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.
"You taste quite exquisite, Hazel," he said and my eyes widened. How the hell did he know my name? And did he just bite me? ****** Mafia Billionaire Riven Blackwood has a score to settle with his rival Julian Styles and what other way to get his revenge than to seduce Julian's sister, Hazel? Surely, using her as a pawn will provide him the closure he seeks. 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 she is trapped in the mafia's dark addiction.
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 three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."