Unfriendly Secrets (eBook)

Nicholas J. Fleming (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
360 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0669-9 (ISBN)

Infos

In college, six friends-Olivia, Theodore, Thomas, Everett, Reina, and Crystal-faced a harrowing experience that would linger in their minds for years to come, casting shadows over their once carefree youth. Yet, time is relentless, and life moves forward. Five years after their graduation, an enigmatic invitation arrives, beckoning them to The Bolton Estate, a place shrouded in mystery and the promise of revelations. As they gather for an unforgettable party, the night unfolds with twists and turns that simultaneously tear at the very fabric of their relationships while fortifying their bonds in unforeseen ways. The Bolton Estate is a mysterious place filled with countless secrets, both hidden within its grand walls and the personal truths of its esteemed guests. The gracious host and hostess of the lavish affair entice their attendees into a captivating game of revelations, where the experience for each guest promises to delve far beyond mere secrets. This event promises to explore the profound depths of human nature and personal truths, offering an unforgettable journey into the heart of mystery.

Nicholas J. Fleming grew up on a family farm in Silex, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and currently works as a pediatric nurse practitioner in the St. Louis area. Nicholas enjoys spending his free time cooking, being outdoors, and traveling. Some of his favorite places he has traveled to include Spain and Italy. 'Unfriendly Secrets' marks the debut of his novel-writing career.

Textauszug

Chapter two

(2024)

Once again, she hurriedly prepares for her third night shift at the hospital. The exhaustion wraps around her like a snug blanket, making it hard to summon the energy to tackle whatever challenges await her that night. You might think that after medical school, she would have mastered time management, but for Olivia, this frantic rush is just part of her daily routine. With no time to prepare a proper breakfast, she grabs a granola bar to quiet her rumbling stomach on her drive to work. Quickly, she gathers her work bag and lunchbox from the kitchen table, then puts on her oversized winter coat and steps out of her apartment, hopefully ready for the challenges that await her during the night shift.

Apartment 506 is small but works well for Olivia. The tiny yet charming single-room studio serves as a cozy living, dining, and bedroom space all in one. The petite kitchenette doesn’t inspire her to dive into cooking, leading her take-out bills to add up gradually. One of Olivia’s favorite aspects of her apartment is the large window that offers a beautiful view of Lincoln Park.

The window frames the lively world just outside her apartment. Lush green trees sway gently in the breeze, their branches swaying playfully, casting intricate shadows on the ground. Children dart around, laughter ringing out as they chase one another over the freshly cut grass. Nearby, friends gather around a picnic blanket, sharing sandwiches and animated stories. The paths are filled with joggers weaving in and out. Artists sit on benches, sketching the lively scenes around them, capturing the essence of this bustling oasis amidst the city’s hustle. As daylight wanes, the park remains a hub of activity, a space where nature and community collide, echoing with the vibrancy of life.

Despite the apartment’s size, Olivia has found ways to infuse it with character and charm through her personal touches. You’ll find lovely pictures of her and her sister adorning the walls, her grandfather’s old record player happily sitting on the side table in the corner of the living room, and a beautiful bird’s nest fern basking in the natural light right in front of the window.

“Good morning- I mean, have a great evening, Matthew. I never know what time it is lately,” she laughs as she rushes by her neighbor in the hallway and pushes the call button for the elevator.

“Another night shift, Olivia? How many more do you have left this month?” he asks, his voice warm and reassuring.

“Just two more nights to go- tonight and tomorrow! After that, I’ll be off for two whole weeks, and I couldn’t be more excited for a little break. I’m in a bit of a rush, Matt! Can’t wait to catch up later,” Olivia smiles, stepping into the elevator.

Olivia always seems to be in a rush whenever she and Matthew cross paths. This brief exchange has been the extent of their conversation since he moved into the apartment next door two months ago. They often bump into each other in the hallway, especially when he takes his adorable dog, Max, out for walks. Even though Olivia isn’t a massive fan of dogs- or animals in general- she can’t help but think Max is a charming little dark-haired French Bulldog. However, she wonders if he likes her, especially since he makes these funny grunting noises every time he spots her in the hallway. Matthew has mentioned before that Max does that to people he likes, but Olivia isn’t entirely convinced that’s the case.

She notices how Matthew lights up whenever he tries to spark a conversation with her in the hallway, and she is definitely attracted to the tall, handsome neighbor. His warm smile and green eyes remind her of someone special from her recent past. However, she’s unsure if she’s ready to jump back into a relationship after her last experience didn’t end well. Plus, her busy schedule leaves little room for romance right now.

