This Damned Thirst For Survival

*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.

Meet Hermione Hass, a college student who decides to look for a job to pay for her studies. When she meets Spencer Pawlan, a company owner who is terribly sexy, she sees him as a potential crush, knowing he's far too impossible for someone like her. However, Spencer harbors a very significant secret—why does he want more than one assistant close to him? Each of them shares something in common with Hermione. But by the time she realizes the terrible secret, it might already be too late. Do womanizers change? I think Hermione had found the answer.

My five years of marriage to Elliot Kline turned out to be a cruel joke. "For tomorrow's monthly report meeting, I'd like Yvette to present your branding plan," Elliot said, not looking up from his desk. I put down the files I was organizing, certain I had misheard. "What?" "Yvette just joined the company. She needs a chance to prove herself. Your plan is perfect for that." He lifted his head, his tone brooking no argument. "But that's my entry for the Veriania Creative Competition," I protested. "You win awards every year. What's the harm in letting her have it this time?" He shrugged, adding, "We need to nurture new talent." I stared at the man with whom I had shared a bed for five years. His face suddenly felt so unfamiliar to me. "Do you know how many sleepless nights I poured into that plan? And you're giving it to a new intern?" "Don't be so petty. It's just a plan. My decision is made." My fists clenched, anger surging through me.

Strikingly beautiful Amelia Brighton, an innocent 25-year-old human girl, mourns the death of her father and the disappearance of her mother. Bitten by a rogue wolf she is thrown into life as a werewolf. Jax Keaton, a werewolf Beta, comes to her rescue and instantly falls in love with her. Taken back to his pack she meets their Alpha, Blake Saint Claire. She initially doesn't understand her attraction to the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, but eventually can't hide her feelings. Being in a love triangle is the last thing that Amelia wanted. Blake is promised to Stephanie Taite who will stop at nothing to make him hers. But does he return her love? Can hardass Blake, known as a womanizer, change his ways for Amelia, and will she eventually give in to his advances? Blake clashes with Connor Olden, a rival pack Alpha, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on Amelia, wanting what Blake has at all costs. Will Amelia readjust to her life as a werewolf and will she be able to choose between two loves?

I just closed a deal worth 50 million. The room did its job, so I went to the reception to check out, and I got myself a bottle of water worth 2 dollars. That very same day, I got an email from the company accusing me of misusing company funds. They canceled three months' worth of KPI from my records and fined me 5,000 dollars. I ignored that, thinking that it was a mistake some new guy in finance made. When I went to work the next day, my access card was denied. It was canceled. I couldn't even get into the building. Furious, I called my CEO fiance, but his secretary took the call instead. "How many times do I have to tell you to follow the rules when it comes to money? Did you tell finance about that bottle of water? No? Then that's against the rules! Everyone else follows the rules, so why can't you? You're a veteran!" The CEO chimed in, "Christina, you're a veteran of the company. You must be an example. You're not allowed back to work until you finish your 8000-word reflection and read it out loud at the all-employee meeting!" They tossed the phone aside, and a moment later, moans of delight and passion traveled through the air. Stone-faced, I hung up and called our competitor's CEO. "I've got a 50-million-dollar deal and a sales manager who just got fired for you. Are you taking that deal?"

Summary Charlotte Green already knew what it was like to replace her sister; her relationship with her, which lasted more than ten years, was a perfect example. Unable to have Cecilia, her twin, he opted for the next best thing. After years of leading her on, he dumped her on their anniversary, confessing that he could never forget Cecilia. Her parents were now wondering how to do it again, except that she would have to marry this man. Hayden Maxwell, a man said to have the Midas gift. He built himself from nothing by making calculated and often lucrative choices for his business, which generated profits and made him a billionaire by his thirties. He was also Cecilia's one-night stand, who became engaged, at least before he lost his sight in a terrible accident. Cecilia no longer wanted to go ahead with the marriage, all eyes in the Green family were on Charlotte, disabled or not, Hayden Maxwell was still one of the most powerful men in town, they couldn't call off the wedding a week later, so there was only one option left.

