Content Warning- Violence, Assault, Foul language, and sexual content. Readers' discretion is advised. "There's no place, I'd rather be than to be with you Afina Jones" - Steve when he was falling deeply for her. "In your eyes I see paradise, I'm lost when i look in your eyes and i dont ever want to be found, you're the true definition of perfection and all i want is to compliment you"- Bradley Haastrup Afina, an orphan with a challenging past, finds a supportive family in the Haastrups. Her close bond with Bradley and Lisa changes when Bradley, harboring a secret crush, is deployed. A traumatic incident sparks a connection between them. Afina discovers her buried feelings as Bradley heads to England. She befriends Nixie on a Hawaiian vacation, meeting businessman Steve. A mysterious love journey ensues, marked by a kidnapping. Steve, a gangster, falls for Afina. Despite a toxic relationship, Bradley's return rekindles their love. Threatened by Steve, Bradley prevails, and Bradley and Afina's enduring love story begins.
Life is filled with numerous occurrences that define us and make us who we are. I guess our only duty is to know which is helpful and which isn't. Some part of the helpful part can be dangerous at times but we need to take a chance on ourselves to find out.
Countless times within the nineteen years of my existence I've neglected the happy moments, regretted my decisions, and wondered what I should have done differently.
There are many what-ifs in life, like:
What if I didn't say that?
What if I had done something differently?
I'm not saying that we can use this to justify our actions yet, our actions are the very thing that led us to certain moments in our lives. We watch the sunset at the horizon, spreading its largess into a grateful sky. Rich hues of red blended with oranges, purples, and crimsons.
Afina, That's my name; Afina Jones. A girl who despite being abandoned as a child, is filled with ambition. I will never abandon anyone.
"So," Lisa says, breaking the silence. "Tomorrow we graduate. We're no longer kids."
Bradley rolls his eyes. "Lisa, you've been saying that for the past hour,"
"Yeah, could we talk about something else?" I ask, giggling.
Lisa huffs, pouting. "This is a big deal! We can't be reckless teenagers anymore, especially you, Bradley."
I smile, agreeing.
"Don't worry, little sis," Bradley responds with an impish grin. "I got it all figured out."
I raise my eyebrows. "Little sis? You do realize she's your twin sister, right?"
"I've been around longer" He huffs.
Lisa punches him playfully in the arm. "Only by two hours, dickhead!"
They fall to the ground, playfighting as I laugh wholeheartedly.
Bradley smirks at me. "Get in babe, you know you want to,"
I shoot him the finger. "In your dreams, asshole,"
"Let me be your asshole," He winks.
I roll my eyes, smiling. "Shut up, Haastrup."
We all lay on the grass. Bradley holds out both of his arms so we can snuggle up together. I look at the sky, waiting for the stars to come out. And for a moment, there is just silence. The silence caressed my skin like a cool summer breeze. It was as comforting as a nurturing mother.
But then I became unsure.
"Whatever happens, I wish that the three of us stay together," I whisper to Bradley.
He looks at me, in assurance. "We're right by your side, just like you're by our side,"
I nod. "Of course,"
"Whatever happens, whatever life throws our way," He says. "You'll be fine, even if we aren't here."
"How do you know?" I query.
"Because that's who you are. You move on and get on with life," Bradley replies. "You worry too much."
I smile, scoffing. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks."
"No problem kiddo. Get some rest."
When the stars come out to play and the evening takes on that aroma of the night, when the crickets sing for the joy of living, life awaits. I love the softness, the quiet, the sense of rest. My thoughts slow as a beautiful carousel, each dancing as ribbons from a kite string that reaches for the sky, its colours embracing those lofty heights and inviting in the dreams that wear festival costumes and are formed of music.
In our sleep, we are children again. We dream of things past, things that will never be again. In our dreams, we have comfort, freedom, and love. Sometimes we can be visited by those we lost and for those perfect hours of sleep, we are whole again. Then on waking, we scramble to write it down, just in case there is wisdom in the randomness.
It's not that we think they're really talking to us, mostly, but our subconscious minds can send these people we esteem with solutions. Of course, sometimes it's all garbage or too obscure to figure out. Sometimes they are nightmares, but those are getting fewer and far between now that life has settled back into a rhythm.
I truly look forward to turning in at night, which is funny because, I remember wanting to stay up late, not wanting to sleep at 9 pm, but rather at 1 am. Yet, now sleep is precious, and desired.
**********************************
It had finally happened. The moment of truth is the stepping stone to the real world. This is what they've been preparing us for. After thirteen memorable years. Through the good, bad, idiotic, fun, and change. It was finally time. Time to step out into that bright light, shake the hand of an administrator, and grab the ticket to freedom. The piece of paper that would remind me forever that I've accomplished something. Most of all it's that time to look out among all the fellow classmates, stick up two middle fingers and say "fuck you all." In August, College will start but I knew I wouldn't be attending. For now, I was as free as a bird. All I had to do was sit in this uncomfortable robe and wait for my name to be called. California, here I come!
