Fake dating a billionaire playboy that you're in love with was sure to lead to trouble and heartbreak was a warning that Arielle failed to pay heed to. After the world found out their relationship was fake, and her admission into the hospital, She thought he'd come barreling through the door and profess his undying love for her forever, and maybe he could finally be with her, but she was met with the announcement that he'd left the country and was getting engaged to another woman. Heartbroken, Arielle swore to hate everything he stood for, and she meant it too, except that Keenan Enrique is back, and he seems to want her more than his supposed fiance
The mirror distorted, most of the time it showed what wasn't even there, but it was easy to believe what was mirrored back because you projected it in the first place. Arielle turned away from the mirror in her room in disgust. She didn't want to see her reflection, knowing that she'd taken her obsession to be perfect too far. She had been proud of losing weight at the beginning until it wasn't enough, she just needed to lose a little bit more, then more until it became glaring that it was a problem, that was after she'd collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital.
She'd lost too much weight, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. She wanted to stop, but even with her medication, she found herself sliding back into her old habit, eating little, working it off, wearing huge sweaters to avoid the whispering at school... It was a nightmare, but it was always a little more weight than she needed to lose.
She adjusted her eyeglasses, noticing how pale her face looked, her hazel eyes gazing tiredly back at her.
She stepped away from the mirror, grabbed her backpack, and walked towards the door pushing it open, her Mom stood at the other end looking nervous. Arielle cleared her throat, trying to appear happier than she felt.
"Mom, good morning" it came out more of a question than a statement, she was not sure what her mom wanted, it always involved something when she came up to her room, so she was skeptical.
"You look beautiful this morning". She complimented, looking her over. "I made breakfast" she quickly added.
Arielle clenched her hand on the door handle. "I'm not hungry, and I'm already late for lectures, maybe when I get back"
Her mother looked like she expected the answer. "I know that, but should I just pack it up for you in a lunch box" Her voice came out shuddering, an unsure look in her eyes that made Arielle feel guilty.
"I'd like that" she found herself saying, but it was worth the wide smile that replaced the worried look on her mother's face. Her mother cared about her, she was understanding and didn't try to push her too hard, but it was hard to watch her worry just because she couldn't eat right. If her mother knew the real reason she'd started skipping her meal and working hard to keep in shape, her mom would be hard broken. Arielle shuddered just thinking about it. Her mom patted her hair, her grin widening.
"Give me a minute, I'll pack it up for you. Make sure you find time to eat ok. You can also share it with your friend scarlet". She suggested as she rushed down the stair, her steps light.
Fifteen minutes later, she plunked into her friend's car, feeling more drained than normal. Scarlet smiled at her, her red hair gleaming in the dark interior of the car. She pulled out of their driveway, then accelerated the car speed, almost flinging them both from their seat before screeching to a halt.
"Oops!", She got out cheekily before driving within the speed limit. Arielle took a deep breath wondering how Scarlet even got her driver's license with the way she lost control of the wheels most of the time. Arielle jerked when scarlet revved up once more.
"Slow down, we'll die at this rate" Arielle warned, but Scarlet just grinned. Arielle paid more attention to the hurt in her eyes but did not comment on it.
"Scared, are we? She asked, increasing the speed.
"You'll get a ticket," Arielle said, making her voice sound detached with boredom. Scarlet shook her head but slowed down.
"You're in a moody mood this morning" Scarlet pointed out, as she took notice of the frown on Arielle's face. "What happened to you".
"Nothing, I guess I'm just fed up about life today, I'll get better by tomorrow".
Scarlet exhaled, her face set like she was making a major decision. "You're right, everything is so shitty today, typical Mondays. It just drains you, and then some boyfriends decide it's a good day to dump their girlfriend".
Arielle sat up, turning to face scarlet, her eyes widening at the intended meaning of her words. "Don't joke with me like that Scarlet, we both know France can never leave you".
