After a painful teenage rejection from her crush who happens to be her father's best friend, Sophia is determined to win over his heart at all costs, especially now that she is going off to college and would be living under the same roof as Henry. He is a 40-year-old breathtakingly handsome man. He doesn't even look a day over forty. Henry is a renowned businessman and also best friend and business partner with Collin's Sophia dad. When Sophia moves in to live with him, he tries to resist the urge to be with her especially knowing all the complexity it would cause, him being twice her age and knowing Collins would adamantly kick against it, But he begins to nurture strong feelings for Sophia which is at first disguised as Jealousy and later he realizes he has fallen deeply in love with her. What would they do with this growing strong affection they have towards each other and how would they deal with all the complexity that comes with being in-love?
CHAPTER 1
SOPHIA'S POV
I have waited almost four years for this day, the day I would receive an email from UCLA to know if I would be accepted into UCLA, moving to California has not always been my dream and let's not forget UCLA isn't some sort of ivy leaguer school one would be excited to go.
But I had my reasons.
"So, you won't believe it, Kylie. Four o'clock can't come soon enough," I blurted out, my excitement bubbling over as I plopped down in the library chair opposite her. I was not just excited but also anxious as I knew all that would be at stake if I didn't get accepted.
Kylie glanced up from her book, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, spill. What's got you counting the minutes?"
I leaned in, unable to contain myself. "The email, Kylie. The email from the school that would determine my future. I'm freaking out, honestly."
Kylie closed her book, a bemused smile tugging at her lips. "Wait, slow down. Email from who? And why are you freaking out? I thought you already got all the email that you were waiting for"
I clasped my hands together, my anticipation almost tangible. "From UCLA. Remember that email I sent? They are going to reply me today and this would determine my future, especially that of I and Henry."
Kylie's eyes widened. "Henry? Oh my god, the Henry? Like your dad's best friend, Henry?"
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that Henry."
She leaned back, her expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. "You're nuts, Sophia. Seriously, nuts."
"Hey, watch it!" I playfully nudged her. "It's not like you've never been a little crazy."
Kylie let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, you got me there."
"Anyway, don't tell anyone, but guess what?" I couldn't hold it in any longer. "I got into Harvard and Brown!"
Kylie's eyes widened even more, "Are you freaking kidding me, you got into two Ivy league,"
"Lower your voice! Do you want the whole library to know?"
She blinked innocently. "Oops, my bad."
"I don't want anyone to know about it,"
Kylie shook her head, exasperation and amusement warring on her face. "You're something else, Sophia. First, you're freaking out about an email that will determine your so-called future with a man twice your age, and now you casually drop that you got into Harvard and Brown like it's no big deal."
I grinned unabashedly. "It's not, really. I mean, they're just Ivy League schools."
Kylie stared at me incredulously. "Just Ivy League schools? Oh my god, you're hopeless."
I shrugged, relishing in her disbelief. "Hey, I can't help it if I'm smart and Ivy League-worthy. " I teased and she gaze at me getting humor and she had also gotten into Yale but she was more excited than I am.
Kylie sighed. "You're a piece of work. Did you at least tell your dad?"
My grin faltered, and I shook my head. "Actually, I told him I got rejected."
Kylie's eyes practically popped out of her head. "You did what?"
I winced, feeling a tad guilty. "I had my reasons."
Kylie stared at me, realization slowly dawning. "Oh, I see. You think if you tell him you're going to UCLA, you'll be closer to Henry."
I nodded, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah, it's kind of my plan." I smirked, I get it, but there is no way my dad would let me go to UCLA if he knew that I got into an Ivy League.
Kylie burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but laugh along. "Oh, Sophia, you've outdone yourself this time."
"I know, I know. It sounds crazy," I admitted, my laughter fading.
Kylie's amusement softened into something more earnest. "Look, I get it. You've had this crush for ages, and it's intensified into something more. But seriously, UCLA just for him?"
I leaned in, my tone more serious. "It's not just a crush, Kylie. I've thought about this a lot. I mean, I'm an adult now. I have the chance to finally be with him without restrictions."
Kylie raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You think it's that simple? He's twice your age, Sophia. And he's your dad's best friend!" She kept reminding me of this and for the umpteenth time I told her I didn't care about all that.
I huffed, frustration building. "I know all that, but I don't care. I've come this far, and I can't turn back now."
Kylie's gaze softened, understanding in her eyes. "Okay, fine. But just remember, there are other ways to be with someone you care about. And going to an Ivy League school is one heck of a way to set your future up."
I sighed, my heart torn between the sensible voice in my head and the passionate one in my heart. "I know, Kylie. It's just... It's complicated."
