15 stories
Jubail Junction
Engineer Mariam supervises the industrial complex in Jubail. When safety inspector Walid arrives for audit, their professional clash ignites personal fire. 'Al kimya mish bas fil masani' (الكيمياء مش بس في المصانع) - Chemistry isn't just in factories.
Room 412
Night shift. Private room. She's supposed to be checking his vitals. She checks more than that.
The Arrangement
He can't make rent. She has an alternative in mind. Half her age, exactly her type — and completely at her mercy.
Failing on Purpose
She's been failing his class on purpose. He knows it. She knows he knows. When he finally calls her into his office, the pretense drops.
Rent Due
He's three months behind on rent. She's a landlady who knows exactly what she wants. When she offers an alternative payment plan, he discovers that some debts are meant to be paid in person.
The Corner Office
He made a mistake that should end his career. The CEO has a different kind of termination in mind.
Mama Harusi
He's marrying into a wealthy Swahili family. His bride's mother doesn't approve of him. During the wedding week, she corners him to discuss expectations. Her expectations are not what he imagined.
Extra Credit
She's his professor. He's failing her class. Her office hours are about to get very... educational.
Past Due
He's three months behind on rent. His landlady has a proposal that doesn't involve money.
Quiet Hours
He's a senior stuck in dorm life for one more semester. The new RA catches him breaking curfew. She invites him to her room to discuss alternatives. Her door has a lock.
The Audit
The IRS letter arrived three weeks ago. The auditor knows things about him—purchases, deposits, patterns. She's not looking for fraud. She's looking for leverage.
The Interview
His green card depends on the next hour. The immigration officer separates him from his wife for questioning. She knows his marriage is real—she just wants to see how far he'll go.
Check-In
Six months left on his parole. His new PO offers an arrangement—he keeps her satisfied, she keeps his record clean. What starts as survival becomes something he craves.
Final Review
A harassment complaint has been filed against him—false, but damaging. The HR director seems to enjoy watching him squirm. He realizes she's not trying to fire him. She's playing.
The Stacks
He needs access to the restricted archives. She's denied him three times. Tonight, after hours, he discovers what the university librarian has really been protecting.