Jimmy Cook Cricket

She was sent to steal, not to fall in love. Mia—a woman trapped in the shackles of her father’s debts—was a pawn in a dangerous game. Forced to work for a criminal gang, her orders were clear: disguise as a stripper, seduce her target, and steal a critical drive. It was supposed to be simple. But nothing about that night went according to plan. Because Zac was there. A billionaire with power, charm, and eyes that saw straight through her. He booked her for the night, and in a single heartbeat, everything changed. Mia missed her target, and in a twist of fate, two strangers fell into a love neither of them saw coming. But love is a weakness. When her boss demands her loyalty, Mia has no choice but to vanish—leaving Zac broken and Mia a ghost. Months later, she’s back. A new name. A new role. A new mission. This time, Mia’s orders are clear: spy on him. Hired as his cook, she steps back into Zac’s world… only to discover he’s now engaged to someone else. The man who once promised her forever is out of reach. And the secrets Mia carries are more dangerous than ever. But some connections can’t be erased. As lies unravel and betrayal ignites, Mia is faced with a choice: protect the man who still owns her heart or survive the forces that will stop at nothing to destroy them both. In a game of lies and love, the heart is the deadliest weapon of all. Prepare to be captivated by THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE—A suspenseful romance story, you won’t be able to put down.

Every time the housekeeper came to cook, she brought her daughter along. I felt sorry for them — single mother, no support — so I never said a word. Until one afternoon, I pulled out the chair at the head of the table and found a note taped to the back. It read: "Freeloaders aren't allowed to eat here." I tore the note off and turned to the housekeeper. "What is this supposed to mean?" The girl shot me a look of pure contempt and let out a cold laugh. "You're just a maid. You sponge off other people's homes day after day — how are you not ashamed? If you can't afford food, go beg on the street. People like you, mooching off everyone, make me sick." I stared at her, completely thrown. The housekeeper rushed over and lowered her voice. "Ms. Wolfe, my daughter doesn't know I'm the maid here. She saw how hard I work and felt sorry for me — that's why she put up the note." "And she has serious germophobia. She can't stand eating with strangers. Wait outside until she's done eating. Don't come back in." Before I could answer, she shoved me out the front door. The door slammed shut behind me with a final bang. I stood there on the steps and calmly dialed the police. "Hello. There's been a break-in at my home. Someone's locked me out. I need an officer here now."

21 +. Sesuaikan umur kalian untuk membaca tulisan ini agar mudah mengerti apa yang ingin penulis sampaikan! Philophobia yang di derita Intan terlahir dari trauma masa kecil. Kenangan pedih yang terbentuk sejak usia keemasan hingga memasuki remaja menjadi hal yang tertanam di alam bawah sadar manusia hal itu lah membuat sulit untuk dilupakan. Intan hidup dalam bayang-bayang trauma masa kecil bersama ayahnya. Ayahnya menghianati mamanya di depan mata Intan, sejak saat itu hubungan Intan dan Ayah semakin jauh. Dan hal itu juga yang membuat Intan sulit membuka diri untuk sebuah hubungan yang serius, pacaran atau menikah sekalipun. Bertekad untuk tidak memberi tahu mamanya, Intan mengubur sakit hatinya dengan kesibukan yang cukup padat, hingga tidak ada sisa tenaga untuk memikirkan ayahnya. Bertemu dengan Bara, untuk pertama kalinya Intan jatuh cinta. Tapi hal buruk terjadi ketika Bara ternyata sudah berkeluraga. Melisa,istri Bara terus melakukan teror hingga Intan benar-benar frustasi. Melisa melakukan pelecehan terhadap Intan, membuat Intan marah, tidak sengaja membunuh Melisa. Sejak saat itu Intan semakin trauma dengan sebuah hubungan serius, termasuk rasa cinta. Hingga memasuki usia hampir kepala tiga Intan tidak berniat sedikit pun untuk menikah, kesibukannya berkerja dan hobi traveling membuatnya bahagia meskipun tanpa seorang suami. Ketenangan yang ia rasakan berubah ketika Jimmy mengutarakan cintanya pada Intan. Sejak saat itu Intan menjadi tidak terkendali, mudah marah dan cemas berlebihan. Yuk ikuti ceritanya perjuangan Intan untuk sembuh dari fobia yang ia derita. Selamat membaca!

