The CEO and I (Marriage by Contract)

*Seventeen years ago* Mr Daniel Pablo, head of the famous and most powerful gang in all of New York, my father. He owned and controlled one of the biggest mob in Brooklyn. It was evening, he sat regally on his lush couch, smoking from his pipe, releasing thick smoke into the atmosphere, not minding that I was there with him, and I was only a ten year old boy. I raised my head, watching him keenly as he sucked in air and slowly breathed out thick white smoke, staring into space, one would tell he was lost in his thoughts. "Honey!" Mom cat walked into the lounge, wearing a red tight dress with a pair of high heeled shoes which clanged the marbled floor as she moved. "My love" dad moved the pipe and kissed her on her lips, staining his lips with her thick red lipstick. Of course, even an animal would tell that they were deeply in love with each other. "Garry is coming tomorrow.... for a business meeting" he placed the pipe at his side stool and made my mom sit on his laps. "Oh really?.... it's been a long time" she smiled, snuggling closer to him getting into his mouth, forgetting that I was there. Mom's eyes moved and her gaze landed on my eyes, I then looked away, continuing with the book I had in my hands. "Mario my son... It's time for bed, let's go" she walked over and took the book from me. "Let's go sweet" she said, I got up and moved. "It's already late" she added, walking with me till we got to the stairs. "Yvonne!.... Come take Mario to his room, it's time for bed" She called the maid servant. Of course, she never puts me to bed by herself, she was always busy. "Alright Mario.... Let's go" the lady reached out and took hold of my hand. " Don't! " I half yelled with my little voice as I withdrew my hand. Lady Yvonne, the new caretaker was startled as she let go of me, her face all scrunched up in surprise. "Oh, He doesn't like people touching him" Mom said from where she was, probably tangling her tongue with dad's. "Oh I'm sorry dear let's go" lady Yvonne led me upstairs to bed. ★The next day★ "Sir Pablo!, So good to see you" Mr Garry smiled as he fist bumped dad's gloved hand. Dad's hands were always gloved with knuckle gloves which covered half his fingers and his palms. Seeing him, you would think he was about to fight someone but no, it was just a normal accessory he fancied. "Garry, Have a seat" they both sat and started talking. Meanwhile mom and Garry's wife Mrs Monika had long been engaged in their feminine discussion as they talked and laughed. My gaze traveled and rested on Racheal their daughter who by right was supposed to be my friend but thanks to me, we weren't friends, because I didn't like having friends. "Mario honey, Go play with Racheal" Aunt Monika said, all smiles. I stared at her for some time with my usual unsmiling and stoic face. "What do you take me for ma'am? Playing is for kids, I'm not a small child" I said with an irritated expression and moved my gaze over to Racheal who sat on the marbled floor, playing and talking to herself. I could sense that Mrs Monika was shocked and felt a bit disrespected because I sounded that way. "My goodness!... Mario honey!" Mom released one of her fake laughs trying to cover up my actions, I just stared at her not bothered at all. "How about you be nice and show her to the library" mom smiled at me, there was an underlying meaning to her smile which only I understood, she always did it whenever she was trying to warn me. "Racheal dear, go with Mario to the library" Mom smiled brightly at the little girl. "Okay" she got up from the ground and skipped down to me, she made an attempt to touch me but I moved back, sending a glare her way. "Don't touch me" I hissed as I climbed the stairs, Racheal following slowly behind me. "Hahaha.... don't mind him Monika, kids can really be a handful at times" That was my mom, still trying to cover up. ★present ★ "I do not understand you Mario, is it that you are not man enough or your dick is paralysed?" Dad asked me looking pissed. " Father I..." I didn't even know what to say because the one who should be pissed was me, not even dad. " Or are you gay!?, Tell me Mario, why you have decided to die single!, you go about fucking your fellow men huh?, you chase after dicks? " " Dad!, I'm not gay!, Okay?, .... Just let me be" I looked away. " Then why have you refused to get married?, Racheal is there, and she won't remain single for ever, look at me" he spread his arms proudly. " Look at me, I'm a real man, and I proved it by getting married to your mother and having you, why do you want this legacy to end in your hands, son?, your mother and I are getting old" " Dad enough with that shit, I do not love Racheal or any other female out there!, I cannot love any female dad!, is it so hard for you to understand!?" "Shut up!" Dad swung his hand and hit me hard on my face. " Don't talk to me that way, I'm your father" My face stung really badly, my

