Present Mic

"Shadows of the Past" is a story about *Natasha Fernandez* (26),the daughter of a billionaire who never enjoyed her childhood due to the loss of her mother and her father's busy schedule. She struggles with health issues and finding true love until she meets *Jamal smith* (29) who rescues her from a robber and becomes her friend, and eventually her husband. Years later, Natasha hires her childhood friend *Imade Martins*(25) a home tutor for her adopted daughter *Tessa* (3). However, Natasha is heartbroken when she discovers Jamal's affair with Imade, and she uses her power to frustrate Imade's business life. Unbeknownst to them all, Jamal is the biological father of Imade's daughter, whom she lost in the hands of a matron to an orphanage some years back. Imade leaves for another city where she falls in love with her boss, Mr. *George Henry,*(34) an influential business tycoon and a single father. Twenty years later, *Roy Henry,* George's son, falls in love with Tessa, Natasha's daughter. However, their love is jeopardized after a family introduction takes place, and complicated truths unravel, putting Tessa's life at stake. The story explores the drama and chaos that ensue as the characters confront their past and navigate their present relationships.

Meet Amelia, a girl who had no idea that she would be drawn back to the past in order to fix her future. A little girl from California, just wanting to fit in despite the odds around her. When her mother died, she was devastated. There was no other option than to live with her father who as gradually becoming a thorn in her flesh and that eventually led to the circumstances that killed her. As if she has not been through enough and death was the best punishment she could have asked for, she reunites with her mother in a bardo state and instead of her mother allowing them to spend some time together, she decides to send her to another time and age to break a family's curse that she didn't knew existed leaving her with a necklace that can either make or mar her. She has a past she dreads going back, a future she can't envision and worse of all, a present she cannot cope with. So what will she do when she finds herself being reborn in the past and given a chance to save her future and that of the world? Will she back down because she already hates her very own existence or will she fight for the generation yet to be born?

On the night of the Benedetto family's Harvest Festival, my Mafia husband, Salvatore, told me to bring our son, Giuseppe, to the family gathering. He said his madre had finally accepted us into the Benedetto bloodline. I was trembling with excitement in our little cottage as I dressed Giuseppe in his finest little suit. He had carved a single wooden rose by hand, a project he'd saved for over five years. He said he would present it to his grandmother at the celebration, a plea for her to accept our place in the family. But the moment we stepped into the stone manor, I saw Carmela. Salvatore had her pinned against an oak barrel in a deep, searing kiss. In the moonlight, her hand was undoing his tie. In front of everyone, Salvatore smiled and gently pushed her away. He walked toward the family members gathered in a semicircle and raised a crystal glass. "Tonight, in addition to celebrating the harvest, I have an important announcement." "I would like to introduce you all to the woman I have married in the eyes of God and the Church." "Miss Carmela Torrino." Before I could even process his words, Giuseppe tore his hand from mine and rushed forward. "Papa, what are you saying?" "Isn't my mother your wife?"

"Nah, not gonna happen. I don't want to skip work just because of that girl. She's not that important. I will not make her life easier by impregnating her that soon," I said. "Well, bro, it's your choice. Just don't let yourself be head over the heels for Stacey. That'll create a big issue!" Harry said. "That's cliché, man! Do you think I'll let that happen? I'm so busy torturing her physically and mentally. I won't have any more time to think about loving her. I also barely go home," I confidently said. -----. Stacey's life has always been difficult. She is constantly required to present herself in front of the lads in order to encourage them to offer her money or whatever in return for sex. In addition, there will be a fee for each touch to private parts. It's almost as if you had to pay to touch. Fortunately, she was able to flee this realm thanks to Cygnus, her love one. But because of Yul Matthew Servano, everything became blue, and her life became much more confusing than it was before. It was planned for her to marry him. Will they build affections for each other despite the fact that Yul is a womanizer and Stacey is a transitory relationship for guests?

She said, "Fate is nothing but a question which the Deity throws, the answer... is the choices we make..." He looked at the small figure in front of him and said, "What you are saying is known as Destiny, because Fate is something… that you cannot avoid.” .... Yoon Su Yeon is a simple-minded, focused and nerdy girl, living an average life until things suddenly started to change when she meets a doctor who happens to be part of the underworld. Things started to get more complicated when some mysterious people from her past life starts emerging in her present life. They desperately want to change something monumental that happened in the past which left a lasting impact on them. But without any recollection of her past, she doesn't know whether she was even connected to it or not. If she helps them altering that fateful event, what would happen to her current life? . . Excerpt: He was standing in the corner, looking at a girl who was enjoying with her colleagues, for whom he was waiting for more than 4 years. he whispered, "I think it's enough of waiting now, it's time for us to be together. Little Bunny, will you accept me this time?" The cover page is not mine, credit to the owner! I will make a cover page soon!!! No major misunderstanding, no rape but an exciting and mysterious plot!!

