The romantic lives of three teenagers are intertwined in unimaginable ways the moment one of them returns from the States. And with all of the impediments that come with living in a conservative town, these set of queer youth struggle the most with drugs, trauma and crime, inadvertently testing deeply entrenched beliefs about life, friendships, love and sexuality. This book encompasses all their lives, and tells their heartwarming coming of age stories as they embark on a journey of finding their identity whilst navigating the tumultuous hallways of high school. It is anything but easy, especially when a tragic murder is uncovered, leading to a trail of both imminent danger and fear. The question isn't just whether or not they'd survive it all in the end, but also how much of themselves they'd lose in the process. And who would they even be?
The night skies glimmered with a fistful of stars. The moon was barely out, it being just 7pm. But the thunder that rumbled in them seemed to gather just enough clouds to wrap the blissful sunset. A little while ago as they drove from the airport, the Lagos skies were on fire, all crimson and orange. It was a blissful sunset, as i said. But in an eventful second, it was all gone, like who this young boy was yesterday. The sun, was now hidden behind the dark, fat clouds rather than its horizon. It's home.
Ola looked up, with a drizzle of rain falling between his hazel eyes and his pair of oval brown glasses. The lightning that followed after lit his eyes, as if he were in a dark room with large cinematic screen. He wiped it off gently, and gripped the handle of his suitcase simultaneously. He didn't hate the rain per say, but it was just about enough to make him cuss under his breath. He didn't hate it meant it wasn't just his favorite type of weather. His life had dramatically altered in the course of hours, and whether or not it was for the better was the question that seemed to haunt him all this time. He hated alot of things, with himself topping the charts most times. I did say, most times because right now, more than anything- -he hated that he was here. 2001. LAGOS, NIGERIA. "Is that the last bag?" His father, Akin rushed through the door as if he was sure the rain would start in the next second. He closed the boot, without a response as he walked to the driver's seat. Ola took a moment to pause, to take in everything. The bustling sounds of the late Abule-Egba highway sparked in his ears. They lived by the roads where the high pitched okada horns was music to the maniacs that drove them. Lagos traffic could drive anyone mad, he could testify. He'd been on the road from the airport for at least the whole day. And his body ached. But there he still stood, taking it all in with a single breath. He couldn't believe he was here. After it all moved so fast. The lights shot on at that time, illuminating the little details on the side of the road. Like the woman tied in nothing but a wrapper and a little fan in her hands which she used to air the corn on fire. Half of it had turned black, or perhaps it was the light. But then, he'd heard her cuss as she battled with the flames and the produce. And the crying baby on her back. Away from that, the supermarket still boomed at this time of the night with people still trooping in. And even more hanging around. This was the beauty of living by the road. There was a bridge up ahead, and the traffic had eased from there. Everyone was in a hurry, trying to outrun the outpour. The rain, which some did see as a blessing. Some, but excluding Ola. His father peered from his rear view mirror as he reparked his car further into the driveway with his taillights first, ready to take off in the morning. It went off, as he alighted the car. The sound of the door slamming drifted Ola back to consciousness and he cleared his throat. "What are you doing?" Akin asked, gently hitting his son on his shoulders. He halted by his side, as if wanting to know what grasped his son's full attention. Was it Fela Kuti's song they played from the supermarket or the market seller beside? Anyways, he gave up after a second, pulling back his hands. "You need to get inside, so we can pray" He said, lowly as he walked ahead. Ola budged, trailing right behind towards the front porch. Their house wasn't alot, but it was theirs. They had the comfort of not owing anyone rent at the end of each year. And it was definitely a relief on his father's meagre income as a real estate consultant. Fancy, you'd think. Except where there weren't enough jobs to suit the influx of people like him. The infamous supply being more than the demand. Except the little shop, which he rented, Akin had nowhere else to spend his day. Thriving was one word to describe the Bankoles. And Ola was just about right, to fit in. He looked back one last time, as if finally coming to terms of where he really was. With the flashy billboard illuminating a pepsi advert. And the harmonious singing of the nearby pepper seller twins. This scenery struck a memory in his head. Him and Obi, his neighbor best friend, dancing in nothing but their pants and rolling tires by the side of the road. It was so fun then, that they'd be quick to throw off their uniforms and head out, playing in the sands but not too much, they were continually reminded that they were just inches apart from the road. And the manic vehicle owners. Those were the prime days to him, and the only good from this place which he took to Houston. But now, he was back. He shut his eyes, looking forward. And then opened it to his father by the door. "Come on, Olamide. You're home now" He grinned wide enough to reveal his set of teeth. And he nodded, a bit of his anxiety revealed as he walked through the doors to his mother with wide arms. She stopped, also with a smile. "Olamide" She walked to him, unable to contain her excitement from her airport. She had on a ridiculous style of gele, a headwear which she tied. She threw it off capriciously to the dinner table and ran to Ola. Literally. His bags fell as her hands went into his hair. His thick brown hair. "You need to get a haircut, first thing tomorrow. Clean, and smart. Before i show you off the neighbors" She squealed and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "And the photo" She said. "Mum" Was the first word he said. "What? Can't a mother be happy?" She threw questions at him as she looked to Ola. "The prodigal son has indeed returned" Mary smiled with her arms gestured out. "Welcome to Nigeria" "Welcome home" She didn't fail to add as her eyes shimmered in tears. Happy tears, behind which she already planned the next day's outing. And everything they were to do. How could Ola tell her that this wasn't a holiday, like he had been lied to? This was indeed his home, now. That was scary as fuck to this slim sized teenager, with frisky hair he dreaded out. And a glasses perched atop his nose. "I guess" He was willing to spare a benefit of doubt as he walked in and dropped his bags aside to pray. "Welcome home, son" Came his father's words too. - The sound of the hard dried cereal hitting the bowl was noise to his under rested ears. He had pajama pants on a sweatshirt, through which he sweat through. He was having a hard time adjusting to the weather after a decade away. The sun was out as early as seven and even his father, earlier. It was him and his mother, who was probably caking her face with as much makeup like she was making a grand entrance. Like she was the one back from Texas. Ola loved that about his mother. The extra, in Nigerian mothers. And he expected that but what he did not expect was for her to come out in iro and buba. A lavishly tied lace with diamonds on them, and she flashed a smile. One that came under her gele. She was only perfect to a fault, she couldn't tie it to save her life. But the confidence outmatched every flaw. "What are you wearing?" Ola asked, dipping his cutlery back into his milky choco. "And where are you going?" He added and she just walked past, an ostentatious scent that followed her if that made any sense. One that proved the famous statement right. That you didn't have to be rich, to dress rich. "Most normal sons would compliment their mothers first" She said, with her thick yoruba accent. It only made me realize how much i missed her voice. Her plain voice, away from the calls. Or voice recordings. Little things like these were the little luxuries Ola missed. "Are you calling me an abnormal son, Mary?" He called her and she walked closer to him. She had this habit of ruffling his hair which she did again. She exhaled this time. "Ah, i've missed you, Olamide" She whispered as she looked into his hazel eyes. And she backed away, like they hadn't a moment of connection just there. "Now, eat like a human and go get dressed" "Time is of the essence" She quoted, and he hummed a famous song in his head as he poured his water into his cereal like a psychopath. "I already have the whole day planned" She looked to her nails with a sly smile as she adjusted her head tie.
To be continued...
"I, Mia Harper, reject you, Alpha Lucien Storm as my mate." There was a crack in my voice as I stared into his eyes. "You can't reject me, Mia. I'm your Mate." My heart sank from so much pain and betrayal I'd endured. I shook my head. "Not anymore." - Mia Harper, a wolfless omega flees her wedding the night of her eighteenth birthday and as fate would have it, she runs into the arms of her mate, Lucien Storm-one of the most ruthless Alphas anyone had ever seen. But in a twist of fate, he takes Mia in. They soon fall in love but one visit to her Pack changes everything. Ezra, the man she was yet to marry a year ago is furious on her return and declares war. The war wipes out her entire Pack including her father. But then Mia finds out that it was Lucien that killed him. Her Mate had murdered her father in cold blood. Disheveled and broken, the betrayal drives her to the edge of a cliff where she takes a leap to her death. But somehow, she's saved by Lucien. However, Mia doesn't remember anything. Would he tell her the truth or would Lucien take his second chance by the horn? What would happen when the secrets finally become unveiled and everyone is faced with their truths? Would Mia ever forgive her mate, Lucien, especially after finding out she's pregnant with his twins? And importantly, did he really kill her Father?
"I, Alpha Malik Denver hereby reject you, Eliana Jacobs as my mate and Luna." His voice was like a sword through my chest, slicing my heart into a million tiny pieces. He looked at me with a commanding glare and I knew I didn't have much of an option. "I, Eliana Jacobs, accept your rejection." I whispered as my hands fell to my stomach because unbeknownst to the Alpha, I was carrying his child. Eliana Jacobs had been through hell her entire life. Ever since her mother died, she'd been abused by her whole pack. However, destiny led her into the hands of Malik Denver, the most ruthless of all Alphas in Oakland and the leader of her own rival pack. In a twist of fate, he took her in and saved her from becoming rogue. But all in exchange for one thing—a child. How would Denver take the news of her return? Would he finally regret his decision to let her go? And alas, what would happen when he finds out about his secret baby?
When Isla Carter moves to Marquette, Michigan to live with her estranged father and to start a new life, what she doesn't expect is to meet Elijah, a mysterious young man who she's instantly drawn to before she ever finds out his darkest secret. - Isla knew she had always been different ever since she was young and she rarely ever fit in wherever she was. She moves to Marquette because of her mother, in the hopes that starting a new life with her dad could somewhat help her. She doesn't really expect things to change—that is until they do. Until she meets Elijah, the dazzling and beautiful mystery with whom she falls in love with. He wasn't like the other guys but she soon finds out the reason why. Elijah was a werewolf. Fueled by intrigue and desire, the both of them bond and eventually become closer, close enough to threaten the very balance of nature and humanity. Isla is faced with several threats and dangers that comes with being with Elijah. But when a truth about her past comes to light, she's forced to figure out where exactly she stands. But she knew, Loving Elijah was a choice bound to change the rest of her life forever, for better and for worse.
