Novel & Cerita Hollywood Books

She was there. Waiting. Her eyes moved over me once. Then she nodded. “Better.” I didn’t respond. I just stood there. Something still felt… off. I looked toward the hallway again. Then back at her. “What are those books?” I asked. Her expression didn’t change much. “What books?” “The ones in the other room.” A pause. Not long. But enough. “That room is not for you,” she said. Her voice didn’t rise. But it wasn’t open either.

Not the woman caught in the middle of a decades-old conspiracy. Just Chloe. A woman browsing books on a peaceful afternoon. Meanwhile, Hilda had disappeared toward another section after spotting a collection of romance novels, claiming she needed "something to heal her damaged soul after living with paranoid billionaires." Chloe had laughed so hard she nearly dropped the book in her hand. Now she stood alone near a shelf filled with business and self-development titles, absentmindedly running her fingers across the spines. The familiar scent of paper and ink brought back memories she hadn't thought about in years.

Today, Holly looked quite spirited and sat on the edge of the bed, holding Chris’s hand, talking a lot. Being trained in medicine, Chris naturally knew what this meant. A final glimmer of life. He was reluctant to believe it, but it was clear that his mother had reached the end. “I don’t feel tired today. By the way, Chris, take this book with you.” Holly handed the book to Chris, suddenly looking a little anxious. She glanced at the door, ensuring it was closed, before whispering, “You must keep this book safe. No matter what, do not let anyone see it.”

Now they would exchange books as was their tradition. When Holly was a little girl, they used to do this every year. Her mother would pick out an educational book with beautiful pictures for her. One year, she got an encyclopedia of dragons. Another, it was a compendium of North American flowers. Once, she’d gotten the most amazing picture book full of deep sea fish. That was the last one her mother had given her. Mark always picked a fiction book for Holly. One year it was Lord of the Rings. The years where new GRR Martin books came out, she knew exactly what book he would give her.

"How I envy you." "Why?" Holly asked, noting that what she had assumed was a Bible was anything but. In fact, as she paged through it, she realised it was a handbook belonging to The Corporation. What 'The Corporation' was was a mystery to her. But even more baffling was why the book was in Latin. "You are still so young and can afford to be impulsive," Rowena replied, taking the book from her. "Impulsive?" Holly frowned, irritated at the subtle jibe.

A Dark Fantasy Romance Unholy Hunger ✦ Some loves are not forbidden by men. They are forbidden by gods. •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• Before Time Learned to Count •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × •••••• × ••••••

Holly was quiet for a moment, and that stirred up some discomfort in my chest. “Holly?” I asked, hoping to prompt her along. “She paid me a visit, too,” she said. I was shocked. “What? When?” Holly chuckled without emotion. “Just now, at the bookstore.” “While you were working?” I asked, the discomfort twisting into anger. Coming after me with her petty begging was one thing, but to go after Holly–I couldn’t have that. “Yeah,” Holly said. I couldn’t tell if she sounded sad or disappointed. I wished I could see her face so I’d have a better idea about how she was feeling. “Are you okay? What’d she say? What’d she do?”

********* “What are you doing?” I blinked at the sudden influx of sunlight, struggling to focus on the figure that stood at the open door of the wardrobe. Soon, I was able to clearly make out Holly, glaring down at me with a puzzled expression. Slowly, my hands relaxed their death grip on the book and I let out a slow, relieved breath that I had simply hallucinated being back in that forest. Annoyed by my lack of a response, Holly snorted. "Are you slow or something? Why are you hiding in the closet and," she pointed at the book on my lap, her expression morphing into open confusion. "Reading?"

"But I don't think that is the real problem you are worried about. Tell me, what worries you?" "I'm a prisoner right now," Holly almost whispered the words. "No need to whisper, no one will be able to hear you here. The resonance of our souls keeps out intruders. Tell me, who has you imprisoned? Perhaps between us, we can figure out a solution." Somehow Holly doubted that was the truth. "Lucifer," she responded. "Lucifer?" Willow frowned. "Where's Tydeus? Has he found you yet? Or maybe even Angel?" Holly rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone ask about Angel? I don't get it. Him and that other guy are nothing but stalkers. They've been stalking us from life to life, and yet we always fall for t

ZARA Holly is standing by the front door, talking with Brooke when we reach the hallway. Usually she is the quiet one in the room. Today that is not the case. Words are spilling out of her mouth in a fast stream, and her hands keep moving as she explains something with growing excitement. Brooke stands there listening. Or at least trying to. She nods politely every few seconds while Holly continues speaking. The pace of the conversation leaves little room for her to respond. The whole scene feels slightly overwhelming to watch.