Local Pride Artinya

Orlando and I had been together for ten years. I'd looked after his sick mom, sweating out a fever of my own, and where was he? Knocking back drinks with Rosalind, playing therapist to her broken heart. I swallowed my pride at work, getting chewed out by my boss, while he spent the night companying Rosalind because she had cramps. Then, when I got the news my mom had passed, I tried calling him, desperate for support. But nope—phone off. After a wild goose chase, turns out he was at Rosalind's graduation. That was it. I gave up. But Orlando wouldn't let go. Red-eyed, he begged me for just one more chance.

One night. One drink. One wrong turn. That’s all it took to lead Ashley Kingsley straight into the arms of the man who once shattered her life into pieces. Years later, her ex-husband Dante Montclair, heir to Montclair Group, returns to the country and they end up spending one unforgettable night together. The next morning, she vows to forget it ever happened. But Dante has other plans. When a family crisis puts Ashley in an impossible position, Dante makes her an offer: he’ll save the person she loves most, if she agrees to be his again. Torn between pride and survival, loyalty and love, Ashley must decide if this second chance is destiny… or the most dangerous mistake of her life.

I lost my best friend because of a mistake I made as a child. Years later, he returned and took everything else. Once inseparable, we were torn apart by one irreversible choice. I had buried the past until he appeared at my university: charming, popular, and untouchable. Everyone loved him—except me. Except me. He’s cold and distant, watching me like this is a game he plans to win. With every friend he makes and every room he dominates, it feels intentional, like he’s here to dethrone me. I won’t let him. This is a story of buried regret, silent rivalry, and a reunion that turns into a war where pride is a weapon, the past is dangerous, and surrender is not an option.

“What was that?” He asked, as he pressed me against the wall, trapping me between them. My gaze fell onto his lips, and an irresistible urge to lean forward and taste them surged within me. He gently tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Look me in the eyes and ask again,” he remarked with a smirk, his lips curling seductively. I swallowed nervously, staring at his captivating face. No man should possess such beauty but he did and I could sense the pride exuding from his words. “I was wondering if you were dropped on your head when you were a baby.” 💗💗💗 Warning: Contains mature scenes not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

"The Academy of Shadows" Elara, an intelligent young woman but completely lacking control in her professional and personal life, is secretly drawn to submission. Upon receiving a mysterious invitation, she joins "The Academy of Shadows," a discreet institution where the most secret desires are explored under the guidance of Master Kael, a Dominator as feared as he is desired. —Kneel, he commands. I resist for a second, out of pride, out of despair, before collapsing, my knees hitting the hard ground. —Good girl, Isadora murmurs, but her voice seems distant, drowned in the buzzing of my own blood in my ears. —Now, he says, you will show me how much you want this. And I know, with terrifying certainty, that I no longer have a choice.

Desperadang iligtas ni Carrie ang family business nila. Wala na siyang ibang malapitan kundi si Noah Sanbuego, ang dating tauhan ng pamilya nila—at ex boyfriend niya. Pero abot-langit ang galit nito sa kanya dahil ang mga magulang niya ang sinisisi nito sa pagkamatay ng pamilya nito. Pumayag si Noah na tulungan siyang isalba ang business nila sa isang kondisyon: maging alipin niya siya nito sa kama. Isang sex slave. Willing bang lunukin ni Carrie ang pride para maisalba ang negosyo? O matagal na rin ba siyang sabik na muling mapasakamay ni Noah?

That night, it all crashed. Three years. The moment she pulled open that particular bedside drawer in his bedroom and saw those papers, the truth sliced her deeper than any blade. It was never her. Has never been. The divorce he handed her felt like the final betrayal, a signature sealing years of lies. And she left with nothing but her pride vowing never to turn back. But, a year later, fate deals a cruel twist when they clash over the same billion-dollar deal only for the investor to demand, 'Work together or walk away'. Now, bound by a forced partnership, he regrets letting her go while she wonders if this partnership will heal her heart or break it all over again.

Aku meninggal di hari aku memenangkan Penghargaan Doktor Medis Global. Tiga jam setelah kematianku, orang tua, kakak laki-laki, dan tunanganku baru saja pulang dari pesta ulang tahun ke-16 adik perempuanku. Ketika adikku mengunggah foto keluarga kami saat merayakan ulang tahunnya di media sosial, aku sedang terbaring di ruang bawah tanah yang tertutup rapat dan berlumuran darah. Aku mencoba menggunakan lidahku untuk menggeser layar ponsel dan meminta bantuan. Di antara kontak darurat, hanya tunanganku yang menjawab panggilanku. Artinya orang tua dan kakakku telah memblokir nomorku. Begitu telepon diangkat, tunanganku hanya mengucapkan satu kalimat, “Karin, pesta ulang tahun Lina yang ke-16 itu sangat penting. Jangan pakai alasan nggak masuk akal untuk cari perhatian kami dan bersikap manja lagi!” Dia menutup telepon dan memutus harapan terakhirku untuk bertahan hidup. Jantungku berhenti berdetak karena nada sibuk telepon. Ini adalah ke-100 kalinya mereka memilih adikku, ke-100 kalinya mereka mengabaikanku, mengecewakanku, dan ini juga yang terakhir. Aku terbaring di dalam genangan darahku sendiri, merasakan napasku perlahan berhenti. Mereka mengira aku kabur dari rumah lagi sebagai alasan untuk melampiaskan ketidakpuasanku. Mereka pikir bahwa selama mereka memberiku pelajaran, aku akan kembali dengan patuh seperti 99 kali sebelumnya. Sayangnya, itu tidak akan terjadi kali ini. Karena aku tidak pernah meninggalkan rumah, aku terus terbaring di ruang bawah tanah rumahku.

“I have to return the same energy I got from you, call it being proud or pride, but I call it wickedness because, The goal is to stay wicked.” Marcus whispered in Zena's ear slowly while he pecks her neck gently and his breath tease her sensation which turns her erogenous. Marcus despises Zena with everything he holds dearly but pretend to love her at all cost. Unknowingly, her throne was auctioned to two male potential Alphas whom she coincidently met. One of them is her soulmate and the other is her bedmate. But will Zena ever discover her real identity? Will she ever find out the truth of her lost throne and who is the betrayer? For how long will she lay with the monster that enslave her?

Fiona had been acting as a stand-in lover for five long years, veiling her true power and presenting herself as meek and obedient, tirelessly tending to Darwin's every need, only to be taken for granted. But then news arrived of Darwin's impending marriage to a wealthy heiress. No longer willing to play the role of the submissive substitute, Fiona swiftly cut ties with the scoundrel, concealing her pregnancy, and fleeing. Five years later, she had undergone an astounding transformation, emerging as the heiress to a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, earning the title of the investment banking goddess, esteemed by all in the sectors of finance. When they finally met again, the one who had searched desperately for five years, losing their sanity in the process, discarded all dignity and pride, humbly beseeching, "Please, do not reject me..."