El Filibusterismo Kabanata 23

Have you ever experienced the love that strikes at the most unexpected place, like the arrow of cupid went haywire, or like the love potion you made for someone landed in someone else's hand. How Columbus must have felt when he started in search of a sea route to the East Indies, but ended up discovering America? I mean, it was even better, isn't it? That's what going to happen to our Jia Davis, a 23 year old 'full of life' girl. Her life revolves around her friends and her adventures. Her friends love her with their life. So is she ready to face the world of love after her first unfortunate experience, or she will do what she is been doing, that is 'staying away from the mess' and as she always says 'love is waste of time'. But that doesn't stop her from crushing on the most handsome man she had met. Is he the one who will make her believe in love, or maybe someone...

"Our heart beats only with their permission." For as long as she can remember, the bookworm Synecdoche Rochet, 23, has lived a simple life in Maharlika Nation—hiding in the grasses and grains of District G to avoid the terrifying power of the Embassy and its ruthless Ambassador. In a dystopian world that is controlled with surveillance, Synecdoche Rochet embarks on a mission to get back their rights on their district's valuable resources—the grains. When she discovered her intellectual ability, she found herself drawn to the charismatic Giovanni, the long-lost Ambassador's privileged son together with other intelligent students, Ulap, Token, and Keithwarth. They found themselves being the tributes on the 2nd Maharlika Spelling TwistBee—trapped in the Word Arena. An annually commemorated game where each district will represent one letter in the Alphabet, spell the given English words not verbally, but by beating other competitors who have letter tattoos on their arms. The rules are to Spell and beat them. Within the competitor's reach, the team-up of Synecdoche, Giovanni, Ulap, Token, and Keithwarth isn't a coincidence, it's a conspiracy. What if Synecdoche's age will be reversed? Will they use their intelligence for vengeance? Will they compel love and trust to survive the competition? Is their life the price or the prize? "Even the shortest word has the longest meaning."

Caitlyn, 23, falls in love with Martin, 26. A man she hoped to be with for the rest of her life becomes the beast she found herself stuck with. Martin who appeared loving and caring during their courtship became the devil himself after their marriage. Caitlyn suffers domestic abuse in all forms. Alone with just her kids, a heartless husband, and no family, Sarah begins a journey. A journey that would put her husband behind bars if successful. She desired for him to pay for his atrocities towards her. During this journey, secrets would be exposed. Would she smile at the end? What's the possibility of her being alive to finish this journey? Would it end bad for her?

Shirley McMahon is a 23 years old who has had a traumatic past experience which she cannot remember at all. Unknown to her, many things from her past determines and holds the key to her future. Her life take a confused turn when she comes in contact with the Lancansters; one of the most powerful families in Las Vegas, in a misunderstood event. Her enemies lie within them and their enemies lie within them Unfortunately, this marks the beginning of more mysteries and secrets.

After the death of his wife, Roberto moved away to another country with his daughter Gabriella, preventing her from meeting an unmerited fate from 23 years ago, an unforgettable night that almost cost him his life, love, and happiness. Gabriella isn't happy about the relocation and struggles to fit into her new life. But then she meets Nicola, a mysterious guy who keeps secrets about his life and is hardly associated with anyone in school. She tried to beat whatever she was feeling for him because she didn't want to be involved with anyone who didn't have regard for people. But the more she had trouble in school, the more he rescued her, and the more her feelings kept growing. Gabriella finds out about Nicolas's secret one night and tries to stay away from him for her safety. But he tells her all about the mystery of his birth and they become close. Friendship becomes a desire, a desire which brings a revisitation of the past as Gabriella's dad finds out who Nicolas is and how his existence is connected to the scene of twenty-three years ago. The hunt becomes haunted as Gabriella's dad tries to save his daughter from becoming what he had most dreaded.

