#Romantic Comedy! Theophilus and Adrien are caught in a contract marriage, and honestly, they just can't stand each other. But here's the twist: Cassidy is determined to show that she doesn't need this arrangement to save her family's business. So, they decide to play pretend and act like the perfect couple, even with Theo's scheming and overly enthusiastic ex-fiancée trying to disrupt their plans. As they navigate this situation, who knows what could happen? Could the lines between pretend and real start to blur, leading them to an unexpected romance? Will they stick to their original plan or give in to their growing feelings? Join this fun-filled adventure where laughter and love might just win the day!
This young lady has a lot to say to her mother. She isn't willing to join them for the introductory dinner tonight. She can't be in an arranged marriage. She just can't digest the fact that her parents are the ones instigating this whole scheme.
The door opens and Mrs Valerie Summers steps into the room with a tray. On it sits a glass water vase and a cup. Her smile fades on seeing Adrien seated at her dresser, not at all ready for dinner. Valerie is about to say something when Adrien cuts in.
"Mum! Please don't let this happen. I barely know this man. I can't believe you and Dad are making me marry for business gains. Most marriages that begin this way end up badly. I ran into his sister at the mall the other day and she wasn't nice at all. How will I keep up with a family of snobs!"
"Adrien!"
Mrs. Summers flings the glass vase onto the wall. The young girl uses her hands to cover her ears as the glass vase shatters loudly. She looks up at her mother who towers over her with a glare and accusing fingers pointing at her.
"Now, shut your mouth and listen to me, girl. Our family's business is crumbling. Your father has tried all he can but with his current state of health, he can't keep up as well as before. We're at the brink of poverty and I'm sure you wouldn't want to see what poverty is like. You won't be able to handle it. The Alphonso family is good and they have the resources to help our family business from crumbling. Their first son, Theophilus, is a nice man, marry him and all our problems are solved. Since you both are heirs to both families' businesses, we can merge them and grow together. The future of this family is in your hands. We have done enough for you for the past twenty-two years. You have lived a luxurious life. All we're asking is that you get married to Theophilus Alphonso. I'm sure we aren't demanding much, so stop being selfish!"
Valerie sucks in a beep breath to relax herself before continuing.
"I give you five minutes. Finish up and meet us outside. And make sure you wear those heels I got you the other day. They make you a bit more sexy and you want to make a good first impression on your groom."
Valerie Summers's tone held no emotion but she meant every word she said. With that, she leaves the room and slams the door loudly behind her. A teardrop rolls down Adrien's face and she breaks down in sobs. How did they get to this level? Her family has never been so low. They have been rich right from time and now they want to sell her off to a family that just came into the limelight only ten years ago. No one cared about the Alphonsos before now. They might have just been another impoverished family before garnering wealth and societal appraisal. She cleans the tears off her face and stares into the mirror. Her make-up is a bit ruined, but who cares?
She gets dressed and is about to leave the room when she remembers the broken pieces of glass on the floor. She wants to pick them up but she rushes out of the room instead, not wanting to waste any more of her mother's time.
She meets her father downstairs and her mother is in the living room. They both smile at her as she walks down the stairs.
"My beautiful baby girl. I can see you're really happy to meet your to-be husband," says Mr Summers.
Adrien smiles and walks into his embrace. He doesn't know about the pain she's hiding deep down in her heart. Her mother wants it that way. Besides, marrying Theophilus Alphonso is the only way she can help the family. If her father knows about her disapproval it would only cause him more pain. He isn't fit for such problems and that's why Adrien has decided to keep shut and go along with the plan.
"We should start going so we won't be late. You know we want to make a good first impression," Valerie says from the living room.
Adrien moves away from her father. He still has a smile on as he takes her hand in his and leads her out of the house into the car.
Adrien tightens her grip on her purse as they drive through the gates of the highly luxurious and fancy house the Alphonsos live in. Her father places his hand on hers reassuringly.
"It's going to be fine," he says.
Adrien nods and glances at her mother who only glares at her.
They drive into the car park and come out of the car. No one is in the compound except the security man who directs them to the car park.
