I don't remember you. I don't remember any of these... I don't remember how it feels... If you don't remember then, we'll start anew. I can't. Why can't you? I don't want to live a life I have no memory of.
The moment I stepped out of the airport a cold familiar breeze swept through my face. Dejavu. I thought. It felt like I had been here before though I know this was my first time. I brushed off the feeling and continued to walk towards the taxi line.
There were a lot of people waiting in line for a cab so I decided to take my mp3 out and began to listen. I was halfway lip-syncing to the chorus of Rihanna's Umbrella when I felt a tug on my shirt.
I turned around to tell off who ever it was but was surprised to see a little boy about 4 intensely staring at me. His expression was a mixture of longing and confusion. I gave him a weak smile and went on lip-syncing.
I never got to finish the last line of the chorus when I felt another tug. I wheeled around to see the same little boy still staring at me. I looked around to see if he was with someone. Seeing that he was probably lost or something since no one was beside him, I took the earphones out and kneeled making our eyes level.
"Hi! Where's your mommy?" I asked him.
His response was quick but not a single word came out of his mouth. His little arms were instantly around my neck and I was wrapped in a heartwarming hug. I could not understand what I was feeling at that moment that I hugged him back in return and could not bear to break free from his hug.
"Shinichi!" A deep male voice called from behind me. The little boy's hug seemed tighter by the minute.
"Shinichi! What are you doing?" The same deep voice asked in Japanese. I was surprised that I understood what he said. I did not even know I understood Japanese.
" Shinichi!" The voice called out again. This time I knew he was right in front of us seeing a pair of feet right before my eyes. That was the only time I realized that maybe the little boy's name was Shinichi and this was his companion. I broke free from his hug, held his hand.
"I'm sorry. I ... he... he.. . just started to hug me..." I started.
As I held out the little boy's hand to the guy in front of us, our eyes met.
His eyes widened three times its normal size considering the fact that his eyes were that of a typical Japanese.
"I'm sorry... is... is he your son?" I asked the guy not mindful if he even spoke or understood English. The guy in front of me just continued to stare at me. His eyes showed the same feeling as that of the little boy, however there was something else.
"Riya... ho... ho... h... how... whe... where..." he stammered.
"Excuse me?" by this time it was I who was confused. How the hell did this guy know my name? I don't even know who on earth he is. And he is talking to me in Japanese. What's more confusing is that I can actually understand what he was saying. When in fact the only Japanese words I know were "arigatou" and "sayonara".
"Papa, mama came back." the little boy broke the silence.
"Yes Shin... she is back" the guy answered without taking his eyes off me.
"Excuse me" I said as I let go of the little boy's hand and started to leave.
I was only able to take one step when a grasp in my arm and a pull on my shirt stopped me.
"Riya... wait!"
" Mama!"
The guy and the little boy chorused.
"Excuse me?" I asked. This time I was feeling a little stupid realizing that for the past few minutes the only words that came out of my mouth were three different versions of "excuse me".
"Wait. Don't go."
" I'm sorry. I don't know you and you are scaring me. Please let go of my hand. Your grip is too tight. Little boy stop pulling my shirt, you are stretching it out. I just bought it yesterday. Please Japanese guy let go of me. If you don't, I'm going to scream my lungs out. Mind you I wasn't called loud speaker in high school for nothing. Oh God... this is not the vacation I had in mind". I started to talk non-stop trying to address the guy, the little boy and God all at the same time.
"Mama... please don't leave again... I promise Shin will be a good boy" the little boy pleaded as he let go of my shirt and hugged my legs never wanting to let go.
"I'm sorry. I think you've mistaken me for someone else." I said trying to loosen his grip from my legs.
"No! No! No!" he screamed tightening his hold of my legs even more.
Sensing that that little boy had no intention of letting go of my leg, I desperately turned to the Japanese guy.
"Please... do something. Your son thinks I'm his mom. Please..."
"NO! You're my mama! Don't go mama" the little boy continued to scream.
"Please. Do something. The taxi's waiting. I need to check in the hotel right now or they're going to cancel my reservation." I told the Japanese guy who just gave me a blank stare.
"Mama, don't go to the hotel. Let's go home. We have a house."
I was taken aback with what the little boy said. Then I realized that I every time I tried to tell the Japanese guy something in English the little boy would answer. Then it hit me. The boy understands English.
I looked down on to the 4 year old who was firmly hugging onto my leg.
"You can understand English?" I asked him.
Why is it so hard to say the words I want to hear from you? Is it too hard to say it? Or is it because those words are not meant for me?
Craig Stavros, heir to the vast Stavros empire is used to getting what he wants and would stop at nothing until he has what he has set his eyes on. Carrie Ohno's only dream is to become an Olympic figure skater. So what happen's when the Greek God has set his eyes on his Ice Queen?
Blurb: Nina Morrison's life is a relentless struggle, torn between caring for her bedridden father and enduring her stepfamily's cruelty. But her world is shattered when a near-fatal encounter with Lucien Gray-the ruthless, untouchable head of a global consortium-pulls her into a nightmare of possession. Lucien is captivated by Nina's fiery defiance, determined to possess her at any cost. But Nina's will to rebuild herself is stronger than his obsession. As their paths collide, desire and revenge intertwine, forcing them to confront the darkness within themselves. Can Nina reclaim her life? Will Lucien's obsession destroy them both, or will they truly fall in love and live happily ever after?
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."