Meaning:counter

"Hi there, I'd like to emigrate." Christina stood at the counter and handed over the neatly prepared documents to the clerk on the other side of the glass. The clerk quickly stamped each page. The red ink spread like tiny ripples on still water. Then, without looking up, he pulled out another form and passed it back to her. "Ma'am, your paperwork will be processed in fifteen days." Christina nodded, turned on her heel, and headed for the exit. But before she could step outside, whispers trailed after her. "Did I see that right? Mrs. Waldorf is applying for emigration? Did she have a squabble with Mr. Waldorf?" "Even if they argued, would it go this far? Mr. Waldorf practically worships her. What could possibly make her leave so decisively?" "Exactly. Five years ago, their wedding was the event of the century. Even someone like me, who barely goes online, heard about it. And three years ago, after her car accident, the blood bank ran out of stock. Mr. Waldorf ignored everyone's objections and nearly drained himself to save her. Then, just last year, when she disappeared for an hour, he mobilized every media outlet worldwide to find her. Now she's leaving without a word—won't that drive him insane?" The murmurs swirled and lingered, but Christina only smiled faintly. Her expression was calm, but her eyes darkened with a bitterness that deepened with every step. Yes, she thought. Everyone knew just how much Lucien Waldorf loved her.

The goodness in everybody varies by how they were taught as they grow up. Taking an example, Iris was another girl who just hopes for a better and happy life with her family but fate became a determining factor to wash all her happiness in just one night, a night before her birthday and that’s where her revenge started. A revenge where she became hungry for power and changed to be a villainess to punish the people who destroyed her family and who destroyed her. She’s the most gorgeous woman in the whole empire that every guy could ever ask for marriage but too bad with her past she became different, she changed herself and name as she was adopted in the Killford Duchy. Psyche Killford, the name that will shatter everyone’s happiness when messed with and a brutal seeker for revenge. As the name implies, Psyche in the empire meant soul seeker and the deeper meaning was criminal killer, implying that she should be the judge of the villains a Queen Villainess for the criminals. “Let’s just say you’ll dream a happy one after you closed your eyes” - Psyche AN ORIGINAL STORY

Twenty-year-old Francheska Dela Cruz, an aspiring writer was hired in one of the biggest publishing companies in Metro Manila and her first assignment was to interview a philanderer who had a scandalous reputation in his time. Driven by the determination to keep her job and to be noticed by her boss, Dale Trinidad made her decide to push through with the assignment. She found herself in the old capital city of Pasig City, near the Municipal Hall at the heart of Sandoval Avenue in Acacia Alley. A crowded and ragged place with people from all walks of life, Conversations with Micheal Benedicto brought her to the world of passion and lust. His overwhelming vast adventure with all kinds of love and each of his women portrayed a big role in his life. From his first encounter of a carnal affair with his supervisor in his first job to numerous women that came his way. His insatiable desire towards lonely single mothers and older women tainted his reputation and the radical conclusion of his story. All thirty-six women portrayed a big role in his life and shaped him for who he is. Francheska was not just an attendee to Michael's story. She was also about to find out her true identity and the confrontation of reality. It spanned two generations separated by fate, each had its struggle, its pain, lies, betrayal, and joy. Through this encounter, they will finally realize their connection and the real meaning of love, self-sacrifice, acceptance, and forgiveness. That in the end, love is all that matters.

Do you believe that first love can't forget by the heart? Do you still even know who you are in the past? Do you believe that you could incarnate to continue the love with your first love? Cassandra Vaughn starting to dream about the castle with a lot of people in there, she doesn't know any clue. But one thing she remember, her dream repeated always. Until she find the way to find the true meaning of it. That place, it makes her remember the things of the woman in her dream. Is she really the girl from 1952? What she found? "Please... Take me back in 1952"

"Sign this, honey!" Grace said, rubbing her husband's head, the words clipped. She couldn't wait to run for her dear life, but first, she needed to run from him as fast as her legs would take her. It didn't matter that she was scared of the outcome, but she needed to run first, and she needed it fast. Finally, after she had gotten him to sign it, she did what she had been meaning to since forever, without looking back. A few days later, she was able to do just that, without problem because her now ex-husband had traveled out of the country, but now, it was left to her to stay hidden, if she wanted to enjoy her freedom.