Kylie sighed too, letting out an exasperation. "Yeah, I can see that. Just promise me you won't make any hasty decisions, okay?"
I nodded, a sense of resolution settling over me. "I won't. And hey, maybe UCLA's email will shed some light on all this."
Kylie grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh, I can't wait to see how this unfolds."
It was a crazy, tangled mess of emotions and choices, but it was my mess, and I was determined to navigate it, no matter how complicated it might be.
"Have you thought about the fact that you haven't seen him for a while, what if he has someone who he is with now?"
I thought about it for a second and shrugged the thought away, "He doesn't the last time I over heard a conversation he had with my dad he stated so, so I have hope,"
I whispered to myself, I have hope.
****
I walked through the door, and there was Dad, sitting in the living room with a grin that practically stretched from ear to ear. "Hey, early bird," I greeted him.
He chuckled a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Well, I couldn't miss this moment, could I?" My dad is the sweetest most supportive soul ever.
I flopped down on the couch beside him, my heart racing. "Yeah, about that... I'm kind of nervous."
Dad patted my back reassuringly. "No matter what, Sophia, I'm incredibly proud of you. Ivy League or not, you've done amazing."
I appreciated his words, but I was still too antsy to sit still. I glanced at the clock. Four o'clock. It was time. I refreshed my email, my heart pounding as I scanned the inbox.
And there it was. An email from UCLA, what I have been waiting for, for years. I clicked it open, my heart in my throat. "Congratulations!" the subject line read.
I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. I screamed, "Dad, it's here!"
He leaned over, his eyes scanning the screen. And then he saw it too, the words that brought tears to my eyes. "Congratulations!" he echoed, pulling me into a tight hug.
I hugged him back, feeling a mix of relief, joy, and accomplishment. "Thank you, Dad."
He held me at arm's length, a proud smile on his face. "I always knew you could do it, Sophia."
As I wiped away a few happy tears, he continued, "You know, Sophia, since Henry has that mansion in California and he's family, I was thinking..."
I looked at him, curious. "Thinking what?"
He grinned mischievously. "Why don't you stay with him while you're in California? It'll be good for you, and I trust him to take care of you."
My heart raced, and I struggled to keep my composure. This was it, the chance I had been waiting for. "Stay with Henry?" I pretended to consider it. "Well, I don't know. I mean, he's a bit strict, don't you think?"
Dad chuckled. "That's exactly why I think it's a good idea. You need someone to keep you in line."
I feigned a grumble. "Fine, fine. I'll do it."
Dad grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Great. I'll go call him and let him know."
As he left the room, a triumphant smile spread across my face. I had done it. I had orchestrated the perfect plan to be close to Henry. And now, with Dad's unwitting approval, everything was falling into place.
I sat there, my heart dancing with excitement, replaying the moment in my mind. It wasn't going to be easy, living under Henry's roof. But it was a small price to pay for the chance to be near Henry. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, all my fantasies and dreams were about to become a reality.
All my life I had waited for this opportunity to be close to Henry and here it was.
After all the rejection, it was finally here.
My mind flickered back to years ago when I first confessed my feelings for him and he rejected me, breaking my heart into pieces.
Emilia's world is crumbling-her brother is in desperate need of a kidney transplant, and she's sold everything to keep him alive. She's on the verge of loosing it all when something unexpected happens at the hospital. Mistaken for the mother of a mafia lord's daughter, Emilia's life does a 180 turn.. Alaric Castillo, cold and commanding, demanded she became his daughter's nanny, and she agreed-on one condition. He'll pay for her brother's surgery. A tight bond forms between Emilia and the child. But the more time she spends with Alaric, the more she discovers a side of him that's buried beneath layers of control and power. What started as a reluctant partnership soon became something deeper, but in a world ruled by secrets and enemies, love is a dangerous game. Caught between her past, her present with Alaric, and the deadly feud that is trying to ruin them all, Emilia must decide-will she fight for her heart or walk away from the only family she's ever known?
Betrayal. Heartbreak. Murder. Isabella's world shattered when her husband's affair with her sister was revealed. Brutally assaulted in her own home, with her husband's cold gaze upon her, she witnessed the gruesome murder of her fated mate right before her eyes. Consumed by agony, Isabella begged for a second chance. And then in a whirl of time, she woke up on her wedding day. Armed with the knowledge of the past, Isabella has a fierce determination to get her revenge and choose right in the second chance she has been given. Will she be able to choose right and find redemption or will the darkness of her past consume her once again?
