Midsummer By Manuel Arguilla Summary

By day, he’s just another broke guy with worn-out shoes and a charming smile. But behind the façade, Alec Blackwell is a billionaire tycoon—owner of a global empire and a ruthless legal mastermind. Tired of gold diggers and fake affections, Alec disguises himself as an average man, swiping through dating apps in search of something real. No private jets. No designer suits. Just raw chemistry and brutal honesty. Then he meets Zara Lane—a fiercely independent hustler juggling three jobs, a sharp tongue, and zero patience for games. She doesn’t care for his sob stories or smooth talk. She wants respect, not romance. But Alec’s world is built on secrets. And Zara’s life is about to crash straight into a truth more shocking than either of them expected. Because in a game of lies, power, and attraction… Who really holds the upper hand?

"Now tell me, young lady, who wants you dead?" Nicholas asked as he stared intently at me. His words froze me in place. My eyes widened, and my heart raced uncontrollably in my chest. I looked at him, my eyes diverting to the blood trickling from his shoulder where he was hit by a bullet while trying to save me. "I... I don't know," I stammered, still bewildered by the events that had unfolded. Laura Dickson had endured an abusive relationship at the hands of her boyfriend Santos, to whom she felt indebted for assisting her in settling some debts. Eventually, she reaches the conclusion that she can no longer tolerate the relationship and flees, disregarding Santos' threats of ending her life should she ever leave him. At a charity ball event, she encounters Nicholas, a strikingly handsome and powerful billionaire, the head of Brandson mafia family, who saves her from a serial killer intent on shooting her. Nicholas takes it upon himself to provide her with protection at his covert hideout until the serial killer is captured. What will unfold when they discover that the serial killer was actually closer to them than they had presumed and was in fact not who they thought it was? How will Laura react when she uncovers a grave secret that will profoundly shake her foundations? And what will occur as Laura falls In love with Nicholas, a billionaire mafioso who only sees women as objects of sexual desires? Discover the answers within the gripping pages of the thrilling novel, "Bound by Passion."

He has made it crystal clear that I’m not to call him ‘boss’ except on certain occasions, like right now, when his dominating gaze carries a hint of playfulness. I can’t help but smile every time he gets like this, all lovey-dovey, but when he whispers in my ears asking me to go on an adventure with him, it is like an invitation to a forbidden feast and the thought sends a shiver down my spine which unlike you would think, is almost painful. Maybe this is because I have been on an adventure with him for as far as I want to recollect. My memories, if you peeked inside, would be overflowing with every moment with him, each one a brushstroke painted with his boldness and my, well, let’s call it a touch of recklessness. I now wear a souvenir, a mark etched onto my soul. It’s like a silent agreement, a reminder that our fates are tangled, intertwined like climbing vines. He’s the puppet master, my very own Mr. Strings, and every twist and turn of his whims gets woven into the fabric of my being. Maybe you find that hard to believe, like something out of a fairytale. But trust me, my darling, as I unravel the threads of our adventure, one by one, you’ll understand. With each turn and twist, you’ll find yourself hooked, a willing captive in the captivating narrative of our lives, possibly harnessed in the labyrinth of our love, where danger dances with delight, and fate is etched in the footprints of a love like no other. So buckle up, dear reader, for this isn’t a mere tale, it’s a thrill ride, a love song made of equal parts fear and freedom.

Selena Formosus is a regular woman with a good heart. She always grins to put a nice atmosphere about herself. She had always wished to work for Silvenia Technology Company, which she did, and to be the wife of the CEO. Everything is fine until Jaxon needs to fly with his ex on a business trip. Selena had a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right, but she ignored it in favor of looking for herself and her family. She almost forgot she was four months pregnant at the moment and needed to be strong for her unborn child.

There's only one word that can describe Emanuelle Dizon perfectly. Elegant. Her existence screams elegance. Namana niya 'yon sa sopistikada niyang ina. Siguro kung may perpekto lang na tao sa mundo ay maaaring isa roon si Emma. Pero hindi, dahil lahat ng tao, may kapintasan. Emma met Yael Carreon. The man who became the love of her life. She's willing to sacrifice everything just to make that man hers. Dignity, self-respect, and elegance. Just for this man to love her back.

