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Blurb: "Evening, Alison," Joel said with a charming smile, his eyes locking onto hers. "I couldn't help but be drawn to your energy from across the room. Mind if I join you?" Alison, surprised but intrigued, looked up from her textbook. "Sure, why not?" she replied, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. As they engaged in conversation, Joel skillfully blended sophistication and charisma. "You seem like someone who appreciates the finer things in life," he remarked, gesturing to the opulent surroundings. "I couldn't help but wonder if you'd join me for dinner sometime. I know this charming little place that serves the most exquisite cuisine." Alison, initially cautious, found herself intrigued by Joel's proposition. "Dinner sounds nice," she admitted, a playful glint in her eyes. "But I hope you're not expecting me to be impressed by your wealth." Joel chuckled, appreciating her candor. "I value authenticity, Alison. Let's make it a date where we can enjoy good conversation and perhaps discover common interests beyond the surface." "A good conversation?" Alison murmured to herself. "Sure ! ...Alison said with a reassuring smile and excused herself as she stands away from the table when she saw her best friend, Melissa approaching. "Ermm,I guess it's a goodbye,I have to go now." She calmly said. "No problem, let's make it on the day scheduled ". With a deep smile Joel said and watched Alison walk to her friend. "Love story begins."!
ALISON'S POV.
I was glad when the time came for me to go back to campus. The day had begun with a cloudy sky. As I set out about midmorning, the sky began to show signs of an approaching thunderstorm. It broke up the town just as I reached the campus and entered the passage leading to the hostel. I rushed in, scarcely escaping the downpour. I was absorbed into the warmth of the room. As for my previous attendance in class, I had a lot of assignments to do before school resumed, but none of them were done because of how busy I was in the house.
Huh! I gasped for breath, stood in the room, and surveyed the sky. It was dark gray with the rain which fell as if someone up in the sky was letting down an endless sheet of curtains.
I signed the wall clock and it was getting to 11 am,
"Melissa should be on campus by this time but she isn't here ", I realized that something was drawing g irresistibly toward her." Was it the suspicion that she went to her boyfriend's place or something might happen on her way here? I soliloquized
I kept wondering how in the world it was going to be possible for Melissa to hide something from me.
I was left in a deepened sense of mystery, both as a result of all that I had heard of her and what I had seen of her. I wished to stay longer and learn more but I had a lot of work to be done.
I started packing and sweeping and did everything supposed to be done in the hostel.
The thunderstorm had blown itself out. The sun came out and I had to dry the napkins I used for the cleaning.
I took a bucket and headed towards the path to fetch water when I saw Melissa approaching.
"Melissa! Why are you now coming?
I was told you left early from the house to campus but I didn't see you when I came!
"Tell me, where were you?
I furiously asked her.
She kept quiet and I felt something bad in me,
I realized that she was weeping.
"Won't you talk to me? I retorted!
"What's wrong Melissa?
She could not bring herself to utter a word.
She threw herself heavily against me sobbing quite loudly now
"Well, if you won't talk to me it's okay, it will all be over Melissa.
"Everything is going to be alright, " I said to console her.
I helped her with her bags and took her to the hostel.
I served her the breakfast I prepared and made sure she had enough rest, I left her to fetch water and I came back to see her sitting quietly on the bed with his cheeks supported in her palms.
"Now tell me, Melissa, what's bothering you?
"There is nothing wrong Alison! I will be fine,
I'm not in the mood, I want to be alone so you can go.
"I will get back to you when you're okay, the cold air is taking me away to have a rest.
"Okay, Alison!
"In case you wake up and I'm not here, it means I'm off to the shopping mall.
"I've heard you, Melissa "
"Okay dear friend "
"Bye".
I walked straight to my room feeling bad about Melissa's sudden change.
~ TWO~
The cold air nipped my bare skin, leaving goose pimples on my body as I took my bedspread to cover myself, I slept almost 3 hours but I wasn't satisfied. That's an unusual thing to be but today the chilled climate got me.
It was one of those rainy seasons in my town and also no classes were held because school just resumed,s o I decided to have a
"Could it be that the weather made me feel like sleeping all day? I questioned myself and signed at the barricade clock."
"It's getting to 4 pm", I screamed and started rolling myself onto the bed,
I was already done with my cleaning and washing and had to prepare a meal to be served in the evening. The previous activities made me feel tired and I was also stressed
With the little strength that I had, I jumped from my bed and went to melissa's room but she wasn't there
I was quite disturbed but I was relieved in no time.
I went to the kitchen and started preparing the supper, I went to serve it on our dining table and set off to the 'bangs' to braid my hair when I met Melissa on my way
'Melissa, what kept you so long? I thought you were shopping but there is nothing that shows
'Alison I have good news for you, stop thinking about the shopping stuff because you're going to love what I'm about to say.'
'I was on my way to the junction for a Bolt when a Mercedes-Benz halted just behind where I stood,
I couldn't believe what I saw. I marveled then!!
'The son of Mr.smith who owns the biggest shopping mall was the one who came out from the car,
Looking at how young and cute he is, I think you would love to be with him as a girlfriend"
"Melissa So this is good news? I guess you're okay now!
'Alison stop acting like a kid', be a woman!!
"Do you know something? He's in this institution and also a first-year student offering political science ", I even wonder why he loved to choose this university!
"It's good though, but with the levels and how rich his Dad is I don't think an arrogant son of a rich man will prefer this noble institution as we call it "
"So because of him you didn't go shopping right ?" you're not serious in life"."Why are you saying that Alison?
Melissa stunningly questioned her friend.
