Flirty Smiles

Kathalina Ruiz never believed in fairy tales. Her mother's dying wish bound her to enigmatic CEO Thirdie Stone in an arranged marriage she accepted out of duty, not romance. Yet somewhere between quiet nights and fragile smiles, Kathalina fell deeply for her distant husband only to keep her love locked away, too afraid it would never be returned. For three years, their marriage balanced on politeness and silence. Then one stormy afternoon shattered it all. Kathalina walked into Thirdie's office and found another woman-half-naked-sitting on his lap. Without demanding an explanation, she signed the divorce papers he placed before her, his gaze as cold as the ink that sealed their separation. What she never knew was that Thirdie's betrayal was a lie... a desperate act to protect her from the dangerous threats circling his empire. Heartbroken and grieving, Kathalina fled abroad. From the ashes of her pain, she rebuilt herself into a celebrated jewelry designer, admired for her elegance and independence. But fate had other plans. Years later, her mother's lawyer makes a revelation she has inherited a vast fortune and controlling shares in Stone Corporation. The life and the man she tried to escape are waiting for her return. Back in the city where it all began, Kathalina comes face-to-face with Thirdie once more. Old wounds resurface, secrets linger in every shadow, and danger draws closer than ever. Now, she must decide to protect her heart from the man who once broke it or uncover the truth he buried......a truth that could change everything she thought she knew about their past. A story of love, sacrifice, and second chances, The Stones We Keep asks.....is it ever too late to believe in a love that never truly died?

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

I shoot without any kind of fear, with violence, I advance in the lair of the Romans that I hate so much, while I protect my belly. The confrontation is complicated, because we have the same level and weapons, but, if I have come here, it is because I want to end right now with the hatred that has prevented us from advancing. My babies in my belly move and I transform into a wolf to advance quickly through the place, until I collide with a big wolf that makes me angry. The man transforms into a human and smiles at me. “I didn't think you would be so vindictive. It was just a little rejection, Rain, you should let me go.” Lake says, the man that in the past, I loved with my soul. The desire to transform into a human and shoot him flashes through my mind, but I can't give myself away. So, I jump to bite his neck, but, he grabs me in his arms and throws me to the other end of the room, where one of my men grabs me and I, out of shock, transform into a human. “Are you all right?” my bodyguard asks worriedly and I nod in fear. “Are you pregnant?” Lake asks in a daze, looking at my bulging belly. 'Oh, no. Now he knows. Darn.' I mentally tell myself with worry. “'That baby... “If you came to talk, you can talk in hell.” I say shooting at him and he doesn't dodge my bullet, but, instead, rushes towards me. “It's my son, isn't it?” Lake asks. “I don't have to answer anything you ask me; our connection was broken when you rejected me as your moon.” I say coldly.

My husband and I have been married for a decade. When I finally conceive for the first time in ten years, I realize my worst enemies are my family, who all want me dead. I've made a promise to return to the fertility shrine on the mountain and fulfill my vow if things work out, but my mother-in-law deliberately messes up the cable car tickets. In the process of hiking up the mountain for two hours, I lose my baby. In the hospital, I cry to my husband about all the vicious things his mother has done to me, but he kicks me in the stomach. "I had a vasectomy a long time ago. There's no way that bastard inside you is mine!" When he hands me the proof, I'm completely speechless. I break down in tears and run back to my parents' place. Not only do my parents hire a nanny to help take care of me, but they even move out of the house so I can rest in tranquility. When I'm eight months pregnant, I overhear them whispering in the bathroom. "We can never let Gina have the baby. I don't care if it kills her—we're all screwed if the child is born!" "Relax. The doctor already told me that Gina's got leukemia from all the formaldehyde in our new house. Even the baby's deformed!" Shocked, I burst into the bathroom to confront them, but the slippery floor causes me to fall hard. Instantly, blood snakes across the tiles. As I lie there in pain, I look up and see the cold, twisted smiles on my parents' faces before taking my last breath. I cannot fathom why my family wants me dead. I thought they'd been looking forward to his baby for a decade. When I open my eyes again, I return to the very day my mother-in-law insists on taking me to the mountain.

