Kimhan, Kim, needs to produce an heir in order to rule over the empire that his father built from scratch, but since he can't change what's in his heart, he will need to change ways to produce an heir. So the only option left is to ask his best friend, Kanya, to become his surrogate. She's the only one who had always understood him and accepted him for who he was. However, when Kanya's younger brother Kit decides to follow her to the mafia household for her protection, Kim is instantly drawn to the boy at first sight. From the moment both of them laid eyes on each other, it's the beginning of their endgame. But being a part of the criminal world is full of dangers. Is Kim willing to let Kit enter his world despite the fear that he could lose his life at any moment? Or will he let go of the only ray of light he has left in his dark, dark world.
Kim:
The man with dark brown eyes and midnight hair had easily caught the attention of the entire café the instant he had walked in with his pinstripe blue suit and dress pants. Not only was he ruggedly handsome, but there was something about him that screamed danger and that drew people to him like moths to a flame.
However, Kim disregarded the stares and headed straight for the private booth at the back. His men were stationed right outside the café, looking out for any danger that might come his way, but most of all, they were there to ensure that he got the privacy he needed. This was an extremely important affair for him and he wanted it to be solved as quietly as possible.
And that's why he'd chosen this café in particular. Because it was one of the many legal businesses he owned in Bangkok.
"Sir, your guest has arrived."
Kim nodded and headed for the private booth at once to find his guest waiting. "Kanya."
"Kim." Kanya stood up from her seat at once, readily accepting her friend's embrace. "It's been ages."
"Five years already?" Even he couldn't believe that they had lost contact for so long. "I remember I couldn't go on even a day without talking to you."
"We've all grown up, I guess." Kanya sighed, but she was nervous.
If only she was the same woman that she had been in the past, then she wouldn't have been feeling so guilty to meet Kimhan's eyes right then, but desperate times had called for desperate measures. The reason she was here today, sitting in front of her beloved best friend who she had spent her university years with...was because she was here for business...and in desperate need for his help.
The only good thing about this meeting however, was the fact that he had been the one to contact her first...as a potential client.
"So..." She wanted to start the conversation, but she didn't really have words for him. How was she going to explain to him about how her name came to be on that list? She knew why he had gone searching on that website...but for her to be there...she had a lot to explain, didn't she?
"I'm not going to ask you why, Kaya." Kim sighed, calling her by the nickname that only he used with her. "But if you were having problems, you knew you could've always come to me."
"We hadn't been in contact for five years already," Kaya said in a small voice, looking down at her lap. "And I didn't want to burden you."
"You're my friend, Kaya; you'll never be a burden. But..." Kim hesitated a bit before rubbing at his temples. "You know it's illegal, right? How did you even get your name registered?"
"A...friend helped me find the right people..." She still didn't meet his eyes and Kim was starting to understand that Kaya's 'friend' was not the kind that he had expected her to associate with. It was a good thing that the website in question was managed by him and his most trusted people...otherwise, there were plenty of examples of how badly things had ended for young women who signed their names on dotted lines without reading the fine prints.
But Kim decided not to torture her further. "Then I want to be direct with you as well. I need your help."
Kaya looked up at him in surprise. "Me? I don't know how I can help you, but just tell me what you want; I'll do anything in my power."
"Well...for that, I need you to listen to me first." Kim told her, leaning forward so no one could overhear their conversation, even though he had already ordered for complete privacy. "After school, the reason I lost contact with you was because my father was shot by an enemy organization...and I had to take over after his death."
"But why you?" Kaya asked immediately. "What about P'Kla?"
"Hia didn't want this kind of life," Kim shrugged, talking about his older brother who was now working as a legal businessman. "He didn't want any part of our father's illegal business...and there wasn't anyone else to hold the reins after our father. So I had to do it. But it also meant I had to distance myself from the people I knew and cared about. The world I'm in...it's filled with dangers at every turn."