Grace White, a weak werewolf with cowardly alpha blood that runs through her veins, is an obedient daughter that strives to stay out of her father’s way and pay her stepmom's hospital fees. Though living with an abusive father, Gracey always finds the time to stop and appreciate life and the joy of being alive. However, when her stepmom’s hospital fees begin to triple, her stresses begin to consume every ounce of joy she has left. Being a girl who lives a life grounded on morals, the thought of selling herself as a house maiden/servant, as her father suggested, to earn enough money, sounds absurd at first. Yet when there seems to be no other option, and her mom’s life hangs in the balance, she decides to sell herself in the largest and most esteemed auction that El Salvador hoists every year. Her mixed feelings towards the auction become subdued, as the moon Goddess gifts her the person she has always dreamt of having. But will he accept her, or hurt her much more than life itself? …but whatever he chooses to do, he needs to remember that: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Sighing heavily she met his eyes, “what do you want Julien?” “Exactly what you want El,” he drawled as a lazy smirk spread across his lips. “I definitely don't want that, not after what you did to Landon you’re an you know, no single decency,-” She gasped as he pulled her flush against him, “ I agree with you El, there really is no decency in me,” he murmured before smashing his lips against hers. Elsida felt her resolve melt as her lips moved against his, she didn't stand a chance and he was awfully aware. She tried to fight it she really did, but it seemed as though she couldn't escape the torment. He had ruined her family once and now she's letting him do it again in more ways than one. Elsida can’t keep up with her Father's bills anymore. The escort agency’s pay is measly in comparison to her Father's medical expenses and she is desperate to save him. Desperate enough to accept an unlikely offer from the man she swore to loathe; Julien Benoit. He ruined her once, letting him in again might just be her damnation. Elsida didn’t know that Julien is out for blood this time until she learns about the role he played in her Father's downfall when she’s already too deep in. Ruthless betrayals, burning desires, heart-wrenching love, and a tragic past. Will trusting Julien save her Father or bring more chaos than she had bargained for?

Elsa is a 23 years old human girl who is unaware of the mysterious world around her until she encounters the last moments of Gwa the Alpha werewolves. Gwa chooses her to be the next Alpha, this changes Elsa life forever as she now struggles with Raphael and others to gain the favour of the other werewolves an also to defeat Adrain and the kingdom of the weredragons.

On the night of her graduation, Elle lost her mum and her best friend Ethan went missing. Her mum's death was strange. She was found dead and dry, with no blood in her when an autopsy was conducted. The only injury on her was two tiny dots on her neck. How she died, she didn't know. But everything pointed to Ethan. Elle had left him with her mum that night, only to come back to meet the worst scenario that tormented her life. This happened five years ago when at the age of eighteen, she moved on and re-established her mum's business known as EL corporations. Now 23 years old, her nightmares started again when Ethan came back. ~~EXCERPT~~ Her emotions swirled all over the place. She was still the stupid Elle. She trusted people easily, but what did they do? They pay her back with heartache and pain. "Elle, I warn you," He said slowly walking toward her like the predator he was. Elle gazed fiercely at him "What are you going to do? Lock me up? Or drink me to death.?!" Ethan smiled, the smile that weakened her bones, that shook her very core and being. "Elle, if you run, I chase, and if I catch?" He took her by the waist and pulled her to him. Their body was so close that his hot breath fanned her neck turning her red. Ethan's hand tightened around her waist "You make me lose my sanity Elle, do you know that?" He bent toward her inhaling her sweet scent that always invaded his senses. Elle's eye's turned wild "Let me go this instant!" Ethan's eye's darkened when he gazed down at her luscious red lips. Before he knew it, his mouth captured her lips in a warm sweet kiss.

"Jane! Jane!! You must stop", Andre raised his voice at her as he tried to catch up with her. " Don't come close to me Andre, it's painfully obvious that we really just used each other, we keep lying to ourselves but we know that this.....this thing we have done all this while cannot be called love", she turned to scream at him as tears poured down her cheeks. Andre was shaken and froze in his tracks, the hurt in her eyes too visible to be ignored. The winds of fate blows a single mother, Jane moss 23 into the path of Andre 25, the heir apparent to the Fernandez group of companies. The relationship begins with suspicion and confusing circumstances, they are finally forced together by an exchange that would be mutually beneficial. Jane wants to sell her liver to offset her huge debt and set her daughter up before she dies as she has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor while Andre's estranged mother needs a new liver. As they spend time together, an unlikely romance blossoms between the billionaire son and a dying woman. How will Jane's only child Stephanie adjust to the new man in their lives? Will Andre's Proud father approve of the opportunist lurking around his son? Will they both summon the courage to admit to themselves that they love each other?