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"When Adam and Ana Marie meet is love at first sight. But what Ana Marie knows is that Adam is a private investigator from London, what she doesn't know is that Adam is on the hunt of a criminal that turned out to be her distant father. The plans to capture this man goes awry and it forces him to fake his own death leaving Ana Marie devastated. After five years, the criminal reappears and Adam wants to finish what he started. Will Ana Marie find out about the lie and of his father's affairs? Will Ana Marie and Adam get a second chance at happiness?"
A/N: I realized that some people might find the time line confusing so let me break it down for you k? It starts in April 2007 and in some chapters it flashes forward to July/August 2012. 2012 is the present, 2007 is the past. I'm not changing tenses erratically and this story does make sense. There are flashbacks that explain the situations the characters are in, get it?
April 7, It started out with a look. A quick glance that seemed insignificant but in reality, it said a million words. Adam sat across the waiting room, unsure of what exactly those words were. She was a pretty girl, in her early twenties, her long hair was pulled back in a side pony tail which let him know that she was a structured woman. Her round eyes let out a sense of sensuality as she stared at the screen before her. Her hands were manicured, assuring him she was immaculate in some form. She wore scrubs but he knew she wasn't a nurse for she was in the reception area assisting the patients who entered the office. Maybe she was the nurse assistant, nothing medical, she just aided the nurse or doctor with the paper work. No ring on her finger, he noticed. She probably didn't have a serious boyfriend, but she had one none the less. The pink gloss on her lips, her soft peachy cheeks and the slight make up on her eyes were the evidence of that. Her eyebrows furrowed as she was writing on the clipboard, she didn't like whatever she was writing.
"How much longer?" he heard Brian beside him. He didn't answer right away. The girl looked at him and smiled, leaving him with a sense of confusion. He was good with reading people but she was somehow illegible. Her eyes seemed to be telling him, this is who I am, but her smile told him that whoever she was, she was undecipherable.
"We've been in here just to ask him a simple bloody question, not to find a heart donor, " Brian complained.
But Adam wasn't listening to a word he was saying, or he was but he gave it no importance. The girl left the clipboard to the side and went back to her typing. She paused and drank from her water bottle. Interesting, he thought, a water bottle clearly made out of recycled material, the tag was taken off, and it seemed like she had that bottle for days, even weeks. Could it be that she was a miniscule form of what was called, a hoarder? Or she detested getting rid of things, for the fear that it was a waste to throw a perfectly useable bottle? By the deteriorated pen in her hand that has seen better days, he concluded with the second option.
"Adam?" he heard Brian clearly frustrated.
"Sorry, you were saying?" he said nonchalantly.
"I was saying that if this Yankee comes and says he knows nothing of the subject I will break his nose."
"You wouldn't call him Yankee, because A. He is from a Hispanic descent, seen in his last name, Gutierrez and B. We are on the south of United States so close to the border that it is hardly considered a Yankee state, being also that it is not part of the original thirteen colonies, and lastly, your hand is too small for it to actually break anything, " he replied without removing his eyes from the woman at the desk. The woman broke into a smile, maybe remembering something, or maybe she was eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Listen, lad, just because you are a bloody. . ."
"Brian Sims, " the woman interrupted. "Doctor Gutierrez is ready to see you." They both stood and walked towards the doctor's office. "Excuse me, " the woman called out, making them both stop. "You both can't enter the room. Sorry."
"It's alright, we are not patients, " Brian responded and took a step forward.
"I'm sorry, " she stood from her chair, "Even if you are not here for medical purposes, you both can't enter the room. It's part of a confidentiality clause."
Brian's eyes rolled to one side. "Fine, " he turned towards Adam, "You stay here."
Adam didn't hear him, his eyes were tied on the young woman's face. Interesting, he thought, she knew how to impute authority but she was careful not to lose her temper, or sound angry at all. With the simple act of standing, make people like Brian, who has a big problem with women telling him what to do, see that she was not inferior to anyone.
"Forgive him, " Adam apologized. "He has anger issues."
The woman smiled. "You are not from around here, are you?" she asked noticing Adam's accent.
"What gave it away?"
The woman laughed, very feminine like, he noted. "Your outfit. Let me guess, England? London, is it?"
"Good guess, " he said impressed. Not because she was right, anybody could tell he was from London because of his accent, but because she was so tranquil.
"I love London, " she said almost dreamily, as she walked to the other side of her desk and leaned against it, facing him.
"You've ever been?" he asked.
"Yes, well, back when I was fifteen, we went to London in a family vacation; I fell in love with it. What brings you to Phoenix? Business or pleasure?"
"You can say both."
"You mean, 'work at what you love and you'll never have to work again' theory?"
"Precisely."
"What do you do?"
He spoke slowly, "I work for the police."
"You are a cop?"
"I am more like a private detective."
"Really? But you said you were here for business, isn't Phoenix out of your jurisdiction?"
"You are very curious, aren't you?"
"I am. What really brings you to Arizona?"
"I needed time off, get London out of my lungs."
"So you decided to come to the driest state of the United States of America, " she replied with a slight smirk on her lips. She walked back behind her desk and sits. "Who is Mr. Sims?"
