After a life-changing event, Grace found herself at the most luxurious hotel in Manhattan with the hope of getting a babysitting job. But the moment she stepped out of the elevator, her entire life changed track. And that was because of Dominic Powers, her employer, the father of a five-year-old. The man who possessed an air of prideful gloom, and appeared hard to approach, the man whose piercing ocean-blue eyes haunted her ever since their first, brief encounter. Will Grace be able to focus on babysitting his daughter? Or will she get distracted and intensely tangled with the irresistible Dominic Powers?
GRACE
"Good morning, baby."
That strange yet soothing voice caused my eyes to snap open faster than Thanos's fingers. For a second, I trained my sight on the familiar ceiling above me because I could already tell that I had once again brought home another stranger after a long night of drinking.
My head started to race, trying to figure out what and what happened the previous night.
Even though one thing was sure- I entered the clubhouse drunk and then got extra drunk- it was necessary I remember who I hooked up with.
Ugh...who am I kidding? I won't remember shit. My nightlife is a shitty cycle.
A shitty, shitty cycle.
Once it was established that I am indeed stupid, I braced myself to face the man I had foolishly brought into my house with the intention of having crazy and drunk sex with. It is the type of sex I would never remember and that is the most perfect because I don't exactly work well with feeling ashamed.
Gently, I sat up.
But my head hurt madly, I had to groan and grab both sides of my head. I tell you, the after-effect of intense drinking feels new every other day, it is almost as though I am yet to get used to the aftermath of my insane nightlife.
After sweeping my long black hair out of my face with a small shake of my head, my hands still grabbing my head, I finally noticed the stranger I brought home.
Sitting in front of me was an all-smiling, cute Asian dude, probably Indonesian. I would have returned his smile because it was that contagious, but a battle was still going on in my head.
"Good morning, Rose," he greeted.
Shit. I must have taken up another identity again.
"Hiii..." I wished to pretend that I was happy to see him, but my mouth failed to cooperate. My mouth was too lazy.
"I made you a hangover relief juice. It is my Grandma's special."
I narrowed my eyes at the green juice pushed to my face.
"Your Grandma has hangovers too?"
He chuckled, his motion vibrating the weak bed in a way that caused me to feel a sharp tug in my head. "Ouch. Ouch." My face squeezed to relay the pain I was feeling.
"Oh my, are you fine?" Continuously hearing the tenderness in his voice would have been enough to cure my pain, but it sadly wasn't enough.
Neither was his cute face.
"Could you maybe not laugh? My head is..." He lifted one of his thick brows and I instantly began to eye the greenish liquid in his cup.
Then, seconds later, without bothering to ask what the exact content of the cup was, I snatched the object from his hand and downed half of the juice without pausing.
When I finally took a break from drinking, I sensed the bitter aftertaste. I masked the way I felt with a short smile and the man gave me a grand smile in return.
His attentiveness yet to disappear, he said, "You will feel better very soon."
After a quick nod, I began to scan my room. It was necessary to know what damage we might have caused the room during our possibly heated romp.
But everything was looking neat. Even my drawer was well arranged. On a normal day, it never is. My eyes went to the floor again, and I noted that there was no sign of discarded clothing.
With a confused look, I faced Mr. Cute who was still smiling at me like I was his favourite video game.
"Uh..." I paused because I quickly realised that I still didn't know his name. Honestly, I am not used to knowing the names of men I wake up to find on my bed the next day.
A simple thank you and goodbye always did the work.
As if he knew what was on my mind, the man answered, "David. My name is David."
I dropped the half-filled cup onto the little stool beside my bed and dashed him a quick smile before asking, "David... Why is my room looking like an unused hotel room?"
"Oh, last night when we got back from the club, you kept wondering what it would be like if you had a genie who would wish your room tidy. It was fun to watch you pretend to be Aladdin."
My eyes widened a bit as I processed what he had just said. "So, we didn't...have sex?"
He got up and said, "Nope."
"Huh?" My shock failed to hide itself. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. You did say you wanted to have sex but you thought I was gay because I was talking to the bartender in a way you found suspicious. So, you told me to take you home and here we are." He put his hands on his waist and gave another grand smile.
"Wow." I was still shocked. My vicious nightly pattern has been broken thanks to David and I am really shocked about that. Because David doesn't seem gay in any way.
