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Cast aside and humiliated, Elice McLean never imagined she would endure life. She was on the brink of giving up. Until that night led her to a crazy revelation. That she still held value. His name was Garrett Alexander Morales. A stranger who proved to Elice that in his eyes, she was still immensely precious. Through his gaze, through his way of speaking, and through his ... touch. * 1st book of seri 'The Billionaire'
Elice McLean never thought there would be a sadness that could make her shed tears so intensely as she did now. Not only did her cries appear heartbreaking, but the repeated sobs shaking her shoulders also proved just how hurt she was. It was as if her world had been completely shattered without any trace remaining.
"I truly love you, Elice. Really. I truly love you."
Elice wanted to push that voice out of her mind. But the more drinks she took, the stronger the voice echoed. She could not get rid of it, no matter how much she wanted to.
You heartless scoundrel, Ariel!
Elice tightly squeezed the glass in her hand. The transparent object made of glass seemed to transform into the embodiment of her heartache. She needed an outlet. And perhaps soon, that outlet would turn into shards of broken glass.
"Ssst."
As it turned out, the empty glass was still fortunate. Suddenly, a hand gently took it from Elice's grasp. As if a hero was saving an innocent victim from senseless slaughter.
Elice turned her head. She blinked her eyes and shook her head once, trying to focus her slightly blurry vision. The effect of the drinks she had consumed and the flickering lights in the place.
There was a man. Dressed neatly in a combination of a black suit and an open-neck shirt. The top two buttons of the shirt were undone, revealing a bronze-colored skin that glistened with a thin layer of sweat.
"I'm Garrett. And you?"
The hand placed Elice's glass at a safe distance. Then, he offered a handshake, a gesture of introduction, which was met with Elice's disdain. Her hand went up and waved it away.
"Go and leave me alone. I have no business with you."
The man who called himself Garrett smiled wryly. He did not seem bothered at all by the ignored handshake. Instead, he was straightforwardly rejected, right in front of a bartender who was mixing his drink. The bartender snickered, signaling Garrett, who merely shrugged briefly.
"It seems like you have quite a big problem."
The disgusted expression on the bartender's face became even more pronounced. He shook his head repeatedly and decided to walk away. He did not want to witness the show that might start any moment.
"A problem that should never have come to make a beautiful woman like you cry alone like this."
Elice closed her eyes. Now it seemed she had managed to drive Ariel's voice out of her mind. Unfortunately, it was replaced by another voice, pretending to be concerned about her current state.
"Can't you leave from here?" Elice asked with a gruff tone. "Don't you know where the exit is?"
Garrett laughed, completely unoffended. Instead, he did something that made Elice widen her eyes.
Garrett pulled over a round chair nearby and sat down, right next to Elice. Seeing this, Elice growled.
She did not want to add to the mess of her day. Dealing with Ariel had already made her a wreck. She did not want to deal with a crazy stranger that night.
The chair Elice sat on spun. A clear signal that she was about to leave. But Garrett did not allow Elice to walk away from him.
Elice found her chair spinning back to its original position. She saw Garrett's hand do it.
"You."
Elice's eyes were not just wide now. Instead, they were glaring. And that should have been more than enough to signal that she did not appreciate what Garrett had just done.
Garrett grinned, pointing to his watch. "It's still eleven o'clock, Miss. It's too early to go home now."
"Why should you care? Even if I decide to go home at three in the morning, you have no right to stop me."
Garrett's grin widened. His eyes focused on the rosy red hues on Elice's cheeks. Whether it was due to the influence of the drinks or maybe because of her anger, he did not care about the cause. He only cared about one thing. The natural blush on her face made him want to gaze at Elice's face for a long time. She looked fascinating.
"I indeed have no right to stop you, Miss," Garrett said, moving a little closer. Closing the distance between them, he took the opportunity to look deeply into Elice's eyes. "But honestly, I can't bear to see a woman like you cry alone in a place like this."
Again, Elice snorted.
"Even more than that, a woman like you shouldn't be crying."
Hearing that, Elice blinked once, then a smile appeared on her lips, forming an expression that made Garrett furrow his brows. It seemed strange to him.
"If you want to woo a woman," Elice spoke again, "look for someone else, Sir. I'm tired of hearing sweet words from macho men like you."
Garrett could not help but marvel. He burst into laughter and did not seem offended at all.
"Hahaha."
Elice found his laughter annoying. And she had no plans to listen to it all night. She would leave there. Before her emotions inside her erupted and she could not control them anymore. Who could guarantee that Elice would not be provoked to smash the empty glass she held earlier on the man's head?
However, for the second time, Elice's desire to leave was thwarted. This time not because Garrett spun the chair she sat on back to its original position. Instead, now Garrett openly held one of Elice's hands.
Elice stared; her eyes wide. Seeing how daring Garrett was to hold her wrist. She tried to pull her hand away, but Garrett brought her even closer to him.
Garrett held Elice's hand and, using the wheels on the chair's legs, he effortlessly slid her closer to him.
