Novels by Nancii Agosto

I sat at home as Leo left. It was odd for him to not tell me where he was going but I assumed it had something to do with that wretched Claire. Just as I am about to leave my bed and snoop, I get a phone call from an unknown number. I answer it, catching my breath as I hear the contents.‘This is a collect call from an inmate here at our federal jail center. Please press 5 to accept this call.’ I press 5 hastily trying to see who would be contacting me from prison. “Darling, how are you?” I hear my fathers’ voice on the other line. “Daddy? What happened? Why are you in jail?” I sit in shock as I listen to his next few words. “I made some bad choices with the family business and I’m be charged with money laundering, embezzlement and tax evasion. Darling, I wanted you to hear this from me. I’m ashamed of myself.” “We’ll find a way to get you out, daddy. I’ll call Leo.” “Darling, I’m counting on you to help me. I need a good lawyer.” I hear him say just as the line cuts off. I

I ran at the sound of Claire’s ringtone on my phone and hurry to pick it up.I’m relieved to hear Claire is safe and calm on the other line. I worried about her safety after what happened to our child and what Jordan had tried to do to her. I was still have my private investigator look into the “incident” that caused the demise of my son. I neglected to share that with Claire. I knew that my mentioning of it would drive her into depression. She was keeping busy to avoid mourning her loss.Claire tells me that she was nominated for one of the biggest achievements as an architect and I can’t help but beam with pride. Claire was brilliant. I offer to escort her in an effort to spend some time with her and celebrate her success and to my surprise, she agreed.It may seem like the smallest of steps but for me - this was a leap and I was glad to have it.I order Elena to assist me in picking out a dress for Claire’s big night and we head to a few boutiques. I announced to Charlotte that I h

It’s been a few weeks since I last saw Jordan and broke our professional and personal relationship. It has also been a few weeks since I’ve seen Leo. He had dropped me off at Jasmine’s and ensured that I got inside safely. I have texted Leo vaguely about a few potential contractors interested in my work and I’ve been working diligently on my independent business and locking myself in my suite which was provided graciously by Leo upon our divorce.I entered a few design blueprints into the Architectural committee - an elite political status group that would launch my career to immediate success. I had just sat down to review more potential contracts on my tablet and I see an email from the Architectural Committee. I feel my heart sink to my stomach and feel the immediate rejection rising. I slowly click the email with a shaky finger but am surprised by the contents.I had made the cut and was being nominated for the ‘Best New Designer of the Year’. Being nominated alone means my career

I had been in my bed when I heard Leo running down the stairs and had thought he was coming to check on my “recovery”. That was until I heard him yell out to Elena that Claire was in trouble. Even with that wretched peasant gone, he still worried about her.I quietly ran upstairs to Leo’s office alone the coast was clear and begin searching for clues to help me rid of Claire. To my dismay, mostly all of his documents had already been locked away. Elena was diligent in cleaning up Leo’s affairs. All except for one - his decree of divorce. It was placed perfectly in the middle of his desk as if it was left for me to see.I frantically open it and begin reading the addendums. Leo had left her a studio to conduct business. A honorable thing to do for a useless ex- housewife. I read the address and decide to save the information in my phone for later. Knowing where Claire would be - put me at a much higher advantage in my plans. I continue reading through the pages until I find something

Having upset Claire to the point of leaving wasn’t my goal. I had told her about the contract bidding because I had received a notice that my business was being investigated by the Better Business Bureau for claims of misconduct with contractual agreements. They would be coming back for every dollar I pulled unjustly from those contracts and paying them would be the only way to save my company. I had tried putting up my own blueprints but no one was interested in working with me and I got desperate. I submitted Claire’s under my company name and I saw bidders lining up for the opportunity to obtain them. It was astonishing. And I wanted to do this with Claire. With that amount of money, my business would flourish and we could finally be together - I could take care of her.I didn’t expect her ex-husband to ruin my plans or for Claire to run off with the her documents. I tried calling her to no avail. She wouldn’t take my call and I was becoming angry. And just when I thought my anger

I stared directly into Jordan’s eyes and waited for some sort of explanation. “The idea wasn’t for anyone to get hurt. After I saw how sad you were, I thought hiring you would help you regain your confidence and it meant I’d be able to spend more time with you. And then I saw your work and I was genuinely in awe and I saw the opportunity for my company’s salvation.” He shrugs as if this was reason enough to steal my work, publicly auction it and then butcher it to harbor funds. “Jordan, I’m really shocked. I never thought you’d have to be a person that I watch my back around too.” I say as I look directly at him. “Claire, I never meant to hurt you. I’ve loved you since college. .” I stare at him in disbelief and try to recount what he had just said to me. This is how you’d treat a woman you “loved”? You exploited me for money and tried to tie my hands so that I couldn’t leave. “I think your idea with love is infatuation. Running after or fantasizing some things that just can’t

After Darren left, I waited about an hour while Maverick stayed resting peacefully at my side. Waiting for my discharge was just as eerie as walking up in this same room once again.I hear a knock at the door as the nurse slowly enters. She sees Maverick sleeping and decides to speak to me quietly.“Ms. Richardson, these are your discharge papers. The doctor has added your new treatment regiment in which you’ll be following up in the oncology department. I believe he spoke with you already?” “Yes. I’m aware.” I say quietly as I try not to wake Maverick.“Okay, great. Well there are some health guidelines to follow for your condition and the doctor has added a prescription of antacids for your stomach and zofran for your nausea. I have your prescriptions as the doctor requested they be sent and filled to in-office pharmacy. Do you have any questions for me?” She asks as she carefully hands me the paperwork and a bag containing my prescriptions. “No, thank you. Am I okay to leave now?