Or...
My eyes slightly narrowed, and I asked, "Are you gay?"
"Nope. Honestly, I wanted to sleep with you badly, but I just couldn't do it for some reason." He shrugged, a pretend nonchalant look on his face.
"Wow." I think it's a good thing that nothing happened. It is nice to know that I am making progress with the way I live my life.
True to David's words, my headache had reduced and that meant it was time to go to work. I tried to rack my brain to remember which day it was; Monday? Tuesday?
Whichever it is, I need to prepare for work. Hopefully, I don't see a zombie when I look in the mirror.
"I need to check what I am cooking," David announced as he adjusted his t-shirt and made our eyes meet. "You would love to have breakfast, yeah?"
I nodded in affirmation and got off the bed.
Isn't he so extra cute? He is making breakfast for me even though we didn't get any action.
"Wait...." I stopped David whose averagely-built figure was already at the door. He turned, raised a brow, and I asked, "What time is it?"
"Uh... last time I checked it was ten-thirty or so."
"Oh, okay... What?!" I screamed. "Are you sure your time is correct?"
"Yes. It should be eleven o'clock by now."
My eyes widened more and I could feel my head dance in an unpleasant way.
"David... I am freaking late for work!"
Why am I fucking screaming at him as if he is the reason I got stupidly drunk?
Argh!
Hurriedly, I got rid of the gown I had on to expose my bra-covered boobs, and naked pubic area to David who I could have sworn let out a groan at some point.
But before he quickly excused himself, he urged me to try to hurry.
"Please, pack my breakfast! Thank you!"
I grabbed my folded towel from the end of the bed and rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower.
I could have opted to excessively spray my body with perfumes of different brands, but the smell I was getting from my body was discomforting, so sacrificing five minutes to bathe didn't seem like a task.
In no time, I was putting on a pair of blue and silver check trousers and a blue T-shirt supported by my very comfortable black slip-on shoe. I grabbed my phone and office bag and rushed out of the room.
"David, is my breakfast ready?" I took a quick look around my little living room while I fiddled with the earring I was putting on.
David walked out of the kitchen on cue and stretched a brown bag in his hand toward me.
After a quick appreciation was thrown in his direction, I grabbed my car keys from my bag and rushed out of the apartment. It was when I got into the car that I remembered that I forgot to tell David to make sure he leaves before I get back.
It was already strange enough that a man I didn't know just made me breakfast.
But, right now, David, is the least of my issues.
Grateful that my apartment was on the ground floor, I roughly backed my car out of the underground garage and soon, I joined the busy roads of Manhattan.
He scoffed. “I, Alpha Ximun…” Aysu’s eyes bulged. “What are you doing?” “... of the Night Crimson Pack…” Aysu shivered. That was a rival pack. “A- Alpha Ximun. Wait-” “... reject you, Aysu of the Tarmish Pack.” ~~ He was her salvation and death intertwined. He was the hell that consumed her every emotion. But, despite everything, he was the only one she could love and protect with all she was.
"I am married!" I spat into his face. "You can't just walk in here and spew nonsense just because I am carrying your baby." His smirk returned and I realised that I made a mistake that day. That day, I thought I was getting into bed with a gentle soul. But this man in front of me has the darkest of auras. It is the kind that makes it hard to look away or slam the door in his face. So, when he took two more steps closer, I could barely move. Then, he said, "I don't care if you are married because now that I have seen you, it is a must you come with me." ~~~~~ Carrie, on the run from her impending wedding, found herself entangled in a reckless one-night stand with a mysterious and affluent stranger. Little did she know that this fleeting moment of passion would weave a fate she could never escape.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
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.
"It was just one night stand, and now I'm pregnant with triplets? Gosh!" Josephine Jade never thought that she would have to run away from her own family while pregnant. She was alone, without money, without connections, with three fetuses in her stomach. How can she survive? However, Josephine couldn't give up now, until she managed to reclaim her arbitrarily seized property and get back at everyone who tried to get rid of her. A sick child, a past crush that comes back, a mysterious eccentric man, and a family that hates her, will weave together the journey of Josephine Jade's new life. "You have no right to separate me from my children, you bastard! I will survive and you will submit to me. Just watch!"
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.