Novels by A.J

Two hours after she called him, he came back to the house. "Dr Roberto is close by", he said as he walked up to her. He seemed genuinely worried about her. "It's probably fever", she said, trying to make him less anxious. As they sat in the room, waiting for the doctor, the atmosphere in the room is thick with tension. The quiet ticking of the clock on the wall seems louder, each second stretching out endlessly. Lucia sat on the bedside couch, her legs curled beneath her, her hand resting on her abdomen. The usually plush cushions feel stiff beneath her as if they too are tense with anticipation. She shifted occasionally, unable to find comfort, her face pale, a slight sheen of sweat on her brow.Andretti stood near the window, peering out into the street, his fingers tapping nervously against the glass. The usually calming sound of birds chirping outside goes unnoticed as his mind races. The room felt cold with worry. Every creak of the house settling seems amplified, each sound

It had been days since Andretti's grandfather's birthday, Lucia sat at the kitchen table, staring at her half-eaten breakfast. The smell of toast and coffee, usually so comforting, now made her stomach turn. She pushed the plate away, pressing her fingers to her temples as a dull headache pulsed behind her eyes. Lately, everything had felt off—small waves of nausea in the mornings, a strange fatigue she couldn’t shake, and an odd sense of queasiness at the smell of certain foods. Her hand drifted absentmindedly to her abdomen as she tried to make sense of it. She’d been feeling this way for days, but today it felt more intense. The queasiness hit again, stronger this time, and she quickly stood up, but the sudden motion left her dizzy. She clutched the back of her chair for balance, feeling lightheaded, her heart pounding softly in her chest. Lucia sank back down, eyes wide with a dawning realization. Her period—she hadn’t even thought about it, but now it seemed so obvious. How lon

Andretti could not sleep that night, meeting his Father was unsettling, he should have known he would be there, it was his Father's birthday and his grandfather had no grievances against him, even his brother. They would not understand the hurt he went through as a child. He would not forget what happened when he was Ten, how one day he stood nervously in his father’s private office, he could vividly remember the dark, wood-paneled room filled with heavy furniture and an ever-present haze of cigar smoke. His father sitting behind an imposing oak desk, casually lighting a cigar as he surveys paperwork. The dim lighting casts deep shadows across the room, creating an air of both luxury and menace. Andretti fidgety, his small hands clenched into fists at his sides, his school uniform rumpled from a day that didn’t go well. His heart racing as he prepared to tell his father about what happened at school, his mother knew what had happened earlier told him to go and meet his father, kn

Lucia gently squeezing his hand as they walked to the car ,“You don’t have to pretend, Andretti. I saw how much that rattled you.” Andretti said, his eyes focused ahead, “I said I’m fine, Lucia. It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”* Lucia stopped, she tugged his hand to make him face her, “But it is something, Andretti. I could see how much it affected you. You don’t have to carry this on your own.”Andretti stopped ,turning toward her but avoiding her eyes. His breathing was heavy, his mind racing with old memories and anger he thought he’d buried long ago. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.Andretti, his voice pitched lower, more vulnerable “Every time I’m near him… it’s like I’m back in that house, powerless. He knows exactly how to get under my skin.” Lucia answered softly, “He was cruel. What he said… I can’t imagine how many times you’ve heard things like that from him.”“More times than I can count. And it’s not just words, Lucia. It’s the way he’s always

Andretti held Lucia’s hand as they walk down the hallway“You did great, You handled him perfectly.” Lucia smiled nervously, still trying to relax after the intense meeting“He didn’t exactly throw a welcome party, though. Are you sure he’s not disappointed?” Andretti laughing softly said “That’s him being impressed, trust me. If he didn’t like you, he would’ve made some offhand comment about your shoes or your posture. The fact that he asked about the non existent child was a good sign.” Lucia grinning.“Well, I’ll take that as a win, then. I was sure my hands were shaking the whole time, but seriously what are we go to do about the child?” Andretti answered, “ I still have no idea, you did a really good job though i don't think he suspects anything .” Just as they reach the end of the hallway, the sound of a door opening behind them makes Andretti stop abruptly. His grip on Lucia’s hand tightened. "What's wrong?, she asked. Andretti focusing his gaze at the person walking tow

The day had finally come, his grandfather's birthday, his grandfather would finally get to meet with Lucia. The birthday party was taking place at his grandfather's villa, on their drive to the villa he had told Lucia all she needed to know about his grandfather. They got to his grandfather's villa,his grandfather's villa was deep in the Italian country side, the dining room was set up for the birthday dinner. it was a grand and well lit dining room, heavy wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, and the walls are lined with family portraits. The smell of roasted lamb, garlic, and fine wine hangs in the air. At the center of the room was a long, elegant dining table, covered in expensive china, silverware, and fresh flowers. His Grandfather sat at the head of the table as always, his thick white hair slicked back, wearing a dark tailored suit. His deep-set eyes, sharp and calculating, missing nothing as he watched his family gathered to celebrate his 85th birthday. The room was fi