Long Shadows David Baldacci

Noah Alfonso, CEO of Regal Talents Agency, was known for being rigid and predictable-until Ingrid became his executive assistant. She wasn't someone he planned to desire, yet she awakened something raw and forbidden in him. One wild night changed everything. To their surprise, they shared the same dirty cravings. With each secret encounter, they gave in to their deepest desires, breaking every rule and risking it all for the undeniable fire between them.

Forbidden Passion Bella's life has been a never-ending cycle of exhaustion and stress. She's shouldering the weight of providing for her family's needs, while her ungrateful siblings seem to take her sacrifices for granted. The emotional toll is evident in her worn-out expression and the dark circles under her eyes. Bella decides to let loose and escape the pressures of her life. She heads to a bar, orders a drink, and lets the music and liquor wash away her worries. As the night wears on, she meets a charming stranger who shares her desire for freedom and release. They dance, laugh, and eventually, the night leads to a passionate encounter. Nangamba si Bella nang madiskubre niya ang identity ng lalaking kaulayaw niya, ang CEO ng SBS Investment Corporation na si Alexander Blackwood, kung saan siya nagtatrabaho bilang marketing strategist. Dumistansya si Bella kay Mr. Alexander Blackwood, pero nagulat siya ng mag-offer ng kasal ang CEO sa kaniya. A marriage of convenience for Mr. Blackwood's twisted desire. Bunga ng pangangailangan ng pamilya, tinanggap ni Bella ang offer. Bella and Alexander develop a deep, intense connection. Despite the lack of romance in their agreement, they find themselves drawn to each other. Their relationship becomes a complex web of desire, obligation, and secrecy. Hanggang dumating ang araw na kinatatakutan ni Bella, isang babaeng nagngangalang Cherry Uytiepo ang nagpakilalang girlfriend ni Alexander. When Bella confronted Alexander, the CEO supported Cherry's claims. Betrayed and broken, Bella resigned and find solace alone in a deserted place where no one knew her. But fate had another planned as she meet two years after the twisted CEO Alexander Blackwood in one of the auction or bidding event, kung saan dinala siya ng kaniyang boss na si Mr. Ken Romualdez. Bella realized that she cannot escape from Alexander Blackwood.

“Crawl over, Claire, crawl over, and get what you want, that is the least you can do for how for how hard I intend to fuck you.” ******************** Just like everyone else who ends up in college with their curiosity spiking up the ceiling, Claire's was no different from them. A text confirming her boyfriend was at a fraternity party making out had her racing out, until she met the one person she would have never expected to cross paths with. Under the influence of aphrodisiac, she had given herself to him, with no recollection of who he is or where he was from until fate brought them together. With her working in his startup firm as an assistant, and his claws deep in her, Jerald wasn't ready to let her go, and she wasn't ready to do so as well, not even when she found out he was her boyfriend's elder brother when he made her feel what she hadn't felt before, and touches her in places she wouldn't have expected was possible, what awaits them when it seems their luck had run out?

Tessa Azela is a woman who chooses to work as a rented girlfriend or anything in the form of rent. She will be paid by the hour according to what role she will play all the roles she has played whether it's being a mistress, a fake girlfriend, or a hired wife. everything she has done. Until one day there was a call from a man she didn't recognize, the man offered her a sizable sum of money that was many times what Tessa got when she worked. However, the man's request was that she become a secretary in a company owned by his son. He asked Tessa to make his son Axel, who is often said to be gay, return to normal. And Tessa's second task is to seduce Axel and break that what people say about Axel being gay is wrong. However, what if she falls in love with Axel? What will happen to her fate. If Axel finds out that she's just a woman hired by his father that's even worse. She had already fallen into a love that she didn't want.

