Social Graces

I was treating some friends to dinner at the private club my cousin owned. When we wrapped up, I waved over a server. "Just put it on Nick's tab." The server nodded, but a manager I'd never seen stepped in to block her. Wearing a smile that never reached her eyes, she said, "Sir, Bosco is a members-only establishment. We don't offer tabs." I felt a flicker of irritation. "I'm the owner's cousin. Just let him know." She let out a sharp, mocking laugh and slapped a bill onto the table. Eighty-eight thousand. Exclusive suite atmosphere maintenance fee, ten thousand. High‑end social network filtration fee, twenty thousand. Spontaneous entertainment ambience enhancement fee, fifteen thousand. And a mess of other miscellaneous charges. Since when did Nick's place dare to bleed customers dry like this? "What's wrong? Can't pay and now you're trying to name‑drop?" She looked me up and down with an arrogant tilt of her chin. "I've seen plenty of our boss's relatives. Not one of them is as broke, pretentious, and shameless as you." Right in front of her, I dialed Nick and put the call on speaker. "Ten minutes," I said. "Make sure she disappears from my sight. Otherwise, I'm revoking your authorization for this club."

# Napalunok ako nang makababa sa puting kotse na naghatid saakin, napatingala ako sa malaking simbahan na nasa harapan ko. Ito na ba yon? Kukunin na ba ako ni Lord? Mas mabuti pang kunin na lang ng kalangitan kesa naman ikasal sa bwisit na CEO Dehan Aragon na yon. I just promoted as the Team Manager of Social Contribution team, that doesn't mean na pwede na akong ikasal sa kung kanino. Walang gana akong naglakad papalapit sa simbahan na iyon. Honestly, I'm having second thoughts, pero ano pa bang magagawa ko? Muntikan na akong mapatalon nang kusang bumukas ang malalaking pinto, there I saw those people looking at me, with different emotions and expectations. Napatingin ako sa harap ng altar at nakita si Dehan Aragon, nakaawang ang bibig niya na parang nagtataka. Gwapo naman siya, matalino, hot, at 'medyo' mabait. Pero sabi nga ni Elsa "You can't marry a man you just met" Kesa maglakad papunta sa harap ay binuhat ko ang mahabang suot ko at tumakbo papalayo. Narinig ko ang sigawan ng mga tao dala ng pagkagulat, bahala na! I never thought that escaping him, the CEO of HT Financial Company would be bad idea.....

*Synopsis* In a world where social hierarchy and class distinctions are rigidly enforced, a forbidden romance blossoms between Freye a young slave, and Angus, one of the sons of the plantation owner. Their relationship begins as a secret affair with Angus exercising his privilege and Freye being forced into a situation she can't escape. Freye would spend her days as a slave, working tirelessly under the scorching sun and the oppressive life, and her nights warming the bed of the arrogant young master. Freye could not describe their relationship nor could she refuse the very handsome man. Angus is as intimidating as he is calm, as devious as he is pompous. However, as they navigate the complexities of their feelings for each other, they begin to challenge the societal norms that govern their lives. Especially when threats arise against their secret affairs. When Freye becomes pregnant, Angus is torn between his passion for his unborn child and his deep-seated prejudice against the child's heritage. As the pregnancy advances, Freye finds her own strength and agency, refusing to be bound by the expectations of those around her. As they face the consequences of their actions, Freye and Angus must confront the harsh realities of their world and the secrets they've kept hidden. Will their love be enough to overcome the obstacles in their path, or will the societal norms and expectations tear them apart? This novel explores themes of love, power, and identity, delving into the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which society can suffocate us.

Even after being married for three years, my husband treats me like a stranger. When I throw up blood from pregnancy complications, he's in the prayer room chanting for his foster sister, Yvie Springton. He accuses me of being dramatic. If Yvie so much as gets a headache, he drops everything and flies overseas to be by her side. When his parents are in critical condition after a car crash, I beg him to go see them one last time. But what does he do? He claims I'm cursing Yvie. When I go into early labor and cling to life after giving birth to our son, he posts a photo of his international boarding pass on social media. At his parents' funeral, he returns to the country with Yvie and demands I leave the marriage with nothing. The day our divorce finalizes, he holds a wedding ceremony with her. I bury his parents alone. Then, at an exclusive auction, dead set on winning the famous painting for Yvie, he offered a staggering price. Even his accounts are frozen. That's when he finally realizes he's been disowned by the Springton family. His eyes are bloodshot, and he's furious as he demands answers. I simply gesture for my lawyer to step forward. He says, "Mr. Springton, take a look at this will."

On our wedding anniversary, my CEO husband, Michael Grant, invited me to watch the ocean with him. Tragically, a typhoon hit. I stood there in the raging wind and rain for over two hours, and he never showed up. In the end, all I got was a text that he was suddenly going on a business trip and couldn’t make it. Right after that, his intern, Nora Blake, posted a video on her social feed. It showed my usually pampered husband barefoot while helping fishermen haul crates of seafood. Her caption read: "Our hardworking CEO loves to get his hands dirty!" I laughed and commented: "Diligent and enduring—a true role model for us all." The company Slack channel instantly exploded. Everyone was betting on whether I’d finally blow up this time. Michael called me, his voice tight with fury, "Lauren West! What the heck did you mean by posting that comment? Are you trying to humiliate Nora in public? "It was a typhoon. I helped her family move some fish. What’s the big deal? You’re such a pampered little princess who has no idea how hard life really is. Delete that comment now. I’ll take you to the coast another day." Disgust churned in me. I replied, "Let a man who’s already rolled in the mud take me to the ocean? Forget it." Yes. Michael was now tainted, and I didn’t want him anymore.