As Olivia exits the elevator and enters the lobby, she realizes her mailbox hasn’t been checked in over a week. For the past month, her life has been a repetitive cycle of work, sleep, and work again, leaving little room for anything else. Since beginning medical school, Olivia has often fallen into these routines. Many days, she questions her decision to pursue such a demanding career that demands significant sacrifice. She continually reminds herself that the effort will be worth it in the end, hopefully. Fumbling through her purple Albany Medical College backpack for her key, she finally unlocks her apartment mailbox and retrieves a pile of letters.

“Have a lovely evening, Fred,” she says with a warm smile to the doorman.

“It’s getting a bit chilly out there, ma’am. It appears that we may receive more snow again soon. Make sure to stay warm,” the elderly doorman said with a smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning!” Olivia responds to him.

Fred is one of Olivia’s favorite people at the apartment. He consistently greets her at the entrance, dressed in his flat-front trousers, white Oxford shirt, and black suit blazer. For some reason, he reminds her of her grandpa. Perhaps it’s his silver hair and beard, or maybe it’s how he always asks about her day and shares stories about his family whenever he can. Regardless, Olivia appreciates having someone nearby who brings back memories of her family, whom she hasn’t seen in months.

The cold northeasterly wind playfully nips at her as she steps out of the cozy apartment complex, snug in her white stocking cap and warm thermal gloves. She quickly sorts through a stack of letters, feeling the brisk air brush against her cheeks, making her eyes flutter with a hint of tears. Pulling her coat closer, she tries to chase away the chill that seems to sneak under her layers—a little reminder of winter’s presence. Despite the numbing sensation in her fingertips that makes it tricky to handle the letters, one envelope catches her eye. The letter is embellished with a charming maroon wax seal sporting a bold capital “B.” Curiosity dances in her mind, but she thinks, I’ll open it later. I don’t have time right now.

She unlocks her trusty 2007 black Ford Escape, a loyal companion since college, and gently tosses the envelopes onto the passenger seat. As she inserts the key into the ignition and turns it, the vehicle clicks a few times before the engine comes to life with a mighty roar. She can’t help but think that one of these days, it might not start. It’s time to consider getting a new car. She thinks, I’ll add it to my list of things to figure out once life slows down.

As snow begins to fall gently, Olivia pulls into the parking garage at Albany Medical Center. Each snowflake, a tiny, delicate crystal, twirls playfully in the wind, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that sparkles under the streetlights. Winter in the Northeast brings a whole new charm compared to where she grew up. After admiring the beautiful scene, she hastily makes her way to the third floor of the hospital, feeling a bit rushed as she’s already five minutes late. Once there, she slips on her white coat, proudly displaying her name, Olivia Mendes, beautifully embroidered above the Albany Medical College logo. She hopes for a smooth and peaceful shift ahead.

Olivia unquestionably loves the heavy winter snow that blankets New York, especially after her childhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. While she’s still getting used to the chilly temperatures, she enjoys cozy hours in the café next to her apartment, watching the snow gently fall over Lincoln Park just across the street. The park, which is usually filled with laughter and activity, transforms into a serene winter wonderland covered in a soft layer of fluffy white. Snowflakes flutter down from the light gray skies like a magical curtain, creating enchanting scenes of oak branches adorned in white and park benches capped with delicate snow.

The delicate white snowflakes evoke some of Olivia’s most cherished childhood memories. Her first pet, which she won at a local county fair in the fifth grade, was a sweet little white bunny named Snowflake. This small, fluffy ball of white fur would follow Olivia everywhere, bringing her so much joy. She even had a special leash just for her and would walk her in the grassy patch in their backyard. Now that Olivia has moved away to college, her sister has stepped in to care for Snowflake.

The sparkling snow also reminds her of her younger sister’s beautiful bleach-blonde hair. Mariella, four years younger than Olivia, has had a more profound impact on her older sister’s life than she might realize. Watching her sister overcome acute lymphocytic leukemia as a teenager inspired Olivia to follow her passion for a career in the medical field.

When Mariella first received her leukemia diagnosis, Olivia was just a freshman in high school. Witnessing Mariella spend so many nights in the hospital was incredibly challenging for Olivia, but it sparked her interest in medicine and the healthcare system. One particularly unforgettable night stands out in Olivia’s mind during their hospital stay. She recalls how Mariella was experiencing complications from her chemotherapy treatment, and her favorite nurse, Amber, was working. Amber was a favorite among the patients...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 27.6.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Krimi / Thriller / Horror
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0669-9 / 9798317806699