*A romantic comedy with a heart-tugging twist — following a lighthearted yet challenging journey of love, sacrifice, and unexpected family. A tale of a simple girl thrust into a fake marriage, sudden motherhood, and a boss whose heart may be harder to win than she thought.* ********* "Marry me, you'll get money for your mother's surgery, and I get a wife to face my family." Napatitig si Tin kay Xander. Kinakalkula niya bawat katagang binitiwan nito. Seryoso ba ang lalake sa sinasabi? Guwapo si Xander. Walang babaeng tatanggi kahit sino ang alukin nito ng kasal. Maraming magaganda at mas sosyalin na babae na umaaligid dito. Kaya napatanong siya. Bakit siya? Isang probinsiyana na hanggang higschool lang ang natapos ang inaaya nitong pakasalan. "Sige..." Pumayag siyang maging asawa ng isang Xander Dela Vega. Pero hindi lamang pala pagiging asawa ang magiging papel niya sa buhay nito. Dahil ipinagpilitan ng Lola nito na magtrabaho siya sa kompanya bilang secretary ng lalake. "And by the way..." Kinuha nito bigla ang isang sanggol sa pangangalaga ng isang babae. Pagkatapos ng kanilang kasal ay sa isang ampunan naman sila pumunta. "From now on, you're his mommy..." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Tin. Wala sa usapan nila ang pagiging instant mommy niya. Pero paano kung mapamahal si Tin sa bata maging sa ama nito? Paano niya susukilin ang damdamin na umuusbong kung may hangganan naman ang kanilang kontrata? Kaya bang ipaglaban ni Tin ang pamilyang nabuo sa kontrata pero minahal at inalagaan niya? O susukuan niya iyon dahil natapos na ang pagiging instant wife at instant mommy niya? ***** "Pinakasalan mo lamang naman ako dahil inakala mong mabibilog mo ang ulo ko. Dahil ano? Hamak na probinsiya lang ako! Madaling maloko. Madaling paikutin! Nagkakamali ka! Dahil hindi ako bobo, Xander. Hindi ako tanga para gaguhin mo!"—TIN.

Emma Winters thought she had it all—a loving boyfriend, a promising future, and dreams of happily ever after. But everything shatters when she stumbles upon her boyfriend marrying another woman. Heartbroken and betrayed, Emma flees to her hometown of Zeden to start over, vowing to rebuild her life on her own terms. However, fate has other plans. On her first night back, a spontaneous decision leads to a passionate encounter with a mysterious stranger. What was supposed to be a fleeting escape from her pain becomes far more complicated when she starts her new job—and discovers her new boss is none other than Christopher Jacobs, the enigmatic man she spent the night with. As Emma struggles to keep her professional boundaries intact, Christopher is relentless in his pursuit, determined to prove that love at first sight exists. But with a scheming fiancée, a controlling mother, and a vengeful cousin pulling the strings, their love story is anything but simple. When the stakes escalate and Emma’s life is put in jeopardy, Christopher must make a choice: protect his family’s legacy or risk everything for the woman who holds his heart. Will Emma and Christopher overcome the odds, or will their love be another casualty of betrayal?

Everything in Amelia Hart’s life came crashing down the day her father’s company went bankrupt. Left with piles of debt, a sick younger brother, and no clear way out, she walked into the office of the cold, ruthless billionaire CEO she worked for—Lucas Stone—with nothing to lose and a desperate plea in her eyes. Except… “I have a proposition,” Lucas said, his voice cold and commanding. He slid a document across the table. “A contract marriage. Six months. You get the money to save your family. I get what I want.” His gaze dropped to her trembling fingers. “You’re just my assistant, Amelia. Don’t think for a second this makes you worthy.” “But still, Mr. Stone,” I replied, holding back my tears. “I’ll marry you, and I’ll keep to your terms.” His cruel smile widened. “You just signed your soul away, Miss Hart.” But what neither of them expected… was the night that changed everything. And the test that came back positive. She’s pregnant… for her boss.