After the real son, Asher Vale, was brought back, everything in our house became tied to drawing lots. The chef of the day, who would have to cook a particular person's preferred dishes, had to be decided by drawing lots. Even our parents' kisses and hugs were chosen the same way. I always drew the short stick. The long stick, by default, belonged to Asher. He never had to do anything to receive our parents' love. Whenever I felt it was unfair and wanted to cry, Mom would scold me sharply, "I bought the lot-drawing box because I was afraid you'd feel hurt. I wanted to be fair to both of you. If you want something, decide it yourselves. Your father and I won't interfere. If you can't draw the long stick, you can only blame your bad luck." So I began practicing every day, shaking the box diligently, over and over, in hopes that one day, it would help me earn my parents' love. Unfortunately, for ten years, I never once drew the long stick. Until my birthday. Asher wanted to go to the amusement park, and Mom once again told us to decide by drawing lots. I secretly glued the two short sticks together and handed them to Mom, hoping to keep her with me. She slapped me hard across the face, screaming that I was cheating and disobedient. Then she stormed out of the house with Asher. When I fell to the ground, the short stick stabbed deep into my neck. 'I'm sorry, Mom. Next time, I'll work harder. Next time, I'll definitely draw the long stick.'

Twenty-five-year-old Claire Soberano and her son are on the run. Escaping her abusive fiancé, she flew to Long Beach to live with her cousin, The Reid. Hiding secrets, staying indoors, and feeling safe with family, Claire will do anything to protect her son. She thought Eddie would be her soulmate, her long-life husband but revealing his true colors changed her love after six years of relationship. When her body is tattooed from the bruises and injury, Eddie turns on to her son to take the batter; it makes Claire realize the man is dangerous and in fear for her son's life. She could never trust a man, let alone fall in love again. That is until meeting an oversized man, Donovan Wolfe. Donovan Wolfe is the third eldest of the Wolfe brothers. When his older brother isn't around, he sticks around to ensure everything is in order. Don has been in civil service right after high school making his way to the top as a Lieutenant, and the scars prove his service. But after, an incident led him to retire and be with his family. Watching his older and younger brothers find love, he wishes he could have what they have. Upon meeting Claire, he found a sweet and caring woman who is a fantastic cook, much like his mom. He wanted a wife to be like his mother. But he also saw a distress call and recognized the bruises and her outcry for help. Similar to the cause when he was a kid, which he failed to protect, but this time, he vows to do anything to keep Claire and her son safe.

As I grit my teeth and buy the last box of discounted shrimp, a young woman dressed head to toe in designer brands is picking out imported seafood beside me. She glances at me and casually drops a king crab into my cart. "It's the holidays. Treat yourself better," she says with a carefree smile. "I'll pay for everything you buy today." I am shocked when I see the five-figure price tag. I quickly try to decline her by waving my hands frantically. She pulls out a black card and shrugs. "It's fine. My sugar daddy gives me more money than I can spend. If I don't use it, he'll get mad." I force a laugh. "Sounds like he's really generous to you." "He's alright, I guess. I can't spend money as fast as he earns it," she says nonchalantly. After a slight pause, she goes on, "Speaking of which, his girlfriend is pretty dumb. She works nonstop for years just to help him pay off a debt that doesn't even exist. When I say I want him to cook on New Year's Eve, he immediately ditches his girlfriend to come be with me." I freeze for a moment. My boyfriend, Eric Sterling, is in debt. Just as I am thinking it can't be that much of a coincidence, my phone buzzes with a message from Eric. He texts, "Anne, the company assigned me to an extra shift tonight. I get triple the pay. Buy yourself something nice to eat. I'll be home tomorrow."

My younger fraternal twin brother finally gets a girlfriend. Our parents, who are overseas, entrust me with the task of welcoming her. I instruct the maids to prepare a feast to welcome her. As we sit around the dining table, my brother scoops a bowl of soup for me himself. After that meal, my brother's girlfriend pulls a long face at me. "Who gave you the right to eat the soup my darling scooped? How could you be so lazy? You can't even cook, yet you're not even embarrassed to stuff yourself with all that food!" I'm stunned by her outrageous words. I reply in annoyance, "What does that have to do with you anyway? I'll do as I please!" She glares at me with hatred written all over her face and yells, "Why aren't you married yet? The family's assets belong to me and my darling. Who do you think you are that you can spend our money? "Just look at you. You will never be able to get married like this. Perhaps it'll be better for you if you beg me to introduce my elder cousin to you. He doesn't mind that you're lazy. All he wants is for you to give him a son. He earns over ten thousand dollars a month!" I'm dumbstruck by her shamelessness. I storm straight to the bathroom where my brother is and bang on the door repeatedly. "Come out here right now! What is with your girlfriend? And since when have our family's assets become yours and yours alone?"

