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?
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?
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
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
"Ms. Crawford, itâs time for you to divorce Mr. Larsen and come home. You're the only heiress the Master's waiting for.â ~âą~ For the sake of love, Amara accepted the arranged marriage with Tobias William Larsen. She did everything to gain her husbandâs heart but when his old love returned, she realized that all her effort was all for naught. Tobias demanded a divorce on the night of their wedding anniversary, even at the price of threatening her. Heartbroken, she finally dropped all her illusions about him and returned home to be the heiress. The next time she met Tobias, they were no longer couples but opponents. "Mr. Larsen, should I remind you again? We've divorced." "Amara, that's the stupidest mistake I've ever made. Please come back to me."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatâs worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnât thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnât seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heâs different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?