Mia Fernando, A 26 Year old Spanish Woman with Exquisite Beauty, Anywhere she Went, All eyes would turn, She was endowed with Exquisite Black Colored Eyes, Auburn Lush hair, Small and Pointed Nose, Cute Pouty Lips CARL GONZALEZ, a 30 Year Old Ruthless Business Man, He Owned an IT Company which was Responsible for Most Of The Modern Technology we have today Immediately He walks into The Company, Everywhere Goes Quiet and Chilly, Employees Shook and The Mention of Him Name, Peed their Pants at the Sound of His Voice "Why Spend Time Falling in Love when I can make Billions Of Dollars During that time?" These Were His Favorite Words He Hated The Sight of Women but only had a soft heart for..... HIMSELF, His Mom Died Immediately He was Born, His Father joined His Mom When he turned 8 and Ever since then, He had been fending for himself At Age 9, He would go about Each street giving Rich People Shines on their Shoes, He Built what he has today Carl Always thought Women were nothing but Weak, Gold digging Fellas until He Met Her Her Innocence Drew her to him, The way she would scrunch up her face when she was Disgusted, The Way her eyes brow would raise when she was Confused, The way her eyes twinkled when She smiles, He Knew He wasn't In Love with her but He Felt The Monsters within him fall at her foot He Claimed her as His the moment he heard her Voice and When He Saw her for the First Time, He Claimed her as His Bride One Day He Decided To Do Something Ruthless To Get Her, He did something Which got her Wanting to Run Away from Him, What did he do You Might ask He........

Stella and I are at a college party and man, it’s so bad ass. This is our first college party and Stella’sm first party ever. Are you having fun, sister? I ask her. Yes, I really am. My sister Stella is your quiet, stay to herself kind of gal. Where I am that loud in your face kind of girl. So, it’s not weird seeing a beer in my hands and dancing my ass off with my friends or my hot as hell boyfriend Jax. What’s weird is seeing my sister with a beer in hand and dancing to the music, getting her freak on with a strange guy. I’m glad my twin is letting her freak fly tonight. We are going to be seniors when school starts and damn; we need to make a name for ourselves. Being the quiet ass bitch is only going to get her picked on. Jax comes up behind me, moving his hips to the music. Want to go upstairs he asks after a minute of grinding against my ass. Um, yes, I do. I say, wiggling my ass against his front. I’m going to go upstairs with Jax for a bit. Do you think you will be okay while I’m gone? I ask Stella. She just gives me a look that says piss off, asshole. I throw up my hands in surrender. Okay, I say, wiggling my brows. Get it, girl. I tell Stella. Stella just smiles at me. Ditto sister, she says, wiggling her fingers at me. I laugh and grab my boyfriend’s hand and drag him upstairs. When we find a room upstairs, I slam Jax against the wall and kiss him fiercely. Damn baby, did you miss me? Jax asks, smiling.

I married Rafe Maretti—the man who owned the Maretti Casino empire. Sophisticated, ruthless, but sinfully charming. By year three of our marriage, I introduced my little sister to his nephew, Adam Moretti—twenty-five, all sharp smiles and sharper ambition. He ran the dirtier side of the family’s business—arms, drugs, the kind of trade that dripped blood and money in equal parts. I married the powerful, irresistible uncle. She married the young, dangerous nephew. It was supposed to be our fairytale. Then one day, I got kidnapped in Rafe’s casino. Snatched by a rival mafia family desperate to force Rafe to sign over one of his biggest, most profitable casinos. Except Rafe didn’t answer the phone or even notice I was gone. The kidnappers grew impatient. First, it was slaps. Then punches. Then they shattered my leg and buried a knife in my stomach. Still no word from my husband. Until finally, after what felt like a hundred unanswered calls, a single message came through. "I’m with Bianca. She’s having a stomach. Stop calling." Once the kidnappers realized I had no value, they dumped me in a rotting warehouse like discarded luggage. It was Isla, my sister, who found me. She got me out. And then the brakes failed. The car spun out. Isla went unconscious beside me. I tried calling Adam. Isla’s husband. But as soon the call went through, all I could hear was. “Leave me along. Isla, I am in the middle of something here.” When I clearly heard a woman’s voice in the back. If not for a passing stranger, Isla and me wouldn’t have made it to the hospital, let along have survived. So when I opened my eyes again, the first thing I thought was: I’m divorcing that sorry bastard. The Maretti can go to hell.

