Ashley Brown is a 29 year old fierce and arrogant CEO the city had ever known. Due to a fire incident that claimed her family and fiance's lives, She shut down her heart to any kind of emotion. But all that changed when a 22 year old runaway groom, Ethan Reynold, crossed her path and instantly fell head over heels in love with her. Their whirlwind romance challenges societal norms and forces them to confront their own fears and doubts. Ashley being the heartless woman did everything in her power to stop his relentless pursuit to win her hardened heart.. But how far will she go before she opens up to him? "Don't waste your time, nothing can ever happen between us! it's very clear!" Ashley uttered in a sharp tone. "You're mine Ashley!" Ethan growled deeply before sealing his lips on hers.
In a large decorated cathedral several people could be seen whispering amongst themselves. It appeared to be a wedding ceremony.
A bride in her long floral white dress could be seen standing and at the same time trying to keep a smile on her face even though she knew the worst had happened already.
This would have been considered the wedding of the century if only the groom was down the aisle alongside the bride.
At a distance, an older lady paced around with her phone placed against her ear while an equally older man was by her side eagerly waiting for her response.
"What do you mean by that? I thought we agreed on this Ethan! Diana is waiting down the aisle-
The beeping sound gave her the idea that the call had been ended at the other end. Her cheeks flushed red in anger.
"What did he say?" Stephen asked his wife with knotted brows, his voice held impatience. Today his son had managed to ruin the family's name by abandoning his bride down the aisle on their wedding day.
"He's not coming"
***
Down the street of L.A were four men in black chasing after a young man in his early twenties, he shoved past people as he ran panting heavily.
He was on a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt underneath which was now flying out. His dark hair moved effortlessly as the wind brushed through it.
"Young master hold up!"
He ignored the men and continued running, his long legs managed to cover up a great distance creating a huge gap between him and the men after him.
Meanwhile...
A sleek black Mercedes Benz pulled up next to a glamorous jewelry shop owed by a well known jeweler in L.A.
A man on a black suit stepped out and pulled the door to the back seat opened. Another man emerged from the black car behind and approached the open door with an opened black umbrella.
A silver stiletto accompanied with a fair smooth leg touched the ground before the silhouette of a slender lady emerged from the black car.
"Ma'am, Mr Fredrick is currently in a meeting with some clients"
"Have him cancel the meeting at once!" A soft yet fierce voice answered back.
They moved away from the car slowly approaching the jewelry shop when a man came out of nowhere and bumped into the lady.
The eyes of the bodyguard and driver widened at the sudden collision.
For a moment time ceased. The young man was quick to wrap an arm around her slender waist to stop her from falling. His breaths was rough like someone who just ran a marathon.
Ethan's blue eyes locked against the lady who he was holding. She had the brightest eyes he had ever seen and the most inviting lips he had ever laid his eyes on.
For a brief moment, his mind went blank. He completely forgot about the men chasing him earlier all he saw at that moment was none other than her.
"You're beautiful"
He inched his face closer to hers ready to plant a kiss on her lips only to be slapt hard by her. In a second, he was brought out of his daydream into the harsh reality of the hard slap she sent to his face.
Her feet was quick to step on his toes before he released her from his grip.
"Have you lost your mind?!" She barked at him ready to strike him for the second time only to be held back by her bodyguard who wanted to handle the situation by himself.
"Leave this to me ma'am"
Before any actions could be taken on Ethan, the men chasing after him arrived at the scene and they were quick to hold Ethan down.
"We are sorry for the inconveniences caused ma'am"
She gave a nod to her bodyguard who immediately took a step back.
***
Later that night..
"Ashley..when did you get this diamond necklace? it's really pretty" A young brunette lady asked ruffling through a jewelry safe.
The hazel eyed lady seated before the vanity table barely took a glance over her shoulder to see what her friend was talking about.
"I purchased it today"
Ashley stood up from the wooden chair and walked towards her bed. She had a blank look on her face as she watched Chelsea try out some of her jewelry kept in her safe.
"They are so pretty!" Chelsea shrieked checking out her reflection in the mirror. She noticed Ashley's usual blank look and sighed.
