Digital Fortress

It was just another morning commute—until he happened. Across the train aisle sat a man who looked like he’d stepped out of a high-end magazine and straight into a power struggle. His voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding, as he chewed someone out over the phone like he ran the damn universe. Arrogant. Entitled. Dressed like a Wall Street god. Correction: he looked like a god. That’s where the charm ended—or so I thought. When the train screeched to a stop, he stood up in a hurry, stormed off… and left his phone behind. Did I pick it up? Yep. Did I snoop? Absolutely. Photos, contacts, a few mysterious texts—I couldn’t help myself. Did I keep it longer than I should’ve, building stories in my head about the man behind the voice? Yeah… I did that too. When I finally gathered enough nerve to return it, I marched into the glass-and-steel fortress he called an office. He wouldn’t even come out to meet me. So I dropped his phone on the desk outside his office door. And maybe—I left a photo on it first. Not exactly the professional kind. What I didn’t expect? A message. From him. What followed were late-night texts that burned hotter than anything I’d ever known. Words became whispers. Whispers turned into fantasies. I was falling—for someone I hadn’t even really met. He and I? Total opposites. Fire and ice. Chaos and control. But when we finally came face to face, it wasn’t just sparks. It was an inferno. What happened next? Let’s just say… falling for him was the easy part. Surviving what came after? That’s where the real story began.

Rima: Jacob Snow is a puzzle. I had initially mistaken him for a cold, uncaring, and arrogant CEO, but as we work together, I realize he's the exact opposite. He's warm, considerate, and humble, a far cry from the man I had painted in my mind. But acknowledging this doesn't mean I'm ready to let my guard down. My past is a dark, haunting shadow, and I refuse to let anyone get too close, afraid of the potential pain that could follow. It's been a while since I've felt this way about someone, and the familiarity of these feelings scares me. The last time it ended being the worst mistake of my life. I don't want to give in to these feelings, but I can't deny that Jacob is becoming more than just a boss to me. Jacob: Rima is enigmatic. She’s resilient, determined, and initially, she appears distant. But as we collaborate, I find myself drawn to her strength and determination. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and the spark between us is undeniable. She’s built a fortress around herself, a wall that's impossible to penetrate, but I’m determined to break it down. I sense she’s hiding something, and I can’t shake off the protective instinct that emerges whenever I see her. As we confront the danger together, I find myself struggling to resist the growing feelings I have for her. As danger looms, Rima and Jacob find themselves struggling to resist the growing attraction between them. Their pasts threaten to tear them apart, but they can’t deny the feelings that are blossoming between them. Will they be able to overcome their fears and trust each other? Or will their pasts continue to haunt them and prevent them from finding love?

My family auctioning me against my will was one thing. But being auctioned to him, the demigod Alpha, known for chaos and bloodshed, the cursed abomination, was the worst that could happen. I watched him kill men without mercy. I watched him claim me just to spite his brother and now, I'm trapped within his fortress as a slave. His slave. At first, I want to end it all before he does it for me, but on a second thought, I have to fight for my freedom. He swears he bought me to spite his brother and humiliate me. He swears that he despises me. My sin? Being born with the same hair as his mother. But then, the way he looks at me isn't the way you look at the enemy. The way he pins and touches me isn't the way you touch a slave. He buries his face in my neck and relaxes with my scent, claiming me in ways no master should claim a defiant captive. I'm supposed to hate him for being heartless, for being evil, for refusing to let me go, but somewhere in between, I don’t. It's hate and angst, yet every touch makes my heart betray me. He makes my heart beat in ways it shouldn't. A human and an Alpha? Unacceptable! In fact, forbidden in Dark Hound! It's in fact forbidden! But he's unhinged and doesn't care. It's all war and roses until I find out I'm the thing that could either destroy him—or break his curse. The devil they warned him about. TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains mature themes and explicit content intended for adult audiences (18+) readers discretion is advised For the girlies who love their MMC a little bit twisted, broken with redemption here and there.

Madalas sabihin ng marami na ang mga anak ang nagsisilbing angkla ng buhay ng isang ina. Para kay Catriona Lavender Carias, tumimo sa puso ang paniniwalang iyon mula sa sandaling mapag-isipan niya ito—hanggang sa subukin ng panahon ang kanyang tibay at paninindigan. Dumating ang sandaling kinailangan niya ng malaking halaga ng pera para sa operasyon ng kanyang ina. Dahil sa matinding desperasyon, napilitan siyang pasukin ang mundong hindi niya kailanman inakalang kakapitan—ang Dream Fortress, isang lihim na bahay-aliwan kung saan ang mga lalaking may matataas na pangalan sa lipunan ay nagbabayad kapalit ng panandaliang aliw. Ngunit sa isang hindi inaasahang pangyayari, ang serbisyong minsan niyang ibinigay sa isang estrangherong naging nag-iisa niyang kliyente ay nagbunga ng isang alaala na hindi mabubura ng panahon—isang anak. Pagkalipas ng isang taon, muling pinagtagpo ng tadhana ang kanilang mga landas. Si Trever de Gracia, ang dating kliyente at ang tunay na ama ng kanyang anak, ay muling pumasok sa kanyang buhay—ngunit hindi siya nakilala nito. Sa halip, inalok siya ni Trever ng isang kakaibang trabaho: magpanggap bilang kanyang kasintahan, at ang kanyang anak bilang sariling dugo, upang pagselosan ang dating kasintahan nito. Ano ang mararamdaman ni Trever kapag nalaman niyang ang batang inaakala niyang bahagi lamang ng isang palabas ay tunay niyang anak? At paano niya haharapin ang katotohanang ang babaeng inupahan niya noon ay ang inang minahal at isinakripisyo ang lahat para sa kanilang anak?

