Playing For Keeps Meaning

Six years after a bad breakup, Sophie Wells finally thought she had it all together but that was until she met Chresanto Lightwood, CEO of Lightwood Company. He was everything she wanted in a man but someone she wouldn't dare be with not when her past came hunting her. ***** Will Sophie be able to move on from her past especially when it's right in from of her? How long will she keep fighting off her feelings? Let's find out!

NEWLY REVAMPED: The one moment in college that had left Kate Sloan breathless and wanting more to fulfill her now-opened sexual desire had also left her empty. Seven years later Kate Sloan had worked hard to become a successful businesswoman. She had been working to be a partner when all of her dreams were crushed when her one-night stand bought her company wrecking all her dreams. She couldn’t understand why he had to buy her company or why he was so insistent she stay and be close to him after all he disappeared seven years ago. Now the passionate one-night stand she had was about to come to her present life and take over. As she becomes more involved with his family, there is also the mystery and threat of a devious villain set to cause as much damage as possible to the CEO and consequently her. Would she survive?

Desperate to save her mother, Sophia sells her virginity to the highest bidder—only to discover he’s Alpha Allan, the son of the reigning Alpha she’s secretly loved for years. Bound to serve him, she must navigate desire, betrayal, and heartbreak. But when love isn't returned, can she reclaim her heart, or will she be able to get the powerful Alpha to fall crazily in love with her?

“A marriage of convenience… turned into a love worth fighting for.” Isang kasal na hindi pinili, kundi ipinilit ng kapalaran. Para kay Vernice, ang kasal ay isang bagay na dapat nagmumula sa pagmamahal at hindi sa kasunduan. Ngunit biglang nagbago ang lahat nang mapilitan siyang pumayag sa isang arranged marriage—at ang lalaking nakatakda niyang pakasalan ay walang iba kundi si Caius, isang makapangyarihang negosyante na kilala sa kanyang malamig na ugali at walang interes sa pag-ibig. Sa simula, parang isang bangungot ang pagsasama nila. Ang buhay ng isang simpleng babae ay biglang naipit sa mundo ng karangyaan, intriga, at matinding pressure na dala ng pagiging asawa ng isang kilalang billionaire. Sa kanilang pagsasama, tila dalawang magkaibang mundo ang pinilit na pinagtatagpo—isang pusong naghahanap ng pagmamahal at isang pusong sanay nang magtago sa likod ng yaman at kapangyarihan. Ngunit habang lumilipas ang mga araw, may mga simpleng bagay na unti-unting nagbabago. Ang mga tingin na dati ay malamig, naging mainit. Ang mga usapan na dati ay pormal at walang saysay, nagiging puno ng lambing at tawa. At ang kasal na dati’y walang emosyon, nagiging isang tahanan ng pag-ibig na hindi nila inasahan. Subalit hindi mawawala ang mga pagsubok—mga taong tututol, intriga ng lipunan, at takot na baka ang lahat ng ito ay pansamantala lamang. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, matutuklasan nilang hindi ang kasunduan ang magtatali sa kanila, kundi ang pusong natutong magmahal ng totoo. Isang kwento ng dalawang taong hindi pinili ang isa’t isa, pero pinili ng tadhana. Sa huli, mapapatunayan nilang minsan, ang pagmamahal ay dumarating sa pinaka–hindi inaasahang paraan.

He’s dangerous, intoxicating… and I’m addicted. Every touch sets me on fire, every whisper drags me closer to the edge I shouldn’t cross. I should run—but I can’t. Because in his darkness, I’ve found a craving I can’t resist, a passion that devours me whole. Some love destroys. Some love consumes. And some men… are worth surrendering everything for.

Isang gabi kapalit ng malaking halaga. Ang kaniyang virginity kapalit ng pera na makatulong sa kanilang pamilya. Isang mabuting anak at isang bilyonaryo na naliligaw ang landas.