She turned around and approached the latter on the bed and immediately, her eyes caught a small bruise on Ashely's wrist.
"What happened to your wrist Ashley?!"
Ashley raised her hand staring at the bruised mark in uncertainty. She hadn't noticed it at all if it weren't for Chelsea's awareness.
Her mind drifted back to what happened at the early hours of today. She recalled when that young man bumped into her. Maybe that was when she was bruised.
At the thought of that, her face fell even more. Such a bold young man trying to flirt with her on the streets.
"A nosy guy bumped into me but it's nothing. I'll apply some ointment later on"
Chelsea's smile widened. A guy!
"Was he cute?"
Ashley's head was quick to snap to the direction of Chelsea's face. This was like one of the numerous number of times Chelsea tries to tease her to get a reaction out of her.
"He was a total jerk. Too bad I wasn't able to knock out one of his teeth so that next time he won't try to flirt with any lady he comes across" She snorted in disdain and lay on her bed covered in black mattress.
Most of the interiors in her room were either white or black. These were the two colors Ashley had learnt to associate herself with in the last few years.
Chelsea was left speechless. She knew her friend was a weird fellow but getting upset over a guy was still shocking to her.
After the fire incident that claimed her family's life, Ashley had been known to be a heartless individual. She gets annoyed at the slightest of things and never smiled not even for a happy occasion.
"What an attitude" Chelsea jested before planting a kiss on Ashley's forehead.
"I'll see you tomorrow alright? goodnight"
As soon as she went out of the room she sighed deeply coming face to face with an older woman who had a faint smile on her lips.
"Any luck?" She inquired with hopeful eyes as usual only for Chelsea to shake her head in response.
"Sadly there isn't. It's been seven years aunt and she hasn't come out of her hard nutshell yet"
"Let's give her more time. She would come through"
***
On a large terrace lay Ethan who was so lost in his thoughts. His mind had been occupied with the images of the lady he had bumped into today.
He was so lost to realize a figure who joined him on the terrace.
"I can't believe you still have enough time to smile after ditching your own wedding!"
Abandoned at the age of 19 by her parents, Ivy finds herself trapped in the constant cat and rat hot chase of some debt collectors her parents owed. Luck seemed to smile on her one day after she crashed in front of a luxurious car and got mistaken as a missing heiress who was long confirmed dead by her family. Everything she dreamed of were finally coming to her. But what happens after she finds out that her doppelganger was already married to Scott Reynold? The heartless and cold billionaire the city has ever known. How long will her lie last before she is exposed?
Olivia Parker, after she was forced on by an unknown man at the hospital where her sick father was just proclaimed dead, finds herself pregnant a month later. Left with no other choice than to keep the pregnancy, she drops out of school at the age of 18. Six years later.. Olivia's son grew up to be the exact replica of her new boss.. Damien Sterling! "Who is his father?!" His voice echoed multiple times into her ears. "I don't have one, talk to my mummy with respect!"
After a brief appearance at a birthday celebration, Ayra Carter's life took a drastic turn when the famous billionaire's heir chooses her to be his new mum.. "I like you a lot so you have to come home with me and be my new mummy" Arya's heart warmed as she stared at the cute little boy in front of her.. "Cutie.. Why don't you pick again?... I'm about to get married" "My son chose you and that's final! become his mum!" A loud authoritave voice broke into the room.. Now what??? ... Not him! Mr Kyle Anderson! The man who doesn't take no for an answer..
After getting drugged by her best friend at a party Amelia's ends up having a one night stand with a stranger. That stranger turned out to be Liam Grayson the ruthless, arrogant and most successful CEO in their country. "It was just a stand think of it as a gift from me to you" Liam pointed out and in the next instance Amelia grabbed his index finger that was pointing at her. "It might be a stand to you, but not all girls are dying to be on your bed especially not me" Amelia replied through gritted teeth. Liam caught hold of her neck "I can be scary, don't try to act special, I will compensate you for your loss" he muttered as he stared at the red stain on the bed sheet. Amelia met his eyes "well I'm not scared of you" she pulled his hand away from her neck and went out of the room. Liam watched her back leaving before muttering some words " no one messes with Liam Grayson and goes Scot free".
Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
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.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to 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?