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Friends In Need
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2024-12-23 05:31:07Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Day’s Surprise
Cufflinks clicked; wristwatch secured firmly around his wrist. He turned from the mirror, grabbed his office bag, and headed out of the door. Downstairs. The scent of coffee welcomed him before reaching the door of the staircase, as well as the sound of Gianna humming from the kitchen. She stood at the counter, hair swept into a messy bun, wearing one of his t-shirts that drowned her small frame. Her hips swayed slightly as she moved between the coffee maker and stove, where something sizzled in a pan. “Don't burn whatever that is,” he teased, making her turn around.“Morning?” She sang.Gianna raised the spatula she was holding like a weapon.“I'm making that egg white omelet thing you like. Though I might have killed it.”Mason walked over to where she was, smiling warmly.“Save it for some other morning,” he said, then reached past her to turn off the burner. “I'll grab something at the office.”Gianna pouted playfully at the nearly burnt egg, then shifted her face into a grin j
Last Updated : 2024-12-27A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract 1: The Miracle Gig
"Why the hell am I being fired?" Gianna demanded as she burst through the door in anger. The manager looked up from his laptop, eyebrows raised. He leaned back in his chair but didn't say a word. "I said, why am I being fired?" Gianna repeated, now leaning over the desk. She slapped the pink slip she’d been given down over it. "This says 'termination of contract' but gives no reason why. What did I do wrong this time?" Rather than answering, the man picked up a stack of papers from his table and flung it across the desk at her. They went flying in the air around her. Gianna flinched. She was stunned as the papers rained down around her. She just stood there motionless for a few seconds then bent down to gather the scattered papers. While she picked them up, she read the words on one of them; “NOTICE ON COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT”, “EARLY SCRIPT LEAKS FOR BRAVADOS III", as well as other evidence, including a chain of emails exposing the truth about the leaked scripts incident that
Last Updated : 2024-08-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract 2: Find Me A Bride
"What do you mean 'call off the marriage?'" Olivia tossed her head petulantly, hands on her hips. "Exactly what I said. I'm not interested anymore." "But...but why?" Mason sputtered, his mind spinning. They'd been together for years, building a wonderful life side-by-side. What had suddenly changed? That too at this dying minute?? "You can’t just…the wedding is just three hours away. What has come over you?!” “What came over me has already come off and that’s why I’m saying I can’t do this anymore.” Mason was stunned beyond words, he could barely bring himself to think or speak or act. “You don’t love me anymore?” "Ha! Love? No Mason, I used to love you perhaps. But not anymore." "What...what are you saying?” "Oh, I'm not sure it ever was real love to begin with." Olivia’s sneered and began ripping off the diamond ring he'd lovingly placed on her finger months ago. "Maybe it was all pity." "Pity?" "Yes, pity!" She hurled the ring and it struck the wall with a sharp crack.
Last Updated : 2024-08-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract 3: A Marriage?
They eventually stopped in front of the door and the woman, not meeting Gianna's inquisitive gaze, pulled one side of the door open. "Right through here.” It was a dressing room of some sort? It was far too luxurious and lavish for any ordinary dressing room. Ivory chaises and beautiful vanities, exquisite gowns, towers of jewelry, and makeup shelves that would make any Hollywood starlet green with envy. She wondered, awestruck as she took a hesitant step inside. She saw a breathtaking lace confection in a corner. “A wedding scene…” Gianna said, half-asking, half-musing. She expected one of the several ladies in the room to affirm or negate her statement but no one was talking. Everyone seemed to be more bothered with getting their work done, hence she decided to also keep the questions to herself and just go with the flow. Gianna didn't immediately notice the other two young women who had appeared on either side of her until their impersonal hands started moving over her shoul
Last Updated : 2024-08-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract 4: The Deal
That was why his name sounded so familiar. Mason Caldwell was a renowned CEO and heir to a huge conglomerate. She had been too caught up in the confusion of the film shoot to make the connection earlier. The most chaotic part of all of this was that she was now married to him. By mistake and it all felt like a dream. Gianna shook her head slowly after listening to the explanation of how the whole issue came about, also staring at Mason, who sat impassively in front of her with his fingers absentmindedly tapping the armrest of the couch he sat on. She took a deep breath as she slid the wedding ring off her finger then placed it on the glass table separating them. "This isn't even real. We never signed any marriage documents, did we? It was all a misunderstanding, and I'm sorry for my part in it. Actually, you know what? I'm not sorry, because if you had just given me a chance to speak and get things straight earlier on, we could have avoided all of this.” “So you can just go ahead
Last Updated : 2024-08-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract New Home
It wasn't just any mansion, it was now her home, for the next six months at least.She got out of the car with her luggage wheeled behind her. It was a three hour drive home. She was driven home by Mason’s chauffeur and had overheard some staff talking about him going on an urgent business trip.The mansion stood a few feet ahead. Its grand architecture reflected the setting sun and turned the large windows into sheets of burnished gold. The front door was a slab of dark wood that easily opened up as she pushed it. She half-expected a butler or a maid to greet her, but there was nothing but silence in the house. Her footsteps echoed in the house to amplify its emptiness. The air was cool, almost clinical, and fairly scented of lemon.Moving further inside, Gianna saw the living room that seemed more like a showroom. With the expensive leather sofas, a glass coffee table, and abstract art pieces hung at random places on the walls. There was no sense of life here. There were no books le
Last Updated : 2024-09-20A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Opportunities Come But Once
Gianna was now aware of her position against Mason's chest. She quickly pulled away, almost stumbling in her haste to get off him."I... I'm so sorry," she stammered then gestured to the mess around, “I never meant for—"While she was still trying to talk, the security came in and they also took note of the disarray.“Sir, are you—" The lead guard's question died as Mason raised a hand. Every feature of his face was locked in place.The security team, understanding the signal, now fanned out around the room and started gathering the mess. Gianna stepped aside, feeling nothing more than an actual intruder in that space before she also bent to pick up some of the items, but the men didn’t let her so she backed away again to the edge of the room where she watched as the men restored order to the place. The shelf was reassembled and the books were stacked again size by size.When they were done, the lead guard turned to Mason, who had been observing in stony silence."The area is secure,
Last Updated : 2024-09-21A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Public Appearance
She was a slender woman, 5’4, with shoulder-length curly hair and brown eyes. Gianna was not supermodel-looking. In fact, she was what one might call "average" in the looks department, especially in a world where looks were often prioritized over talent.Gianna gave herself a final once-over in the mirror, after having gotten dressed for the so-called function that she’d spent half of the night before wondering about.She wondered what kind of event it would be, maybe it was a charity gala, or a business conference…actually her dress was saying otherwise. Perhaps, it was a lavish party hosted by one of Mason's influential friends. Not like Mason looked like he had any friends to begin with. But for sure, Gianna could expect that she would be in the spotlight again since the media seemed to have taken a keen interest in their marriage.After she was sure she was fine with her overall appearance, Gianna put on her silver heels and picked up her clutch, then made her way downstairs. The
Last Updated : 2024-09-22
Latest chapter
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Day’s Surprise
Cufflinks clicked; wristwatch secured firmly around his wrist. He turned from the mirror, grabbed his office bag, and headed out of the door. Downstairs. The scent of coffee welcomed him before reaching the door of the staircase, as well as the sound of Gianna humming from the kitchen. She stood at the counter, hair swept into a messy bun, wearing one of his t-shirts that drowned her small frame. Her hips swayed slightly as she moved between the coffee maker and stove, where something sizzled in a pan. “Don't burn whatever that is,” he teased, making her turn around.“Morning?” She sang.Gianna raised the spatula she was holding like a weapon.“I'm making that egg white omelet thing you like. Though I might have killed it.”Mason walked over to where she was, smiling warmly.“Save it for some other morning,” he said, then reached past her to turn off the burner. “I'll grab something at the office.”Gianna pouted playfully at the nearly burnt egg, then shifted her face into a grin j
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Friends In Need
Glass shattered. In Gianna's chest. It wasn’t from pain, but from joy pulsing in her body. She called Mason, and watched the phone ring, all the while thinking she was going to spill the beans too soon. A secret this big felt like trying to hold sunshine in her palms.“Hey, beautiful. Called you earlier.”Her heart did another odd little skip. “I must have missed it when I was helping Sonia at the store.”“Just called to tell you I won't be home tonight.”“No?”“Sonia's got this massive project deadline. She needs an extra pair of hands, maybe extra eyes too. So we might pull an all-nighter.”“At the store?” Mason asked.“No, we're heading to her place. She's got all the materials there.”“I could stop by on my way home. Maybe bring you both dinner?”“Aww, thank you love.”“Alright. See you soon,” he said, “I love you.”“I love you too.” Those words, at least, were pure truth.The call ended, and Gianna let out a breath that felt like she'd been holding it since the doctor first sai
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Unexpected News
Colin flicked through the portfolio on his tablet. "So, Mr. Caldwell, what are your thoughts on our talent pool?”Colin's mouth quirked a bit as he zoomed in on one particular headshot. “Let's be honest here, Morton. Half of these profiles read like badly written dating app bios.” He turned the tablet around, displaying a black-and-white photo. “This one, for instance. ‘Born to command the stage’, yet his only credited role is as Tree Number Three in a community theater production of Macbeth.”The man's smile flickered but held still. “Ah, yes, well, Marcus is still developing his portfolio, but his raw talent—“Colin slid the tablet back to himself. “It’s about as raw as sushi that's been blowtorched. Listen, I'm not here to invest in potential. I'm here to invest in proven marketability. Though I have to admit that your photography team does excellent work.”“Perhaps we could focus on some of our more established talents? Page twelve has—““Already there,” Colin interrupted Morto
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Back in the day
“Are you lost?” Gianna asked, and when the boy nodded slowly, she pursed her lips slightly.She reached out slowly, telegraphing her movement before gently patting his shoulder. “Hey, it's going to be okay. Would you like to come with me? We can go to the police station, and they'll help us find your parents.”Tommy took a half-step back with uncertainty.“Mom says not to go with strangers.”Gianna smiled, nodding approvingly. “And she's absolutely right. But right now, you're out here alone, and it's not safe.”She then pulled out her phone to show it to him. “Look, I can call the police right now, and you can talk to them yourself. Would that make you feel better?”He considered this with his small face scrunched in thought. “Can...you show me your badge first?”“My badge?”“Like the police have. To prove you're good.”Gianna stifled a chuckle. “I'm not a police officer, but I have my driver's license. That's like a badge that says I'm allowed to drive. Would you like to see it?”