Sa mundong pinatatakbo ng digital codes at madugong transaksyon, si Laxus ang hari. Isang makapangyarihang CEO sa umaga, at isang malupit na Mafia Boss sa gabi. He is the powerful Mafia Boss of the London clan, bagama’t may lahi siyang Pilipino at lumaki dito sa pinas. Hawak niya ang lahat—yaman, koneksyon, at ang buhay ng sinumang babangga sa kanya." Ngunit may isang 'system' siyang hindi kayang kontrolin nang buo: si Amara." Si Amara ang henyo sa likod ng mga firewall ni Laxus. Bilang kanyang Elite Hacker at Personal Developer, siya ang nakakakita sa lahat ng duming ibinaon ni Laxus sa ilalim ng mga encrypted files. She holds the 'Kill Switch'—ang mga impormasyong sapat upang maipakulong ang kanyang boss habambuhay. Gusto nang tumakas ni Amara. Gusto na niyang iwan ang madilim na mundong ito. Ngunit sa ilalim ng kumpas ni Laxus, ang pag-alis ay katumbas ng pagtataksil. At sa mundo ng Mafia, ang pagtataksil ay binabayaran ng dugo. Gagamitin ni Laxus ang lahat ng kanyang kapangyarihan upang panatilihin ang dalaga sa loob ng kanyang 'Golden Cage.' Pero habang sinusubukan ni Amara na i-bypass ang puso ng kanyang boss, unti-unti siyang nahuhulog sa bitag ng isang lalaking handang pumatay—at handang mamatay—para lamang manatili siya sa tabi nito. Sino ang unang bibigay? Ang babaeng may hawak ng ebidensyang makakasira sa kanya, o ang lalakeng handang sunugin ang mundo para lang sa kanya?

Ivana Huo, a sole descendant of a big conglomerate that rises in the city of Beijing. Her family business cost billions of dollars and she lived a comfortable life since childhood. Her Filipina mother had a big influence on her life but at a young age, she suffered her first loss when her Mom died. Later on, her Dad suddenly died too and left her nothing at all. She was thrown away by her relatives who took over her family business. She only had one hope to take back what belongs to her, to marry the second-generation rich descendant of Elite Digital Marketing and Financial Investment Company, Brielle Santillian. She had encountered him during childhood but the young CEO, Brielle Santillian never got involved with any woman. Ivana plans to capture him and marry him to help her take her revenge on her relatives. She forced him to take her as his wife after sleeping with him and threatened him she'll expose their videos and photos that night. Brielle married her for some reason, his family urged him to find a wife but he dared not to mention his parents about their relationship. He helps her to accomplish all her plans but later on, his cold heart couldn't love his wife because he thinks she's nothing but a user. He forced her to sign a divorce agreement but she refused it at first. Accidentally she heard Brielle's conversation that he will never love her and couldn't forgive her. She silently walked away and left everything. She knew she's having his child but she was deeply hurt knowing how Brielle felt towards her. Would they still get a chance to fall in love after they met again or would she let go of him?

Marco - The Don of the Cosa Nostra, cold, heartless and shielded, let's no one in. Conceals his pain. He is engaged to Roxy, for business. With no love or chemistry between them, their marriage is set to be nothing more than business. Lucia - An ordinary woman, with nothing special about her, or so she believes. She runs on emotions. Suffering from anxiety attacks and crazy moments. She's the complete opposite of Marco. Like him, she is engaged, only it's forced on her. Lucia - Life was great until a year ago, I had just been told about my mother's death to watch the love of my life and sister shot before my eyes. The loving father I once had, now cold, calculated, sells me. My newest boyfriend's last quest for me leaves me facing Marco - The Don. I won't go down without a fight. Keeping me captive in his great fortress, I can't escape. What I thought was my life, crumbled down when I found out the secrets my family had hidden. Even Marco couldn't comprehend how deep into the Cosa Nostra I have been since the day I was born. Marco - I knew it was a mistake taking her home, and keeping her hostage until I uncovered the truth. That mistake led to me feeling. It led me to want her like I had never wanted anyone else before. She ripped me open and pulled the feelings free I had buried and tried hiding throughout my life. She just walked in, blew up my life and said, deal with it. Like emotion isn't a weakness. PLEASE BE AWARE. Do not read if you are sensitive to the TW topics. This is one of my most open, raw, and descriptive books. It isn't often it fades to black.

