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My abrasive next-door neighbor confronts me on the street, accusing me of spying on her with my telescope. I wish I'd known I could have been watching her in her bedroom; I despise squandered opportunities. But I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me by. Her curves scream for me to touch them. I'll show her my telescope, no problem. She turns out to be working for my ex and will do everything she can to keep me from getting what is rightfully mine. She can try everything she wants, but I always take what I want. And I want her right now.
I crouch down and rapidly sweep the feather duster over the living room table's various knickknacks. I'm sure everything is already clean, but I have a routine and prefer to keep the property in tip-top shape.
As I look across the room, a smile creeps across my face.
I'm still amazed that I live in such a pricey property in Alabang's most renowned neighborhood. Never in my wildest thoughts could I imagine myself walking through such a place, let alone living here. Fortunately, Rachel, an old college friend, introduced me to Romina Martinez and suggested that I apply for the nanny post she had open.
I didn't want to be a nanny, but I didn't have any other options at the time. The job market was tight when I graduated from college with an English degree in hand. If only I'd knew that before I took out all those student loans. But when I met Andrew, Romina's kid, I was completely enamored with him. There's no place I'd rather be after three months of full-time caregiving for him. In fact, I spend more time with him than his parents. It's gotten to the point where people frequently inquire if he's my son. I'm fortunate that we have such a tight relationship.
As if living in such a posh location and caring for an adorable little boy weren't enough, I'm now able to devote my full attention to my true passion... cooking. My passion for cuisine is strong, and I aspire to have my own restaurant one day.
In the meantime, Romina is my personal taste tester here at the office. Every night, it seems, I'm trying out new recipes, such as the roasted duck I cooked the other night or the braised lamb with red potatoes I did two nights ago.
Another perk of my job is having an endless supply of fresh foods to work with. When it comes to food shopping, as with everything else around here, no money is spared. Romina enjoys organic, home-cooked meals, which is exactly what I'm looking for. Andrew has never eaten fast food, and I make it a point to keep him away from it.
Romina steps in with her purse on her shoulder, just as I decide the living room is ready. I find myself admiring her incredible form as she stops to give herself a quick once over in the mirror. Romina's body has never looked better, despite the fact that most women require some time to heal following childbirth. As best as I can tell from the images I've seen around the apartment, her rapid metabolism keeps her rail thin, just like she was in her modeling days. I'm not sure what's troubling her as she starts smoothing non-existent wrinkles out of her tight dress.
Her little hands tug at the lovely silk scarf draped around her neck before tossing it onto the freshly dusted sofa. I wish we were the same size because I adore her fashion sense. She has way more clothes than she knows what to do with thanks to her big wardrobe allowance. In fact, she never wears the same outfit twice. Despite my fashion envy, I adore my diminutive frame's contours and wouldn't change a thing.
I'm not one of those gals who can pull off the model appearance.
Romina walks around in solitude, adding more lipstick to her already pouty red lips. Her sandy-colored hair drapes over her shoulders in gorgeous waves, and the color explodes against her perfect olive tone complexion. Andrew, who is currently napping, has inherited his mother's stunning green eyes, albeit they still have a childish innocence to them. Sadly, Romina no longer has that feature.
"Don't forget to wipe off the picture frames, Aliyah," Romina says, a flawlessly manicured finger pointing in my direction.
I'll never forget that. I'm more familiar with the ins and outs of this location than you are.
I take the photo closest to me and grin as I recall the day I took it. It's a photograph of Andrew, taken as he was playing with his father, Jonas, in the middle of a chuckle. To be honest, I despise any and all contacts I have with Jonas Samonte, one of Metro Manila's greatest jerks. He's unreasonable in his demands, and every thing he's ever spoken to me has been condescending. Andrew appears to be the only one who can get that man to grin, and even then, it's a rare occurrence. I'm not sure why Romina puts up with Jonas when he just seems to care for his son.
I don't like how he treats me, but he treats his on-again, off-again girlfriend Romina ten times worse. She is the mother of his child, yet she may just as easily be referred to as a glorified concubine. I've watched her cry more times than I care to remember, and I don't think it's worth it to me. Everything she could want is there at her fingers, except Jonas. When he's in the mood to be bothered, he calls her to meet him at any time. He gets whatever he wants, and it's all on his schedule.
