"I'm good at many things, Olivia..." Dante's voice was low, almost dangerous. "...and if you let me, I'll show you every single one." Her breath caught. "Then show me," she whispered, daring to trail her fingers up his arms, tracing every hard vein until she reached his sculpted biceps. Then higher. Her nails dug into his neck as she pulled him closer, craving the heat of his breath. "Show me all of you, Dante." --- The night Olivia plans to confess her feelings to Lucas - her best friend - everything falls apart. Heartbroken and humiliated, she walks alone under the rain, desperate to disappear. That's when she crosses paths with Dante Salvatore - the man who will ruin her carefully planned future. Older. Forbidden. Dangerous. Dante is twice her age and the father of her best friend. Falling for him could destroy her. And maybe... That's exactly why she wants him so badly.
Olivia Fernandes
I woke up with a start. I sat up in bed, breathless, rubbing my hands over my face in a desperate attempt to shake off the tormenting thoughts that haunted me.
For seven days straight, I'd been waking up like this. Dazed, disoriented, sweating, and ashamed.
Whenever I closed my eyes, the vivid, lifelike dream that had been plaguing me all week came rushing back. I could recall every detail-the intensity of his touch, his scent, the overwhelming sensations that took over me when I allowed myself a taste of what could be... if I weren't so damn scared.
That's exactly how I felt every time I saw him.
Lucas. My best friend from college. The popular guy every girl in high school dreams but unlike all the boys I'd known back then, he was different. Handsome, smart, kind.
Which is why I always believed it had to be some sort of trap. There had to be something lurking beneath the surface. Something Lucas was hiding behind all that charm and perfection. Some toxic trait, an annoying habit, poor hygiene- anything to prove he wasn't so... flawless.
But after a year of being around him, I'd found nothing. Nothing to kill the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach every time he smiled at me. Nothing to stop the sharp, aching pull in my chest when he was near.
And that infuriated me. Not because I wanted to find something wrong with him, but because I wanted to stop feeling this way. I wanted to get rid of the helplessness that came with being too afraid to admit how I felt.
It wasn't just cowardice. It was this gut-deep fear that telling him would ruin everything. That he'd laugh, or worse, pity me.
It was hard not to believe my looks would get in the way again.
My brother had done a pretty good job convincing me no one would ever find me remotely attractive. And even though people constantly told me otherwise-even though I was often considered one of the prettiest girls in class despite not being a size zero-I still doubted it.
I always wore dresses that flattered my curves, mostly pastel shades, adorned with bows and lace, romantic and vintage all at once. I turned heads, sure.
But emotional scars from abuse don't fade so easily.
And throughout the day, while I got ready for Lucas's 24th birthday party, all those thoughts clung to me like fog.
Love, insecurity, courage-they tangled in my mind like a web I couldn't escape from. And as I stared at myself in the mirror, I knew the choice to untangle it all rested entirely in my hands.
The door creaked open, and I jumped slightly. My roommate stepped in, eyes widening as she took in my appearance.
"Damn, Liv!" Natália whistled. "If I were single, I'd hit on you." She winked, and I gave her a shy, sheepish smile.
Compliments were always hard for me to take, even though I heard them often.
"Do you think I overdid it?" I smoothed down a wrinkle in the black velvet dress. It had a slit on the right thigh and a plunging neckline that showed just enough.
"With the Salvatores? Honestly, you might be underdressed." Nat pulled a worn-out pack of cigarettes from her bag and tossed it onto the bed, leaning by the window to light one.
I frowned, worried at her words, but she just shrugged and went on, "You look amazing, seriously. They're just over the top. I mean, people say Lucas's mom is weird."
"Everyone says that. I still think it might be an exaggeration," I said, slipping on a pair of black heels and placing a matching headband delicately on my head.
The truth is, I didn't know what to think about Lucas's family. Unlike most wealthy families, they were very private.
No tabloid drama, no scandals, not even a single juicy rumor. They would be completely anonymous-if they didn't practically fund the entire university.
That was part of what made me so nervous about tonight. That, and the fact that I'd chosen this party as the moment I would finally tell Lucas how I felt.
So, I spent the whole day getting ready. I put on my best outfit and mentally rehearsed every word of my carefully planned confession.
On the ride there, I kept reciting my speech in my head, trying not to forget anything important. But the moment the driver pulled up to the Salvatore estate's front gate, it was like my brain went numb.