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Daniel spoke up. "Well then, my son has chosen to stay single and not have children, but I want you to revise his plan. Get him to open his heart to you and fall in love with you." Rachael thought it was worth a try and decided to give it a shot. However, things didn't go as smoothly as she had hoped. "Can you please not touch me?" he would yell at her with disgust. 'How does she expect me to successfully carry out this plan when he won't even let me near him?' She would cry and feel rejected every time he pushed her away, but Mrs. Daniel would keep encouraging her. At times, she would consider giving up, but her mind wasn't completely made up. "Mother, I can't do this. Please let me leave," she would bluff, hoping for Mrs. Daniel's reassuring words. "Oh, child, just stay. He will come around," Mrs. Daniel would encourage her. Then, everything changed when a new girl entered the scene, someone who might help the situation. "And who might that be?" "Audrey." "They call you his favorite?" Mrs. Daniel examined Audrey suspiciously, taking in her features, especially her white skin. Audrey kept her gaze fixed on the ground, not saying anything. "Well, I have a proposition for you. Get him to love you," Mrs. Daniel stated plainly, knowing deep down that it might not be possible. Audrey looked up at the woman who seemed to have control over her. 'How is that even possible?' she wondered. 'Making a heartless man fall in love?' "I will clear all your debts, every single one," Mrs. Daniel added. It was a tempting offer for Audrey, who owed a lot of people. She decided to give it a shot, not considering how it might end. Don Mario was a heartless and proud person. How could he open his heart when he didn't even possess one? He despised being touched or having physical contact with others. But with Audrey around, the situation took a turn. He would gaze at her body with desire in his eyes, and his hands would yearn to feel her soft, white skin. All of this was hidden from everyone's view, even Audrey herself. Despite her efforts, it seemed hopeless, and she was losing faith. "Ma'am, I've tried, but it seems like nothing will change. Please, let me leave," she said. Mrs. Daniel, who didn't trust Audrey at all, reluctantly agreed to let her go, but things had changed. "She's not going anywhere," his deep voice reverberated through the large dining hall...

Knox Blake, who radiates Confidence, raw masculinity and arrogance, was emotionally dead and damaged, that stemmed from a personal incident, made a vow to never love or fall in love with a woman, until Raine Walker walked into his life by accident. After she opens up and shows him her world, Knox starts to feel emotions and feelings he never knew existed. **** Raine cannot deny she is both intrigued and intoxicated by the world Rex Blake inhabits and the smouldering passion he stirs in her body. Despite the rumors and warnings regarding Knox Peterson and his use and misuse of women, Raine finds herself being drawn into his world, but she is also fearful for this man is addictive and right now she is very vulnerable.

6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!

In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."

"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.

Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."

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!"

After a heated confrontation with her husband and mistress, Brianna was pushed down to stairs. She thought she would die but when she woke up again, she realized that she traveled back two years ago, when it was not late for her to correct her path. The first thing she needed to do when she was reborn was divorce that scum. She saved from the darkest time but he lied to her and murdered her in the end. This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes anymore. She would bring the glory of her family back and make those people who betrayed her pay the price! However, in the process of climbing up to the peak of her career, she met a very intimidating and handsome man who kept on messing with her head through his bold attitude. Brianna doesn't want to be involved with another man again, for she has proven to herself that they will just drag her down, but her constant incidents with him are slowly breaking the wall she built to protect her heart. Brianna will surely choose her career over a man this time, but it's possible to choose both, right? What if he hurt her too? No! She won't risk it but. "You have to run away from me, Bree. Coz I'm done running away, I'll chase you now."