Novels by PhillWrites

The moment Ethan's sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Bellissimo Firenze, one of the most exclusive Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, camera flashes immediately erupted from every direction.The paparazzi, dozens of them, lurked everywhere. Cassandra had barely stepped out of the car before cameras were already pointed at her face.Ethan naturally rounded the vehicle and offered her his hand. She slipped her hand into his, managing a smile as a flash exploded at her face.Ethan's security escorts immediately swung into action, forming a protective ring around the duo as they started to make their way towards the restaurant's entrance.The restaurant itself looked like something out of a movie. Well, at least to Cassandra. Specifically those scenes where the billionaire takes the regular girl they had fallen for on some fancy date in some fancy restaurant. Nicole would often force her to binge watch such movies with her…Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Soft gold

PRESENTThe taste of Cassandra's lips. It had been everything Ethan had thought it would be. He hadn't been able to get enough of it.They had moved on to his suite afterwards and it had been—Ethan's grip tightened around the wine glass he was still slowly swirling. That night had been the best night of his life.Not because of the sex. Although that had been great too even though her touches had been clumsy and her kisses inexperienced. No. That night had been the best in his life because she'd made him feel… Alive. Wanted. Human. Things he hadn't felt in a long time. But then, the next morning, she had disappeared. And for one brief, stupid moment—Seeing the bloodstains on the sheets—Ethan had thought she was simply a sweet girl who had been naive enough to give her first time to him.He had even felt responsible. It was why he had put his men on her. But then, after investigating her and finding out she had a sick mother who needed urgent surgery, the side of him that had been pl

The entire drive back to Ethan Gray's mansion was painfully quiet. The city lights flashed past as the car cut through the busy streets of Los Angeles.Cassandra didn't turn away from the window. Not even once.Beside her, Ethan kept his eyes fixed on the road. His expression remained impassive. Cold.His mind spiralled though, with thoughts of the chocolate-brown haired petite woman sitting quietly beside him.By the time the car rolled into the driveway, Cassandra was already reaching for the door.“Goodnight.” Her words came out in a rush and before Ethan could even respond, she practically bolted from the car and sprinted towards her bedroom. In her bedroom, Cassandra heaved herself onto the bed. And then she slowly turned to face the ceiling, staring at it blankly as she took deep successive breaths. “Don't move.” Cassandra's eyes squeezed shut. It wouldn't stop playing in her head. Ethan rising from his seat and leaning towards her. His thumb brushing over the corner or her

Cold water splashed hard against Cassandra's face. She gripped the edges of the marble sink and stared at her reflection in the large mirror.Her cheeks were slightly flushed. Her heart was still beating far too fast.The image of Ethan's hands cupping her face wouldn't stop replaying in her mind. The gentle brush of his thumbs. The softness in his voice. “You are gorgeous.”Cassandra groaned. She scooped another handful of water and splashed it onto her face.Just then, the washroom door opened and Nicole walked in. “You okay?”She moved beside Cassandra and pulled a few tissues from a dispenser, and then she stretched them out to her.Cassandra accepted them. “Sure.”Nicole raised an eyebrow. “That sounds convincing."Cassandra rolled her eyes as she dabbed her face dry. “I'm fine.”“Uh-huh.” Nicole leaned against the sink. “I did tell you that you could do better than plain hoodie and jeans.” She gestured dramatically at Cassandra's outfit.“I mean, you are Ethan Gray's fiancee now

Friday arrived too soon.A violent wave of nausea hit Cassandra Greene as she stepped out of the taxi, which had just pulled up in front of one of California's most exclusive bridal boutiques.“Oh God—”She barely managed to turn her head before throwing up beside the curb.Nicole rushed out of the taxi after her. “Easy, easy.”She placed one hand on Cassandra's back, patting her gently while her other hand held her hair in place. When the nausea eventually subsided, Nicole handed over a handkerchief. “Here.” “Thanks.” Cassandra wiped her mouth before taking a deep breath. “Does this happen often?”“Sort of.” Cassandra's voice came out weak even to her own ears.Nicole sighed softly and reached for Cassandra's arm, squeezing ever so gently. “And this is exactly why I'm anti-pregnancy.”They started toward the building ahead. The bridal boutique occupied three floors of a sleek glass structure bearing elegant gold lettering: Maison Élise Bridal Couture.The place looked less like a b

Nicole stared at Cassandra in disbelief. “Okay, first of all, that's not entirely true.”The wind was blowing hard now on both their faces, compelling their hairs to sway and dance.“Oh, but is.”Nicole groaned, rolling her eyes. “You are impossible.”Cassandra smiled into her coffee. Nicole shook her head.“You know word is he didn't just remove those stories.”Now this got Cassandra's attention. “What do you mean?”Nicole leaned closer. “I heard he blacklisted every media outlet and gossip blog that posted those articles. He even sued them. They are done for in the news industry. Done.”Cassandra blinked. Ethan had done that? All of it? For her?Nicole nudged her shoulder. “See? Pretend husband-to-be or not, he did something nice for you.”Cassandra remained quiet. Images flashed through her mind. The cruel headlines. The hateful comments. The articles mocking her. Then all of it disappearing overnight.Maybe… Maybe Ethan had actually felt bad… Maybe beneath all that arrogance and ic

