Novels by Chinyere Chidiume

I sat at the cushion with my father looking at Sofia who was still looking at me, after a brief silence. My father cleared his throat as if something was choking him."Hmmmm" he cleared his throat. "Aries dear you will be get married."At that moment I felt like I didn't hear what he was saying."Dad please I don't hear you" I said politely not to make him angry."Aries dear I said you are getting married" he repeated but this time his voice was loud and clear."What??" I exclaimed."How? Am I getting married to whom?" "I am too young..... to get married am just twenty-one years old" I pleaded as tears rolled down my eyes.I slumped back into the cushion, my eyes wide with horror and disbelief. My mind raced, refusing to accept the words echoing in my ears. "Married?" I thought. "How can this be? I'm just 21!"My gaze drifted to Sofia, still watching me with an unreadable expression. Her presence made me feel like a pawn in a game I didn't understand."Aries dear I know this would

Since my fate is to be doomed in the hands of my father and his new wife (My stepmother).As I dismissed some thoughts I know will only do more harm than good to me, I quickly packed my things into my bag pack, l looked at Emily who was already staring at me for the moment, her eyes filled with Anger."Hey Emily try to calm down, don't be angry at me" I paused for a while recollecting my thoughts. "I would love to stay but I have some family problems I have to face alone. Please understand.""Did you just say Alone?" Emily asked in anger."Yeah Emily" I walked close trying to calm her down but she retaliated."Aries you seem to have taken me for a fool" Emily spoke her voice shaking as she tried to hold back her tiers."Emily, what have I done wrong?" I asked."Don't play dumb with me Aries" she said as she walked closer to me. "Aries I know you too well, something has been bothering you but you choose to hide it from me why?" Emily said. Tires rolled down her eyes.I felt pity for E

I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for my ride to arrive, My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen."Your ride is 2 minutes away," the notification read, I exhaled but sighed since I was already running late.A sleek, silver sedan pulled up to the curb, its tyres humming on the pavement, The driver, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, leaned over to open the passenger door."Hi, Aries! Hop in," she said.I slid into the seat, buckling my belt as she pulled away from the curb, The sedan glided smoothly through the streets, the air-conditioning a welcome respite from the afternoon heat.As we drove, my phone buzzed again, and I glanced at the screen, A text from Emily my best friend flashed on the display:"Hey, Aries! The lecture starts in 20 mins, and you're nowhere to be found! Where are you?"I frowned, anxiety creeping in. "Stuck in traffic," I typed quickly."Estimated time of arrival?" Emily replied."10-15 mins I believe I can make it in time," I estimated."Okay,

After an hour of cooking, Mrs. Jenkins and I finished preparing a delicious meal of roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and fluffy rice. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was tantalising, and my stomach growled in anticipation of lunch. "Just in time," Mrs. Jenkins said, glancing at the clock. "Mrs. Victoria will be pleased." I nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Let's get everything set up in the dining room." We carefully transferred the dishes to the dining room, where the table was already set with fine china and crystal glasses. Just as we finished arranging the food, Mrs. Victoria swept into the room, Sofia trailing behind her. "Sofia's starving," Mrs. Victoria announced, her eyes scanning the table. "I hope lunch is ready." Sofia's eyes widened as she took in the spread before her. "Finally, something decent to eat," she said, her tone dripping with entitlement. I bit back a retort, remembering Mrs. Jenkins' words: "Don't let those people get to you." Mrs. V

I slept only to wake up the next morning; I brought out my phone to check the time. It was around 9 am."Oh no!!" I exclaimed as I saw the time; I quickly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, washed my face; since I woke up late and there was no time for me to take my bath, I walked out of my room.As I hurried out of my room, I nearly collided with Mrs. Victoria, my stepmother, standing in the hallway. Her piercing gaze scrutinized me, her expression a mask of disapproval."Good morning, Mrs. Victoria," I stammered, trying to sound cheerful despite my rush.But instead of a warm response, her face contorted in anger."You call this morning?" she spat, her voice venomous. "You're over two hours late! Your father explicitly told you that you'd be taking care of household chores from now on, and this is how you start?"Her eyes flashed with indignation. "Do you know how much work needs to be done? The laundry, cooking, cleaning... and you're still lounging in your nightclothes?"S

Finally, I drifted off to sleep until I heard a hard knock on my door.Knock!!! Knock!!! Knock!!!. The knock was very intense; I stood up in fear; at that moment, I was very scared.I suddenly Heard my voice behind the door."Aries, open this door", a voice called out my name; I recognized the voice as my dad's. "Open this door, you useless girl"I cautiously approached the door, my heart racing with anticipation. My hand trembled as I grasped the doorknob, hesitating for a moment before slowly turning it. The door creaked open, revealing my father's furious face.His eyes blazed with anger, his eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw clenched. His face was red with rage, and veins bulged from his temples."Aries, you stupid girl!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room. "What did I tell you about disobeying me?"As he spoke, his hand swiftly rose, and I felt a surge of fear. I tried to dodge, but it was too late. His palm connected with my cheek, delivering a stinging slap.The soun