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CHAN After the death of her grandmother, Chandra Chandler, known affectionately as Chan, and her two sisters move to Australia to escape their past and build a better life. When a fortune-teller reveals to Chan she will fall in love with a man who is as bright as the sun, she dismisses the very idea as hocus pocus. But when gorgeous Sam Harrington and his daughter waltz into her life, Chan's world turns upside down. Sam draws her to him like a moth to a flame with his good looks, charismatic personality, and kindness. Most of all, his warm gaze and gentle touches tempt her with the promise of seduction-a dangerous territory she is afraid to enter, yet longs to experience. SAM After the death of his wife in a freak accident, multibillionaire Sam Harrington is sick of women throwing themselves at his feet simply because they are attracted to his enormous bank account and good looks. When he bumps into Chan, he knows instantly she is different. He's attracted to her and wants her. When he discovers this strong, beautiful woman is broken inside and in danger of losing herself, he vows to protect and love her unconditionally.
The delicate china felt warm in her palms. Tea. She was being served green tea. In this very hot weather? It was so like Grandma Su to serve her guests hot drinks, no matter the weather.
Chandra Chandler stared long and hard at the light steam rising from the cup toward her face, fascinated by it. It wasn't long, though, before she lost herself in her own thoughts again. Instantly, she felt that dull pain piercing deep within her heart and the absence and loneliness after losing her beloved Grandma Lin.
It will get better, she reminded herself. It will.
"Chan, dear?"
Chandra jolted back to reality when she heard the soft, gentle voice calling her the name Grandma Lin had given her. Chan, which was a shortened version of Chandra, Grandma Lin had told her when she'd been a child meant "the moon" in Cambodian. The old woman said it was perfect for her, as she'd been born during the full moon at midnight.
"I'm sorry?" she queried the elderly woman sitting across from her.
Grandma Su glanced up, her dark eyes-full of wisdom and enlightenment-boring deep into Chan's own light-brown ones.
"You've just lost another loved one," she said.
Chan gave Grandma Su a slight smile, her hands gripping tightly to the cup of tea.
Yes, she'd just lost another loved one. It was her grandmother from her mother's side of the family, who she fondly called Grandma Lin. The kind, gentle ninety-year-old woman had passed on only three months prior from old age.
There were only the three of them now: Chan and her two younger sisters, Dara and Soriya, who happened to be named according to the time of their births as well. The second sister Dara's name meant the star, because she'd been born in the early dawn when the star of Venus was shining bright amongst the dark sky. The youngest sister Soriya's meant the sun, because she'd been born during midafternoon when the sun had been at its warmest and most brilliant.
To be frank, the girls had been orphaned since both their parents had died many years before Grandma Lin. Their mom passed away from cancer when Chan was eleven and dad from a bunch of teenage drunk drivers when she was seventeen.
"I'm so sorry to have turned up without informing you first, Grandma Su," Chan said politely to the old lady who was her grandmother's best friend. "She asked me to come and see you. She was quite persistent." She chuckled a little at the reminder of Grandma Lin's stubbornness. She took another sip of the green tea. The warm, mild liquid soothed her, and she sighed pleasantly.
"It must be very hard for you and your sisters," Grandma Su said. "Lin was my best friend. And now she has left me." She sighed. "But for you, my dear, it is best you move on." She placed her hand gently on top of Chan's, a gesture of comfort.
"It's hard," Chan said, bowing her head. "But I am determined to move on."
"Lin would be proud of you," Grandma Su said. Then she placed her fingers under Chan's chin, which surprised her, and urged the young woman's face up slightly so she could look at her properly.
Chan wondered why Grandma Su was examining her face so intensely. The old woman was staring at her smooth, round forehead, slanted eyes, straight nose, plump lips, and chin.
"A beautiful face," she said. "You've bloomed late, Chan."
Chan had to chuckle at Grandma Su's remark, since she had no idea what the woman was talking about. She knew for certain she didn't have a beautiful face, nor had she ever bloomed. She didn't think she would ever bloom at all if she were a flower.
"A mix of yellow and white," Grandma Su said. "A lovely cherry blossom."
At this point, Chan couldn't really help herself and had to ask, "What are you talking about?"
"Hush, dear, I am reading your face," Grandma Su said. "Ah, phoenix eyes and a beautiful nose."
Chan chuckled. "Thanks, I think," she said. She didn't think her nose was ever beautiful.
"You're entering a new phase in your life," Grandma Su said with a note of concern. "It seems there will be challenges."
"Challenges?" Chan asked, her heart skipping a few beats.
"Lin was concerned," Grandma Su said. "She asked me to read your fortune two years ago. That is why she insisted you come to see me."
"But why?"
"Like I said, dear, she was concerned about you."
"That I won't move on?"
"That and many other things. She worried about your future, Chan, about your career, your health, but especially about your future soul mate."
"But why?"
"You've spent all your time taking care of the family, but now it is time to take care of you. You'll meet him. There will be challenges, like I said, but every relationship needs work, dear, so you must trust yourself. You must trust your heart. Your fate does not define your future. It is you and your actions that define your future. Remember that, Chan.
"Of course, I cannot tell you who he is, but I can tell you he is out there, very bright, just like the sun. Yes, he is like the sun, a warm person who many adore and depend on."
Grandma Su turned her eyes to Chan again and cocked her head to one side, just like a small bird would, scrutinizing the young woman. "Ah, you will be a tiny thing standing next to him. He is a big man, Chan, this sun man of yours."
