/0/50623/coverbig.jpg?v=d98b245546fdc70523b731d5a716923f)
"I limit our relationship to one-night passion. I have no need to bring you into my life." --- In an attempt to forget her lost love, Serena makes a passionate one-night stand with a stranger in Monaco. One night, one decision, one agreement, and one haunting memory. But as fate would have it, destiny has its own plans. The man who shared that passionate night turns out to be the CEO of her new workplace. Can Serena resist when passion and love conspire? Wait until she gets caught up in this unexpected tale of passion and intrigue. Serena and the CEO's lives will never be the same.
Serena P. O. V
Fuck you, Jason.
I raised my hands high to the beat of the EDM music that filled my ears. The influence of alcohol is enough to make me forget about the problems that led me to run away to Monaco.
Today, it's exactly two hundred days since my relationship with Jason ended. My friends took me to Monaco to celebrate 'Two Hundred Days Without That Jerk Jason'.
I can live without Jason. On second thought, he wasn't worth crying over. Even though I spent sixty days crying and shutting myself in my room. Jason not only broke my heart, but also made me doubt that there are good men in this world.
On paper, Jason met all the criteria my parents wanted in a son-in-law. Jason strengthened my strained relationship with my parents and made it more amicable. He may not be the most handsome man I've ever known. Jason compensated for his physical shortcomings by excelling in other areas.
Jason was very polite. He could melt the heart of Mr. General of the Air Force, aka my father, with his manners. Papa stated that there are a few young people today who have good manners. Jason is the exception to the rule.
During the two years we dated, Jason truly treated me like a queen.
Until finally, Jason broke my trust.
I shook my head quickly, pushing the image of that bastard Jason out of my mind. It's the two-hundredth day. I've promised not to cry over him anymore.
Starting tomorrow, I will move on. Eloise and Renesmee helped me make a list to move on from that asshole. The first point was to resign from the office, so I wouldn't see my ex's face again. By distancing myself from Jason, I'm sure I can get over him faster.
Second, a vacation to Monaco. Eloise and Renesmee forced me to leave the house we shared. I couldn't refuse, because they were forcing me to forget Jason.
In Monaco, I also made a list of what I wanted to do. How long had it been since I'd really thought about what I wanted to do to pamper myself?
"Serena, we're in Monaco. Come on... get rid of that sad face." Eloise brutally shook my shoulder with an obnoxious laugh. I nearly tripped because wearing high heels while intoxicated is not advisable.
"The tattoo still hurts on my skin." I hissed softly while rubbing my chest.
Eloise's laughter hardened, and her eyes glanced at my chest. I wore a stylish strapless lace up corset mini dress to my 200 days of being a single party. The dress beautifully highlighted my neck and shoulders. This was Renesmee's idea, since I had to show off the tattoos I got this afternoon.
Getting a tattoo is one of the 101 ways to forget Jason. I want to feel sexy and make Jason regret dumping me, regardless of the benefits.
"Anyway, please note the second list." Renesmee approached me with a satisfied laugh. "I deliberately brought you here, so you could get a new guy."
Renesmee met the billionaire while sunbathing on the beach in Monaco. After that flirting session, they became close, and he told her that he was throwing a party at his villa. Renesmee agreed, expecting high-class guys at the party. That's how I ended up at this party.
I can't deny that this party was quite fun. I reduced my alcohol tolerance to savor the free vintage drinks. Renesmee's instincts were not wrong. Many handsome men enjoyed a lavish shirtless party at the Monaco Billionaire's villa.
However, I wasn't desiring flirting. It wasn't that I was still thinking about Jason, but I wasn't ready to get involved in a new relationship.
I danced to the music while Eloise and Renesmee tried to distract me with potential rebounds.
Deep in my heart, I'm not looking for someone new.
And... I licked my saliva.
I was grabbing a drink at the bar counter when my eyes fell on a man who didn't seem to care about his surroundings. He wasn't dancing and wasn't even looking around. Ever since I noticed, he hadn't touched the drink in front of him.
Deliberately, I lingered at the bar counter. From this place, I could study him clearly. I was sure that wherever he was, he would definitely attract women. Tonight alone, there were many women who approached him, but they only got a faint smile in return.
Everyone who comes to this party has one goal, and that's to escape from trouble. Isn't that the essence of a party? For a moment, forget the problems of real life. Alcohol and music, perhaps followed by make out, make problems seem so far away.
This man must be running away from trouble.
He looked away. It was too late to dodge because he caught me studying him. Already wet, I waved at him. Just like the other women who tried to approach him, he also gave me a faint smile.