Just one week into my new job, I was wrongfully accused of cooking the books, and it cost me five years behind bars. After that, my wife found out she was pregnant. She insisted on having the baby and promised to wait for me to come home. Out of gratitude, I threw myself into work after my release. I did everything I could to give them a good life. It was until one day, I overheard a conversation between my wife and our son. “Mom, don’t let Dad come out with us. It’s embarrassing! Why did you pin Mr. Scott’s crime on him back then?! And now, the girl next door keeps making fun of me, saying my dad’s a criminal!” My wife gently pulled our son close and comforted him, saying, “I promised Mr. Scott I’d help him. Your dad’s so naive. He’ll never find out.” It turned out that my supposed happy life was nothing but lies and betrayal!

Juked: A slang soccer term meaning: faked out, deceived, confused your opponentSee examples Daniel Zavaro and Quincy Watson:As the rising star in Houston, Daniel has found fame as Captain of his Pro soccer team and the city’s most eligible bachelor. Daniel has everything – except someone special – and that suits him just fine. He doesn’t want, or need, complications.Quincy has baggage, and lots of it. After a tragic accident spins her world on its axis, she finds herself as a single mother, raising a newborn nephew she never knew she had. Between parenthood, her full-time job, and dealing with the suffocating grief of losing her sister, every day is a struggle. When they begin to cross paths often, an unlikely friendship starts to evolve. Feelings change. Lines get crossed. Before they know it-- they’ve been Juked.Contains explicit content and is recommended for readers ages 18+.Juked is created by M.E. Carter, an eGlobal CreativePublishing Signed Author.

A night out with close friends was supposed to be fun and entertaining but Iris found herself in a tight chokehold by a crazy criminal instead. College life was supposed to be full of frat parties and craziness but Iris found herself being watched by the sharp eyes of her new hot bodyguard who wouldn't just give in to her whines nor demands. A classic party with elite businessmen like her billionaire father was supposed to be dull and boring but she found the new meaning of adventure by getting kidnapped by a man who looks too hot and too kind to be a cold blooded murderer. Falling in love was supposed to be peaceful and feeling imaginary butterflies in your stomach but she found it actually meant trying to find yourself again,learning to endure the pain it creates. Falling in love with your bodyguard? It violets the rule of business. Falling in love with your kidnapper? It violates the rule of nature.She likes to invest her time in business and utilize her time by enjoying the nature. So the question arises--- If destiny is fated,will her love get divided? While she is at it, she might also discover the truth that lies far beneath her reach and face the grim reality of life.

Ligaya was a healer-wonderer from the world unknown to the human eye -the Realm of Ibawnon. One day, her realm was put in danger due to the threat that the Malignobons, the evil spirit dwellers, was pushing their way. As her realm's Sole Redeemer, she had the responsibility of protecting everyone from the upcoming danger. But despite having a magnificent amount of zest to counter their enemies, Ligaya could still only do so much without her true zest level. In order to bring her total zest back, she ventured out into the human world to find the one person who's responsible for her incapacity and bring that person with her to their realm to defeat the enemies. That person was Vanness "V" Jalandoni, a rich and famous Engineering student slash basketball team captain of their university. When the two of them finally met, things began to go in shambles. One's intention was different from the other and it all made everything messed up. The human world was so much different from where Ligaya came from and V was making her situation more troublesome. Before she could return to her world, she still needed to convince V to believe her and make him come with her. Would she be able to complete her mission? Or would she just surrender her fight in the human world and go back to her realm before it was too late?

Addy Walker once believed love was supposed to be loud—felt in bedtime stories, laughter in the kitchen, and the warmth of arms that made the world feel safe. That’s how it was before her mother died. Before her father changed. Grief hollowed him out. The man who once teased and protected became a shell—quiet, cold, unreachable. Then came the bottles. The slammed doors. The bruises. Addy, now eighteen, has learned to survive in silence—walking lightly, speaking carefully, hiding her pain beneath long sleeves and polite smiles. She works long hours to keep food on the table while her father sinks deeper into debt and addiction. One night, she comes home to a dark, freezing house—again. The electricity is off. Again. And she knows why. She confronts him, her voice sharper than it’s ever been. He denies it at first, but the truth is already spread across the kitchen counter in final notice bills and losing betting slips. He’d gambled away the electric bill money on a horse. The argument erupts. He screams, she stands her ground. When he slaps her, she doesn’t flinch. Something inside her shifts. She’s done waiting for the man he used to be. Addy packs a bag. She’s leaving—for real this time. No plan. No destination. Just freedom. But as she storms out into the rain, a long, black car pulls up to the curb. A man steps out—tall, broad-shouldered, older. His face is hard, almost frightening in the shadows, but he’s striking. Dangerous. And calm.