Will I Ever be Happy?
Every move we make to get to our seats is followed through by an elbow jab, a stray arm flung at our faces or a string of angry grunts and shoves.
The cherry on top of the rather aggressive cake is the sounds of disapproval coming from my best friend, Eleane, as she struggles to sit down in her plastic seat.
After a few more seconds of shuffling, groaning and muffled curses, she finally exhales in defeat and stops squirming like a fish out of water.
I look from the annoyed ginger to my other best friend, the contrast of Eleane's total discomfort and Ella's serene familiarity almost making me burst out laughing.
Eleane truly is our adorable little hockey virgin.
Ella, however, has spent an insane amount of time squished into our university's ice rink- watching and cheering as her boyfriend gets checked into the boards time and time again.
I guess I could say the same for me, but instead of boyfriend, I watch as my twin brother gets wrecked.
That's definitely more entertaining.
The next few minutes are filled with Ella and I just staring at our grumpy friend- waiting patiently for her to start the whines. That is until she finally does the predictable and opens her mouth to start complaining.
"Can someone please tell me why the hell we're here?" Eleane starts off, rubbing at her nose and pulling down her beanie in frustration.
Ella and I look from each other, to the ice, and then back to our child-like friend.
Ella releases a breathy chuckle, an indication that she'll take this one. "Well, personally, I'm here because my boyfriend is about to skate out of that tunnel right over there." She points over to the tunnel where players from the opposing side are making their way onto the ice.
Eleane pouts in defeat as Ella continues, "Charlotte is here because her brother just so happens to wear a Bisons' jersey that reads 'Ken'."
Ah yes, my moral obligation to cheer on, support and laugh at my idiot brother- on behalf of our Dad- is why one of these seats is always accompanied by my ass.
The sour look on the ginger's face makes me chip in, "And you, our dear friend, are here because you're incapable of being left alone in the apartment for more than twenty minutes..."
Ella laughs at my comment, mostly because it's one hundred percent true.
Eleane, bless her heart, cannot be left alone for any long period of time.
This is for two main reasons: 1) she's like a naughty child, she will find anything and everything to mess with and possibly break, 2) the last time both Ella and I were out for the day, she managed to nearly burn down our entire building, severely piss off our next door neighbor Mrs Anna and somehow get chocolate syrup all over the ceiling in both the bathroom and kitchen.
Don't ask me how- it's still a mystery.
"I hope you choke." Our toddler huffs out, flipping us both off and turning her attention to the screen displaying each players stats.
I hadn't actually looked at the big screen yet, which is out of character for my desperate-to-checkout-hot-hockey-players self.
As I sweep my eyes across the rink, lingering on the opposing sides section, I finally get my chance to ogle at the screen.
I had just missed the other teams' stats- not too disappointing considering it doesn't make much of a difference to me- so I get comfortable, all snuggled up in between Eleane and Ella, and wait for our beloved team to appear.
Up first is Leo Giveson, our infamous goalie and typical party boy. The crowd erupts in cheers as he skates onto the ice all padded and kitted up.
To an outsider, you'd probably assume Leo is some brain-dead asshole who thinks they're God's gift to earth (and women). Thankfully, I know Leo on a somewhat real level and he's a sweetheart. A real weirdo, but he's a goalie- they're always a little... off?
Up next are the defence players. A few sophomores and one freshman skate on and head to the bench before our starters make an appearance.
Really, if we're being completely honest with ourselves, these two starting defencemen are the only reason Ella and I spend so much time in this freezing as fuck arena.
Jack is up first, his stats getting displayed as he glides onto the ice.
Ella screams widely for her boyfriend, jumping up and down- clapping and whooping as he takes his place on the blue line.
Ah, young love.
Ella's final cheer goes a tad overboard, however, as she flings her arms out and knocks me roughly into Eleane's side. We both chorus an 'Owww' as she calms herself down and shoots us an apologetic smile.
"Jesus, remind me to never get on Ella's bad side. That woman packs a mean punch." Eleane whispers jokingly to me, rubbing at her side where I had been launched.
Next up on the screen is Henry, number 86- the exact same number etched on the back of the jersey I'm sporting.
