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Claire Olsen had a great crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him. But Zion had his eyes glued at the school's 'It girl' Maddie Jennings. Claire couldn't compete with Maddie who was every boy's dream girl in school. She hid her feelings for Zion and just satisfied admiring him from afar. But a series of events led Claire closer to Zion in Senior High and that made her feelings for him intensified- growing from infatuation to love. She tried to act normal and fought hard to hide her feelings when they were together. At some points, she avoided him, but the more barrier she put between them, the more he barged into her ordered life.
"Infatuation is when you find someone who is perfect. Love is when you realize that they aren't and it doesn't matter." - Pinterest
Claire's POV
Oh no! I'm going to be late.
I was running now, like running for my life. My heart was pumping so hard, my skin was cold as ice and sweat ran down my spine.
Whew! I stopped for a while, catching my breath.
I couldn't miss the school bus, I have a long quiz in my first subject, Math. I have to do good in school, being in my last year in high school so I would qualify in a scholarship program.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead then checked the time on my wristwatch. Shocks no... then I started to run again to the bus station.
I heard a car horned behind me. It was Ashley Farris. My stepsister.
Ashley opened her car window and yelled at me. "Run faster Claire!" Her laughter echoed in the air. She was the reason why I was hurrying right now. She made me iron her school uniform again and again to make sure that there was no single crease left.
Ashley and I were both seventeen, but she was a month older than me. We were both Seniors at Riverview High School.
We looked totally different. She was a blond while I have jet black hair. She was short and curvy while I was tall and skinny. Okay... very skinny. I didn't understand why I was so skinny. I tried to eat plenty and take multivitamins daily, but still I was skin and bones.
She always competed with me eversince we met. In the house, she wanted to get my dad's attention. She got my room and my stuffs. Dad tried to please her by buying whatever she wanted. Everything became in her favor.
Ashley was a smart girl also. We competed each other in school. We were both in the Top Ten Students. But I always got the highest rank and that was very upsetting on her part.
Her mom, Aunt Abby married my dad seven years ago. It was so sudden. I just lost my mom - she was hit by a car. I was still grieving when dad got married again in just two months. Mom was not even cold in her grave.
I lost my dad two years ago in a fire incident and that made my life became a calvary. Aunt Abby and Ashley made my life miserable. They stopped treating me like a family. I became a squatter in my own house.
Don't worry Claire, one more year and you'll be free. I murmured to myself.
I was just in time when the school bus arrived in the bus station. I was so relieved.
I saw my bestie, Rhea when I entered the bus. I sat down beside her and put my maroon Jansport backpack in front of me.
"Hi Claire. You look like a mess."
"I know right." I combed my long tangled hair with my fingers and fixed my eyebrows with my fingertips. I was so conscious with my eyebrows because they were so thick like those of the werewolves and pointing everywhere. I have to flattened them and kept in place all the time.
"Did you finish your Science homework?"
"Of course. I finished it early this morning." I smoothened the creases of my uniform and tightened my tie.
"I'm not sure with my answer in number ten. Can you help me on it?" Rhea pleaded.
"Of course. No worries."
My heart skipped a beat when I stepped out of the school bus. I saw a familiar car turned around the curb heading towards the school's main entrance. A black Mercedes-Benz with a custom license plate. PETRAKIS.
I stopped at the side of the road, waiting for the car to pass by. The windows were tinted black, so dark that it was impossible to see inside. I kept my eyes fixed on my shoes, embarrassed to be caught looking at the car.
Zion Petrakis was inside the car. The most popular boy in school. A heartthrob. Tall, handsome with a beautifully lean muscular body. He walked with grace, pride and confidence. Very athletic. He was the captain of the school's football team. Many girls admired him and sought his attention. Yeah. I liked him too. A lot. But unlike the others, I was contented admiring him from afar.
The car parked outside the school's lobby. Zion went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark straight hair glistened. Obviously wet from the shower.
He was greeted with his best friends Harry Allen and Israel Yasin. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school and together they played in the football team.
"Claire, I'm going to talk to Miss Murphy. Just go ahead." Rhea said.
"Okay. I'll see you in the classroom."
I was approaching the lobby to where Zion, Harry and Izzy were standing and praying at the same time. Please God, let them go inside. Let me be invisible that they wouldn't notice me.
I sighed a good relief when I managed to pass by in front of them unnoticed. But I was wrong, it was just a temporary bliss.
"Hi Claire." I heard Israel a.k.a. Izzy said behind me.
I stopped and spun around, staring at him, then at Harry and Zion. "Hi."
Harry said 'hi' back, but Zion just smiled and looked away.
Izzy did not hide the fact that he liked me. Ever since in grade school, he was into me. He sent me gifts, brought roses, love letters and chocolates. He even wrote poems for me, but I couldn't teach myself to like him more than just a friend. I didn't feel the same way he felt for me.
