Tiffany let out an exasperated breath. She was right. She had been right about him all along. He was nothing but a rich arrogant prat. Unfortunately she wasn't about to waste her energy on people like him. "How about we pretend we never met and just work?" She said to him, keeping her tone cold and eyes firm. Ronald made a face. "Wait, don't tell me you are thinking I came here for something other than work?" Tiffany's eyes widened. "What?" He approached her, closing up the distance between them. "Earlier on, you seem to have so much interest in my face," he said, lowering his lips to whisper the words into her ears. "Don't tell me you are already thinking of something else to do with me other than work...perhaps..." Tiffany gulped roughly and bit down on her lower lip. "..." ********* Ronald Ryker is the heir of a well-known conglomerate and was constantly surrounded by women. But none of them moved him. Not until he met Tiffany, a single mother and older woman who immediately captured his attention. But Tiffany had no interest in him. Not in his wealth and definitely not his hot look.
BRUCE RYKER MANSION
"Start working from one of our companies and build your experience. Adkins will drive you down to Sydney. Director Abboth is aware you are coming."
"But father..."
"One day you will lead this company, one day you will lead this Group. You will do more than waste your time if you are really serious about leading this group. I will not hand over the company I have worked hard for many years building into someone like you!" Bruce Ryker barked at his son.
Roland tried to say another word but stopped when his father shot him a stern look. One that said his decision was final.
Bruce Ryker let out a disgruntled sigh. Sometimes when he looked at his son, he wished he was half as good as the other sons of wealthy men. Men that weren't even as wealthy as he was produced hard working sons willing to lead their companies.
But his own son? He shook his head and his teeth gritted against the corners of his mouth. He has no interest in the company, does nothing aside partying and flexing around.
"Mr Chairman, you have a call," Mr Ralph, Chairman Bruce Ryker's personal assistant, came forward and handed him a ringing phone. "It's the director from the new office," Mr Ralph added.
Chairman Bruce collected the phone from him and started out of the large living room.
Roland swallowed the rest of his words as he watched his father hurried out while speaking into the phone until his voice became distant. Times like this he knew he couldn't win his father. His father was too stubborn.
Unfortunately, that was one trait he took from him.
But Roland knew that even if he went to Sydney, he would barely do any work. It was of course certain his father would put up spies to watch him.
He smirked at the thought of it. He always had his way around this kind of situation.
"Young master, should I have one of the servants pack your bags?" The butler asked Ronald.
"No, I will get some new clothes over there." He yawned tiredly and got to his feet.
"Yes sir," the butler nodded.
"Erm, chief butler, you have a son right?"
"Yes, young master. Actually, I have two sons." The man said. The pride in his voice couldn't have been missed.
Roland nodded thoughtfully. "See if the clothes will fit and hand them over to them."
"Urh, sir... I can't do that. I'm sure the clothes are very expensive... and they are a lot. I'm sorry Young master but I can't do that. And if the chairman hears about it, I'm sure he will not be. pleased."
"Come on, chief butler, don't make me look bad. I'm sure the clothes are not that expensive for your sons to wear. If it's a lot, share them among the other servants."
Roland flashed him a smile before he walked to his room.
Once inside his room, he let out a chunk of air and collapsed into his bed. He heard a crack sound. In the midst of wondering what had made the crack sound, he realised it was the picture frame he had left on the bed that just broke.
He jumped up and gathered the pieces of the frame. Thankfully it was only the glass that broke. The picture was still intact. He breathed in relief and ran his fingers delicately on it. It was a picture of a young looking woman. Anyone could see the picture was old and had been taken many years ago.
Roland stared longer at the picture, longingly before he then tucked it into his wallet, lay on the bed and shut his eyes.
Minutes later, there was a light rap on the door and the chief butler entered. With him was a list of female servants that filed up in the room.
"Young master, will you have your bath before you leave? The car is ready to take you to Sydney as the chairman ordered. " the chief butler announced.
Roland's eyes fluttered open.
"I already had my bath." Once he said that, the chief butler signalled the servants to leave.
"I will be out in a moment," Roland added and shut his eyes again. He just needed another moment of silence. Just another moment to daydream and hope that someday his dream would come to reality.
*************
"Sir, should I inform him you are waiting..."
Roland held up his hand stopping the words from Adkin's mouth from further coming out.
His eyes were focused at the door from which an almost heated conversation was going on.
"You can't fire me because of my daughter, Director Abboth. I have given my best to this company and you know it. I have toiled for this company to the best of my ability and you know what? I don't regret any of it but you can't wake up one day and decide to fire me because I am a single mother!"