I clap a little louder than usual for my twin, a proud smile taking over my features as he manages to make his way to the blue line without eating shit.
Is it bad I kinda wish that he had slipped up?
Only a little slip! Just a big enough mess for me to take a picture, send it to our family group chat and to make a meme out of...
That's just what sisters do!
As if he sensed my slightly evil thoughts, Henry looks towards the stands, his eyes sweeping over the mass of people until he finds us- then, as our eyes lock, he pokes his tongue out at me and flashes me his non-gloved middle finger.
Before I have chance to retaliate, the crowd goes wild again and he diverts his attention to the tunnel, where more of his teammates are spilling out.
It's offence now- the first player to skate out being Holden Yen, left winger. For a junior, Yen's already managed to collect quite a fan base- maybe it's his rugged good looks or it could be purely skill, i'm not too sure but- it's very clear to me that he's going to make an incredible senior starter. In my opinion, Yen's holds definite captain potential.
I wouldn't be be shocked if he got passed the torch after the current captain makes it to the majors.
"Awe, he's a cutie." Eleane comments, her hand over her heart as Yen skates to the blue line.
Ella giggles at her, clearly knowing something that our hockey virgin of a friend doesn't.
"Yen? He may look adorable, but that kid is a fighter. He's constantly getting put in the penalty box for causing trouble on the ice. Plus- he'll charm the panties right off ya."
Both of those things were true. Yen Chan likes to get himself in trouble. I'm not too sure why, maybe that's just his role, or maybe he enjoys shoving massive hockey players into the boards.
I know I like watching two grown men fight over a puck- it's half the fun of the game!
And as far as the 'charming your panties off' thing goes...I mean, I've never gone there but, friends of mine have been romanced by the flirty junior on a few occasions. I hear he lives up to his reputation...
Next up on the big screen is our celebrated captain.
William Malvin- number 27. Center forward, and 6 foot 4 inches of pure muscle. A known heart-throb and rumored NHL first pick draft. I say rumored loosely, every man and their dog knows that William is heading to the big leagues after this year. The only question is: which team?
The crowd gets even louder for our captain; and he, of course, soaks up all the attention with a bright smile as he glides skillfully to the starting line.
I had met most of the guys on the team, and considering Henry lived with them, I knew some of the seniors pretty damn well.
All except William.
I think we've spoken all but two sentences to each other in the past three years of Henry living in the same house as him.
Sophia vowed never to fall in love again after ending a toxic six-year relationship. Her focus was on healing and finding herself-until she met Louis. Louis, the cold and arrogant CEO of Seattle's most powerful investment firm, never cared about anyone but himself. But Sophia's kindness and fiery spirit shake his world in ways he never expected. Just as their unlikely connection begins to grow, danger strikes. With Louis's enemies targeting Sophia, their lives spiral into chaos. In a world where power comes with a price, can Louis protect her, or will his dark past destroy them both?
ChatGPT You said: I need you to help me write a narrative outline from this blurb. The blurb hasn't given a full narration of how the story is going to look like, so I want you to do that for me. The narrative outline should have a story beginning, story development, conflict(plot twist), climax and ending. Fabricate a story line that will suit the blurb and give it more spice and make it very interesting. Make use of very simple grammar for easy comprehension for the readers. ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Here's a structured narrative outline based on your blurb: Beginning: The story begins with Alessia Marchesi, a bold and independent young woman who defies traditional societal expectations. Alessia, who is fiercely loyal to her family, is shocked when her father announces she is to marry Luca DeLuca, the cold, ruthless heir to a rival mafia family. The marriage is part of a truce to end a decades-long feud between their families. Alessia refuses to marry someone she doesn't love, but her family pressures her, explaining that it's for their survival. The two families arrange a formal meeting to discuss the engagement. Alessia reluctantly agrees to attend but vows to make Luca hate her. Luca, on the other hand, is equally uninterested in the union. He views Alessia as a spoiled, stubborn girl and is determined to prove he has the upper hand. However, when the two meet at the family gathering, sparks fly-not of love, but of intense rivalry and mutual disdain. Alessia's sharp tongue and Luca's arrogance clash, setting the stage for an unconventional relationship. Development: Despite their differences, Alessia and Luca are forced into a fake engagement to maintain