Empire of Desire
Amelia Cruz only wanted one thing — success on her own terms. Matapang, driven, at walang inuurungan, she clawed her way into the corporate world armed with nothing but grit and intelligence. Pero hindi niya in-expect na ang biggest challenge niya ay hindi trabaho… kundi si Adrian Blackwood — the cold, insanely powerful CEO who built his billion-dollar empire with ruthless control.
From the moment they met, Adrian made it clear:
> “You’re mine, Amelia. Whether you fight it or not.”
Bound by a contract na hindi lang tungkol sa business, Amelia suddenly finds herself trapped in Adrian’s dangerous world — full of power, obsession, and desire. Habang lumalalim ang relasyon nila, mas nagiging delikado ang laro. May mga inggit na executives na gusto siyang pabagsakin, a powerful family that wants her gone, at isang rival CEO na handang ibigay ang kalayaang hindi maibigay ni Adrian.
Pero mas nakakatakot pa sa lahat — ang mga sikreto ng nakaraan nilang dalawa.
What started as a battle of wills turns into a war of hearts. Amelia must choose: isusuko ba niya ang sarili sa empire ni Adrian, o ipaglalaban ang kalayaan niya kahit kapalit nito ay siya mismo?
At si Adrian — a man who can control everything except love — will have to face one truth:
Without Amelia, his empire means nothing.
In a world where love can be as dangerous as power, one question remains:
Will their desire build an empire… or burn it to the ground?
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Chapter: The Whisper NetworkAmelia’s POVWhispers move differently inside Blackwood Corporation.Hindi sila lumalapit sa’yo nang direkta.Hindi sila nagsasabi sa’yo nang harapan.They slip under doors.They float through hallways.They snake around cubicles and settle in corners like dust you can’t sweep away.By the second day after signing the contract, kumalat na ang lahat.Nararamdaman ko na agad pagkalabas ko pa lang ng elevator.That hush.Yung mga ulo na biglang napapalingon. Yung mga mata na masyadong nagtatagal. Yung mga usapang napuputol pag dumadaan ako.My heels echo down the hallway—loud, sharp—parang bawat hakbang ay nag-a-announce ng iniisip nilang bagong title ko:Blackwood’s favorite.Blackwood’s pet.Blackwood’s chosen.I hug my folders tighter and force myself to breathe normally.Do not run.Do not react.Do not give them the satisfaction.Pero sumusunod pa rin ang bulungan.“She’s in the CEO’s wing now.”“Overnight promotion? Seriously? ”“I heard she’s directly under him.”“Under him? Or un
Last Updated: 2025-12-06
Chapter: HR BriefingAmelia’s POVThe email arrives at 9:03 a.m. sharp.Mandatory HR Orientation – New Role ProtocolLocation: 17th Floor, Compliance BoardroomTime: 9:30 a.m.Attendees: Amelia CruzWalang explanation. Walang context. Walang cc.Just my name.Parang summons. Kulang na lang “Appear in court.”Tinitigan ko ‘yung screen, pulse ko kumakatok sa collarbone ko. Tahimik ang bago kong office—hindi normal na tahimik. Tipong parang hinihintay ng hangin ‘yong sumabog.‘Yong glass walls, ‘yong bagong desk, ‘yong mamahaling ergonomic chair—kahit isa diyan, hindi ko nararamdaman na akin.Kasi hindi naman talaga akin.Kanya.Si Adrian Blackwood lang ang may-ari ng lahat ng ‘to. Ilang oras pa lang nakakalipas mula nung pirmahan namin ang kontrata, inilipat niya agad ako. As in bago pa ako matapos sa kape ko, inabot na ng assistant niya ang bagong keycard.“Mr. Blackwood wants you positioned closer for efficiency.”Efficiency.Aka: mas madali niyang bantayan.Aka: mas madali niyang kontrolin.Aka: mas hind
Last Updated: 2025-12-06
