/0/58145/coverbig.jpg?v=e76b456589439bd5728ad7eb65fdd14e)
"Do you want to play a game with me?" Ash asked, leaning forward as he caressed my chin. I raised an eyebrow. "A game?" "A love game..." He placed his lips on my ear, slightly licking my earlobe. "Whoever falls in love first, loses. If you're really confident that you won't fall for someone like me, then play the game with me." Ash bit my ear, and a pool of hits struck my body. "What can you say, Miss good girl? Are you in?" **** Sapphire only wanted peace. She did her best to become a wallflower so no one would notice her. She avoided everyone, especially Ash Cassius Coleman, the son of the owner of the University where she was studying. She hated Ash, his guts, his frequent make-outs with different girls...And that hatred caught Ash's interest. Suddenly, the rebel billionaire came into her life, wanting her to fall in love with him. But does Ash really like her? No. He was just challenged and curious as to why his charms didn't seem to affect Sapphire at all. And that was the reason why he decided to ask her to play a game. A love game.
I WAS in the middle of writing the minutes of our meeting in the student council when suddenly, I heard Prescilla, one of the student council members, flirting with his boyfriend, Vincent, who isn't a part of any organizations here in the university.
"Baby, I love you so much... and you know that right?" said Prescilla in her most sweet, seductive tone, which I found annoying, especially in the situation we're in right now.
"Of course, baby... I know. I know it more than everyone," answered Vincent, his tone low.
I turned my head due to curiosity, but I froze when I saw them... kissing. Prescilla was sitting on Vince's lap, facing him, and straddling him. Vincent, on the other hand, groaned hard while his hand traveled onto Prescilla's legs.
Seriously, are they doing this here?
"Sapphire Jade Miller," Evangeline, our student council president, called me. "Are you even listening? Don't forget that your role here is to write the minutes. Without that, this meeting will be in vain," she added, her tone intimidating.
Evangeline is known as one of the students with beauty and brains at the University. She is approachable, although people say that she really has a rude temper. But when it comes to me... she was different.
It was like my very own existence irked her.
Maybe it was because I wasn't as rich as everyone here. I only had the privilege to study here because of my academic scholarship. It needed a lot of work, though, given that I needed to render hours being a student assistant to make up for the tuition fee.
"I'm listening, and I'm taking down notes," I answered before showing her the paper. I didn't just write down what was on her whiteboard; I also noted everything she said verbally. "You can check it now if you want."
"Hmm..." Evangeline raised an eyebrow before scanning my notes. "It was messy. How can we understand this if it's messy? This is the only thing you should do, yet you can't do it properly?"
"I will organize it once I transfer the notes to the word file, president," I answered, my tone subtly sarcastic when I addressed her position. "Don't worry. Although I'm poor and no one can accept that I'm studying here, I'm doing my best at my job."
Evangeline gritted her teeth as she gave me a deadly glare. I didn't mind her and just shrugged before taking down notes again. All of them could study here because of their money, while I study here because of my intelligence.
So, who had the upper hand here? Me.
"Tch." That was all Evangeline could say. Serves her right. She underestimates me too much.
She hated me for a reason I didn't know, yet she imitated my natural curly hair a few months ago.
Too bad, she can't.
Evangeline continued the meeting after that, while I continued writing. She hated the fact that I was using a pen and paper in meetings, but she couldn't scold me about it. As long as I do my job right, everything will be fine.
"Let's meet again next week to discuss our progress on freshman week. I'll let the secretary know the date and time so she can disseminate it to you..." Evangeline looked at me and scoffed. "Meeting adjourned."
I sighed in relief.
It's finally over. I can go home at last. It's exhausting to deal with people who don't like me just because of my freakin' social status. It was because of my father's gambling debt. I hate him.
'But once I graduate, they won't be able to look down on me like this anymore. Just two more years... and I'll be able to stand up for myself,' I repeated like a chant at the back of my mind before leaving the student council room.
"FRESHMAN week is such a pain in the ass," I muttered while in front of the laptop in the school library, transferring the notes to the Word file. "
Freshmen Week is a program designed for freshmen to enjoy their stay at the school before professors start piling on assignments, reports, and final projects. It's like a farewell party before someone leaves, or a celebration meant to make you happy for a moment before the real pain begins.
