Jan and Mar have been best friends since elementary days and it was also the time that Jan's secret love for his friend was formed because of his characters that inspired him. Jan is afraid that Mar will find out how he feels for him because there is a possibility that he might avoid him and ruin the friendship they have for a long time. He was also afraid that they might not feel the same way about each other so he just chose to hide it. Ken comes into Jan's life, the mysterious man who just appeared to befriend him. He did not know the reason behind it. When Ken came into his life, that's when his mind got confused. Jan doesn't know if Mar is jealous of that man or is he just mad at the man? He was confused because Mar was showing something different and that made him feel confused. But what if Mar knew how he felt about it? Is he ready for the things that might happen?
"Hey, Jan what's up?" Mar greeted me when I saw him in the hallway of the building.
He walked over to me. "How are you? We haven't seen each other in a long time," he said. It's the first day of school for this school year and we haven't seen each other for a long time.
"Nothing changes, you? You look like...diamond, shining, shimmering, splendid," I said then smiled.
He was so serious that he didn't seem to laugh. "That's a song, right?" he asked and he pouted. "How did you say that I look like a diamond?"
I examined the entirety of his face. "It looks as bright as your face. Very fresh," I said as it was real.
"Is that so? Uhm! Isn't that why you're just being mean to me? Hmm!" He just looked into my eyes, then winked. "You found me handsome?"
I quickly averted my eyes from him. "Y-you're handsome? You dream, hey!" I block him while barely glancing at him.
"Why not? You can take a good look at my face, I look like James Reid," he said proudly.
I burst out laughing at what I heard. "James Reid? Hey, wake up! You're having too much of an illusion there."
"No, I'm not, Jan."
"Mar, don't be so assuming, it's deadly," I said.
His snout twitched as he seemed to shudder at me. "You just can't admit it," he said. He quickly wrapped my neck in his arms and pushed it down. I cringed because of what he did. 'Then, he even pokes my side of the stomach to make me laugh. So is he. "Admit it, Jan.
I nodded as we laughed at what he had done. I also adjusted my messy uniform. "As you dream, Mar. You're not handsome, admit it," I turned to him.
"Really, Jan? Eh, what are those sneaky stares of yours at me? Admit it, I'm handsome," he said laughing. He even caressed his chin to show he was handsome.
My eyes widened, then laughed. "I'm staring at you? Hey, Mar woke up. I've long admitted that my bestfriend isn't handsome," I said.
He was stunned, evil eyes staring at me. But he was still laughing. This is how Mar and I treated each other. Not a day goes by that we don't plow.
"You-? If you get caught, Jan prepare yourself. You're dead," he challenged.
I just stared at him. "Why what are you going to do to me? Well, I'm already prepared," I also challenged him.
"Why are you fighting back, huh?" he said laughing. He got ready to run but before he could do that, I ran away from him.
My heart began to fill with joy again. Ceaseless. And only Mar gives that to me apart from anyone else. Is it normal for a man to feel eternal happiness in the company of a man? Is it normal to thrill whenever I feel important to him? Is it normal to fall in love with a man and also my friend? I don't know but I just spontaneously felt all of those and I couldn't resist.
"Got you!"
I just felt Mar's grip on my waist. He caught up with me when we reached the plaza. There were a lot of people there because it wasn't time yet. He started tickling me again which made me laugh.
"M-Mar, s-stop!" I could barely say those because of the laughter.
"You think I can't catch you? Don't underestimate me, Jan because no matter how fast you go, I'll still catch up with you." He stopped tickling me.
Suddenly my world seemed to stop spinning when our eyes met. I was already facing him, our bodies touching as he was close to my waist. Our faces are close to each other.
Suddenly there was something moving in my stomach that brought a relentless nervousness to me. I could hear almost nothing but the loud pounding of my chest. Faster and faster. I want that scene never to end.
"I hope it's just you, Mar," suddenly appeared in my mouth which I did not expect and it was too late for me to withdraw what I said.
"S-sorry, Jan I-I didn't mean to." He suddenly moved away from me while unable to look into my eyes. I know he heard what I said and I know he suddenly felt awkwardness between the two of us. "See you around, Jan," he said. He left without looking back. I was left speechless, still unable to comprehend what had happened.
-
Despite what happened the day before, 'I'm so thankful I didn't feel anything had changed. What Mar was to me then, he is still the same to me even though I know on my part, a little has changed because I know Mar has an idea of how I feel about him.
It's really hard to fall for your friend. To your best friend. Lots of what ifs. Lots of fear. But it's harder to fall for the same gender. More fear. More what ifs.
My true gender is not new to Mar because he already knows what and who I am. That's why we became close to each other because he accepted me fully. He was also not ashamed to be with me either inside or outside the school. Even though he was bullied, he still wouldn't leave me. We have even received a lot of gossip, saying that we are already in a relationship and we are not just saying so.
"Let's just ignore them," that's what he always tells me.
"Looks like you're thinking so deep, Jan, ah? Is that deeper than the sea?"
I was shocked when I felt Mar's hand on my shoulder. He sat down next to me.
"No, just deep as a river," I said, just a serious face.
"Is that so? Tell me what it is, Jan," he said.
"Why aren't you ashamed to be with me?" I seriously asked him.
He barely thought. "Why should I be ashamed?" he asked again.
"Because your friend is gay."
"Then, what's the matter, Jan? Friendship isn't about gender, it's about true relationships, being with each other no matter what and being brothers to each other," he explained and it touched me.
I averted my eyes from him. Even though Mar is like that, whenever I hear words about us, I get hurt. "But you're embarrassed because of me, Mar. They're losing respect for you because you're being friends with me," I said sadly.
"I don't care, Jan. Didn't I tell you to just let them go. Let's just ignore them."
"As if it's as easy as that, Mar. It's hard," I said.
He was slightly silent. "What do you want to say, Jan? Why are you suddenly being unreasonable?"
I was the one who fell silent. I also don't know why I suddenly became like this. I feel like the longer it lasts, the more I bring him to shame. And I just fell more and more in love with him. I try to stop but I can't. "I don't know, Mar," I confess.
"Do we have a problem?" wrinkled when he asked.
"N-no, Mar. I'm sorry if I've been too unreasonable," I apologize.
He sighed. "I'm happy when I'm with your company, Jan and I don't care about the people around us. That's our society nowadays, they tend to interfere in the lives of others." He smiled slightly. He placed his palms on my head and ruffled my hair. "You're too dramatic. Come on, we'll be late for the next subject," he said. I was just shocked when he grabbed my arm and made me sit up. He pulled me slowly.
Why are you like this, Mar? Why are you so kind to me? Why do I feel so important to you? Why do I seem hopeful?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
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 hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
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.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?