Stolen Hearts
✍️ Author: Faiz Al-Hamed
📅 Year of Publication: 2026
In the enchanting city of Malisura, Heidi Mahmoud begins a new life, escaping from a harsh past. Amid mystery, secrets, and romance, he will test his friendships and love against unexpected challenges.
Will he find love amidst the shadows, or will the secrets continue to haunt him?
If you have a weak heart, do not enter.
Am I sure?
Are you confident?
Alright.
I am Heidi.
I study in high school, and I wanted to live my life freely.
I was 16 years old and wanted to be independent.
Heidi (inner voice):
I insisted to my family that I travel and live alone. At first, they refused the idea of me living alone at this age, but despite my insistence, they agreed on the condition that I visit them every semester.
The real reason? I was being bullied at my old school, and instead of facing my problems and telling my family, I decided to escape.
I traveled to the city of Malisura, a very beautiful city.
Heidi (inner voice):
What a beautiful city! I will make unforgettable memories here and find true friends.
Taxi:
Do you know this address? Take me there.
Taxi Driver:
Alright, young man.
Heidi:
Luckily, I have a ready house owned by my family. I'll live there and find a suitable job.
Heidi looks at the streets, tall buildings, and beautiful gardens from inside the car.
Heidi:
Wow, look at this bliss! I'll find my true love here.
Taxi Driver:
This is the place, young man.
Heidi gets out of the car.
Heidi:
Beautiful, please.
The taxi leaves.
Heidi:
Oh my God, a beautiful house!
Heidi carries his luggage and enters the house. He looks around sarcastically—dust fills the place.
Heidi:
Alright, I'll put my bags here and start cleaning immediately.
Heidi starts cleaning—scrubbing, sweeping, arranging items, clothes, and his bed.
Heidi:
Finally done… I'll go take a bath; I'm exhausted.
Heidi enters the bathtub filled with hot water.
Heidi (inner voice):
What a bliss! A hot bath after a tiring day feels like a dream.
Heidi:
I'm hungry… I'll check the fridge.
Heidi:
"Excuse me! Have I interrupted your annual meeting? Since when does this fridge work like a hotel for cockroaches?" Anyway, I'll go buy some food.
Heidi returns from the store.
Heidi:
Things are extremely expensive! This is the cost of living alone in the city… my wallet will suffer severe "anemia."
I need money; I must get a job.
He opens a pack of instant noodles and sits watching a movie on TV.
Early in the morning, Heidi falls asleep.
Heidi:
Nooo! Oh no! I'm late! I must hurry… my first day at school—I must not be late. What… I'll eat later.
Heidi runs out of the house.
Heidi:
Wait, I forgot to lock the door!
He goes back to lock it and continues running toward the school.
He arrives at the gate, 5 minutes remaining.
Heidi (smiling proudly):
This is what distinguishes us boys, hahaha.
Two passing girls notice his strange behavior.
One (whispering):
Disgusting… scary.
The other (whispering):
Really weird.
The school bell rings.
Teacher:
Quiet… Alright, today we have a new transfer student. Come in.
Heidi enters.
The same two girls whisper at the gate:
One:
He's weird.
Heidi hears them and forces a smile mixed with anger.
Heidi:
Alright… I'm Heidi Mahmoud, nice to meet you.
Teacher:
Okay, sit next to your classmate Neil.
Heidi:
Alright.
Heidi goes and sits next to Neil.
Heidi:
Hello.
Neil:
....
Heidi:
Okay.
Heidi:
What! What a boring school… I see very strange people.
Teacher:
Heidi, what were you saying? Listen to the lesson.
Heidi:
Sorry.
The lesson ends, and Neil leaves the classroom for lunch.
Reggie and his friends:
You pathetic! Eating lunch alone? Did your mom cook for you, little one?
Neil looks coldly at the food.
Reggie:
Open your mouth… aaah…
Loud laughter.
Reggie (taking the food off the floor):
Open your mouth, you sad guy!
Neil (glances at the food):
...
Reggie:
You provoke me.