“You leave Leonardo Carter” Patricia slithered through her lips and in her eyes, Francesca saw the truth and a threat. “Or i make your life a living hell for stealing him away from me” She brushed past her nemesis’s shoulders with a villainous glint. “I’m just protecting my family” She clasped the slight protrusion that was her belly. Because unbeknownst to everyone, Patricia was carrying the heir’s child. - Leonardo Carter was New York City’s most eligible bachelor. Powerful and Enigmatic—asides from being the Mayor’s son, he was also the heir to the multi-billion dollar Carter Corporations. Every woman sought after him and every parent as well. But all his life, he had belonged to one woman, Patricia Walters. Petitioned by his father to provide a wife on the national Conference night, it was only reasonable that Patricia saw herself finally being his wife after six years. But alas, when the night came, she watched in horror as he slipped the ring on another woman’s finger. One wrong proposal, and lifetime filled with vengeance. Patricia is dedicated to her quest to get to the bottom of this engagement and hopefully unveil this new woman—Francesca Peters’ hidden identity. Embroiled in a conspiracy larger than her, Patricia looses herself to the jealousy that eats her up before she ever realizes that she lost Leonardo long before. Fueled with revenge, she swears to take down the all of them, including the entire Carter empire for shaming her, with the help of her best friend, Jacqueline. But her whole world collapses when she finds one vicious string that still connected the both of them—she was pregnant with his child. That was bound to change everything, and set a new motive. Will she ever come clean to Leonardo, who so wanted to have a child for his father, that she was expecting his baby? Or will she hide it for as long as she could? What happens when Francesca is roped in the dirty mafia business that went on behind the scenes of such wealthy family and will she later give into the charming heir? Watch the story unfold with a burst of twists and turns, one that would leave you hanging by your seats. One large scandal, One proposal, several deaths and several lives intertwined together. What will finally halt Patricia’s thirst for revenge—perhaps it could be a stranger from her past.
Eva Daniels, a psychopathic assassin is tasked with taking down Tobias Blake—the alpha of the Dark Raven Pack. But as the chase progresses, the two soon develop a mutual obsession with each other that may destroy everything including themselves. - Trained to kill, Eva is recruited by a top-secret werewolf hunting organization called The One. And each kill leads her closer to Tobias, whose attention she might have already caught. When eventually they cross paths, they begin a cycle of obsession which leads them away from the truths they once knew and closer to each other— —sabotaging everything and everyone in their way while uncovering some of the darkest secrets linking both worlds. A match made in hell, this pair must overcome all obstacles but the question is if they'll find their way back to each other in the end. And just how much would have been lost?
When billionaire playboy, Damien Archer sets his eyes on the one woman who wants nothing to do with him, how far would he go to win her over? - Olivia Sanders might be the most boring person you've met. The kind that obsessed over romance novels and dreamed her own love story, the kind with the most intricate imaginations. On the outside however, she might seem plain. Content. After college, a twenty one year old Liv finds it difficult landing a foot in the real world while trying to balance working as a secretary at a tech firm and dreams of her own. But everything changes the moment Damien shows up as the heir to the business empire. And they both navigate the building tensions that soon rise between them. Alas, it's a tale of forbidden romance when Olivia recognizes him from her dark past, and that single thing is bound to change everything.
"It was just one night stand, and now I'm pregnant with triplets? Gosh!" Josephine Jade never thought that she would have to run away from her own family while pregnant. She was alone, without money, without connections, with three fetuses in her stomach. How can she survive? However, Josephine couldn't give up now, until she managed to reclaim her arbitrarily seized property and get back at everyone who tried to get rid of her. A sick child, a past crush that comes back, a mysterious eccentric man, and a family that hates her, will weave together the journey of Josephine Jade's new life. "You have no right to separate me from my children, you bastard! I will survive and you will submit to me. Just watch!"
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Jane Roberts has been married to the love of her life for two years and just when she thinks they're going to start a family, he divorces her and kicks her to the curb. Hurt and broken, Jane discovers that Marcus had actually been cheating on her with her cousin, Abigail and she had only been his means to an end. Enraged, Jane is determined to get her revenge, but without money and connections, Marcus will never be taken down. Just as she is about to give up all hope, Caleb Lockwood reaches out to her and agrees to help her but she has to get married to him first and their marriage needs to be kept a secret. Jane agrees to it, but will she and Caleb be able to dispute the pools of sparks and passion that threatens to consume their printed marriage? And what will happen when Marcus discovers their marriage and will stop at nothing to destroy their union and win his love back?