Chapter: New Office, New ChainsAmelia’s POVThe next morning greeted her with a message—maikli, diretso, at punong-puno ng authority na kahit hindi naka-full name, alam mong si Adrian Blackwood lang ang pwedeng gumawa.From: Adrian BlackwoodSubject: Office AssignmentReport to the executive wing at 8:00 AM.—A.Walang explanation.Walang “good morning.”Walang option mag-reply ng “pwede later? ”Amelia stared at her phone, slowly feeling her heart sink like bato sa dagat.Executive wing? Bakit?Hindi pa nga siya naka-recover sa kahapon—the stares, the whispers, ‘yung feeling na parang sinusukat siya ng buong kumpanya. And now this? The executive wing was a different universe. Hierarchy was everything. Power was currency.Bumuntong-hininga siya, pilit nilalabanan ang kaba.It’s fine. Maybe temporary. Maybe just documents. Maybe—Pero alam niya.Adrian Blackwood doesn’t do “temporary.”---Pagdating niya sa executive floor, agad niyang naramdaman ang ibang atmosphere. Tahimik—pero hindi yung awkward tahimik. Control
Last Updated: 2025-12-04
Chapter: The Morning After the ContractAmelia’s POVIba ang gising ng umagang ‘yon.Mas matalim. Mas totoo. Mas maliwanag para sa isang taong gumawa ng isang bagay na hindi na pwedeng bawiin.Nakaupo si Amelia sa gilid ng kama, nakatitig sa mga kamay niyang nanginginig. Dalawang beses na siyang naghugas—isang beses pag-alis niya sa opisina ni Adrian kagabi at isa pa pag-uwi niya—pero pakiramdam niya, nakadikit pa rin ang bigat ng bolpen sa balat niya.She had signed.Her name.Her future.Her freedom.Humigpit ang dibdib niya.Anong ginawa ko?Nagvibrate ang phone niya—emails, group chats, reminders—pero hindi niya pinansin. Umupo lang siya, pinapapasok ang lamig sa mga buto niya.Nag-iba ang mundo pagkasign niya ng kontrata. Naramdaman niya iyon nung pumasok siya sa lobby ng Blackwood Tower.Tahimik masyado.Hindi naman dead silent—pero parang may panonood. Parang sinusukat siya ng mga mata ng lahat.“The girl with the contract.”“Bagong favorite ni Blackwood.”“He must really want her for something.”Tinaas niya ang baba
Last Updated: 2025-12-04
Chapter: The Line She CrossesAmelia’s POVNagsimula ang bagyo sa labas ng Blackwood Tower eksaktong pagkatapos ng sunset—hangin na parang sinasampal ang mga bintana, ulan na dumadaloy pababa ng glass wall na parang may sinusubukang isigaw ang mundo sa akin.’Wag mo gawin. ’Wag kang mahulog. ’Wag kang bibigay.Pero tapos na akong magpanggap.Tapos na akong magkunwaring hindi ako unti-unting lumulubog.Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang mag-isa akong nakaupo sa opisina. Nasa harap ko ang kontrata—at parang buhay siya. Parang may hininga. Parang may mata. Parang hinihintay lang niya yung eksaktong sandali na tuluyan akong mabasag.Tinitigan ko yung crisp pages, yung perpektong Blackwood letterhead, at yung pirma ni Adrian sa ibaba. Matalim ang pen strokes niya, eksakto, walang sablay—katulad niya.Parang alam niya.Parang alam niyang darating din ako rito… na mauubos din ang mga dahilan ko.Sumikip ang dibdib ko.Hindi isang malaking event ang nagtulak sa akin dito.Kundi libo-libong maliliit na sugat.Medical bill
Last Updated: 2025-12-02
Chapter: What It Cost to DreamAmelia’s POVHindi ko pa binubuksan ulit ‘yung kontrata.Hindi muna.Sa halip, nakaupo lang ako sa desk ko, halos hindi gumagalaw, pilit hinihinga ‘yung sakit na unti-unting sumisiksik sa dibdib ko. Tahimik ang office—‘yung klase ng katahimikan na parang may hinihintay. Desisyon. Spark. Ako.Dahan-dahang kumuyom ang mga daliri ko habang ang utak ko… bumabalik sa lugar na ayokong balik-balikan kung hindi kailangan: home. Hindi ‘yung apartment ko ngayon, pero ‘yung totoong “”home”—‘yung maliit, mainit, masikip na kwarto sa ibabaw ng bakery ng tita ko. Doon ako lumaki. Doon nagpakapagod ang mama ko araw-araw para mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na mas malayo sa simpleng kaligtasan.Kita ko pa rin siya.Buhok na nakaipit lang sa plastic clip.Mga daliring laging may bandage dahil sa paso pero hindi niya kailanman inireklamo.Likod na masakit kada gabi.Ngiti pa rin kahit gano’n.“Anak, study hard. You don’t have to end up like me.”Sinabi niya ‘yon na parang dasal.Na parang pangakong ginawa
