Novels by Paula's Escape

I never really bought into fairy tales; those stories seemed too good to be true. After losing my parents, I realized everything has its expiration date. The impending end of my relationship with Mario is almost palpable. Despite the chaos brewing, my feet stay firmly planted on the ground.Now, about that mysterious note – being at the Princetons’, I figure they’ve probably left one at my house. The thought makes my heart skip a beat. “Who’s trying to blackmail me?” I type on my notes app with determination.Mr. Princeton was the first on my list of suspects, but I quickly deleted his name, scolding myself. How could I think the busy Mr. Princeton had time to blackmail me? Come on now, I berate myself. Instead, I jot down: “1- The people of Dudu town (except Bolu).”Speaking of Bolu, I must inform him that Mario knows about the kiss. I exhaled and scratched my head lightly, and continued pondering my list.“Are you coming?” Mario’s voice startled me. I had forgotten about our lunch p

My eyes fluttered open to a strange room, and I started to heave. The panic doubled, and the room went completely dark. I could not recall how I ended up in this unfamiliar bed or whose bed it was. My head pounded as I tried to remember how I ended up here. “How are you doing, Nina?” I heard a deep voice say. It was Mario calling, and I was relieved to recognise his voice even though it sounded like he was calling from a distance. I was breathing more rapidly because I had trouble controlling my breathing and responding to Mario’s call. “Nina?” Mario touched me, and I flinched. He kissed my sweaty cheeks tenderly and asked, “What’s wrong?” “You seem uneasy? I nodded and muttered, “I need to get ready for work.” Mario pulled the incredibly plush sheets over me. “I’ll head to the doctor. It looks like you’re having a panic attack. I’ll be back soon. I needed Mario’s kindness and figured there was no point in protesting. I could hear the birds singing freely in the trees while I w

“You have been quiet this whole time. You are still mad at me.” Mario weighed my expression and then went on to move closer to me. “I panicked, okay? My insecurities about love made me say I did not want to play Meet the Parents. I want you.” The car’s air conditioner was becoming too cold for comfort, so I could only manage a small smile for Mario. The words replaying in my head were “whore amongst us.” Someone knew about my past and was going to expose me. I opened my mouth to speak, tell Mario about my dirty past, and get it over with before things got out of proportion, but the words were stuck in my throat. I am afraid of how he would take my revelation, afraid of the look of disgust that would replace his affectionate gaze.From all indications, Mario did not read the letter, or did he? My heart was beating so fast.His words, “I want you, replayed in my head.” I looked at him and croaked, “You want to be with me?”Mario looked into my eyes, and then his eyes travelled to my li

“Nina, are you picking a fight right now so you don’t have to attend my mother’s birthday dinner?” Mario was upset, and I was glad he was not in front of me. I can’t resist that sweet face even if I tried. I wanted to be good. Dress up like the lovely nursery school teacher I was and impress all the fine people who will be interested in knowing me since I will be poised beside Mario as his “friend.” laugh at their not-so-funny jokes and maybe come up with a project or talk about real estate or some business stuff because rich people like to be sure that you are not a predator. I know how the evening would go because I have been the arm candy countless times at events like this. Even though this might be a bit different, I can tell Mario likes me. But being there did not seem right to me, so I picked a fight. It was easy. I told him my being at his mother’s birthday would “complicate things.” It started as a witty remark about me being the perfect wife material, and his family would h

I had never worn my dress so quickly in my entire life.“Kayla!” Mario exclaimed, quickly putting on his shirt, boxers, and jeans.When Kayla arrived, she paused and looked at both of us as if she sensed something, and I held my breath, hoping she didn’t see through us.Kayla flew into Mario’s arms, and I breathed a sigh of relief.“Hello, Miss Nina.”I managed a small smile. Kayla was not alone. “This is Kemi, Kayla’s mother,” Mario explained.I was right. Kayla had to be born by a very attractive woman. Her smooth skin glistened in the sunlight. She was simply radiant. I couldn’t stop grinning. “Kayla and Mario have told me so much about you that I’ve been meaning to meet you personally,” Kemi said airily.Beautiful, but I already detect a diva-like attitude. By her demeanour, I could tell she didn’t like me. I couldn’t blame her because I understood how this had to appear. Penniless teacher warmed her way into the arms of the wealthy father/uncle. We saw your car out there, and k

It’s been a week, and I’m still avoiding Mario Princeton like the plague. I kept telling myself that it was for my good. I couldn’t bear the thought of a fad ruining my new life in this town. Yes, I’d describe my feelings for him as mere infatuation. Keep saying it until you believe it, right?I can’t pretend that avoiding him isn’t a chore, but I’ve tried to distract myself by reading and journaling. My mother kept a journal, and I always thought the whole “Dear Diary” thing was a waste of time, but now that I had the opportunity for a fresh start, I decided to indulge my mother, who always tried to make me write as well, and it turns out it isn’t so bad. Especially since I spend my evenings writing under a tree near the stream. I tell my journal about everyone in town who has yet to warm up to me.“It is difficult for these people to accept someone new. Especially with your involvement with everyone’s sweetheart.” By ‘sweetheart,’ Bolu was referring to Princeton. I gasped when he me