On the night of our ninth wedding anniversary, my husband—Damian Grant, the man who ruled the mafia by day and once ruled my heart by night—did not bring me roses. He gave the bouquet that should have been mine to Serena Lane, his personal assistant. Beneath the chandelier where we once danced on our wedding night, he turned to me with that same cold charm he once used to whisper sweet nothings in my ear. “She's pregnant.” Finally, everything fell into place. “She's a picky eater. From today onward, you’ll cook three meals a day for her. And no repeats. “She’s sensitive and hates sleeping alone, so you’ll need to move your things into the guest room.” The room fell silent. I did not raise my voice, nor did I shed a single tear. I simply picked up my packed suitcase and walked to the door. The butler tried to stop me, but Damian did not even blink. “She’ll come back.” He lazily swirled the wine in his glass. “She’ll come back crying and begging within three days.” Our guests burst out laughing. They placed a million-dollar bet right in front of me. They were betting on whether I would be back before the night was over, begging Damian to let me back in like a pathetic stray dog with my tail between my legs. However, they did not know I had already received the family heirloom from my real father. I booked my flight to get far, far away from everyone I used to know. This time, I really left.

Newly graduated Audrey becomes the new assistant to Joaquim, a billionaire and the CEO of a start-up software company. The role is previously handled by Joaquim's ex-girlfriend who also used to live within the mansion compound. She makes it clear that she will stay in the office, not in the mansion to do her job where she works with Bobby, Joaquim's loyal right hand man who she wishes is her boss. Audrey is in the mansion for her regular task when the strict implementation of the lock down is suddenly enforced leaving her no choice but to stay there until she gets her permit to go out. She and Joaquim bond naturally after they are left alone in the compound for a few weeks. He grows fond of her stories, which he prefers over his boring sentiments making him more relax and smile easily. On the other hand, she knows him better now and changes her mind about living in the mansion with him. Eventually, she goes home to her family and sees Bobby as well. This turns the bond between them back to being purely professional. Audrey recommends Bella, her former classmate to be the new cook for Joaquim, who after knowing him tries to win his heart. Later on, they discover that she is pregnant. Thinking it is Joaquim's baby, Audrey resigns and begins to date Bobby. Joaquim loses focus on an important project that compels Bobby to step in making Joaquim suspicious of his motives. They have an argument causing Bobby to leave the company too. Two years later, the two meet in an event. Joaquim shares his life changing experiences during the pandemic including some losses in his own business to which Audrey reminds him that she still does not want to live with a billionaire.

At the family recognition banquet meant to introduce the real heiress, a stream of floating comments suddenly appeared before my eyes: [So, the real heiress tried to get back at the fake one by stealing the engagement gift from her and the male lead and got caught red-handed.] [Even if she’s technically the fiancée, he knows who he really loves. The fake heiress is the one he actually wants.] [What fiancée? She’s just a thief. Send her back to whatever slum she crawled out of.] Dressed in a princess gown and surrounded by admirers, the fake heiress, Luna Lawson, walked up to me: “Risa, you’re finally back. Mom, Dad, and I have missed you so much. From now on, we’re a family.” I quietly kept eating my fried chicken. When Luna saw me ignore her, her eyes suddenly reddened. Then she reached into my worn backpack and pulled out a ladies’ wristwatch. “Why did you steal the engagement gift Brian gave me? I know you’re dissatisfied with me, but that doesn’t mean you can become a thief!” My fiancé, Brian Cook, looked at me with open disgust. “Return it to Luna right now, then get out of this house.” Under the scornful gazes of the guests, I pointed at the man on stage, my father, who was clinking glasses with Luna’s adoptive father, and asked in confusion. “What exactly did I steal? I’m not here for some family reunion. I just came along with my boss to grab a free meal.” The comments exploded: [This is way too awkward. She’s not the real heiress; she’s just an employee?!]