The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting a rather warm and golden hue over the serene seascape. The air was cool and soothing. The gentle sound of waves crashing against each other gave off a a soothing backdrop to the scene. Along the sandy shore, an aisle was crafted, adorned with seashells and colourful flowers. Audrey had been the one in charge of all the wedding decorations and she had done one hell of a job! The salty breeze carried with it a sense of anticipation, mingling with the laughter and chatter of everyone gathered, half of which the wedding couple didn't even know. Being the global favourite couple, people had come for their wedding from all around the globe. The place was packed full. It was a good thing that the private beach was immensely spacious. Underneath beautifully constructed bamboo arches, adorned with billowing fabrics and fresh blooming flowers, the guests were sitting in groups. A romantic melody soon started to play and the procession

The long awaited day of the trial of the state versus Linsley Conat finally came. As the masses were now actively involved in this case, Linsley Conat had been unable to bribe her way out of prison. The few people she knew in power in the judiciary system refused to help her. Her last resort, which had been to fake mental illness, had fallen apart because her son had made sure to cut her off completely from those that might be able to help her fake the reports and all the other necessary documents. Backed in a corner, helpless, all she had been able to do was wait dejectedly in her cell for the day of her trial…"All rise!"Everyone in the courtroom rose immediately as the command from the judicial assistant rang out. The judge stepped in and it was after he took his seat that he muttered a lazy, "Sit!" and everyone else in the courtroom took their respective seats.From across the courtroom, Linsley's almost lifeless eyes caught sight of her son and she gave him the most deathly st

It was all over the news the next morning being a Saturday, every news channel was airing it. Newspapers, magazines both online and in hard copy print all carried the news of the arrest of Linsley Conat. The news however didn't say under what grounds she was arrested but in the news published by Starlight Media agency, they announced that the son of Linsley Conat, Jake Conat had agreed to an exclusive interview to discuss the subject of his mother's arrest and give them all the scoop there was. The interview was scheduled for the next day being Sunday. The internet was in a frenzy. Jake got a call from the company warning him not to come because the paparazzi were everywhere. Even the security stationed far ahead at the entrance of the street leading to the mansion had called to inform him that the paparazzi were gathered there as well. Thankfully, the paparazzi couldn't get into the street because of the tight security at the entrance so they couldn't get anywhere close to the ma

It was a lot. Everything that had happened in the past couple days. It was too much revelation. She was angry, bitter, sad, frustrated, and hurt but most of all, what she felt the most was fear. The fear of losing the love she shared with Jake. The fear of losing the happiness he had brought into her life. The fear of losing the peace he had brought her. The fear of losing the complete perfect family she had envisioned. The fear of losing her brother even. It was because of this fear that she hadn't come to a decision all the while or even address the situation. Now she was ready. She knew what she had to do. Karen had ended their session with the words, "Maddie dear, don't forget that the past is past. It actually has no control whatsoever on your present or future, not unless you allow it. Your happiness does not lie in the past but in your now." Karen's words had been the final push she had needed to come to a decision… "Welcome mummy," Andrew who was in the living room rushed

Maddie had been sitting right across Karen for roughly fifteen minutes already, yet she hadn't said a word other than the greeting she had muttered to the lady when she had first stepped in. The warm smile playing on the therapist's face didn't falter, she continued waiting patiently for Maddie to speak. Drawing a sharp breath, Maddie finally opened her mouth to speak. "I umm, it's umm, complicated. I don't even know where to start." Karen's smile widened. "You can start anywhere you like Maddie. " The way Karen's office was designed, it was a modern office setting with an office table and a chair, and then across the table on the other end were two other chairs, arranged to slantingly face each other. There were a stretch of cupboards right behind the office table and chairs, at the far end of the wall, it contained drawers containing files of patients. Ahead of the office table before one got to the door or if one came from the door, were two adjacent reclining sofas. This w

"Idiot!" Linsley cursed under her breath the moment Stephanie was gone, kicking at her feet in fury, and just then her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then picked the call rather hurriedly. "So, have you found that fool Harry?" she asked the person on the other line. "No we haven't. He seems to have disappeared," came the reply from the person on the other line. "Then find his f**king family fool and use them to lure him out!" She practically yelled into the phone. "Well, umm, his father and younger sister have disappeared as well. I think your son is protecting them by keeping them hidden somewhere." "Arrrgh!" Linsley screamed, tossing her phone across the wall in anger. "Incompetent fools!" she cursed, and then started to parade about the room. Her son was protecting Harry! Was he f**king insane? He had threatened to send her to jail but it had just been an empty threat, right? Well, she was beginning to think of the threat as more than just an empty threat.