"I'm going out with Mr. Samonte," Romina says. "There's no need to wait for me because I'll be back after dinner." Marie should be here for Andrew's lessons in about an hour, so make sure he's eaten his snack by then."
Andrew's French tutor, Madeleine, is a complete nightmare, and I try to avoid her as much as possible when she's here. Andrew is tutored by her three times a week. So she comes in and gestures to things while Andrew keeps on blowing and spitting bubbles while she says things in French. I've never heard of someone tutoring a nine-month-old child, but everything is possible if the price is right. Romina came across an article about babies learning languages before they can speak, so she asked Jonas to get a tutor for him and the rest is history.
Giabella Gomez has finally met her ideal match. He is attractive and seductive, and what began as an anonymous night of passion has developed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Yes, it's a little odd that he only shows up in her bed at night, but Gia is so certain he's the one that she just can't say no. Gia is unaware of how much more Falcone Cabrera knows about her. She is stunning, independent, and cautious in her romantic relationships. However, Falcone must battle his personal demons, which prevent him from connecting with anyone. Falcone's protective nature, however, manifests itself fully when Gia is drawn into Metro Manila's dangerous underworld. The issue is that Gia isn't as sure he's the one anymore after experiencing Falcone's Alpha attitude in the open.
HIS BABY TO BEAR Once more brought together by fate, Jerome must save his woman, maybe the entire planet, and, most heartbreakingly, his cub, whom he was unaware of. Are Libby and Jerome destined to fail or can they get past their mutual faults and enjoy a future together? DOUBLE TROUBLE WITH THE TWIN WOLVES The brothers will do all it takes to protect their partner and their boys, risking their devotion, future, and friendships in the process. However, when they are up against the most deadly terrorists in the world, their mere willpower is useless. They also desire blood. Will Madison, Tim, and Tom find happiness, or will they be unable to escape the cruel grasp of fate? HOT COUGAR's BABY Shaun and Dani must decide if they can work together and have faith in one another in the face of lies, death, irrational terrorists, and an innocent kid caught in the center of it all. If not, then fate never had those things in store for them. However, one thing is for certain: neither of them is giving up easily! AMIDST THE CATS’ CRADLE It's now or never, the men are aware. Save Dani and their descendants, or they will live to repent it. The Arctics hold the key to either their eventual salvation or extinction. Will they be unsuccessful, or have Jordan and Mitchell finally found the lady who can inspire them to collaborate?
Olivia Guerrero led a quiet, uncomplicated life. Working for an eccentric billionaire has given her plenty of time to pursue her interests. Surprisingly, this results in complacency. So, when the man she's spent years with suddenly drags her into an explosive chase, complete with bloodthirsty villains and the distinct possibility of death, Libby wonders if she's gotten in way over her head. But does it really matter when the commando sent to save you is as hot and as infuriating as hers? Jerome Nicolas is a werebear with a past but little in the way of a future. He's a gun for hire, a soldier of fortune, and the leader of Shifting Squad. Except for this one, every job is the same. He never thought he'd be able to love again, but one look at Libby has the tough-as-nails ex-Army stumbling over his feet and words. They only have one night together, and Connor is never the same again, for better or worse. Andrew is once again brought together by fate to save his woman, possibly the world, and, most heartbreakingly, his cub, about whom he knows nothing. Is it possible for Libby and Andrew to overcome their lies and have a future together, or are they doomed to fail?
This man has been visiting me almost every night for more than two years now. And every time he visited me, he make me come. I've met him that night more than two years ago in a bar. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew that he is my dream lover. He is hot, sexy and gorgeous. Savannah knew that it's really strange the she hasn't seen him on broad daylight but I know, and am sure that he is the man for me. Martin "Falcone" Cabrera knows more about Savannah more than she could ever imagine. She's gorgeous, strong headed and skittish about relationships. But Falcone is facing all of his life's demons that keep him being deeply close to anyone. Yet when Savannah is drawn into Metro Manila's badass world, Falcone couldn't help himself but get his protective nature comes out in full force. But the problem is, when Savannah finally get to see Falcone's bossy and alpha attitude in broad daylight, Savannah thinks that she is not sure whether he is the one for her anymore.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
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?
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?
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."