Kim wasn't scared of telling Kaya who he really was, because she knew. Kaya was the one person who had always known him for who he really was and had never seen him any differently. When everyone at school had cowered away from him, keeping their distance because they didn't want to mess with the 'Mafia boy', Kaya had been the only one who had extended her hand in friendship and made Kim feel wanted. In return, he had become the protector of the petite woman who had been easily bullied and harassed by others.
Their mutually dependant relationship had slowly turned into a beautiful friendship that had required no one else. Kim had trusted Kaya completely and so had Kaya. But the truth was...that was five years ago. Although they didn't change much in appearance in the last five years, they could tell that there was so much that they had missed out on.
"My...mom died last year." Kaya admitted, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "You know our dad left us when we were still very young, but things got even more difficult when mom left us too. Nong Kit is still in University and I can't let him quit his studies just like that, even though he insists on doing so every day. We both work part time jobs but it's getting difficult with paying off our tuition fees and the debts on the house that our father left us. So...I didn't have any other choice."
"Has anyone else contacted you before?"
"No." Kaya shook her head immediately. "Just you. I guess the background of the surrogate matters as well, so-"
"So you're perfect for me." Kim finished for her, offering her a small smile, because he didn't want her to get hurt...and didn't want her to know yet that he was the reason why no one had yet been in contact with her. "You're my best friend; I couldn't think of a more suitable person."
Kaya's lips trembled at the kind words that she hadn't heard in over five years. She truly did miss him.
"But... I want it to be our child, Kaya. Not just you as a surrogate, but you as the child's mother."
Her heart thrashed against her ribcage. "Kim...you know I can't-"
"I know." Kim shook his head. "You know I can't either. I don't want to cross any lines with you, Kaya. That's why I'm asking you if you're going to be okay with it? The entire procedure will be done by expert doctors and we will discuss in details about what to do from here on once you've made up your mind."
She sighed in relief, sitting back against her chair as she thought it through.
Actually, even during their university days, people had often mistaken them to be a couple. Maybe in another life, they probably would have been. But both of them knew the truth about the other and they understood each other, more than anyone else ever would. That's what made their friendship so special.
Because Kaya knew that Kim liked men and Kim knew that Kaya was asexual, unable to be sexually attracted to anyone she liked...forever weary of physical contact.
"Think about it." Kim told her now. "I'll take care of you and your brother from now on. Once you agree, you become part of my family...and I will protect what's mine."
Wasn't it a tempting offer? ...Kanya thought to herself. Never to have to worry about debts or what to eat for the next meal? Never to have to worry about taking care of her little brother? But like Kim had said himself...his life was filled with unknown dangers as well. How much was she going to be risking in order to get that life that she always hoped for?
She had thought that by registering herself as a surrogate, she could make some money to pay off the huge debts that her malicious father had left behind after he took off with everything. Her back was up against the wall and she was trying her best to take care of the situation, but she was tired. The debtors were relentless, the jobs kept getting harder while she was underpaid, and she was trying her best to let her brother have as normal of a life as he could.
"Are you sure you want it to be me?" Kaya asked hesitantly, because she knew there would be no better option for her than Kim. But what she wasn't sure about was Kim wanting the child to her 'theirs'. "You know my family history..."
"And you know mine." Kim reminded her. "So it's more a question of you accepting me, because I've already made my decision...and I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."
Kai Hunter is H University’s biggest player and heartbreaker. Known for his good looks and for being one of the brightest students on campus, he is one of the most eligible bachelors that everyone wants to ‘tame’. However, everything changes when freshman Night Winters becomes his new dorm mate. Kai is instantly attracted to the hot, young freshman who he had caught having a one-night stand at a bar and hasn’t been able to get out of his mind ever since. Night is openly gay, but Kai has been into girls his whole life…or so he thought. Can he let go of his pride and accept Night for who he is? Or will Night forever be forced to be just his dirty little secret, under the sheets, inside the closed doors to their dorm? However, Night is hiding secrets that can break the fragile foundation of their relationship at any time, and if Kai waits any longer…he just might end up losing the only person precious to him.
