVFinally, it was the eve of our trip to Germany. All through the day, I have checked and rechecked everything we will be needing for the trip. Kaiser on the other hand was indifferent. Of course I was forcing him to go for surgery against his will but still I had a price to pay. Sitting at the edge of my bed, I was staring at the screen of my phone. I had already dialed my mother's contact, all I needed was to press the call button. With a deep breath, I did and after two rings, the lines connected.“Mulan?” My mother’s soft voice filtered into my eardrum. I had missed her so much so I was giddy with excitement.“Mom.” I shrieked, “How are you?”“I should be asking you that.” She retorted. “You have been so busy these days that you barely have enough time to talk to your mother." “I'm worried about you." She added, her tone mild and almost breaking. “I'm fine mom, you don't have to worry about me." I paused and with a tone tingling with excitement, I said, “I will be

Cross’s POVWheeling my chair through the hallway, I scrunched my nostrils since the sterile scent of disinfectant which clung in the air was messing with my brain. I hated hospitals, and this was just one of the numerous reasons. The private medical ward which was separated from the rest of the building was specially designed for the elites. It screamed luxury which didn't make sense to me but that was the least of my concern.Taking the last bend to Doctor Randy's office, I let out a low sigh, already imagining the look of amusement that would be on his face when he sees me.For months, he had been urging me to go for surgery but I refused and now, I suddenly changed my mind, all thanks to Mulan.The thought of her made a smile appear on my lips but I quickly wiped it off.Getting to his office, I connected my fist to the door before pushing it in and letting myself into his large office. It was clear he had been waiting for me because he was leaning against his desk with a smug

Mulan's POVStaring at him with my eyes almost popping from its sockets, I didn't say anything. My tongue was glued and I couldn't react as I had been frozen in place.What I had expected was, we would end up having a fallout since he has asked me not to mind him but it turned out to be the direct opposite. My joy knew no bounds, I was literally floating in the air as relief washed through my entire body. "You will?" I muttered when I finally found my tongue."Yes." He affirmed only to tilt his head to the side like he was having a second thought. I was almost running my mouth when he locked eyes with me, "On one condition," He said. "Anything." I blurted without thinking.Reaching for my hand, he caressed it for a while. "Our contract will be ending in a few months.” He mumbled while I gulped.He was right about that. Though we were not cut out for each other, I was going to miss him terribly. But I got compensated already; my family was already paying for putting my mother and

Mulan's POVSliding my phone from my ear, I groped my way towards the wall and then placed my back against it. This wasn't the first time Doctor Randy was saying this but each time he does, I always felt cold chills running through my spines. I was terrified but I couldn't do anything.Kaiser was refusing to get surgery for reasons best known to him. Now, this wasn't just about fulfilling my part of the contract, I really wanted him to walk again. Snapping my eyes shut, I pulled away from the wall and with slow but deliberate steps, I made my way to Kaiser’s room. Placing my ear against the door, I was hoping to hear even the slightest noise as these days, he barely gets a wink of sleep.But the room was drowned in a deafening silence, causing me to wonder what the issue was.Pursing my lips, I grabbed the handle and then twisted it, causing the door to creak open. I was about to run away in fright until I saw the wheelchair was empty and he was lying on his back. Cautiously so I

Blue’s POV“Have a nice day." I said, shaking hands with all of the directors present until I got to the last. “You too." They replied. As the next chairwomen of Nexus Corporation, my father has suggested I meet with the directors before the formal introduction which was going to be held by the weekend. “We are going to help you in every little way we can." Mr. Langston said and with a smile on my lips, I nodded in appreciation. One after the other, they took their leave until I was the only one left in my office. Reclining against my table, I used my fingers to trace the corners of my name plaque, my smile growing even wider. Nine months ago, I was the wife of Caruso Milton. Fast forward to nine months later, I was the heiress of Nexus Corporation, one out of the three largest cologmerate in the country. Pushing my hair behind my ear, I plopped on my chair, a low sigh escaping from my lips as I turned on the TV. The headlines caught my attention, so I decided to keep watchin

Blue's POVWhat I had expected was, the trial was going to go on forever but to my surprise, it didn't last up to half an hour. Now, that wasn't the interesting part. Feebee kept to her promise and I was released on a bail. Surprised with the outcome of the trial, I couldn't move my feet even after the court session had been declared over. The previous night, I had already said my last prayer to my maker for a safe sojourn into the world beyond but, that wasn't going to happen anymore.At this point, I had no idea if I should be happy or sad. “I told you, I'm going to make sure you're released.” Feebeee’s voiced out, announcing her presence in the process and at once I grabbed her hand. With tears rolling down my cheeks, I tried to speak but my tongue was heavy so I couldn't move the organ. “How am I going to repay you?” I asked when I finally found my tongue. “I don't even know you yet you…” “You were accused wrongly; you don't deserve to be locked behind bars.” She shrugged.

Blue's POVIt was a week now after that incident, yet I couldn't stop thinking about Becca's last words to me. What was she talking about? Her sudden switch from being my best friend to something else was something I just couldn't comprehend no matter how much I thought about it. Sliding through the wall to the floor, I pulled my feet to my chin, the merry laughter of my prison mate from the other room filling my ear. Because of my previous status as the daughter in law of Victor Reece, I was given a private cell as I awaited my trial. According to him, that was the last thing he could do for me and he will never forgive me for killing his son’s best friend. “Breakfast is ready.” The warden said, pushing a tray into the room. “You should eat… you wouldn't want to embark on the journey of eternity with an empty stomach.” His words were followed by laughter from his colleagues. Ignoring their mocking words, I dug into my meal which I finished in a few minutes. Now pacing around

Caruso's POV This was a huge mess. How did Blue get mixed up in something like this? When the chef came running in earlier, I had just arrived at the lobby of the hotel after confirming Blue’s whereabouts from Becca, her best friend; I had just returned from a business trip when the caretaker informed me that they had been unable to get hold of Blue since the previous night. The chef kept rambling but the moment I got the message he was trying to pass, I rushed to the scene. Archer was stone dead, next to him was my wife who was trembling and covered in blood. Blue was a gentle soul, I can attest to that without batting an eyelid. I can't imagine her hurting a fly; talk less of killing a grown human who was triple her size. Cleaning her up was the first thought that came to mind but I could barely perform this before the reporters swarmed in. It wasn’t up to half an hour when the chef learnt of the situation but there were reporters on ground to take coverage. Grabbing the d

Blue’s POV“Blood.” I gasped, my eyes growing wide with fright as I tried to comprehend what was going on.The moment it ticked, I parted my lips only to let out an ear-splitting scream the next second as my heart rammed against my chest in quick successions.“No, how come? This can't be from me…” I panicked, trying to locate a bleeding spot on my body, but there was none. Neither was I feeling pain.“What’s all this about?” I muttered, turning around slowly, only to halt midway as cold chills ran down my spine.This time, I couldn't make a sound.Numbed to my brain, I fell on the floor with a thud, staring at the corpse of Archer, my husband's best friend, on the bed. His eyes, once full of life, were now wide open, staring into nothingness. A deep wound marred his chest and the sheets beneath him soaked in his blood. Still trying to comprehend what was happening, a low knock resounded in the room, and at once, my heartbeat skyrocketed.Unsure of what to do, I grabbed the duvet in