Shadows of expectations

As Wren introduces his girlfriend, Anya, to his father, he's met with an unexpected demand: to break up with her immediately. Confused and enraged, Wren discovers a web of family secrets and financial ruin that compels his father to make a deal with the notorious billionaire, Don Manuel Ferrer. Caught between love and duty, Wren must navigate a dangerous game of power and manipulation to protect his family, all while facing the prospect of an arranged marriage that threatens to unravel everything he holds dear. In a tale of sacrifice, betrayal, and unexpected alliances, Wren must confront the ruthless forces that threaten to tear his world apart.

"In the glitzy world of Hollywood, Rosette Shin-Greco navigates a delicate dance between fame and secrecy. As a rising star, she grapples with her first intimate scene on set, haunted by the shadow of her mysterious billionaire husband, Arlo Greco. But when stolen shots of the steamy encounter surface, Arlo's possessive fury is unleashed, threatening to unravel their carefully guarded secrets. In a whirlwind of passion, jealousy, and betrayal, Rosette must confront her deepest desires and the dangerous consequences of defying Arlo's dominance. Will their love survive the harsh spotlight of fame, or will it crumble under the weight of obsession?"

"This November 13 2***, the President has already declared the evacuation of the people who live in such an area that is the source of thick smoke due to the spread of chemical gas. While the scientists are still continuing to investigate the origin of that thing..." I heard the news of the reporter on T.V. I just sighed and shook my head before placing the junkfoods I chose to buy on the counter. "Hey. How many months has that issue been, they still haven't been able to resolve it? Are they really scientists?!” the cashier complained while watching the news. I didn't say anything because he was right. The news has been like this for months. But until now it is still not finished, sometimes people just think that the Government is just making that smoke an excuse to cover up other issues about them. "All 180 pesos." I immediately returned to the store when the cashier told me that. "Oh! Just a moment.” I said. I quickly took out my wallet and gave him the money. He immediately accepted it and thanked me. I just smiled back at him before turning around carrying the junkfoods I bought. "Don't forget to wear a face mask before going out to avoid inhaling chemical gas—" I didn't hear anything else the reporter had to say when I got out of the convenience store. I am now wearing a face mask because that is the protocol given to us by Governments. We also cannot criticize their protocols because we might be given a warning. While I was walking home. I couldn't help but notice other people just coughing somewhere. It's like they have a serious illness. I just shook my head and continued walking until I reached Ate's house. "Im here." I said when I entered our house. I immediately went straight to the living room and put the junkfoods there before looking for Ate Mika. "Meisha, is that you?" I heard Ate Mika say from somewhere. I immediately looked at his behavior. Weird? He didn't call me "Shasha". "Sister Mika, did you just come home?" I will ask. Based on what he's wearing, it looks like he just came from work. He smiled at me before nodding, "Where are you from? Do you know I've been looking for you for a while now?" "It's like you haven't gotten used to me, Sister. Well, you know I'm a wanderer." I said before laughing softly. "But anyway, I bought junk foods at the convenience store. Feel free to take it.” I took the plastic containing the junkfoods from the table and gave it to him. After that, I immediately went straight to the kitchen to get an apple. "What is the apple for?" Ate Mika immediately asked me. "Because I saw someone on YouTube that turned chocolate into apple sauce, that's why I want to try it too." "Won't that hurt your stomach? Can I cut?" "I can do it, Sister. Just watch.” I said and was about to cut an apple when it suddenly hit my finger causing it to bleed. Shit. "Hey! I already told you! I should be the only one. You are really stubborn, Meisha." Ate said and quickly took my finger. But I was surprised when he suddenly slapped the wound on my finger in his mouth and sucked it hard to relieve me of the pain. "A-Ate Mika, wait!" I quickly pulled my finger from him. I can not believe. What happened to him? He's not like this when I get hurt. "Why Meisha? Is there a problem?" he asked while still looking at my finger. I immediately hid my wound on my finger, "What the hell.. what's wrong with you Sister? Why are you acting weird? Y-do you know you're scaring me." I nervously told him. He smiled horrifyingly, "What are you saying, Meisha? Nothing happened to me. I just want to treat your wound." "Cure? S-as far as I know, you're afraid of blood so how could you just suck my wound all of a sudden? Also, you don't really call me Meisha, do you? That's Shasha, Sister." I said while backing away from him. Suddenly, the smile on his lips disappeared and was replaced by a scary aura. "Annoying." It started, "I should have eaten you when I first saw you." W-what? ate? Sister Mika's words didn't seem to sink into my brain. All I know is, something is wrong with what's happening now. I was surprised when Ate Mika's body suddenly trembled and then her skin cracked, causing blood to start splattering. "S-Sister?!" I retreated even more in fear. "Argh!.." his voice gradually changed while his appearance changed. I bit my lower lip because of fear. I stopped thinking when Ate Mika suddenly stopped shaking. He was bent over so I couldn't see what was happening to him. "Sister Mika?" I hesitated whether to approach him or not, but in the end I managed to approach him anyway. "Sister Mika? Are you still alright?” When I was about to touch it, I was surprised when he suddenly raised his head. His eyes were wide open as if he was about to spit. While his face is full of blood. "...EAT!!" it shouted before attacking me. I screamed in shock because he was holding both of my arms, "Sister Mika! What?!" I said while continuing to push his face away so he wouldn