After running away from home seven years ago to escape a loveless arranged marriage, Karina Wilder has finally mastered up the courage to be back in her small town of Ruthwell in Washington DC. She’s ready for a second chance with her parents and the people who used to be her friends back in High School and most of all, she’s ready to tell her parents that she’s about to become a bride. But the small town hasn’t changed as much in the past seven years and no one seems to have forgotten her betrayal or seem anywhere near ready to forgive her for her past mistakes. Everywhere she goes, she’s met with hostility and anger and it’s thinning out her chances of redemption ever second. Now, how does she tell her parents and her friends that not only has she moved on in her life, further than anyone had ever anticipated, but she’s happy and successful in what she does? Most of all, how does she tell everyone that she isn’t marrying a man, but the woman of her dreams?
Mikalya Carnell, a woman born into a cursed pack where women are nothing but birthing machines. The first female alpha in the world. But to become the Alpha, she had to commit a crime that haunts her an eternity later. Now she a lone wolf, a rogue that has no place but the one she made on her own and she’s happy being left alone. But an Alpha can’t stay alone forever without forming a pack and inevitably, she begins drawing wolves to her. Abhay Raichand is a photographer who meets this mysterious woman in the deserts of Rajasthan, who looks like a foreigner and is instantly drawn to her. But whenever he is around her, he feel the chill of the mountains and a reoccurring dream of his impending death. However, despite the sense of danger, he cannot help but continue to fall in love with her. Will Mikalya finally settle down and let Abhay into her life? And will Abhay be able to convince her that she was chosen as the Alpha for a reason?
Miaka Von Speltsper, the myth, the legend and the daughter of two Gods. Miaka, the Demon King and the head of the Dark Council is the most powerful demon ever known to mankind, but she has a secret. She’s a hybrid. And the world she lives in has hunted down and eliminated every single hybrid in all the dimensions. But now…someone knows her secret, someone who has the power to destroy her. However, the world is changing and one of those changes is Kaleb Takeshi, the man with extraordinary eyes who has stolen Miaka’s heart with just one glance. But there is something about Kaleb that Miaka can sense but can’t describe. And not only is he human, he’s an enemy who has decided to give his loyalty to her. In this world of lies, deceit and betrayal; can Miaka trust her heart or will she have to choose century’s old traditions to stay alive? Because if she dies, it will truly be the end of the world.
No one can escape the Moon Goddesses wrath…and Clay and Flora had been no exception. Torn apart and their memories completely erased, Clay and Flora are now living separate lives, completely unaware of each other. But things have changed drastically. Clay is no longer the Alpha apparent to the ReedStone pack, but a Rogue Alpha, while Flora is at Lindersay, working as a healer and a worshipper of the Moon Goddess. But even though fate isn’t on their side, destiny has tied them together forever as they meet once again, but this time as enemies. Will Clay and Flora be able to go back to the way they were and fall in love all over again? Or will the power of the Moon Goddess prevail over their undying love?
Sia Milton is in desperate need of a bodyguard. Once she was no better than a slave, sold to an older man by her father to do as he pleased, but after she had her freedom, she had promised her son to always protect him. But when the threat returns, she has no choice but to turn to Julian Turner. Julian is a proud playboy with a disastrous reputation that might very well lead to the end of his career. Rightfully nicknamed Hades, he's a devil of a bodyguard and an even bigger devil in bed. But he now had one chance to redeem himself or say goodbye to his inheritance. Imagining an easy job, he accepts to help Sia, only to be smitten by her the very instant he lays eyes on her. But with danger lurking at every corner, will Julian and Sia be able to realize their love for each other before it is too late? Or will danger strike before they have a chance to be together?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
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?
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?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.