appearances. To everyone's surprise, Alessia's fiery personality and refusal to bow to Luca's dominance intrigue him. He begins to see her as more than a pawn in the family's plan. Alessia, while still resentful of the situation, starts noticing a more human side to Luca during their private moments. He protects her during a public confrontation with a rival gang and shares glimpses of vulnerability. They develop an unlikely camaraderie, though neither will admit their feelings. Meanwhile, tensions between the families rise as Alessia uncovers secrets about her father's involvement in shady dealings. She begins to suspect that the marriage arrangement might have ulterior motives beyond a truce. Conflict (Plot Twist): Alessia discovers that her father betrayed Luca's family years ago, which led to the feud. The truth shatters her trust in her father and makes her question whether Luca knows this secret. At the same time, Luca learns that Alessia's father has been secretly working with a rival mafia to sabotage the truce. He begins to doubt Alessia's loyalty, thinking she might be complicit. When a deal goes wrong, Alessia is kidnapped by the rival mafia as leverage to destroy both families. Luca, driven by a mix of guilt and newfound affection for Alessia, goes on a dangerous mission to rescue her. Climax: During the rescue mission, Alessia and Luca must rely on each other to survive. They fight side by side, revealing their inner strengths and solidifying their bond. In a tense confrontation with the rival mafia leader, Alessia bravely negotiates a deal to save both families, proving her worth as more than just a pawn. Luca realizes that he genuinely loves Alessia, not because of the truce but because of her courage, intelligence, and resilience. Alessia, too, admits that she has fallen for Luca, despite their rocky start. Ending: The story ends with the families united not just by the truce but by Alessia and Luca's genuine love for each other. Alessia's father confesses his mistakes and steps down as the head of the family, allowing Alessia to take on a leadership role alongside Luca. The couple's relationship grows stronger as they navigate the challenges of being partners in both love and business. Alessia and Luca prove that their union, which began as a forced betrothal, has become a powerful alliance born of respect and love. Let me know if you'd like to tweak anything further! You said: Hold on for the blurb ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Sure! Please share the blurb whenever you're ready. You said: San Francisco royalty, Stephen Antonio is an egotistical, manipulative asshole who will rather fuck an octopus on live television than get tied down to a woman. But when his one-night-stand from two months ago shows up in his office with not-so-pleasant news, he has to make certain decisions that may involve going against everything he stands for. With his vicious good looks, skirt-chasing habits, and cold demeanor, he is the last person a sweet girl like Olivia Philip should be involved with, but desperate times call for rather creative measures, and soon after she finds herself trapped in the sham of a fake union that threatens to blossom into something that may change her life forever
Wendy Rhoades never imagined her fight against the criminal underworld would lead her straight into its heart. Forced into a marriage with Damian Aurelius-the dangerous and arrogant heir to a mafia empire-Wendy must navigate a world of power, deceit, and temptation. Will she end up falling in love with the exact same thing she is fighting against?
(18+ rated. Contains sex scenes) Alicia Anderson, a regular waitress at Douglas Diner, leads a pretty normal life where romance isn't exactly knocking on her door. Troy Nulec, the hotshot billionaire who's a hit with everyone, especially the ladies, happens to be a frequent customer at the diner. Things get interesting when Troy springs a marriage proposal on Alicia that she never saw coming. As the everyday and the extraordinary collide, Alicia finds herself grappling with a proposal that shakes up her ideas about love, life, and the unexpected surprises waiting for her at the diner.
(This book has sex scenes, 18+ only)Nobody wants to jump into a relationship right after a breakup, do they? Lauren Jones, a self-proclaimed love enthusiast, parts ways with her boyfriend because of SEX. Less than a week later, she crosses paths with Brian Trevor, a charismatic retired Marine. Lauren is cautious about rushing into a new romance, but when she meets Brian, a rugged ex-Marine with a body like a demigod and a canvas of tattoos, her defences crumble. Brian, bearing the scars of his ugly past, is focused on launching his new venture. Love wasn't on his agenda until Lauren enters the picture. She's everything he ever wanted, but all she was willing to give was just her body not her HEART, not knowing that's all he needs to get to heart.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
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.
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.