He smiled to himself, was she interrogating him? "He is a colleague, my flat mate, a loyal friend."
"All that, huh?"
"Yes." He took a deep breath and looked at his watch, what was taking Brian so long? "Where do you recommend we go, while we are here?"
"Erm, " she studied the wall like searching for the answer. What beautiful eyes she had, he observed, a rare brown shade. "How about, the Fair? It comes every spring and you are just in time for it. Of course, if you want history, there is the Desert Museum, but I don't recommend it though, it is full of dead animals."
Adam laughed; he couldn't remember the last time he had spoken to a woman so freely.
"I'm Ana Marie by the way, Ana Marie Cain." She smiled and extended her hand.
"Adam Hayes, " he replied accepting it noting her incredibly firm shake. "Pleasure to meet you, " he admitted.
* * *
July 22, "Adam?"
Adam opens his eyes and he is at the place he dreads the most, his office. Everything was the same every day. He even had the thought of remodeling it, maybe paint it a green color. But he knew that wouldn't make a difference. He is still working inside the office most of the day. He isn't meant for this. He was meant to be out and about on the streets of London catching bad guys, not work at an office filing paperwork.
"Yes?" he responds with a bored tone in his voice.
"Mr. James wants to see you, " replies the woman in her very ugly dress. Perhaps it was a gift from her husband, and by the look of her hair, she wasn't very happy on having to wear it.
"Thank you."
He walks out towards the corridor, dragging his feet. Even getting out of bed seemed like a bore. He had no purpose, he concluded months ago. Before, all he wanted was to work in an open field, like a house cat when exploring the dark neighborhood. There was always something different, his every day job was an adventure each time, but now, his everyday job was killing him slowly.
"You wanted to see me?" he asked his chief, the creator of London's Private Investigation, or LPI, once he arrived.
"Yes, please have a seat."
Adam notices his shirt tucked in in a lazy manner, his sleeves were rolled up and his hair was not as combed back as it used to be, whatever he had to say, it was important.
"I don't know if you remember the Velez case, the big unsolved one."
Adam snorts in disbelief. "How could I not."
"Well, you see. Velez is back under our radar. He came back from his absence apparently, and he is back to Phoenix, Arizona. There was an incident where twenty people died in Cali, Colombia, due to poison in the water ducts, it isn't certain, but I believe he was the cause."
Adam rubs his eyes trying to push back his thoughts. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I am telling you this because Sims requested your assistance himself. He claims he can't resume with the investigation without you-"
Adam raises his hand, making him stop. "Are you suggesting I return to the case? To Arizona?" At the lack of response from James, Adam stands fiercely. "You said that I was no longer part of this investigation because I became involved, too involved, in fact."
"I know what I said, " James replies rapidly. "But I trust your judgment -"
"You don't think I will not attempt to find her, or even see her, do you?"
"Like I said, I trust your judgment. And, I will come along just to keep a close eye on you, just so you don't make any decisions rashly."
Adam sits dejectedly. No matter what he might say, he will eventually be forced to get back on the case. He rubs his eyes again. He is going back to America, to Arizona.
He walks back to his office deaf and mute. He is no longer owner of his own body. As he sits back at his desk, he absently runs his hands on his chest, what was Ana Marie doing right now? It was four o'clock, plus the seven hour difference, she was probably getting ready to go to sleep, with her husband more likely, reading bed time stories to her children.
He squeezes his eyes tightly trying to push off her image from his head. He grabs his coat, and walks towards the door, he needs to get himself packing for the trip.
"August, 1865 The War is over and as America is trying to recover, Nicholas Gregson is trying to get used to his civilian life. But the deep scar on the side of his face will always remind him of the most violent war in America. One windy day, Nicholas gets a visit from his former General with a rare proposition: He wants him to marry one of his daughters. Although Mary is beautiful and well brought up, he hesitates. He doesn't know if he can love her and he is certain she won't ever be able to surpass his war scar. Olivia Clark is happy for her twin sister, marrying a man their father respected dearly was bound to be a good marriage. But she worries. Scars of her own remind her that men can not be trusted. Will Olivia let her guard down and allow love to enter her life? Will Nicholas give himself a chance to be happy with a woman that won't even look at his face?"
"Life for cowboy Mack Rosenberry was nothing but peaceful in the small town of Texas. But an encounter with mysterious guests threatens the tranquility as they seem to have secrets that endanger the town. As Mack aims to discover the purpose of their visit, he finds there is more to the father-daughter duo than they lead on. Join Mack as he discovers the new world with flying machines and clockwork men. This is my first Steampunk themed story. It takes place post the Mexican-American War, I hope you guys enjoy it!"
"Hi my name is David, and you might've already figured this out but I have a crush. Crush, you say, what's a crush when you are seventeen going on eighteen boy, invisible but sadly, over achiever in high school, who has only two friends and a twin sister that is a snobby bitch? I will tell you in this, my tale of what ifs, could haves and should haves. So sit back and enjoy the ride. "
In the small town of Lakewood in the nineteenth century, the future of Adam Lancaster and Sophia Willis has been set through an arrange marriage, but Sophia is in love with the son of the richest man in town and Adam has never considered marriage as part of his life. Will they give each other a chance or are they destined to live unhappily ever after?
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?