Elice instinctively closed her eyes. When she felt how close they were, the warm breath from Garrett's lips brushed against her skin. When she opened her eyes, Garrett smiled at her.
"I'm not trying to woo you, Miss. But...."
Garrett took a deep breath, his eyes moved, observing Elice's disheveled appearance. Though she looked beautiful in her knee-length black dress, there was something odd that made Garrett's eyes itch every time he looked.
"I just want to know. Why a woman like you can cry like this all alone? Uhm... you should be enjoying life. Not crying over it."
For the last time, Elice tried to pull her hand away from Garrett's grasp. But the result was the same. Garrett made sure Elice would not leave. At least not until she answered his question.
"Do you want to know why I'm crying like this?" Elice repeated the question she was asked. "Do you want to know why I look so sad?"
Somewhat hesitantly, Garrett nodded.
"I've already told you," Elice said, gazing intently at Garrett. "... it's because of macho men like you."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"With a crazy stranger like you?"
Elice's question made Garrett chuckle.
"Thanks, but no," Elice shook her head. "I have many other sensible things to do than discussing my private matters with a stranger like you."
"This stranger won't make you lose anything."
Elice was stunned by Garrett's words. Especially when she saw his expression. He looked so relaxed and carefree. And he smiled, creating an appealing impression on his face.
"You're sad. You need an outlet. And, coincidentally, I'm available," Garrett said lightly. "I have a few hours ahead to listen to all your troubles. Isn't that an attractive offer?"
Dramatically, Elice took a deep breath, her eyes then fixed on the flickering lights illuminating the place. It seemed like she needed pure oxygen to breathe smoothly. So, her mind could stay clear.
"Compared to someone you know, uhm... especially someone close to you, talking to a stranger gives you freedom. No judgment, no preconceptions. There's only one thing. Absolute listening."
Elice furrowed her brow. Now she wondered if she had drunk too much that night. Otherwise, why did the words of the stranger in front of her sound reasonable?
Meanwhile, Garrett, when he saw Elice silent, knew that his words had somewhat influenced her. Something that made him more confident and continued his words.
"And I can assure you that I am a good listener."
Taking a moment, not immediately accepting the offer presented to her, Elice used those few seconds to observe Garrett. He gave the impression that he was relaxed. And that's why Elice was certain about something. That Garrett was the kind of womanizer. Because it seemed like that was the law of nature. Womanizers had good social skills, especially when it came to greeting strangers without any awkwardness.
"Tell me, Sir," Elice finally said. "Is this how you usually try to seduce random women in clubs?"
"Hahaha."
Garrett laughed heartily, shaking his shoulders completely. His dark eyes even looked a bit watery.
"I never try to seduce random women in clubs, Miss," Garrett denied. "Feel free to ask everyone here. I always spend my time here, and I'm sure everyone knows me. And I can assure you that none of them have ever seen me trying to seduce women like I'm talking to you now." He smiled. "That is, if you consider my words as a form of seduction."
Elice's face felt hot. She could clearly sense the faint sarcasm in Garrett's words. Something that inevitably made her feel embarrassed too.
Oh, God! This doesn't mean that Elice is too confident, assuming that Garrett is trying to seduce her. But, what else could a woman like Elice think when she found a stranger approaching her and inviting her to talk? Of course, there was nothing else.
"If this is not a seduction..." Elice stared at Garrett. "... then why?"
Elice's gaze was met fully by Garrett's. For a few seconds, there was only silence between them. As if the music playing there failed to reach their ears.
At that moment, it was not only Elice who questioned it. Garrett did too. Why? Why did he have to leave his spot and approach a crying stranger? Was he bored? Or... what?
And now, as Garrett looked at the remaining tears on Elice's cheeks, he realized one thing. The reason why he was still holding Elice's wrist when she showed no signs of leaving. It was because...
"I'm curious. How great of a man can make a woman cry like you are now."
*
Azera Cordelia Ross thought her life had reached its maximum limit of misfortune, but it turned out that fate still had surprises in store. Yesterday she was a poor college student running away from a drunken father, and now she was a future Luna locked in the golden room of the Alpha, Oscar Donovan. The prophecy had come true. The herd rejoiced. The ceremony and the feast were ready. Only Era was lost in a question. Am I a werewolf?
The clawless luna, that's what they called her. Vione Celestie Munest had reached a point where she no longer hoped for destiny. Living without a clear origin and claws was painful enough for her. She didn't want to add to her suffering by being humiliated by her Alpha, Usher Thorne. So when Usher decided to sever their bond, Vione's only words were. "I, Vione Celestie Munest, accept your rejection as luna and mate, Alpha Usher Thorne."
Get a job while running into an ex? Oh no! Vanny never expected this to happen in the script of her life. But for Vanny, exes were a species that should be extinct from human civilization. For Haris, on the other hand, it was a different story. For him, exes were a species that should be preserved, especially if it was the only ex he had. So, would Vanny be willing to give up the job to avoid her ex? Or would Haris manage to use the penalty clause in the employment contract? Money or love? Which would they choose?
