Sophia vowed never to fall in love again after ending a toxic six-year relationship. Her focus was on healing and finding herself-until she met Louis. Louis, the cold and arrogant CEO of Seattle's most powerful investment firm, never cared about anyone but himself. But Sophia's kindness and fiery spirit shake his world in ways he never expected. Just as their unlikely connection begins to grow, danger strikes. With Louis's enemies targeting Sophia, their lives spiral into chaos. In a world where power comes with a price, can Louis protect her, or will his dark past destroy them both?
Sophia's POV
I groggily opened my eyes to the awful pang of my alarm. Looking at the clock, I realized that I must have hit snooze for the last hour. I jumped out of bed and stepped on my hair brush in the process, causing me to let out a loud yelp.
"Ouch!!" I didn't even bother to check out the damage, I was already late. Today was the interview for my first job since graduating from college this summer, and I was supposed to meet with Ava at a local cafe in just under 1 hour.
I didn't have time to shower so I quickly brushed out my hair and curled it to the best of my ability, hoping that I hadn't left a stray straight strand behind my head. I carefully applied my mascara and had to bypass the rest of my makeup. I picked out a pair of black slacks and a white blouse paired with my black horse bit loafers. Looking at my phone again I sighed with relief, pleased with my ability to put myself together in just twenty minutes. I ran downstairs, grabbed my backpack and keys, and hopped into my car.
It was raining out and the freeways were a mess with the water getting kicked up by all of the cars and semis. I gripped onto my steering wheel as I glided over every invisible puddle. "Of course there would be traffic and weather like this on the day that I needed it the lea st" I muttered to myself as Sza sang in the background.
I wasn't normally this grumpy but today was a big day. I was interviewing for a position in the Emergency Department at a local level 1 trauma center. I was going to work side by side with some of the best doctors and trauma surgeons. I wanted to become a doctor myself and this was going to be a huge step towards it.
I parked in a stall right in front of the cafe and grabbed my backpack out of the backseat before walking to the front of the stall where the meter was. I dug around in my back pack for my wallet that I would eventually find out... wasn't even in there.
My heart sank to my stomach as I remembered that when I went out last night, I moved my wallet to my purse... which was currently sitting on the dinner table... at home.
I groaned out of frustration trying to figure out what to do. If my day is already going this bad I don't want to know how horribly my interview will go. How could I forget my wallet?? My eyes started to water as I realized I didn't even have any cash lying around in any of my pockets. I debated between getting a parking ticket or telling Ava that I wasn't feeling well and just going back home but my thoughts were quickly interrupted when somebody cleared their throat behind me.
I turned around on my heels and realized that there were about 3 other people standing in line behind me. Oh my God, I was too busy freaking out about my wallet that I didn't even realize that a line had formed behind me at the parking meter.
I looked at the source of the disruption, my cheeks burning from embarrassment, and locked eyes with a very handsome man behind me. With my vision still blurred from my tears, I blinked a few times to try and make them evaporate from my eyeballs. The first thing that came to view were his warm hazel eyes that literally radiated power. His dark brown hair was slicked back and he was wearing a navy blue suit, well tailored for his muscular build.
He didn't say anything except stare back at me as if telling me to hurry the fuck up or move. I shook my head from my thoughts and my cheeks burned up again after I realized I was just awkwardly staring at this poor man who just wanted to pay for his parking and get a coffee.
"I- I'm so sorry, I can't find my wallet. You can go ahead of me". I quietly apologized and diverted my gaze down to the sidewalk. I could feel the few other people in line staring at me, annoyed that I was keeping them for so long. Listen, I'm annoyed with myself too.
After a few seconds of silence I looked back up at him, wondering why he wasn't saying anything. Uncomfortably, I looked at his eyes again as his gaze went from me to the machine that I was still standing next to. I quickly moved out of the way and opened my mouth to apologize but before I could get a word out, he chuckled and shook his head as if he were amused.
"Which stall are you in?" He asked, looking out at the parked cars which were collecting as people were arriving to the cafe and local stores.
"13" I pointed at my car that was just in front of us.
He nodded, "and how long will you be here for?".
"Ummm.. uhhhhh.. I-I dont know why?" Thrown off by his question.
