**Synopsis:** Sofia Delacruz has always held one steadfast belief, instilled by her Abuela - "Sparks fly when you meet your one true soulmate." Yet, when she feels this electrifying connection with superstar playboy Ryan Barnes, she is torn between the rational and the romantic. Finally, she decides to take the plunge. However, navigating his glamorous superstar lifestyle-something she detests, becomes a challenge. Can he, in turn, adapt to a girl-next-door life like hers? As two vastly different worlds collide, a series of events unfold, revealing their lives will never be the same. And just when Sofia believes her hands are full, she feels another spark, this time with someone entirely different... **Excerpt:** She gasped, swiftly pulling her hand away as if repelled by his touch. "That's not possible," she murmured, her voice trembling, fingers clutching her chest. "What's the problem?" He didn't sound surprised, rather oddly calm. "Is it the chemistry between us?" "No," she shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide with disbelief. "There can't be any chemistry between us. There's something wrong." He exhaled deeply, taking measured steps towards her. "To me, the only thing wrong here is you refusing to accept the obvious." "Which is?" She already knew what he'd say next but prayed silently that he'd say something else. "Fate," he calmly replied, still walking towards her. "Fate has brought us together. We're meant to be." "Fate? Do you even have the slightest idea what that means?" She held up her hands, gesturing for him to stop. "Everything," she said, frustration and confusion evident in her eyes, "Every single thing I've ever known or believed in romance depended on this, and you're telling me it was all a lie?" "I'm not telling you; I'm showing you," he replied, his tone unwavering, coming closer. She raised her arms again, signaling him to halt. "Look, James, there can only be one spark."
The room was bathed in light, illuminating the vibrant green screen behind her. The director beamed with pride at the success of the shoot.
"Cut!" he exclaimed with evident joy. "That's a wrap."
He gracefully hopped off his director's seat, landing on his toes like a seasoned ballet dancer-his not-so-secret hobby.
"Thank you, Ryan, for that brilliance. Amanda, you are a goddess-have I mentioned that?" His arms moved animatedly, showering praise on everyone.
His multicolored spiky hair and adorned ears gleamed under the lights, and suspicions about his "love" preferences were well-known.
"Phew," he sighed dramatically, pretending to wipe away sweat. "All that emotion must've ruined my mascara. Jessi! Makeup STAT," he called out, striding away in his brisk fashion.
Footsteps echoed as his secretary and the makeup artist hurriedly followed him. His hands were outstretched, revealing that he was truly in his element.
Meanwhile, the star of the show, Ryan Barnes, lounged comfortably in his actor's chair, smirking with satisfaction. Accustomed to praise, he licked his lips in pride, while checking his eye-lined eyes in the mirror. They made him even more captivating.
The ladies' man was far from an eyesore, and his makeup artists guarded him with awe. As he sipped Campari on the rocks, he knew that his character, Prince Nikolas, would soon be a distant memory.
He pulled out his phone, going live on The Gram as his makeup was expertly removed. The heartthrob was basking in every moment.
His dark, clear eyes-deep cola brown, almost black-captivated, paired with a well-defined nose and red lips that curved just enough to soften his features. He was what they loved.
Amanda joined him, still in Vanessa's scarlet mid-thigh halter gown-her character's costume. She sat beside him, stretching her long, sexy legs.
"Ryan, the Black Dawn movie premiere is on Friday," she informed him casually.
"Yeah?" he sighed.
"I need you to attend with me. That means Us, together," she insisted, sitting up and turning to face him.
"Of course, I know what it means," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Wait, isn't Black Dawn that movie we did together?" he asked, his interest piqued.
She frowned, irritated. "Seriously? Is your memory that short-term?"
"Hey, I'm a really busy guy," he defended himself.
"Yeah, sure you are," she scoffed. "Ryan, I'm serious about this. Come pick me up by eight. I want us to make a grand entrance."
"Of course, Vanessa," he replied.
"It's Amanda," she corrected with a weak voice, signaling her frustration with his shenanigans.
"I got your back," he assured, smiling at her.
"Are you being serious right now?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I'm down for you, always," he declared, getting up and walking into a frosted glass compartment.
A few minutes later, he emerged in a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, his face printed on it. Paired with white pants and black Nike sneakers, he grabbed reflecting shades and swaggered out the door, leaving female attendants sighing after him.
Ryan faced a mob of reporters as he stepped outside, nine out of ten of them female. They bombarded him with questions about the next release and details about his lifestyle.
With his trademark smile, he silenced the first one with a gentle touch to her jawline, captivated the rest with his eyes, and slipped away-straight into another mob.
This time, it was his fans, tearing him apart. He tried to be gentle with them, reminding himself they were all women. Security intervened, rescuing him with lopsided glasses and smeared lipstick.
As he opened the door of his Lamborghini Veneno, he thanked them with a salute and left a generous tip that made them giddy.
---
"Jessi, I don't even understand why you and everyone else seem to go nuts whenever you hear that guy's name," the raven-haired woman said to her blonde friend, handing her a can of Coca-Cola before settling onto the sofa beside her.
"Sofia Delacruz," her best friend exclaimed, her excitement evident as she collected the can."Look, Ryan Barnes is everything a woman could want. So, I don't know if you intend on becoming a nun, but I'm gonna stick to my nuts, okay?" She nodded with finality before popping open her drink.
The drink fizzed as it opened while Sofia sighed in resignation.
Jessi took a long sip and let out a satisfied sigh, savoring the refreshing taste.
"Look, Soph," she continued, placing a hand on Sofia's knee, "You aren't getting out of being my plus one on Friday at all. Don't even think about it. Both of us are attending that premiere."
They were in Sofia's apartment, one of the units in Jessi's semi-detached property.
"Jessi," Sofia sighed, "You know I'm not really a fan of the whole glitz and glam biz. Abuela, God bless her soul," she made the sign of the cross and kissed her hand, Jessi following suit, "taught me so much. There's more to life than the big screen, and I can't even afford to go to such parties."
"Come on, Soph," Jessi scoffed, turning to her on the couch. "Was that your big shot at changing my mind? We already talked about this. First off, you're not joining them on the big screen-"
"-Of course not," Sofia cut in, horrified.
"-and second off, I'm a stylist at the agency he uses. Today I even got to-"
"-Select his pants," Sofia completed, then sighed. "Yeah, I know, I know. You've told me this story a zillion times in the space of five minutes. Okay, I give in. I knew you'd win, but I just had to try."
"You're not getting out of this one anytime soon, babe," Jessi said with a wink.
Sofia leaned back, her lips curling. "Jessi, you know I hate it when you talk and also look that way."
Jessi let out a chorus of laughter. "Just pulling your leg, dear," she said with a satisfied sigh. "This movie premiere is going to be an unforgettable one, I promise," Jessi winked.
What if a little white lie became the fight of your life? Vincenzo Casano has everything-money, charm, and a reckless lifestyle that has always shielded him from consequences. But when his billionaire grandfather delivers an ultimatum-settle down or lose the family empire-Vincenzo is left scrambling. When a chance encounter leads him to Cassie Knight, a struggling fashion designer with big dreams, he strikes a deal: she'll pretend to be his fiancée, and he'll help her career. But neither of them expects the game to turn real. What begins as a harmless charade spirals into a tangle of secrets, betrayal, and undeniable passion. As old family wounds resurface and dangerous enemies close in, Vincenzo and Cassie must decide if their fake love can withstand the weight of their real lives. In a world where appearances are everything, can love survive when the masks come off? Read to find out! xoxo!
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
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."
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.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."