Himawari Bag

On the first day back after the New Year break, I returned to find my workstation gone—replaced by two large trash bins sitting side by side. "Josh, even though you've been with the company for ten years, you still have to comply with company arrangements. "You were supposed to be reassigned before the holiday. We held off so you could enjoy your New Year. You should be grateful." As he spoke, my boss pointed toward a corner beside the restroom. There sat a set of low, worn desk and chair—something that looked like it had been discarded by an elementary school. I set my bag on it. The desk wobbled twice, then collapsed outright. Amid the muffled snickers around me, I didn't argue or make a scene. I simply looked at the boss, calm and steady. "You don't have to go through all this trouble to force me out. I'll resign now. I'll forfeit the compensation—just process it as quickly as possible." His eyes lit up, though his face feigned regret. "Since you've made up your mind, there's not much I can say. But the Vespere chip you've spent ten years developing belongs to the company—you have no right to take it with you. "Oh, and when you handle the paperwork, don't forget to pay for that cup of coffee in your hand. It's an employee benefit. As an outsider now, you'll have to cover the cost." I nodded and signed the termination agreement without resistance. But the moment I stepped out of the company, I activated the self-destruct program embedded deep within the chip's core.

On our wedding anniversary, I canceled all my meetings and made a reservation at a restaurant. That evening, my wife, the renowned investigative journalist Amaya Shaw, called me. “Efim, I’m sorry! I just received a tip from a source. It’s urgent. “It involves inside information about a well-known company. I have to go verify it immediately!” But the next day, I saw that Javor Furey, the junior she had brought along, had posted a collage on his social media. The central photo showed Amaya wearing a childish birthday hat. Her head was pressed against Javor’s, as they made a wish together in front of a cake covered in candles. This was the caption. [Thanks, my dear Ms. Shaw! Even in the midst of her busy schedule chasing big stories, she remembered to give me this surprise birthday!] [Chasing big stories.] I stared at those three words. Then, I glanced at the limited-edition bag on our dining table. It was the one she had been raving about for half a year. It was the anniversary gift I had prepared for her. I felt absurd. I commented just two words under that post. [How touching.] Her call came in almost the second I hit send. She sounded furious. “Efim, do you have to be so sarcastic? “It’s just an anniversary. How old are you? Why are you still celebrating such childish anniversaries?” From our first year of marriage to the present, her “tip-offs from informants” and “special circumstances” always took precedence over our promises. This time, she could not even be bothered to come up with a plausible excuse. I did not say anything. I hung up and blocked her number. This marriage was over.

Being a Vampires pet is a fate no Human wants to endure… I was 6 years old when my parents were killed and I was taken to the pet store. A 6 year old cannot make choices for herself, so why am I punished for something my parents did? This question haunts me. Instead of playing outside with other kids, I was groomed and trained to obey my Master… I was to be the perfect pet. A maid, a sexual partner, a nurse, a blood bag… Anything my Master wanted, that was what I was expected to give. Obedience… That is what the Ringmaster prided herself on with her selection. She didn't get so lucky with me. Madame Vienna and I clashed hardcore. I learned quickly not to speak out of turn, but it didn't stop me from throwing a snarky remark here and there when I felt that I was healed enough to handle another punishment. This may be the only reason I lasted so long without being sold. But my time had come. I was on display for the world to see. Tattered and torn, but it didn't seem to matter to the man with the rose gold eyes who made the Vampires tremble without even saying a single word… What kind of creature was he to cause this type of reaction in an apex predator? I clenched my eyes shut as he brought me to the counter to check out. "Come, Ambrosia." The man purred after a moment. Shaking, I followed him, trying to take in any and every small detail of the outside world… "You can do this. Pretend it's just a bad dream… You know how to survive." I whispered to myself, as I followed my new Master to what was sure to be my death.

Liam Holstin no longer expects to find his mate. After seven years, it's unlikely that she's out there. He was ready to take a Guardian as his mate, but he lost the woman he wanted to another Alpha. Now he must decide if he wants to take a mate that isn't worthy to be his Luna or continue running the pack alone. Rather than deal with his Luna issue, he buries himself in finding the Banished Beta, Eli Gunnar. The man that killed his mother. He will hunt him down and this time, Eli will not get away. Angel Bennis got her wolf on her 10th birthday when most werewolves get their wolves. However, her parents realized that her wolf was a Guardian. Rather than allow their daughter to be enslaved by their Alpha and forced to reject her mate to remain in the pack as the Alpha's protector, they chose to become rogue. After 6 years on the run, her family was attacked by vampires and both of her parents were killed. When the vampires realize she is a Guardian, they take her as a gift for the vampire prince. There she is kept as a blood bag for 7 long years. She is only able to escape when hunters raid the vampire's coven. The hunters mistake her for a human and she takes the opportunity to escape. On the run, she crosses into Liam's territory. Exhausted and near death, she finds that her mate is the Alpha of the pack. But she's been running from Alphas her entire life to avoid being forced into a bond she doesn't want. When the vampires come for Angel, will Liam be able to convince her that she is everything he has ever wanted in a mate or will he lose her forever.