Elzi Amelia Collins was indeed fortunate. She had a happy family, graduated from college, and immediately found a job, and was engaged to a handsome and wealthy man. Envious, right? However, hold on a moment. That was just the beginning. After that disastrous night, a series of calamities seemed to rain down on her alone, as if from the heavens. It all started with a high school reunion. In the early hours of the morning, Elzi woke up innocently next to a guy, both covered with just a single dimly lit blanket in one room. No forensic examination was needed to know what had happened to her while she was drunk that night! Hoping she would not get pregnant, Elzi found her world turning even more chaotic. On another night, her fiancé attempted to violate her. Luckily, she managed to escape. Ironically, she ended up being helped by the one who took her virginity! Her younger brother pronounced his judgment. The engagement was called off! And as if that was not enough, another disaster struck at her workplace. When a beautiful woman, resembling a model, assumed that Elzi was stealing her man. Now, Elzi found herself trapped between them all. Her high school friend, who kept offering his responsibility; her ex-fiancé, who was trying to apologize; her protective younger brother, and the woman who thought Elzi was stealing her future “prospective husband” (remember: future “prospective husband”).
Misfortune in both work and love seemed to be Vonda Raveena Scoot's constant companion. Just when work pressures had her on edge, she had to endure a broken heart as she witnessed her boyfriend, who also happened to be her subordinate, indulging in a romantic affair within the empty confines of their office space. These two factors were compelling reasons for Vonda to unleash all her emotions at her company's CEO's wedding party. She drowned her sorrows in glass after glass of alcohol until she was intoxicated and decided to call for a ride-hailing service. However, little did she know that her inebriated state would lead her to board the wrong car. “Uh... I'm a bit tipsy. But just because I'm tipsy, I feel like I'm riding in a red Lamborghini taxi.” Vonda laughed heartily. Eventually, she found herself pouring her heart out and ended up asking a crazy question. “Sir, you don't have to drive tonight, okay? How about just accompanying me instead? After all, I'm quite pretty, right?” In the days that followed, Vonda came close to considering checking herself into a Mental Health Institution.
Vebby Alison Quill would do anything to save her younger sibling's life. Even if it means entering a contract marriage with Leonardo Osborne. It only takes 365 days for Vebby and Leo to be married. After that, they will go their separate ways. Can they let go of each other when the 365th day arrives? Or will they end up entangled in love after 365 days? * 1st book of seri 'A Year'
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
"Lucien, let's get a divorce," I said in a peremptory tone that was long overdue, the most decisive farewell to this absurd marriage. We had been married for exactly three years-three years that, for me, were filled with nothing but endless loneliness and torment. For three years, the husband who should have stood by my side through every storm, Lucien Sullivan, had completely disappeared from my life as if he had never existed. He vanished without a trace, leaving me alone to endure this empty, desolate marriage. Today, I finally received his message: "I'm back. Come pick me up at the airport." When I read his words, my heart leapt with joy, and I raced to the airport, thinking that he finally understood my love and was coming back to me. But his cruelty was far worse than I could have ever imagined-he was accompanied by a pregnant woman, and that woman was Carla, my closest and most trusted friend. In that moment, all of my previous excitement, all my hope, and all of our shared laughter and tears turned into the sharpest of daggers, stabbing into my heart and leaving me gasping for air. Now, all I want is to escape from this place that has left me so broken-to lick my wounds in solitude. Even if these wounds will remain with me for the rest of my life, I refuse to have anything to do with him ever again. He should know that it was his own hand that trampled our love underfoot, that his coldness and betrayal created this irreparable situation. But when he heard those words, he desperately clung to this broken, crumbling marriage, unwilling to let it end-almost as though doing so could rewind time and return everything to how it used to be. "Aurora, come back. I regret everything!" Regret? Those simple words stirred no emotion in me-only endless sadness and fury. My heart let out a frantic, desperate scream: It's too late for any of this!
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
"It's getting hot in here, don't you think?" I shudder as my clit becomes wet with his smooth voice. I melt away in his arms. He kisses me with a passion I've never felt before, and I moan into his mouth, lost in the moment until I sense him kicking open a door. I realize we're in a room. He continues the kiss as I wrap my leg around him, pulling him closer, his erection pressing into me. I feel my panties dripping wet from arousal. He releases me, resting his back on the headboard, and grabs my thigh, pulling me closer. His hand goes to my hair, releasing it to let my curls fall freely. He guides his fingers from my scalp to the ends of the curls, muttering in a husky voice, "Fucking beautiful. ****** Jasmine found herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Her world shattered when she uncovered her husband's betrayal on his birthday. Heartbroken and betrayed, she made the difficult decision to leave him and start anew in Illinois, with her friend Ava by her side. As Jasmine tried to go through her new life, a one-night stand left her pregnant, uncertain about the father's identity. But complications arose as Maxwell, Jasmine's ex-husband, refused to let go. Jasmine discovered shocking truths about Ava's betrayal. As secrets unraveled and loyalties were tested, Would she find the strength to overcome the obstacles in her way? Could she trust her heart, or would the shadows of the past forever haunt her?