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The Price of a Kiss
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2024-11-23 22:47:33Kaugnay na kabanata
By Chance, By Fate Anders the Snake!
36Liam Anders’s smug grin widened as he spoke into the phone, his tone dripping with exaggerated concern. “Mother? You’ll never believe what Liam’s gone and done. You should call us to your suite immediately.”I lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone out of his hand. “Anders, you absolute snake, stop stirring the pot!” He sidestepped me easily, laughing as he held the phone out of reach. “Oh, relax, brother. You’ve got nothing to hide, right? Or is there more to this little bandaged hand situation than you’d like Mother to know?”I glared at him, my fists clenched. “Why don’t you mind your own business for once in your life?”Anders arched an eyebrow, his expression turning condescending. “Mind my business? *You’re* the one stumbling into the palace looking like you’ve been in a street fight. How very royal of you.”“Shut up, Anders,” I snapped, my voice low and dangerous. “This has nothing to do with you.”He smirked, tucking his phone into his pocket. “It has everything to do
By Chance, By Fate The Invitation
Chapter 1: The InvitationAlex"Come on, Alex. You’ve been tense ever since the summit started. Loosen up a little."Daniel’s voice, smooth like whiskey, drifted over me, coaxing and playful. I stood by the tall windows of my hotel room, staring out over the glittering lights of the city, my mind already clouded by the weight of expectations. The Global Leadership Summit had been in full swing for days, and as the son of the President of the United States, I had made every effort to maintain the polished, perfect image expected of me. But underneath that facade, I was suffocating.I didn’t turn to face him, but I could feel the heat of his presence at my side. He was persistent, annoyingly so, and I wasn’t sure whether it was more because of his position as my best friend or because of his rebellious nature.Either way, we’d somehow ended up spending more time together during this summit than I anticipated. Officially, we were supposed to be working together on some leadership panel,
By Chance, By Fate The One Nightstand
Chapter 2:AlexAs I stood there, heart still racing from the impact of the collision, I barely registered my surroundings. The guy I’d bumped into was nothing short of breathtaking—tousled dark hair, sharp jawline, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to burn right through me. But his expression? Furious. The kind of anger that made him even more striking in a dangerous, unsettling way.“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped, his voice low and edged with irritation. “Do you not know how to watch where you’re going?”I opened my mouth, ready to apologize, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I stared back at him, trying to shake off the shock. “I—I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”“Sorry?” he scoffed, stepping closer until he was towering over me. “You think ‘sorry’ cuts it? Maybe next time, try paying attention instead of wandering around like you own the place.”His arrogance hit me like a slap, and suddenly, my embarrassment morphed into irritation. My brows furrowed as I tr
By Chance, By Fate A new dilemma
Chapter 3: A New Dilemma AlexAs I was buttoning up my shirt, the remnants of the evening’s chaos still clinging to my thoughts, my phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand, breaking the eerie silence in the room. My hand froze over the fabric, eyes snapping to the screen.It was Daniel.My heart leaped in my chest, then sank just as quickly. I’d completely forgotten about him. After the incident at the bar, I had bolted, leaving him in the midst of laughter and attention that he thrived on. I hadn’t even texted him since I’d returned to the hotel, my mind too jumbled to think straight."S***," I muttered under my breath, staring at his name flashing on the screen.I hesitated, fingers hovering over the phone. I didn’t know how to explain myself. I didn’t know how he’d react if he knew what I’d done. The weight of my actions was still fresh in my mind.My thumb hovered for a second longer before I sighed, knowing I couldn’t avoid him forever. I swiped the screen and brought the phone
By Chance, By Fate The Weight of Royal Secrets
Chapter 4: The Weight of Royal SecretsI couldn’t believe my eyes. Prince Liam Brightmore, standing across the ballroom like he owned the world—because, in a way, he did. The man I’d met at the bar, the one who had completely upended my thoughts and thrown me into a whirlwind of confusion, was royalty.I felt like the room had started spinning, the opulent chandeliers and finely dressed guests blurring around me. My heart pounded in my chest, and my palms were sweating despite the coolness of the ballroom.How the hell had I not recognized him? Prince Liam—his piercing blue eyes and sharp features were identical to Leo’s. My mind scrambled to make sense of it. I should’ve known. The confidence, the air of authority, it all made sense now.But why had he hidden it? Why pretend to be someone else?I shifted my gaze, trying to avoid looking at him directly. The last thing I needed was for him to notice me now, standing there like a deer caught in headlights. But it was too late. I could
By Chance, By Fate A dangerous meeting
Chapter 5: A Dangerous MeetingAlexI paced the dimly lit corridor, nerves prickling beneath my skin as I debated whether to go. Liam’s words echoed in my mind, the invitation laced with something darker. Meet me later. Despite the fear twisting in my stomach, a flicker of curiosity drew me in. I needed answers, even if it meant risking a scandal.I glanced at my watch. If I didn’t go now, I might lose the chance. With a deep breath, I slipped out of the ballroom, casting a quick look over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching. The halls were silent, and I made my way to the secluded terrace where Liam had said he’d be waiting.He was already there, standing by the railing with his back to me, shoulders tense, as if lost in thought. The night breeze tousled his hair, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable—a side of him I hadn’t seen before.I cleared my throat, and he turned, his face lighting up briefly before settling into a more guarded expression.“You came,” he murm