Last Updated: 2025-12-02
His Billion-Dollar Secret
Amara Lopez never believed in fairy tales—especially not the kind that involved ruthless billionaires in tailored suits. She only wanted to finish law school and help her struggling family. But fate throws her into the path of Damian Cruz, the cold and arrogant heir to Cruz Holdings. Their worlds collide when Amara becomes his reluctant intern, sparking a war of wills that neither of them expects to lose.
What begins as hatred soon shifts into something more dangerous: desire. But Damian isn’t just any man—he carries a billion-dollar secret that could destroy everything they’re building together. His fortune, his family’s dark past, and a legacy bound by betrayal all stand between them.
As enemies turn to lovers, Amara must decide whether to risk her heart on a man the world calls ruthless—or walk away before his secrets consume her.
In a world of luxury, lies, and love that burns too hot to ignore, can a billionaire with everything to lose hold on to the one woman he can’t let go?
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Chapter: What It Cost to DreamAmelia’s POVHindi ko pa binubuksan ulit ‘yung kontrata.Hindi muna.Sa halip, nakaupo lang ako sa desk ko, halos hindi gumagalaw, pilit hinihinga ‘yung sakit na unti-unting sumisiksik sa dibdib ko. Tahimik ang office—‘yung klase ng katahimikan na parang may hinihintay. Desisyon. Spark. Ako.Dahan-dahang kumuyom ang mga daliri ko habang ang utak ko… bumabalik sa lugar na ayokong balik-balikan kung hindi kailangan: home. Hindi ‘yung apartment ko ngayon, pero ‘yung totoong “”home”—‘yung maliit, mainit, masikip na kwarto sa ibabaw ng bakery ng tita ko. Doon ako lumaki. Doon nagpakapagod ang mama ko araw-araw para mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na mas malayo sa simpleng kaligtasan.Kita ko pa rin siya.Buhok na nakaipit lang sa plastic clip.Mga daliring laging may bandage dahil sa paso pero hindi niya kailanman inireklamo.Likod na masakit kada gabi.Ngiti pa rin kahit gano’n.“Anak, study hard. You don’t have to end up like me.”Sinabi niya ‘yon na parang dasal.Na parang pangakong ginawa
Last Updated: 2025-12-02
Chapter: A Future She Can ImagineAmara’s POVThe office feels different today.Not heavy. Not tense. Not stretched to its breaking point the way it had been for weeks.Just… quiet.Ethan’s transfer request was approved this morning. The news slipped through the halls like a soft breeze—small whispers, brief questions, concerned glances.Where is he going?When is he leaving?Is he okay?I didn’t answer any of them.Because I was still figuring out how to breathe in the space he left behind.But the strangest thing wasn’t the emptiness.It was the calm that followed.A quiet that wasn’t painful or uncertain anymore. A quiet that felt like a beginning instead of an ending.Maybe that’s why, when Damian stopped beside my desk at noon and asked, “Want to take a break? ”—I didn’t overthink it.I just nodded.---We end up on the rooftop. Not the dramatic version where people break down or confess life-altering truths… even though we’d done all of that here before.Today, it’s just a place touched by soft wind and kind sun
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Ethan’s GoodbyeEthan’s POVI didn’t expect goodbyes to feel like fading out of my own life.For days, I’ve been drifting through the office like a ghost—quiet steps, quick nods, avoiding anything that lasts longer than a polite exchange. People notice, of course. They always do. They just don’t ask.Except Lydia.She’s leaning against the pantry counter when I walk in, coffee in hand, looking half awake and fully judgmental. Her eyes track me before I even reach for a mug.“You look like someone unplugged your soul,” she says.Classic Lydia.I force a smile that feels thin. “I’m fine.”“Which is exactly what people say when they’re absolutely not fine.”I don’t respond. Lydia watches me for a moment, then sighs into her cup like the weight of my emotional crisis personally inconveniences her.“Just… don’t disappear without telling her,” she mutters.My hand tightens around the mug. “I’m not disappearing.”She hums. “That’s what you think.”She leaves before I can answer, and the silence she leaves b
