Nathalia Sarmiento is just one of those ordinary teenagers who wishes to graduate from college in order to help the people she treated as her real parents, who did nothing but love her as their own daughter as well. Everything seems to be perfect in her almost fairy tale story. She had a bunch of good friends, loving parents, and a comfortable life. Not until her eighteenth birthday comes. She's about to go home when, suddenly, a black van stops right in front of her. Before she could even escape, a group of men came out and took her away. The next thing she knew was that she would arrive in a familiar mansion, and when she finally met the one who planned it all, the realization hit her hard. A mafia boss captured her. Much to her surprise, he even had the pair of shoes that she had lost before.
Nathalia's POV
"That's all for today. Class is dismissed."
My classmates quickly stood up and hurriedly left as soon as our last professor left the room. Some of them were even pushing each other at the door, seeming eager to go home. I couldn't help but laugh as I organized my belongings.
I was taken aback when I felt a tap on my right shoulder. Madeline's smiling face greeted me when I turned around.
"Your debut is coming up soon, girl! I'm sure Uncle Edwin and Auntie Marcel will prepare for it extravagantly! I'm so excited already!" she squealed.
I just shook my head while smiling. "That's not going to happen."
She suddenly stopped, her forehead creasing. "Huh?"
I shrugged. "I already talked to them about it. Just so you know, I want my birthday this time to be simple and private. I'll only invite a few guests, and there won't be a big party like you expect."
I slung my handbag over my right shoulder and stood up. It was only then that I noticed we were the only ones left in the classroom.
"Let's go!" I said to her.
She followed me with a pout on her face.
I was sure that our three other friends, Harold, Albert, and Damon, had already beaten us to the cafeteria to eat. They often get hungry, but I never quite understood where they put all the food they consumed.
"Are you serious about this? I can't believe you convinced your parents. Knowing them, I'm sure they have already planned something special for your special day," she said with a tinge of regret in her voice.
I winced at her words. Indeed, my parents loved to surprise me. In the past, they always went all out to prepare for my birthday celebration.
They invited many guests, some of whom were their business partners. The parties were often held at a resort, hotel, restaurant, or one of their grand function halls.
But I want this year to be different. Yes, my parents own a large hotel chain, but I don't want them to spend a lot of money just because of me.
Because I am not their real child.
This is a part of my identity that no one knows, not even my friends. It's better that way to avoid questions and issues.
Over the years, Mom and Dad never had another child. I understand why they lavish me with almost everything. Other people understand it too, as they often say that I am their only child.
They are one of the reasons why I am excited to finish my studies. I only have two years left, and finally, I'll be able to help their business. It's one way for me to show my gratitude to them.
"At first, it was really challenging to convince them. It took me a lot of effort just for them to say yes," I admitted.
That's true. They gave me a lot of conditions before they agreed.
She let out a sigh, causing me to glare at her. She quickly raised both hands in surrender.
"Okay. If that's what you want. We don't mind whether your birthday celebration is extravagant or simple. But I guess we're included among the few guests, right?" she asked hesitantly.
I briefly stopped walking to give her a disapproving look. "Of course! What kind of question is that?"
I don't know if it was just my imagination, but sadness seemed to have passed through her eyes, quickly replaced by joy.
"It's nothing. I just want to confirm. I don't want to assume that we're invited."
I lightly hit her on the arm. "You're really crazy!"
Both of us just laughed before continuing our walk.
We stopped as we reached the locker area. I was about to open my locker when Madeline excused herself, saying she'd just go to the restroom. I didn't say anything and simply nodded in response.
When I finally opened my locker, I furrowed my brow as I noticed a white envelope placed on top of my book there.
I noticed that the top of the envelope was blank, without anything written on it. Though curious, I picked it up and opened it without hesitation. Inside was a folded white piece of paper, which I quickly read.
Advance happy 18th birthday, Nath. I can't wait to see you soon.
My forehead furrowed even more after reading it. I checked the back of the paper and the envelope, hoping to find some clue about who it might be from.
But there was nothing else written, just that message.
I tried to remember if I had a friend or someone I knew well that I hadn't seen in a long time.
But I couldn't think of anyone.
I just shrugged and decided to hide it in my bag. Perhaps one of my classmates was just messing with me because they had nothing better to do. I couldn't say if it was a secret admirer or something else, as it was the only time I received such a letter. Besides, no one has ever courted me. Some have attempted to, but for reasons I couldn't quite figure out, things never progressed.
I was about to close the locker door after placing some of my belongings there when I noticed something else resting on top of my book.
My heart pounded with nervousness as I reached for that object.
A black rose.
My hand trembled as I took it, and I closed the locker door without thinking. I started walking slowly, my attention fixed on the black rose.
However, because I was slightly looking down, I didn't notice that I was about to collide with someone, causing me to accidentally drop the rose I was holding.
"Sorry!" I said, about to pick up the fallen flower when he quickly reached it before I could.
"Interesting," I heard him mutter before he handed me the black rose. "Here."
I was taken aback, almost holding my breath as I took the rose from him. But at that moment, my attention wasn't on the flower but on the man standing before me.
He's wearing a black hat, tuxedo, and shades, so I couldn't make out his entire face.
I was about to say something when he walked past me, leaving me with no choice but to follow him with my gaze.
But I gasped and almost jumped in surprise when someone suddenly tapped my shoulder from behind.
"Let's go. They're waiting for us already."
I turned around abruptly, and once again, Mads' smiling face greeted me. It seemed like there was no moment when this girl wasn't smiling.
I quickly recovered from my surprise.
"Okay."
I quickly hid the black rose inside my bag. I don't know why, but I had a feeling that something unsettling might happen in the coming days.
Adding to my thoughts was the familiarity of the man I bumped into earlier. For some reason, his presence intimidated me.
Just who the hell is he?
Tiffany Salazar has witnessed how her once-perfect family turned into a broken one. That’s why she did everything she could to make sure that her relationship with her boyfriend, Travis Jason Vernon, would not share the same fate as what happened to her parents. But as the years passed by, the realization hit her. In order to be with the man that she truly loves and maintain the stability of their relationship, she had to give up one thing that she ever wanted: Freedom. Wherein no one will have full control of her life. To the point that she doesn’t even know her true self anymore. That’s why, no matter how much she wants to protect the love that they have, in the end, she chooses to protect herself first. And it will only happen if she breaks up with Travis. So she did. As she finally goes on with her life, she notices that something is still missing. That the freedom she wants never gave her happiness and contentment. Much to her regret, it only became the reason for her to lose her first and true love. Determined to win Travis back, will she be able to correct the mistake she made and restart everything from that Christmas night? Or will she end up drowning herself in regrets and embracing her chosen freedom?
Nicole Jane Parker is an incoming grade twelve student who lives in luxury and enjoys her freedom as much as she can. But even though she had the privilege to do whatever she wants and gets anything that she will ask for in life, it's not enough to fill the emptiness in her heart. Having trust issues with other people, she grows up with no friends at all. While her parents are always away for business trips. These are the reasons that pushed her to live independently. Things will then start to change the moment she transferred and set her foot in Clarkson Academy. There she will meet Kyle Ethan Clarkson- who is treated by the students and other people in the academy as a prince. But as she started to get along with him, she will discover something about him that is beyond her imagination. Because Kyle Ethan Clarkson is the Pureblood Prince of the Vampires- the creatures whose existence is unknown to the humans, and the one destined for her to marry.
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
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.
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.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.