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Haven't we all heard this story before? A boy. A girl. A bet. He's too rich. She's too smart. Then what makes it different? The beginning? The middle? The end? No. Not even close. Even now, I don't know. But it's high school, everything's uncertain. A bullet dodged or eternal pining. Let me give you a little warning-- Happy endings rarely happen, On the last year of seventeen.
"Do you wanna make a bet?"
Theo finishes his cigarette. It was his second stick and yet he reached for my pack to start another one. He has been in a sour mood the whole morning. And I can only guess it was that August girl.
"That August girl–"
And I was right.
"–how can she be so infuriating?"
I didn't want to start another conversation about her, but I asked him anyway, "Why? What did she do this time?"
"Didn't you see how she looked at us in the parking lot earlier?"
I didn't.
"She walks around here like she owns the place when technically she never even paid a cent to get in."
"That's what being a scholar is." I huffed the last of my cigarette and felt my pockets for gum. "It's not her fault she's smart."
Theo only rolled his eyes. He's a fucking bully. Always had been. Ever since we were kids, he'd find someone whose life he'd make a living hell. I am his friend yet I know this. That would make me a terrible one I guess. But I don't care enough about anyone here to stop him. And the more time he spends bothering them, the less he spends bothering me.
"It's our parents' money that got her here. She should forfeit the audacity to condescend us."
If anything– I wanted to say, we're the ones condescending her.
For years, Theo mostly spent his school life torturing other students until they crack. Some transferred, some left for another country, others just completely gave up on socialization and opted home-schooling. This is the first time someone really grinded his gears. He has tried to shame August ever since freshman years. Saying she didn't belong here or that she was a trash parasite. But the girl wouldn't budge. She would only look at him with such patronizing eyes, with such pity that the shame rounds back to him.
He has never physically hurt her, but his treatment towards her has gotten worse. He spends days thinking of ways to make it difficult for her. The worst one yet was when he threw her bike at the river. It was her only mode of transportation. She spent hours looking all over for it and Theo laughed so hard she kind of figured out she'll never see that bike again. Still, she paid him zero attention and that really pissed him off. He taunted her about it for days and only stopped when she turned to him just to say,
"No. I'm not angry Mr. Brandiles in contrary to the belief you've been parading the past three days. I just don't think you're worth any of my time. In fact, this is the longest one I'll ever spend with you."
I could have sworn I saw him smile. Sometimes I think he might actually like her for dedicating this much time to make her notice him. Sometimes, it's already bordering obsession.
"So do you wanna make a bet?" He asked again.
"Sure."
I wanted to take it back. But I've gotten so resigned to his every whims that it has become my automatic response.
"I want you to humble that Ice Bitch down."
That got me a bit confused and he read my face easily.
"Are you still with Pam?"
"Which Pam?"
"From Holy Bernadette?"
I laughed, "That ended a while back, didn't I tell you? Maybe you meant Pam from Trinity?"
"Yeah, sure that one."
"That ended too."
"You are a whore. Which is perfect for my plans."
Now I know where this is going. I might do it of course, not for anything but because I've got nothing better to do.
"You make the bitch made of ice fall in love with you. Not impossible, I guess–"
I shrugged. She could be a tough act.
"–then you break her heart. Publicly. I want everyone to see her fall. If you're successful, I will give you a hundred grand. If not, you give me Philip."
What does he think of me?
As if I don't already have that money in my bank. And Philip's a Thoroughbred. Spoilt to the brim. He has his own therapist, own blacksmith and a dedicated Equine Veterinarian tuned to all of his needs. Heck, he drinks the 1907 Heidsieck in a marble trough.
A hundred grand is not even a penny for Philip and Theo knows that.
"I think August is a hard shell to open. You're lowballing me with just a hundred grand. I also won't wager my horse. He's worth more than even you."
"So what do you propose my friend?"
I thought for a while. What do I even want from him? To be honest, I'd probably do this for free because I'm bored. But my father often says never do anything you are good at for free.
"Make it two hundred grand. And I want your yacht."
He looked as if he would say no but then thought better of it. What's two hundred grand for the youngest and only son of a business tycoon who owns lands and properties in every inch of the world? As for the yacht, well he can always buy a new one.
"And what do I get if you fail?"
That was a hard question. He's a spoiled thing who already has everything. Well, maybe not everything.
"I'll be the best wingman you'll ever have. You'll have a girlfriend before the year ends."
The bet is stupid, childish and shallow. I only really said that because I thought we were joking. But Theo took the deal. I didn't care because August is just another girl. And Theo, well, he doesn't care about the money or the yacht or even Philip. Theo really just wants to see the Ice Bitch burn.
Remus, the newly ascended Alpha of the Volkov Pack is eager to prove his worth. Coming from the line of the Original Lycan, his powers and abilities equal to none. Always had been cold and unforgiving, Remus was determined not to get distracted, until he meets Eden. A girl with the most peculiar of eyes and a secret of her own. And with her, Remus found that maybe, he doesn't want to be alone. But when one of the Elder Gates under their protection falls into the hands of their natural sworn enemy-- the Cold Ones, the peace that the Wolves had been protecting for more than two decades is once again put in turmoil. Now their enemies is back with a vengeance and Remus is in full alert. He declares a new order-- burn all Vampires into extinction. As old and new enemies loom in, and darkness threatens to swallow everything, can Remus protect everyone, especially the life of the person he now deems more important than his own?
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
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.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .