Nobela ni Steph

The market was lively with noise as Rachel went through the flower stall with her fingers delicately hovering over a bunch of daisies. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her basket “I thought you were allergic to flowers,” Lorenzo said, eyebrow raised, eyeing her choices with mock suspicion.Rachel turned, arms crossed. “Allergic to your attitude, maybe.”Lorenzo smirked. “Touché. Why did you murder the flowers you got last time then? Anyways, it's none of my business but don’t tell me you’re back to trying to sabotage Alejandro’s life through botanical warfare?”Rachel rolled her eyes. “Oh please. If I was looking for what to sabotage, I’d start with your terrible taste in suits.”“Hey! My suits are vintage,” Lorenzo shot back. “And you wouldn’t know vintage if it hit you with a bouquet.”Rachel picked up a sunflower and waved it at him. “This? Vintage? Looks like something from a thrift store reject pile.”Lorenzo took a dramatic step back. “Careful. That’s my family flower. You insult

Alejandro didn’t return to the office after the donors' meeting. Instead, he asked Lorenzo to meet him on the private rooftop of one of their finished high-rise projects. It was an exclusive spot with a clear view of the city skyline. Alejandro appreciated the wind that was calmly blowing, as it helped soothe his nerves.Lorenzo arrived a few minutes later. He stepped off the elevator, found Alejandro near the edge of the terrace, and walked over without a word. Alejandro was leaning lightly against the railing, with his sleeves rolled up, and his jacket folded neatly on a lounge chair.“So,” Lorenzo said finally, slipping his hands into his pockets, “how did the meeting go?”“Fine,” Alejandro said. “Halberg’s pleased. The others seem aligned.”Lorenzo nodded slowly. “And Sofia?”Alejandro glanced at him, calm but alert. “She was prepared. Took the lead on the cultural side.”Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. “That all?”Alejandro didn’t answer immediately. His gaze drifted back to the skyli

The donors meeting was held in the conference room of a downtown office tower. Alejandro Hernandez entered first, with a straight posture and a calm and composed expression. His dark suit was tailored precisely to suit him.He glanced briefly around the room as he took a seat near the middle of the table. A few donors were already present, chatting quietly in small groups. Their faces were polite and expectant, but they looked to Alejandro as one of the main figures in the meeting.Sofia Winston arrived moments later. She wore a modest, well-fitted dress, her hair neatly styled. She carried herself with an air of confidence as she moved to her seat. She nodded slightly to Alejandro, who offered a barely perceptible acknowledgment in return. Their interaction was brief but carried the weight of familiarity and unspoken understanding. They were two professionals who had worked together on the Urban Renaissance Arts complex for a while now without any personal interaction.The meeting b

Don Ricardo Lorca stood on the balcony of his penthouse suite, overlooking the city, as he took a slow sip of his scotch. The weight of his thoughts had become increasingly heavy.The meeting with Don Alessandro had not gone as expected. No matter how much he tried to plan for every scenario, his old rival always seemed to be one step ahead, but it wasn’t just the usual power play between two Mafia families. Tonight, something else had taken him by surprise."Sofia Winston." He didn’t expect her name to come up, certainly not in the context of the Hernandez family. He didn’t know what to make of it yet, but he knew it was no coincidence. His men had been shadowing Victor for weeks now, ever since the failed abduction of the other girl. They were tracking his every move after the fallout from that humiliating encounter.The news of Sofia’s name, uttered so casually by Alessandro in their last meeting, rang louder than anything else that had been said. It had been a subtle reference, b

Alejandro had barely set his phone down when the call came. The number was unmarked, but he recognized the rhythm of the pause before the line connected. It was a signal,he answered with a simple, “Yes.”“You’re expected,” came the voice on the other end. “Ten minutes.” The call ended afterwards.Alejandro exhaled slowly and adjusted the cuff of his shirt. He knew better than to ask why.The house was the same as always, Alejandro thought as he stepped in. He had not been here in a long while. It was a sprawling estate located in the hills. It was quiet and tightly controlled. There were no guards visible, but he knew they were there. They always were.One of his father's men was already waiting at the door, offering a nod before stepping aside. No words were spoken, it was just a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.Alejandro followed the familiar route through the stone corridors, past the formal parlor and the cigar room, until he was led into the back study. The room was s

The old chapel stood quietly at the edge of the cemetery. Its weathered stone walls bore witness to Alfonso Meraz's funeral. He was a man who had brought peace to rival families in the city during a time of fragile balance.He hadn't been a boss himself, but his influence had kept blood off the streets more than once. His passing had drawn a complicated crowd. Men in black suits arrived in silence. Some came out of respect, others came out of strategy.Don Alessandro Hernandez sat in the back row, with his hat in his lap. It was a gesture of old-school reverence. He watched the proceedings with the stillness of a predator. At his late fifties, he moved slowly, but no one doubted that his mind was sharp. One of his men stood quietly behind him, with his hands folded, and his eyes sweeping the room.A few pews to the left and two rows ahead sat Don Ricardo Lorca. He was equally still, equally composed. The last time they had shared a room had been years ago, and even then, words between

LOVE HER NOTSelena gave him a dubious look. "Really?""Yeah. I didn't…. " He suddenly frowned."Where exactly did you find the rose?""In my bathroom." She answered somewhat confused."If you didn't drop it there, who did?" She wondered.Gabriel's jaw tightened and his eyes hardened."What?" She asked."I think I know who did it." He answered through gritted teeth."Are you going to tell me who it is?""No. I have to be very sure.""Alright. If you say so."They both fell silent and Selena thought of what to say next."Aren't you hungry? I made lunch."He ran his eyes along the length of her."I'm so damn hungry." He murmured. His brilliant blue eyes blazing.Selena swallowed as she felt the heat of his gaze. She tugged at the hem of her shirt."Do you want me to bring the food to your room or would you prefer to eat downstairs?" She asked slightly breathless."Honey, I can eat anywhere. Anytime." He answered.Selena felt the heat rise to her cheeks."You have to be more specific." Sh

THE PARENTS"Selena," Gabriel whispered.Selena found herself relaxing against him and had to bite back a moan.He bent his head and his lips brushed the side of her neck. "You have no idea how good you smell."She felt her knees buckle as Gabriel grazed her neck with his canines.He spun her around to face him.She let out a gasp as she gazed into his bright silver eyes."You're mine." He whispered into her ear. "Say it."He took her earlobe between his teeth and tugged gently.Selena moaned and her hold tightened on his arms."Say it Selena." He urged and sucked gently on her neck."I'm yours Gabriel," she moaned. "I'm all yours."Gabriel growled in satisfaction.She shivered as she felt his stubble graze the side of her face.His mouth was just a whisper away from hers.Her eyes fell closed in anticipation.Selena's stomach dropped in disappointment as she felt his chaste kiss on her forehead.She slowly opened her eyes. He was looking at her intently with his brilliant blues."Thi

THE NECKLACE OF TRANSITIONAsides their super strength, super speed and fast healing ability, werewolves are also known for their super hearing.But no matter how much Gabriel tried, he couldn't hear the conversation between his mate and Esmeralda.Even when he silently walked to the door of the room they were conversing in despite his parents disapproving stares.He looked at his parents in frustration. "Why can't I hear them?""The witch…" Nicholas said by way of explanation.Beatrice rolled her eyes. "Remember she said she wanted a private conversation." Beatrice reminded with emphasis on the word 'private'Gabriel paced the living room restlessly, occasionally returning the cat's evil stare.He was already considering going to pound on the door, when Esmeralda and Selena walked into the living room.His eyes ran through the length of Selena as though he was trying to confirm if the witch had done something to her."I'll take you to the siren's sea." Esmeralda announced."You want

"So what happened next?" Selena asked impatiently.Beatrice had paused, returning her full attention to the road.Nicholas and Gabriel had allowed her to be the one behind the wheel only because she was the only one who knew exactly where they were headed.They both also understood that Beatrice was particular about being so proper.She preached the full attention of the driver during the drive. No distractions whatsoever.This included no talking except when necessary.She only indulged Selena because she pitied the situation of her late friends' daughter."The Alkyaries had been so intent on ending our lives that they hadn't noticed the approach of the two fairies, Celeste and Abel— your parents." Beatrice continued."They worked their magic and voila! we were delivered."Goddess! They had looked so scary doing their thing that I thought they were like a higher level of predators who had come to destroy the competition in order to claim their prey." Beatrice chuckled."When we becam

MYSTERYChapter 12"Come with me" Gabriel ordered when he breezed back into Selena's room."Give me a minute" she said and rushed to the bathroom to hurriedly don a bathrobe."Where are we going?" She asked."My study""Why does your study seem so far away from civilization?"Selena was forced to ask because they had passed two long dark passages already."Don't blame me. I merely inherited it from my father.""I need to meet him""You definitely will"At last they were at the study.Gabriel swiped open the impressive door made out of sturdy oak with a key card and Selena cocked an eyebrow."Really? Restricted access? What did your father stash in here?"Gabriel gave her a look. "Some people are just so particular about their privacy"Selena's mouth hung open as her eyes took in the shelves of books. So many books.A whole computer system stood in one corner of the spacious room.From the high ceiling hung an ornate, elegant chandelier.The finely carved chair and table were also made

A FRESH STARTNo sooner had Gabriel descended the stairs than Shawn, Adrian and Mitchell burst through the door."She needs to rest," he said before any of them could say a word."We'll wait," Shawn grinned, earning him a suspicious look from Mitchell."Suit yourselves" he said and walked towards the bar."Why do you seem so eager to see another woman?" Mitchell grumbled playfully."Oops my bad. You can make me wear a blindfold." Shawn began, grinning. "Or… better still…" he continued, turning to face Gabriel. I change my mind Gabriel. I'm no longer interested in seeing your mate.Gabriel rolled his eyes and Mitchell chuckled."Fix me a drink too" Adrian called out to Gabriel."Yes my Lord." Gabriel murmured.He sat on one of the bar stools and examined the strand of fur.Mitchell suddenly gave a moan of pleasure and Adrian who had been so intent on reading a message on his phone looked up, and to his horror, Shawn and Mitchell were having a makeout session."You guys should get a roo