/0/23328/coverbig.jpg?v=15a1d1ed1bea86a3d3e3080dc99118f6)
Welcome to Natalia's high school manual! Yup, she's just your average normie student. And nope, this is definitely not a fairytale. It's not your typical girl meets boy and they fell in love with each other story, then all of the sudden, BOOM! A happy ending that will satisfy the whole humanity. Her story was a bit different, –nope. Scratch that. It was a disaster, to be exact. A roller coaster ride to the top. Witness how Natalia (without H) face her high school journey with the help of her manual, a set of rules that she invented for herself. Rules that will help her survive high school. Along with her family, friends, and even enemies, will she be able to follow all the rules on her manual, or not? Read and find out.
NATALIA CARTER –that's my name.
First of all, I want to clarify some things. This is not a diary. You can call it a journal or whatever it is that you want, just please... Spare me the word "diary." That kind of name was for the girly girls, like some of my classmates. They talk and write to their diaries like it's their secret keeper or like their life depends on it.
Second, as I've told earlier, my name is Natalia, not Nathalia. Remove the H, please. I'm not your typical student, though I can't also say that I'm unique. I'm just a normie teenager, and believe it or not, my story wasn't just like the others. I'm not a nerd that falls in love with the bad boys. And here's the reason why.
My bestfriend, Nathan, is the nerd. Not me. Our parents are best of friends that's why they named us very likely to each other. Another reason why, bad boys in our school are definitely not hot. Like, gosh. They often went to school without taking a shower, wearing the same clothes every other day, and ruin our school properties.
Those bad boys... Their different from Tyler Smith's group, our classmate since middle school. And yep, believe me, he's the type of bad boy that you often read on different love stories. But I swear, I'll never fall in love with that guy. His eyes were like the vampires. It does nothing but glare at people.
Nathan is the only friend I have. And I'm the only friend that he have, as well. Basically, we've known each other ever since we were a kid because of our parents. After a week from now, our summer break will be ended and classes will start to begin again.
Nathan and I will finally be a high school students! Yay! But please note the sarcasm. Being a high school student wasn't easy, that's what they say. But I wanted to correct them. Being a high school student is a disaster, I just didn't know why everybody is excited... Oh well, except me of course.
"Nat! We need to buy you some new shoes!" I heard my Mom calling from outside of my room.
"I don't need a new one, Mom!"
"I don't care. I'm still gonna buy you a pair. Jessica told me that she's gonna buy Nathan, that's why I wanted you to have something new too," she stated, knocking on my door.
I just sighed before opening my bedroom door. There she is, standing in my way looking at me like I was some kind of a freak.
"What now, Mom?" I asked.
"Come on, Nat. You're old enough to fix yourself. Look at you! You look like a mess. Would you mind combing your hair?"
"Fine, fine. But, do we really need to buy a new shoes for school? I mean, I thought we are on a tight budget right now."
"That's not your concern anymore. Just fix yourself so that we can go now."
"Alright..." I answered, bored.
She motioned me to get inside of my room and start fixing myself. I just nodded before closing the doors again. The reason why I don't want to spend some money on a new stuffs because that was against the rule number one of my manual, stating, "Don't show off. Stay low key."
If you're wondering what is that manual, it's a compilation of some rules that I'd created myself. Those rules keep me safe all these years. I survived middle school because of that manual and I'm hoping that my high school life would be as peaceful as possible with the help of it, of course.
Nathan often wondering why do I need to follow all those rules and restrain myself from all the fun. But my answer was very simple. I don't want to be like him. If his own definition of fun is being dragged on by the bullies at school hallways because he didn't let them copy his assignments, then I rather enjoy myself at home than join in that kind of fun.
Through the many years of studying, I already came up of almost a hundred rules on my manual. And now that we are going to be a high school students, I'm planning to create another one. A manual containing new and fresh rules for me. Everyday during after my classes, I'll try to come up with one rule to be added on my manual. In that way, I can summarized what I've learned in school that day.
"Nat! Where are you? We need to go now!" I heard my Mom shouted from downstairs.
I quickly grabbed my comb before trying to fix my messy hair. It didn't do. So, to make the long story short, I picked up a scrunchies and tied it in my hair. I looked at the mirror, not bothering to put a powder on my face or anything. I'm fine with my looks. I'm contented and happy for who I am, and I believe that that's already enough. And that is what makes my manual's rule number two: "Be yourself. Love your looks."
I ran downstairs, surprised to see my bestfriend and Aunt Jessica sitting on the couch in our living room. Nathan waved at me, and of course I did the same.
"Hey, Nat!" I greeted him.
"Hello, Nat."
"Your nicknames are so cute! I'm glad we named you two after each other."
My Mom laugh at Aunts Jessica's remark. Now I know why she's rushing me earlier. That it's because Nathan and his Mom were already waiting for us here.
"Come on, kids. Hop in," Aunt Jessica told us as soon as we got outside of the house.
She opened the door before Nathan and I got inside. Mom sat in the passenger seat, next to Aunt Jessica. They are blabbering about some random stuffs the whole trip while Nathan and I are just sitting quietly besides each other on the backseat.
"Hey..." Thankfully, he finally opened his mouth.
"What?"
"I think Mom and Dad are going to have a divorce soon," he whispered melancholically.
"What?!" I nearly gasped in disbelief.
"Shhh. Please lower your voice. I can feel it. Even if they didn't told me about it, I know that it will happen someday."
I just stare at him, scrutinizing his emotions through his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I worriedly asked.
"Yeah. Don't mind me. Though I'm a bit sad, but I know you wouldn't leave me like what my Dad's going to do soon."
"Of course I won't," I promised, before I offer my pinky finger. He accepted it, and we sealed our promises.
My third rule was, "Never state a promise to anyone." I neglected it, for I knew in my heart that I'm going to rephrase it later as soon as I got home. Rule number three is gonna be, "Learn to keep your promises."
[HIS SERIES BOOK #3] “You’re my light, my love, and my shelter.” –Gabriel Elizar. He chose to chase her. From the moment he laid his eyes on her, he began to fall deeper. But not all love story deserves a happy ending. Things ended up so bad, resulting into a multiple heartbreaks. As Gabriel finally realized that the woman he loves wasn’t destined to him, he decided to give up. He came back to his unselfish shelter, the woman he never thought of as his love. The woman who is willing to provide a home for his wrecked heart.
[HIS SERIES BOOK #2] “His amending touch will stay forever in my heart.” –Kate Frias. Kate had been broken before. Not just once, but twice. Her first heartbreak happened way back in high school, where the man she loves for a long time had fallen for her bestfriend. Second, it was with the most successful businessman in their country. And who would have thought that for the second time around, it was all because of Claire, her old bestfriend. Being broken twice made her realized one thing... And that is to never get herself too attached to anyone. Specially with his father treating her as an asset to gain partnership from different famous companies. But when a man made her feel his rectifying graze, will she be able to resist it, or will she surrender her heart again?
[HIS SERIES BOOK #1] “You will always be my epitome of beauty.” –Darren Herrera. Darren Herrera is one of the best businessman in his country. He’s a billionaire, has a pair of two mesmerizing blue eyes and face of a ravishing model. The epitome of the word perfection. Herrera Corp. will soon to be his, but only in one condition. He needs to get married and have a child to Kate Frias, the daughter of his father’s bestfriend. For him, having a wife and a child was a huge disaster. And no woman can pass his epitome of the word “beauty,” even Kate. That’s why he hired someone, someone that he can trust to play along as his wife. And that’s when he met Claire, a women that will make him change his own epitome of beauty.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
"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.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
“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.