She looked at the man sitting next to her dad in disgust, she couldn't believe she had once loved this same man who was almost every girl's dream back then in school; the fact that she had to sit at this table dinning together with him makes her feel like her inside is about to explode... She ran into her room, slammed the door and wept bitterly, if only society and her parents, expecially her dad would not criticise, she would prefer Michael Williams over Alfredo Verano...
"Mama..., Mama... Mama...," Lora called, running after her mum Camila who is leaving the mansion with her suit case.
"Mama please don't leave me." She pleaded, still running after her. "Take me with you, Mama..." she kept on calling and crying at the same time still running after her.
"I'll come back for you my darling." Camila told Lora as she turned her head briefly to look at her, still moving. "I'll come back baby, I promise..." she said still moving. Suddenly, Lora found herself alone in the mansion with a masked man chasing her holding a gun in his hands.
"Mama..., please help me." Lora screamed, she ran to the front door and started banging her hands at the door. "Mama... help, please help me Mama...." She screamed...
Lora opened her eyes, her heart racing; she could feel sweat all over her body like one who had run a marathon, she folded her knees and curled herself into a sitting position on the bed.
She looked around the dimly lit bedroom but couldn't see clearly, so she hurriedly switched on the lamp that was sitting on the table beside her bed, her both hands trembling with fear.
"This dream again?"She thought. This dream has always hunted her since her mum left her. She was only seven when her mum left and promised to come back for her, years have passed and she is still waiting for her.
Sometimes she wonders if it will ever happen. She sat still for a while pondering about the dream.
The one thing she can't explain is the masked man who suddenly chased her with a gun in her dream. "Well it's just a dream." She thought after a while and shook her head.
"I wonder why Mama left, Papa seem to miss her." She thought again as her mind drifted from the dream back to the time when her mum left.
That day her dad had gone to work, even Grandma Rosa wasn't at home. Her mum came into the mansion in a hurry, went into her room; the next thing she saw her mum come out of her room with a suit case in her hands and hurriedly left the mansion, ignoring her plea to take her along; she only promised she would come back for her but never did till date, even her dad locked himself up in his study refusing to see anyone for weeks after she left. She shook her head again, and then robbed her hands over her face.
Her mind drifted again to what had happened on her sixteenth birthday, her mum had promised to come for her that day but still did not keep to her promise as well. "Why did she not meet me on my sixteenth birthday as promised, she was only a few steps away, then stopped suddenly and left without a word." She thought and robbed her eyes again.
Her mum stopped calling her after that day, she's been the one calling her and whenever she manages to answer, she tells her she's been busy that's why she haven't been able to call and she always finds a reason to drop the call almost immediately. "I hope she calls me today." Lora said out loud this time.
She looked at the clock sitting on her bed side table, it's past 6am. "I won't let these thoughts ruin my day today." She said as she shook her head, got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
***
Catalina stood at the bus stop waiting impatiently for Lora, she watched as so many cars drove past her, different people who seemed busy to her went on their way, some also stood at the bus stop probably waiting for a bus. "I hope she is not backing out now." She said to herself as she glanced at her wrist watch again.
Lora had always backed out at the last minute every time she invited her for a party, whether it's a school party or not she would always find a reason not to attend at the very last minute, but she hopes she doesn't back out on this one because this is going to be their last school party.
"We are going to be late." She said and dialed Lora's number again for the fourth time. "Hello Lora, where are you? Hurry up or we are going to miss the bus and we are going to be late for the party." She said, making a fuss over the phone.
"Calm down party girl, and look behind you." Lora said over the phone. Immediately, Catalina turned around. "There you are, hurry up." She said still on the phone raising her hands up and waving at Lora urging her to hurry up.
Lora increased her pace towards Catalina, they reached out and hugged each other. "Wow! You are looking fabulous Catalina, all this for just a school party?" Lora said looking at Catalina's outfit in admiration. Catalina had been the only friend she has in school and at home, she loves parties and is always excited when she has to attend one.
"Yes." Catalina replied as she jiggled. "And it's not just a school party, it's our graduation party you know, so I have to look my best." She added still jiggling.
"Well if you are all dolled up just for a school graduation party, I wonder how you would look at your own wedding." Lora said teasingly.
