Letter to Laura George

Laura The diner was quiet. Too quiet. The only light came from the dim glow of the kitchen gas, flickering like it could go out at any moment. The usual buzz of life was gone, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. I sighed and turned the gas off. "Hey, Peter. I'm clocking out now," I called over my shoulder, untying my apron. No response. I frowned. He had just walked into the pantry a few seconds ago. "Peter?" I called again, but the silence stretched. A prickle of unease crawled down my spine as I walked toward the pantry. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat as my heart slammed against my ribs. I froze. Peter was sprawled on the floor, lifeless eyes staring straight ahead, blood pooling around him. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. My limbs felt heavy, my mind blank but then, the dam broke. "Peter!" I dropped to my knees, my hands trembling as I reached out to his face. His skin was pale, unmoving. The thick scent of iron filled

Adlan After ending the call with my brother, I could still feel the anger simmering beneath my skin, refusing to settle. My grip on the pen in my hand tightened as my phone rang again, dragging me back into the moment. I cursed under my breath. Snatching the phone off my desk, I was ready to unleash the rest of the words Andrew hadn't stuck around to hear but when I glanced at the screen, the number flashing across it wasn't his. An unknown caller. I frowned, hesitating for only a second before swiping to answer on the third ring. "Hello," I said, my tone sharp, impatient but there was silence at the other end. I pulled the phone from my ear, glancing at the screen. The call was still connected. "Hello," I repeated, slower this time, giving whoever it was one more chance before I hung up. "This is Laura George. I'd like to meet." Every nerve in my body went taut. I checked the screen again, as if I hadn't heard right. "Hello? Are you there?" she asked, her voice soft but u

Laura "Hey, Laura," Kate greeted as she strolled in, her voice deceptively light. I responded with a nod, already sensing trouble. "You look different," Andrew added, his voice dripping with amusement. Then, with a scoff, he smirked. "I'd say you look... bright." Heat rushed to my cheeks. Conversations with them never ended well. For the first time, I wished Peter was around. "I..." I forced an awkward smile before shaking my head. "I look the same." I peeled off my gloves and tossed them into the trash. When I turned back, Kate had moved closer—too close. I barely managed to stop myself from colliding into her. Her eyes locked onto mine, dark and searching, her breath fanning against my face. I held still. She trailed a single finger across my cheek, the touch slow, deliberate. "Why are your cheeks flushed?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. I swallowed, nearly choking on my own spit. "That's just... that's just how my cheeks are," I managed, coughing slightly. K

Laura I had spent my entire life behind the walls I built—walls that kept people at a safe distance, walls that shielded me from heartbreak, from disappointment, from the cruel realities of human connection. No relationships. No first love. No close friends. No experiences with the things most people took for granted but those walls were crumbling. Because right now, my back was sinking into the softness of my bed, my lips tangled with his, and every last barrier I had erected was burning to the ground. When he drove away earlier, I felt something inside me break. A sharp, unfamiliar pain that settled deep in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I had convinced myself I could walk away, that it was better this way, but when I watched his car disappear, I knew I had lost him and losing him hurt. As I stepped inside my apartment, the weight of everything came crashing down on me. I had lost my job. I had lost every shred of security I had and now, I had lost the only man who had ev

Laura The dress clung to my body like a second skin, tracing the curves that weren't as defined without it. The smooth silver fabric shimmered under the dim lighting of my bedroom, accentuating every dip and swell, giving the illusion of a perfectly sculpted hourglass shape. It stopped mid-thigh with delicate ruffles lining the hem. The thin straps framed my shoulders, and the plunging V-neckline teased just enough skin without revealing too much. The diamond embellishments at the neckline caught the light, adding an ethereal touch. I looked expensive. I had taken my time with my makeup, keeping it subtle but elegant, enhancing the features I often overlooked. My hair was swept into a high bun, with loose strands framing my face and grazing my shoulders. For once, I felt proud of myself. The moment I finished, my phone chimed with a message. It was from Adlan. ‘Come outside.’ I took one last look in the mirror before grabbing my clutch and hurrying to the door. His car was a