Performance Partnerships

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

Nathan Grey became the Alpha of the Old Woods Pack just a few months ago. Together with his best friends, Beta Kaiden and Gamma Caleb, he is trying to fight off the threat from a large rogue group that settled in the vast forests of North Washington. Between creating an alliance with the biggest pack on the continent and learning how to lead a pack, the last thing on his mind is finding his mate. He doesn't understand everyone's obsession in finding their destined one. That is, until he meets her. Nate gets persuaded by his friends for a night out in Bellforth, where they end up going to a show by a local theatrical group. As the performance begins he realizes that one of the actresses is his mate. Captivated by her voice and beauty, he quickly forgets about his previous views on soulmates. But what if she doesn't know about mates and holds secrets of her own? Caleb just recently became Gamma to one of his best friend. Together with Beta, the three of them had been friends since childhood yet he holds a big secret from them. With a deep desire of having his mate, comes even bigger fear of being rejected. Not only by his possible mate but also his friends.

Vivian Stephen Chen was the epitome of a perfect lady. She was well-educated, driven to her career, knowledgeable, kind, and beautiful. She even had a figure to die for. But there was something missing in her life. She had never dated a man before, to the point that she was being mistaken to like fellow women. And then one day, as if it was a fateful encounter, she met him. Zander Li Martin, a bachelor multibillionaire, suddenly proposed a deal that turned her life around. He was much older than her but he had everything a girl could ask for. Money, power, looks, perhaps; even performance in bed. Vivian was not in dire straits for money. She had her own business and she had more than enough money for herself. But she had greedy vultures feasting on her. Zander’s offer churned something inside her. She had always been a careful woman and had never done anything crazy and unaccounted for in her life. She realized that she was bored with her current life that she was actually longing for a major unexpected change that would arouse her excitement. As if something was pushing her, Vivian accepted the offer. She wanted to do something crazy and dangerous for a change. Likewise, she would be able to satisfy the greed of the vultures that haunted her. All of a sudden, she gained a husband. What will her married life with him entail? Would she get the thrill she was looking for? Join Vivian in her life journey as the wife of a multibillionaire and discover what experiences await her.

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?

"Your mission is to infiltrate the Dharma Sahib Mafia Empire and retrieve the fabled 'Kohinoor of Kali' - a diamond said to grant its owner control over the underground world. It's rumored to be hidden within the empire's stronghold, guarded by the ruthless mafia lord, Sahib himself," The other man in the room gawked at the man that just gave him orders. Will he be able to do this for the sake of Alexandra's freedom and his? ***** Alexandra Acosta got herself intertwined with a masked stripper at her best friend's birthday party. She was charmed by his performance and mistakenly took his mask off. And that became the biggest mistake she ever made. His life was being caged around a hidden organization she knew nothing about, which makes him live a dual-life. Involvement of Alexandra made everything go haywire when the leader of the organization wanted to make Alexandra a member. He wanted to protect her at all costs, falling for her along the way but of course, he had to pay the price for it.