An A* student with a promising future, Kahlani Summer. Being extraordinarily smart came without effort. Since she began school she noticed she didn't just have to try as hard as anyone else. Despite her parents being rich and famous, she was capable of paving her way. She was destined to take the world by storm and she knew it. Her parents knew as well. Kahlani's wild side needed to be tamed before it got out of hand. In a desperate attempt, they sent her across the world to school in Europe. They believed that making her stand on her own feet would enable her to grow up before responsibility overwhelmed her. However, Lani found a brand new tune to dance to. A new taboo to indulge. She was messing with fire and she didn't care if she would be burnt.
Chapter 1
"That was the most exhilarating summer of my existence, there's nowhere like home", I grinned on my Livestream, flipping my Golden blonde hair out of my face. "Summer is literally the season I live for, it is my name after all".The lighting in my parents' elevator was perfect. I'd had it installed personally. As the elevator took me to my floor at my parent's penthouse, I glanced through the comments which were mostly positive and non-intrusive today. "Thank you, Lexi, I worked so hard on my tan all summer even though my skin's glow is quite natural." Miami's sun had given my skin a permanent bronzing that no spa could beat.
Another adoring fan commented on my hair. I brought my phone closer so they could properly examine the carefully layered and curled silk tresses. The silver highlights were evidence of my rebellious streak. I would have gone for a louder colour but I knew my parents would have a problem enough with my hair as it was. I could almost hear my mother lecturing me about how sixteen year olds have no business with boys, excessive makeup, and extravagant hairstyles. "Where'd I get it done?" another comment.
I preferred to avoid obnoxiously flaunting my parents' wealth, so I just shrugged and said,"Some random salon in the Caribbean" Even though I had spent at least 500 dollars on it. I am not the kind to spend money carelessly but I was on vacation. "I needed to unwind before my senior year."
I hated having to explain how to people. I was just very smart and I got to skip a grade, apart from that my birthday was June 6th. The elevator came to a halt and I stepped down. I had sent my luggage a couple of days ahead to help me travel light so I didn't expect to see a bunch of bags lying around now that I was back. I cut off my livestream with my signature "Bye guys, remember stay tuned Kahlani Loves you." and blew a raspberry. I slid the phone into my purse and called out for a maid. I wasn't spoilt. I could help myself in situations worse than this but efficiency is what they get paid for. I would understand if I returned with my luggage the same day but why should so many suitcases be lying around three days after they arrived?
When no one answered I punched in the number to my parent's flat on the intercom. Perks of being an only child. I didn't have to share my space unlike the two love birds upstairs. Regardless of what my parents think, I'm only a little wild and controversial. They probably expected me to be pregnant by now but truth be told I was still a virgin, not a prude... just a virgin.
After calling twice I was going to give up when someone picked up, "Daddy?"
"Lani? Oh, you're back just in time wait right there." And he cut the call, that was strange. It should be expected, my summer vacation was over, and it was bullshit and nagging from here on out. I swiped a chocolate bar from the fridge and settled down in the living room. I turned on my phone and a picture of me stared back. I smiled, I'd gotten my first and only tattoo and my parents were just livid.
Closer by Haley and Chainsmokers had been my jam for a while, so I had the bright idea to get a tattoo on my shoulder. It was nothing intricate, just a rose, whose thorns were stained with blood. A subtle reminder that every rose had thorns, everything beautiful wasn't meant to be meddled with. I opened insta and began to scroll, I hadn't realized my constant vlogging had helped my fan base to grow to 2 million. That explained all the extra cash I had been getting apart from my vacation and monthly allowance.
A sudden noise jolted me from the comfort of the couch. My mom and dad had come to see me. I didn't know whether to hug them or brace for a scolding, but it looked like I should do both. "Hey guys"
My father's dark was overgrown and nearly falling into his black eyes, something I'd inherited from him. His overgrown hair was a sign he'd been worrying, he never let his hair grow so long. He wore a suit as usual and his lean muscular body stood at 6 feet towering above me at 5 inches and my mother with 7 inches. I looked at my mother who was in one of her elegant, close-fit evening gowns. A thin string of pearls clung to her throat. They were both very stunning people. It was obvious I had them to thank for my good looks. My mother's pale blonde hair was packed up as usual. She looked perfect except for the dark circles under her eyes. An atrocity for my mother, she loathed eye bags like they reeked of death.
"Lani" my mother began softly.
"What's up with all these bags right? I was wondering the same thing. I'll get it cleaned don't worry. It's nice to be home. I'm so excited for the senior year I won't let you down I promise."
"Lani" My father interrupted my rambling, a bad habit I'd learned to throw them off track whenever they had something to be mad about.
"We need to talk?" I winced, the words barely passing through my lips.
"Yes. I'll keep it brief. Your stubbornness is getting out of hand" I kept shut cause their ranting always ended sooner when I agreed with everything they said. I knew I was difficult and they were trying their best, but they needed to relax sometimes and live a little like me.
"We clearly told you sixteen is too young to go on a vacation on your own halfway across the world." my mother continued.
"We gave you a bodyguard option, and you turned it down" I gave my attention to my father since he was speaking now. "We told you that was the only way we were letting you go but you refused to accept our compromise and left anyway."
"You guys had me trailed the whole time!" I whined, I hadn't meant for it to be loud. I just needed to let off some steam.
"Does not change the fact that you directly disobeyed us!" my mother interjected. Neither of them were smiling. I guess I could plague one of their consciences and win them over to my side to plead my case as I normally did.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again" I looked down fiddling with my thumbs.
"Of course, it won't", my father sighed. "We're sending you to a boarding school in Europe."
"What?!!" My jaw hung open. "Boarding school?Mum Please?!!"
"It's non-negotiable" My mother sighed. "Your father and I personally examined your room. You'll find to your liking I am sure."
"I don't want to go to boarding school. And Europe? What there's no Coventries in USA strong enough to hold me?"
"You'll watch your tongue when speaking to us!" my father scolded. Tears began to well up. "It's final. We've arranged for someone to help you find your living situation from the airport, we will not be dropping you off. I also expect you to keep off social media"
I was not going to stand for that but my mother saw my intentions to add salt to injury. "We are not saying you can't indulge, merely advising you to keep it to a minimum. Maybe a picture or two every three days if you can manage. Reduce the vlogging. Your life is yours, keep some moments to yourself everyone must not know everything about you "
I bit my tongue and blinked away the tears. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken. "Anything else?"
"Yes, how could I forget? Your flight leaves in 3 hours."
"Fuck!!!"
I don't remember how long it had been since I wrenched myself from the arms of the only woman I had loved as a mother. She didn't remember me at all. A little more speculation revealed that none of them did. My mother, my father, my brother,.. they'd all forgotten about my existence! That was the icing on the cake of my woeful and weird day. I had been so disoriented while fleeing the garden. All I had in mind was my incessant need to get away although I didn't completely understand what I was running from. It all happened in rapid succession I began to race toward the garden exit and a portal consumed me, spitting me out in the middle of a forest. Panic set in so I kept it up running in and out of portals and ending up in different places. The last place had been a crowded market square, my breathing hitched I never knew I had a bit of claustrophobia before then, I jumped again. I didn't know what I was running from but I knew what I was looking for. Peace, quiet and somewhere I could belong.. blend in or whatever. Baseline of my story, I don't know where I am but it sure is peaceful.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
“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.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"