Painted Faces

Sophie Bennett, a passionate and ambitious actress, finds her carefully planned life turned upside down after a spontaneous encounter with Jake Thompson, a laid-back barista and aspiring screenwriter. When Sophie discovers she's unexpectedly pregnant, she faces the challenge of balancing her burgeoning career in Hollywood with her new reality of impending motherhood. With the support of Jake and her best friend Maya, Sophie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry while redefining her dreams. Together, they learn that love often comes in the most unexpected forms, and that the most beautiful moments in life are the ones unplanned.

During our New Year’s Eve dinner, I told my family that my company was not giving out year-end bonuses. The table went silent. Even the TV host counting down to midnight suddenly sounded grating. My husband and daughter slammed the table in frustration. “No year-end bonus?! How are we supposed to pay the mortgage and the car loan? I didn’t marry you so you could live off me!” “Other moms either buy designer bags or send money. You’re the most useless one. You can’t even bring home a $100,000 bonus.” My in-laws sat there with dark looks on their faces and said nothing. I looked at their self-righteous faces and felt a lump in my throat. All these years, every expense in this family was paid with the money I earned from late nights, overtime, and project commissions. But all they could see was the $100,000 bonus I did not bring home. “If you can’t make any money, then get out!” My husband grabbed my arm and pushed me toward the door. My daughter was not satisfied and kicked me on the lower back. I did not turn around. I took out my phone and booked the presidential suite at a downtown five-star hotel. My bank account had just received a $1 million dividend payout. It was true that I did not get a year-end bonus. But I got promoted to management. From this day onward, I would receive $1 million in dividends every year.

Lucian (Luke) Wright is a billionaire who after an irresponsible act, tries to prove himself to his grandfather by disguising as an ordinary employee at Wright AutoTech Motors. Ava Williams is a smart and talented marketer who faces challenges in male dominated industry, and dislikes Luke. Luke and Ava are tasked with securing a major investor for the company, leading to a competitive and romantic, tension-filled journey. Complications arise as Ava struggles with a sexist boss and learns about Luke's secret. She feels betrayed and it leads to a dramatic confrontation. Will Ava and Luke work out their issues, clear up misunderstandings, and confront their feelings for each other??

Desire wears many faces and none are innocent. One night can change everything but no two nights are the same. This collection of erotic short stories takes you deep into a world where passion knows no boundaries. From taboo liaisons to forbidden first encounters, from men who crave men to women who surrender to multiple men, encounters that burn with passion. Each tale invites you into a different fantasy—wild, dangerous and unforgettable. Different shades of lust. Raw. Uninhibited. Addictive. Each story is a fleeting moment of heat—but once tasted, impossible to forget. No boundaries. No apologies. Just pure, unfiltered desire.

Single at thirty-five, Sylvia Dimaculangan is been passionately working for several years as a Executive secretary of the Ledesma Company. And the newly appointed CEO, dashing and mischievous, Troye Matthew Ledesma. Now that she has to work with the current heir who is five years younger than her, Sylvia faces chaos. She just then realized, she's not getting younger anymore. She wanted to live her life to the fullest and lastly to find someone to be with until the rest of her life. So she decided to quit her toxic job. Will Troye be able to continue his life as CEO without his so called old maid secretary?

In a world ravaged by fear and violence, humanity wages a merciless war against supernatural beings. Gabriel, a brooding warlock haunted by the loss of his family, embraces a life devoid of love while honing his magical skills and evading the inquisitors. His only companion is his loyal friend, Nick. Aria, a beautiful witch unaware of her own powers, is forced to flee her destroyed village and seeks help in the city. Her path intertwines with Gabriel's, but who are they to each other? As their kind faces imminent destruction, they have to find each other in time to save themselves and their future. Their journey will test their strength and reveal the power of love amidst chaos.

When life hits her hard and she has no other choice but to sign the divorce papers thrown at her by her husband, Vivian's life takes another turn when she faces her past once again. In order to take revenge on her ex-husband, she has to marry her ex-lover, who offers to help her get back at her ex-husband; his business rival. During their contractual marriage, their love seems to reopen, bringing them together, but there is an obstruction; his childhood crush. Will Vivian give up on him once again? Will she fight for the one she loves? For her baby girl?

In a desperate bid to save her father from a terminal illness, Jia enters an auction to fund experimental treatment. Wealthy CEO Luke unexpectedly buys her freedom, setting off a chain of events. Tragedy strikes on their wedding day, erasing Jia's memories. Years later, their paths cross again as Luke's company acquires hers. Jia, now engaged to another, remains oblivious to their shared past. Luke faces the dilemma of revealing their history or letting her find happiness. Through acts of kindness, he hopes to jog her memory and revive their lost love. Will the truth destroy their rediscovered connection or lead to the happy ending they deserve?

Scarlett, a determined writer, gets a job at the city's largest entertainment company, hoping to free her family from the grip of poverty. But her dreams take an unexpected turn when her path crosses Cade, her rude and seductive boss. Desperate to become CEO, Cade proposes a deal: financial assistance for Scarlett's family in exchange for a contract marriage. Torn between her hatred for Cade and her family's dire needs, Scarlett faces the test of her values. Will she compromise her principles for the sake of those she loves? Or will she find a way to loosen this tangled web of ambition, power, and unexpected attraction? Characterization

Hands. So many hands. They're everywhere, sliding up my thighs, gripping my hips, tangling in my hair. I can't see their faces, but I don't need to. I feel them. Three of them, surrounding me, claiming me. One behind me, his chest pressed against my back, his breath hot against my neck. Another in front, his mouth trailing fire down my throat. The third watching, waiting, his presence a dark promise.* "You're ours," one of them growls, and the sound vibrates through my entire body.