"I'm not exactly sure I understand what you're talking about."
Grandma Su laughed. "Ah, I see I have captured your interest. Do you want to know about your love life, Chan?"
Chan frowned. No. Not really. She glanced down, blushing a little.
Grandma Su must have noticed the blush. She chuckled and patted Chan's hand.
"Like I said, I cannot tell you who he is, for I do not know myself. Of course, you will understand, dear, once you've met him. And very soon, too. Now then, come along. I will show you my vegetable garden." She dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand and headed out the door.
Chan got up and followed the elderly woman, her thoughts still on the challenges ahead of her Grandma Su had mentioned. And, of course, this future soul mate of hers. Then again, she'd already made up her mind to never marry or enter a relationship. It was just too toxic. Relationships were toxic. Love was toxic. And sex? Yes, that was toxic, too. The worst, come to think of it, and instantly, she felt her stomach knot with dread, that fear she'd always felt.
She felt herself shaking uncontrollably. He's not here, she told herself. You're as far away from him as you can possibly be.
She calmed down and stepped into the beautiful sunshine outside.
"It's good that you take time for yourself," the woman said, nodding her head. "It will be a life-changing move. I assure you."
Grandma Su must have been referring to Chan and her sisters moving to Australia. After all, there was nothing left for them in New Zealand now since their grandmother had died. Well, there were still Amie, their dad's second wife, their stepmother, and of course Lisa, their stepsister. Perhaps, Chan thought, she should stop thinking of Amie as a stepmother. After all, their dad had already passed away years ago. Right now, she didn't want to think about Amie and Lisa at all.
Then of course, there was Dave, Lisa's husband, the one Chan feared and hated most. The one who had whispered empty words of love to her, lies, words that made her feel sick.
She felt dizzy again thinking about him. She reminded herself, You are far, far away from him now. He won't hurt you anymore. He can't.
She said, "I know, Grandma Su. I've known for a long time now that it was time to get out."
Grandma Su turned to look at Chan then, as if she understood the meaning of Chan's words. In a way, Chan knew the woman knew because she was so wise, just like Grandma Lin, who'd known for a long time the torment of her granddaughter's secret. She'd done her best to help her keep the people responsible at bay and, of course, to bring her out from her lonely darkness.
Chan stayed with Grandma Su for another hour, enjoying the sound of the woman's light chatter as she was led about the large garden. Once Grandma Su had given her some of her precious vegetables, mainly water spinach, cucumbers, and peppers, Chan kissed her goodbye.
On her way home on the bus, her mind was on Grandma Su's words. She didn't really believe in things like fortune-telling. More importantly, she didn't believe she had a soul mate. But then, why did she have the sudden feeling it was time? That she was ready? For what? She didn't know and flicked her mind away from that subject as she watched the scenery pass her by.
Eighteen-year-old Haru Ono has been in love with Aiden Davis since he was in middle school. Trying to keep his feelings under wraps is annoyingly hard when they’re living under the same roof, more so since Aiden is so caring and selflessly showers him with kindness. Haru knows family is important to Aiden, who has been shouldering the burden of raising five younger siblings, and it’s best Haru never reveals his feelings to Aiden. Then again, an eighteen-year-old boy with raging hormones can only bottle up so much until everything starts to burst. Haru's Love is a steamy stepbrothers bl/yaoi/gay harem romance. The uke (main character) will end up with multiple semes (male leads) as the story progresses. Expect lots of steamy scenes and lots of love. Update Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
When Sakura once again meets the gorgeous brothers, Sebastian and Darcy Princeton, forbidden feelings are awakened and old flame ignites. As an orphan, Sakura is accustomed to being bullied and unloved. When she is taken in by the wealthy Princetons, she works hard to earn the family’s trust and love. Her endeavor, however, ultimately leads to a series of unfortunate incidents. Now years later, the twenty-three-year-old beauty dreads the moment she once again has to meet the seven gorgeous Princeton brothers, due to arrive for their cousin’s wedding. Dodging their very presence is next to impossible since the brothers are attracted to her like moths to a flame and thwart her escapes at every turn. This leads to tempting situations, awakens forbidden feelings, and ignites old flames that have been suppressed and lying dormant for many years. When she finds them vying for her, she is torn between Sebastian, the brother who loves her and watches over her from a distance, and Darcy, the brother who was once her best friend and now secretly yearns for her forgiveness and her love once again. Will Sakura choose one over the other, or accept them both as her heart’s desire? Falling for Sakura is a slow-burn ménage romance (MFM) and has a happy ending.
Dark. Powerful. Dangerous. James Maxwell is one of the billionaire elites who rules Las Vegas City with an iron fist. You’re definitely worth two million, Mia. Think about it. Two million. Five years. Your brother will go free. It’s a contract. Those are the words of the gorgeous billionaire James Maxwell, the man who makes my heart race and my body tremble with longing. I want to refuse his proposal, but how can I? My brother owes him two million, and as dirt poor as we are, there’s no way we can find that much money to repay him. What’s worse, I think I’m falling in love with the man who thinks I’m just his mistress. My name is Mia Donovan, a twenty-two-year-old small-town girl working as a kitchen hand to make ends meet. My world is changing—both for the better and worse. James Maxwell, a gorgeous billionaire with beautiful Prussian-blue eyes, is the man behind this. He makes my heart flutter and my knees shake. When he kisses me, my world melts into a pool of exotic sensation. But his world is dark and dangerous, and being with him is a risk both to my life and my sanity. This is our story.
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."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
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.”
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
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?