Present Indicative

[TRIGGER WARNING: Reader's Discretion Is Advised... This book contains mature themes, including explicit sexual content, violence, strong language, and dark romantic elements. It is intended for adult audiences (18+) only. Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to any of these topics.] "You’re fucking dripping," he muttered, moving in and out of her. "All wet for me." He moved faster, rubbing her clit and she threw her head back. He took his fingers out and she groaned. He ripped her dress and took her already hard pink nipple in his mouth, sucking and nibbling on it. She moaned even more, pushing her chest to his mouth. His hand played with the other exposed nipple and he twisted it, earning another loud moan from her. She wanted to feel him. It's been too fucking long. "Fuck me..." she said, her voice almost inaudible. Rico chuckled, so sinister yet so hot. "Such a needy little whore for me, aren't you?" He inserted two fingers inside her again, deep inside her, curling just right. "Say it. Say you're my whore." Calla didn't care if that made her feel worthless. She was a whore. His whore. "I... I am your whore," she moaned out, trying to bite it back. Rico smirked darkly. He inserted another finger and she bit into his shoulder to muffle her moan. He gripped her throat with the other hand, just enough to remind her who held control. "You like being used like this, don't you?" He growled against her ear.

Promises are meant to be broken. That's what Infinity believes. Because ever since no one has kept their promises to her. Until she learned not to hope, because, in the end, it would not come true either. Until one man changes her beliefs, he fulfills everything he says and promises to her. Now she began to hope, to believe, to trust, and to love once again. But fate has another plan for her. The man behind her smile left her hanging. That turned her life into nothingness once again. Because of this, she only writes painful stories. That's why The Journal, the biggest and most well-known online reading application and website in the country, editor-in-chief dubbed her The Tragic Writer. After that, she began to rebuild herself. She’s trying to survive and be alive, even in pain and nothingness. But the past keeps on haunting her. Until someone came who made her feel alive again, he made her believe that she was not alone, that she was worth it and had a place in this world. Is he her saving grace? Or another heartbreak?

During the long holiday, to accommodate the travel plans of my hospital director wife, I—someone who hadn't taken a single day off all year—begged and groveled, burning through every last bit of goodwill in my department just to scrape together seven days of comp time so I could go with her. But I waited at the airport from morning until night. After a hundred ignored calls, she finally rang me back, her voice totally casual. "The signal's a nightmare out at the scenic area. I forgot to mention—Julian booked the tickets a day early by accident, so we're already at Tamoe Mount! Since you missed your flight anyway, just go back to the hospital and cover some shifts. It's the hospital's busiest time. Didn't you say everyone in your department was upset about you taking time off? Go make it up to them." On the other end of the line, the wind was howling. Her young colleague, laughing brightly, jumped in. "Hey, Rita, I had no problem switching my shifts. I guess he just slacks off too much—no wonder nobody likes him." Not only did she not stand up for me, she actually agreed. "You hear that, Kevin? Learn to play nicer with your coworkers. Stop obsessing over fun all the time. Then later, it'll be easier for me to push through your raise and promotion." I didn't argue or make a scene. I just said "Got it," hung up, and walked straight to the hospital run by her biggest competitor. "Are you still looking for a vice director? I work hard, I don't need weekends off, and as long as I get normal comp time, I'm good."

“Is this true?” I asked. I can’t believe of what I have read on the posts on the social media account of the two writers that I met, Sketch and Doodle. I read again the post of Sketch. I thought of something, not because there will be no update on his story but because of his post however I can’t remember where I read it before. Then, I read what Doodle had posted. I suddenly remember my story and I read the last scene that I wrote; same words, same scenarios and same comments like how I read their posts. I doubt quite a bit but really it amazed me which I don’t know why. That is why I read some of their last few posts and it was quite surreal which leads to a coincidental from the turn of events on what their real life is and on what I wrote. I won’t pay any attention to what is going on because I know it wouldn’t happen. It seems like my suspicion is true… the things that I’m writing is coming true when there are real people that’s involved on my story however I need to investigate this. Sketch wasn’t talking while driving, I can see on Doodle eyes how amazed he is while we travel, seeing a fine nature is really amazing while I seldom talk just to point where we have to move. I noticed Sketch glanced at me. I smiled. “I’m actually kidnapping both of you and you two are willing victim.” Sketch stepped on the breaks and it made a big screech of the car. “What?!” they both asked.

Celine is an assistant scientist to the genius but coldhearted Dr. Drake Cole. The doctor happened to specialize in quantum physics and time travel. He invented time travel gadgets that will allow humans to travel back and forth through time. It's a portable device compared to a bulky time machine. She's the only assistant who's willing to test these time travel gadgets. Her reason is that she would like to go back to the past where she wants to save the love of her life. He was murdered but the suspect was not convicted. She wants to bring him back to life so that she can be with her college sweetheart once again. Little did she know that Dr. Cole is keeping a secret that is related to her past. That's why he is against the idea of her going back to the past to test the gadget. She's very persistent and willing to do anything just to change the past of her lover. But it's against the rule of time travel and they will both have to face the consequences of their actions. Will Celine be successful in changing her lover's past? Or will she end up falling for the genius scientist in the present? She will be confused but don't care even if time can affect what will happen to her future. All she knows is that she has to go back to the past so that she can move on and live in her present.

There is a Past and then there is a Present. What should be our choice? To go along with the Past, feeling the familiarity of it or to go along with the Present, wishing for something new and hoping it to be amazing? With Past, we already know what to expect and know that it will not hurt the same if something goes wrong again. With Present, we don’t know what to expect and also feel that it may hurt even more than ever. So, should we let go of the past or ignore the present? With all these confusing and unanswerable questions there are a few people who are ready to tell you their story. This is the story of one among such people who has a tough but again, not so tough choice to take between past and present. Hope whatever choice that person takes will be near to perfect one, or at least far away from worst.