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Ashley is a 19-year-old waitress working at a bar to make ends meet and provide for her father who is suffering from chronic illnesses. She's mortified and feels her life has been turned upside down as she's forced to marry the wealthy CEO, Jackson. She hates Jackson and tries to avoid him at all costs. However, when she starts to know him better, she begins to see the kind and loving person he truly is. Over time, their love for each other grows stronger, and they overcome the obstacles that stood in the way of building a happy family.
Ashley's POV
!! Aringh!!!
Frustration swept me off the moment my alarm went on, I annoyingly turned it off. It was evening already. I laid there like a lost fellow for minutes staring at the ceiling more exhausted than usual.
The ceiling fan kept twirling increasing my quest for sleep the more, when Tim walked in, looking at me in the face then shook his head,
"You do know you're late already? This is like 5:30 pm already?" His brows remind me of mom, Tim was my kid brother in middle school, aside from how annoying he is, he was the only family I had.
I'm Ashley Johnson, I know you must be concerned about how and when my life took this big turn,
Like every other young girl out there forced to take responsibilities at a very tender age, I have no parents but life was fair enough to give me my kid brother for company.
My whole world revolves around him and despite trying to make all ends meet, things still get frustrating for me.
"Shit!" I got up immediately rushing to the bathroom, I slide immediately into my slippers,
It was the weekend, and coincidentally the neighbors were around,
"Go stay at Kevin's place, ok?" I yelled after I got in,
"Sure," his cute voice bubbled, as he left the room.
Grabbing the small bowl, I scooped the water and poured it over, at this point, I screamed out my lungs,
The water was damn cold,
"What's this? Winter?" I asked myself, still time conscious, I rushed myself into my outfit and then it occurred to me, I didn't pack Tim dinner for the night.
I immediately bolt the door, rushing to the neighbor's place to hand over his dinner in a small lunch bag.
"Take care and be careful ok?" Mrs. Gibson smiled,
"Thank you ma, I sure will" turning to Tim,
"Be a good boy, ok? Sisi will be back." I bent to his level peck his adorable cheeks,
Time went by, I closed the door, rushed to the junction, flagged down a taxi, and hit the road to Drink's Bar where I officially work.
The boss was already waiting by the door, on the lookout for me,
"Kiss your next month's salary goodbye, Ashley," I mumble to myself,
My phone immediately rang, the number surfaced, and it was Jenna calling, Instantly picked up,
"Girl! Where the heck are you? I just can't do this alone Tonight. I'm overly exhausted from my shift." She whined, that was Jenna, the only Friend I'd say I trust and knows,
"I'd be there shortly, hang in there a little bit," I replied, stopping behind the bar, I paid off the taxi man and hung up the call, and without my boss hovering eyes, I snuck in.
"Thank goodness, I was just about to warn you about the boss, but you hung up" Jenna heaved a deep sigh of relief, I smiled,
"I sighted him before he did, thanks a lot for covering up for me, I owe you big time". I grabbed the waist apron tying it to my waist.
Drink's Bar is known to be one of the most exquisite bars in the area, it at least had a good aura around it, my head was already pounding from the protruding headache, I shoved it aside, watching Jenna leave,
"Jenna!" I called,
"I know, I'll pick up Tim at Mrs. Gibson's." She smiled, and I nodded with a smile,
"Now, go back to your work before the boss sights you," and with that, Jenna left the Bar,
"Ashley!" I turned, as one of the staff, hands me a tray filled with drinks,
"Table no. 2". He said,
"No. 2?" But that's a secluded table in the bar?". He shot me a glare
"Sorry." I apologized and immediately adjusted my dress and immediately went to serve the table,
Getting to the table, a figure hidden behind the dark room made me uncomfortable, this was the VVIP room, who was this very important customer that she was instead sent to serve and not the best waitress?" I asked myself but got no answer,
Just as confused as I am, I immediately began serving. Judging from the outfit, he was a big shot, his cologne mesmerized the atmosphere,
"Ashley!" I screamed my name within,
"There you go, sir, I'll be leaving now." As I was about to leave, he grabbed me by the wrist,
"Join me please." His deep voice, made my spine shiver,
"Sir? Am sorry but I'm not allowed to do so." I don't even know whom I was speaking to, but he did look like he could use my company,
I sighed,
"I was specifically assigned to serve him," I thought inwardly, and on second thought, I took a seat, clutching the tray to my chest, if I refused, my job was at stake,
"What are you thinking of?" I jerked out of my thought, He poured me a drink,
"Take? You look stressed." I could sense the care in his voice or maybe it was just my imagination,
"Thank you, sir," I gulped down the drink,
"Like it? It's one of a kind." He added,
After about two shots, I began feeling dizzy, I was not sure but I knew my head was light, and before I knew it darkness hovered over me.
After washing up, I laid down on the king-sized bed, I shut my eyes immediately but images from the bar kept flashing through my mind.
I felt my whole body heat up with the intense desire that overwhelmed me just at the thought of her. I had no choice but to contact the waitress who had accosted me at the table.
I picked up the telephone and immediately dialed Manager's number. I wanted a company tonight to shove the thought of the waitress out of my mind.
Within a few minutes, She entered with the smell of alcohol. She looked very much like her, which was perfect. I smiled. She had a bad tolerance for alcohol. Why did she have a drink with me?