Nathaniel Hemlock was once one of the most feared pirates to ever sail the seas. His endless quest for gold and power claimed many lives but never concerned him since his heart had long hardened. That is until one day that desire took a dark turn. For power and gold he traded not only his own soul but that of his crew. Now he is cursed to sail the seas until the end of time, unless 1000 more souls are given, one a year...all must be children which was one of the only things he would never do. Present day. Lloyd has always scoffed at the legends that bring visitors to his town near the sea, and with the arrival of a movie crew it's gotten worse. Returning home one evening he sees a strange, old fashioned boat docked and curiously decides to board it. A decision he soon regrets. Once onboard he cannot leave. Nathaniel is not best pleased but there is little he can do and decides to use Lloyd as a cabin boy to make himself useful while he continues to search for another way of breaking his curse and freeing his crew. Their lives will soon become more entwined and perhaps Lloyd is the one who can warm the frozen heart.

Surrounded by luxury and comfort, Dominique Le Blanc does not miss anything, except excitement. His life as the owner of the largest casino in Monaco requires a lot of time and dedication to enjoy this refined and electrifying, but unimportant, environment. Bets and money are no longer able to excite you. Could that change with a gunshot-covered escape in a hospital parking lot? Without knowing why, a young woman flees from her armed captors. The reason for the chase is unknown, but the escape leads her to get into the first open car she sees. Driven by the instinct to fight for her own life, she hides in the vehicle, while the passengers agree to flee the scene quickly. The young woman carries nothing with her, no belongings, no clothes, no name and much less memories. What is the first thing she should look for? “An Inconsequent Desire” is a dark novel full of action and chaos, with two protagonists who know very well what they want… or almost. Tension, desire, luxury and danger mix as Dominique and the fugitive try to resolve their relationship and their desires in a world as opulent as it’s reckless. Violence and attraction go hand in hand for a couple covered in the past, immersed in the present and with almost no future. What is the price of unearthing their memories? How much can it change what is yet to come? Love or obsession. Salvation or ruin. In the end, everyone has something to lose... and maybe that's everything.

Who said the weak can’t become strong? Even without powers I can become the most powerful. The Hunter race had existed for several millennia working both in the shadows and in the light protecting humanity from creatures that aren’t from this world, at the age of seven every child in the Hunter race would visit the Hunter god’s temple and receive his blessing in the form of a supernatural ability. Amongst the Hunters were different kinds of people with different types of abilities but one this was common amongst all of them and that was the colour of their eyes, they were all green. Marcus Fault on the other hand was born with icy blue eyes which made majority of the Hunters view him in a different light and from the moment he was born, his life was in danger and each day was like walking on the edge of the abyss, one slip off and he would fall never to return. When he was seventh birthday just like the tradition he was to head to the Hunter god temple to receive his blessings, his talent was first tested and stunning everyone present as he was tested to have legendary talent but unfortunately he wasn’t blessed by the Hunter god and thus the first powerless Hunter was born. RR this note is to you to prove my ownership of this book.

Bound by his secret Ameera Clarke has always known how to fight for survival—working endless shifts, barely keeping her sick mother alive, and holding her world together with nothing but grit and late-night prayers. When she lands a job as secretary to the ruthless billionaire Kevin Black wood, she tells herself it’s just another paycheck. Another mask to wear. But the first time she steps into his office, her breath stills. Those piercing eyes… she’s seen them before. Under the moonlight. In the shadows of a night she swore she’d never speak of again. Kevin Blackwood is every rumor come true—cold, merciless, untouchable. He thrives on control, and Ameera’s defiance is the one thing he can’t bend to his will. She infuriates him. Challenges him. Tempts him. And the more he pushes her away, the deeper she burrows under his skin. But Kevin has a secret. One powerful enough to ruin them both. And when past and present collide, Ameera will have to decide whether to run from the man who could destroy her… or fall for the one she can’t resist. One thing is certain: in his world of power, lies, and dangerous desires—love is the most dangerous game of all.

Lily Montgomery had always believed her life was marked by goodbyes. Her father, a mystery buried beneath lies. Her ex-fiancé, Matteo, who disappeared without explanation, shattering her heart and dreams. And now, her mother, taken by a cruel illness, leaving her completely alone. Returning to New York for the funeral, Lily—a failed writer struggling to rebuild her career—only hoped to close this painful chapter. But fate had other plans. Her father wasn’t dead as she had always believed—he was Luigi Romano, one of the most powerful mafia leaders in the city. And Matteo? The man who walked away without a trace belonged to that dark world… and now he was her future husband. Forced into marriage for her own safety, Lily finds herself trapped between betrayals, secrets, and a love that never truly died. As she fights to escape the mafia’s grasp and uncover the truth about her origins, a new dilemma arises: Did Matteo really betray her, or did he leave to protect her? And worse… will he do whatever it takes to win her back? In a game between past and present, between duty and desire, Lily must decide if she can still trust the man she once loved… or if he is just another lie in her life.