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"Do you want to play a game with me?" Ash asked, leaning forward as he caressed my chin. I raised an eyebrow. "A game?" "A love game..." He placed his lips on my ear, slightly licking my earlobe. "Whoever falls in love first, loses. If you're really confident that you won't fall for someone like me, then play the game with me." Ash bit my ear, and a pool of hits struck my body. "What can you say, Miss good girl? Are you in?" **** Sapphire only wanted peace. She did her best to become a wallflower so no one would notice her. She avoided everyone, especially Ash Cassius Coleman, the son of the owner of the University where she was studying. She hated Ash, his guts, his frequent make-outs with different girls...And that hatred caught Ash's interest. Suddenly, the rebel billionaire came into her life, wanting her to fall in love with him. But does Ash really like her? No. He was just challenged and curious as to why his charms didn't seem to affect Sapphire at all. And that was the reason why he decided to ask her to play a game. A love game.
I WAS in the middle of writing the minutes of our meeting in the student council when suddenly, I heard Prescilla, one of the student council members, flirting with his boyfriend, Vincent, who isn't a part of any organizations here in the university.
"Baby, I love you so much... and you know that right?" said Prescilla in her most sweet, seductive tone, which I found annoying, especially in the situation we're in right now.
"Of course, baby... I know. I know it more than everyone," answered Vincent, his tone low.
I turned my head due to curiosity, but I froze when I saw them... kissing. Prescilla was sitting on Vince's lap, facing him, and straddling him. Vincent, on the other hand, groaned hard while his hand traveled onto Prescilla's legs.
Seriously, are they doing this here?
"Sapphire Jade Miller," Evangeline, our student council president, called me. "Are you even listening? Don't forget that your role here is to write the minutes. Without that, this meeting will be in vain," she added, her tone intimidating.
Evangeline is known as one of the students with beauty and brains at the University. She is approachable, although people say that she really has a rude temper. But when it comes to me... she was different.
It was like my very own existence irked her.
Maybe it was because I wasn't as rich as everyone here. I only had the privilege to study here because of my academic scholarship. It needed a lot of work, though, given that I needed to render hours being a student assistant to make up for the tuition fee.
"I'm listening, and I'm taking down notes," I answered before showing her the paper. I didn't just write down what was on her whiteboard; I also noted everything she said verbally. "You can check it now if you want."
"Hmm..." Evangeline raised an eyebrow before scanning my notes. "It was messy. How can we understand this if it's messy? This is the only thing you should do, yet you can't do it properly?"
"I will organize it once I transfer the notes to the word file, president," I answered, my tone subtly sarcastic when I addressed her position. "Don't worry. Although I'm poor and no one can accept that I'm studying here, I'm doing my best at my job."
Evangeline gritted her teeth as she gave me a deadly glare. I didn't mind her and just shrugged before taking down notes again. All of them could study here because of their money, while I study here because of my intelligence.
So, who had the upper hand here? Me.
"Tch." That was all Evangeline could say. Serves her right. She underestimates me too much.
She hated me for a reason I didn't know, yet she imitated my natural curly hair a few months ago.
Too bad, she can't.
Evangeline continued the meeting after that, while I continued writing. She hated the fact that I was using a pen and paper in meetings, but she couldn't scold me about it. As long as I do my job right, everything will be fine.
"Let's meet again next week to discuss our progress on freshman week. I'll let the secretary know the date and time so she can disseminate it to you..." Evangeline looked at me and scoffed. "Meeting adjourned."
I sighed in relief.
It's finally over. I can go home at last. It's exhausting to deal with people who don't like me just because of my freakin' social status. It was because of my father's gambling debt. I hate him.
'But once I graduate, they won't be able to look down on me like this anymore. Just two more years... and I'll be able to stand up for myself,' I repeated like a chant at the back of my mind before leaving the student council room.
"FRESHMAN week is such a pain in the ass," I muttered while in front of the laptop in the school library, transferring the notes to the Word file. "
Freshmen Week is a program designed for freshmen to enjoy their stay at the school before professors start piling on assignments, reports, and final projects. It's like a farewell party before someone leaves, or a celebration meant to make you happy for a moment before the real pain begins.
They may be happy in the beginning, but in the following weeks, they'll be crying from the workload. They'll experience the frustration of doing everything they can to study and pass, only to find out after the exams that their efforts weren't enough.
As a third-year accountancy student, I can relate to this dilemma. That feeling of having done everything to study, but still feeling unprepared when taking exams.
But despite all the hardships, I still managed to make it. One more year, I'll achieve what I've been striving for.