Security checked my name on the list and pointed me toward the path leading to the house. For a second, I genuinely thought I'd arrived at a second university campus- it was that massive.
It took a few minutes to walk the stone path, and let me tell you, walking in stilettos was not helping.
As soon as I heard the thump of bass-heavy music, I knew I was close.
I entered through a side entrance-far from the main doors of the mansion-where a few staff members were welcoming guests. And then I understood what Nat had meant.
Everything was... extravagant. Loud colors, ornate chandeliers, bold and even bizarre decor. Irregular geometric shapes, provocative art hanging on the walls.
Yet the paintings stood out. They were beautiful in a way that clashed with everything else- subtle colors dulled by harsh lighting, yet they pulsed with emotion, each brushstroke soaked in a kind of raw, passionate energy.
I stood there, transfixed, completely absorbed by the naked honesty in the images, one depicting love in its most vulnerable, unfiltered form.
The room grew warmer and more crowded with every passing second. I felt out of place, surrounded by strangers, my nerves prickling.
And then I saw him.
"Since you want to save your parents, what do you propose in return?" the dark-haired man asked, maliciously. "I'll do whatever it takes," she replied, her voice trembling, watching her parents' eyes bulge with worry. "Are you willing to do anything?" He asked before continuing. "Your wish is my command, princess. You're coming with me." --------- When the ruthless head of the Capital Mafia sends his son, Damiano Mazzini, to collect a debt, he has no idea that this mission will set off a series of events that will change his life forever. Victoria Moretti is a young medical student excited to spend her college vacation with her beloved parents. However, she doesn't imagine that this family reunion will turn into a nightmare when their home is invaded by ruthless criminals, leaving her parents as hostages. Driven by surprising courage and selflessness, Victoria offers to take her parents' place as collateral for the debt. This decision places her in the center of the dangerous Mafia world, trapped in a dark and imposing mansion. While Damiano follows his father's orders, he cannot ignore the captivating and courageous presence of Victoria. Intrigued by the beautiful, long-haired redhead, he is confronted with conflicting feelings amidst the criminal life he has always known. As time passes, the two become ensnared in a web of secrets, betrayals, and forbidden passion. Amid imminent danger and chaos, Damiano and Victoria are forced to confront their deepest desires, rediscovering the meaning of love and loyalty in an environment filled with deadly perils.
In the bustling world of Chicago's largest entertainment company, Jonathan Jones embarks on a thrilling journey as an intern, inching closer to his dreams with each passing day. However, an undeniable tension fills the air whenever he finds himself in the presence of his enigmatic boss, Elliot Park – the trailblazing, young CEO leading a multimillion-dollar empire. Despite the momentary attraction that sparks between them, Elliot grapples with primal instincts that put his hard-earned career at risk, all while facing relentless scrutiny due to his age. Jonathan and Elliot couldn't be more different, hailing from separate worlds, yet a magnetic and uncontrollable allure draws them together. Caught in a captivating dilemma, they stand at the crossroads between the safe path and an enticing plunge into chaos. And when faced with the tempting pull of desire, they make a daring choice that will forever alter their destinies. Join Jonathan and Elliot in this gripping tale of ambition, passion, and the electrifying power of love as they navigate a world where heart and head collide, and the line between safety and thrilling adventure blurs in the pursuit of something extraordinary.
"Leonard Bryant is a man of the hour in Sea City. He has won the Pritzker Prize at a young age, which is considered as Nobel Prize in the architecture field. An architectural drawing of his can be auctioned to hundreds of millions yuan. Everyone takes him as an architectural design talent. But everyone also thinks he is gay because of his frequent refusal of women. Ashley Powell has been taking Leonard as her idol and loving Leonard for several years. For him, Ashley chooses to learn architectural design during university. As the saying goes, "when there is a will, there is a way", she finally gets the chance to work in Bryant Group after her graduation. At the graduation ceremony, Ashley was coaxed by her classmates to test if Leonard is gay. A little drunk Ashley came to Leonard's room, then .... 'Who says this man is gay? He is not gay but a beast!' Ashley thinks."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"You're pathetic!" Brenden sneered, each word cutting deep into Corinna's heart. Years of emotional wounds had drained every ounce of love she once held. "I've wasted enough time on you. If there's a next life, I hope we never meet again." Her words severed the bond between them like a blade. From that moment on, Brenden was haunted by her absence—unable to sleep, longing for the warmth he took for granted.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.