Novels by Emmanuel Okeme

AlexThe morning had began like any other—coffee boiling, the peaceful buzz of the city waking up outside my window. But today, something was different. My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Glancing at it, I saw a stream of missed calls and unread messages, some from famous investors, some from numbers I didn’t recognize. The alarms heaped one after another, their urgency impossible to ignore. I snatched up the phone, scanning through the texts. The tone was consistent: worry, displeasure, and, in some cases, open fury. “Alex, have you seen what’s online? This is bad for all of us.” “You need to call me ASAP. We can’t move forward like this.” “I’m pulling out unless you explain this mess.” Pulling out? What mess? My chest tightened as I read the lines. Setting my coffee aside, I eagerly opened my inbox, searching for further information. One issue line stood out immediately: “URGENT: Blog Post Damaging Partnership.” I clicked on it, my fingers quivering slightly. The email

Camilla The familiar streets of San Francisco stretched before me as the cab near my home. My heart felt tired yet determined. This city had been my safe haven, the place where I’d rebuilt my life. But today, as I neared the front door, I felt it was time to leave it behind and make a new beginning in Los Angeles. As I stepped inside, the sweet giggles of Ava greeted me. She came running toward me, her small feet pattering against the floor. “Mommy!” she yelled, throwing her arms around me. I knelt to her height, drawing her into a loving hug. “I missed you, my love,” I whispered, my voice brimming with adoration. Marta entered from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “You’re back early,” she stated with a friendly smile. “There’s so much to do,” I said, standing and putting my bag down. “Can we talk about something?” Marta nodded. “Of course.” Later that evening, after dinner and bedtime tales, Ava finally drifted off to sleep, clutching her doll firmly. I joined

AlexEven though I wanted to make things right with Camilla, I just knew that I couldn’t rush it. I had spent years in regrets, thinking about my mistakes—the many ways I had hurt her, driven her away, and not taken her seriously. I'd apologize, but apologies wouldn’t be enough this time. To earn her trust, I needed to prove it to her, through my actions, that I had really changed. As I was heading around the hallway, I noticed her coming out of her new office with Julie. My heart took a flip at the sight of her, poised and confident. I had chosen the office carefully for her because it was one of the best spaces in the building. Camilla needed to be treated with utmost respect. She was here as a business partner, and I needed to treat her as one, or better than one. But seeing her now, I couldn’t put away the shame that stood at me. This partnership wasn’t just about business; it was my only chance to make up for the past, to support her job in a way I never did when we were

CAMILLAIf I had seen Alex five years ago, fresh after the divorce, I would have wanted to take revenge as profoundly as he had hurt me. Back then, the resentment overtook me, and I believed retaliation would soothe the pain.But I am not that lady anymore. The rage has cooled into a quiet pain, and although the hurt persists like an old scar, I’ve learned to live past it.The divorce broke me, certainly. But it also rebuilt me. I wouldn’t have become this version of myself if I had remained in that marriage—if I had continued seeking for his attention and affection that he never bothered to provide.Now, I have Ava and Ava Ltd., the two constants in my life that propel me ahead. Everything I do is for her and the firm. I’ve rebuilt my life piece by piece, and I will continue to show to Ava that she can depend on me for everything.Back in my suite after the interview, I phoned David.“David,” I began when he responded, “can you take Ava out for ice cream today? You know how much she

ALEX I tried to be collected throughout the interview, but the moment she stepped into the room, my confidence wavered. She appeared composed and self-assured, carrying an elegance that made the air in the room seem heavier. Her fitted blue suit held her wonderfully, the immaculate white shirt underneath it accentuating her inherent elegance. The rhythmic click of her heels hitting the floor mirrored her confidence as she took the seat next me, dominating the area easily. It wasn’t just her beauty that threw me off—it was her whole personality. She was no longer the lady who previously depended on me. Camilla had evolved into someone tough, someone who didn’t need anyone—especially me. I snuck glances as she answered the interviewer’s questions with ease. Her sentences were measured, her tone calm. It was hard to compare this version of Camilla with the woman I previously knew, the one who'd always waited for my direction and hoped that one day I'd see her efforts. A recolle

CAMILLA I glanced at my watch. Twenty-eight minutes to go. The waiting room was silent, the faint hum of the air conditioner doing nothing to alleviate my anxiety. Ava’s face sprang in my mind—her smiles, the way her small hand slipped perfectly within mine. It had been nearly twenty four hours since I left, and the guilt of being gone stood at me. I pulled out my phone and called Marta’s number, but the call connected just as I remembered Ava would be in school. Letting out a sigh, I spoke to her, and she said Ava's fine. I’ll call David after the meeting,I mumbled to myself, already picturing him taking Ava for ice cream. It was a slight consolation, knowing she’d have someone who could make her happy. To distract myself, I opened the folder with notes for the press meeting. Each inquiry I expected felt heavier than the previous. My replies needed to be perfect—not just for me, but for Ava Ltd. This wasn’t just about reputation; it was about demonstrating that I'm capable of t