Graduation. A bachelor's degree.
Freedom.
"Done. Fuck it," I groaned and stretched my back, before calling Evangeline. "I already sent the minutes to your email. Kindly check it, thanks."
"Why do you need to call-"
Before she could even finish her sentence, I ended the call. Why would I bother anyway? She'll just rant about why I called her instead of texting.
Does she hate me so much that she doesn't even want to hear my voice? I haven't done anything wrong to her. I haven't done anything wrong to anyone, but the way they judge me in this school, it seems like I'm a criminal.
I shrugged off my thoughts before leaving the library. It doesn't matter.
I looked at the clock and saw that it was already nine o'clock in the evening. I love the cold and dark atmosphere, giving me an unusual chill yet peace.
Enduring the cold, I continued walking while holding the strap of my black backpack. But I stopped when the wind blew my short blue checkered skirt, almost revealing my shorts.
"F.uck," I hissed and quickly adjusted my skirt.
But I stopped when I heard a whistle from the side.
I turned to look, only to see Ash looking at me with an intense gaze. He was wearing the boys' uniform: a white blouse and blue slacks. The top two buttons were undone, revealing his undershirt.
He paired it with black leather shoes, a black Jansport backpack, and... wait, how dare he smoke on school premises?
"Do you want to say something, Miss Student Council Secretary?" he asked, raising an eyebrow before taking another drag from his cigarette.
I froze, debating whether to call him out or not.
My responsibility as a student council secretary is to reprimand and report rule-breakers like him to the guidance. But at the same time, I'm afraid of him.
It's because he's much more influential than Evangeline, my classmates, or anyone else in this school.
Ash Cassius Coleman, the son of one of the owners of this university, and the one I should avoid at all costs.
"Nothing," I answered.
"Hmm..." He smirked. His eyes darkened as his gaze moved from my face... to my lips... to my legs, which were now fully exposed because of the sudden gusts of wind.
Despite the annoyance, I continued walking. I shouldn't be talking to him like this. If other girls saw me talking to him, it might just create more issues and complicate my life.
And I don't want that.
"Good choice, baby," I heard him say as I walked away from him. "Good choice."
Samantha Colline De Jesus lived a simple, happy life. She had a loving older brother, a kind best friend, and a carefree life. But everything changed the moment she crossed paths with a stranger one rainy evening-a moment sealed by a kiss she never saw coming. That kiss unraveled secrets she never imagined existed, stirring memories she thought she'd never have to face. As the rain poured down, so did the walls she had carefully built around her heart. And how do you move forward when one fleeting moment redefines everything you thought you knew?
Everyone knew Cinderella and her story. She lived a vicious life when her divorced parents needed to work in the Royal Palace and left her alone. Her stepmother and her two stepsisters did nothing but mistreat her, not until that party happened. A fairy grandmother, a dance, and a fallen shoe. Cinderella and the prince were married and lived happily ever after. Or... did they? What would happen if the princess everyone adored throughout their life was the antagonist everyone would hate if they only knew? What if the beloved princess... is the true villainess?
He had a heart covered with ice, but for her, he'd burn himself to ashes... and the world under her feet. *** Beckett Clainfer wanted to find his parent's murderer. With that in mind, he endured every pain for the pleasure that's about to come - Reputation, wealth, and a drug den that suffices his needs and luxuries. However, when Vivianne entered his life, everything went chaotic. He sinfully fell in love with her when he should have never been involved with her in the first place... Especially when she wanted him dead more than anyone else. He's willing to do anything to save her, and he was willing to cross the line as he joined Foedus Corporation in Agrianthropos City for her. But could he find salvation in Hell? *** Vivianne Allamino had been suffering throughout her life. Being forced to take over their illegal family business in leverage to her mother's safety scared the shit out of her. Since childhood, she was trained... and was controlled like a mere puppet. And now, she was done tolerating all this shit. She just wanted everything to end. Now, she tried to kill him. But the cold-hearted billionaire wanted to save her. Could he?
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."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was backāand with childāthey couldnāt wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, Iām the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
"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?"
While Sienna reached the pinnacle of her success, Julian remained the forgotten son of his family, the one who had secretly stolen her first kiss in the shadows of the night. As Sienna hit her darkest moment, Julian returned home, leaving his life behind, only to witness her tears glistening in the moonlight as she reluctantly accepted another man's proposal. When Sienna needed Julian more than ever, he had risen to a position of power and had become her most steadfast pillar of support. "Please marry me." There was no one else in the world who could love Sienna as deeply as Julian did.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"