Begin With Your Name Novels & Stories

He had expected her to be packing clothes, or doing something else, but she sat there writing in a hurry. "What are you doing?" She twitched slightly at his hoarse voice, but continued to write. Perhaps his eyes weren't adjusted to the dim light, but she looked pale and exhausted. He hoped that she could feel even a small part of what he was going through right now. “I said, what are you doing?” She signed her name at the bottom of the page, dated it, and gave it to him. “Here,” she said, using great effort to keep her voice calm. "Now you won't have to worry about a claim of paternity."

It's only right he checks on her; he reasoned as he unlocked his phone and scrolled through his contacts, pausing on her nickname. Princess. It stared back at him, taunting him, reminding him he's the biggest asshole in the world for making a woman cry, especially one as tiny as her. God, Princess, where are you, he wondered as he typed out an urgent text, checking where she is. 'Meeting's already started. You're late.' It sounded formal, terse even, as he read it over. Maybe he should add an emoji or two. But which one? The smiley one?

"But first, I need you to breathe with me. Just a deep breath." I tried, but it felt like I was inhaling glass. "That's it," she encouraged. "Now, let's start with the basics. It’ll help us get you home. Can you tell me your name?" I opened my mouth to answer. “My name is…,” I started, but my brain short-circuited. The word stayed behind a locked door. I frowned, searching my mind for the familiar syllables. I waited for the automatic response, the simple truth I’d known since I was a child.

I took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.” Holding my phone out from me at arm’s length, I clicked the camera icon and plastered my best fake smile onto my face. “Hi, everyone,” I said, mentally cringing at the sound of my own voice. “My name is Anna Leonard, and this is my first day working out at Stand Up. I’m super excited to get started on some cardio here on the treadmill after I get in some stretching.” I paused, unsure of what to say next. Then I remembered what Barnett had said the night he had given me the V.I.P. card.

My father named me Adageyudi, Adage for short "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our annual book launching event. Please make your way to the table and have a seat, we're about to begin. Mrs Collins and Mr Wallace, please make your way to the front." "That's us," Darren said. "I have to go," I turned to Michael and Jackson. "Will you be able to find your table? It's right at the front. With your names," they both nodded. "Great, please excuse me," I said walking past them. I gave Jackson's bicep a gentle squeeze as discreetly as possible.

He asks me. "Whatever. I mean like, a little privacy would be nice maybe?" I respond. "Ill give you your privacy if you tell me your name," He says. "What if my name is Gabrielle?" I ask him. "That'll be cool. Even if it's not Gabrielle, I hope it at least starts with a G," He says. Gray... Fuck, that starts with a G... "Nope, my name starts with a Q," I lie. "Is your name Quinn?" He asks.

I'm all about fairness. Within the hour both teams returned with both kings in hand. They both managed to hold their dignity intact. I felt more respect for them. “Good afternoon, your majesties .” My voice was gentle but firm. King Louis addressed me first. After looking me up and down. And determined I was no threat. “My lady” interrupting him, “it’s your Majesty. Go on.” He shrugged me off. “As I was saying. I don't know who you are or what you think you're doing, but I will have your head, and there’s too!” He pointed to all my guardians. I heard a deep male chuckle and was surprised it came from Gabriel of all my guardians. “Your majesty,” I replied with a warning in my voice. “If I wer

I could see he is anxious and so is mom. Where should I start on telling them the truth. I don’t know what to say or how to say it, I know I have to start from the beginning but before that I need to do something else. It’s now or never. I took out my phone and scroll through my gallery and found a clear picture of the triplets. I look at them and smiled, my children are my life. I don’t regret having them. After looking at the picture for a few second, I passed the phone towards mom and dad then then I bow my head down. I took a deep breathe then look at them again.

“Isn’t there something… something you can help me with?” For a couple of seconds there was nothing before the guy’s eyes widened like he had an idea. He cleared his throat pointing at his chest before opening his mouth and making a couple of incoherent noises. Frustrated he took a deep breath again. “…Alfie…name…something…starts… with A…” He looked super proud once the last one left his mouth. He repeated it almost stabbing his chest with his finger. “Alfie.” “Something that starts with A?” Jaden repeated not knowing what he meant even though it sounded awfully familiar.

Something that feels like standing on a curb and realizing the headlights are coming a little too fast. I reread the instructions. Simple. Clean. Almost too clean. West End Café. Corner booth. Mr. Black. No phone number. No company name. Just initials and a clock. I rub my temples. It's just work. I need the money. I can't afford to turn picky over a detail that's probably nothing. Still, the name claws at me. Mr. Black. It sounds made-up. Like the kind of name you give when you don't want to be known.