He extended his hand.
Heidi:
What are you doing?!
Reggie:
And what's it to you?
Heidi:
What's the point of this? What will you gain? I won't let you continue.
Reggie:
What…? (suddenly raises his hand)
Neil, with a quick move, delivers a strong punch to Reggie's face, sending him crashing to the ground.
Neil:
I didn't ask you to save me, you know!
Someone from behind Neil pulled out a piece of wood to strike him
Heidi (quickly notices):
A strong kick to his stomach! Seems you need me.
Heidi (smiling):
Neil smiles back.
They taught them a lesson they won't forget.
Administration:
We summoned Neil and Heidi and requested a commitment not to repeat the misbehavior.
Heidi:
What do you say, shall we go home together?
Neil:
I don't care.
Heidi:
Alright, since your house is on my way.
Neil:
...
Heidi:
I must focus on making real friends… how boring!
Neil:
Tell me, why did you help me?
Heidi:
Nothing to mention… I'm not from this city.
Back in my town, I was bullied at school, so I decided to help anyone being bullied. (smiles sincerely)
Neil (shocked, then smiles):
Alright… thank you for today.
Heidi (smiling):
You're welcome.
They both go home.
Heidi:
I must find a job… I need money. I applied to a restaurant my father knows; maybe they'll accept my application.
No call yet.
Heidi:
I'm hungry… what should I eat today? I'll take a shower first.
Heidi's phone rings.
Heidi:
Who's there?! (sarcastically) It's a phone, not a door!
Caller:
Hello… are you Heidi Mahmoud?
Heidi:
Yes.
Restaurant Manager:
Your application was accepted. See you tomorrow at 2 PM.
Heidi hangs up.
Heidi:
Thank God… I got a job! I'm happy!
I'll finish my bath… ah, hot water is always wonderful… but the bill isn't, with a painful, funny feeling.
Next morning at school…
Heidi:
Good morning, Neil.
Neil:
… (shows no reaction)
Heidi (whispering):
What's wrong with this guy? He annoys me…
I need to focus on making real friends… how boring!
Teacher:
Quiet… let's start the lesson.
Heidi:
Why doesn't he speak a word? Is he depressed? Or bullied like me?
Heidi:
Hey… it's you!
Neil:
…huh?
Heidi:
Do you want to have lunch with me after class?
Neil:
And why would I?
Heidi:
Hmm… because we're friends.
Neil:
Ha… who said I would be friends with someone like you?
Heidi (whispering):
Is he really being bullied?
Teacher:
Stop, Heidi!
Heidi:
Yes.
Teacher:
Explain this.
Heidi:
Hmm… I'm sorry.
All the classmates laugh at Heidi, calling him foolish and dumb.
Teacher:
Alright, tomorrow bring full homework with explanation.
Heidi:
Okay.
Class ends, Neil sits alone for lunch.
Heidi:
I'll sit with you for lunch. Heidi, you have a nice meal!
Neil:
What a nuisance!
Heidi:
Do you want some of my macaroni? It's delicious.
Neil:
Thanks, I don't want any.
Neil (whispering):
What's with this guy? So annoying… probably just a fool.
A boy and girl in love pass by.
Heidi:
Look, what a beautiful view… I want to love and be loved.
Neil:
Love? Love is nonsense… it can never happen between two smart people, one must always be foolish.
Heidi (smiling):
You will find someone to pull you out of this darkness.
Neil:
Huh? What are you saying, fool?
Heidi:
Nothing.
Later, second class starts… I'll race him.
Heidi goes.
Neil:
Is he just a fool? What is he thinking? So annoying.
The dismissal bell rings.
Heidi:
Today is my first day at work, I must…
Huh? Neil, he's going home! Hey, Neil, wait!
Neil:
Ha, where did you come from?
We live on the same route, might as well go together.
Neil:
I don't care.
Heidi (sarcastically):
Wow, you're cold-blooded! Is this how you treat a friend?
Neil (ignoring):
…
Heidi:
Alright, no need for anger… I have something important… see you tomorrow.