It was always Zion. I didn't understand myself why. He didn't do anything to make me like him. He never talked to me. He ignored me like I did not exist. I hated myself that I kept on thinking about him and deep down inside of me I knew that he probably haven't thought about me once.
I excused myself and walked in a hurry away from them, almost running. I just slowed down when I was out of their sight.
I passed by the bulletin board and stopped to check for any announcements and reminders. A leaflet about a free trip to Korea for top students caught my attention. I was reading it when someone stood beside me - Alex Gomez, one of the student activists. He posted a list of Top Ten Students Who's Hot And Who's Not, covering the leaflet I was reading.
"Not again." Facepalm.
As usual. I was at the Top Ten List Of Who's Not.
This became my burden every school year. But I learned to view it in a positive way. Who cares. It was only a list made by student activists. Sarcastically speaking, I should be flattered because I went down in the ranking from second to fourth.
But still, I checked the list. As expected, Zion Petrakis was at the top in Who's hot, he always did, followed by his friends, Harry and Israel. Zion's ex-girlfriend, Maddie Jennings, the popular 'it girl' in school was also included as well as my stepsister Ashley.
"Stupid list." I heard a familiar voice said behind me. I looked around and saw Zion. We were so close, that our face almost collided. I could smell his scent, like a combination of soap and cologne, and the warmness of his body vibrated through me, like a current. I've never been this close to him ever and the feeling was so electrifying.
I stepped back and looked around. He was alone. I wondered where his friends were.
Zion looked at me and I looked back at him. His dark eyes were sharp and assessing, holding my eyes still. But I couldn't continue looking at him, his stares and nearness made my knees so weak. It would be so embarrassing if I fell down on his feet.
He grabbed the list of the Top Ten Who's Hot And Who's Not , crumpled it and threw in the nearest bin. Then he was gone in a blink of an eye.
Joanna didn't hesitate to return to the Philippines to fulfill her closest friend's request. Her mission: to seek revenge on the eldest child of the Villa Franca couple. Upon arriving in San Andres, where Hacienda Villa Franca is located, she stayed at a resort for a few nights. The opportunity seemed fitting as the Villa Franca siblings were present. The challenge was that she didn't actually know which of the two handsome men had hurt her friend Ivy, and Ivy never mentioned a name before disappearing from the world. So, Joanna observed discreetly and felt her way through. Until the mischievous-looking guy called his brother 'Kuya' without moving his lips for a smile. The one with the dangerous look, yet so damn gorgeous and hot: Nash Villa Franca. Joanna executed her plan without hesitation... Will she succeed?
"Just stay by his side until he remembers everything." "No. I have money, Ylona. I don't need your money," I told her coldly. "Why are you so hard to get? We need your help because Hercules is finding you! I'm his fiance but he can't remember anything! why does he have to look for you and not me." Frustration filled her face "That's not my problem anymore. If this is all we're going to talk about, I don't want to. I'm leaving," I told them coldly. I stood up and walked towards the door. I was about to go out when I was stunned by what he said. "You don't want? Then just wait, Talitha. Your money will disappear." I clenched my fist because of what he said. I didn't look at them anymore and walked straight out. I didn't pay attention to the way they looked at me. this is the last step I will take again. I traveled again towards La Consalancion because I had a lot left to do. It's been a few days since we talked to Hercules' family. They didn't bother me again and that's a good thing. I followed him with a smile while he smiled as he waved the toy. Caitlin is not here because she has a job at the resort that I also own. After we broke up, I left and started my own business. "You want more?" I asked him smiling. He quickly nodded. "Lithaaaa!!!" I stopped eating Baby Hero when Leon, my gay friend, came. "Why, Leon?" I asked him in wonder "Mrs. Galvez was at the resort. I'm looking for you and have companions, rich people." I felt my heart beat because of what he said. Rich? Maybe it's not them. I took Baby Hero from the chair and lifted him up. "Alright, I'm going. Come with me." Mrs. Galvez is the owner of the land where my resort is located. I just held my breath before I got on Leon's tricycle. In less than a few minutes we arrived. I see Caitlin who is outside the resort and seems to be waiting for someone. when he saw me, his face seemed to light up and he quickly approached me. "Litha, good and here it is. Here are the parents of your ex-husband," he whispered to her. I bit my lip before I gave him Baby Hero. Take care of him first. I first kissed Hero who was now smiling at me. "Mrs. Galvez," I called the lady. It quickly stood up and looked at me. "You're here, Ms. Fernandez. I want to talk to you about the land that you haven't fully paid yet," she said. I didn't look at them and only at Mrs. Just Galvez. "Can you straight to the point, Mrs. Galvez?" He sighed first. "I'm selling it to the Guevara couple." "We have something to talk about, Mrs. Galvez," I said emphatically. "Business is Business, Ms. Fernandez." got up and left so the three of us were left. My fist clenched because of the anger I would feel. Heartless! "What are you doing this to me? You said I don't want to enter your world! Haven't you put me through enough?" I told them without emotion "Even me, I will never let you into my daughter's world, Talitha. But because my daughter needs you, I will do it for her, even though I hate it." "I hate it too, Ylona. I hate it because I became your mother-in-law," I told her without emotion. he quickly looked at me and glared at me. "You hate me but you're here in front of me now and you're forcing your son to care for me?" "Because he needs you, Talitha! I'll pay doub—" I was startled by a small hand resting on my thigh. I looked down and a smiling child was looking at me while he was presenting something. "M-Mom!" "Hero..."