Someone's POV I have a dream.. A weird dream to be exact. "Selene!" I stopped walking when I heard my name. I quickly turned my attention to the behavior of the person who called me. "I-it's you.." I exclaimed when I saw a man with a familiar face. He smiled sweetly at me. "Selene.. please.." what? I frowned as he slowly approached me. "Please, suck my blood." I was stunned by what he said and could not react immediately. What? *Kringg!* *Kringg* (Sounds of alarm clock.) I took a long breath as I got up from the bed. I was staring at the white wall, breathless. "A dream..?" I whispered to myself. I looked around before my hand fell on my forehead. I'm still in the room so that means it's just a dream... "Shit, when will that dream stop?" "Selene, your mouth." I was surprised to realize that I was not the only one in my room. From the shocked face it was replaced by wonder. "Wtf? Sister, why are you here in my room again?" I asked him. He looked at me seriously before closing the book he was holding. "I just want to borrow your book, that's all." He said while still sitting on the floor. I sighed. She's my sister, Vera Laurent. Second oldest of our siblings. "If you got it, can you get out of my room?" I asked him. His left eyebrow rose quickly, "Seriously? Is that how you treat your sister?" This is a serious question. I was about to answer him "yes" when I suddenly noticed his iris or middle eye turned red. I swallowed because of that. "N-no, what I mean is..." Sh*t. "What?" "Can you give me space to think about my dream?" I asked a little nervously. D*mn. It's really different when you're the youngest. "Oh." In the blink of an eye, it immediately returned to its original color. "Are you still dreaming about that?" Sister asked me. I quickly nodded to him, causing his mouth to open slightly and to nod as well. "Actually, I noticed that a while ago." He said before looking again at the book he was holding. "How?" I want to ask. He raised his index finger and pointed at her eyes. "Because the color of your eyes turned red." I was stunned by what he said. "What?!" I exclaimed before rushing to the mirror and looking into my eyes. "The fuck?!" "Your mouth." Ate Vera scolded me, but I didn't pay attention to it. It's just that when I dream about that man again, my eyes suddenly become like this. "What should I do, Sister?" I asked nervously. Today is our first day of school! "Just calm down." He said. I nodded and tried to calm myself down. A few hours passed, I calmed down and got ready to go to school. "Hey, good morning." I turned around with a tap on my shoulder. "Good morning, Brother Felix." I greet him back. He is my Big Brother. Felix Laurent. Actually, she and Ate Vera are twins, but they have different personalities. "It's your first day of school, right?" I looked at the person who spoke. Kuya Nikolas The oldest of us all. I smiled at him and nodded, "Yeah." "By the way, I'm not going to have breakfast with you anymore. I need to hurry because I might be late." I will explain to the three of them. "Okay, take care!" Kuya Felix smiled and said to me. I just nodded before running out of the house. My school is not far from our house so I just walked to it. Also, such a person doesn't get tired right away we— "Did you watch the news this morning?" I secretly looked at the two students who were walking almost at the same time as me. "Ah, is it about the corpse found behind an abandoned building?" His companion asked. "Yes! Gosh, I was surprised when the reporter said that the vampire did it again." I stopped walking when I heard what another woman said. What? "How many more victims are there?" "Maybe 60 plus?" "Shit! That's a lot!?" I swallowed saliva. What the f*ck? 60 plus victims? How did that happen? Why don't we know anything about that? We are also vampires. Because of the nervousness I feel, I quickly took out my cellphone from my skirt pocket. My hand was shaking a little just typing Kuya Niko's contact number. "Vampires like them should be killed." I was stunned again when I heard the last thing that woman said. Killing...? It was as if my breathing got heavier after hearing those words. I clutched my chest and tried to calm myself down. "Excuse me.." Calm down, Selene.. "Ahm... Miss? Are you okay?" I slowly turned to the person who spoke. Wait.. Am I still dreaming? "I-it's you again..?" I said breathlessly. He frowned and said something else but I didn't hear it anymore when I lost consciousness.