Heidi runs on, reaches home.
Heidi:
I must change clothes… 1:40 PM, I must hurry.
Heidi:
Alright, I'm ready… I'll have my meal at the restaurant.
No time… I'll close the door.
Heidi:
Hey, hey taxi… do you know this address? Take me there.
Taxi Driver:
Alright, get in, young man.
Heidi admires the city's beauty, smiling strangely.
Taxi Driver:
We've arrived, young man.
Heidi stops in front of a large, beautiful restaurant.
Heidi:
Enters and is greeted by the waiter.
Waiter:
Welcome, sir. How may I serve you?
Heidi:
I came to work.
Waiter:
You are Heidi Mahmoud?
Heidi:
Yes, follow me.
Manager:
Welcome, son of Mahmoud. You will start today; I'll assign a staff member to guide and train you.
Manager:
Nisreen.
Nisreen:
Present, what do you need, sir?
Manager:
Take this to the new worker as his mentor.
Nisreen:
Okay, follow me please.
Heidi (whispering):
Beautiful and organized restaurant…
Nisreen:
Go to this staff room.
Heidi enters.
Heidi:
What… Neil? What are you doing here?
Neil:
Hey, maybe this fool is a new worker…
Nisreen:
He'll be your colleague, Yanil… please help him.
Neil:
Nooo… maybe… no… could this be real? What have you done to my life?
Heidi:
We'll be best friends!
Nisreen:
Do you know each other?
Heidi:
Yes, he's my friend.
Nisreen:
Wow… that will make things easier. Good luck!
Heidi:
Hehe!
Neil:
What? Change your clothes fast; I'll make you do all my work.
Heidi:
What? Alright, I'll go change.
Heidi:
I'm ready.
Neil:
Alright, you have a pile of work… wash this, this, and this… our job revolves around washing dishes.
Heidi:
Ha…
Neil:
Don't like it?
Heidi:
Okay.
Neil:
Wash this and this… wash these plates too.
Heidi:
Alright.
Manager:
You can leave, your shift is over.
Heidi (whispering):
Finally… I'm exhausted. How about we go have dinner?
Neil:
If I finished my work… by yourself.
Heidi:
Really?
Neil:
Yes. This is once only.
They go have dinner.
Neil:
Please, get me some alcohol.
Heidi:
You drink alcohol?
Neil:
None of your business.
Heidi:
For your sake, you shouldn't…
Neil:
You don't know what's inside me.
Heidi:
You're right, I don't… but the only thing I know is, you're a good person… who cares about your past? You're the only one who creates his future himself; don't ruin your life.
Neil:
Shut up… what life are you talking about? Leave me alone… I'll go home.
Neil walks in the street, tears streaming, recalling Heidi's words.
Heidi (inner voice):
Ah… I'll finish my meal alone… I'll take Neil's share too.
Heidi:
I wonder… what is Neil thinking? I think I annoyed him… tomorrow I'll apologize.
Neil enters his home… late… Heidi must sleep.
Heidi sleeps.
The next morning, the alarm rings.
Heidi:
Ah… today I'll apologize to Neil… I'm ready. Where's my umbrella? Heavy rain today.
Followers of an unknown man:
He left the house with an umbrella.
Heidi:
Okay… mission started.
A car moves fast toward Heidi.
Heidi:
Ahhh… what? I don't see… I can't breathe… these men! Help… I think I'll lose consciousness.
Heidi faints.
The phone rings.
Unknown man (on phone):
Yes, sir… the mission is completed, the boy is with us.
Unknown man:
Okay, bring him to the place.
End of Chapter One
At the end, I want to say I am grateful to everyone who reached this chapter and read it to the end. This novel is a part of me, of my thoughts and my hard days. I hope it touched you, even in a small way.
Your support and encouragement motivate me to continue and improve, so don't withhold your feedback and impressions—they mean a lot.
God willing, I will make sure to release a new chapter every week and present a story worthy of your trust and time.
Thank you from the heart to everyone who supported me. The upcoming chapters will be even better 🤍