Arcadia Lux Novels & Stories

Adrian pressed a button on his visor, and the gates groaned open. The estate was nothing like the Ashford family mansion. While Damian’s house was old, drafty, and filled with heavy antique furniture, Adrian’s home was a modern architectural masterpiece. It was built of dark stone, steel, and massive glass windows, sitting entirely isolated on a private hill. It looked incredibly secure—and incredibly lonely. Adrian parked the car in the underground garage. The moment the engine died, the silence rushed back in. Aurora went to open her door, but before her hand could even touch the handle, Adrian was already there. He opened her door, his towering frame blocking the light. Without a word, he

My heart flipped at the thought—him orchestrating a world that revolved around us—and I pulled him down for a slow, lingering kiss, tasting mint and him. "Yes, a thousand times yes." By noon, we glided into the underground entrance of Luxe Plaza, the city's most exclusive mall that Adrian casually mentioned he owned outright. Its marble halls gleaming empty except for us—staff discreetly vanished, high-end stores unlocked with velvet ropes pulled aside just for my footsteps. "Pick whatever you want—no limits," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist as we wandered into a designer boutique, racks of silk dresses and sparkling heels waiting like treasures.

A fortress. The De Luca Estate rose like a beast in the darkness—three floors, all black stone and glass, glowing with low golden lights. It was beautiful in the way a storm was beautiful—dangerous, untouchable, breathtaking. Amara’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t a home. This was a cage. The SUV stopped. A guard opened her door, and cool night air rushed in. “Out,” he ordered. Amara stepped out slowly, her legs unsteady. Leonardo stepped out on the other side, buttoning his suit jacket as if he was returning from a business meeting—not transporting a woman he’d just forcibly purchased.

“All you have to do is stop fighting happiness.” By evening, Julien’s chauffeur arrived, in one of his impossibly expensive cars, sleek and black, the kind that hums instead of roars. Cassia’s jaw nearly hit the floor as we slid into the plush leather seats. The car smelled faintly of cedarwood and something expensive I couldn’t name. He drove us through the city, past glittering lights and glass towers, until we stopped in front of a beautiful cream-stone building with gold accents. The words ‘Maison Étoile Spa’ shimmered above the entrance like something out of a dream.

~Nella~ After about two hours I was ready and took a cab to ‘Éclat de Luxe’ where Ashley had texted me earlier. It was a large luxurious fashion store. Its entrance is framed by towering glass doors with intricate gold filigree, opening into an expansive, sleek interior filled with natural light. It was definitely made for the elite as everyone who was walking to and fro looked rich. Each corner of the store whispers luxury, with opulent marble floors, walls draped in plush velvet, and chandeliers designed by renowned artisans. The air is filled with a subtle blend of jasmine and sandalwood, creating a sensory experience for every customer who walks through its doors.

"What is this?" "This is our real new palace, my Empress," Adrian rumbled, his large hands coming up to cup her face, his thumbs smoothing over her porcelain cheekbones with an exquisite, breathtaking tenderness. "I had a team of world-class architects design it over the past month. It’s a private coastal estate on the cliffs of upstate New York, completely isolated, completely secure. It has an architectural grid designed specifically to your tastes, a full playground infrastructure for Hayes, and a private sanctuary for you. The tower in the city is for the business. This... this is for our life."

After another seven minutes of driving, the car pulled up, and the day had gone much darker. Adam opened the door and once again helped her out and onto her feet. Lydia glanced up at the massive, luxurious penthouse standing before her, tall and elegant, with a wide, opened window that had nothing to hide. It screamed money—not the one the Chesters had, but a different one—the one that didn't need much to show off because it was confident enough in its luxury. She knew he was rich when she saw the Rolls-Royce this afternoon, but how rich was he? Who is Jayden White, and how powerful is he?

" He blushes and shoos her into the bathroom. ––– The Mercedes AMG S-Class purred through Paris streets, its interior a cocoon of sleek leather, polished chrome, and the faintest scent of cedarwood. Aurelia sat back against the seat, nerves buzzing, while Jake sipped his second coffee of the morning, humming a Madonna track under his breath, trying to ignore that he is sitting in another luxury car different from the one yesterday.

Lydia replied. The group went wild. They hadn't expected Grace's message to get Lydia York out of hiding, since she usually lurked in the group chat without ever saying anything. Lydia was the founder of an international luxury jewelry brand called VERE Jewelry. Every piece that she made would be auctioned off overseas as a masterpiece. Even the rich women in Pamore thought her jewelry was a status symbol. "She has risen! Praise god!" Emily texted. "I'm doing an exhibit overseas, but I'll be coming back to Pamore in a few days. Let's meet up," Lydia replied.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the gate, I was immediately mesmerized. The villa wasn't large, but very beautiful and luxurious. Surrounded by a neat garden with beautifully blooming flowers. Its architecture was modern minimalist with large windows facing the garden. "This place is very luxurious," I said softly while getting out of the car. "It must be very expensive." Aldric was silent for a moment, as if choosing words carefully. "This is provided by my boss," he answered while lifting my suitcase. "So no need to spend personal money." I looked at him admiringly. "Then you must be very capable! Your boss must value you highly."