When Love Comes Knocking

Every Thanksgiving, my husband, Salvatore, brings home a showgirl from one of his clubs. He makes me kneel and serve them drinks. A lesson, he calls it, in how to please a man. This was the eighth Thanksgiving, and this time, he brought back a girl poured into a tight leather dress. "She doesn't have any decent jewelry," Salvatore announced. "Give her your heirloom diamond ring. Your grandmother's pearl earrings, too. And take off that silk choker for her." He smirked. "And listen, she's young, doesn't know the rules. You'll have to show her the ropes. Especially how to handle a man in bed." Every member of the Genovese family was watching, waiting for my humiliation. I didn't disappoint. I opened my mouth and asked Salvatore for a divorce. Salvatore let out a sharp, ugly laugh, his eyes full of contempt. "Francesca, you pull this same shit every time," he jeered. "Your act is pathetic. Even more dramatic than your performance in bed." He leaned in. "You really want to divorce me? Fine. I'll give you five million in cash if you actually walk out that door." The living room erupted in laughter. They all said I was playing hard to get, that I didn't know my place. But they didn't know. This was the 88th time I had asked for a divorce, and it was the first time I truly meant it.

“I never believed in love and marriage. But when I set my eyes on you, everything changed. For without blinking an eye, I fell in love with you…” TEASER Nang dahil sa sugat na idinulot ng ama ni Dannah sa buhay-pamilya nila, nagkaroon ng lamat sa puso at damdamin niya. She vowed never to fall in love and be committed to any man. Natatakot siyang makahanap ng isang lalaking katulad ng kanyang ama na iniwan ang sarili nitong pamilya para sa babaeng gusto nitong makasama. Till such a moment came na hiniling ng kanyang butihing-ina ang isang apo mula sa kanya. She’s the only daughter and she loved her mom very much para ipagkait dito ang simpleng bagay na alam niyang makapagpapaligaya rito. Sa tulong ng kaibigang si Sandy ay nakahanap siya ng lalaking handang mag-“donate” ng sarili nitong “semelya.” Iyon ay si Gunther de Guzman! Tila nakiayon naman ang tadhana, for Gunther only desired sex without commitment and love. On her part, she only yearned for a baby without having a husband. Iyon ang bagay na nagbuklod sa kanila. Kaya naman they’ve shared one-night stand together. Okay na sana ang lahat para kay Dannah sa pag-aakalang iyon na ang kahuli-hulihan nilang pagkikita. Subalit ang hindi inaasahan ng dalaga ay ang pagbabago ng isip ng binata. “I want to have the custody of my child, Dannah. Kahit saang husgado ay lalabanan kita!”

Priscilla Gard, a newly certified law consultant has recently applied for a job in the top ten companies in Toronto— including the number one company— Southerford INC, run by none other than the MOST ELIGIBLE bachelor in the country— Gerrard Southerford. What happens when she gets the job in Southerford Inc. that not even professionals get easily, to work next to the hot, mysterious Gerrard Southerford? Will something magical happen, or will she just be another name on his long list of ex’s?

Diana is the eldest granddaughter of the Winchester Family. She has lived her 22 years of life as her twin, Chantal's shadow. She thought she has become immune to the hurt caused by her own family until one revelation revealed in anger, turned her world upside down. Thinking that she has lost the piece of home, she was proven wrong when a helping hand, led her to discover an amorous side of her. Lucas is the 30-year-old President of Forrest Research Institute and a descendant of one of the 7 great families in the country of Great Blackhampton. He has always been good at reading people's personalities so when this beautiful goddess of a woman gave him a look asking for help, he didn't hesitate. Their first meeting, their first kiss. She thought it only ended there, until they met two months later. She had never imagined meeting one of the descendants of the Great families, even more so meeting the heirs. Not only was she welcomed, they even became acquainted with her own friends. They never expected that Lucas and Diana's encounter was the beginning of love blooming for them as well.