"Where did that go?" I asked myself again. We're not friends but we're pretty close to each other, and I know he rarely goes out or leaves his office. "Maybe it's just there." I answered myself again and then searched. The whole library is spacious because this school is also large. Some students here are sons and daughters of business tycoons and politics so it's not surprising. I've almost gone around all the bookshelves with their backs to each other but I still don't have mika, so does Arries, it's amazing, especially since I feel different. Girls instinct matches. in the back I could not go so I went there when I heard someone talking, as if whispering. I know Mika and Arries, because I haven't seen anyone else yet and go home, especially since Mika is the only librarian here and I also saw Arries enter here. I was about to turn around to prove that they were when I heard a growl. "Ahh Arries maybe someone will see us here." The woman growled at Arries. My chest throbbed with excitement, "No! This cant be!" My brain objected. Arries was inside and if I'm not mistaken Mika was the woman who moaned earlier. my tears are already dripping, I can't accept, but my mind is trying to focus that it's not them, that other Aries and Mika are inside, but who did I fool? There are no other names for those two here who are our co-teachers, if there is a student it is very impossible. "Ohh shit! I really love you Mika." The man growled. There I stopped sobbing when Aries proved that my boyfriend was doing nonsense right inside the library, he was still the principal but he acted like a pig. I still accept that he hangs out outside but what he does right here inside the school is too much. To hurt myself even more and prove to myself that my boyfriend and my co-staff are doing the miracle, I peeked, I saw that Mika's uniform was almost open as well as Arries who was in a hurry to get down and remove the belt and open the zipper of the dress. I tried not to make any noise, during the time that Arries and I were together I didn't even notice anything strange about him, he was as tender as the first time we were so it was hard to accept for me. We've been together for four years but I think that's not enough when it comes to talking about the flesh. the entire staff as well as the students knew the relationship between the two of us, others were expecting the wedding we were going to but it wasn't. that's why he hasn't processed yet, he already has someone else, I didn't pay attention to that before because maybe he just had a plan but this is the answer. anger took the place of the love I felt here, so I hurriedly took my cell phone to take a picture of them just in case I could use him. To the two of them. It's bad if it's bad but I'm just hurt too. it's a good thing they were so greedy for each other that they didn't even notice my presence, but that's good too. Slowly I took the steps towards the exit door and when I thought I was far away from them I slowly ran out. I don't care if it creates a sound, even if they chase me they won't see me anymore. They are also far from the door so I have a strong feeling that they will not be able to chase me. the gate show is still shedding my tears, it's a good thing the sandal I used is only 2 inches high so it's not hard for me to run. Fortunately, there were no students, staffs, only the guard was there but I didn't pay attention when I heard him greet me. I just wanted to leave, get stuck in that place.
On the first day of school the large gate of Axford University opened early for students required to enter. there are transferees and most are former school students. But all attention was taken away when a young woman got out of an expensive car. "Angel" "Pre am I in heaven yet?" "Shit. She's beautiful!" "The smoothness is damn." "Pres. The student and the transferees are complete, the gate has been closed and they have all been gathered in the auditorium." polite promise of his right hand. He nodded and stood up. He was Devin Lance Hellias .. the President of the Council and known as the King of Axford University because everyone was obedient to him and everyone was afraid to oppose him. he is Ruthless man, a devil one and he don't know the word mercy .. He can kill you in a snap once you break his rules in this school and he don't give a damn if you begged for your life .. But what if this Devil, ruthless man meet the girl named Alliann Leannah De Villa? the Innocent Angel who break the one and only rule of this President? What will happen?
She is Shia Sheridan. She has no dreams. She doesn't know what she wants. No plans for life. But because of a mistake she owned up to, she ended up in a place she despised. The Titan Academy of Special Abilities. A school for those like her with special abilities. A place for extraordinary people she will never be like. Welcome to Academy of Special Abilities. "Because it takes more than power to be special."
"Then who owns you?" he asked, I could feel and smell his hot and fragrant breath. "I-i-it is yo-you sir," my lips parted as he suddenly came closer to me, bringing our bodies closer together, it's too late for me to close my mouth when I feel his lips on mine. when our lips parted, we both gasped, "then stop making me jealous, because you don't want to know what this friend can do to you."
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
"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?"
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.