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Peak of the TriangleDamian’s POVI’m not sure why she chose the rooftop.Maybe because it’s quiet.Maybe because it’s where she goes when she needs space.Or maybe—maybe—because whatever she’s about to say will crack something open, and the open sky feels safer than four walls.Either way, my steps feel heavier with every stride.Because for the first time since meeting her—since arguing with her, wanting her, falling stupidly and recklessly fast for her—I’m preparing myself to lose.When I push open the rooftop door, she’s standing near the railing, arms wrapped around herself, wind tugging at her hair. She looks small, fragile even—but the pull she has on me is anything but.She turns when she hears me. The look in her eyes—uncertainty, guilt, pain—hits like a punch.“Damian,” she says quietly.Just my name in her voice tightens something in my chest.“I came as soon as you called,” I answer, keeping my tone level even though nothing inside me feels steady. “What’s wrong?”She swallows. “I… I need to b
Last Updated: 2025-11-27
Chapter: The Choice She Doesn’t Want to MakeAmara’s POVIf someone had told me a month ago that I would be stuck between two people I care about — two people who care about me — I would’ve laughed and said that was impossible.I’m not the type women in stories are modeled after.I’m the “safe” one.The reliable one.The one who fixes chaos, not creates it.But now?Now I am the chaos.Because Ethan’s confession — his quiet voice, his shaking honesty, the way he said It was always you — hasn’t stopped echoing in my chest for a single second.And I don’t know how to carry that.I don’t know how to carry him.---I’ve been floating through the office all day, pretending I’m fine, pretending I can breathe normally even though my heart keeps stumbling over itself.And everywhere I look, I see traces of them.Ethan’s mug still sitting on the pantry counter.Damian’s jacket draped over his chair.They’re both here, everywhere, in ways I never realized mattered until now.And somehow, without meaning to, I’ve become the center of somet
Last Updated: 2025-11-27
Chapter: The ConfessionEthan’s POVI didn’t expect this moment to feel like drowning.But standing outside the conference room where Amara has been working for hours—shoulders tight, hair pulled into that messy knot she only makes when she’s overwhelmed—I feel every unsaid word pressing against my chest like stones.I’ve rehearsed this a hundred times.I’ve backed out a hundred more.But today… after seeing her walk through the office like a ghost, after watching her avoid both me and Damian like we’re fire she can’t even breathe near—I know one thing with painful clarity:I can’t run anymore.She deserves the truth.Even if it breaks me.I exhale shakily and knock on the door before my courage disappears.There’s a pause—long enough for doubt to claw at me—then a soft, tired voice:“Come in.”I step inside.She looks up, startled. “Ethan?”No anger. No rejection. Just confusion… and exhaustion. Somehow, that makes everything hurt more.“Hey,” I say quietly, closing the door behind me.She sets her pen down
Last Updated: 2025-11-24
Kiss of Ruin
Akala ni Elara Cruz, nakatakas na siya sa madilim na nakaraan ng pamilya niya. Tahimik na buhay na lang ang gusto niya—malayo sa gulo, malayo sa sakit. Pero lahat nagbago nang makilala niya si Damian Blackthorn—ang cold, ruthless, at sobrang dangerous na heir ng isang crime empire.