"I need an estimate in order to pay the meter." I swear I saw the faintest smile on his cold face.
"Oh of course! Maybe 1-2 hours" I said, making a mental note to smack myself on the forehead when i get home.
Without another word he pushed the number 13 on the parking meter along with the number 2 and slid his card. He handed me a ticket and I just stood there looking at him not sure what to say. He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow as if he was wondering why I was still standing there. I felt like a mere peasant in his presence.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that." I spoke softly and turned around to go put the sticker on my window.
"It was either that or spend another 10 minutes watching you rummage through your messy backpack holding up the line" He chuckled yet his face remained cold.
Okay first of all, I was not holding up the line for 10 minutes and secondly who was he to call me out for my messy backpack!!
I thanked him again and walked inside the cafe looking for Ava. She wasn't there yet so I took a seat at the window. I brought out my documents and arranged them on the table, thanking God that I at least remembered those. As much as I tried to get my head in the zone for this interview, I couldn't help but keep thinking about the strange encounter I just had. For some strange reason I felt so drawn to him, I mean sure he was HOT but this was different. Why did he make me so nervous and speechless? I was never like this around any other guy.
No. Now was not the time for this nonsense. Besides, my boyfriend and I just had a messy breakup and I promised myself that I wouldn't jump into another relationship for a long time. I shook the thought of this stranger from my head, reminding myself not to get caught up in somebody I would probably never even see again.
I felt an unfamiliar tap on my shoulder draw me away from my thoughts and turned around to see a middle aged woman behind me.
"Ms. Sterling?" She asked kindly.
"Oh yes hi! You must be Ava!" I nodded my hand and held out my own to shake hers. After our quick introduction she took out her laptop and settled down into the spot next to mine.
"So tell me about yourself" she spoke.
I was about to answer when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I saw the man walking towards a shiny black Audi that was next to my... very dirty jeep. I watched as he glanced at my car before getting in his own and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed all over again.
I forced myself to look away and continued on with my answer. The interview seemed to be going well but it felt like hours before she asked her final question.
Ava was hard to read, I couldn't tell if she was satisfied with my answers or not. My hands started to get sweaty and I became restless, tapping my foot on the concrete floor. She finished typing something into her laptop and looked at me.
"Welcome to the team Ms. Sterling" she smiled, offering her hand to shake.
ChatGPT You said: I need you to help me write a narrative outline from this blurb. The blurb hasn't given a full narration of how the story is going to look like, so I want you to do that for me. The narrative outline should have a story beginning, story development, conflict(plot twist), climax and ending. Fabricate a story line that will suit the blurb and give it more spice and make it very interesting. Make use of very simple grammar for easy comprehension for the readers. ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Here's a structured narrative outline based on your blurb: Beginning: The story begins with Alessia Marchesi, a bold and independent young woman who defies traditional societal expectations. Alessia, who is fiercely loyal to her family, is shocked when her father announces she is to marry Luca DeLuca, the cold, ruthless heir to a rival mafia family. The marriage is part of a truce to end a decades-long feud between their families. Alessia refuses to marry someone she doesn't love, but her family pressures her, explaining that it's for their survival. The two families arrange a formal meeting to discuss the engagement. Alessia reluctantly agrees to attend but vows to make Luca hate her. Luca, on the other hand, is equally uninterested in the union. He views Alessia as a spoiled, stubborn girl and is determined to prove he has the upper hand. However, when the two meet at the family gathering, sparks fly-not of love, but of intense rivalry and mutual disdain. Alessia's sharp tongue and Luca's arrogance clash, setting the stage for an unconventional relationship. Development: Despite their differences, Alessia and Luca are forced into a fake engagement to maintain appearances. To everyone's surprise, Alessia's fiery personality and refusal to bow to Luca's dominance intrigue him. He begins to see her as more than a pawn in the family's plan. Alessia, while still resentful of the situation, starts noticing a more human side to Luca during their private moments. He protects her during a public confrontation with a rival gang and shares glimpses of vulnerability. They develop an unlikely camaraderie, though neither will admit their feelings. Meanwhile, tensions between the families rise as Alessia uncovers secrets