KIKI. I hate Monday mornings or people who like Monday mornings. It's not supposed to be so hard to avoid it, but it is, cos I'm broke! Oh, let me rephrase. I'm poor. Life throws so much hardship at me, not even once did it decide to give me lemons so I can make some freaking lemonades! Well, until the big boss. Until him. Until us. GIOVANNI. Call me crazy but when I was a little boy, all I wanted to be was one of mother's numerous brand bags. As stupid as that may sound, that was the only dream I had. I've always fought for my family's love and acceptance since I was an outcast in there and when I was put on yet another mission to prove to them that I deserve their love, I took it. And now, there's a problem. I'm falling for her. Her. The one they'll never accept.
Twenty Years Ago.
GIOVANNI.
When I woke up, I found myself in cage. Looking up, I saw that my friends or so I thought, had surrounded me. They looked very happy to see me struggling to move around in the little cage they had placed me in.
"G... Gaston! Please. I don't like this kind of play." I pleaded, stretching my little hands out through the railings. My eyes were starting to water as I struggled harder to get hold of my elder brother's fabric like my life depended on it.
"And who said we were playing? You are a slave, slaves belong in cages and dirt. Stop whining." He replied as our friends- his friends cackkled like he had just cracked the funniest joke of the century.
"But... but... we.. we are brothers." I stuttered out, almost choking on the word, 'brothers.'
"Not by choice but by force. Call us brothers again and next time would not be a cage but a large river. Let's go, guys."
Gaston concluded as he began to walk towards the path that led out of the woods, one I was never familiar with no matter how hard I tried to, his friends followed as they all chatted away. Tears began to fall down my face as I watched their silhouettes disappear.
We were sent to summer camp to mix with people from another part of the world and have more knowledge about how relationships between people were since we had always been indoors and home schooled all our lives. We lived in the coven of our large house acting like we were just a normal billionaire family to the public even though behind closed doors, we were one of the biggest Mafia families.
There were several families like ours in the Italian society and we all knew each other and had meetings frequently. Father was the boss of all, and according to the history we were taught, he had overthrown the former Mafia boss in a sneaky way and then took his place. Other Mafia families feared him due to the fact that he was a very dangerous man. He owned numerous businesses, both legal and illegal. He also inherited a popular label named after the family name, Callisto, one that he had succeeded in establishing to over twelve countries around the world after grandfather was murdered.
The callisto label was actually what the people of the public knew our family for. The label was known for manufacturing fashion luxury goods. lifestyle accessories, furniture, fragrances, watches, jewelry, ready-to-wear, lingerie, shoes, heels, cosmetics and many more. Its product lines include handbags, ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, makeup, fragrances, and home decoration. Callisto label was founded in 1901 by Alessandro Callisto, our grandfather.
Now, coming to united states for summer camp was supposed to be a whole new experience and one full of good memories for me but Gaston being the bully that he was had succeeded in turning most of the kids against me by fabricating lies and spreading stories about me. We were both popular as soon as we walked through the gates of the camp, partly due to the limousine that dropped us off and the other part due to the fact that we were the only Italians. I remember a kid asking me why we had come all the way from italy just for summer camp and I only kept mute, not wanting to tell her that father just wanted us to be faraway from home and learn to be on our own. To him, it was some kind of training we had to undergo to become men as he had put it.
I remained seated in the uncomfortable cage, hoping that Gaston would have a change of mind soon and come to unlock the cage. I heard a little rustling coming from the dried leaves on the ground as I immediately looked up to see a girl around my age coming towards me with a confused look on her face. As she moved closer, her familiarity hit me, she was the same girl who had asked why I came all the way to United states from Italy for summer camp. She had told me that her name was Kiki.
"Oh my God, are you okay? Did your brother do this to you again?" She questioned, her voice laced with utmost concern as she began to look around for what she could use to open the cage. It wasn't news that Gaston bullied me, although most of the kids and adults saw it as normal sibling playful rivalry.
After a while, she finally succeeded getting me out of the cage.
Ever since then, we became friends, she would always stand up for me whenever Gaston and his friends tried to bully me and we did almost everything together. Then Gaston began to make the kids bully her too for hanging out with me and always standing up to him, but she didn't mind.
Few days to the end of camp, she was accused of stealing some amount of money from the finance master, a total of five thousand dollars. She kept saying she didn't do such a thing but when her bag was searched, they had found the money in it. She was to face the panel the next day when we both overheard Gaston and his friends talking a night before that day.
"Did you see her face when they found the money in her bag, it was so hilarious. We did such a good job, Nate, I hope that will teach her to always mind her business and to know whose path she shouldn't cross." Gaston said as he laughed.
"Right? It's even more believable since she looks as poor as a church rat anyways." Nate added as they all burst into another fit of laughter.
Kiki and I exchanged looks before she decided to make her presence known, "Looks like your secret is out, Gaston." She said as she walked towards them.
Gaston looked surprised but was able to mask it quickly, " and who's going to tell?" He asked smiling mischievously.
"Me." Kiki replied with so much confidence.
"Oh, nobody's going to believe you, Stronza. Vaffanculo!" Gaston cursed at her in Italian language as I shook my head while still hiding in the shadows. Father had always warned him not to use those words, they meant asshole and go fuck yourself respectively.
"Speak in English, idiot. And of course they would especially since I've got an additional witness!" She replied as she pointed at me. And then she stormed off, probably to report the situation to the adults. Gaston stomped towards me and then he dragged me by my collar.
The next day, Kiki and I were summoned, so were Gaston and his friends. She narrated all that she heard the previous night to the adults, looking towards me at intervals as if expecting me to back her up, but I was so scared to even look at anybody's face.
"She's lying, she's such a liar. She's trying to frame me up for something that she obviously did. I mean, you know me, you know who my father is. Why would I steal, my parents can give me way more than that." Gaston defended himself shamelessly.
"It's not about the money, its about the fact that you just want to make me the thief. Even your brother knows that you're lying." Kiki retorted.
"Really? Giovanni, we are going to depend on you to get to the end of this matter. Did you and kiki really hear Gaston and his friends talking about stealing the money just to frame kiki up like she said?" One of the adults seated directed at me while I struggled not to meet any of their eyes.
"She...she..." I then looked up only to meet my brother's eyes, he smiled mischievously at me as if daring me to throw him under the bus. The memory from the night before came rushing, "remember what dad always told us, family over friends, family over girls, family over everything. If he discovers that you did otherwise, imagine how angry he'd be at you."
And then I answered, "She's lying."
"Lights! Camera! Action! Pose. Kiss. Hug. That's it, we are done." "Now get your filthy hands off me!" He whispered to me. "Oh please! I would not touch dirt like you if not for the pictures." I whispered back, whilst giving a fake smile. _________ Ruby Coker understands what it means to be compared to her sister all her life. She has always been the neglected one and has always been used as a consolation price. She however didn't forsee getting married to her childhood bully just for a business alliance. Not ever would she have seen it coming and the worst part was that she had no choice. Toby Daniels is a man who's used to getting all he wants. Fame. Power. Wealth. He however didn't have a say in one thing, his bride. And that infuriates him so much. They both took their vows, acted like loving couples in the public while in the private, they hated eachother so much. Here is a Glimpse into what happens behind the spotlight and what it means to just fake it all for the camera.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
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?
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
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.