Synopsis: Driven by her desire for revenge, Lillian devises a plan to confront those who wronged her. However, she realizes that she can't go it alone and needs a partner in her quest for justice. Adrian's jaw clenched as he struggled to contain his emotions. "Why did you leave without a word? Without any explanation?" he demanded, his voice laced with pain and frustration. Lillian's cunning smile widened, revealing a touch of mischief. "Ah, Adrian, always dwelling on the past," she taunted. "But why should we talk about what happened three years ago? It's irrelevant now. I moved on, and so should you." Adrian's expression hardened, his voice turning colder. "I won't let you dismiss it so easily, Lillian," he said firmly. "There are things that need to be addressed, and I won't rest until I have answers." Lillian's smirk grew even more pronounced. "Oh, how noble of you, Adrian," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But remember, we both have our secrets, don't we? Perhaps it's best if they remain buried, but I do have a proposal for you Mr Adrian." Lillian said all smiles “What makes you think I’d be interested in whatever you have to offer” Adrian said in a cold voice. Lillian seductively walked to the Adrian standing opposite her. She went close enough that all Adrian smelt was her body scent,Lillian leaned in and held his collar. Adrian's eyes widened in surprise as Lillian's lips brushed against his neck. His heart raced, caught off guard by her sudden boldness. "What the hell are you doing?" he managed to gasp, his voice laced with both confusion and desire. Lillian leaned back slightly, her eyes locked onto Adrian's, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Marry me " she purred, her voice dripping with seduction.

He loves her, she loves him. He's mature, She's immature and childish. For him, she's his whole universe while for her he's her whole world. He knows her unknown love for him, which she doesn't even know . She doesn't have any idea about him loving her. He's a cold hearted, ruthless mafia king, while she's a pure, kind hearted Angel. She's his reason to be alive, while she's alive just because of him. She doesn't have anyone to call her family except him, his whole family exist in her. He's rude, she's sweet. He's fierce, she's sensitive. She's his princess, he's her king. She never obey anyone except him, while he doesn't listen to anyone except her. For her, he can turn back and upside down the whole world. He doesn't show mercy upon anyone, while she's always ready to help other. She doesn't trust anyone except him. He had never let anyone hurt or break her heart. She smiles because of him, while she's the only reason for his smile. He had never let anyone touch her, or even a single drop of tear let come in her eye's. But what will happen when he'll only become the reason for her tear's...?? What will happen when she'll get to know the horrible past, which he was hiding from her, for her happiness...?? What will happen when a devil's entry make their world turns upside down and seperates them or kill them...?? Is this will be their unique stories ending or a new beginning in their lives...?? How will be their journey of love and of her becoming his princess to queen...?? Peek in to know more.

My name is Daniella Limebear. In my past life, my long-lost younger sister, Heidi Limebear, returns home. On her very first day back, I hear the faint whispers of her heart: "At the riverside, I saw the other kids learning to swim with their dads… I wish I could join them." The next day, I drive Heidi to the clearest stretch of river in the countryside. I teach her to float and paddle, guiding her hands with mine. Without warning, she lets out a scream and disappears beneath the water. I plunge into the river, fighting against the current to reach her. Suddenly, she clutches my arm and pulls me under. With the last of my strength, I push her toward the shore. Water fills my lungs, and darkness swallows me. Amid the piercing wail of the ambulance siren, Heidi curls into our mother's arms, tears streaking her cheeks. Mom slaps me across the face. In Dad's eyes, there is only utter disappointment. "Heidi has already endured so much while she was gone for ten years! I can't believe you would try to drown her the moment she comes home!" he snaps. I stand frozen, unable to defend myself. Shortly after the incident, a group of troublemakers just outside the school gates corners Heidi. Once again, I "hear" her cries of despair echoing in my mind: "He said if I don't meet him tonight, he'll set our home on fire! Daniella, please save me! You're the only one who can." The moment I arrive at the scene, I'm immediately surrounded by a group of thugs. With cruel, mocking smiles, they close in from all sides. "Don't blame us. Your precious younger sister paid us five thousand dollars to kill you." "She claimed that once you're out of the picture, the billion‑dollar inheritance goes straight to her." Just as I begin to suffocate, I notice Heidi standing not far away. Her face remains perfectly calm and composed. When I open my eyes again, I realize I've returned to the day she was found and brought home. Once more, her inner voice echoes in my ears: "I really want to swim… I wish Daniella would take me."