The No-show Novels & Stories

He used ‘again’ because Noah has declined about three proposals from his marketing team that morning. “Show it to him,” he said to his secretary. “Why are you declining?” Jones asked. Noah didn't answer him, rather, he looked at him as if he was an idiot. “Okay, don't look at me like that. Answer me. Why are you declining it?” Noah gestured his secretary to leave, he bowed and left. “What do you want me to do? Accept it and travel to the USA to watch kids compete? Did you even read that mail?”

But what was the use of remembering them when they yielded nothing? Now the only thing on my mind presently was the one I was going to now. I had seen it last month and called the number and what I heard was, ‘We will get back to you shortly I had heard similar words before: ‘ We can get back to you in a day or two'. But those days turned to never and when I wasn’t called throughout the month, I gave up but here I am getting prepared. I had the determination to achieve two things of which I had achieved one

Juan and Rob had moved to Buenos Aires a couple of years ago, to go to college, and of course Mika and her girlfriend Lorena were there too. Silvia didn’t want to say it aloud, but it was comforting to know that if for some unfathomable reason things went south with Jim, she’d still have friends around. It was Monday, May 18, and No Return would arrive on Buenos Aires on May 21. By then, Silvia and Claudia wanted to have their passes in hand; they also wanted to get together with friends and family, and do some cheap shopping for things that were too expensive in Bariloche. And Juan’s birthday was that next Saturday, so a little celebration was in order. They could only pray they would have

“Just… later.” She squints at me through the screen. “Why are you whispering so much? It’s getting weird.” I glance back again. Noah shifts, his brow creasing like he’s halfway to waking up, his hand twitching against the mattress. “Because,” I say softly, “he’s right there.” “So what’s the plan today? Give me the itinerary.” “I don’t know,” I admit. “He didn’t tell me much. Just said we’re doing ‘Chicago things.’”

Damien said over the phone, skipping pleasantries. “I won't be able to come in today.” “Are you cancelling at peak hours?” he sounded displeased. “I gave notice,” Noah replied. “You know you are one of our strongest, Noah.” “Not anymore. I'm slipping, remember?” A pause. Suspicion crept in. “You took the offer.” It wasn’t a question and Noah didn’t bother confirming it. “That never ends well,” he warned. “Nothing here does.” Silence. “I will still be available for the dance but no more private bookings or outcall services.” Noah broke the ice.

His eyes landed on the photo frame on the wall—its surface fractured with hairline cracks. A week ago, that wouldn't have lasted a day. I would've replaced it immediately. But this time, I hadn't. And there had been signs. My questions. My quiet pulling away. Nick clenched his fists and tried calling me again. But the only reply was the automated voice, calmly repeating that the number was currently in use. That was the breaking point. He cursed under his breath, then hurled the phone at the wall. It hit hard, cracked, fell, and shattered completely.

"I'll watch for them." She turned toward the door. "Nia." She stopped. Did not turn around immediately. He watched her shoulders do something almost imperceptible not a flinch, not a recoil. Something smaller than either. Then she turned. "Yes." He had not planned to say her name. He had, in fact, specifically planned not to say her name in a professional setting for any reason that was not operationally necessary, because he had understood, when he boarded the plane to Chicago, that the distance between her first name and every single thing attached to it was approximately zero and he could not afford to collapse it in a conference room on a Wednesday morning.

he said, handing it back to her. She played with it again until another text popped up that she tried not to read, but she did catch something about the guys making bets about whether he'd show or not. Veronica frowned, knowing she was the reason they were betting he wouldn't show. She set the phone down as they pulled up in front of an overly decorated home—the kind where the decorations have no rhyme or reason and there's big, small, multi-colored, and white lighting going on, as if they just threw every decoration they'd collected in the past twenty years onto the front lawn. "Is this his house? Noah laughed as he got out of the car. "Yep, this is the famous Bravo Christmas fiasco. It get

"It’s okay. I’m just glad to be alive." At least this time, I didn't die by his hand. I looked at Lucy and forced a smile. "I want to host a party next week. I have an announcement to make." "Of course, honey. We’ll make it the biggest event of the year!" "Make sure Kaius is there," I added. "He can't miss this." The party was packed. I was a daughter of the Starfire Alphas, and even though I’d stayed out of politics to be a healer, I had friends everywhere.

Tried not to think about late nights, closed hotels, language barriers, or the fact that I was suddenly very aware of how far from home I was. Then my phone buzzed in my hand. The vibration was sharp and sudden, cutting through the quiet like a warning bell. Relief surged instinctively as I glanced down. Good, I thought. Information. Solutions. It evaporated instantly. We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, your reservation has been cancelled. I stared at the screen. Then I read it again. And again. Like repetition might soften the words. Like maybe they would rearrange themselves into something less final.