**Madilim na Romansa** Mahirap ang pagiging bagong estudyante. Si Mary ay mahiyain, introvert, at mas gusto ang mapag-isa sa kanyang mga libro kaysa sa mga tao. Ngunit sa kanyang bagong paaralan, nag-iba ang lahat nang mapansin siya ng mga maling tao. Nakuha niya ang atensyon ng bad boy ng paaralan na nagsimulang mang-uyam at mangutya sa kanya. ***** Nilaro ko ang aking mga daliri habang nakatitig siya, hindi siya tumigil sa pagtitig at nahihirapan akong makipag-eye contact sa kanya. Ang kanyang titig ay nagpaparamdam sa akin ng hindi komportable. Hindi ko maiwasang magtaka kung ano ang ginagawa niya rito nang mag-isa. "Mary Davies," bulong niya sa pangalan ko. "Virgin ka pa rin ba?" Nakangisi niyang tanong. "Hmmmn... Hindi nagalaw. Inosente. Tulad ng matagal ko nang pinapangarap." Bulong niya, habang dinadaan ang isang daliri sa aking collarbone. "Mag-eenjoy ako nang husto kasama ka," bulong niya ulit, habang hinahalikan ang aking earlobes. "Ang saya-saya." Dagdag niya, habang lumalayo sa akin. Nagsimula siyang maglakad patungo sa pinto. "Magkikita tayo mamayang gabi."

Yvonne always believed in happily-ever-afters, until her ex spectacularly dumped her at his workplace on what was supposed to be a special day, leaving her heartbroken and humiliated. Then, a mysterious man swoops in to save the day. Little does she know, this charming rescuer is the father of the adorable twins she teaches. The twins, intent on finding a mommy, see their father as a bonus. As fate would have it, this dashing single dad has an unconventional proposal on behalf of his children. They want Yvonne to be their mommy, and he comes as an irresistible bonus. With twin-sized mischief and unexpected romance, Yvonne's life takes a hilariously unpredictable turn. Will she find her own fairy tale ending in the arms of the man she never saw coming?

Willing to do anything for her sick mother, Mulan Lexington returned to the family that once despised her for help. With her mother's life hanging in the balance, she agreed to get married within a week—only to catch her boyfriend cheating on her. Devastated, Mulan sought solace in a drink, where she met a crippled Kaiser Walker, who was facing a similar heartbreak. United by their desire for revenge, they signed a six-month marriage contract. What will happen when Mulan discovers that her contracted husband is none other than Cross Voss, the conglomerate heir and CEO of the largest company in the country? And with just a few weeks left on their contract, what will she do about her growing feelings for him?

Celia Johnson, my boss's sister-in-law, joined the company as the finance director and announced that all reimbursements must strictly follow the standards. I spent an entire week running around for the company and finally closed a five-hundred-thousand-dollar deal. Because the client had used two extra packs of paper towels, the per-person amount for their meal ended up eight dollars over the limit. Celia folded her arms, glanced at the reimbursement form on my desk, and sneered. "Five hundred and eight dollars?" "Yes. Last night at The Peak Restaurant, where we closed Richard's deal. Zack was there too," I explained patiently. "Eight dollars over the per-person limit. Not reimbursable," Celia said coldly. I tried to reason with her. "This was a special case. The client is high-level, and the deal amount is large, and Zack personally said it would be fully reimbursed last night." She returned the reimbursement form to me. "I don't care who said that. Don't think closing a five-hundred-thousand-dollar contract lets you ignore company rules. Reimbursements must all follow policies. Everyone will follow them to the letter." I took a deep breath. I knew arguing with her head-on would get me nowhere, so I called Zack directly. Zack said, "I did say it would be reimbursed, but I never said company rules could be ignored. It's just five hundred. And you still get commission from closing the deal. You young people need to have perspective." I stopped arguing. I turned around and refused the delivery containing the hard copy of the five-hundred-thousand-dollar cooperation contract, smiling as I explained, "Company rules say all cash on delivery packages must be refused. "Also, today is my last day here. Starting tomorrow, I work for Richard's company. As the client, I will be setting the rules this time."