"How I talk to my employees is not and shouldn't be your business." He started taking slow steps towards me while I kept moving back till my back touched the wall. There's no escape anymore. He pressed his palms on the wall, caging me in. I inhaled his intoxicating scent not wanting to meet his eyes. He slowly leaned in as I could feel his musky breath in my ear. "You defy me so much that I want to hurt you." With that he disappeared. The only evidence that showed he was here was just the sound of the closing 'Love? A mere word or feeling that makes us do weird and dumb things. I didn't want to love him. I didn't want to want him. I didn't want anything to do with him but the heart wants what it wants. He was my worst nightmare and at the same time my solace. He was my enemy and at the same time my friend. I hated him the most but at the same time I loved him the most!' ______________ Ivory Addams, a young waitress, is thrust into a dangerous world when she's kidnapped by a Mafia king who believes she holds the key to saving his son's life. As she navigates her new reality, she's faced with an impossible choice - marry a Mafia Prince or risk losing everything she holds dear. As she uncovers dark secrets and fights for her independence, she becomes entangled in a deadly game of power, love, and survival. Can she navigate this treacherous world and protect herself from becoming a pawn in their dangerous games?
IVORY
As I was slowly drifting into the peaceful realm of sleep, a sudden and irritating noise pierced through the silence. "Grrrrrrrrrhhh," it groaned incessantly, assaulting my ears. Annoyed and drowsy, I reached out my hand towards the table next to my bed in an attempt to silence the obnoxious alarm. I couldn't help but wonder, why did it have to disrupt my newfound bliss at this very moment?
"Arise and shine Ivory, you're not going to sleep the whole day, will you huh?". I groaned inwardly, hearing the voice of my best friend Ava.
"Why can't I just have a peaceful sleep, even just for once?". In a sleepy tone, I expressed my frustration, questioning why I couldn't experience a single night of undisturbed sleep. However, my tranquility was abruptly interrupted as she pulled open the curtains, causing me to instinctively close my eyes tightly due to the blinding rays of the morning sun flooding into the room.
"Uhhm...you might want to rethink that if you know what the time is right now, remember you have an interview today." As soon as I heard those words, I quickly jolted upright from my comfortable bed and rushed to grab my alarm clock, anxiously scanning for the time. To my utter shock, it was 8:20, and my interview was scheduled for 8:30. Panic surged through me as I frantically wondered how on earth I would manage to reach the interview venue in a mere ten minutes.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier Ava?", I asked her with an accusatory tone. Filled with urgency, I hastily rushed towards the bathroom without any delay.
"Don't blame me for your laziness darling, this is literally the third time I am coming in here to wake you up." In a slightly exasperated tone, she responded from the other side of the room, refusing to take blame for what she perceived as my laziness. I could hear the sound of the door opening and closing behind her, indicating that she had left the room, leaving me to ponder her words.
In order to ensure that I didn't miss my important interview, I was in a rush as I swiftly brushed my teeth and took a refreshing bath. The thought of depending on Ava, as I have done before and becoming a burden to her once again, is not something I desire or intend to repeat.
Two years ago, my life was forever changed when I tragically lost my parents in a devastating car accident. They had been traveling to visit me in college when the unimaginable happened. Completely unaware of the impending news, I was engrossed in a book inside my dorm room when my phone abruptly shattered the silence. With trembling hands, I answered the call, only to be met with the urgent plea to rush to Central City Hospital as my parents had been involved in a horrific accident. My heart sank as I raced towards the hospital, each passing moment carrying the weight of uncertainty. Arriving at the scene of torment, I was confronted with an image that will forever haunt me: my beloved mother lifeless, her spirit extinguished, and my father hanging onto the fragile thread of survival, his essence teetering on the precipice of existence. Upon consulting with the doctor, I discovered that my father's only chance of survival hinged on an immediate surgery. However, there was an unexpected condition - I had to provide a deposit before the operation could commence. Driven by desperation and fueled by the fact that I had access to both my parents' accounts, I swiftly transferred the necessary funds. The pain of losing my mother was still raw, and the thought of losing my father as well was unbearable. Unfortunately, fate had cruel intentions in store for me. Merely two days after the surgery, I received the devastating news that my father had also passed away. After being left alone in this unforgiving world, I found it unbearable to cope with the loss, especially considering I had no siblings or other relatives. It was only through the unwavering support of my dear friend Ava and her loving parents that I managed to find solace.
Our friendship began back in eighth grade in high school and has grown stronger ever since. .After the tragic passing of my parents, I experienced an overwhelming wave of depression that pushed me to the brink of suicide. However, throughout this dark period, Ava remained a constant pillar of support, offering her unwavering assistance in every possible way. Seeking solace, I decided to move in with her after completing my graduation. In order to sustain myself financially, I worked diligently as a waitress in a prestigious five-star restaurant, earning a decent income. Unfortunately, my employment came to an abrupt end when my boss shamelessly made advances towards me, and I bravely rejected his inappropriate actions without hesitation. Just recently, I stumbled upon a promising job opportunity at another esteemed five-star restaurant. I successfully submitted my application and the manager instructed me to return today for my interview. However, despite my efforts, I am currently running behind schedule and may be late for the scheduled interview.
As soon as I finished getting dressed in a plain black pair of trousers and a white T-shirt, I hastily left my room. My hair, which is naturally blonde, was quickly thrown up into a messy bun without any considerations for perfectly styling it. Not even the thought of putting on make-up crossed my mind at that moment.
"Why don't you wait so you could have breakfast," Ava said as I entered the kitchen.
"So I can screw up my interview, I'm twenty minutes late already and I have to leave now." I grabbed a pancake from a plate she kept on the counter.
"Alright darling, best of luck to you...go get that job baby," she said winking at me playfully.
"You know I'm not ready for your cockiness right now", I looked at her in amusement and headed towards the door. "See you later, Ava," I said and left the house.
As I stood in front of the elegant, five-star restaurant, whose name I embarrassingly couldn't recall, panic rushed through me as I glanced at my watch and discovered that I was already forty-five minutes behind schedule. Determined to rectify my tardiness, I hurriedly entered the restaurant and made my way towards the manager's office, only to be intercepted by a graceful, slender lady. She exuded confidence with her perfectly fitted blue gown that accentuated her figure, stiletto heels amplifying her poise, and a self-assured expression on her face.
"Good morning, ma'am", I greeted her.
"Good morning, how may I help you?", she asked eyeing me from head to toe.
"My name is Ivory Addams, I'm here for the interview." Recognition immediately flashed through her face. She was the one who directed me to the manager's office when I came here looking for a job.
"Oh right, you must be the lady who came here a week ago, am I right?", she said looking at me from head to toe again.
"Yes, yes I am", I answered.
"I'm the secretary here, your interview today was supposed to be by 8:30 but you're arriving by 9:10, why are you late?", she asked giving me a pointed look.
"I was actually stuck in traffic, I'm sorry about that", I said wincing slightly as the lie slipped off my mouth.
"You're lucky the manager isn't here yet but he'll get here soon." Just as she said that, the manager walked in and made his way towards us.
As soon as he arrived at our location, the secretary courteously greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, sir." Pointing towards me, she informed him that I was the woman who had visited a week ago regarding the available job position. The man glanced my way, displaying a friendly smile. Confirming his recollection, he suggested we move towards his office, leading the way while I followed closely behind.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
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?”
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
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.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.