Sloppy Seconds

Aurelio Bertram, 24, a dangerously handsome billionaire with a legacy drenched in power and shadows. Grandson of a notorious mob boss. Son of one of the city’s most respected businessmen. Aurelio was a perfect storm—charming, ruthless, and reckless. But at the moment, he was temporarily nothing. Until he fulfilled their one condition. Just as he was plotting revenge on a childhood rival and preparing to attend one of the biggest underground events of the year, the unexpected hit—his family wouldn’t grant him the reins to their empire unless he produced an heir. Easy enough, right? After all, Aurelio Bertram was known in his circle as the king of flings—a man who could charm a woman in seconds and leave her breathless. Getting someone pregnant? A walk in the park. Except… it wasn’t. Weeks turned into months. Not one woman came back with a positive test. Not a single one. Until Erica James. A simple, middle-class hotel waitress with curves that could stop time and a heart hardened by abandonment. Her parents had written her off in high school, convinced she’d never amount to anything. But Erica didn’t need their approval. One night. That’s all it took. Aurelio never expected it. Neither did she. And when the test turned positive, Erica wanted nothing more than to disappear—run far away from the shame, the chaos, and the power that surrounded Aurelio Bertram. But how do you run from a man who owns the city? From the father of your unborn child? From a man who refuses to let go? "Even in the woods, I’d find you, babycakes," Aurelio whispered into her ear, his voice low and possessive. "From now on, you belong to me. You, and everything that has to do with my baby."

“Hmm.” Luca lowered himself, his groin making contact with mine. He brought his nose to my hair and sniffed, letting out an appreciative moan. “Roses. I like it.” “Luca…” his name came out as a moan when he nibbled my ear. “Don't hurt Matt, please.” He looked at me with an indescribable look. “And what are you willing to give me in return for sparing your lover's life?” I gaped at him in surprise. He knew? That Matt was my ex boyfriend? “How did you…” He shook his head with a humorless laugh. “You wound me, honey. I know a lot of things. I just choose not to say it.” “I haven't threatened to kill you in your sleep, have I?” I asked, then let out a defeated sigh when he raised a brow in disbelief at me. “Fine. What do you want in return?” He stared down at me for one… two… five seconds and then said, “I'd like to watch you come undone. With my tongue.” ********** Born into a family of generational tradition, Ariadne has a duty to uphold. She has been engaged to part of the society's son Santiago Russo since birth. Never having met or talked to her fiancè, she's accepted her fate that she could never be married to the one her heart wants. On the day of her debut, she is hit with an avalanche of shock when she discovers after an unforseen circumstance that Santiago won't be the one marrying her, but his Uncle, Luca Russo, the infamous, ruthless, billionaire bachelor in New York will be the one she will be tying the knot with. Caught between accepting her new fate or rebelling, Ariadne learns that there's nowhere to escape the beast and the only way to survive is abiding by his rules.

BREE LEV. I thought it stands for something simple until I heard his deep soulful voice. A single hello was all it take for him to have my undivided attention. Akala ko hulog siya ng langit. Isang anghel na magsasalba sa akin. I was all wrong. He's a fallen angel with dark blue eyes and cold leather-covered hands. A man mantled with power and veiled with sin. We're opposites. I'm weird and a social butterfly. He's terrifying and brooding. A lone wolf. I love pinks and swirls. He prefers pointed knives and black guns. Darkness seems to be his fave companion and death his pastime. I, on the other hand, will always choose life. He told me to stay away from him. Guess, you know by now, that I did the exact opposite, right? I stayed 'cause I want him so bad, it hurts. I, Bree De Veyra, daughter of one of the families of The Council, lay my life to the head of the Foedus Corp– Lev Petrov. My father's sworn enemy. The master manipulator and my protector. Or my destroyer? LEV Three years ago, one phone call, two minutes. I swore I will kill her. Four weeks before her 16th birthday, I did the unthinkable. I destroyed her trust and left her. Broken and beyond repair. Twenty-four hours before her 18th birthday, nagbalik ako para bawiin s'ya. Twelve hours after I abduct her, we exchange I dos. Eight seconds after our first kiss, I know I will protect her with my gun and with my life. I, Lev Petrov, Heir to a fallen empire, vows to avenge Bree from all of the people that wronged her. It will be my life's mission until the last drop of my sinful blood...I will never let them rest in peace.

Nagising si Cresia sa nakakasilaw na liwanag. Iginala niya ang paningin. She found myself lying on the cold ground. Huling naalala niya, habang pabalik siya sa condo... may nakita siyang batang babae sa kabilang bahagi ng kalsada. The girl was about to get hit by a car but she saved her. Bumangon siya at muling iginala ang tingin sa paligid. Nasaan na ang batang iniligtas niya? Where is she now? Napapikit siya nang tamaan ang mata ng sinag ng araw. Fuck. At bakit umaga na? Nakatulog ba siya sa daan? Ibinaba niya ang tingin sa sarili. She remember she was covered with blood. But how come she was perfectly fine now? Walang anumang bahid ng dugo ang damit niya... Iginalaw ni Cresia ang kamay. Wala siyang naramdamang anumang masakit doon. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ang isang paparating na truck. Fuck! Her first instinct is to run. But it is too late. The truck is only meters away from her. Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at hinintay ang pagtama niyon sa kanya... But seconds passed. Nothing happened. Walang truck na tumama sa kanya. Bakit? Dahan-dahang idinilat ni Cresia ang mga mata. Wala na ang truck. Bakit? Anong nangyari? Muli niyang inalala ang nangyari kagabi... She was fucking sure she got hit by a car. Hindi kaya...hindi kaya...patay na siya? "Not yet." Isang lalaki ang biglang sumulpot sa tabi niya. Para itong galing sa libing sa suot na damit. Black cape, black pants, black shoes. Everything is black. Even his eyes. They're as dark as his outfit. "S-sino ka?" He smiled to her. Hindi alam ni Cresia kung bakit kinilabutan siya sa ngiti ng lalaki. "I'm Kairos. Your death angel." Death angel? "What? I... I'm...I'm dead?"

Moans. I hear moans. "Ugh! Faster!" I covered my ears like an innocent child hoping that they would quite down. I ran back down the kitchen and drank a glass of water. I'm not paid enough for this. Thinking back and I was already regretting my life decisions— NOT! Now that I have discovered how much of a big womanizer this fiancée of mine is, I think I now have a reason to dump him. Disguised as his maid is so hard just to get intel unto what his true colors actually are. Honestly wasn't the best idea, but it definitely is the most efficient one. I sat on the counter of the kitchen and rested my head on the table over my folded arms. Perhaps a nap might help innocent me up. Just when slumber finally came, I heard sloppy footsteps coming down the staircase. The "young master" finally finished his business. I went to meet them at the bottom of the stairs to greet his lady friend safety on her way home. "I can't wait for tomorrow night," she said in a seductive tone and batted her lashes on him. I held back my urge to barf. Her arms are all over him as if she was the drunk one when in fact it was my good for nothing fiancé. "You're too loud," Timothee replied as it was his way of rejecting girls. And yes, another girl cried that night. She won't be expecting to sleep with him again. As the lady went out the door, I look at the young master. His hair wet, topless and jeans unbuttoned. "Don't drool over me, scullery maid." And with that he went back up. Jerk!

In a span of seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. Something might happen to you that will change your life. In which Ember Brefew agreed to have a dinner with the cruel and richest bachelor in the city of Manila, Hidalgo Edralin to get their company's biggest project but ended up getting stood up. One fateful night, all of the unfortunate things entered her life. And all she could do is accept it. How will she survive?