The Best Policy

When I returned to the Costello family as the long-lost daughter, I was dressed in my adoptive sister's hand-me-downs, and the family driver came only for her. Still, they felt guilty toward the daughter they had raised in my absence. So when the government rolled out the Fairness System, they registered the whole family before I could blink. My father exhaled with relief. "With this system enforcing absolute equality, Brittany won't ever have to suffer again." My mother took my hand, her voice leaving no room for argument. "You came home and stole everything that belonged to her. That's not fair to Brittany." My brother didn't bother hiding his contempt. "I only acknowledge one sister. You already got more than you deserve. Don't push your luck." I ate leftovers while she had private chefs. I sweated in a closet while she slept in a custom-designed suite. I almost laughed. When the system went live, they were the ones who fell apart.

“And what does that have to do with me?” I frowned. Ace Hunter didn't even blink. “You're going to save my Boxing career.” I laughed. “Excuse me?” “You're the only genius on this campus who can drag my grades out of the gutter.” He folded his arms. “And in return, I'll help you get over my brother.” My heart skipped. “What?” “I'll fake date you.” I stared at him like he'd completely lost his mind. “The rumors will spread. Brooks will watch the girl he's always taken for granted become someone else's. He'll finally see you as a woman instead of his kid sister.” His lips curved into a dangerous smile. “And while we're at it, I'll keep my GPA high enough to stay captain of the hockey team.” “You're insane.” “Maybe. But I'm also your best shot.” ... For three years, I loved my childhood best friend in silence. The night I finally gathered the courage to confess, he introduced me to his fiancée instead. Humiliated and heartbroken, I accepted the most ridiculous deal on campus. Tutor Ace Hunter—the university's arrogant Boxing Champion, who's one failed class away from losing everything—and pretend to be his girlfriend for six months. The rules were simple. No strings attached. No real kisses. And absolutely no falling in love. But fake relationships have a dangerous way of feeling real. Especially when the boy I thought I'd never stop loving suddenly decides he wants me back. Now I'm trapped between two brothers, and a fake relationship that's beginning to feel like the only real thing in my life.

The last thing Reid King had expected when going on a business trip to Dubai was to fall into bed with her haughty, conceited boss, Gabriel Sullivan. It was definitely a mistake—one that should never have happened. But after a few nights of passion with irreparable consequences, she finds out she is pregnant, and her world is turned completely upside down. Gabriel Sullivan loved his single, carefree solitary life and all the things that came with it: the beautiful woman,the luxury, and the exotic destinations. He was in no rush to settle down, especially not with his employee, even though he couldn't stop thinking about her. Through an unexpected turn of events, she turns up pregnant, and he suddenly realizes he is going to be a father. He knew he had to take responsibility for his actions. He proposes a deal. Though Reid had no interest in Gabriel Sullivan’s money, she couldn't say no to accepting his help. He had the financial means to take care of both her and her baby. But living under the same roof as Gabriel, she realizes she wants more than what he is offering. Will she be able to convince him to let down his guard and finally find true love?.

We were supposed to hand in our college applications. The ditzy school belle volunteered to hand in the whole class' applications and told them it could save them time. "Have fun, guys. I'll make sure all your applications are handed in." I was the class president, and I told her that the applications are important. "Their future is on the line. We can't have someone else hand in the applications on their behalf. They have to be there themselves. No exceptions." That made her cry, and she told everyone that I humiliated her. That very afternoon, she climbed up to the main building's roof and jumped off. My childhood friends lost their minds when the results were out. They stopped me from getting out of the classroom and yanked my hair as they dragged me to the rooftop. "She was only trying to help! Why'd you humiliate her?" "You killed her! You're not our class president!" "We're not letting you live! Not when she's dead!" They shoved me off the rooftop. I hit the ground hard, and blood seeped into the cracks between the tiles of the ground. When my eyes snapped open again, the first thing I saw was the school madonna asking for everyone's application. I snickered and handed her what she asked for. My childhood friends were surprised but also glad. I went into the headmaster's office and signed the papers that would secure me a spot in Harland University. There was only one of those here. This time around, I decided to stop helping those who didn't deserve it and take the highway to success. The boys would see their own future ruined as their applications were changed and sabotaged. As for me? Why, I couldn't care less.

He grinned, getting up from where he was, and walked away from her. She could finally breathe. Her hands adjusted her black hair that had already stuck to her face as a result of the blood and sweat present on it, tucking it behind her ears. Her training clothes were messed up with dust, sweat, and a little bit of blood. She looked up at him again as he walked away from her, but suddenly stopped and turned to look at her. "The most important rule of them all. Rule number 6" he spoke. "NEVER FALL IN LOVE"

During a weekly meeting, a new intern suddenly swapped the projection. The screen lit up with my attendance records, and all my colleagues’ eyes turned to me. The girl lifted her chin, a mix of arrogance and ignorance in her gaze, then slammed a stack of photos onto the conference table. “Mr. Anderson, I’d like to report her! She’s been using the company car to shuttle her family around, treating company resources like her personal vehicle. This must be dealt with immediately!” The room fell into an eerie silence. I looked at the eager intern, feeling a trace of sympathy. The “company car” she was complaining about was my luxury car. Three years ago, I had lent it to the company for appearances in business settings. Yet, I never charged a cent.