Being the granddaughter and only blood relative of one of the most powerful Alphas alive should've made Samara the princess of her pack if not heir to the Alpha throne — adored, protected, and living the dream every female werewolf craves. But that wasn't the case with Samara. Why? Well because she's the product of two bloodlines that should never have crossed paths, an abomination — a curse in wolf form. And this led to her being shipped off to a distant pack at a very young age, where she grew up as nothing more than a slave and lowly omega, a punching bag for those who thought she didn't belong, because she doesn't. Just when she thought life couldn't get any worse, she discovers her grandfather's cruel plan to marry her off to strengthen alliances. Desperate for freedom, Samara runs away, guided only by her wolf and the hope of a new beginning. But fate is never kind to the cursed. Her escape leads her straight into the territory of her mate — a cold, ruthless Alpha who would rather spill her blood than claim her. And to make things worse, she isn't just fighting for her life… she's fighting for his heart against the Beta who already owns it. What do you think will happen when Lucian, her mate, discovers the deadly and powerful secret of her bloodline? And what about when she meets George — Lucian's rival and sworn enemy — and realizes how wildly her heart beats for him, how intensely her body craves him? Who do you think she'll end up with… that is, if she gets a happily ever after?

Even knowing that wailing at an Eravalen aristocratic funeral was considered disrespectful to the deceased, I let my husband's adopted sister make a scene anyway. In my previous life, my husband, Robert Baker, had a distant relative among the Eravalen aristocracy who passed away. A lawyer informed him that he stood to inherit the estate and invited him to attend the funeral. His adopted sister, Mia Carter, insisted on tagging along to see how the privileged few in another country lived. She wanted to rub shoulders with nobles and make herself look important, even planning to wail dramatically in front of everyone. I rushed to stop her. "Public mourning is taboo among Eravalen nobility. Forget inheriting anything. We'll all be thrown out!" Yet she burst into tears, accusing me of looking down on her and thinking she was not good enough to mingle with aristocrats. She stormed out and was killed by street thugs in a random attack. I thought Robert would fall apart, but he stayed silent through the entire funeral and collected his inheritance without a hitch. Six months later, on our wedding anniversary, he took me to the snowy mountains for a photoshoot. The moment we reached the peak, he shoved me into a sleeping bag and tied it shut. "If you hadn't blown everything out of proportion, Mia never would've run off and gotten herself shot." He buried me alive in the snow. I froze to death, and he used that aristocratic fortune to become the CEO of a publicly traded company. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Mia insisted on wailing at the funeral.

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT INSIDE | RATED 18+ | SPG For Matthew, the secret, spoiled and badass unico hijo de Aristizabal, nothing mattered more than clubs, alcohol, cigarettes, and sex - be it with a woman or with women. He only wants to taste the delicious creations of God. He only wants to explore heaven. He only wants to savor his youthful life. Iyon ang laging rason niya sa kaniyang ina sa kung anong kabulastugan ang ginagawa niya sa buhay araw-araw lalo't kailangang mapanatiling pribado ang kanilang buhay. But Matthew's not-so-private life is destined to be changed when his dad is found one day bathed in his own blood inside his office. He is aware of the complex negotiation and the good family Aristizabal. Dahilan kung bakit kailangang itago silang mag ina sa simula't sapol na ikinasal ang mga mga magulang niya at hanggang sa maisilang siya. Fueled by anger and pain, Matthew will seek revenge on the unknown killer of his beloved dad as the only heir of the Aristizabal family. Luckily, he met Chase Herrera at his favorite club and invited him to become one of the members of Foedus to seek protection for his mom while he's searching for justice for the death of his dad and ask for help. Love. Lies. Secret. Betrayal. Matthew little had no idea that as soon as he stepped foot into Agrianthropos City, he would meet the woman who would unravel the truth that would break his wounded heart. Will he use the gold card to save the woman who fixed him and leave the hell island without him inside the body bag? Or let her die with her own lies?