By Chance, By Fate A threat in shadow
Chapter 6: A Threat in the ShadowsAlexThe instant I saw him, my stomach twisted. Daniel was standing there, half-hidden by shadows, his face a mix of fury and disbelief. He'd heard everything—enough to leave questions in his mind, enough to destroy any trust we had.“Daniel…” I breathed, stepping forward, but he held up a hand, stopping me cold."Don’t," he snapped, his voice tight. “Just… don’t. I knew you were hiding things from me, Alex, but this?” His gaze shifted to Liam, eyes narrowed. “What exactly is going on here?”Liam stepped forward, his stance calm but wary. "It’s not what you think, Daniel," he began, but Daniel scoffed.“Oh, I’m sure it’s exactly what I think,” he shot back, anger flashing in his eyes. "All this secrecy, sneaking around. Alex, do you have any idea what this looks like?”I tried to steady my voice, to keep the guilt from showing. “Daniel, just listen to me for a second. I can explain—”“Explain what?” he interrupted, looking between us. “How long has t
By Chance, By Fate Confused and Trapped
7LiamThe morning after our encounter on the terrace, I found myself pacing the ornate sitting room of the presidential suite where my family was staying. So much had happened in such a short time, and I replayed it all in my mind, trying to untangle the mess of emotions swirling within.Daniel discovering us had been bad enough, but the look on Alex's face as he walked away—hurt, betrayed, disappointed—cut deeper than I cared to admit. I never meant to hurt him, yet that's exactly what I seemed to keep doing. "Liam, must you wear a hole in the carpet?" My mother's voice cut through my thoughts. "You've been pacing for ages. What on earth is troubling you?" I glanced up to see my parents watching me expectantly from their seats by the window. With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair. "It's nothing. I'm just...thinking about last night."My father scoffed. "Yes, that dreadful summit dinner. I don't know why we're always expected to socialize with those pompous Americans. They act l
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By Chance, By Fate Anders the Snake!
36Liam Anders’s smug grin widened as he spoke into the phone, his tone dripping with exaggerated concern. “Mother? You’ll never believe what Liam’s gone and done. You should call us to your suite immediately.”I lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone out of his hand. “Anders, you absolute snake, stop stirring the pot!” He sidestepped me easily, laughing as he held the phone out of reach. “Oh, relax, brother. You’ve got nothing to hide, right? Or is there more to this little bandaged hand situation than you’d like Mother to know?”I glared at him, my fists clenched. “Why don’t you mind your own business for once in your life?”Anders arched an eyebrow, his expression turning condescending. “Mind my business? *You’re* the one stumbling into the palace looking like you’ve been in a street fight. How very royal of you.”“Shut up, Anders,” I snapped, my voice low and dangerous. “This has nothing to do with you.”He smirked, tucking his phone into his pocket. “It has everything to do
By Chance, By Fate The Price of a Kiss
35AlexI had to talk to Elena. As much as I wanted to avoid the confrontation, there was no way around it now. She’d seen everything—or at least, enough to jump to conclusions—and if I didn’t explain myself, she’d make my life hell. Hell, she probably would anyway. I was doomed.“Why the hell did I kiss him?” I muttered under my breath, pacing back and forth in my room. My heart was still racing from the kiss, from Liam’s outburst, and from the way Elena had looked at me, like I’d betrayed everything we stood for. “This is such a mess. I’m such a mess.”I grabbed my room key and headed to her suite, my body tense and my mind spinning. Every step down the long hallway felt like a countdown to disaster. By the time I reached her door, my palms were sweating.I knocked sharply, my stomach twisting as I waited. No answer.“Elena?” I called, knocking again. Still nothing.The door wasn’t locked, though, and I hesitated before pushing it open. “Elena, I—”“I’m in the bathroom, Alex!” her v
By Chance, By Fate A Kiss To Regret
34LiamMy head was spinning as I left the meeting room, the sharp sting in my hand competing with the turmoil in my chest. Blood trickled from my knuckles, leaving a crimson trail on the floor, but I didn’t care. I needed to get out of there. Away from Alex. Away from everything. I stormed into my suite, slamming the door shut behind me. The pain in my hand was worsening, throbbing in time with my erratic heartbeat. I leaned against the door, my breaths uneven, my mind replaying Alex’s accusations and that damn kiss I couldn’t get out of my head. Grabbing my phone with my good hand, I dialed the only person who could handle me in this state. Sophia. The moment she picked up, her familiar voice greeted me, her tone laced with concern. “Liam? Is everything okay?” “Soph, I need you to come here. Now,” I said, my voice tight, barely holding back the storm of emotions threatening to consume me. She didn’t hesitate. “I’m on my way.”Minutes felt like hours as I paced the room, the blo
By Chance, By Fate Shattered Alliances
