Andreas Sanders daringly returned to Ashford City in order to escape from his engagement party that was to be held in Paris. He would never accept an arranged marriage that would clearly trap him further in his own family's game. Therefore, he realized that there was only one thing to do now. That is to secure a beneficial marriage. Love and fairy tales were unnecessary. The only thing Andreas needed was an intelligent woman who could engage in mentally stimulating debates with him. Luckily, Andreas found her in the form of his friend's secretary. She was tall and elegant, dressed in a tailored suit with long pants, supported by seven-centimeter-high heels, with wavy hair, red lipstick, and, of course, a sharp tongue. A truly perfect combination. The woman that Andreas desired. Vlora Anderson. * 2nd Book of seri 'The CEO'
"Marry me."
Two words, one sentence. Straight to the point, without beating around the bush. One thing Vlora Anderson, a smart woman who worked as executive secretary to the CEO of Greatech, appreciated was getting to the point without unnecessary complications.
She despised all things that were full of pretense. She preferred to get straight to the point without the fuss that could give anyone a headache. But this? "Marry me?" Oh, dear. Vlora could only freeze for a moment, staring at him. She wondered briefly if the man before her was sane.
But no, he was perfectly sane, and he could convince Vlora that he was sane enough to utter that sentence.
Blinking once, Vlora's forehead creased slightly as she looked into his shining eyes. The look there seemed to mix temptation and mischief at the same time.
"Forgive me," Vlora's voice trembled slightly. She even had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "What did you just say?"
"Oh, God."
The man's deep voice seemed choked. Combined with his eyes rolling briefly before closing dramatically.
"I've said it many times, Vlo. Just call me by my name. No need for 'sir'. Call me by my name."
Eyes opened. Gaze directed. A name spoken.
"Andreas."
Vlora tried to keep her composure. She nodded. "Yes, Mr. Andreas Sanders."
"Andreas. Just Andreas, Vlo," Andreas corrected for the umpteenth time. A passing thought crossed his mind and a crooked grin appeared. "Is it so hard to say my name?"
Vlora did not answer. Ignoring Andreas, she shut down her computer. In a relatively short time, she had packed her work bag and was getting ready to leave.
"Are you ready to go home?" Andreas asked.
Nonchalantly, Vlora replied, "It's almost two hours past my usual departure time, sir. Office hours ended a while ago."
"Oh dear," Andreas sighed in frustration. "Sir, sir, sir. Really. Why do you like to call me 'sir' so much? It's too formal for us, Vlo, and we don't have a formal relationship. You're not my subordinate and I'm not your boss. So why be so formal?"
What Andreas said was true. There was literally no formal relationship between them. They were neither boss nor subordinate. Unfortunately, in Vlora's eyes, they were not close enough to call each other by their first names.
Vlora's hand, reaching for her work bag, suddenly stopped. It seemed that Andreas' words had hit a nerve.
"Although, of course, it is a very charming idea to have a subordinate like you. So how about it? Would you really like to be my subordinate? I can offer you a 'subordinate' position that will please you."
The implied meaning in Andreas' words was all too real. Vlora pursed her lips tightly and tried to regain her composure.
"I hope you can keep your manners, Sir."
"Manners?" Andreas scoffed. "I was perfectly polite. Remember? I want you to marry me. Then I'll make you my subordinate. So, what part of that was rude?"
Vlora stared at Andreas without blinking. Her face hardened.
"I think you've tried hard enough to be polite to me," she said.
Andreas grinned. "Of course. At least I want us to get married first. You know, not many men are brave enough to propose marriage to a woman."
The thought of marriage immediately filled Andreas' mind. His imagination ran wild and he smiled as if he did not care about Vlora's annoyance.
"Marrying you would be a wonderful experience, especially if we had a child as beautiful as you. Oh, God. I'm getting more and more excited."
Vlora was surprised.
"What?" Andreas asked again. The mischievous grin on his handsome face widened as he continued his teasing. "Let's get married and see. Will our child be as beautiful as you or as handsome as me?"
Vlora raised her face, but unfortunately her gaze met Andreas' teasing expression. It was not just the crooked grin; it was the mischievous look and the seductive aura that felt incredibly thick.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I think this is a bit much," Vlora said. "So, I'll tell you once again. I hope you can watch your manners with me."
The teasing expression disappeared for a moment. Andreas was startled. His eyes widened and curses echoed in his head.
Damn it!
Vlora's attitude was really different this time. She looked tense and her face was flushed. It was clear to Andreas that he had completely exhausted Vlora's patience.
This time Vlora really grabbed her work bag. She stood up and spoke quietly, but with emphasis.
"I'm not the woman you think I am."
The sound of Vlora's footsteps echoed as she walked away. She really had left Andreas alone, who was now frustrated.
How could I say that? You see? Now she'll certainly keep her distance from me. Damn it!
Andreas decided to follow her. With long strides, the tall man had no trouble catching up to Vlora.
Perfect timing. Andreas managed to catch up with Vlora as she entered the elevator. He turned around and was surprised to see Andreas entering the elevator and immediately closing the door.
"I'm sorry," Andreas apologized without hesitation, in sync with the elevator's slow descent.
"M-Mr. Sanders."
If Vlora had to be honest, she would say that she was quite surprised by Andreas' apology. She had not expected him to apologize.
"I apologize."
Andreas continued. He approached Vlora with an intense look. His measured steps made Vlora unconsciously step back.
"I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. Please forgive me. But you need to know that ..." Andreas locked eyes with Vlora. "... I'm not joking about what I said. I'm absolutely serious, Vlo. I want us to get married."