"They won't even come out to welcome us," Adrian says to his wife and daughter.
The security man leads them into the house. He hands them over to the housemaid and leaves immediately.
"Good evening sir, good evening ma'am, and a good evening to you, miss. The Alphonsos are aware of your arrival and will be with you shortly. In the meantime, you can entertain yourself with the beautiful artwork in the guest lounge. Please come with me, it's this way."
They quietly follow the middle-aged woman to the guest lounge and she leaves them.
After staying for more than five minutes without anyone attending to them, Adrian starts to complain.
"How long do they expect us to wait? I can't be treated like this just because I want my daughter to marry into their family."
"Darling, be patient, they will soon be here," Valerie tries to calm her already annoyed husband.
"Keeping us like this shows they have no regard for us. That's unacceptable."
Adrien gives her mother an 'I told you so', look.
"If they don't change this attitude we might just call off this wedding."
Valerie sits up in her chair immediately. "No, no, don't be too quick to judge. Maybe they have something really important to do."
"And we don't?" Adrian snaps at his wife."This isn't the first time they're doing this."
Valerie sighs and relaxes back in her chair.
Adrien continues to walk from one painting on the wall to the other, trying desperately to distract herself from her worries. It is her first time visiting the Alphonsos and if what her father says about them is true, she has a lot on her plate. She can deal with a snobbish sister-in-law, but if the parents are truly snobbish, then she's in for a lot.
"Do you care for some biscuits?"
Adrien turns around sharply and moves towards the maid who has a huge smile on her face. She takes the plate of biscuits and cookies from the maid and thanks her politely. Finally! She has something more distracting than the paintings on the wall.
She tries not to eat in a hurry so her father won't sense her uneasiness. He always detects when she binge eats out of worry.
Everything is going fine until she spots the Alphonsos coming in their direction and she begins to stuff her face with the cookies. Her mother scolds her for her gluttony and she accidentally drops the plate on the floor in fright. Her act earns her a glare from her parents. She bends down to pick up the broken pieces of the plate. Her heels make her unstable and she falls, bumping her head on the table.
"Argh!" She groans and places a hand on her forehead. She stands up to meet five pairs of eyes on her.
Her father has a look of concern while her mother has a look of disappointment as expected. Mr. and Mrs. Alphonso have a look of disapproval but their expressions aren't the ones which bother Adrien.
She looks up at Theophilus Alphonso, her future husband and he looks back at her in amusement. His look has the most effect on her and at that moment, she confirms her hatred for him. How rude of him to find her pain and embarrassment amusing. She has always wondered how she would feel about meeting with the man her parents believe is a good match for her. Now she knows, it's hatred at first sight.
Miguel has only one mission: Win back the heart of Anastasia Ani. After their cold divorce, Miguel's life is cast into ruins. He enters into a fight to win back the trust of his wife and that of his children he never knew existed. His plan was to lay low, build his life back, and try to win Anastasia's heart again. But when he discovers Anastasia is getting married to billionaire tycoon Alejandro Luis, Miguel must try everything possible to destroy their marriage.
Denyefa's life takes a devastating turn when she is forced to marry the ruthless mafia king who murdered her parents and exploited her as a mercenary. She holds no affection for the king as her heart belongs to Dante, the King's chief security officer. Throughout the years of living at the mercy of the mafia king, she had lost the desire to get revenge for her parents. But when the mafia king asks her to abort her baby, it rekindles her burning hatred for him. All those years she had lived in cowardice, now it's time to strike back!
Geronimo Alba's single act of mysteriously skipping town has indeed caused a butterfly effect here, leaving his daughter in the heat of it all. In the search for her father, Rufina meets with Oliverio and his cousin, Rodas. Oliverio Quin out of sheer benevolence and due to his ugly past, takes Rufinas mission as his. Along the line they both fall in love with each other, but there's a hitch. A dear member of Rufinas' family dies, and a greatly despised one returns after a long time of separation from the family. Rufina is sceptical about these new developments, but she remains determined. Will her determination be enough to maintain her love for Oliverio, and help her survive the storms this journey has caused in her family?
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
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.