"I would look like the stars." Catalina whispered into her ears and they both chuckled with laughter.
Suddenly Catalina paused for a while, her eyes scrutinizing Lora. "What are you wearing?" Catalina asked as she looked at her from head to toe, shaking her head and making a face of disapproval.
"Don't give me that look Catalina? It's just a school party." Lora said. "Besides I'm not like you, and I feel very comfortable in these clothes." She added in self defense.
"No, it's our graduation party and many handsome guys are going to be there, how do you intend to get their attention dressed like this?" Catalina asked waving her hands at Lora. "Unbelievable girl, your parents are rich and your mum is a fashion star for Christ's sake." She added still shaking her head in disapproval.
"Stop it Catalina, my parents are rich so what! And I'm not my mum you know, am not going there to seek the attention of anybody, besides I have Alfredo." Lora snapped, her voice a little high that some people passing by stopped to look at her for a brief moment then went on with their activities, even those standing at the bus stop gave her a quick stare. She shook her head and bit her lower lip, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Wake up girl, you still believe you'll have a happy ending with Alfredo?" Catalina asked ignoring what just happened or how embarrassed Lora might feel. "He's way out of your league, you know." She added.
"Oh the bus is here!" Lora said, pointing at the bus, ignoring her statement as she knows it won't change a thing arguing with her, she's already embarrassed as it is and she wonders if Catalina feels nothing at all on peoples opinion about her.
***
"Lora baby, princess, come to Mama..." Camila said to a little girl of about seven years of age sitting across the room with her eyes wide open, looking at her.
"Princess, come to Mama..." She said again to a motionless girl sitting across the room staring at her. Suddenly the girls face turned into a dark beard man who started laughing hysterically. "No, no, no..." she shouted, covering her ears with her hands...
Miguel jumped up from his sleep at the sound of Camila's voice. "What is it my love?" he said as he shook Camila who is trembling beside him mumbling something in her sleep, he shook her body again waking her up from her sleep.
"What is it my love?" he asked again, this time taking her into his arms. It looked like she had a terrible dream; her whole body is trembling in fear.
"It's the dream again, the god damn dream again." Camila said as she covered her face with her palms still in Miguel's arms. "My baby Miguel, how do I face my baby?" Camila asked shaking vehemently at the thought of the dream she just had.
"Hush now my love, hush now." Miguel said, patting her back slowly. Miguel Ramos is her boyfriend and also her lawyer who she spends some nights with either at his place or her place or probably anywhere else.
She met him few months after divorcing her husband Lucio Affonso, Lora's dad. Miguel was the son of Late Alejandro Ramos, her family's trusted lawyer who had found her in the orphanage where she was raised when she had returned there after her divorce with her husband Lucio, and brought her to her parent's house which changed and made her life what it is today.
A year after bringing her to her father's house Alejandro died. Camila and Miguel has been each other's companion since they are both orphans and Camila look up to him as family, her only remaining wish is to be reunited with her daughter Lora.
"She hates me Miguel, my daughter hates me, Miguel, am a terrible mum." She said as she burst into tears.
"No, no my love, you're not a terrible mum, hush now, it's only a dream and everything will be all right." Miguel said still holding Camila in his arms.
Kimberly was broken when she was rapped by the same man whom she has started developing feelings for, and just when she tried to move on with her life, she realizes she is pregnant for the man who had rapped her, a man whom she knew nothing about and have not seen again after the night she was rapped... Kyle lived in regret after the night he had rapped the true love of his life... will he ever get the chance to tell her the truth about what really happened that night when he meets her again or will he continue to reap the consequence of his action... ...Will Kimberly and her children be able to overcome the sudden twist in their lives, as their lives become intertwined with that of the high and classy Greenwood’s family?
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Ethan always viewed Nyla as a compulsive liar, while she saw him as aloof and insensitive. Nyla had cherished the notion that she was dear to Ethan, yet she felt coldly rejected when she realized her place in his heart was insignificant. No longer trying to break through his coldness, she stepped back, only for him to alter his approach unexpectedly. She challenged him, "If you trust me so little, why keep me around?" Ethan, who had once carried himself with pride, now stood before her with a humble plea. "Nyla, I've made mistakes. Please don't walk away from me."
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.