Performance Partnerships

Bradley Oliver Jones was eight years old when he first heard "Phantom of the Opera" in New York.The lights gleaming across the stage, the voices of the performers ringing through the theater in a way that brought tears to the eyes of those listening. A wonderful canvas of brilliance painted bright by the dull colors of the world.The performance brought something wonderful to Bradley Oliver Jones.The theatre brought magic, brought light, brought hope into the mind of a little eight year old kid.A kid now dead set on being on that stage.And suddenly, the world was on fire, and everything was possible.

Who meets Prince Charming in an elevator while carrying their broken shoe? Lena Masterson was having a rough day. Her coffee pot exploded, her favorite heel broke on the way to work, her computer died, and her coworker sabotaged her performance review that she should have aced. To top it all off, she had to stay late. So when she ran into a handsome stranger at work, she was certain that it was the worst day of her life. Instead, it was the start of something wonderful. From the moment she nearly bowled the man over, she thought about him. She didn’t know anything about him, and could only assume that he was someone’s assistant. Still, the encounter left her with new self-confidence. She made a move assertive enough to get the attention of her boss’ boss, and be granted a new position as the personal paralegal of the head partner. This promotion soon led to an important trip to the Caribbean, where she saw a familiar face on the beach… Everything seemed perfect when she was in Aiden’s arms, but he was holding something back. Worse, Lena was keeping a secret from him as well. She knew that she couldn’t keep up her little white lie forever, but it turned out that Aiden’s secret was much bigger. Much much much bigger. A billion times bigger, in fact. Even though he treated her like Cinderella at the ball, it was possible that the billionaire playboy just thought of her as one of his “flavors of the week”. After saying goodbye with one last barefoot kiss and returning to the real world, there was a burning question on Lena’s mind: Did this Prince Charming love her as much as she loved him?

I set fire to my painting in front of the entire academy. Thunderous applause erupts from the crowd as everyone thinks it's some kind of performance art. Unlike them, Willow Laurent is distraught. She rushes up and grabs my hand, questioning in a shrill voice, "Cassidy Seymour, have you gone mad? This is your only chance to prove yourself!" I shake her hand off me coldly. My only chance? No… What she means is that it's her chance. In my past life, I created this masterpiece with all my heart and soul. But she stole it from me and submitted it as her entry first. Whether it was the composition, the colors, or even my original dot-stippling technique… She replicated every detail flawlessly. Then, she won the National Young Artists Gold Award, signed with a top gallery, and became a rising star. And what about me? I was condemned as a shameless plagiarist. Insults and curses gradually drowned me. "You shouldn't be an artist!" "Plagiarists are scum! They should just die!" Her fans stormed into my studio, smashed my art supplies, and broke my right hand. As I saw no end to the hell that I was living in, I jumped down from the top floor of my studio. When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the very day she first accuses me of plagiarism.

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

He ran to into her at street theater. She was a force of nature, not a casual first time hire. She bought the house down with her performance, literally pulled the audience to their feet standing ovation. Her performance was too real, unnerving, deeply unsettling to him.

Lillian’s marriage to Alpha Keegan was never built on love, but she never imagined how far she’d be pushed. With a cold, indifferent husband and a manipulative mother demanding constant financial support, Lillian’s life has become a cage. When Sienna, the woman Keegan is clearly in love with, enters the picture, Lillian’s place in her own world crumbles—especially when she learns Sienna is pregnant with Keegan's child. After a minor injury leads to an unexpected hospital visit, Keegan’s sudden concern feels more like a performance for his family than genuine care. But when he demands she donate blood to save Sienna, Lillian’s breaking point arrives. Tired of being a pawn in a game of indifference and manipulation, Lillian decides it's time to leave. But escaping the man who controls her fate and the pack that doesn’t understand her pain will be no easy task. With a shattered heart and no allies, Lillian must find the courage to break free and reclaim her life. Will Lillian rise above the betrayals, or will she remain a shadow of the woman she was meant to be?

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT "The bed," she mumbled softly, pointing at the bed. "Whoever said it only happens in bed?" I asked as I ripped the remaining of her naughty dress. "My best friend bought me that dress she'd kill me," she uttered in shock. "Tell her I ruined it," I uttered authoritatively, and she chuckled. I took off my sweatpants and she gasped. Soft, pleasurable noises left her throat, and it felt so beautiful watching her moan to my strokes "Baby... fuck... I... oh goodness." "Wait... no, don't... stop," she stuttered out, and I smiled proudly knowing I was doing the right thing. ************* Laura Ben graduated last year and was lucky to land an assistant job at a prestigious tech company. On her best friend's birthday, her friend treated them to a night at the renowned and exclusive male strip club. The performance was enticing and captivating, but Laura found herself drawn to a stripper wearing a half mask. Possessed by an inexplicable urge, she waited by the stage door, hoping for a glimpse of him. And when she finally saw his face, she was shocked, so much so that she stumbled, catching his attention. The captivating stripper was none other than her boss, Bryan Finch, the CEO of Premium Tech. Now that Laura knows his deepest secret, she uses this knowledge to blackmail him. Unknown to her, Bryan is being forced to strip because he killed his ex-fiancée and someone has been blackmailing him ever since. With the leverage she holds over him, Laura offers a proposal: promote her, or risk his secret being exposed. But will Bryan submit to her demands, or will he fight back? What is he hiding about his involvement in the death, and how long will he be forced to live this double life?

Olivia, a stripper who endured working in hell in order to live, thought that she'd bag some jewels after a VIP client paid thousand dollars just to see her perform privately. However, her supposed "instant jackpot" turned into an unforgettable disaster when a God-like billionaire interrupted her performance, claiming that she was his goddamn wife.Worst, she was taken a way by him, giving her no chance to escape. Now, she needs to find a way to get away from him. But, how could she possibly escape from the ruthless and wild billionaire?

His hand fisted in my hair while the silk tie kept my wrists helpless above my head, his voice dark and thick with lust against my neck. “You’re soaking my fucking pants, Celeste—moaning like a needy little wife who wants to be fucked until she forgets her husband’s name. Is that what you want?” I arched into him, breath hitching as the words tumbled out, “Yes, sir.” ___ Celeste Maddox is the picture-perfect political wife, composed, elegant, and utterly unwanted. Behind closed doors, her marriage to golden boy Ethan is a hollow performance: no affection, no passion, just cold smiles and a carefully curated public image. But everything shatters when she walks in on Ethan tangled in the sheets with her own sister. Heartbroken and reckless, Celeste lets herself unravel for one night in the arms of a commanding stranger—someone who touches her like she matters, who makes her ache and moan like she’s never known pleasure before. She never planned to see him again. But fate has other plans because the stranger? He’s Dr. Rowan Wolfe, the couples therapist Ethan hires to fix their broken marriage. Now, every session is torture. Every glance, a spark.And when Ethan stops showing up, Rowan doesn’t stop seeing her. Talking turns to touching. Therapy turns to sin. And Celeste finds herself tied to the bed of the one man who makes her forget every vow she ever made. She swore she’d never cheat. He swore she was only his plaything. They’re both liars. However, some sins are worth every damn consequence.

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?