"We are doing this for your own best interest.Your daughter needs you..."
"Did my daughter tell you that? That I don't give her attention? Director Abboth, give me a chance to prove myself. To prove my skills. My daughter has never been an obstruction to my work..."
"I'm sorry but the decision has been made, unfortunately, Miss Tiffany. But I assure you, I will pay you enough money for compensation."
"What? Compensation? I don't need any of that. I just want to work with my skills and abilities. I don't need freebies from anyone. I just want to work for myself and my daughter..."
Her voice trailed off shakily.
For a moment, the conversation stopped and Roland didn't hear another sound from the office.
But seconds later, the door opened and a woman stormed out of the place furiously.
Roland managed to catch a glimpse of her face as she stormed away. She looked furious alright but she looked nothing like a woman that had given birth. She looked beautiful. He admitted. He watched her until she was out of sight. There was something about her, something that oddly fascinated him. Maybe it was her firm voice and the determination to earn a living for herself and her daughter in an honest manner. Something he couldn't quite put his fingers on.
Adkins went inside the office and a second later Director Abboth was dashing out of the office hurriedly.
"Forgive me sir, I had no idea you were waiting. I should have had my secretary let you in at once."
Roland ignored Director Abboth and strided into the office. His hands were buried into the pocket of his pants stylishly as he regarded the exquisite office.
"Sir, is there anything you would want me to get for you?" Director Abboth asked, almost cowering.
To him, this was a rare chance. Meeting the heir to Ryker Group. What better way could he butter his way to the top, to the headquarters even.
"The lady that just left..." Roland started. He was looking at a painting that caught his eyes.
"Ah, I'm sorry you had to witness such a moment sir. She was a staff member here but unfortunately we had to let her go."
"Let her go? Why?" Roland glanced at Director Abbott. He felt the painting with his finger. "Nice painting you got here," he mumbled. "And new too," he added with a light chuckle.
"Er, yes... yes sir..." Director Abboth stuttered, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Amidst the air-conditioned room, beads of sweat formed in his forehead. "She is a divorcee and has a daughter," he added.
"Ah, a divorcee and a single mother..." Roland said and glanced at him again. He chuckled and finally turned away from the painting.
Roland's movement had fear gripping Director Abbott. And he wondered if Roland could tell the story behind the painting.
"If I heard correctly, her personal life has nothing to do with her work. Why then do you wish to lay her off... urh, I guess you found someone to take her place..."
"No sir! I can't dare do that."
"Yes? Is that so?" Roland tilted his head at him. And peered at him, longer. Then he looked away.
"I wonder what will be the reaction of the Chairman if he learns that one of his dedicated workers is being unjustly laid off... for a piece of fine painting..."
Director Abboth froze.
"I'm sorry sir... this will never happen again," he whimpered.
Roland looked at him and scoffed. He had made a rough guess and laid a reckless trap but had no idea it would actually catch Director Abbott.
People like Director Abbott disgusted him. They would do anything to be at the top. When they are finally at the top, they never did anything right but embezzle funds and engage in nepotism.
But, it was never in his nature to get involved in people's life
His face broke into a wide smirk. "No, it's okay, it's okay. I am not that rigid, you know."
He patted Director Abbott's shoulder before he started to head out of the office. "I will be back tomorrow, then. You don't have to see me out." he called behind him as he started out of the office.
"Ah, and," Roland stopped just a foot from the door. He looked behind him to meet Director Abbott's face. "This should stay between us," he said and finally walked out of the office.
Director Abboth heaved out a heavy sigh and collapsed into his seat the moment the door shut.
He wasn't sure if having the chairman's son around was a good thing anymore.
How was he able to sniff out everything within a few minutes of being in his office?
He already made inquiries about him. He still recalled they told him he hated to get involved in other people's lives and didn't care about anyone. A typical rich brat.
What changed?
He wondered if perhaps he had heard wrongly.
Then he stood up and went to the painting.
"Oh my precious..." he muttered sadly, running his hands on the painting.
"That rude bastard. When did he become so cunning?" He gritted angrily.