They may be happy in the beginning, but in the following weeks, they'll be crying from the workload. They'll experience the frustration of doing everything they can to study and pass, only to find out after the exams that their efforts weren't enough.
As a third-year accountancy student, I can relate to this dilemma. That feeling of having done everything to study, but still feeling unprepared when taking exams.
But despite all the hardships, I still managed to make it. One more year, I'll achieve what I've been striving for.
Graduation. A bachelor's degree.
Freedom.
"Done. Fuck it," I groaned and stretched my back, before calling Evangeline. "I already sent the minutes to your email. Kindly check it, thanks."
"Why do you need to call-"
Before she could even finish her sentence, I ended the call. Why would I bother anyway? She'll just rant about why I called her instead of texting.
Does she hate me so much that she doesn't even want to hear my voice? I haven't done anything wrong to her. I haven't done anything wrong to anyone, but the way they judge me in this school, it seems like I'm a criminal.
I shrugged off my thoughts before leaving the library. It doesn't matter.
I looked at the clock and saw that it was already nine o'clock in the evening. I love the cold and dark atmosphere, giving me an unusual chill yet peace.
Enduring the cold, I continued walking while holding the strap of my black backpack. But I stopped when the wind blew my short blue checkered skirt, almost revealing my shorts.
"F.uck," I hissed and quickly adjusted my skirt.
But I stopped when I heard a whistle from the side.
I turned to look, only to see Ash looking at me with an intense gaze. He was wearing the boys' uniform: a white blouse and blue slacks. The top two buttons were undone, revealing his undershirt.
He paired it with black leather shoes, a black Jansport backpack, and... wait, how dare he smoke on school premises?
"Do you want to say something, Miss Student Council Secretary?" he asked, raising an eyebrow before taking another drag from his cigarette.
I froze, debating whether to call him out or not.
My responsibility as a student council secretary is to reprimand and report rule-breakers like him to the guidance. But at the same time, I'm afraid of him.
It's because he's much more influential than Evangeline, my classmates, or anyone else in this school.
Ash Cassius Coleman, the son of one of the owners of this university, and the one I should avoid at all costs.
"Nothing," I answered.
"Hmm..." He smirked. His eyes darkened as his gaze moved from my face... to my lips... to my legs, which were now fully exposed because of the sudden gusts of wind.
Despite the annoyance, I continued walking. I shouldn't be talking to him like this. If other girls saw me talking to him, it might just create more issues and complicate my life.
And I don't want that.
"Good choice, baby," I heard him say as I walked away from him. "Good choice."
Samantha Colline De Jesus lived a simple, happy life. She had a loving older brother, a kind best friend, and a carefree life. But everything changed the moment she crossed paths with a stranger one rainy evening-a moment sealed by a kiss she never saw coming. That kiss unraveled secrets she never imagined existed, stirring memories she thought she'd never have to face. As the rain poured down, so did the walls she had carefully built around her heart. And how do you move forward when one fleeting moment redefines everything you thought you knew?
Everyone knew Cinderella and her story. She lived a vicious life when her divorced parents needed to work in the Royal Palace and left her alone. Her stepmother and her two stepsisters did nothing but mistreat her, not until that party happened. A fairy grandmother, a dance, and a fallen shoe. Cinderella and the prince were married and lived happily ever after. Or... did they? What would happen if the princess everyone adored throughout their life was the antagonist everyone would hate if they only knew? What if the beloved princess... is the true villainess?
He had a heart covered with ice, but for her, he'd burn himself to ashes... and the world under her feet. *** Beckett Clainfer wanted to find his parent's murderer. With that in mind, he endured every pain for the pleasure that's about to come - Reputation, wealth, and a drug den that suffices his needs and luxuries. However, when Vivianne entered his life, everything went chaotic. He sinfully fell in love with her when he should have never been involved with her in the first place... Especially when she wanted him dead more than anyone else. He's willing to do anything to save her, and he was willing to cross the line as he joined Foedus Corporation in Agrianthropos City for her. But could he find salvation in Hell? *** Vivianne Allamino had been suffering throughout her life. Being forced to take over their illegal family business in leverage to her mother's safety scared the shit out of her. Since childhood, she was trained... and was controlled like a mere puppet. And now, she was done tolerating all this shit. She just wanted everything to end. Now, she tried to kill him. But the cold-hearted billionaire wanted to save her. Could he?
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.