"You're asking me or telling me? "Don't be deluded by these guys, be vigilant and stop being a fan of these rich guys please".
"I hate you !" Clara muttered at him."What did I do?!" He replied, looking shocked and slightly hurt. "Well, for starters, you are a total jackass, oh, and you stabbed me in the back, Literally!." "You're still upset about that? Women are confusing... Lucifer shook his head and sighed."Stop fighting like a girl," He said in a mocking tone, which didn't faze Clara at all. "You know what, Mr. billionaire, the majority of a man using just fits to fight, if I fought like a girl I would rip your head off with my nails or teeth and yes,you would beg me to stop." “Have you come this far to accomplish your half-done chaos as in heaven?” Clara asked Lucifer while making eyeball contact with him. “That's just a myth, and some people chose to abuse our name. Anyway, I never did any evil and am here to do better” Lucifer replied sounding all innocent while still carrying the groceries I bought in the store. “Tell that to a kid. Not to Clara!” I flared up. But in all, he was still gazing at my eyeballs. “To you, it might sound like a fallacy, but I mean what I just said!” He replied while still wearing his smiley face. “What exactly do you want from me?” Clara angrily questioned him. “Your heart!" He said... Those were the conversations between Lucifer and Clara who had awful experiences when first they met. Clara developed an unquantifiable hatred for men because of how his dad treated his mother, and that stiffened her heart from falling in love with men. Lucifer who never cared whether he was welcome or not kept placing his request expecting to have a positive response. His conclusion was to either get what he wanted or die in the process.
"That baby in your womb can't be mine; you're just a prostitute who wants to find a way with me," he declares, dismissing her claims with a venomous sneer. Reeling from the brutality of her past and the harrowing reality of a rape that stole more than her security, Chelsea fights back tears. Her dreams of studying abroad are dimming, ensnared by the billionaire's ruthless terms: a contract marriage as his way out. But even in her darkest moments, Chelsea refuses to lose hope. She must navigate this cruel game of power and preservation, armed only with her resilience and a burning desire to reclaim her future. ****** I never thought my life could be shattered in an instant. It was a cold, dark night when I was forcefully raped by a heartless billionaire. The violation left me broken and lost, but the worst was yet to come. When I discovered I was pregnant as a result of the assault, my world crumbled around me. Determined to reclaim my life and find a sense of empowerment, I made the difficult decision to leave my country behind and seek solace in a new environment. The journey was arduous, filled with pain and uncertainty, but I refused to be defined by my past trauma. Slowly, I began to rebuild myself, piece by piece, finding strength in the depths of my despair.
"Are you telling me that the triplets might not be mine?"I don't know, Robert, I don't know who the father is." Christine shouted at the top of her voice and slammed the door behind her after being rude to her husband. ****** Christine was successful, married woman juggling the demands of her career and personal life. On the surface, everything seems perfect. But beneath the façade, Christine keeps a secret that could shatter her marriage. Christine has been having an affair with her charming and wealthy boss.Their passionate encounters are a stark contrast to her routine life at home. Everything takes a dramatic turn when Christine discovers she's pregnant—with triplets. Panicked and desperate, Christine decides to keep the paternity of the babies a secret. She convinces herself and everyone around her that the children are her husband's. But as the months pass, the truth becomes harder to conceal. The moment of reckoning arrives when it's undeniable that the triplets bear a striking resemblance to her Boss. Whispers and suspicions turn into open accusations, and Christine's carefully constructed life begins to crumble. Caught between her loyalty to her husband and her undeniable connection to her Boss Christine must navigate the fallout of her choices. Will she find the courage to face the truth and fight for her family's future, or will the secrets she's kept tear everything apart? "Love &betrayal."
Welbeck was the epitome of an eligible son-in-law. He was successful in his career, financially stable, kind-hearted, and always put his family first. He had been with his girlfriend, Keira, for three years and was ready to take the next step in their relationship. Keira's parents had high expectations for their daughter's future husband and were initially skeptical of Welbeck. However, he slowly won them over with his respectful manners, genuine interest in their family traditions, and admiration for their daughter. Welbeck also went out of his way to bond with Keira's younger brother, who had initially been hesitant about his older sister's new boyfriend. Welbeck was a successful entrepreneur who started his own business and had a great reputation in his industry. However, he never let his work consume him, always made time for Keira, and was supportive of her career aspirations. Additionally, Welbeck had a strong sense of family values, which was essential to Keira's parents. He not only took the time to get to know her family but also made an effort to connect them with his own family. Keira's parents were impressed by Welbeck's ability to balance his professional life with his commitment to his family. What set Welbeck apart from other potential son-in-laws was his genuine love and care for Keira. He was attentive to her needs, made her laugh, and always put her first. Keira's parents saw that Welbeck was more than just a good match, but the perfect partner for their daughter. In the end, Welbeck proposed to Keira in a grand gesture that embodied all of the qualities they valued. Keira's family was thrilled to have him as their future son-in-law, and they knew that Welbeck would continue to make Keira happy for years to come.
To the public, Arabella was Owen's trusty secretary who catered to all his needs and served as the primary blood donor of his beloved, who was in a coma. Behind closed doors, she was Owen's submissive wife. Arabella was quiet and obedient, and she endured every humiliation without a word of protest. Rumored to be a neat freak, Owen had tossed the last woman who had dared to kiss him into the river. Yet he pinned Arabella against the wall and demanded, "Give me a child, and I’ll let you go!" Arabella pushed him away and flashed him a cold smile. "You are not worthy!"
"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...
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?