Gleaming

An anonymous girl is seen running away from men who are behind her like wolves, amidst the darkness of the valley and the gleaming moon. Panting, gasping for breath she reached for her shield huffing. As she saw his silhouette she felt relieved and started to run to him to find warmth in his embrace. As she stepped closer to him, the men stopped. Suddenly she heard his voice which made her steps stall and her heart crack. "Stop! Don't come near me" She felt her bleeding heart slashed by his stern words. She expected his comfort to surround her and his love to transcend her plight, but neither happened. Eventually, her demons overcame her as her feet began to give way. Her bruised body started to feel twice the pain as before. "You don't trust me" she muttered and let the darkness lull her to sleep. It's difficult to say what led her to give up: the same distrust from her loved ones twice, or the fact that she was the favorite victim of all the bad luck. ****** Hailey is a nerd, anti-social and awkward. Her striking orbs were hidden behind rimmed spectacles and her curvy figure was hidden behind her oversized hoodies. During high school, she was the most famous person in college. What changed? Enter Mark Anderson, the hottest guy in college. Girls swoon over him and boys envy him but does he give a damn? Naa! He isn't a playboy or a bookworm. He is just the man of dreams. His plan is simple. He is saving himself for the queen of his heart. His parents were his role models. Their love was the ideal example for him and he wanted something like that. Magical. What happens when they meet? ******

"Alessandro's voice was low and husky, his words dripping with desire. 'You're mine now, Sophia. My pet. My toy." Sophia's heart raced as she tried to resist, but her body betrayed her. "N-no, please... I can't do this." Alessandro's laugh was menacing, his eyes gleaming with intense emotions. "You will do as I say, Sophia. You will submit to me, body and soul." Sophia's voice was barely a whisper, her fear and desire evident on her face. "Y-yes, sir..." Alessandro's smiled victoriously before claiming her lips in a kiss that left her breathless and wanting more. "You taste like heaven, Sophia. And soon, you'll be begging for more." Sophia's eyes flashed with defiance, but her body trembled with anticipation. Alessandro is a mafia lord with a hidden past and a thirst for control, while Sophia is a brave and determined woman who dares to confront him. When Sophia's father steals from Alessandro, she agrees to Alessandro’s offer of seducing him within 60 days to save her father’s life. But as she enters Alessandro's world of luxury and violence, she discovers that he is not just a mafia lord, but also someone who she least expected him to be.As Sophia becomes entangled in Alessandro's web of secrets and lies, she must navigate the treacherous world of organized crime and supernatural politics. But as their contract binds them closer together, they sincerely begin to crave each other's touch, and their passion becomes a force that could destroy them all.Will Sophia and Alessandro's love forced out of a forbidden contract survive the darkness that surrounds them, or will their contract expire, leaving them to face the consequences of their pleasure trade?

On the day that was supposed to be my wedding—the bride wasn’t me. The ceremony I’d waited for five years for turned into a joke when Valentina, my sister, walked down the marble aisle in a white wedding dress. Her arm was linked with Luca’s — the man who was supposed to be waiting for me at the altar. “I’m sorry, Bianca,” she said softly. “But you are no longer the bride today.” Then she touched her stomach, eyes gleaming with triumph. “I’m pregnant with Don Romano’s child.” Her words detonated inside my skull, and the whole world went silent. As if afraid I wouldn’t believe her, she lifted something glossy up towards the light. A black-and-white ultrasound image. It read clearly: Gestational age — 12 weeks. My eyes burned, tears stinging as I turned to Luca, desperately searching for anything—a denial, an explanation, regret. Instead, he only sighed, weary and resigned. “Bianca, I’m sorry.” he said helplessly. “Valentina doesn’t have much time left. This wedding… it was her last wish.” “I’ll make it up to you,” he added. “We can have another wedding later.” My father, Moretti, stood behind him, wearing the same stern expression he’d worn my entire life. I have never seen him smile at me, not even once. “Bianca,” he said sharply, “Your sister is dying. Let her have this.” My brother nodded without saying a single word, as if that was enough to be a solid answer. All my life, they had chosen her—her tears, her whims, her needs—over mine. Today was no different. Something inside me quietly cracked. Fine. If no one in this family cares about me, I’ll leave.