“Camille, I’ll love you forever!” Jameson let out a low, agonized growl. Just as he was about to climax, his phone suddenly began to buzz. He ignored it, of course. Now was hardly the time. However, his phone lit up again. The moment he saw the text on the screen, his body froze. Camille heard him answer the call. “Hello?” In the deep silence of the night, the voice on the phone cut through the stillness, clear and unmistakable. “Jameson, did you know that Sylvia—” Jameson switched languages and cut in with a sharp command, “Keep it down. It's not a good time.” The other person switched languages too, though he was still loud. “The hospital results came in. Sylvia is in the final stages of cancer. She only has a month left! Her last wish is to become your wife. Can you grant her that before she passes?” Jameson’s expression changed immediately. “What?! Wait for me!” He ended the call and turned to Camille. “Camille, something urgent came up. I need to step out for a bit. Be good and stay home. I’ll be back after you’ve had some sleep.” Before she could respond, he rose to wash up, changed his clothes, and left without looking back. Moments later, her phone buzzed. Sylvia: [Camille, you lost. I told you—Jameson has always been mine.] Right above it was a message from three days ago: [If I tell him I have cancer, do you think Jameson will leave you and come to me? I bet he will.] Camille’s gaze slowly shifted from her phone screen to the open bedroom door. What Jameson did not know was that she had already picked up a new language. She understood every word of that call. After a long moment, a faint, bitter smile appeared on her face. “Yeah, I lost...”

ELIAN CARPENTER; 24 year old, 6’4 blonde who can only earn a living by picking pockets and doing other petty crimes in order to take care of his disabled sibling. His life takes a drastic turn when he finds an odd note in a stolen wallet. Now he is off to the Stone mansion to commit his biggest crime yet; steal the heir's heart. AIDEN STONE; The 26 year old heir to the Stone family fortune, In order to access his inheritance, his father dictates he must be married but due to an abusive childhood he developed severe social anxiety which makes it difficult for him to form connections. luckily his father never specified who he should married.

Upang matakasan ang isang arrange marriage, ginawa ni Zea ang lahat para lamang hindi maipakasal sa taong ni sa hinagap ay hindi niya nakilala at mas lalong hindi niya mahal. Nang magawang makatakas ay nag tungo siya sa hindi pamilyar na lugar na sa tingin niya ay hindi siya mahahanap ng kanyang lolo. Natagpuan niya ang isang napakalaking gate kung saan sa malayuan ay ang mala-haciendang tahanan. Dala ng kakuryosohan ay sinubukan niyang pumasok at lumibot sa lugar na pinagsisihan niya dahil sa lalaking walang habas na hinila siya papasok ng hacienda at basta na lamang siyang ginawang katulong. Dahil walang sapat na pera at bahay na matitirhan ay wala siyang magagawa kung hindi sapilitang tanggapin ang naging kapalaran. Ang dating magarang buhay niya ay magbabago. Ayos lang kung ang kapalit naman nito ay makatakas siya sa bagay na ayaw niya. Akala niya ay nagawa na niyang makatakas kahit pansamantala ngunit hindi naman niya inakala na yun pa pala ang maglalapit sa kanya sa isang bagay na pilit niyang iniiwasan.

Alessia realizes that forcing marriage with the only man she loved was her greatest mistake when Thompson, her husband, returns with his fated mate. Even after bearing his child, Thompson's indifference remained. He uses Alessia solely to maintain his reputation. Fate decides to cast a faint hue of light into Alessia’s bleak existence as she's unconsciously drawn to Lycan Cyril, the enigmatic Lycan king whose deadly aura awakens dormant existence. But is this really fate granting her salvation or the other way around? Especially when Lycan Cyril's obsession ignites upon discovering Alessia possessed the rare feature he searched his whole life for? And when Thompson becomes resistant to relinquishing his hold on Alessia?