He’s everything she should avoid.
Pero isang halik lang mula sa kanya, at malinaw na: “Akin ka.”
Mahalaga ba ang puso kung kapalit nito ay buhay?
Hanggang saan kaya ang kaya niyang isugal para sa isang pag-ibig na bawal, mapanganib, at nakakatukso?
Sa mundong ginagalawan ni Damian, ang loyalty sinusukat sa dugo… at ang betrayal binabayaran ng kamatayan.
At sa huli, kailangang pumili ni Elara: lalaban ba siya—o magpapalunod sa halik ng sariling pagkawasak?
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Chapter: The Queen’s VowElara’s POVKahit ilang oras nang patay ang apoy, nananatili pa rin ang amoy ng usok sa marmol na arko ng Burning Hall.Dati itong sagradong lugar ng katarungan—ngayon mukha na siyang warzone. Naguunahan sa sahig ang mga durog na bato. Ang mga watawat ng Seven Houses ay nakabitin na parang sinunog na tela. Amoy dugo, pinaghalo sa amoy ng nasunog na kahoy.Pero sa ilalim ng lahat ng ‘yon, may mas malalim at mas malamig na katotohanan:May gustong pumatay sa kanya.Hindi lang patahimikin.Pero tuluyang burahin.Nakatayo si Elara sa gitna ng nawasak na bulwagan, balot ng soot ang kaniyang balabal at may abo pang nakadikit sa dulo ng kaniyang tirintas. Kumukurap-kurap ang mga sulo sa pader, gumagawa ng mga aninong parang kalansay ng mga haliging nabuwal.Sa likuran niya, tahimik na gumagalaw ang mga sundalo—nag-aangat ng katawan, naghahanap ng mabubuhay, nagsasagawa ng imbentaryo ng pininsala. Bawat kaluskos ng metal, bawat hinaing, bawat bulungan—lahat iyon parang panggagatong sa tensyon
Last Updated: 2025-12-07
Chapter: The Burning HallElara’s POVThe council chamber was built to intimidate.Black marble floors. Gold-veined pillars. And a domed ceiling painted with victories of dead kings—men who never imagined a woman standing at the center circle, surrounded by their descendants like a lamb thrown to wolves.Pero ngayon?Hindi ako tupa.I stood in the middle of the arena-like pit, cloak gone, blades at my hips, wrists bare—no crown, no silk, no armor except the spine I forged through pain and betrayal.The Trial by Blood.Their last attempt to humiliate me.To break me.To remind me that I was queen only because they allowed it.Damian stood on the raised platform with the kingsguard—expression sharp, knuckles white on the throne’s carved edge. Tradition forbade him from interfering.But the tension in his eyes?It said he was already calculating how many bodies he’d stack for this insult.High Councilor Varus sneered down at me.“Defend your authority, Your Majesty. If you can.”A ceremonial sword was placed at m
Last Updated: 2025-12-07
Chapter: The Trial by BloodElara’s POVThe council chamber hits different kapag lahat ng tao sa loob gusto kang patayin.Mas madilim ang mga sulo.Mas mahaba ang mga anino.At bawat tingin—labindalawang councilors, dose-dosenang guards, at mismong hari—parang mga talim na nakatutok sa’yo.Pero isang talim lang ang tunay na mahalaga ngayong gabi.Yung talim na gusto nilang ipagsaksakan sa akin.Si Councilor Varyn ang nakatayo sa gitna ng circular arena sa ilalim ng main chamber—ang lugar para sa duels, parusa, at mga ritwal na ayaw mo sanang mapunta ka. Nakangiti siya nang manipis, parang lason.“Queen Elara,” anunsyo niya, malakas ang echo ng boses sa buong amphitheater, “for the crime of defying royal authority and endangering the empire’s stability, the council calls for a Trial by Blood.”May collective gasp mula sa lahat.Trial by Blood. Hindi ‘yan tinatawag kung hindi seryoso ang gusto nilang mangyari. At palagi lang itong may dalawang ending:Manalo ka.O maputol ang ulo mo.Tumayo si Damian, halos mabali
