I'm always determined to follow my dreams. My life is going better than expected, and I'm on the verge of success. Until I'm not. Professor Sebastian radiates an irresistible heat of refined sophistication. With just one look into his ocean-blue eyes, everything I believe in comes crashing down. I try to keep my distance because we can't be more, but whenever I'm with him, gravity pulls me in deeper. Only one kiss. Just one touch. They are all it will take to cross the line.
"This is nonsense, and nonsense doesn't belong on my desk, Ms. Scott." Professor Jennifer Clarke almost spat her coffee on my lyric sheet before shoving it off her table. My songwriting professor has rejected my song for the third time.
I need her to accept my lyrics and give me a passing grade before the holidays because my benefactor, Mr. John Pitch, wants an email report.
"Did you think you were Taylor Swift, little girl? Did you think writing too much like her would make me happy? She is already in the business. We don't need another one."
I lower my head, clenching my fist because I want to shout back so badly. Professor Clarke is a sophisticated woman in her mid-thirties, but she has mood swings like a woman going through menopause. I don't argue with my professors, but she's the only one who upsets me to the core.
"I understand, professor."
I'm also not the only student going back and forth at her office in the past few weeks, but I'm the last one she hasn't passed.
"You've been in this program for over two years! What in the hell is going on with you? But I get it. I get it, okay?" She waves with her manicured fingers. "You can compose. It's one of the program's most important majors, but you have two. You signed up for this, so you won't be able to make it here just by being good enough."
"I understand, professor," I say again.
"I don't know how or why they would think your composition is music when your songwriting skills deserve an F. It doesn't have a story or shape. I don't know where you're getting at. It sounds like you copied songs from the internet and put them together. But with Maria..."
I sigh. I stop listening when she talks about Maria Callahan. I know what's going on now. Last month, I beat her favorite pet in the composition contest. It's not like I begged the judges to pick me.
"Anya Scott! Are you even paying attention?" she demands.
I shake in panic. "Yes, ma'am."
"Then why aren't you picking up your trash?"
My heart sinks. This is when she's going to tell me to rewrite my song. "I'll go over everything again and-"
"There's no need. We don't have time for that, so let's get this over with. Put that back on my desk."
"What?"
"Oh, do you want me to get it for you?"
"I'm sorry." I prevent myself from showing emotions. I bend down and pick up my lyrics sheets. I take it to her desk carefully.
She makes a face. "This paper should get an F. But I'm considerate, so I'm giving you a C, but don't disappoint me again." She scribbles my grade on the top of the paper and hands it to me. "I mean, I hope you won't disappoint your new professor. I'm sure you heard the news."
"Yes, professor."
Professor Clarke is moving to the contemporary performance department, and next semester, a new professor will take over the composition and songwriting courses.
Professor Julian Sebastian.
He was a well-known composer and record producer in Hollywood before he became a professor. His family owned the Sebastian Entertainment Group, a multi-billion-dollar American film studio, and a music publisher. His personal life: he proposed to Stella Pierce, an award-winning singer-songwriter, but they split two years ago. And after that news about him and Stella came out, he left the mainstream and finished his Ph.D. at Yale.
I met him once in senior high school. The principal invited him to evaluate those who applied for the John Pitch Scholarship to study music in college. I played Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu as my final piece in the competition, and I was one of his chosen five out of the seventy students who participated.
The man is sexy as hell. He is the kind of guy who'll invade your dreams for a week. I even used his face as an inspiration when I touched myself.
"I'll do my best, professor."
"Don't try. Just do it." She rolls her eyes. "Now leave."
I slide my lyric sheet inside my portfolio and hurry out of her office before hearing more insults.
I lost my parents in a car accident when I was sixteen, and no one would help me except me. I lied about my age to work part-time jobs to support myself because I was enrolled in a music-focused private high school. I aspired to be a top composer. It was my and my parents' dream for me. So when I got into college, I worked hard to maintain my scholarship by getting outstanding grades in everything, but this subject gave me a hard time.
Why can't I do it right?
A whistle suddenly blows in my face.
"Hey!" I step away, but relief floods over me when I see my boyfriend's handsome face. "Kristoff. You scared me!"
He smiles as he runs his fingers through his quiff hair, revealing his deep dimples. My frustration instantly fades with just one look at his face and sterling gray eyes.
He looks stunning in his black cashmere sweater and tattered gray jeans today. We've been dating for a year, yet seeing his face each day feels like I'm meeting him for the first time.
"I'm sorry." He kisses my forehead and tucks a lock of my brown shoulder-length hair behind my ear. "But what's the matter, mm?"
My shoulders droop. "Professor Clarke."
His brow furrows as he looks up at our professor's office door. "I can see that. What happened?"
I sighed. "She graded me a C."
"Well, welcome to one of the finest music schools in the United States..." says a high-pitched voice from behind us. Looking over my shoulder, I see Maria Callahan's fake smile and red hair. Her arms are folded across her big boobs.
I grumble. "Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously. That happens if you are overconfident. My sister suspected you of cheating in the competition." She refers to Miranda Callahan, a composer, and WSM alumna. She wrote a song for a famous British band as her debut.
