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.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
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."
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."