Performance Partnerships

When blood betrays blood of course it would hurt. But what do you expect from a deceitful, thieving, manipulative twin sister? Life, of course, will never be a bed of roses for Melanie Martinez, a pole dancer who got sold into prostitution by her twin sister when the going got tough. Well, it was during one of her performance on stage while pole dancing before she would be given to the highest bidder for the night, that Melanie Martinez was stolen away by a demon king who had come in form of a human. What happens when,not only the demon king but also arch nemesis of the demon king falls in love with melanie? Disaster strikes in the demon realm! Is this her protection or her doom?!

Aurora Claramay. She was called ‘ The Villainess Rose ‘.The only daughter of a grand duke, well-protected by her three brothers. Some say that she’s the villainess in this story and some don’t. Her cold and distant-like personality attracted many suitors while her elegance, gracefulness, and perfection are ladies' idols. Many say that she’s unattainable and beyond one’s reach. On the other hand, rumor has it she’s cold-hearted, merciless to those who betrayed her, and non never received her trust. Aidan Wyatt. He called by many as ‘ The Light ‘ who shone as bright as the sun and beamed as the dazzling moon. Just as the reputation had known by all, he is a well-respected person, justice for the wronged, people called him a monster on the battlefield and a hero who brought peace for the empire. An archduke who ruled both the south and the east. Countless offers came before him, marriages, alliances, partnerships, etc. However, being the first knight in command during the battlefield and a great strategist, was not a groundless rumor. Being quick-witted as well as sly as a fox, he manages them effectively. Fate brought them together one night, where the full moon shines brightly, where all the trees and flowers danced together with the wind and where fireflies even fairies decorated the starry night. However, many agreed that they’re both like chalk and cheese and sometimes fight like cats and dogs and maybe, just maybe some butterflies in their stomach. Will love be born between these two or will thorns be piercing both hearts?

Samantha was compelled to accept the offer to dance for a client, Mr. MC. She is a private seductive dancer of a wealthy guy, due to the overwhelming need to provide her mother with the greatest care following her stroke. He always wears a masquerade mask when she dances in front of him, so she has never once seen his face. She needs to put on a fantastic performance for him. She needs to give him a good show to warm his night just by dancing. Just watch, no touch, that's it! Does she have the right to fight how she feels about him if their agreement ends when the woman he was supposed to marry returns?

Thirty years ago, a progressive rock band called The Yellow Kings began recording what would become their first and final album. Titled “The Final Reconciliation,” the album was expected to usher in a new renaissance of heavy metal, but it was shelved following a tragic concert that left all but one dead. The sole survivor of that horrific incident was the band’s lead guitarist, Aidan Cross, who’s kept silent about the circumstances leading up to that ill-fated performance—until now. For the first time since the tragedy, Aidan has granted an exclusive interview to finally put rumors to rest and address a question that has haunted the music industry for decades: What happened to The Yellow Kings? The answer will terrify you. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

When Aria Collins’ father desperately needs an expensive experimental cancer treatment that she can’t afford, she becomes desperate and forms a contract with CEO Alexander Blackwood: She will be his wife for three years in exchange for him giving his medical care and his financial security. What it really is business -- separate bedrooms, public appearances and a marriage of convenience. As Aria moves from being a part of Alexander’s elite business venture to being part of him, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. When feelings neither of them bargained for to start to open up, they need to decide whether to live up to the contract’s terms or risk everything in search of something bigger than convenience. In this marriage of convenience, convenience was never meant to become love

Bella was a teenager when her parents died in a plane crash. Afterward, she was taken in by the Hayes family, her parents’ close friends, who wanted to raise her as their own because of the strong relationship both families had maintained while her parents were alive. Two years later, Bella got married to Williams following his father’s counsel. It happened that Samantha, Williams’ girlfriend whom he had proposed to, rejected him for her acting career abroad. This made his performance at the company decline, which worried his father. Bella accepted the marriage because she loved Williams, hoping that one day the marriage would bring them together. But this decision she made later became something she deeply regretted.

Leila Oke has spent her career exposing the corruption of the rich and powerful. But when a scandal threatens to ruin her, she's forced into an unthinkable deal-marry Adrian Kane, the ruthless billionaire she despises, or lose everything. Adrian needs a wife to save his empire, and Leila is the perfect choice. Except she hates him. And he enjoys pushing her limits. Their marriage is nothing more than a contrast, a performance for the world to see. But the more they play the role of husband and wife, the more the lines between hatred and passion begin to blur. Secrets simmer beneath the surface. A past betrayal threatens to unravel everything. And in a game where love was never supposed to be real, losing might mean breaking the one rule they both swore to uphold- never fall in love.

At the year-end company meeting, I was announcing the bonuses when a new employee suddenly raised her hand. "Over at the other company, they handed out two boxes of imported cherries at their annual party," she said, shaking her phone. "And we only get performance bonuses?" The video, maliciously edited, went viral online and hit the trending list the very next day. I had the finance department cancel all the year-end bonus transfers. "If cherries are what really count as a gesture of goodwill," I said, "then this year's year-end benefit will be cherries—fifty boxes per person." When they saw the mountain of cherries piling up before them, the employees who had once joined in mocking me panicked instantly. One by one, they cried and apologized, begging me to reconsider.

On the eve of my wedding, my wife, Sharon Moonstone, drugged me and knocked me unconscious. She let her first love, Aaron Miller, take my place as the groom, standing beside her as they held the wedding that was supposed to belong to both of us. By the time I finally found them, they had already gone into the bridal suite and consummated their marriage. When I demanded answers, Sharon did not show a trace of guilt. "You live off me. You'd better behave. Make a scene, and we'll divorce." My heart went cold. I handed her the divorce papers, but she barely looked at them. "Looks like you've improved," she said lightly. "At least you know a performance should be convincing from start to finish."

Two months remained until debut evaluation night. Before our unit performance, our main dancer suddenly offered me her center position. I stared at her, confused, "The trainers always praise your stage presence. Why give up your spot?" "You... you deserve center more than I do." Her smile was painfully forced, and she was fidgeting with her practice clothes - obviously not saying what she really felt. Puzzled by her strange behavior, I asked, "Are my moves too big? Am I making it hard for you to perform?" She suddenly started shaking, looking at me with pure fear in her eyes. After what felt like forever, she finally choked out, "Please, just stop. I won't try to compete with you for center anymore!"