I never approach men at bars, clubs, or similar places. Actually, I'm not a party girl. People misunderstand me and think I'm a party girl, but I'd rather be at home watching anime. My wibu side, which not many people know except Jason. According to him, my hobby of watching anime actually makes me look special. It was our similarities that made him approach me. Plus, we were office colleagues, so the approach went smoothly.
In fact, the approach clouded my common sense and made me unable to see who Jason really was.
The strange man had my attention. I grabbed a glass of beer and approached him. Without asking permission, I took up the couch next to him.
"Hi," I greeted him with a cheerful smile.
From this close distance, I could see him intently. He had a handsome face that seemed cold. I didn't cover up when I looked at his body intently.
Damn him! He has a nice body. Body from intense workouts at the gym. He's the only guy here who isn't shirtless. People would feel embarrassed if he revealed what he was hiding under his black shirt by taking it off. From my observations, I'm sure he has tantalizing abs.
Very different from Jason. How could I be blindly in love with my ex? I'm sure in another year, Jason will have a beer belly like an alcoholic middle-aged man.
"My name is Serena." I extended my hand and half-screamed over the deafening music.
He looked at my outstretched hand before replying. "Leopold."
Leopold... Leopold... Leopold. I repeated the name repeatedly, silently. It's a unique name, but it suits his mysterious-looking figure.
"So, what's your problem?" I asked, while looking at him without blinking.
Leopold looked at me with a furrowed brow.
I laughed lightly. "People who come here must have a problem. Take me, for example. I'm here to celebrate 200 days since my ex-boyfriend ended our two-year relationship."
It etched a smile on his full lips.
"So, what's your problem, Mr. Leopold?" I asked again as I leaned back against the sofa. A faint smirk spread across my lips as I caught his blue eyes gazing down at my exposed thighs.
He shrugged, indifferent. "Nothing special."
I pointed at the crowd dancing in the backyard of the villa. "Does anyone know?"
Leopold nodded briefly. "My business partner. But I don't know where he is now."
My blood rushed at his words. His voice sounded heavy, sexy, and raspy when he spoke longer sentences.
"I came here at the invitation of my best friend. She knows the Billionaire guy who owns this party. Luckily, the party was pretty fun." I fiddled with my wineglass with a soft chuckle.
"Yeah, not my type." Leopold snorted softly before taking a sip of whiskey.
I turned my body to face him. His Adam's apple rose and fell slowly, making me hold my breath. He's so hot. "So, what's your type?"
He looked at me from behind his lush lashes. His wet, red lips smirked before answering my question. "Music type or girl type?"
He trapped me.
I put my wineglass down as I relaxed myself. "Both."
He laughed softly, showing his rows of neat teeth. "Nothing in particular. How old are you?"
His question made me flinch. I tilted my head to the right to examine him. The lighting in this area was quite dim, so I couldn't clearly catch the age of his actual figure.
"I'm twenty-three years old this year. Why?" I asked, while flashing a small smile.
Once again, a smile appeared on his sexy lips. "Well, you're too young. So, you're not my type."
"What the hell..."
Cassandra never imagined her life would change so drastically after she caught her future fiancé, Alaric, making out with her best friend. Cassandra vowed to avenge her hurt in the same way. She makes the impulsive decision to approach Caspian, Alaric's father, and ends up becoming partners in a one-night stand. In no time, the game of revenge turns Cassandra and Caspian into a relationship that goes deeper than the charade of infidelity. However, additional problems arise when Cassandra belatedly realizes she may be pregnant. At the same time, her dark past comes back to haunt her, shattering everything she has built. Amidst family conflict and deep resentment, Cassandra's older brother forces her to choose between two hard decisions against her will. Meanwhile, Caspian announces a grand plan that takes everyone by surprise. But is this really the end of their game - or the beginning of something much darker?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
During her three years of marriage with Brendan, Adeline had become as humble as dust itself. However, what she got in return wasn't love and affection, but endless indifference and disdain. Worse yet, when the woman in Brendan's heart suddenly showed up, he further distanced himself from her. Finally, Adeline couldn't stand it anymore and asked for a divorce. After all, why should she stay with such a cold, distant man? The next one would surely be better. Brendan watched as his ex-wife left with her luggage in tow. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he made a bet with his friends. "She'll definitely regret leaving and will come crawling back to me in no time." After hearing about this bet, Adeline sneered. "Dream on!" A few days later, Brendan ran into his ex-wife in a bar. It turned out she was celebrating her divorce. Not long after, he noticed that the damned woman seemed to have a new suitor. Brendan was starting to panic. The woman who had clung to him for three years suddenly didn't seem to give a damn about him. What was he going to do?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...