Slouching Towards Utopia

*Excerpt* My gaze met Sergio's. He didn't look away. I couldn't look away either. It felt like there was an invisible magnet pulling us towards each other. He looked away, breaking us from the trance. "Are you sure you're okay, Nicole?" "Come inside." He shook his head. "I was worried, and—" "Come inside, let's talk." He shook his head again, unyieldingly. "We're already talking." "Are you scared?" I asked in a challenging voice, my gazed fixed on him. "What are you so scared of?" "Nicole..." "To answer your question, no, Sergio, I'm not okay." "What's bothering you?" The vulnerability in his eyes towards me was palpable. It was my chance to act. I couldn't afford to waste it. "You," I replied, my gaze still boring into his. "And your fiancee. I couldn't bear watching you together." Sergio swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I was jealous, Sergio." • *Blurb* In a turn of events, Juliana bears witness to the brutal murder of her father—a sight she never thought she'd witness. Amidst the turmoil, she finds out she's their next target, but somehow, she manages to evade them. Determined to seek closure and justice for what happened to her father, Juliana takes on a new identity as Nicole and embarks on a quest for vengeance against the masterminds. With a heart hardened by grief, she takes on the journey. A journey that would test her limits and push her to do unthinkable things. Will she succeed? Follow her on this journey as she confronts the demon of her past.

He steps closer to me... Closer... More closer... He pulls me close to him. His hand wrapped around my wrist. His eyes are into my lips. His hand grips my chin and his finger touches on my lower lips. I swallow my saliva... He slowly leans towards me. Our lips are an inch far. I closed my eyes... Against my ear, he whispered, "You are my women"... He steps closer to me... Closer... More closer... He pulls me close to him. His hand wrapped around my wrist. His eyes are into my lips. His hand grips my chin and his finger touches on my lower lips. I swallow my saliva... He slowly leans towards me. Our lips are an inch far. I closed my eyes... Against my ear, he whispered, "You are my women"... My temper sparked. I evert my eyes in his."In your dream", I shout and forcefully pushed him away... I run out of the room. My heart was pounding wildly in my ear. I took a deep breath, claim the rapid thuds in my chest. I desperately want to claim my heartbeat down... In reality, I am confused why my heart was pounding when he was close to me? Why did I close my eyes? Why I am blushing? I just hate him, isn't I? I asked myself why he said that to me? Is he drunk? I pulled my hair, Questions in my heart driving me crazy...

Avery had loved Elliot for too long. She had played some tricks behind his back to get his attention. But, what happens when things don't exceed her expectations. She only wanted to acquire a lover but she ends up being gifted three babies in return. But, things don't go her way after she finds out about the pregnancy. So she runs away to save herself from Elliot's wrath. What will she do when she returns and the man who supposedly hated her is beginning to show signs of warmth towards her?

One extended shift and one strange drink order was all it took for Stephie's life to change forever. After one kind act towards the Elderly Billionaire of her town, Stephie did not expect to gain a sponsor, nor did she expect to catch the eye of the Billionaire's son, the future CEO of Barlowe Engineering Industries. With a sponsor who refuses to let Stephie brave the harsh world on her own, and his son who swears that he could never see Stephie as nothing other than a threat to his fortune, Stephie finds herself in an inescapable predicament. How will this story end? Read and find out.

While ravaging the forests, Ellie encounters Angus, a powerful Lycan, hurrying towards her like a monster will do. Ellie cannot help but accept him, even if he later proves to be an enemy. Ellie suddenly attracts him, engulfing his mind with deep feelings of love. But, when Ellie discovers there is a quest to know the future Luna and how Angus is affected, she thirsts to know the secret. How will Ellie feel, having diverted Angus from his own mission to know the future Luna? Will Ellie be able to cope with him, after discovering he becomes the target of the enemy? How will Ellie turn out to be Angus's mate?

Clarisse Marshall is a pretty and simple convenience store employee. She works hard for the money, and she has a pure and gentle heart, and she is more than willing to help anyone, and Michele Montserrat is just one of them. She saved Michele Montserrat's life, and as a result, the man fell inlove with her, fast and hard. Michele is a sweet, warm, kind and a gentle man, however, there's only one problem. He is the future "Godfather" of an organized mafia group which is called the "Vitale Clan" which deals with drugs and weapons. Would she be able to set herself free from Michele's romantic pursuit towards her?

The familiar touch of his lips made Sara clench her hands into fists and she took her own vows in her heart. ' I Sara Lexington, take you, Silas Alexander to be my unwanted husband. I promise to be hateful towards you in good times, in sickness and in health. I will hate you all the days of my life, until death provides you relief from the life, that is going to be worse than hell for you. ' ~When Sara Lexington decided to loosen up a bit by getting drunk and ended up giving her virginity to a complete stranger, she didn't expect this to become such a huge problem.

[Matured content, no rape.] "Mama, Custard," Adrian said as he rushed towards me. Adrian Woods, my four years old son whom I was left to raise alone. "Darian," I called out, staring intently at him, "who gave you the right to touch him, and even call him your son?" He was back! The man I tried my best to run from, the man whom I did everything possible to stay away from, the one person who was happy seeing me in so much pain. Darian Woods was back, my divorced husband, the father of my child.

Warning: Mature content, psychological Sully, a young lady of House Star, is kidnapped on her wedding day by the head of House Silverclaw. The head decides to give her to one of his daugthers as a slave, but his eldest son intervens and wants her for himself. Thus begins a forced married life between Sully Star and Damien Silverclaw. Sully wants to end House Silverclaw. Yet, she finds herself falling for her husband, the one she should hate. With his intimidating yet alluring presence, he seems to pull her towards him. Can she succeed in her plan, or will she succumb deeper and fall for her enemy?

Archer Thiago Valle, a renowned businessman, doesn't see himself to be tied in a romantic relationship with anyone, nor have kids. But his grandma's wish made him do the thing he won't do even in his wildest dreams. Adelaide Federico, a loving sister, a woman whom Archer wants to bear his child, is forced to do things she doesn't like for the sake of money. As they get to know each other, destiny has its twists and turns that will hinder their growing fondness towards each other. Secrets over secrets, lies and betrayal. Will love still grow? Or will it wither even before it blooms?