Last Updated: 2025-12-05
Chapter: The Queen DefiesElara’s POVThe council chamber feels less like a meeting room and more like a battlefield.Polished marble floors.High arched ceilings.A long obsidian table na may ukit ng bawat ruler ng empire.And around it—twelve of the most powerful councilors, all waiting for the king and queen.Waiting for me.Damian enters first, the heavy double doors opening with a low groan. He walks with that kind of authority na parang yung hangin mismo umiilag sa kanya. The council bows. I step in a moment later, my gown brushing lightly against the floor.They bow again—pero mas mababaw.Yeah, napansin ko ‘yon.Damian takes his seat at the head of the table. I sit beside him.His jaw is tight.His eyes were colder than the sword hanging by his hip.He hasn’t forgiven me for the secret recruits.And definitely hindi ko rin siya napatawad for demanding I disband them.“Let the council convene,” he announces.Scrolls open. Pens scratch. Guards close the doors.Councilor Varyn—payat, tuso ang mata, parang
Last Updated: 2025-12-05
Chapter: The King’s SuspicionDamian’s POVDamian had always known how to read a kingdom.Kaya niyang hulihin ang isang kasinungalingan sa maliit na kislot ng kilay, maramdaman ang simula ng pag-aaklas sa pabulong na usapan ng mga sundalo, at mahuli ang panganib bago pa tumapak sa trono.Pero ngayon, may ibang kumakagat sa instincts niya—Elara.Iba na ang kilos niya nitong mga araw. Mas matatag. Mas maingat. At ang mga gabi niya—hindi na ginugugol sa pagbabasa, pagpapahinga, o sa tahimik nilang mga sandali na dati ay sapat na para sa kanilang dalawa.Ngayon, lumalabas siya sa kakaibang oras… at umuuwi nang may putik sa kamay at apoy sa mga mata.Kaninang madaling-araw, umalis siya bago sumikat ang araw.At doon na sumabog ang pasensya ni Damian.Sinundan niya ito.Hindi diretsahan—hindi niya ugali ‘yon. Pero palihim, tahimik, gaya ng isang nilikhang mabuhay sa lason ng korte at sa mga patalim sa loob mismo ng palasyo. He moved like a predator, silent and certain, though every step felt like walking toward a truth
Last Updated: 2025-12-03
Chapter: The Queen’s Secret ArmyElara’s POVPower doesn’t always come from royal blood or golden thrones.Minsan galing ’yon sa mga eskinita.Sa mga sirang bahay.Sa mga batang kinalimutan ng mundo.At minsan…Galing ’yon sa mga taong wala nang natitirang mawawala.At yung mga taong ’yon—Sila na ngayon ang akin.---Dumaan ako sa makitid na arko sa ilalim ng palasyo, mula sa ilaw ng mga torch papuntang dilim. Mabasa ang hangin, malamig ang lumang batong dinaanan ko—mga daanang nilikha ng mga luma at sabing hari para makatakas kapag gulo ang mundo.Pero ngayon, iba na ang gamit nito.Iba na ang layunin nito.Naririnig ko ang yabag nina Lysa at Mareth sa likod ko—dati kong handmaidens, pero hindi na lang sila ganoon.Komandante na sila ngayon.“Attendance? ” tanong ko habang dire-diretso ang lakad.“Kompleto, Your Majesty,” sagot ni Lysa. “Twenty-three lahat. May mga bagong recruits din.”Bagong recruits.Mga batang dapat sana ibinenta sa sindikato.Mga nilalang na dapat sana dinala sa mina o pinabayaan magutom.Mga
Last Updated: 2025-12-03
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