STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 18) “Razi, please, can we stop all this fighting, okay?” Nichelle said, her voice soft and pleading. “I’m sorry for treating you badly in the...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 17) Minutes later, I came downstairs, ready to face the day. Nichelle and her mother were already eating breakfast, and I greeted them both, trying...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 16) That night, after I finished bathing, I came out of the bathroom to find Nichelle already on the bed, her eyes fixed intently on...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 15) That night, as I lay on the floor, drifting off to sleep, Nichelle came in and stood over me, her presence looming large in...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 14) Later that night, I was lying down on the floor in our room, scrolling through my phone, when Nichelle came in. She stood there...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 13) The next day, in the morning, a call entered my phone, and I picked up to hear Nichelle’s mother’s warm voice on the other...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 12) Three days later, Nichelle’s call flashed on my screen, and I avoided it for a while, but she kept calling persistently. I finally had...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 11) As I entered the room, I was still wondering what her mother had wanted to tell me before nichelle came down, but my thoughts...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 10) That evening, when Nichelle’s mother came back, she asked Nichelle about me, and Nichelle replied that I was in the room. I could hear...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 9) Two days later, I was back to my usual routine, pretending to go to work. After taking a bath, I left our room and...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 8) The next day, I woke up on time, determined to avoid another confrontation with Nichelle. Before she could even wake up, I was already...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 7) When I got home to Nichelle’s house, her mother was in the living room with Nichelle, looking like the perfect family. As I walked...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 6) In the morning, I woke up, took my bath, and got dressed, pretending to be going to work. Nichelle was also dressed and ready...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 5) In the evening, Nichelle came to the room and told me it was time to eat. I was still lying on the floor, trying...

STAGED AFFECTION (Episode 4) As we discussed for some time, I told Nichelle’s mom that I would be leaving them now, and I needed to rest. She said...