His gaze held me. Fine dark eyes. Those eyes... where had I seen them... Then it hit me. The snob at the club. What was he doing in Mr Hendricks house and in the young Master's room? Wait... Was he an old servant I hadn't met or a new man servant? I scanned him. He looked nothing like a servant. The aura from him felt nothing like the one a servant could possess. His eyes pinched and he took a step towards me. "Did you not just hear me? What are you doing in my house?" His tone was icy. His house? There was only one person aside from Mr Hendricks that could say those words... Young master, Jay Adams! I looked at him again and hell the resemblance struck me. My jaw hung open and for a moment I felt my body go numb. *********** Jay Adams was a perfect man. More like a demigod that commanded both wealth and power. Women swooned over him and wanted a taste of him but he hated women. He does not believe in love. Beneath the tough exterior, beneath his million dollar tuxedo and his coldness were his flaws. And then there was Karen, a complete opposite of him. Poor with a sick father, a sister to cater for and saddled with debts. What will happen when these two cross paths?
“People afraid of death are greedy for life.” That was the belief of Alessandro Angelo, the Italian mafia billionaire. The one who fears no one, not even death. He lived his life everyday as if it was his last. Trained only to obey orders and keep no emotions. But what happens when he comes across a cheerful, bubbly Isabella Marco, the girl whose charm could lit up even the darkest portion of the coldest heart. Slowly and unknowingly for Alessandro, he started to want more; getting greedy for life, gradually going against his life principle. One day an order came in: “kill her or you die” Will he allow his cold self be smitten by her infectious personality or end her life as he was ordered?
Two people with different agendas are forced into an arranged marriage. For Veronica Nicholas, it is to save her family's business that has been saddled with debt and on the verge of slipping into bankruptcy and for Lawrence Williams, it is to hold onto his inheritance as the only son and heir of a conglomerate family. Veronica could never leave her darling boyfriend for the infamous national playboy nor does Lawrence wish to leave her long time crush who finally accepted his feelings after many months of rejection for a stranger he barely knows. Together the two must sign a secret contract that lets them live their desired lives while being in their arranged marriage. But how long does the life they thought was best for them last? Stuck together, Veronica and Lawrence must find a way to work together to get past the struggles of their everyday lives from their never ending enemies. Hatred at first but being in the same place where they see all the good and bad sides of each other, how long would they go on before the wave of love hit them? Or would they find a reason to go their separate ways once their different agendas have been fulfilled?
Two people, different circumstances yet love found them! Losing his wife turned his heart dark, turned him an alien to love and he swore to never love again, remain celibate and only care about his two daughters the remaining days of his life. Getting pregnant for a man that loved other women but her rendered her almost never wanted by another man because of her child but no matter what, Tessa would never have anything to do with a man that wouldn't want her child. And when Eric finally came to accept only her child but not her, she thought she could venture into marriage for the sake of her son who always craved for a father figure but deep down she wanted more. She craved to be loved and she wanted to love but that is not the same with Eric. But when love came knocking in their hearts, not even aunty Stella, the one that disliked Tessa, not even Eric's past could stop their love. The flame became unquenchable! Though it had seemed impossible and in fact never considered, Tessa and Eric found love with each other again!
Candles were lighted, beautiful scented flowers were well decorated in my house and even ribbons were tied at various places on that day. Soft music played in the stereo whilst people drank, ate and made merry. Sounds of laughter rang and everyone's faces were filled with smiles until tragedy struck like lightning that before I could realize what was happening, I became the youngest cursed teen werewolf in my pack accused of killing her mother. But then I hoped for my eighteenth birthday because it is only then that I would be free to live my life and have my mate but once again tragedy came knocking... And once again, Lily's life turned around... The rejected Alpha's mate....
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."
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?
Leanna's life had been full of hardships until her Uncle Nate, who wasn't related to her, offered her a home. She fell deeply in love with Nate, but as he was about to get married, he ruthlessly sent her abroad. In response, Leanna immersed herself in the study of andrology. When she came back, she was renowned for her work on solving problems like impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility. One day, Nate trapped her in her bedroom. "Seeing various men every day, huh? Why don't you check me out and see if I have any problems?" Leanna laughed slyly and quickly unbuckled his belt. "Is that why you're engaged but not married? Having trouble in the bedroom?" "Wanna try it out for yourself?" "No thanks. I’m not interested in experimenting with you."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?
Sara Mae Xavier is living every Omega's dream--she is the Alpha King's mate! That's until he betrays and rejects her. He also accuses her falsely, and she is sentenced to two years at the notorious North Academy, a campus made specifically for delinquent werewolves. She has no idea how she'll survive, being a weak Omega, but she soon realises that's the least of her problems. Her roommates are three Alphas, each with a notorious reputation of his own. But that's not the worst part...why on earth does she have a mate bond to all of them?