In December, when everyone is in College, I'll be working. I've known Bradley and Lisa ever since I was five years old. They came from a rich background since Mr. Haastrup and Lisa's father owns the famous 'Haastrup Suites', a well-known hotel around the world. Since I was thirteen, Dean Haastrup, or as I prefer to call him: 'Nip Tip' noticed my interest in the hotel and began teaching me about hotel management. My dream has been to take over the hotel when he believes I'm ready since Bradley and Lisa want to do something else.
It may seem like I'm taking advantage of my best friend's riches, but I prefer to see this as an opportunity. I am an orphan, with no truth of who I really am and where I came from so I believe that this opportunity is a way to give back. I probably don't make any sense right now... never mind.
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Lisa squealed. "I can't believe we just graduated, all of us!"
I smiled back. "I know! I'm so excited!"
Bradley chuckled and hugged us both. "Hey Lisa, you figure out what you're gonna do in September?"
"You know, I think I want to practice law, you guys!" She beams happily.
"Did you watch 'Legally Blonde' again?" I frown.
She glares at me and throws her cap. "Shut the fuck uppppp!"
Me and Bradley look at each other before laughing.
"What are you going to do, Brad?" I ask.
He looked at me and we locked eyes for a few seconds before he looked down, zoning out and then re-zoning in.
"I uh-" He stammered. "I've actually been thinking about the military..."
"The military?" Lisa says. "Are you sure?"
"Well, I've already applied... and mum and dad know. They're good with it."
"I think that's amazing, Brad" I say, giving him an honest smile. "When do you leave?"
He sighs. "I have just over a week left before I have to go"
"Just a week? Jesus, Bradley when were you going to tell us?" I queried.
Lisa backed me up. "Yeah, these are things we have to know... we won't see you for months, possibly even a few years,"
I sigh and calm myself down. "Nevermind, that doesn't matter anymore. If you have a week... let's make it a good one."
Bradley smiled at me.
"And the first thing we can do to make this a great week is crash the leavers party," Lisa said, smirking.
"Oh hell yeah," I reply, grinning mischeviously.
"Hey um..." one of the graduates called out. Was he talking to me?
"Afina, right?" Vanessa asked.
"Yeah" I responded.
"Are you going to the leavers party?" He asked me.
I nodded in response.
"Hope to see you there" He smirks, winking at me before walking away.
Lisa looks at me, laughing.
"Somebody's getting laid," she says in a sing-song voice.
I rolled my eyes, giggling and told her to shut up.
There isn't a single ounce of fear projecting off him as he stands in front of me, his extreme level of authority practically radiating throughout the room. "Touch her again and the next bullet I fire will go through your fucking skull. Comprendere?" He warns, the threat clearly understood as the dozens of eyes around us become wide and fearful. .................................... Arie has always loved the idea of capturing memories and moments that will last forever. The ability to take a picture and know the memory of it will live on for as long as the people in it, possibly even more. That is, until the day she accidentally photographs something that will leave her regretting that one innocent click over and over. Arie is a beautiful talented photographer in her early twenties and very bubbly but he life took a turn when she met with Diego, a ruthless mafia Don who takes no nonsense from any one, if you cross the line with him, you're dead. Arie, one day in excitement took a picture in an event she attended that happened to escalate into a gory Mafia crash, that almost cost her life but for some reason Diego spared her life but it wasn't just on a platter of gold was she released from his grasp, as she became his slave who eventually turned to his lover as she was different from any woman she's ever met.
Kristin is a young girl who suddenly wakes up in the basement of the Russian mafia and one of the best Assassins in the world, Aleksandr Ivanovic. what he wants with her, she doesn't know. she is forced to face his harsh and cruel treatment. the strange thing there is, Alek keeps referring to her as Khloe, her twin sister's name. She spends too much time there that she starts making friends and maybe, just maybe, she might understand why Aleksandr has her in his basement. she might see him for the broken mafia Don that he is, and not the vicious, ruthless, and heartless assassin the whole world paints him to be. But will Aleksandr keep his hands to himself before Kristin gets a chance to know him beyond the mask he has on, or will he ruin everything before it even begins?? Warning: This is a very dark romance, with mentions of rape, torture, and gory thing.
"Reveal to me who caused you pain," he commanded. I could have succumbed to fear and divulged the entirety of my traumatic past, but instead, I shook my head. There was no way I was sharing my darkest secrets with him. "I will find out... I always find out, cara," he murmured. Despite his assurance, I doubted he could fathom that my father was the source of my nightmares. He gazed at me, and I met his stare head-on. "You have freckles," I whispered, raising my right hand to touch his face. "Do I?" His voice carried a husky tone. He turned his face slightly toward my hand, revealing the firm set of his bold profile. His jaw was rigid as granite, but his eyes softened. Leaning in closer, he hesitated for a moment. I understood he was giving me the opportunity to evade his kiss.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Ethan always viewed Nyla as a compulsive liar, while she saw him as aloof and insensitive. Nyla had cherished the notion that she was dear to Ethan, yet she felt coldly rejected when she realized her place in his heart was insignificant. No longer trying to break through his coldness, she stepped back, only for him to alter his approach unexpectedly. She challenged him, "If you trust me so little, why keep me around?" Ethan, who had once carried himself with pride, now stood before her with a humble plea. "Nyla, I've made mistakes. Please don't walk away from me."
"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!
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!"
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!"