"She is a nobody. She's a low class. She looks so ugly. I wouldn't even want her going out with me! How can you ask that of me? She has to leave mama and besides, I have someone I want to marry! You can't just bring any riff raff and expect me to marry her because you picked her. I'm not going to do that mama, you should ask her to get out now," Brandon said to his grandmother even though Alicia who was the subject of discussion was in the same room, her mouth open and wide on his audacity, hatred bloomed and blossomed in that moment but she was at crossroads and this marriage could save her and her dying mother. "Since you're turning down my request, I think it's about time I pulled out my shares from the company. I've been wanting to do that for a long time now,"
Alicia had just left her mother's room in the hospital. Her mother was sound asleep when she walked in. She placed her bags on the little counter and looked at her mum who was fast asleep. She saw a little note by the counter. The doctor wanted to see her.
"I am sorry, but if you can't get the drugs to calm her down, we might have to withdraw from treating her here, asides the hospital bills that have piled up; we believe as a hospital and as a corporation we have tried the best that we can." The doctor who called Alicia into her office spoke with anger but on a mild level, you can sense how she tried to understand and how she held herself back. She adjusted her glasses and read through the files in front of her.
"I know, you have been patient and kind enough for me and my mum; Dr. Lawson." Alicia spoke with a sad tone, while she rubbed her hands on her laps, she sat down being restless. But who wouldn't be? She was called while she was on her job hunt. Her mother had so much that can't be paid if her life and her mum's life were to be used? It wouldn't be enough time to clear the debt her mum owed; it was since her birth after all.
She started working everyday after she dropped out of high school, with each debt she settles, another one pops up. With the various types of job she had done. She had never paid off the debt. Her mother worked hard too but it wasn't never enough. What's worse? She fell terribly ill; failure of the heart and kidneys they said.
The shock Alicia had when she was informed about this some months back, she had been working all day and night. This month hasn't been any different.
"I am glad you know and realize that I have been kind enough to be understanding in regards to you and your sick mother. But these bills are piling up and they have to be paid immediately. You know that; without these drugs I am afraid she might need surgery and that is like." Dr. Lawson chuckled before she continued. She was expressionless for that moment, the stare she gave Alicia gave her chills. She felt hot, her body generated heat from the thought of how she had to run twice as hard and work more than she did before. If she was working at the pace of a snail; she needs to power it up.
"That is a heavy cross, a very heavy cross for you to carry. And I won't be here to help, so if you may? You can leave my office and I hope the next time is for you to pay your bills." Dr. Lawson stretched her hands and pointed the way out of her office. Alicia sighed as she stood up.
She bowed immediately "Thank you so much." She gestured with the wai sign.
The talk she had with the doctor was one she didn't like.
Her head hung heavy with the weight of everything happening around her, worse of all was she didn't have anybody to help her.
She picked up her phone and dialled the one number that gave her peace , that made her smile.
She called her boyfriend Josh.
But, Josh wasn't answering and it kept going straight to voicemail.
Alicia furrowed her brows.
"Today's terrible! Josh but I just know your warm hug would help me think straight. I'll see you in a bit, I love you"
She hung up on the answering machine . Alicia walked out of the main door and exited the hospital. She didn't want to think about how she would make the money. She shook her head momentarily and clutched her faded bag, it had a worn out zipper that could be managed.
She wore a long skirt and a short thrift wear top that she bought a few years ago, it's getting smaller but she wants to use it for its worth.
Her hair seemed dirty and unwashed. Her slipper had holes too. She had a little brown scarf over her head, she read in the weather updates, there might be a rain shower.
Alicia took a long walk to her boyfriend's house. Not a dime could be found on her.
Josh's house had an instant calming effect on her, one she couldn't quite explain. She had knocked three times and loudly but still she heard no response.
She was tempted to go through the back and peer through the windows, although the idea that Josh wasn't home frightened her.
She made to turn but the soft click of the door, made her pause.
Josh had an expression on his face.
"Licia!" He rushed.
Alicia smiled broadly and pushed past him into the house.
"What are you... What are you doing here?" Josh nervously asked.
"I had a rough day." She hugged him but he didn't return the hug fully. He wasn't paying total attention to her either.
"Are you good?" Alicia asked as she dropped her bag on top of a piece of small cloth, she didn't pay any attention to it but her boyfriend did. He sighed as she walked away. He closed his eyes for relief.
"You didn't call?" He began, Alicia frowned shortly.
"I did, why didn't you answer?" Alicia asked
"can sit in the living room and talk?" He itched his head and asked her. Uncomfortable and nervous.
Alicia walked into the kitchen. He rushed in after her. "What's wrong?" Alicia asked with a chuckle. She found all his actions funny and weird.
She opened the water bottle, his eyes followed her. She tilted her head and noticed something.
"Oh my God!" Her eyes dilated, noting for the first time, the enormous beads of sweat that decorated his bare chest and the thought she had... She didn't want to assume. The water fell from her hands. She saw his lips.
"She is a nobody. She's a low class. She looks so ugly. I wouldn't even want her going out with me! How can you ask that of me? She has to leave mama and besides, I have someone I want to marry! You can't just bring any riff raff and expect me to marry her because you picked her. I'm not going to do that mama, you should ask her to get out now," Brandon said to his grandmother even though Alicia who was the subject of discussion was in the same room, her mouth open and wide on his audacity, hatred bloomed and blossomed in that moment but she was at crossroads and this marriage could save her and her dying mother. "Since you're turning down my request, I think it's about time I pulled out my shares from the company. I've been wanting to do that for a long time now,"
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married 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.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Marriage was a bed of thorns for Stella. She lived like an overworked and unhappy slave for six years in her matrimonial home. One day, her uncaring husband, Waylon said to her, "Ayla will be back soon. You have to move out tomorrow." "I want a divorce," responded Stella. She left without shedding a tear or trying to change Waylon's stone-cold heart. Days after their divorce, they met again. Stella was in the arms of another man. Waylon's blood boiled at the sight of her looking so happy. "So, you couldn't even wait a while before jumping into another man's arms?" he queried distastefully. "And who are you to question my decision? It's my life, so I call the shots. Stay out of my business!" Stella fired at him before turning to look at her new man with shiny eyes. Waylon immediately lost it.
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?"
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."