Isang ubod lalim na paghinga ang ginawa ni Anya bago inilibot ang tingin sa kanyang paligid. Pagkatapos ay sinuot niya ang de- kulay na salamin sa mata. Sinukbit ang signature na shoulder bag at maingat na hinila ang katamtamang maleta. Marahan siyang naglakad palabas ng paliparan. Dalawampu’t taon ang lumipas ng lisanin niya ang bansang Pilipinas para manirahan sa Amerika. Baon ang labis na hinagpis at pagkabigo sa pag-ibig ay nakipagsapalaran sya sa ibang bansa. Kaya naman ngayon sa muling pagtapak ng kanyang mga paa sa bansang kanyang tinakasan ay may kung anong pakiramdam sa dibdib niya ang hindi niya sukat mawari. Isa lang ang sigurado si Anya naroon pa rin ang bigat sa puso niya. Tila nanariwa ang pighati na dulot ng nakaraan. May butil ng luha na gustong bumukal sa sulok ng kanyang mga mata. Agad niyang pinawi iyon at pinuno ng hangin ang nagsisikip na dibdib. Mayroon siyang mahalagang pakay sa kanyang pagbabalik. Iyon ay ang lalaking kanyang inibig ng wagas subalit nagawa niyang talikuran. Subalit lagi na’y naroon ang katanungan sa isip niya. Kaya ba niya itong harapin? Handa ba siyang anihin ang poot at galit ni Clark sa kanilang muling pagtatagpo? Pagka’t ang tingin na ng lalaki sa kanya ay isang talusira.

On the day of my birthday, I'm burning with a fever that almost hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of that, I've called Tristan Graham more than a dozen times. He never picks up any of them. In the end, my dad has to take me to the hospital. When we walk past a corridor, he suddenly stops in his tracks. "Mr. Graham? What are you doing here?" I raise my head to see Tristan and Madison Franklin walking from the OBGYN department. Their fingers are tightly laced together. Tristan is even carrying a bag of medication. Birth control pills as well as ointment meant to be used on private parts can be seen in that bag. My mind goes blank at that moment. All I can do is stare at Tristan. As soon as our eyes meet, Tristan frowns slightly at me, though his gaze only lingers on me for a second before he turns to look at my dad. "I'll be hosting a banquet in the garden tomorrow night. Remember to decorate the garden nicely." Dad quickly accepts the order. "Don't worry, Mr. Graham. When Luna's fever breaks out, I'll deal with this task right away." Tristan is momentarily stunned by Dad's words. When he notices my unnaturally flushed cheeks, he instinctively takes a step toward me. But that's when Madison tugs his sleeve. "Stop wasting precious time on a gardener's daughter, Tristan. Let's go. I'm still in pain, you know." Tristan stops in his tracks instantly. Then, he leaves with Madison. Later on, he pays for my hospital bills. Our seven-year underground relationship that's considered a taboo is also paid off as well.

Marcia was once destined for a life of happiness as a wealthy princess, but in this moment, she was ruthlessly struck by fate. She discovered that her husband, Alan, not only betrayed her but also had an affair with her best friend. While pregnant, she was persecuted, leading to a devastating miscarriage that shattered her spirit. Even more heartbreaking, her father suffered a stroke and passed away due to Alan's embezzlement of company funds. In an instant, Marcia lost her wealth, her child, and the one person who truly loved her... In her despair, Marcia made a decision: revenge! Two years later, she returned as Patricia, becoming the most trusted secretary of the powerful billionaire Elijah Sinclair. She vowed to make those who had wronged her pay, ensuring they would suffer in hell! *** (Sample) Marcia grabbed Calvin's hand tightly, her voice sharp. "I WANT REVENGE! I WANT REVENGE! Calvin, please help me! I can't let him get away with this!" Her eyes were bloodshot, her tone rising to a near scream. Calvin felt her icy grip, devoid of warmth. He gently embraced Marcia, solemnly promising, "Don't worry, I will help you!" Calvin placed a brown paper bag gently in front of her. "Open this. Get close to him; he can help you. But know this: from now on, there will be no more Marcia Roberts. Are you ready for that?" Marcia sat up in bed, carefully tying her long hair back, revealing a gaunt, colorless face. "At this point, do I have any other choice? But, Calvin, are you sure this person can help me?" "He's Elijah Sinclair. If he can't, no one can..."