After more than an hour of imaging, Darren returns me to my room. “I’ll be back to go over your imaging with you in a bit. Is there anything I can get for you in the meantime?” Darren asks with a sad smile. I think I’m okay. Thank you, Darren” I look at Maverick as Darren leaves the room. He looks exhausted and yet he found time to raid the vending machine for snacks and a drink. “Hungry? I had some time to get a few things since I didn’t know how long we’ll be here? He smiles slightly. We? He was free to leave at any time but he intended on staying even though he was exhausted. “I’m okay right now. Do you want to share the bed with me for a nap instead?” I start to scoot over, leaving half of the blanket for him. “An irresistible offer.” He smiles as he gets into my bed. He then puts his arm behind my head and brings me closer to him. “Are you tired?” He asks. “Not really but this is nice.” “Well the nurse gave me a tablet where you can stream shows while you’re here. Care t

I try to rest as I wait for Darren to return to take me to imaging. As I slept, I begin to dream of things I’d never considered for myself in the future. I am in bed reading a children’s’ book to a tiny human, smiling as I turn the pages and see their excitement and hear the word ‘mommy’ echo as the child looks up at me. A moment passed as I reply ‘yes baby’ with a smile. I continue reading until all of a sudden - it’s dark outside and the darkness engulfs the room. Once the light returns, I’m in a white room. It’s large and empty space making it feel like a cage of white walls. I instinctively pick up pieces of crayons and write on the walls as if in a trance and begin writing my fears on each wall of my enclosure.No loveDeathNo familyDeathCancerDeathNo legacy DeathBy the time, I stop writing, every surface of that room was covered in fears written in different colors and ‘DEATH’ written in capital letters and red crayon all over. I then get up and begin touching each wall.

“Cassandra, what happened? You seemed fine this morning and I have you on the schedule to come in tomorrow.” he says as he reads my chart - making no effort in acknowledging Maverick sitting by my side.“Well I got dizzy and went to the bathroom at work and the next thing I remember is vomiting blood.” I look down at my legs, trying to remember anything else but that seems like everything.“Have you eaten anything strange lately?” He asks as he washes his hands to put on gloves.“No. I didn’t even eat breakfast this morning.” “I’ll be checking you over and we’ll see what’s the next steps. Okay?” Darren makes his way towards me.“Okay.” Maverick keeps his hand on mine as Darren examines me. He touches my lymph nodes, listens to my lungs and heart, checks my tonsils and ears but finds nothing out of the ordinary.“I’m not seeing anything that would have caused that bleeding externally so I’d like to press on your abdomen to make sure there isn’t any discomfort.”“Okay.” I lay back and w

I wake up to frenzy of people around me - one of them being Maverick. The look on his face ringing in my bed as he picks me up and places me on a gurney. As the paramedics roll me out of the bathroom, I look back and see the toilet had been flushed. Had Maverick done so to maintain my secret? I am brought back to the hospital and placed into the exact room where I was previously diagnosed with a brain tumor. As if the side effects alone weren’t a constant reminder of my impeding doom. I sit patiently as the nurse goes over what happened and checks my vitals. “Okay Ms. Richardson, everything looks stable. The doctor should be in to see you shortly.” “Thank you.” The words escape as a whisper. I felt defeated and watched as she gives a small smile and leaves. The nurse had given me a IV to maintain my hydration upon my arrival. And I find myself watching each drop pass slowly. I hated this feeling.This room reminded me of perish and here I was - again. As I sulk, I hear someone en

Once we arrived at EnviroDoc, I sit back for a moment and gloom at Maverick as he turns off the truck. The silence permeated the entires truck during our hour long commute. “You do know that I didn’t invite him, right?” I say in a serious manner. I had been honest with Maverick and had no intention in hiding anything. “Have you ever invited him to your place?” He asks while passing a glance at me. He was uncomfortable and rightfully so. It looked bad. “No, he asked my parents for permission to take me to work and they agreed. I didn’t know and I’ve never invited him or even given him my address - other than the paper forms when I became his patient.” I say as I fiddle with my sleeves. This is not my ideal morning. “Cass, I want to believe you have nothing going on with him but it’s hard too, especially when he just shows up at your apartment.” He looks worried or perplexed. No one ever cared about me enough to show any concern - Other than my parents“Why would I contact my doctor