Behind Closed Doors

"Shut down for rectification, fined $500,000, plus $300 compensation per customer. That’s the penalty from the Food Safety Bureau. Let’s see if you dare serve us gutter oil again!” Yves Larson, a part-timer at a construction site, sends me a provocative text purposefully, as though he's worried that I don't know what's going on. I just stare at the sign that says "closed for renovation", which is hung on the front door of my eatery. Never would I expect that the budget eatery that I've opened for the sake of the workers will be transformed into a blade that's aimed at me, thanks to the very same workers. That night, I sit in the apartment that my dad has left to me before his death. There, I spend the whole night smoking. Early the next morning, I head over to the bank and withdraw the money left behind by my dad, which is 260 million dollars. Half a month later, my eatery is open for business again. Work resumes at the construction site as well. Yves leads the construction workers to the restaurant at lunch. "I've taught him a good lesson last time. This time, I'm very sure that he won't have the guts to serve us cheap food made of shitty ingredients!" What he doesn't know is that the original eatery is already demolished. In its place stands a luxurious five-star restaurant. I stand in front of the main entrance as I perform a welcoming gesture to the workers. "This is a five-star restaurant that offers a private dining experience to you. The minimum bill for each table is 4000 dollars. You're welcome to dine here."

To save his mother’s life as she lay critically ill in the operating room, Dante had no choice. The hospital bills kept piling up. Every door he knocked on for help closed, one by one. Until an offer came—dirty, dangerous, and binding. To become a mafia boss’s kept man. Leonard Virelli was not just a wealthy man. He was the shadow ruler of the city—ambitious, manipulative, and accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. Including Dante. Dante knew this was not simply a “relationship.” It was an unspoken contract of ownership. Of a body paid for. Of a life slowly brought under control. He had never imagined himself stepping into a world like that. But for the cost of the surgery, for the only family he had left, Dante was willing to swallow his pride. What he did not expect was how dangerous Leonard truly was. The man did not only want Dante’s presence at his side—he wanted obedience. Loyalty. Perhaps even… his heart. Behind the expensive suits and cold smiles, Leonard harbored an unhealthy obsession. He was not used to being rejected. Not used to losing. And the more Dante tried to keep his emotional distance, the tighter Leonard’s grip became. Trapped between guilt, desperation, and feelings that began to grow without permission, Dante found himself asking a question he was afraid to answer: Did he sell himself to save his mother? Or had he unknowingly surrendered himself to a man who would never let him go? In the mafia world filled with blood and betrayal, love is not tenderness. Love is possession. And Dante has just signed a contract with the most dangerous man in the city.

Was it fear or some kind of attraction to this mysterious man? She could not distinguish her feelings, but surely these feelings put her on the edge of her nerves! Chiara's wide blue eyes reflected her feelings of fear as she stared into Angelo's eyes. I felt the strength of this man and his ability to make anyone who challenges him turn into a coward! Angelo closed his eyes and clenched his lips tightly, resentful and dissatisfied with himself because he made her feel scared! Why does he care?!

*Warning - contains mature scenes* When Monroe, a girl with a tragic past moves across the country to start over, she has big plans for her life. None of these plans, however, involve Cade, the school's most notorious player. They both know , but neither of them know real intimacy. Cade and Monroe both had less than ideal childhoods and have closed off their hearts and minds to protect themselves. Breaking down these barriers may prove more difficult than either one of them was prepared to handle.

Who pulls the trigger with their eyes closed? Perhaps someone as crazy as me. That was in beginning of my trouble. The look in Dante's eyes sent chills down my spine, I wanted him to look at me differently, but in his eyes I could see that he wanted nothing more than for my blood to be spilled, the darkness in his eyes seemed untamable, but not for me, I was going to tame that darkness even if it was the last thing I do. Soon he would only have love for me in his eyes, soon.

After the murder of Ethan's mate he knew he would never love again. The pain he felt was worse than any physical harm his body could experience. Wracked with grief, he closed himself off from the world, putting his position as alpha in jeopardy. Jenny never wanted love, she tried that once, she was content in educating children and dedicated her life to suppressing the wolf inside her. She thought she was successful but the Moon Goddess had other plans.