about her father's involvement in shady dealings. She begins to suspect that the marriage arrangement might have ulterior motives beyond a truce. Conflict (Plot Twist): Alessia discovers that her father betrayed Luca's family years ago, which led to the feud. The truth shatters her trust in her father and makes her question whether Luca knows this secret. At the same time, Luca learns that Alessia's father has been secretly working with a rival mafia to sabotage the truce. He begins to doubt Alessia's loyalty, thinking she might be complicit. When a deal goes wrong, Alessia is kidnapped by the rival mafia as leverage to destroy both families. Luca, driven by a mix of guilt and newfound affection for Alessia, goes on a dangerous mission to rescue her. Climax: During the rescue mission, Alessia and Luca must rely on each other to survive. They fight side by side, revealing their inner strengths and solidifying their bond. In a tense confrontation with the rival mafia leader, Alessia bravely negotiates a deal to save both families, proving her worth as more than just a pawn. Luca realizes that he genuinely loves Alessia, not because of the truce but because of her courage, intelligence, and resilience. Alessia, too, admits that she has fallen for Luca, despite their rocky start. Ending: The story ends with the families united not just by the truce but by Alessia and Luca's genuine love for each other. Alessia's father confesses his mistakes and steps down as the head of the family, allowing Alessia to take on a leadership role alongside Luca. The couple's relationship grows stronger as they navigate the challenges of being partners in both love and business. Alessia and Luca prove that their union, which began as a forced betrothal, has become a powerful alliance born of respect and love. Let me know if you'd like to tweak anything further! You said: Hold on for the blurb ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Sure! Please share the blurb whenever you're ready. You said: San Francisco royalty, Stephen Antonio is an egotistical, manipulative asshole who will rather fuck an octopus on live television than get tied down to a woman. But when his one-night-stand from two months ago shows up in his office with not-so-pleasant news, he has to make certain decisions that may involve going against everything he stands for. With his vicious good looks, skirt-chasing habits, and cold demeanor, he is the last person a sweet girl like Olivia Philip should be involved with, but desperate times call for rather creative measures, and soon after she finds herself trapped in the sham of a fake union that threatens to blossom into something that may change her life forever
Wendy Rhoades never imagined her fight against the criminal underworld would lead her straight into its heart. Forced into a marriage with Damian Aurelius-the dangerous and arrogant heir to a mafia empire-Wendy must navigate a world of power, deceit, and temptation. Will she end up falling in love with the exact same thing she is fighting against?
(18+ rated. Contains sex scenes) Alicia Anderson, a regular waitress at Douglas Diner, leads a pretty normal life where romance isn't exactly knocking on her door. Troy Nulec, the hotshot billionaire who's a hit with everyone, especially the ladies, happens to be a frequent customer at the diner. Things get interesting when Troy springs a marriage proposal on Alicia that she never saw coming. As the everyday and the extraordinary collide, Alicia finds herself grappling with a proposal that shakes up her ideas about love, life, and the unexpected surprises waiting for her at the diner.
(This book has sex scenes, 18+ only)Nobody wants to jump into a relationship right after a breakup, do they? Lauren Jones, a self-proclaimed love enthusiast, parts ways with her boyfriend because of SEX. Less than a week later, she crosses paths with Brian Trevor, a charismatic retired Marine. Lauren is cautious about rushing into a new romance, but when she meets Brian, a rugged ex-Marine with a body like a demigod and a canvas of tattoos, her defences crumble. Brian, bearing the scars of his ugly past, is focused on launching his new venture. Love wasn't on his agenda until Lauren enters the picture. She's everything he ever wanted, but all she was willing to give was just her body not her HEART, not knowing that's all he needs to get to heart.
This is an intense High school romance where Photography student, Charlotte Ken thought her internship with the Michigan Bisons ice hockey team would be all about capturing the game, and from the sidelines, cheering her twin brother who is on the team. What she didn't anticipate was the team's charismatic captain, William Malvin, a rumored NHL first draft pick and a true game-changer. With his dazzling smile, sparkling green eyes, and magnetic personality, William transforms Charlotte's internship into a life-altering experience filled with love, friendship and surprises. Charlotte and William didn't set out to find love on the ice, but sometimes love has its own way of melting the Ice.
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m 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?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.