After I get off work from the hospital, I decide to exercise by taking my mountain bike out on a ride. However, that's when I find out that the seat of my mountain bike has been lowered. There's even a blue sticky note with a scribbled heart pasted on the bike handle. I call my wife, Sabrina Yellin. "Who took my bike on a ride?" After a few seconds of silence, Sabrina replies nonchalantly, "Kelly's boyfriend wanted to learn how to ride a mountain bike yesterday, so he practiced a few laps with your bike. What's wrong, though? Is the bike damaged in any way?" Kelly's boyfriend? But he had boasted about going on an overseas vacation for one whole month last week on his social media account. My gut feeling tells me that something's fishy about this whole thing. So, I just curl my lips into a smirk. "Nah. He can keep using it." After that, I push the mountain bike back to its original parking slot. Then, I find myself two needles so that I can insert them into the seat. Three days later, when I'm working the night shift at the hospital, a nurse rushes in hurriedly. "Dr. Hart, there's a male patient in the ER right now. He claims that his crotch was stabbed by needles when he was riding his bike earlier."

Liam Alber and his best friend, John Johnson. That's how it's always been. Just them. They’ve been living a decent life; enjoying each other’s company for as long as they can remember. Liam worked at a small town restaurant. John worked at the city’s radio station. They were opposites. Liam was more reserved and independent while John was social and interactively weird. But that didn't ruin the strong bond they had. But that soon changed. Their life took an unexpected turn after John’s curiosity got the best of him. John heard rumors. He wanted to know more about the mysterious mythical blood-sucking creatures. He crossed a line he didn't know existed which left him lying in a hospital bed. Liam dug an even bigger hole; forcing himself into John’s problems. Liam soon learned this world wasn’t what it seemed. Liam snooped around, now he’s caught up in a vampire rivalry war. What will Liam do when he finds out his boss isn’t who he seems? What will Liam do when he finds out his boss is one of those creatures who hurt his best friend? How will he be able to trust him? How will they work together? How will he react when sudden feelings develop? Will he accept them or run away?

WARNING:SPG/R-18/MATURE CONTENT Paano mo matutunang mahalin ang lalaking binayaran lamang ang iyong puri para makuha ka niya? Kaya mo ba siyang tanggapin na kahit buhay ng mga magulang mo ay nagawa nyang pagbantaan mapasakanya ka lamang? Mahulog man ang loob mo matanggap mo kaya na pampalit kalang sa dati nyang minamahal? Lumaki si Marie sa Farmhaouse sa gitna ng kanilang farmland at nakagisnan ang Home Study kay Teacher Anne hanggang sa ngayong desi sais na sya.Binibigay sa kanya lahat ng mga matatandang magulang ang lahat ng naisin niya maliban sa paglabas sa kanilang farmland at makipag social sa syudad. Maging ang mga high tech gadgets at stable na internet connection ay mayroon siya. Sa loob ng kanyang silid malaya niyang nagagawa lahat ng gusto nya. Maging ang paglalive streaming sa mga porn sites ay nagagawa nya out of her curiousity. Hindi sinasadyang nakuha nya ang atensyon ng bilyonaryong bachelor na isang negosyante na si Miguel Marquez. Ano ang naghihintay na pangyayari para kay Marie? Gayung porsigido si Miguel na malocate ang lokasyon at mahanap siya.

After getting drunk, my husband’s childhood sweetheart drove and ran over my seventy-year-old mother, crushing her into a mangled corpse. She died on the spot. However, my CEO husband, Jason, insisted on signing a settlement on her behalf. “My mother-in-law was committing insurance fraud. She deliberately lay under the tires. She should bear full responsibility.” Not only did he get his childhood sweetheart, Olivia, cleared of all charges, but he also transferred the 10,000,000-dollar insurance payout from my mother to her as emotional damages. “Olivia and I grew up together. I cannot just watch her go to prison and ruin her life. Be reasonable and stop making a fuss.” After leaving the police station, Olivia made a post on social media. [Jason standing up for me was so amazing. Childhood sweethearts really are forever family!] Jason liked her post right in front of me. I remained terrifyingly calm. “Jason, let us get a divorce.” He scoffed. “You’re just saying that to make me comfort you, right? Megan, you are 30 years old. Can you stop being childish?” I had brought up divorce countless times, and he never believed I would truly leave. What he did not know was that among the case documents he had just signed, there was a divorce agreement. He had already signed it himself.

Natash·Yael's teenage years were marked by academic neglect and a wasted life, primarily due to her mother's passing and her stepmother's jealousy. She even resorted to smoking and pretending to be tough at bars. However, the turning point in Natash·Yael's life came when she encountered Jaclyn·Dills by chance. Jaclyn·Dills' words of wisdom awakened her and inspired her to return to school. As time went on, Jaclyn·Dills was set up for an arranged marriage by her father, and Natash·Yael's father introduced her to Jaclyn·Dills in an attempt to gain favor with Jaclyn·Dills' social circle. However, this blind date led to an unexpected outcome because Jaclyn·Dills was deeply drawn to Natash·Yael. This set the stage for a love story filled with misunderstandings and turmoil. Natash·Yael mistakenly believed that Jaclyn·Dills didn't love her and continued her reckless lifestyle, eventually leading to her pregnancy. In turn, Jaclyn·Dills became cold and volatile due to these misunderstandings. A series of misunderstandings and conflicts eventually led to their separation, with Natash·Yael leaving with her child. However, once Jaclyn·Dills realized the truth of the situation, he was determined to win her back. But the story is far from over, as Jaclyn·Dills' business trip triggers a new round of misunderstandings, making this tumultuous love story even more intricate. Now, he is determined to reunite with his beloved at any cost.