"Love, where are you going?" I asked Gray adjusting his polo shirt. "Do I have to tell you?" he said with a sarcasm tone. "N-no... I mean, it's late and you're leaving..." "My friends and I are just going to meet, is that bad?" he asked while looking at me evilly. "O-Okay... be careful, Love.." He took a deep breath and before he left, he looked at me and shook his head. "L-Love.." I called her and held her arm and she looked at me with a frown. "What?" he asked and I leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek and the look on his face got worse and he rubbed his cheek as if there was dirt on his cheek. I was left bowed because of its treatment of me. What did I do to him and he is like this to me? He's my husband but it doesn't seem like it. He is always not at home and if he is there, he always locks himself in the room. He's my childhood best friend! We were in high school when they talked about us staying together but he was against it because he only thought of me as a brother and he had a girlfriend at the time. In the case of our parents' insistence, it didn't do anything either. He talked to me before that I should help him prevent the wedding they were preparing from going ahead because Aunt Beatrix, who is Gray's mommy, also found out about it. "I didn't know you were like that, Gray!" Mommy Beatrix said disapointed when we talked in the living room. "Mom, I'm sorry! I told you I wouldn't get married, we're just kids! And.. he's not what I want." he said but it only got a slap from Mommy so I immediately intervened. "Auntie.. that's right.." I said turning to Gray and I was surprised to see his evil look at me. "This is all your fault, Niah!" he said so that my shoulders almost fell from what he said. He left and didn't listen to Mommy's shout at him. I am happy now that he is my husband but there is something missing, a lot is missing! The barrier between us is too big. We're married for almost three years! After we went to college, we got married. And even after three years, he still hasn't learned to love me. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and just lay down and let myself be pulled by sleep. 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗢' 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗜𝗖 𝗮𝗺 I was distracted by a loud crash I heard. I immediately got up and looked at the clock on the side of my bed. It's five o'clock. I looked to my side and it wasn't there. I was stunned when the door opened and Gray spat out. "Grey..." I immediately stood up and turned on the light and supported him but he just pushed me. "H-Hey.. Who are you?!" he told me to stagger while walking. It looks like he drank a lot. "Gray, change first..." I said and was about to remove his polo shirt when he touched my hand. "Don't you dare...touching me..you're not my wife!" he said smiling at me. I've been hearing that from him for years but I don't pay attention because every time he says it he's drunk, I just think that maybe he just doesn't want to treat me as his wife that's why he says it. "You're not my wife..." he said and suddenly lay down even though he hadn't changed yet. I took a deep breath and took his clothes from the cabinet but I was stunned by what he said. "We're marriage...is...fake...so, don't you dare!" I let go of the clothes I was holding and looked at him, he closed his eyes. I approached him and shook him." G-Gray.. what do you mean?!" I asked but I heard no answer. What does it say?! I'm afraid, what if our marriage is fake.

I am in love with him for 2 years now and I intend to love him forever! I will enter Boss's Office. My chest tightened when I saw a woman leave the room. I know what they did. They had s*x inside and it's f*cking hurts. I composed and collected myself before I entered the Office. You can do this Thainah! I cheered myself up. When I entered the Office, I immediately saw Boss. He was fixing his clothes. I smiled to get his attention and adjusted my eyeglasses that weren't too thick. "Boss, this is all the reports for this month. Mr. Fausto wants to set a meeting with you. He wants to expand his land with your help" I informed. Our company sells a property, everyone who wants to do business in the Philippines comes here to us. My Boss is f*cking Billionaire and I'm proud. I have been working for him for 2 years now. I was 21 years old when I applied here. Fresh graduate. I remember talking to him for the first time and immediately caught my heart. —FLASHBACK— I entered the CEO's Office. I'm nervous because I don't know if I'll be accepted. I just graduated and my father needs me. He needs to have an operation. I don't want Papa to go blind. I need to get this job. I am applying to one of the biggest companies here in the Philippines. When I entered his office, my heart could not stop beating fast and strong as I laid my eyes on the most handsome I've ever seen. "Sit, Ms. Harris" I realized in the voice of an employee. I nodded and sat down. I don't know where to look. Is it his beautiful eyes or his beautiful body or his whole soul. Ackkk he's so handsome! My throat felt dry when he looked at me. "I will ask you directly." he said "Why are you applying for this job? Are you confident that you fit for this job? Are you deserving to be my secretary." he asked I don't know what to answer first but there is only one thing in my mind and that is what I will answer. "I'm not sure if I deserve this, Sir" I answered and his eyebrow went up. "But I do know that I need this, and I believe that if you need something, you'll do everything to deserve it." I answered like a beauty queen. I saw him smiling. He stood up. I just looked at him. Waiting for an answer. I want to bang my head. What kind of answer did I give? This is my first interview and I'm not shy. I'm intelligent. I graduated as Cumlaude. "You're hired and we're going to meet investors right now, Ms. Harris." he said and I found it sexy. Calling me, Ms. Harris. That's how he caught my eyes. He's responsible, strict, and always deadly serious. He bedded so many women. I don't even know how much it is now. He doesn't choose a place. Map Office, Hotel, Condo or what ever.

For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.

“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”

Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.

“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.

In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?

"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!