"We shouldn't be doing this," I said breathlessly, clutching his shirt.  "What shouldn't we be doing?" he asked, trailing wet kisses to my jugular as I bit my lips not to moan out.  "Me and you, making out," I responded, yet tilting my head to give him more access to my neck, "I'm your nephew's fiancée."  "Am or was?" He bit my neck, and my hands trembled.  "You were his fiancée," he said, his deep, husky voice sending a pleasure wave to my gaping hole, "but lost you due to his carelessness."  I moaned, feeling his hand trailing close to my anticipating cunt, "No talking of another man now," his finger brushed my clit, "You are mine now!" He growled and dove a finger in me. *** After catching her fiance in bed with another woman a few days before their wedding, Emily Waston was devastated and angry. In desperation, she walked into a bar where she had an unforgettable one night stand with a stranger. To her ultimate shock, she discovered the stranger was her fiancé's uncle. And to make the matter worse, she got herself into a tacky situation where she couldn't leave her fiancé's life completely. By working as John's live-in secretary, she began to fall in love with his uncle. And John in particular noticed the closeness between them and began to get jealous and wanted her back. How would Emily handle the desire which the two alpha relatives have for her?
"We shouldn't doing this," I mumbled, yet I bent my neck for him, giving him better access to it. "Yes we shouldn't," he answered, but his hands were sliding under my skirt and pulling my panties down. "If we get caught," I muttered, moaning as his fingers found my slick entrance and he rubbed. My knees shook but he held me against himself with his other hand. "If we get caught," he repeated. It was as if this had become some sort of game between him and I. Repeating each other's words like this. "I could be expelled and your job would be taken from you," I completed. "Yes, that could happen," he answered with a nod of his head. He moved away from me and stared into my eyes. "But it won't happen. We won't get caught. I won't tell, if won't tell." "I'd be crazy to tell someone," I answered, my eyes searching his. Vampire x Human. Professor x Student. Steamy x Forbidden love When your one night stand turns out to be your professor, there's only one thing to do- continue to sleep with him. And that was exactly what Sophia is going to do. She's faced with a forbidden attraction that's hard to resist until she finds out his dark secret; he's a vampire. Will her passion overcome the secrets he had been hiding from her or will the shadows tear them apart?
"Carry out the execution." These are the last words Annalisa hears as she's betrayed by those she once called family, falsely accused of a murder she didn't commit, and sentenced to death. At the precipice of her execution, Annalisa makes a desperate plea for justice. In that moment, something-or someone-listens. Annalisa awakens months in the past, before her life falls into ruin, with all her memories intact. Armed with knowledge of the future and a burning desire for vengeance, she vows to rewrite her destiny and make her enemies pay. Can she?
"Look at you, completely at our mercy," Kade sneered. "How does it feel knowing that someone else holds the power, witch?" Kieran added making them laugh but I kept my chin high. "You will never have power over me." Kyle smiled and leaned down so he was eye level with me. "We already do." ************ The Black Brothers are famous for their brutality and ruthlessness but more so for their hatred of witches. The goddess must have been playing a prank when she made a witch to be their mate, at least that's what Kaya thought. Thrust into a world that she wanted no part of, Kaya has to play the part of slave to the brothers but the fate is a force that cannot be fought. With betrayals at every turn and enemies they didn't even know existed, Kaya might just be exactly what they need
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
I received a pornographic video. "Do you like this?" The man speaking in the video is my husband, Mark, whom I haven't seen for several months. He is naked, his shirt and pants scattered on the ground, thrusting forcefully on a woman whose face I can't see, her plump and round breasts bouncing vigorously. I can clearly hear the slapping sounds in the video, mixed with lustful moans and grunts. "Yes, yes, fuck me hard, baby," the woman screams ecstatically in response. "You naughty girl!" Mark stands up and flips her over, slapping her buttocks as he speaks. "Stick your ass up!" The woman giggles, turns around, sways her buttocks, and kneels on the bed. I feel like someone has poured a bucket of ice water on my head. It's bad enough that my husband is having an affair, but what's worse is that the other woman is my own sister, Bella. ************************************************************************************************************************ “I want to get a divorce, Mark,” I repeated myself in case he didn't hear me the first time—even though I knew he'd heard me clearly. He stared at me with a frown before answering coldly, "It's not up to you! I'm very busy, don't waste my time with such boring topics, or try to attract my attention!" The last thing I was going to do was argue or bicker with him. "I will have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement," was all I said, as calmly as I could muster. He didn't even say another word after that and just went through the door he'd been standing in front of, slamming it harshly behind him. My eyes lingered on the knob of the door a bit absentmindedly before I pulled the wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table. I grabbed my suitcase, which I'd already had my things packed in and headed out of the house.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
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."