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract On Darkened Streets
Click, clack, went Olivia’s heels as she approached. She was dressed in a peach colored gown whose length was barely past her ass. When she spotted Mason where he sat ahead, she smiled predatorily and twiddled her fingers in a coy wave at him. She slid into the seat opposite Mason.“Cool spot,” she purred as she crossed her legs. Now, her dark eyes swept the conspicuously deserted space which looked like some sort of cafe, but it had been emptied of anyone save them.“Without wasting my time, how much do you want?” Mason asked icily.Her eyes twitched subtly, amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. “For what?”“To shut your mouth."Oh?" She leaned forward and rested elbows on the table.“So we're going to stick to keeping secrets?” She whispered.Mason kept his srare arctic and unmoved. The muscle in his jaw ticked visibly.“Don't do that,” Olivia chided, as if scolding a child. “All cold shell on the outside, but we both know how warm you are underneath.”Her tongue darted
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Shopwork
“A tale of forbidden love and ancient curses,'" Gianna read aloud from the dust jacket as she wrinkled her nose. And then she cleaned the book before wedging it between two equally dramatic-looking tomes on the mahogany shelf:Gianna shifted her weight on the rolling ladder.The next book in her stack had a more promising premise— something about time-traveling archaeologists. “Now this seems interesting,” she murmured, adding it to her mental might-actually-read list before finding it a home in the sci-fi section.Dust motes continued to dance around in the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows, to give the whole scene a dreamy quality. The scent of old paper and leather bindings mixed with the cinnamon-apple candle Sonia had lit earlier.Speaking of Sonia... Gianna shot a glare towards her best friend's office. Sonia had called Gianna on the phone that morning, claiming she wanted to take her on a treat. Gianna was also eager for the date because she thought it woul
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Dilemma
THUD.Mason forcefully slammed his fist into the punching bag. The impact reverberated through his wrapped knuckles like an echo of the chaos in his mind.‘Tell her,’ came a voice in his head.THUD. THUD.‘Keep your mouth shut,’ said another voice.CRACK.The bag swung wildly as he continued jabbing; sweat dripped from his chin, dropping down to the rug under his feet. He could see his own reflection in the wall-length mirror, with chest heaving, muscles coiling tight and face twisting in a grimace.He looked exactly like what he was: a man being eaten alive by his own secrets. The bag took another punishment as he drove his right fist into it. The chain rattled overhead like mocking laughter.‘Don't tell her, and let Olivia hold the sword over both your heads. Let her play puppet master until she gets bored or cruel or both,’ the voice in his head warned again.“Fuck!” Mason bellowed from his lungs as he landed a last hook. The bag swung back at him like a pendulum of judgment, and h
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A Hit Near Home
“You're Martha Winters, right?”The old woman's fingers stilled on the counter, her eyes tracking Gianna's hand like a cat watching a mouse hole. “Yes…. Is there some problem?”Digging a hand into her handbag, Gianna replied, “Not exactly…”She then took out a piece of paper and placed it in front of the woman. “I received a package recently. The sender used this phone number, which, according to my sources, belongs to you.”Martha regarded Gianna more skeptically now, patting her dress pockets for her reading glasses. She wiped the glasses with her dress before putting them on. As soon as the rims were on her nose, she bent forward to examine the paper.Gianna studied the woman's face intently the whole time. Could this woman be closely related to Finn? And if not Finn, the imposter? Gianna tried grasping onto too many things at the same time.Martha straightened, pushing her glasses up into her silver hair.“I think there must be some kind of mistake. I haven't sent any packages t
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Crazy Dealings
“You're a crazy woman, Olivia,” Mason answered with disgust. “You need psychiatric help. And this is your last warning to stay away from me.”A soft, malicious laugh trickled through the phone. "“Or what? I'll tell your precious Gianna that her dear husband spent the night at my place. How do you think she'll take that news?”Mason's hand clenched around the phone until his knuckles nearly blanched white. The pressure in his chest built until he thought his ribs might crack from containing it. His jaw worked silently as he stared straight ahead through the windshield, watching a pair of sparrows dart past the morning sky with an almost painful intensity. Seconds stretched like pulled taffy. His left eye twitched—once, twice.The silence must have made Olivia nervous because her voice came again, softer this time and almost conciliatory. “I will keep this a secret on one condition.”“Don't run from me….Don't refuse me. Let me prove my love for you. I’ll prove I'm better. I can show
