Maria only wanted one thing in life, a normal world with her parents. She made sure to get them the life they needed. She almost succeeded in getting that when she got admission to one of the top university in her town. But her life turned upside down by the bad boy Mike who she hit on the mall.
It was a chilly November night.
Like every other night, I woke up from the deadly noise of my dad coughing from the other room. I jumped from my bed. My bed can hardly be called a bed. It was in a terrible condition that could nearly hold me. My family was poor with hardly enough to fill up our stomachs. Our house was in a terrible condition that a minor storm was enough to eradicate it. If only I could find a job, I may be able to help my parents.
I was the only child of my parents. They were cobblers who work day and night to feed me and provide me with proper education. During some days they earn only a little that they even forget to fill their stomach. Dad used to earn very well a few years ago, but now he couldn't earn so much because of his poor health. He loved designing and making shoes for everyone. He always made me many lovely shoes when I was little. Little pink princess shoes, blue glitter ones, and red boots. But fate ruined us.
All my life I watched their miserable state. I never complained about my life, even to God, because I don't want to blame anyone.
My dad had health issues. He could not work for more hours because of his condition, so I used to help him whenever I get time from my studies. All our savings went to his medicines.
"Maria, fetch the water from the kitchen." My mother ordered.
I rushed to the kitchen and poured some water for my father.
I ran back to his room and gave the water to him. He was shaking from the cold. My mom helped him.
She was trying hard to control her tears. I rubbed the back of my dad so that he can control his breath. I know he was trying so hard.
Our little earning was not enough to buy him medicines. The doctor said that he needs better medication to get his health back, which reminds me I need to work harder besides my studies so that I may help him. I will be 18 next month. The first thing I needed to do is to find a part-time job that won't be a disturbance to my studies. I made a promise to my parents that whatever hardship I was facing I won't go back from my studies.
I looked to the ceiling and sighed " We need to find a new house. A small one will be better. That is the first thing on my bucket list."
I went to check on my parents.
"Oh, they fell asleep. I need to get back to my room. I am feeling tired." I took the old woolen blanket from the cupboard and covered their bodies.
I went back to my room. Hundreds of thoughts came to my mind, but I rolled on my bed to get better sleep.
The next day I got up from my bed early in the morning feeling half sleepy and tired. I went to the bathroom. After freshening myself, I went back to my room and put on my blue blouse and knee-length black skirt. I tied my hair in a messy bun and went to the kitchen to cook something.
I checked on my parents before going to the kitchen. They were sleeping soundly. So I went back to the kitchen to cook something for my parents. I made pancakes and coffee for my parents. I served everything on the table and went to call my parents for eating. Then I rushed to my room to get ready to go to my class. After I got myself ready, I went to eat breakfast with my parent.
I washed the utensils and cleaned the kitchen. After waving goodbye to my parents, I rushed to the bus stop. Yes, I needed to catch that stupid bus before it was too late.
My school was situated a few kilometers away from my home. My school was like a second home to me. The only place I enjoyed. The heaven on earth and the teachers there were really friendly, especially my language teacher Miss. Rachel Sunny. She was like a second mother to me, who always helped me during critical conditions.
My closest friend was Nancy. She was a sweet young, bubbly girl who was so close to me. She had been my best friend since we were six.
"Hey, Maria. Good morning. " Nancy rushed and hugged me as soon as I entered the classroom.
"Oh look at you glowing early in the morning. I am jealous " she made a face that looked so funny to me.
"Look at you cracking jokes early in the morning. I am jealous of how you are so enchanting and energetic early in the morning, " I copied her face.
"I wasn't joking. So are becoming beautiful day by day. You need to tell me your secret. " She said.
"So how is my bestie doing, " She added.
"Nothing new, dear. It's the same, sleepless nights and nightmares that won't give me peace to my life and mind, " I replied to her.
" I am so sorry, dear. I almost forget about your parents, " She added.
"It's okay Nancy "I smiled.
" Everything is going to be fine one day "She smiled and hugged me.
" All you have to do is get to that college miss Rachel told you about Maria " she added.
I smiled at her.
That night I dreamed about the fairy tale life that I always wished I had. In my dream, I saw a boy. He was handsome, tall. and well build. I saw him coming towards me. His feathery lips touched mine. His warm hands hugged me. I shivered from his touch.
But the stupid alarm woke me up. I tried to remember his face. But it was all blurred. I cursed the alarm clock. I never had a boyfriend before. I always wished I had one. So he comforts me from all these troubles I had in my life. I was interested in boys who were friendly and not cold ones.
"Ouch "
A loud thud along with an electric spark traveled my body.
"Shit" I cursed.
Looks like my little toe gave a warm kiss to the wooden leg of my bed. Seems like my boyfriend will be one hell of a guy. Even my toes can't stop thinking about him.
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
When he woke up early in the morning, the woman he had a crush on lay beside him, but she was afraid. "President Miller, rest assured, I will not entangle you. I'll pretend nothing happened last night!" He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "So, aren't you going to be responsible for me?" Emma Wood was shocked, "What ?!" Did she hear it right? After the night, she bore a baby and had to marry him. She asked, "It's all your benefit, what can I get?" The man looked at her and slowly said, "As long as you want, as long as I have."
After a passionate night, Verena left some money and wanted to leave, but was held by her companion. "Isn't it your turn to make me happy?" Verena, always disguising herself as ugly, slept with her fiance's uncle, Darren, in order to escape her engagement with her unfaithful fiance. Darren had respect and admiration. Word of his romantic escapades circulated, some saying they saw him kissing a lady against a wall and others calling it gossip. Who could ever tame Darren's heart? Then, shockingly, Darren was caught bending down to help Verena with her shoes, all to score a kiss from her!
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.