Scarlet scoffed, her wrist flexing on the steering wheel. "Yeah, well I guess we were both wrong. He grew tired of me. I was so fucking dumbfounded when he told me he didn't want me anymore, but you know me, he can go screw himself. I won't start acting bat shit crazy over some dude who doesn't love me, anymore", she shrugged like it was no big deal. Arielle took notice of her quivering lips as she bit on them. She touched Scarlet shoulders gently.
"Are you alright"? It got quiet until Scarlet sniffed, trying to clean her tears with her sleeve and failing miserably.
"I'm not ok best friend, France is such a lousy guy, the worst kind of a jerk, I gave him two years of my life Arielle and what did he do, stepped on it like it was freaking nothing, I hope he chokes on his salad wherever he is". Her voice was bitter, her temper rising, Arielle noticed warily, knowing fully that the whole ride was going to be spent trying to get Scarlet to stop crying. She found a way to calm her down before they got to school.
*******
Arielle POV.
I got out of the car and hurried towards the lecture hall. Consoling was not something I liked, I wasn't even good at it, it was a miracle that I got her to stop crying, considering how awkward I was. It was hard to feel for other people when they didn't care all that much for my feelings. I mean, no one gave a fuck if I lived or died, except for my Mom, and Scarlet. The rest didn't care or even knew I existed.
I'm thinking too hard, but the breakup of scarlet came as a shock to me. It was strange that France could just break up with Scarlet, they had been almost inseparable and now, everything had changed in just a matter of days. Was love that easy to push aside, because I couldn't stop my love from fading away. Ugh, I needed to stop, it was unhealthy.
"Hmph!". I collided with someone, more like bumping into a warm strong male chest before bouncing off it. His hands shot up to grab my arm, holding me steady. My God, I think I cracked my ribs- kidding. I'm kidding.
I stared up to see the most amazing pair of blue eyes glaring at me like I was some filth not fit to be on the planet earth, his thick shaped eyebrows furrowed, his nostril-flaring a little as he stewed, he licked his plump red lips making me swallow, the place he held me burned. I perspired, not caring that he was giving me a disgusted look, I couldn't care when I held his attention. I knew those eyes. I loved the one who owned them even if he didn't feel the same.
Mafia Billionaire Riven Blackwood has a score to settle with his rival Julian Styles- the man who almost ruined his family's business in the past- and what other way to get his revenge than to seduce Julian's sister, Hazel? He believes that using her as a pawn will provide him the closure he seeks. Yet, as he gets to know Hazel, he finds himself getting obsessed and possessive of her. Hazel Styles longs for freedom from her controlling stepbrother, Julian, and is determined to pursue her own passions but just like everything in her life, it's almost impossible. Then her life takes a complicated turn when she encounters Riven, the man linked to her family's past tragedies. A man determined to possess her body and soul. Despite trying her hardest to resist him, Hazel soon discovers that staying away from Riven is increasingly difficult. As their lives intertwine, heightened by a lurking stalker whose obsession reflects the grip others have held over Hazel, the stakes rise. Will their love be enough to overcome the secrets and lies surrounding their relationship Or will Riven's consuming fixation on Hazel ultimately lead to their undoing?
Celine Herrera has always had to fight her stepsister, Delia, for everything she'd ever wanted from a young age. So, she isn't surprised when Delia demands to be given the family company that Celine had worked to build all her life. Since she's not the favorite of her grandfather, Delia is once again going to get what she wants. But this time, it's on a condition: whoever gets married first and gives birth to a child gets the company. Celine Herrera is ready to do whatever it takes to have the one thing that brought her true happiness. So she seizes the opportunity and, when she crosses paths with one of the most feared and ruthless men to ever exist, she does not hesitate to propose a contract marriage. She gets what she wants, but what she doesn't know is that Belshar Nessar Abed only agreed to her terms for one reason: revenge.
Pushed off the cliff by her step-sister, Eve Knew no life other than pain and betrayal, and as she plunged to her death, she swore she was going to make all who hurt her pay. Years later, she's back with a new face and a new name and there's only one thing on her mind. Revenge and she was going to get it, no matter what it took. But she is not the only one with a thirst for vengeance... Raphael Batista was framed for Eve's alleged suicide and he knew exactly who framed him and was going to make them pay, his revenge was also going to extend to anyone who tried to help them out, even if the person was a woman who made his blood burn with fierce passion and reminded him a lot of Eve who was supposedly dead. There is no going back for them, or is there, especially when the truths are coming out to light and their antagonist is someone who would do anything, even kill to keep what they'd taken.