Today I had my first kiss. It wasn’t planned. It was also with a complete stranger. As I walked through the crowded halls of Crestwood High, my heart light with excitement, I felt it before I saw it—a familiar presence, sharp and wrong. My boyfriend, Mark, was nearby and he wasn’t alone. “You’re a bad boy,” the cheerleader laughed softly. “Only for you,” Mark replied before his lips closed over hers. At that moment, I felt sick to my stomach. “Oh, Mark. Stop it. You know we can’t be seen together. What if your girlfriend finds us?” “She’s in class. She’s never late. You don’t need to worry.” My heart was heavy in my chest, but also a wave of fury and resentment crossed me. “Bethany?” Mark breathed, staring at me in shock “What are you—” Before he could get the entire question out, I turned to the gentleman beside me, placing my hands on his shoulders and pulling him toward me. He went easily, though his eyes showed nothing but confusion. I closed my eyes tightly so I wouldn’t have to see his expression any longer. Then, our lips touched. Later, I walked into my class but found,It was him… The man I kissed only moments ago in the hallway. The man I had given my first kiss to, was my professor.

At Manatee high, where wealth whispers through the marble halls and last names open doors, Emma Carter stands out for all the wrong reasons. She’s there on a scholarship — smart, quiet, and completely out of place among the designer uniforms and polished smiles. Her father works long hours as a construction worker, and her mother’s absence still echoes through every choice she makes. All Emma wants is to survive senior year unnoticed. Connor Hayes Charming, confident, and born into old money, he moves through school like he owns it — because, in a way, he does. But behind the perfect image lies someone quietly restless, bored of the shallow routines and expectations his family forces on him. When a class project throws Emma and Connor together, their worlds collide. What starts as polite conversation turns into stolen glances, late-night talks, and moments that make Emma question everything she’s been taught about people like him. For the first time, Connor finds someone who doesn’t care about his last name — someone who sees him. But no everyone is happy about it ,The whispers start. And soon, Emma isn’t sure if she’s part of Connor’s world — or just an experiment in rebellion. As emotions deepen, the line between love and heartbreak blurs. Emma learns that privilege comes with its own cages, and Connor realizes that sincerity can’t be bought. Together, they must decide whether what they have can survive the pressure of judgment, jealousy, and fear — or if love alone isn’t enough to bridge two very different worlds. “Emma and Connor” is a coming-of-age romance about class, courage, and finding where you belong — even when the world tells you that you don’t.

Synopsis Bianca Carlisle had always known loving Louis Monte was dangerous, but she couldn't stop herself. Their secret affair had been a passionate whirlwind, hidden behind closed doors. She had given him her heart, but in the end, he had chosen her step-sister. Louis Monte was a ruthless billionaire, a man who valued power over love. When the time came to settle down, he didn't hesitate to announce his engagement to Bianca’s estranged step-sister,choosing legacy and status over passion. Bianca was shattered, but she refused to be his dirty little secret. She walked away. But Louis didn't take the breakup well. He wasn’t the type of man to be left behind. However, the tainted reputation of Bianca’s mother,a woman known for being a mistress to powerful men,was a shadow he couldn't ignore. Marriage was out of the question. On the night of his bachelor party, fate took a twisted turn. Bianca was drugged by an unknown enemy, and in her vulnerable state, she stumbled into Louis’s arms. Fueled by desire and old emotions, he couldn’t resist her. That night, he made love to her one last time. When Bianca finds out she’s pregnant, she knows she can’t stay. Louis will never choose her, and she refuses to let her child grow up in the same web of betrayal and heartbreak. So, she does the only thing she can,she runs. But Louis Monte is not a man who lets go of what’s his. And when he finds out the truth, there will be nowhere left for Bianca to hide.

She opened the door, and when she stepped inside, someone else closed it behind her. She jolted. Her head spun in shock to see him standing there. Her nerves felt jittery. He couldn’t possibly kill her now, could he? “W-what do you want?” Anna stuttered. The usual smirk wasn’t on his lips as he glared at her. “One thing I hate is when things don’t go as I planned. Silly little loopholes,” he said, pushing away from the doorframe. Her heart rippled when he took a step toward her. He was tall and large—she felt like a little girl compared to him. “I will scream,” Anna breathed, cold sweat rolling down her back. He held her chin. His hold was gentle as he caressed her jawline. Anna shivered. Then his lips tilted into a smirk—not enigmatic like the ones she had usually seen. This one was… sinister. One that told her he didn’t have good plans for her. “Careful there. We wouldn’t want you ending up with a broken spinal cord now, do we?” His large palm flew to her throat, his thumb gently caressing it. Tears brimmed in her eyes. “What do you want?” Her voice came out as a low whisper. “Your body,” he deadpanned. “As manure for my apple tree.” After being thrown to the wolves by her own father, Annalisa must make the ultimate choice—follow her heart or destroy the man she’s come to love.