I had just turned 50 and was feeling a bit low. I had a successful real estate practice in the Detroit burbs I had worked very hard to build up. It was not an easy market, but I found ways to make it work. I was also on my third marriage and was starting to realize I had made a huge mistake. Why am I always attracted to the crazies? She was turning into a complete Looney Toons character. There was a very strong sexual att...

Rossi opened the door to his hotel suite almost immediately. He was wearing a silk robe and held a glass of whisky. He didn't seem surprised to see Hannah. In fact he appeared to have been waiting for her arrival. "I knew you'd come," he said, stepping aside to let her in. The suite was opulent, with panoramic views of Milan's skyline. "You're smarter than Maria gives you credit for." Hannah hesitated, unsure how to respo...

Il Club Delle Maschere had resumed its normal rhythm, with the dance troupe having disappeared, the soft jazz music returning and the masked guests once again huddling into their conversations. The atmosphere seemed different though, more charged than before as the dance performance had left its indelible mark on the club and everyone in it. Hannah and Maria both felt the air crackle, thick with unspoken possibilities. Th...

It was Saturday and Hannah was busy around her home, but as the afternoon wore on she decided to go out. She'd been working long hours recently and she felt she deserved a treat. She thought she'd buy herself a new outfit to celebrate her success. She found herself walking towards the exclusive boutiques she passed every day but never went in. She went into one and tried on a silk dress that cost around a week's pay. She...

Monday morning dawned with the promise of a new chapter in Hannah’s life. It was a bright, sunny morning, which matched her mood entirely. As she arrived at work, she took her place at her usual secretary’s desk, but almost immediately Ms. Buchanan called her into her office. Hannah’s heart raced with anticipation, feeling this had to be good news, although Ms. Buchanan’s initial demeanour gave nothing away. “You surprise...

"Hannah, could you grab me another coffee?" Ms. Buchanan called out from her office without looking up from her computer screen. "Of course," Hannah replied, her voice carrying a hint of frustration that she swiftly masked with a practiced smile. She had started to find her work dull and longed for something more interesting. As she poured the coffee, she couldn't help but overhear the hushed conversations of her colleagu...

The sportsball game played noisily in the background as I furrowed my brow in concentration, clicking the mouse. I dragged an island into the playing field and then cast Tolarian Terror, waiting expectantly to see if it was countered. It wasn’t. My prospects were looking up. ‘Magic The Gathering: Arena’ provided hours of entertainment when I was away from home, which wasn’t often. A new store meant firsthand attention, an...

I boarded the train in Bridgeport, Connecticut, sat down in my seat and sent a text to Naomi to let her know I was en route to Manhattan. As I settled into my seat a feeling of bliss washed over me. Excited to be heading back to the city. Excited to do some solitary reading on the train ride. Excited for the rendezvous with Naomi. My wife Jane and I moved from the city up to Bridgeport a couple of years ago. For the typic...

I read the email for the hundredth time and still couldn't believe it. I had been offered a teaching role at a top college in the USA earning some serious money. Out of all the candidates, over 100 based all over the world, they had selected me and I was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. The turnaround had been quick, I was starting in just a few weeks and enjoying the view out of the plane window on the fin...

"You look amazing, Makayla." The woman in question blushed and sat in the chair pulled out for her. She had expected a compliment or two; hearing the man speak of her in such a way made her nervous. A soft chuckle left her mouth, and she quickly covered it up with a low cough. Her date didn't notice and moved to sit back down. They were in a restaurant that reminded the brunette of the 1950s. The glamour was overwhelming,...

Since Celeste had only socks on her feet, Luke decided to carry her the short distance to his car in the back lot. The young woman thought this was amusing but unnecessary. Still, she allowed him to gather her in his arms, and she held onto him as they made their way through the darkness. Inside the vehicle, Celeste seemed fascinated by the dashboard's glowing lights. Furtively studying her reactions, Luke decided that if...