The Hours Novels & Stories

he asked as he tugged on his shoes. I groaned because I had a pretty full schedule this week. “Thursday.” That was ladies’ night at Forbidden, and only guys worked on ladies’ night. “So the countdown begins anew.” Pausing to check his phone and type something quickly, he grinned and winked at me before slipping it into his pocket. My cell chimed a second later as he started for the door. Frowning, I checked it to see that he’d texted me, saying: FROM COLTON: 60 hours.

"Mom, I'm fine, really." Shaun took a long thirsty gulp of water before hurriedly wiping her mouth and putting the bottle back in the fridge. She flexed her shoulder blades, wincing a little at the crackling sound and the tight, pinched feeling in her neck. She was on day three of a four-day twelve-hour rotation. She shook her head. It wasn't like she stuck to her working hours. She worked when there was work to be done, and she went back to her tiny boarding room when she could no longer stand up and keep her eyes open.

"Fine, one hour. In and out. When that hour is up, we're gone whether you like it or not." "Okay, thank you."

DARKEST HOURS CHAPTER ONE JOHN PAUL'S POV ________________________________________________ The sun was extremely at it brightest today and the chirping of the birds could be heard, not too far away . It was just like another day in the life of the famous John paul cooper . I had wristwatches worth millions, a private jet to whatever island or country i want to travel to and most importantly chains of businesses around the globe . My phone was buzzing and i had to see who was calling and that was my secretary Penelope.

“I’m just looking out for you, just like the doctor advised. No worries, I’ll only be here to take care of you for the required hours of the day the doctor had suggested.” Her brows pulled together. “What are the required hours?” “24 hours a day, your highness.”

"You were restless." "That’s not an answer," I muttered, squinting against the morning light. A faint curve touched his mouth, just enough to hint at amusement. "Three hours," he admitted plainly, almost as if it were a fact and nothing more. I blinked at him. “That’s… not normal.” “No,” he agreed easily. “But neither is this.”

Once Steven was done, Cassian looked at him, “Steven?” “Yes, boss?” “How many hours are there in a day?” “Are you not aware of that answer sir?” He replied. “Oh, please I just need you to remind me.” Steven sighed tiredly, “It’s twenty-four hours in a day, sir.” “Twenty-four hours in a day,?” He asked with feigned surprise, his tone turned sarcastic, “With how you kept going on today’s agenda, I thought it was fifty-six hours, but now you tell me it’s only twenty-four. Oh wow. You must think I’m a miracle worker or something.”

Their shifts started at 9:00 am and ended at 5:00 pm, with a two-hour break in between. Consequently, their total working hours had been relatively short. Despite this, they had all been very diligent and had put in significant effort during their time at the company, just as they had been doing then.

Slowly, it clicked into place. I closed my eyes and paid attention. “Two… three…” I counted the seconds in-between each goodbye. "Three hours," I murmured. "They change shifts every three hours." I closed my eyes again, counting the footsteps and how long the silence lasted after each goodbye. "Twenty minutes," I whispered, a flicker of hope sparking within me. That was the window I needed. By the time I opened my eyes again, it was night time. Time to strike.

How long are you-’ ‘2 hours,’ She interrupted me, and my eyes widened in shock. “2 hours?!” I screamed. “En, what's wrong Alicia?” Adrian asked, unplugging his earpiece. I waved my hands at them and then lowered my gaze. 'Yeah, 2 hours,’ Helen answered and I hissed sharply. 'No.' I said, then continued, ‘ I can't give you-” ‘How about an hour, Hun?’She pleaded. 'No.' I rejected it without a second thought.