"Gabrielle" I shouted and she cut me off. "I own your body, your mind, and your soul. Do you understand? Get back to your desk right this moment and I'll forgive what you just said" she ordered, and I knew some men who would have cowered at that threatening tone, but not me. I was flattered that she was dead set on having me, but her threats were all empty. "No, I won't, and I am done with this Gabrielle. Nothing you say or do is going to change my mind" I turned away from her and made to open the door when I heard a familiar click behind me. I whipped around to face her, cautiously taking a step back as my eyes took in the gun in her hand that was aimed directly at my head. My heart skipped in my chest. Now there was clear evidence that she was indeed connected with the Mafias. If she killed me, there was a pretty chance my body would never be found, but then, April could follow it up, and with her dedication, she'd find something. The chances were slim tho. Would she shoot me or not? Her eyes looked dead, decided, but there was also fear lurking within their grey depth, she didn't want to shoot. I called her bluff, pushing the door open. She pulled the trigger. ****** A forbidden love story between a Mafia Don and an undercover cop... A. Dangerous. Love.
Caught in a web of lies and deceit, Sybil Eagan is left at the altar by the only man she has ever loved. Moving on isn't as easy as she thought, but she perseveres, and when she finally decides to open her heart to love again, the man who left her down the aisle comes back into her life, and no, he doesn't want a second chance. He wants revenge. Angelo was devastated to learn of Sybil's betrayal and in anger decided to punish her by leaving her on the altar. He has no plans of getting in touch with her until they meet again, and he sees her in the arms of another man. He's convinced himself he hates her, but he just can't let go of her and be happy with someone else, especially when he's still in pain. He will do everything to destroy this happiness to find his peace. They're not the only ones out for revenge, and as the web of lies tightens, they both sink into a reality where they could both end up dead. In the face of such opposition, will love triumph, or will hate eventually prevail?
After years of suffering at the hand of her bullies, Brea Larson is determined to do whatever it takes to feel again even if it meant she had to kill to get it, and that's exactly what she set out to do when she falls in love with her former bully's fiancé, Ryder. Following through with her plans she persuaded them to spend the weekend in the woods. Her intentions; were to seduce and make Ryder her own while keeping the girlfriend occupied with someone else. Brea's scheme doesn't go as planned as they come across a group of Mafias who were about to carry out an execution. Brea is terrified, especially when she meets the gaze of their leader, Nicolai Fernandez. He is pure evil embodied. Unable to escape, they are given an ultimatum to run for their lives by an hour. If caught, the men had the right to do with them as they pleased. Will Brea manage to flee from the clutches of a man determined to possess her? Will she be able to escape a man so obsessed; he'd rather see her dead than away from him or will she be entrapped in his dark and deadly possession?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
For seven years, Jillian pursued Bryan with unyielding passion, but he remained distant, his emotions tightly sealed. Disheartened, she left for overseas after graduating from college. Three years later, Jillian, now a successful attorney, sat provocatively on the lap of Bryan's competitor. She flashed Bryan a playful smile and taunted, "What's wrong, Bryan? Are you impotent?" Bryan's restraint shattered in an instant. In a swift motion, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. The next morning, as Bryan woke up, Jillian flashed a mischievous smile. "Let's keep things casual, okay?"
RIEKA She was a naive, chubby, wolfless werewolf, maltreated by her mate to the point where she loses her sanity and womb, her crime was being chubby and less attractive than her peers. GABRIEL He was a handsome, strong willed womanizer, who happens to a hybrid ALPHA prince, the person he loves the most is his kid brother RALPH. He has searched high and low for a mate he could never find. What will happen when he finds out that his beloved brother's ex wife, happens to be his long awaited mate, who was maltreated and is currently mentally unstable? Will he forgive his brother for hurting his mate? or will blood flow?