The Man In The Mask

In the second month of my relationship with my best friend Sophie Vaughn's older brother, Elias Vaughn, Thanksgiving arrives. Sophie leans in, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Elias is bringing his girlfriend home for the holiday. Let's see what all the fuss is about." I take my time getting ready, heart fluttering with hope. Just maybe, I'll finally be formally introduced as his girlfriend. But the moment I step inside, I see him with another elegant, beautiful woman, smiling as he introduces her to his parents. "This is my girlfriend," he says. He then inadvertently looks over at me, stiffening for a moment, clearly caught off guard. But just as quickly, he recovers and turns to the woman beside him. "That woman over there is my sister's friend and a part-time student. You could say she's a maid in our household." A maid? As it turns out, I'm nothing more than someone for him to kiss and sleep with. I was never someone worthy of standing by his side publicly. I turn away and board the train back to Ashcroft University, choosing my future over another night in his bedroom.

When I'm at the hospital for a prenatal checkup, I find out that the husband of the woman sitting beside me is Rupert Hensley, a renowned businessman. It's such a coincidence. Rupert is my husband, too. As we chat, I learn that her husband isn't with her because he's out of town for a meeting. This is even more coincidental—my husband is also out of town for a meeting. After a long silence, I decide to get an abortion instead of going for my prenatal checkup. It's only when I later ask for a divorce that I remember he and I never registered our marriage in the first place.

Alejandro Hernández, Consigliere of the Hernández family, falls in love with Gabriela Lorca, an illegitimate child of the rival Lorca family. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate the treacherous world of mafia politics, family secrets, and loyalty.

The King of the West, Lord of the Shadow Sect, and God of War—Howard Lincoln! Five years ago, Howard's adoptive father and his entire family were killed. Narrowly escaping from death, Harold was saved by Tania Jenkins. After that, he was taken away by a mysterious man and entered the military camp by chance. Five years later, a text message brought the God of War from the blood-soaked battlefield to the mundane world, and only then did Howard realize he had a daughter. Since then, the skillful warrior turned into a doting father, protecting his family, fighting other influential families, battling fiercely, and paying back both the good and the harm.

Sa loob ng sampung taon na magkasintahan si Elle at Franz, nauwi ang lahat sa hiwalayan, dahil sa isang babae na isang kaibigan lang daw. Alam ni Elle na mabait at maunawain ang kanyang nobyo, pero masyadong lumagpas ang pagiging mabait nito na naka-apekto sa kanilang relasyon, siya na naturingan na nobya, pero parang siya pa ang walang karapatan kay Franz. Masakit kay Elle na bitawan si Franz, pero hindi niya hahayaan na masira pa lalo ang buhay niya kung laging pagdadahilan ang maririnig niya mula sa bibig ni Franz. Nagpakalayo at napadpad sa isang tahimik na lugar si Elle para lubos na makalimutan si Franz, at para na rin doon ibuhos ang lahat ng sakit, pero hindi rin pala niya magagawa dahil sa isang mala-yelong pagkatao ng isang lalaki na makakasama niya sa isang bahay, hindi naman siya pinanganak na mayaman kaya kailangan niyang mangupahan. Ang akalang kalmado at walang sakit sa ulo na tahanan ay magiging mahirap para kay Elle, dahil sa ugali ni Jack, ang kasama niya sa bahay. Kung si Elle ay mayroong liwanag kahit pa nasaktan ito, si Jack ang nagpapawala no'n dahil sa hindi sila magkasundong dalawa sa lahat ng bagay sa iisang bubong. Away dito, away doon ang ginagawa nila araw-araw. Tuluyan kayang maghilom ang sugatan na puso ni Elle, o mas lalong hindi, dahil kay Jack? Paano na lang kung isang araw sa kagustuhan na mag-move-on ni Elle kay Jack na tumitibok ang kanyang puso? Ang isa pang malaking rebelasyon, paano kung malaman ni Elle na isang bilyonaryo pala si Jack na nagpapanggap na mahirap para sa isang misyon?

He opened the box and read the letter inside. It said: I married you to fulfill my dreams, but little did I know that you would become the man of my dreams, Alessandro. Fate has its ways of weaving two people together and separating them as well. I just wanted to say, thank you, for everything. And sorry. Sorry that I couldn't gain your trust. Sorry that the only thing that you experience when you see my face is, quoting you, pain, betrayal, and regret. But you can stay happy now since this is where our journey ends. Lastly, a confession, every touch, and every kiss meant something to me… With affection, Your Tesoro. As the letter slipped from between his fingers and flew down the sky-high building, he laughed, hysterically, knowing that this was the end of their marriage. Amber Williams, an ambitious twenty-three-year-old woman with dreams of establishing an art gallery spins herself in a web of secrets, drama, and lies when she agrees to a contracted marriage with the cold-hearted mafia boss, Alessandro Bianchi. Will she melt his cold heart with her fire? Or will the flames burn them both?

I never wanted wealth, power, or the responsibility that goes with it. Making a difference by fighting fires was my dream. That and a pretty girl to love at night. But life didn’t ask me. After struggling through the business world, I finally have a chance to return home to chase my dreams. The girl next door, my best friend’s little sister, was there waiting. And she's all grown up. But she’s not too thrilled to see me back. But I’ll change that. I can’t help but fight for what I know we could be, no matter what it costs me. When I finally start to melt her heart, life calls me back to the city, back to the grind thanks to tragedy. It’s her or my future, and I have no choice in the matter. My father’s company is my only legacy, or is it? A little life is growing inside of her, and that changes the game. My self sacrifice doesn't seem so damn important anymore. I might have been forced into becoming a billion dollar man, but I’ll always be a small town guy at heart. And that pretty girl that stole my heart all those years ago? She's gonna be mine. Like she always has been.

Wendy Carter felt heartbroken and rejected when she found out that her Fiancé cheated on her with her best friend and in order to save her sister, she was forced to marry the wretched and disfigured son of the Julius family, Hilton. How will it turn out when Wendy gets to know that her husband is a billionaire? Was he really disfigured? Will Wendy be able to bear the weight of all the secrets that will unfold?

A love life so bland she compared it to cream of wheat. When she thought it couldn't get worse, she died? She woke up in what she thought was heaven, but Saint Peter was nowhere to be found. Can this new world turn her bowl of cream of wheat into an Ice Cream Sundae? Or she was destined to become a lonely old cat lady.

"Should I take off my clothes now?" she added while staring at me from head to toe. Shit. Why would she ask that in front of me? Wasn't taking off her clothes my job like I always do to the rest of my customers? "No. Just put them on, please." I respectfully retorted before I slid to the bed. Put my backpack on the floor and applied a bit of my wolf's aggression rushing at her. Before I jumped on the bed, I shortly took off my clothes until nothing was left but my undies. "Wait." She quickly muttered partly mixed with regrets. To my surprise, she moved her face and pushed my chest a few inches away from her. "Why?" could not help but ask. "Wasn't this what I am here for? To please you?" I said in an embarrassing tone. It was at this moment I sensed her uncomfortable and regretful expression. I did not come here to get embarrassed. My job was to please her. Unless there was something Joseph forgot to inform me. Never expected this to happen. "No... no! It's just…" she suddenly dropped her gaze from me. "It's just. I'm still a virgin. Please, don't get mad at me." I don't know if it was a perfect opportunity for me to burst out laughing when she almost got me on that note. A virgin wanted to have sex with me. Who on earth would sell her virginity to a person wearing a black facemask?