A ex-namorada claustrofóbica de Mateus Souza bloqueou meu carro à beira do penhasco, na Estrada Alto da Serra. A cento e sessenta quilômetros por hora, bateu no meu carro doze vezes. Quando Mateus chegou, acompanhando a viatura da polícia, os bombeiros estavam me retirando à força do banco do motorista, já completamente deformado. Ele, porém, foi direto ao carro esportivo de edição limitada, que tinha apenas alguns arranhões na pintura, e abraçou Beatriz Martins, que tremia dos pés à cabeça. — Sr. Mateus, a Srta. Sabrina está com um ferimento na testa e sangrando. Precisamos levá-la imediatamente ao hospital para sutura. Mateus ergueu a mão, impedindo a passagem da maca de que me carregava, lançou um olhar rápido para minha testa ensanguentada e para os hematomas no meu braço: — É apenas um ferimento leve. Beatriz sofre de claustrofobia; aqui, neste lugar isolado, a situação dela é mais urgente. Levem-na primeiro ao hospital. No momento em que fui abandonada, reuni minhas últimas forças e me agarrei, em desespero, à barra da calça dele. Com o cenho franzido, ele abriu meus dedos um a um: — Beatriz não fez por mal, foi apenas uma crise. Você é advogada, deve entender o que é força maior. Pare de criar problemas. — Em seguida, pegou um acordo de conciliação das mãos do assistente, segurou meu pulso já sem forças e pressionou minha digital no papel. — Há mais veículos de resgate a caminho. Aguente mais um pouco.

Lyra Cole has spent her life fighting to survive. Burdened with the hospital bills for her ailing mother. Her life has always been a delicate balancing act, working multiple jobs to care for her sick mother and younger brother while hiding her talent in digital art, a skill that could change her life if given a chance. But when her mother's condition suddenly deteriorates, she is faced with a staggering medical bill that she cannot possibly pay. Desperate and heartbroken, Lyra turns to her boyfriend, Steve, for help, only to find him betraying her in the cruelest way, shattering her trust completely. With no money, no support, and now unemployed after being unjustly fired from her restaurant job, Lyra feels the walls closing in. Her world seems to collapse until Alexander Dayn, a cold, calculating billionaire CEO, appears with an offer she cannot ignore. He can pay for her mother's treatment but only under one condition; she must enter a contract marriage with him. With no other options, Lyra reluctantly considers the agreement, unaware of the true complexities of Alexander’s world. As they explore a world of luxury, control, and dangerous power plays, Lyra discovers that Alexander's motives are far beyond getting married to her but linked to protecting her from external threats tied to his empire. Undeniable attraction, different personalities, clashing wills, and forced proximity push them into a tense, addictive relationship. Lyra's independence challenges Alexander's dominic, while his control and secrets test her resilience. Their bond is further tested when outside enemies target Lyra and long-buried secrets surface, forcing both to confront their fears, desires, and past mistakes. Eventually, Lyra's courage and talent give her leverage, while Alexander's growing love for her is more than obligation. Together they must choose each other selflessly.

Ikakasal na ang pinakapopular na babae sa amin noong high school. Inimbitahan niya ang lahat sa aming klase para sa kaniyang kasal. Gusto kong kumilos na parang hindi ko nakita ang message na ipinadala niya sa akin pero walang tigil niya akong tinag sa group chat. “Nagkunwari kang mayaman gaya ko noong high school, pero hindi kita masisisi sa ginawa mo. Sa totoo lang, iniimbitahan kita sa kasal ko bukas para makita mo kung paano maging isang tunay na mayaman.” Agad na nagsalita ang iba naming mga kaklase. “Napakabait mo talaga, Haley. Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung paano mo nagawang pakasalan ang isang miyembro ng pamilya Baumer. Hindi ako makapaniwala na mapapatawad mo ang isang materialistic na kagaya ni Emma!” “Ano ba ang deserve ng isang kagaya ni Emma Larkin para makaattend sa kasal ni Haley? Masyado siyang mayabang.” Habang tumitindi ang mga pangiinsulto, umabante si Haley Stockwell para mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa chat. “Sige na, kalimutan na natin ang mga hindi maganda nating nakaraan. Hindi na ako naaapektuhan sa mga ito dahil masyado nang matagal mula noong mangyari ang mga iyon. Anyway, huwag na tayong maghinanakit kay Emma dahil masyado na itong mahirap at pangit.” Walang tigil na umulan ang mga papuri sa kaniya ng lahat sa group chat habang tinatawag siya ng ilan sa amin na mabait at inosente. Napasinghal ako sa aking nakita. Si Haley ang babaeng nagkukunwaring mayaman sa amin—ako ang tunay na tagapagmana ng isang mayamang pamilya pero pinalabas pa rin niya na sinungaling ako. Ginawa niya akong target ng mga pangiinsulto ng lahat. Tiningnan ko ang digital wedding invitation para makitang gaganapin sa aking villa ang kaniyang kasal. Mukha ring pamilyar ang kaniyang groom—hindi ba’t ito ang driver ng aking asawa? Ngumiti ako nang maisip ko ang mangyayari. Sumagot ako sa chat ng, “Sige! Kailangan kong umattend ng kasal mo!”