"Maria. Don't," Kristoff growls.
"I'm sorry, Kristoff, but you don't know your girlfriend too well. We don't even know where she came from or how she ended up in Whitlock."
"What are you trying to suggest that I cheated the admissions, too?" I respond with a sneer. I absolutely can't believe her.
Her tongue clicks. "We know nothing about your family and have no musical experience. That is unusual in Whitlock. We spent tons of hours in exhausting workshops and training just to get in. What about you? What exactly did you do? Tell us because I'm interested."
I give her a smirk. "Maybe it's because I'm smarter than you?"
"Bullshit. Even Kristoff and your friend Lora have notable achievements. You? Nothing."
God. She's too immature. Maybe that's why she lost to me.
But, damn. From age fifteen, Maria's known achievements were her music soundtracks for fantasy films. Everyone at WSM acknowledged her, including most professors. How can I compete with that?
Kristoff is about to say something, but I move at Maria's eye level. "Look. If you have any complaints about me, just ask the admissions." I dare her, but I don't want her to go there.
If she does, she'll discover that I was accepted because of a scholarship, not because of any noteworthy achievements or special training. It will not be good for me. They tormented Prisha Khan because she was like me. Last year, she dropped out and returned to India.
Maria laughs. "Okay. Maybe I asked the wrong question. What did you offer them? After all, most of the school's directors are... men. See you around, loser." She stares at me from head to toe with disgust before walking away.
"I'd smack that proud face if she were a man," Kristoff says.
"It's not worth it. Come on." I grab Kristoff's hand. My best friend, Lora, is waiting for us at the coffee shop.
As the CEO of Sebastian Pictures, I have power and authority. I was the one who called the shots, constantly in the spotlight. I was meant to be the man in charge. Until I met Eloise, she was a junior art director at my subsidiary company. She also happened to be my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. To her, I was Mr. Dangerous in a suit—her new boss. For me, she was a challenge I couldn’t resist. I was used to getting what I wanted. I craved to own her, possess her. Now, we’d gotten ourselves tangled in a game where neither of us could win. But here’s the thing: the more we played, the more she turned the tables. She had me breaking my own rules.
Powerful. Steadfast. New York’s most eligible bachelor. Rafael Sebastian had been labeled every good and wicked thing in the corporate world. At the stage of my heartbreak from my failed marriage, I literally ran into him as a stranger that hit my hot buttons at first sight, a man who left me breathless with a single word and an irresistible smile. He made me feel better, and I confided in him more than I should. Our chemical connection was almost overwhelming, and the desires were unstoppable. To relieve ourselves from the intense tension igniting us—he had a proposition. A tempting but dangerous answer to our perplexing situation. But could I really live a life painted with lies? I know this was a bad idea, but that was something I’d think about later…
​"I am a monster, Miss Hart. You wouldn't want nor wish to see me..." He is mysterious and brilliant, wealthy and prominent, but no single soul has seen him in person. Well, no one should see him—that's one of his many rules. No one can touch him either; that's another rule. Except for me because I have broken every rule. Now I'm extremely drawn to him. His peculiarity is out of this world, and his beauty is beyond physical. But the Master has demons of his own and is being chased by his brutal past. Suddenly, we've become the reflection of each other's nightmares. I realize that the Master and I are not so different. Is this newly found bond just another uncertain fate that could deepen our wounds, or is it finally going to be our redemption?
Steamy Billionaire Stories Collection Mr. Untouchable Mr. Beautiful How to Seduce a Billionaire
Audrey was sixteen when we were supposed to run away and leave everything behind—her family who resented and the extravagant lifestyle she had always known since she was born. But before I could claim her body, I decided to bring her back, and that was when death came after me. Nonetheless, I survived and reclaimed myself. I become a man above anyone else. I became a billionaire. After eight years, I saw Audrey again. She came into my company for an interview—an executive assistant interview. But no matter how I tell myself that I should move on from the agony she caused me, and make her pay and suffer for what she did, I still fucking want her, own her, and claim her.
Working for the CEO of Cavendish Enterprises requires tremendous patience and time. Damon Cavendish was a demanding boss who expects Nikki at his beck and call, twenty-four-seven. For him, she was just an emotional human being. But while her boss was the kind of man who would exasperate her, his brother Louis was his exact opposite. Although both brothers displayed exquisite masculinity and intense sensual magnetism, Louis was more charming and compassionate than his older brother who frequently roared at simple things. And so she found herself head over heels. Determined to woo her boss’ brother, Nikki came back from a two-week vacation with a surprising new look. She got herself a makeover! At first, she only wanted Louis to notice her, but why did the Cavendish brothers suddenly become rivals?
"The bloodline is confirmed. The Universal God Token is activated. All the gods will obey..." ........................................... Everyone believed Ye Liuyun was trash, even himself. No money, no talent, and no one he could rely on. Bully, scorn and laughter, that's what he deserved. But Ye Liuyun never gave up working hard. One day things had changed. Ye Liuyun's inner power was suddenly awakened. He could cultivate a divine level spirit and became a supreme hero. Slaying demons and exterminating devils, his adventures just started... Money, beauty and power, he would grasp everything in his hands...
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...
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."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."