Vlora could not back away any further. Behind her was a cold elevator wall. She had no choice but to raise her face and meet his gaze with caution.
"I ... I can't accept your offer."
Andreas grimaced. "What? My offer? Oh, Vlo. It's not an offer. It's a proposal."
"A proposal?"
*
Azera Cordelia Ross thought her life had reached its maximum limit of misfortune, but it turned out that fate still had surprises in store. Yesterday she was a poor college student running away from a drunken father, and now she was a future Luna locked in the golden room of the Alpha, Oscar Donovan. The prophecy had come true. The herd rejoiced. The ceremony and the feast were ready. Only Era was lost in a question. Am I a werewolf?
The clawless luna, that's what they called her. Vione Celestie Munest had reached a point where she no longer hoped for destiny. Living without a clear origin and claws was painful enough for her. She didn't want to add to her suffering by being humiliated by her Alpha, Usher Thorne. So when Usher decided to sever their bond, Vione's only words were. "I, Vione Celestie Munest, accept your rejection as luna and mate, Alpha Usher Thorne."
Get a job while running into an ex? Oh no! Vanny never expected this to happen in the script of her life. But for Vanny, exes were a species that should be extinct from human civilization. For Haris, on the other hand, it was a different story. For him, exes were a species that should be preserved, especially if it was the only ex he had. So, would Vanny be willing to give up the job to avoid her ex? Or would Haris manage to use the penalty clause in the employment contract? Money or love? Which would they choose?
Elzi Amelia Collins was indeed fortunate. She had a happy family, graduated from college, and immediately found a job, and was engaged to a handsome and wealthy man. Envious, right? However, hold on a moment. That was just the beginning. After that disastrous night, a series of calamities seemed to rain down on her alone, as if from the heavens. It all started with a high school reunion. In the early hours of the morning, Elzi woke up innocently next to a guy, both covered with just a single dimly lit blanket in one room. No forensic examination was needed to know what had happened to her while she was drunk that night! Hoping she would not get pregnant, Elzi found her world turning even more chaotic. On another night, her fiancé attempted to violate her. Luckily, she managed to escape. Ironically, she ended up being helped by the one who took her virginity! Her younger brother pronounced his judgment. The engagement was called off! And as if that was not enough, another disaster struck at her workplace. When a beautiful woman, resembling a model, assumed that Elzi was stealing her man. Now, Elzi found herself trapped between them all. Her high school friend, who kept offering his responsibility; her ex-fiancé, who was trying to apologize; her protective younger brother, and the woman who thought Elzi was stealing her future “prospective husband” (remember: future “prospective husband”).
Misfortune in both work and love seemed to be Vonda Raveena Scoot's constant companion. Just when work pressures had her on edge, she had to endure a broken heart as she witnessed her boyfriend, who also happened to be her subordinate, indulging in a romantic affair within the empty confines of their office space. These two factors were compelling reasons for Vonda to unleash all her emotions at her company's CEO's wedding party. She drowned her sorrows in glass after glass of alcohol until she was intoxicated and decided to call for a ride-hailing service. However, little did she know that her inebriated state would lead her to board the wrong car. “Uh... I'm a bit tipsy. But just because I'm tipsy, I feel like I'm riding in a red Lamborghini taxi.” Vonda laughed heartily. Eventually, she found herself pouring her heart out and ended up asking a crazy question. “Sir, you don't have to drive tonight, okay? How about just accompanying me instead? After all, I'm quite pretty, right?” In the days that followed, Vonda came close to considering checking herself into a Mental Health Institution.
Cast aside and humiliated, Elice McLean never imagined she would endure life. She was on the brink of giving up. Until that night led her to a crazy revelation. That she still held value. His name was Garrett Alexander Morales. A stranger who proved to Elice that in his eyes, she was still immensely precious. Through his gaze, through his way of speaking, and through his ... touch. * 1st book of seri 'The Billionaire'
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
My family was on the poverty line and had no way to support me in college. I had to work part-time every day just to make ends meet and afford to get into the university. That was when I met her—the pretty girl in my class that every boy dreamt of asking out. I was well aware she was out of my league. Nevertheless, I mustered all my courage and bravely told her that I had fallen for her. To my surprise, she agreed to be my girlfriend. With the sweetest smile I had ever seen, she told me that she wanted my first gift for her to be the latest and top-of-the-line iPhone. I worked like a dog and even did my classmates’ laundry to save up. My hard work eventually paid off after a month. I finally got to buy what she wanted. But as I was wrapping my gift, I saw her in the dressing room, making out with the captain of the basketball team. She then heartlessly made fun of my inadequacy and made a fool out of me. To make things worse, the guy whom she cheated on me with even punched me in the face. Desperation washed over me, but there was nothing I could do but lie on the floor as they trampled on my feelings. But then, my father called me out of the blue, and my life turned upside down. It turned out that I was a billionaire's son.
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
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."
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."
RIEKA She was a naive, chubby, wolfless werewolf, maltreated by her mate to the point where she loses her sanity and womb, her crime was being chubby and less attractive than her peers. GABRIEL He was a handsome, strong willed womanizer, who happens to a hybrid ALPHA prince, the person he loves the most is his kid brother RALPH. He has searched high and low for a mate he could never find. What will happen when he finds out that his beloved brother's ex wife, happens to be his long awaited mate, who was maltreated and is currently mentally unstable? Will he forgive his brother for hurting his mate? or will blood flow?