Suspiciously

Grace Hammond lost the most important person in her life, her grandmother, Juliet. Left with little beyond a failing farm and not much clue how to run it, she's trapped-- either she gives up three generations of roots and leaves, or she finds some help and makes it work. When a mysterious letter from Juliet drops a much needed windfall in her lap, Grace knows she has one chance to save the only place she's ever called home and posts a want-ad.The knight that rides to her rescue is Robert Zhao, an Army veteran and struggling college student. A first generation Korean American, Rob is trying desperately to establish some roots, not just for himself, but for the parents he's trying to get through the immigration process, a secret he's keeping even from his best friends. Grace's posting for a local handyman, offering room and board in exchange for work he already loves doing, is exactly the situation he needs to put that process on track.Neither is prepared for the instant chemistry, the wild sweet desire that flares between them. But life in a small town isn't easy. At worst, strangers are regarded suspiciously, and at best, as profoundly flawed-- and the Hammond women have a habit of collecting obscure and ruthless enemies. Can their budding love take root in subtly hostile soil and weather the weeds seeking to choke them out?

“You see. That was my problem, baby. I couldn’t forget you after that night.” A one night stand with a man in exchange for cash. It was supposed to be that simple for Therese, a struggling college student who was in desperate need of money. Although she couldn't forget the handsome stranger who took her virginity, she willed herself to move on and look for a more stable source of income. But the next day, Therese received an email from a man named Raven Desmond of DesmondTech, offering her a babysitting job with a suspiciously huge pay. For some reason, she thought she knew that name before and curiosity led her to accept the job. She was shocked to learn that Raven was the same man who gave her an unforgettable night. Raven Desmond had it all. He is young, handsome, and the heir to a billion-dollar tech company, DesmondTech. Despite being a single dad, he could have any woman he wanted and Therese was no exception. After their one night stand, he was left craving for more. It was a coincidence that his 5-year old son, Keith, was needing a nanny when he saw that she was needing a job. Raven will do anything to have the best of both worlds. He wasted no time and sought for Therese as he gave her a once in a lifetime opportunity that she wouldn’t be able to resist. Therese’s life took an unexpected turn when she found herself becoming a nanny by day and Raven’s personal escort by night. Surprisingly, she found herself growing attached to her job and slowly falling in love with Raven. But the question remains: will she be able to leave as planned when the babysitting deal has finally come to an end?

"Don't you think that skirt is short for you?" She says, changing the subject and taking another long hit from her blunt. Since when does she care about my clothing? Besides it's not like it's affecting anyone, so why does it matter? "Um, no. Why do you care anyways?" I ask suspiciously, while looking down at my skirt. It's not even short. "People are looking at you in there, and maybe it's because of what you're wearing," She throws her blunt on the ashtray that she has, and turns her attention on me staring fiercely into my eyes. "Why does it matter? It's not like it's a bad thing." I say, now worried at this point. I don't know what's going through her mind as she comes closer to me, again my back is against the wall beside the balcony railing. "It is a bad thing because it seems everyone in there wants to fuck you, and for some damn reason it's bothering me." Heaven says lowly, barely audible. ----- Hatred. Despite. Mixed feelings. Read to find out about Valentina and Heavens relationship, which starts off as despiteful, then turns into something pure.

I get picked up by the cops in the middle of the night for street vending. While questioning me, they pull up my file. One officer eyes me suspiciously through my mask and asks, "What's a Clairefield University graduate like you doing selling stuff on the street at midnight?" I freeze and lean over to look at the file. The ID number matches mine, but the photo has been replaced with one of Madison Bass. That's when it hits me—20 years ago, I was the one who got accepted to Clairefield University! Dazed and numb, I stumble home only to hear my husband, Joseph Gunther, speaking on the phone. "Madison, don't worry. I won't let Lucy interfere with your life. Just go abroad in peace." It's him! Joseph helped Madison steal my identity and my future. My stomach twists. I turn to confront him, to expose the truth. But before I can, he strangles me to death with a belt. "I'm sorry, Lucy. You can't ruin Madison's future…" When I open my eyes again, I'm back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher is handing out university application forms. This time, I'm taking my life back.