Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred Novels & Stories

“Close to fifty million dollars.” The number hung in the air between them, staggering in its enormity. Fifty million dollars. It wasn’t just a fortune—it was security, a future, a life that had been stolen from her while she had been kept in the dark. Elara’s hands trembled as she ran them through her hair, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and disbelief.

I typed in a one with six zero's, but then changed it when I remembered the sweet words I overheard through the baby monitor. 1000.500, and I pressed enter. A million and five hundred—that's how much I could have loved those girls and their mom. If I had not fucked it all up.

"After we win, I'll give you five hundred million." I held up five fingers. Waved them. "That's enough for you to live like a billionaire in this world. Better than praying for a hundred million that might never come." Five hundred million! Five hundred million dollars! Lila gasped. Her eyes went wide as saucers. Her heart pounded. Her office-worker DNA was screaming. She'd get on her knees for five million, let alone five hundred million. Lila's voice was shaky. "Five hundred million US dollars?"

"For the next few months, don't contact me unless it's an emergency." His assistant looked surprised. Julian stared out the window. "For the past few years..." His voice softened. "I never made time for her. I want to make up for that." … The plane lifted off from Cascade City. Outside the window, the city grew smaller and smaller until it became nothing more than a cluster of distant lights. Julian lowered his gaze. His fingertips traced the destination printed on his ticket. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Laura..."

Maja asked impatiently annoyed. “No, no,” Elena shook her head hastily. Maja frowned “Then was it two hundred and fifty thousand dollars? Hmm, it was out of my expectation. How could did that person take out so much money? What? It wasn’t? Then..... 2.5 millions dollars? Impossible! Where did he get so much money? I don’t believe it, he even had to buy drinks on credit@.. What’s wrong with you? Why are you shaking your head non-stop? Don’t tell me that it was 25 million dollars!” Maja was furious, what was wrong with Elena? She kept her head like a fool.

According to the address, I’m going to the fifteenth floor. When I reach apartment number twenty-two, a very tall guy in a tight black sweater opens the door. Along with the Roman numeral five tattoo, a series of large and small tattoos runs across his skin. The sweater clings tightly, outlining every muscle. When I react, his eyes are no longer hazel. Streaks of sensuality flood his irises, turning black as night. He stands still, devouring me with his gaze, taking his time. “Hi, Estela!… you look beautiful… come in, come in,” he invites, stepping aside.

My tone and voice were sharp, reflecting all the feelings I had bottled up. He fell silent. His face tensed, as if he wasn’t ready to face my firmness. "I—I don’t know where to start. In these five years... I've realized something." I held back a bitter laugh. "In these five years, I’ve realized many things, one of which is that life without you has turned out to be easier than I thought." My words bit, and I knew they were painful for him. He bit his lip, as if holding back something.

Anna thought she had misheard, and had to blink in shock. “Excuse me,” she hissed. “Could you repeat that?” She asked of Sophie. “Need to clear your ears out, sis?” Sophie snickered. “I said I want five million. Not fifty thousand. Not five hundred thousand. Five. Million. Dollars.” Anna felt her heart sink deep down. …

"How much." "...200 thousand pesos."

he said, as if he were discussing the weather. “Five hundred what?” I choked, nearly seeing my soul leave my body. Money, So Much Money. Am I a rich mistress of a prince now?