Si Clarissa ay isang simpleng babae lamang, lumaki sa kandili ng kanyang Ama't Ina na nagturo sa kanya ng maganda at mabubuting bagay. Lumaki siyang walang alam sa kung ano man ang makamundong bagay ang nangyayari sa mundong kanyang ginagalawan, wala rin siyang alam kung para saan ginagamit ang mga bagay na nasa ibabang bahagi ng bawat tao. Sa madaling salita, inosente si Clarissa at wala pa siyang karanasan sa mga senswal na aktibidad. Bagama't nasa tamang edad na ay marami pa siyang hindi alam patungkol sa kung ano at paano ginagawa ang mga bagay na minsan niya na rin naririnig sa ibang mga tao. Wala sa isip ni Clarissa ang mga ganoong bagay, mga bagay na nagbibigay init sa katawan, nagpapawala sa isipan at nagbibigay kaligayahan sa bawat taong gumagawa nito. Hanggang sa dumating ang lalaking magpapamulat sa kanya sa kung ano nga ba ang tunay na kahulugan ng bawat makamundong bagay na hindi pa alam ni Clarissa. Makikilala niya si Tyron, isang lalaking nagmamay-ari ng pinakamalaking Jewelry Company sa bansa, kinilala rin na isa sa pinakamayamang tao sa loob at labas ng bansa. Siya ang magiging boss ni Clarissa, at si Clarissa naman ang magiging sekretarya ni Tyron. Dahil sa ugnayan na mangyayari ay ang malinis na isipan ni Clarissa ay mababahiran ng init dahil sa lalaking si Tyron. Mamumulat si Clarissa sa mundong nagliliyab sa init, sa bawat haplos at dampi ng labi ay dala ang pinakamasarap na pakiramdam. Pakiramdam na tanging nagpapaligaya at lulunod sa isipan ni Clarissa at magdadala sa kanya sa isang paraisong hindi matatakasan. Sa pagkakataong ito at dahil na rin sa init na ibinibigay ng mga katawan nila. Malulunod sila sa apoy ng makamundong gawain. Gawaing parehong magmumulat sa kanilang mga puso sa isang bagay na hindi nila lubos akalain na mangyayari.

Dahil sa milyon-milyon na utang ang naiwan ng kanyang ama simula ng pumanaw ito, napilitan si Quinn Asha huminto sa pag-aaral at maghanap ng trabaho para maisalba ang kanilang bahay na malapit ng kuhain ng bangko. Kailangan niya rin buhayin ang kanyang madrasta at stepsister. Naging secretary siya ng isang cold-hearted billionaire na si Spade Zaqueo Andrich. Inalok siya ng kanyang boss na maging asawa nito sa loob ng 3 taon sa kundisyon na babayaran ng binata ang lahat ng pagkakautang ng kanyang pamilya. Ngunit paano kung ang lalaking pinakasalan ay may malaking lihim pala na magpapabago sa buhay ng isang Quinn Asha Montemayor?

Dahil sa kalasingan, maling silid ang napasukan ni Solar. Paggising niya kinabukasan ay katabi na ang kilalang ruthless and cold CEO, si Caellune Santorre. Gulat, takot, at hiya ang naramdaman ng dalaga. Kaya agad niyang tinakasan ang binata. Pinilit kalimutan ni Solar ang nangyari, ngunit nang kausapin siya ng mga magulang tungkol sa kasal ay parang binagsakan ng langit ang dalaga. Pero wala siyang choice nang ipilit ng mga magulang niya ang kasal bilang kabayaran sa utang ng pamilya. Ngunit hindi inasahan ni Solar ang mas malalang twist, ang lalaking tinakasan niya matapos ang makasalanang gabi ay ang papakasalan niya. Hindi magandang trato ang ipinapakita ni Caellune kay Solar. Pero habang tumatagal, napapansin niya na may mga lihim na itinatago si Caellune. Mga kuwartong bawal pasukin. Mga tawag na biglang pinapatay. At mga mata nito na tila puno ng sakit at galit sa nakaraan. Sa gitna ng mga pagtatago, unti-unting nabubuo ang damdaming hindi nila inaasahan. Pero paano kung ang pagmamahal na nagsisimula pa lang ay masira ng mga lihim na matagal nang nakabaon, mga lihim na may kinalaman sa isang malagim na pangyayari, isang pagtataksil, at isang anak na itinago sa lahat? Mapapatawad ba ni Solar ang lalaking sinumpa niyang kakamuhian? O tuluyan na silang sisirain ng mga sikreto at kasalanang pilit nilang nililibing sa nakaraan?