In a kingdom ruled by a brutal king, Thalia Blackwood, an infamous assassin, is given a choice: fight for her freedom or remain a prisoner in the deadly salt mines of Karnak. Selected to compete against ruthless criminals in a contest to become the King’s Champion, Thalia soon finds herself entangled in dark court politics, where enemies lurk in the shadows, and nothing is as it seems. But as she navigates this treacherous competition, sinister forces far beyond the throne emerge, and Thalia must confront a hidden magic, long thought lost, that could destroy everything. With her deadly skills and a mysterious past that threatens to surface, she must outwit her rivals and face dangers both human and magical. Freedom comes at a price—and Thalia will pay it in blood if she has to. Will she win her freedom, or will the darkness of her past consume her first?

A case of mistaken identity. A twisted plan. An unexpected love. Isabella Delgado lives a quiet life as a regular office worker in Manila—routine days, instant coffee, and a heart still nursing quiet dreams. But everything changes when she’s suddenly kidnapped off the street by strangers who mistake her for someone else. Her captor? Lance Alonzo, a cold, calculated billionaire with a broken heart and a twisted agenda: to make Sofia Marie Cruz, his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him, fall in love with him again—only to break her heart the way she broke his. But there’s a problem. Isabella isn’t Sofia. She only looks exactly like her. When Lance discovers the mistake, it’s already too late. Isabella knows too much, and letting her go could destroy his reputation. So he keeps her locked in his private estate—just until he figures out what to do. But as days pass and secrets unravel, Lance finds himself drawn to the very woman he never meant to meet. And Isabella? She may be trapped—but her spirit refuses to be broken. Not by a man with a plan. Not by a heart with unfinished business. What started as a revenge scheme becomes a dangerous game of deception, desire, and redemption. Because sometimes, fate doesn’t make mistakes. People do.

Daisy’s heart raced with excitement as she entered the elegant wedding venue, the sweet scent of flowers filling the air. She held onto her boyfriend Noah’s arm, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. But as she laid eyes on her best friend’s soon-to-be husband, her world shattered. The man standing before her was the one she had been searching for all these years. The room seemed to spin as she struggled to comprehend the cruel twist of fate. Her heart sank as she realised he didn’t remember her, treating her like a stranger. The disappointment was crushing, but she accepted the harsh truth with a heavy heart. She steeled herself, determined to witness her best friend Julian’s wedding with the man she had longed to meet. But she didn’t knew that fate had a unique plan in store for her. Unbeknownst to Daisy, she was about to find herself standing on that very aisle, adorned in a wedding dress, instead of her beloved Julian. However, the man she has married - Dylan Astor, despises her with an intensity that is palpable. He has transformed into a completely unrecognisable figure from the man Daisy had encountered years ago. His once radiant, charming smile has transformed into a dark, icy countenance, causing Daisy to hold her breath whenever she sees him. The tension in the air is suffocating, as if a storm is brewing. Dylan knows very well that Daisy doesn't have feelings for him, which only makes him even more angry at her.

She thought she met the angel of her dreams, but is he too good to be true? Angelo Tsarkopolis is the sexy hotshot and gorgeous CEO of his family's fortune. A chance encounter with Laura Parker is the catalyst to a flirtatious cat and mouse game between them. On the surface, he is her dream man and more. However, shady rumors surround his business, women throw themselves at him, and she fears he isn’t telling her everything. Angelo appears to only have eyes for Laura, but she can’t believe a young, wealthy, incredibly handsome and successful businessman like him could hold more than a passing interest in her, an average girl. She tries not to be another notch on his bedpost, but that’s getting harder with each passing day. Laura tries to temper the flames of passion, but they only grow hotter. Is she in over her head and will he break her heart for good?

These are just the addition of my books on wattpad. Emily A letter to Santa Last wish And The moon and I