There was no light on, and I could barely see her, pushing her down the bed, I hovered her, caressing every inch of her, she felt inexperienced but my body was already on fire which had to be quenched.
I flinched as his breath fanned my face, my body trembled in his arms. This was the chance, but was I scared? His eyes affected me in so many ways, as they held grief, pain and regret. Our stare was our way of communicating. It was intended, emotional and agonizing. I was hiding the knife behind me, picturing the perfect place to stab him. His searing heat sent a gush of lust inside me. I shouldn't fall for that. This was a revenge plan, not a romantic show-off. "I'm engaged, and I have a child with him", I remembered, barely recognizing my cold voice which had become soft and weak. He let out a dirty smirk, lowering his eyes to my lips as we exchanged breath. "I know, but I can't stop myself from falling" he whispered, and before I could blink an eye, he captured my lips, twirling them to his taste. It was a long liquid kiss that made me wet so that I couldn't fight back. The knife slipped off my hand as my body yanked on his. We both dried up where we stood when her voice resounded in our ears. "Mom?" *** Her fantastical life with Dante was a shadow. She left everything behind just to be with him, but he never loved her back. She lost her life because of him. Fortunately, she survived and looks forward to exerting her revenge plot on him. However, she never found him nor heard from him. Forgetting the painful memories that he never existed, she moves on and wins over a powerful man, Peris, who establishes her. She gives birth to her daughter and anticipates her wedding with Peris. However, what happens when Dante shows up three days before her wedding?
Blurb: Millie Matthews was willing to give up everything to be with the one she truly loved. Three years ago, she left home to be with her lover, Rovan Marlowe, whom her family were strictly against. But after finding out she could never replace his first love in his heart, she was forced to leave when he heartlessly chose his first love over her. She returns to her family and takes her place to start her life afresh, only for Rovan to return and beg for her to come back. After realizing that he was a fool to let her go, Rovan became determined to get her back as his wife.
It was a cold night, her family was brutally murdered alongside the love of her life, and taken captive by the ruthless Alpha in all of Windertown. Latina is forced to pay the ultimate price for her betrayal. Little did she know, her destiny was somewhat tied to his just as he was tied to her, but the realization was too late as the damage had already been done.
Amanda's world crumbled when she received the eviction notice. Her family's financial struggles had reached a boiling point, exacerbated by her mother's mounting medical bills. Desperation Desperation was the beginning of everything. Will her desperation lead her to the right path? – or otherwise? Faced with mountains of problems, with no option. She went for the easiest solution – or so she thought Amanda jumped at the only available opportunity. Getting married to the cold hearted billionaire. No strings attached, just appearances. Awaiting the time her marriage would be dissolved and she would be free again. But what becomes of her when she starts falling in love with the cold hearted man? A man whose only interest is his company and appearances. Will her love be reciprocated? Or will it be crushed to pieces and blown away like dust into the earth?
Alfredo Romano is the only son and heir to Don Romano, the head of the most powerful mafia family in New York. He meets and falls in love with Elena, a stunning, sexy young woman. Elena's father, Mr. Barnes, a wealthy businessman, was killed by stray bullets during a mafia war between The Romanos and another mafia family. Convinced that the bullets that had ended her father had come from one of the Romanos' goons, she sets out to seek retribution for her father's death and destroy the Romanos, but instead finds love and makes a shocking secret that forever changes her life. What did Elena find out? Does it stop her from getting her revenge on the Romano family? Find out in this captivating story of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
I was shaking, shivering like a leaf in autumn as the cold water cascaded over me, I wanted to feel clean, I did, but no matter how much I scrubbed, it seemed I wouldn't be. Tears gathered at my eyes and fell, mixing with the water. "I love you, Avery, and nothing can change that." Came the soft voice from behind me, the voice that always knew how to calm me, I could feel his solidness behind, the warmth radiating, seeping into my freezing body. His arms wrapped around me and I leaned back, he was gloriously bare and I could feel every inch of him press against me, it was haven. I didn't feel so scared anymore, I wasn't so alone, he was right beside me and his presence reassured me. I let the water pour down, washing away my tears and fears and.... "I want a divorce." I heard him whisper and my heart stopped.
Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
Sequel to chasing my estranged wife; I want you back. ******** " You promised me!'' I screamed. "You promised that you wouldn't hurt me, you made the vows that you would stand beside me, Ryan, and what did you do? You broke me into smithereens. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. When I said we were done. I meant it!" Falling in love with him had come in a whirlwind, she couldn't account for how exactly it had happened but what she knew was that she didn't want to let go once she was in. For Ryan, when he made a vow, he had meant it, but nothing had told him about marriage, that it wasn't just a bed of roses, but it had thorns in it as well. When secrets piled up between them and vows broken, they had no choice but to let go of each other, but years later, he wanted her back. Like the air he breathed, he chased after her, but she was gone. Left with the remnants of his actions, he is torn between getting her back and damning all consequences or letting go of her and his children, which would it be?
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
Despite being an illegitimate daughter, Lena bore a striking resemblance to the young lady of the Evans family. Faced with their threats, she was forced to take her half-sister’s place and marry Dylan. As an act of defiance, Lena seduced Dylan night after night, until she had him completely wrapped around her finger. Using his affections to her advantage, she set out to undermine the Evans family. Over time, Dylan began to notice something odd about his beloved wife...