Even before marrying Wayne Cooper, I knew he had a fierce sister-in-law. He would always tell me to never get into a fight with her. After we marry, we spend Christmas Eve at his parents' house for the first time. I'm forced to bustle around in the kitchen as I prepare a feast for over a dozen people. Meanwhile, Wayne's family lounges in the living room. They chatter away while enjoying the fruits I've washed and sliced. As I place the last dish on the table, Wayne's brother and sister-in-law, Kyle Cooper and Lucy Wren, arrive. When I want to take my seat, I discover there isn't one for me. That's when Lucy snorts and says sarcastically, "I heard you're a good wife who's obedient and easygoing, Melanie. I have to say that your cooking is… mediocre, though." This infuriates me. I'm about to retort when she turns to my mother-in-law. She says, "I think you should do the cooking from now on, Gloria. Your food is delicious…"

On the day Yara Cullen was released from prison, it was raining. A chilly wind carried the drizzle, striking her as the media swarmed the prison gates. "Ms. Cullen, in the Crestwood Estate sexual assault case, your client lost the lawsuit and took her own life six months ago. Her mother is demanding accountability. Do you have anything to say?” "Ms. Cullen, your attorney's license has been revoked, and your mentor was forced to retire. What are your thoughts on this?" No matter how the reporters pressed, Yara kept her head down and pushed forward, forcing her way through the crowd. A black G-Wagon was parked by the roadside, where Westley Langston leaned against the car, smoking a cigarette. Beside him, Elena Cullen tugged at his arm. He turned, glancing toward the prison gates.

My sister accompanies me when I go for my premarital medical checkup. When I'm preparing a urine test, I hear embarrassing sounds coming from the cubicle next door. I'm about to leave when I hear the conversation. "Keep it in you, Willow. We're doing this again if it slips out." The voice belongs to my fiancé, Zachary Hilton. The woman to whom he's speaking is Willow Langley, my sister. I dial his number hysterically to see whether it really is him, but my calls go unanswered. All I hear is the incessant ringing of a phone next door and moans alongside it. I'm rooted to the spot, too stunned to do anything. Zachary once vowed to love me for life, yet he's doing something like this with Willow prior to our wedding. The moans and pants next door take a long time to subside. Once I hear them leave, I call home, my face wet with tears. "Mom, change my husband-to-be to Thomas Hilton, Zachary's youngest uncle. I don't want to have anything to do with Zachary anymore."

Eight years into marriage, and Fabian's mom finally gave me and my son her stamp of approval. Invited us to spend Christmas in his hometown. My son—Luca--and I were hyped. We picked out a gift for her and hit the road with Fabian. Right as we pulled into the village, Fabian's old friend called—crying, claiming she'd crashed her car. Fabian panicked. Left me and Luca in some random snowy mountain town and sped off. It was pitch black. Snow dumping down. Then Luca screamed. He'd stepped on a trap and dropped into a pit. Blood everywhere. I called Fabian, totally panicked. He goes, "Stella, Roxana's in a wreck. I need to be with her. Stop making everything a competition." Then he hung up. Blocked me. No time to fall apart. I wiped my face, called an ambulance. Too far out. By the time they got there, Luca was already gone. Cold. Broken. Gone. I held him and screamed until my lungs gave out. Meanwhile, Roxana's posting in the social media. All smiles in Fabian's arms. His face soft. Loving. [Highway jam turned into truth or dare. One word—"accident"—and he came flying. So happy.] I exhaled. Tagged Fabian. [Let's get a divorce.] This joke of a marriage should've ended forever ago.

She is Nasha Atlas, the first of her name; optimistic laced with beauty and brains. Getting admission into the University of Cambridge, to study her dream course, was her greatest desire; it came cos whatever she desires, she gets. But how did she feel when her boyfriend who she wants to share in her joy, betrays her by sleeping with another woman? Would she breathe fresh air when she became a prime suspect in the murder of her new neighbor? Would George Powers: a strict officer et billionaire be able to find out who the culprit is when he fell in love with the suspect and make love to her at a supposed investigatory dinner night? And amid the many deaths, would his prowess as a detective be proven? What happens when Nasha's ex-billionaire lover keeps coming back when she already has a new love life? Would she revenge or accept him back?

Heart Salvacion grew up in an orphanage and, despite not having her parents' guidance, she developed into a strong, and confident woman. She is unflappable in the face of adversity and doesn't know when to quit. She is so positive and good at pretending that you would never guess she is in pain. Heart's deceased fiance left a large debt under her name and to make things worst, he borrowed the money to use it on his lover. She recently discovered that he had cheated on her, and she has no alternative than to repay the bill, despite the fact that her dream restaurant was robbed from her before she could open it. She is so depressed and anxious that she has no idea what will become of her life now that she has lost everything. There was no love, no money, and no work for her, but all changed when she met him. Percival Reddson is a young business magnate who is a cold and serious man who only cares about his work. He's also known to be a woman-hater. That same man knelt down and requested Heart's hand in marriage. His unexpected proposal has shocked Heart, but that's not all because the wedding is today?! They aren't quite ready for marriage, but would a contractual relationship work for them? Will they be able to make it to the end of the story without falling in love? Can they control their emotions now that ready or not, here comes love?!