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"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.
TOBY.
"Hey dad! I was told you asked to see me and honestly, that's very surprising. Seeing that you're almost never home and never seem to care about your only child. I mean, when was the last time we saw each other this way, wasn't it when I was five or something?" I rambled off after walking into my dad's study.
Being the only heir to Daniels' conglomerates, a group that has a whole lot of other branches underneath, industries that manufacture numerous products and companies that provide various services has a lot of perks and some cons. One of the cons was that my dad was hardly ever around, he had too much on his plates to handle afterall since we also owned the best group of schools, Daniels Elementary school, Daniels College and even Daniels Private University. We even own a very popular fashion line that was under my mom's management and then lots of hotels, restaurants, modeling agencies and guest houses.
We were practically richer than the president of this country and paparazzi followed us everywhere. But despite having all of these, my dad was still very serious about me getting many degrees just like he did. He always wanted me to have all certificates, after my bachelors degree,, he threatened me with a lot of things so I could go get my masters degree too which is the one I'm at at the moment and I hated studying, it was just so irrelevant to me..
He would have probably wanted me to go even higher and have my doctorate too but no, I made him promise that Masters degree was the last bus stop. He cared so much about education and I couldn't understand why, most people go to school so as to make money after leaving school and we had that already so why the unnecessary stress for me. I didn't see the usefulness in any way.
My mom walked in at the same moment that I was about to speak again since I didn't get any response from dad. "Sweetheart, how was your night?" She asked while I pecked her cheeks.
My mom was one of the prettiest moms ever and I'm not even kidding, she is literally very beautiful. One of the reasons being the fact that she was a model in her youthful days and she still worked out to keep her body shape, she was so in love with herself that she admired herself in the mirror every ten minutes. She also loved and spoilt me a lot, I was her only child afterall.
"I don't know how it was mom, I was asleep!" I replied her with humour while she laughed.
"I don't know why I keep asking everyday despite knowing that your answer will always be the same, can't you just say it was fine like every other normal kid?" Mum asked, after taking a sip of her coffee, she was addicted to that liquid and she never allowed any of the maids to even brew it for her, she always did it herself.
I rolled my eyes, "You seem to forget that I am twenty five, I am a grown man."
"The grown man who still depends on his mum for a lot of things? Oh please, you will always be my cute baby." Mum cooed as she pinched my cheeks while I swatted her hands away.
"Ugh, can you tell your husband here to speak to me already? He's so engrossed in the darn papers!" I reported to mom who just smiled and proceeded to sit on one of the couches.
Mom and dad never really talked to each other that much, I was used to them acting that way. They were like fire and ice, they didn't like each other in any way, the only time you'll see them cuddling up to one another is when there's a camera or third party present. Other than that, they treated each other like they were invisible or something.
When Dad still didn't respond to my greetings nor say anything. I was almost loosing it, mom and I sat for over thirty minutes as we watched dad keep writing stuffs on papers in front of him. And soon enough, I lost all my patience.
"Dr Bankole Daniels!" I shouted and then he finally raised his head.
"Why do you have to scream my name like a woman?" He questioned.
"You refused to acknowledge us and we have been sitting here for over thirty minutes. Please, can we just get over with whatever it is you wanted to see me for? I have things to do."
"By things, you mean, go to parties, drink to stupor, sleep with strippers and models and then leave more scandals the next day for my PR to handle?" Dad asked with so much sarcasm lacing his voice.
"No dad, I have some classes." I defended, even though I knew that he was right.
"You must think I'm daft. You think I don't know that you don't even attend classes and even do your projects. Just because I don't say anything doesn't mean I don't know." He snapped.
"Bankole, he goes..." Mom wanted to defend but dad shunned her.
"I'm not talking to you, Clara! I'm talking to my son!" Dad snapped causing my mom to flinch while I just rolled my eyes. This was a common occurrence since I was young so I was used to it.
"Okay okay! I'm sorry! Is that what you wanted to see me for? Can I leave now?" I said and stood up to leave.
"Toby Daniels! Will you sit your ass back on that chair before I loose my temper?" Dad's voice thundered while I sat down quickly.
