*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. â The next dayâ "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. â present â "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
*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.
â The next dayâ
"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.
â present â
"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 hand held the spot as I sent a devilish glare at the man I called father. Pissed off, I turned around and walked away.
" Mario!, Mario!, come back here!, how dare you walk out on me."
I just kept on walking, I didn't look back. I'm not a little child anymore, at least some respect please.
The moment I stepped out, three bouncers came around me.
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...
The elegant penthouse office on the top floor of Reed Enterprises was shrouded in silence as Alexander Reed, the enigmatic CEO, leaned back in his leather chair. His piercing blue eyes surveyed the vast cityscape outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, his mind consumed by the impending crisis that threatened to dismantle his empire. His father, the late Charles Reed, had always been a man of mystery. Even in death, he managed to leave behind a legacy of secrets. Alexander's hands clenched into fists as he replayed the lawyer's words in his mind. According to his father's will, his inheritance and control over Reed Enterprises were contingent upon one conditionâa contract marriage within a month. Alexander scoffed at the absurdity of it all. How could his father bind his entire life's work to such a stipulation? But as he pondered his options, one person came to mindâEmma Davis, his loyal and unassuming secretary. Emma, with her soft-spoken nature and unwavering dedication, had always been a constant presence in his life. She was the one person who had managed to see glimpses of the man behind the carefully constructed facade. Alexander knew that convincing her to enter into a contract marriage would be no easy task, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
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.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
âYou need a bride, I need a groom. Why donât we get married?â Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. âShe keeps asking for a divorce, but I donât want that! What should I do?â
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"