LOGINThe moment the lecturer dismissed the class, a soft murmur of chatter filled the room. Students gathered their notes, packs, and equipment, some already rushing out to get lunch or meet friends. I slowly began packing up my things, still feeling the adrenaline of having led the practical successfully. My hands moved almost automatically, but my mind kept replaying the earlier whispers, the doubts, and, most importantly, Frank’s intervention.I looked around, trying to find him among the sea of students leaving the room. My chest tightened slightly as I realized he was probably heading out too. I had barely let him speak to me since the incident with him confronting the class, and yet, he had stood up for me without complaint. I had told him to stay away, and he still had my back. That thought made me feel both guilty and grateful.“Frank!” I called softly, almost afraid I might not catch him before he left.He turned, his expression calm, almost unreadable, as he waited for me to ca
Nicole's POV I walked into the classroom, carrying my bag and the tray of nursing equipment I’d prepared. I was in charge of the practical our lecturer had entrusted me to lead it and I suddenly felt nervous standing in front of the whole class, though I still felt excited. I had practiced everything at home, measuring blood pressure accurately, checking pulse and respiration, and calculating IV drip rates. I knew what to do. But now, standing in front of my classmates, it all felt bigger, more real.I arranged the stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers, thermometers, and IV equipment neatly on the table. The soft smell of antiseptic filled the air, sharp and familiar. I took a deep breath and turned to the class.“Okay, everyone,” I started, trying to keep my voice steady, “today we’re going to practice patient assessment. We’ll take vital signs, calculate IV drip rates, and record everything accurately. I’ll demonstrate first, and then you’ll try in pairs. Follow each step carefully, and
We both froze. Our mother stood there, immaculately dressed as always, smiling but l saw through it. I knew her smile, it wasn’t warmth for me. It was a performance, a mask she wore because the world expected it. Liam, on the other hand, looked genuinely pleased, though l could sense the tiny hesitation in his posture.“Mother…” Liam started, a hint of happiness in his voice. My jaw tightened; his tone stayed neutral. “Good Afternoon Ma.”“I just got in from the airport,” she said smoothly, letting her designer bag swing from her arm. “Thought I’d drop by to see how my sons are managing things while I’m away.”I forced a polite smile. I didn’t rise to the bait, didn’t give her the warmth she might have hoped for. “We weren’t expecting you today. Why did you come all of a sudden?”“No reason,” she said, her voice light, deliberately casual. “But I’m here now, so it’s all fine.” Her eyes flicked to me, just long enough for me to catch the practiced indifference she wore like armor.L
An unknown guy stood by the window, his back straight, one hand holding a cigarette while the other hand holding the phone pressed to his ear. Outside, the city moved as usual.“I followed him,” he said quietly. “Everything went according to plan but,”“What happened?” The person on the other line asked.“l don't know. Traffic was heavy enough, but he didn’t die.” His jaw tightened.“The accident happened,” he continued, careful with his words. “Enough to scare him but Dante walked away without any injury.”There was silence on the line.“Fool, I didn't ask you to kill him, he was supposed to be severely injured, bad enough to keep him bedridden for more than a month.” The person on the other line said angrily.“I’m sorry sir,” he said quickly. “That wasn’t the outcome we discussed.” He shifted his weight, lowering his voice. “Something went wrong, maybe chances, I don’t know yet but I will take responsibility.”The voice on the other end spoke again.“So?”“So I’m sorry,” he replied
Adrian’s POVI had requested for a board meeting earlier on.By the time I entered, everyone was seated, directors, department heads, Liam. Tablets were on the table, coffee cups half-full. Small talk stopped the second I took my seat.“Good morning.” I cleared my throat.I didn't bother taking note of the people who replied to my greetings.I glanced around once before speaking.“We’re launching the new product next month,” I said calmly. “That’s not news. What we need to decide today is how we introduce it.”A few heads nodded.I tapped my fingers lightly on the table. “I want us to host a launch party.”That got their attention.Murmurs spread across the room.“A party?” one of the older board members asked, surprised.“Yes,” I replied. “Not just a celebration, more like a statement. Our rival hasn't shown much development for a while so now is our best time to strike.”I leaned forward slightly. “We invite potential partners. Investors. Companies we’ve been watching—and companies
Nicole’s POV I clutched the flyer tightly in my hand, my steps quick as I walked down the street. The noise of the city felt distant, muted compared to the whirlwind inside my head. The Wine Bureau wasn’t far, just a block away. Its polished glass doors reflected the late morning sun, and soft music spilled out into the street, warm and inviting. I paused at the entrance, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. The bell chimed softly, and a light scent of grapes and oak filled the air.“Hi! Can I help you?” a cheerful voice called.I turned to see the same girl from earlier, the one who’d handed me the flyer. She had a warm smile that immediately made me feel less nervous.“Hi,” I said, forcing a smile that felt awkward at first. “I… um, do you remember me? I wanted to know more about the job.”“Of course!” she said, motioning for me to follow. “I’m Mia, the assistant manager here. You must be Nicole, right?”I blinked, surprised. “Yes… that’s me. How do you know my name? And