33AlexLiam and I scrambled to separate, both of us fumbling to fix our appearances. My cheeks burned, and I avoided his gaze, but Elena's reaction made hiding impossible.“Elena,” I started, trying to think of a plausible explanation, but my voice came out shaky. “You... you were kissing him!” she exclaimed, pointing a trembling finger at me like she’d just caught me committing a federal crime. “What the actual—what is wrong with you?”I buried my face in my hands. “Elena, it’s not what it looks like—”“Oh, really? Because it looked like you were trying to swallow Liam’s face!” She turned to Liam, her expression a mixture of disbelief and outrage. “And you—what, are you just gonna stand there and pretend this is normal?”Liam ran a hand through his hair, his composure slipping for the first time. “Elena, it’s complicated—”“Oh, I bet it’s complicated!” she snapped, crossing her arms. “Do you two even realize where you are? In a workplace? What if someone else had walked in? What if
By Chance, By Fate Unspoken Tensions
32AlexToday was the last day of the summit, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief. Soon, I wouldn’t have to see Liam again. This entire summit had been a disaster, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake by agreeing to attend in the first place.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking through the haze of exhaustion. I groaned, dragging myself out of bed to check the screen. Dad. Of course. Answering wasn’t an option. Ignoring my father—President Morgan—only ever made things worse. “Alex,” his voice was sharp, even over the phone. “Come to my room. Now.” “Right,” I muttered, already moving to throw on a shirt. “I’ll be there in a minute.” The line went dead, and I sighed. Another lecture was coming, no doubt about my lack of sleep, my ‘erratic behavior,’ or how my every action reflected on him. Great. I made my way to his suite without wasting time, ignoring the dull ache in my temples and the weight pressing on my chest. The hotel was
By Chance, By Fate I Can't Sleep With Her
31AlexThe room fell into a tense silence after Charlotte’s whispered confession. She leaned back slightly, her hand still resting on my cheek, her thumb brushing over my stubble. “You need to relax, Alex,” she said softly, her voice almost coaxing. I took a step back, shaking my head. “Charlotte, I can’t do this right now.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, her frustration evident. “Why not? You’re so wound up, and it’s not healthy. You’ve been running on fumes for weeks.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Because there’s too much going on. The summit, the investigation, everything with Liam and Anders. I can’t just switch it all off like that.” Her gaze hardened, and she took a deliberate step toward me. “Alex, we’re a couple. Or did you forget that? It’s been weeks—months, even—since we’ve been... intimate.” Her voice dipped on the last word, a note of vulnerability creeping in. “I want you, Alex. I’ve always wanted you.” I hesitated, avoiding her eyes. “It’s n
By Chance, By Fate Beneath the Facade
30 Alex I couldn’t stay in my hotel room, not with all of this weighing on me. The man’s words kept replaying in my mind: “The real threat... it’s tied to the royals.” Fuck! I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the echo of it ringing through the confined space of my car. Was this all their fault? Anders? Liam? The damn Brightmores? Or was the man lying to save his own skin? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but the anger burned hotter. I couldn’t let myself believe it wasn’t true—not yet. They’d been at the center of every conflict since this summit started. Liam’s quiet looks, Anders’ overbearing presence, Queen Ingrid’s manipulations—it all added up. I drove aimlessly through the city, hoping the motion would clear my head. The streets were quieter now, the late hour chasing most people indoors. The rhythm of my tires on the road was steady, almost soothing, but my mind refused to settle. The conversation with Liam echoed in my head, his words sharp, his anger palp
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of the Crown
29LiamThe silence between Alex and me was unbearable as we worked in the conference room. The air felt charged, filled with everything we weren’t saying. His focus was glued to the document on his laptop, his fingers typing occasionally, but there was an edge to his movements. I was still rattled by my argument with Anders and my mother. Their voices lingered in my head like an echo, sharp and relentless. My brother’s taunts, my mother’s cold dismissal, and Alex’s earlier accusations... it was all too much. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, they surged back, demanding attention.Alex’s voice finally broke the silence, startling me. “Hey, Liam, are you even paying attention?” I blinked, realizing I’d been staring blankly at the same sentence in my notes for several minutes. “What?” I asked, my voice flat. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Never mind. Forget I asked.” I wanted to say something—anything—but the words got stuck in my throat. The truth was, I wasn
By Chance, By Fate Divided Loyalties
28LiamAs we left the meeting, the tension between our families was almost suffocating. My mother, Queen Ingrid, held her head high, a picture of composure, though I could see the simmering irritation in her eyes. Anders walked beside her, his face a mask of disdain, while Sophia followed silently, her expression unreadable.The Morgans remained behind in the meeting room, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder as the door closed. Alex had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting, though I’d caught the occasional flash of anger in his eyes. Something was brewing, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.The valet pulled up with our sleek black Lamborghini, the epitome of opulence, and I slid into the backseat with Anders while Mother took the passenger seat. As the car purred to life and glided smoothly onto the road, the silence was short-lived.“That family,” my mother began, her voice icy, “is an embarrassment to diplomacy. The way President Morgan spoke to me? Absolutel