Dad's temper was as short as my pinky finger and wasn't one to tamper with. He got angry easily and was always so rude even to his family. He always wanted things to be done his way or you suffer consequences. I cannot count the numerous times he freezed my account, siezed my car keys and even threatened to disown me and remove my name from his empire. But I think I got his temper and rudeness though.
"So, I'm only going to tell you that you're getting married next month." Dad dropped nonchalantly.
Wait, what?
My ears must have been playing some sick games on me. "What did you say?"
"What exactly did you hear?"
"How can you just tell me that I'm getting married? Just like that? Who the fuck does that?!" I snapped.
"You heard me right and I'm not going to repeat myself. You're getting married." He said again. I knew this was bound to happen at some point in time but I never thought it'd be as early as this. Daniels' family always had arranged marriage. It had been like that from generation to generation. It wasn't going to change during my own time, that I know.
"But dad, you can't just drop such a bomb on me like that! I'm just twenty five, it's not yet time! You got married when you were thirty!" I shouted.
"Do not raise your voice at me, Toby! Don't! I got married at thirty because I was never reckless, spoilt and stupid like you. Your scandals have done more harm than good to my empire, I can't keep risking it. I think you have enjoyed your youth enough."
"But you can't do this to me! It's unfair! Okay okay! Can I choose my bride then? Can I get married to Yasmin?" I asked calmly.
"Who the hell is Yasmin? Who's her father?"
"Uhm, I don't think she has one, but she's a popular actress. You should know her, Yasmin Blake." I sugarcoated knowing that dad would never let me marry a nobody.
"An actress? You must be kidding me! And then she doesn't even have a father too? Why would I allow you to marry someone with no good background? Actresses are not people we can marry, they'll never forgo their career or endure anything. We have the right to do anything we want and get anything we like in Daniels family but the only thing we do not choose by ourselves is our brides. Or do you think I chose Clara by myself? If I had the chance to choose a wife, she wouldn't even be sitting here." Dad ridiculed.
"Oh! Sorry, Mr Daniels! You think if I wasn't chosen to marry you, you would even be able to touch my finger nails?" Mum replied.
Before they started to bicker even more, I stopped it before it could go further.
"Okay, so who am I getting married to then?" I asked.
"Your childhood friend, Coker..." Dad struggled to remember her name.
"Sapphire?" I suggested.
"What? Hell No, Sapphire is too young. It's uhm... yea Ruby Coker." He said.
"Ruby?" Mum and I questioned at the same time.
"The same Ruby Coker? How on earth do you even call Ruby my childhood friend? We only hanged out because you are friends with their dad. And I clicked with Sapphire and not Ruby. Ruby was so fat, ugly and dirty. She still is." I said.
Ruby Coker was such a clingy stupid girl back then, she followed me everywhere I went. She had such a disgusting crush on me and still does. I know that because she still looks at me stupidly whenever we visited them once in a while. However, I didn't like her at all, she was ugly and didn't look anything like her younger sister, Sapphire.
I couldn't just believe that dad was choosing such an ugly bride for me.
Hell No!
"I don't care! That's your bride." Dad said finally and went back to whatever he was doing as if he didn't just drop a bomb that could ruin my entire life.
Yes, my entire life! Getting married was even an issue on its own, and getting married to Ruby Coker, that was the worst thing that'll ever happen to me.
I'm Toby Daniels, I don't even do average ladies not to talk of uglies, I do top models, actresses and the most beautiful girls all over the world. My fine reputation was going to be ruined with Ruby. She didn't even do anything to me and I just didn't like her for her looks, now that I was told that I was getting married to her, I hated her already. Ruby Coker had better be against this nonsense.
I stormed out of the lounge in anger and rushed towards one of my luxurious cars.
P.S – My cars were one of the things I loved the most in this world, they were even more precious than Yasmin. Speaking of Yasmin, I brought out my iPhone and sent her a text, "I need you right now. Can we meet?"
She replied almost immediately, "Sure, we can hook up and then we can finish what we started yesterday. I'm having a movie shoot at De Best Hotel, meet me there."
I didn't bother to reply, as I started the engine. Typical Yasmin, the only thing she ever had to offer was sex, not that I was complaining though.
I needed to get the news I had just heard off my head and Sex was a good way to.
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.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
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!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.