Blurb: It all started with a dare. A young billionaire's daughter was cruising in her new Lamborghini with her closest friend, when they made a dare to sleep with Noah Hudson, a rich young CEO of an insurance company. Later, she finds out this CEO, is also a partner in her father's Law firm and a guy who only sees women as a tool for sex and pleasure alone. Her pride fails her as she realizes Noah Hudson is also a billionaire, and her father who's promised to make her a senior partner in his law firm, is more attracted to Noah Hudson, one she'd dared to sleep with. The rollers coaster of her life's brings her to a point where she realizes she had fallen for the CEO and now she must beg for his love, or seduce him into her arms.
View MoreChapter 1: The Magazine Model
Clementine Hunter was sitting close to a desk filled with lots of worn-out books when her father, Matthew Hunter arrived.
He was smiling as he got closer to her and touched her on her left shoulder to comment on how beautiful she looked at the moment. She smiled back, blinking her eyes sharply but carefully.
"How long are you going to be single?" Mr. Matthew asked.Clementine stood up from the seat she was sitting on and laughed calmly. "Why are you concerned about my relationship status?" She asked."You are my daughter," Mr. Matthew replied, walking closer to a shelf that was a few meters away from him and pulling a romantic novel. "You still read this all the time?""I try not to, Dad," Clementine eyed her father playfully. “It is hard to not think about being with a man these days especially when you are thinking about working all the time.” Mr. Matthew paused and nodded in a way that made Clementine understand that he was following up with the conversation as she was."Why are you so concerned about building a career for yourself when I already have a business empire that you can take over from me whenever you are ready?"
Clementine did not think about what her father had said for a complete minute before she laughed a bit and stared at his smiling face.Since the beginning of understanding the concept of love, she had always wondered how her father, Matthew Hunter had managed to stay a good number of years with the absence of her mother who they rarely talked about in their large house.
She gazed down at the magazine cradled in her palms.The picture of a beautiful black model in the cover of the magazine was bold like a symbol for diversity, filled with cultural unity.
She is beautiful, she told herself. You have nothing to fear about when telling the whole world that you are beautiful."You are yet to answer my question, Clementine. You have kept your lips perfectly sealed as if you have got no words to say to the man that gave birth to you. Must I remind you how long it took for your mother and I to give birth to you?" Mr. Matthew asked."You don't have to tell me about the good old days, Dad. I am going to get bored when you start telling me your stories.""They are not just stories," Mr. Matthew corrected. "They are sentences based on real life stories mixed together to give you a reason to appreciate my presence whenever you can.""That is good. I am well aware of that," Clementine dropped the magazine on the desk as she sat down back, again. She was getting prepared for a long conversation since it was almost a month since she had last seen her father. Now, even though he looked so jovial as though he had just climbed a mountain while being chased by slow birds, he still had that silent worry in his face which still confused her the more she thought about it."How are you doing today?" Mr. Matthew finally asked, then continued before she could even answer. "I had a great time in Florida. The sun there has a certain likeness for my skin that I cannot use words to describe. I think you would love it there if you ever decide to visit. Now, back to my question. How are you doing today?"
"I am fine," Clementine replied. "I have been busy since morning, preparing a list of what I want to do this week.
Initially, I was preparing a list of what I hoped to achieve before I die. You will be surprised when you discover what is first on the list, Dad."
Mr. Matthew rubbed his chin, gently. "Now, I am curious! What do you have in mind? It seems you have been planning on surprising me with one of your brilliant ideas. I am so eager to listen now. You can go on!"
Clementine watched as her father grabbed one of the seats opposite her and pulled it towards his direction. He sat down and crossed his legs.
"Well," she started, trying to avoid a cough. "I know you are going to laugh but I don't want you to laugh in a way that will make me feel bad for coming up with this idea.""I promise!" Mr. Matthew cut her sharply, before she could proceed. "I promise not to laugh at whatever idea you have come up with that is on your list. You have to trust me, Clementine. I am your father, and I have a right to tell you what I am going to say and what I am not going to say. I am one of the few honest people you will come across in your life. Trust me!"
"It is what you said the last time we had a conversation of this sort," Clementine reminded him."I ended up trusting you only to be disappointed by my choice."
"You can always try again no matter the number of times a human fails you. I guess that is the difference between us and monkeys."Clementine laughed in a gentle manner as if she was prepared to make a bargain with her father, as if he clearly understood how monkeys worked. "What am I going to get in return if you fail to keep to your promise?"Mr. Matthew thought for a while then smiled widely.
"You will get a big matured hug from your father. To me, that seems like a fair deal if you consider the quality of the information you are giving to me and how important my hugs are to people these days."
Clementine ignored his words and brought out a rumpled piece of paper where she had written a list of things. She passed it to Mr. Matthew who took it from her and stared at it for a good while, focusing on the first desire far at the top.
"You want a husband," Mr. Matthew laughed as he dropped the list on the desk.
"That is correct!" "I'd arrange an impromptu date for you and Noah Hudson, to meet and get along well with each other."" What?" Clementine Hunter peered wildly at him. The night was swift, or maybe Clementine was happy, day appeared before she remembered sleeping. "Another day is Born" she say yawning and smiling. Happily, she dashed into the bathroom, grabbed her brush to brush her teeth.
"Hello" a voice say from behind.Clementine jerked a bit, grabbing her towel in a flash. She was on panties only.
"How the hell did you get_" "Ssssshhhhhhhh" he shut her with his cold red lips pressing against her's. After what seemed like a minute, Clementine pushed him away. "How the hell did you get in here!" She yelled, but not taking her eyes from his lips."Your butler let me in. I told her I was here to see your dad and_"
Clementine didn't let him finish, she slapped him. Noah held his the part of his face, where she had just been slapped. "Am sorry, I shouldn't have done that." She apologized.Every other time one of her past selves had died Lawrence s release from the flames and into the Announcer had been simultaneous. Something was different; something that was making her see things that couldnt possibly be real. Wings on fire. Daniel! she cried out. What looked like Daniels wings soared through waves of flames, catching fire but not smoldering, as if they were made of fire. All she could make out were white wings and violet eyes. Daniel? The fire rolled across the darkness like a giant wave across an ocean. It crashed onto an invisible shore and washed furiously over Lawrence , rushing up her body, over her head, and far behind her. Then, as if someone had pinched out a candle, there was a quick hiss and everything went black. A cold wind crept up behind her. Goose bumps spread across her skin. She hugged her body closer, drawing up her knees and realizing with a jolt of surprise that no grou
Chi watched Lawrence pick it up. Gotta look ones best in the afterlife. He was sitting atop the head of a startlingly lifelike sculpture of the former pharaoh. Laylas mind told Lawrence that this sculpture represented the pharaohs ka, his soul, and it would watch over the tomb-- the real pharaoh lay mummified behind it. Inside the limestone sarcophagus would be nested wooden coffins; inside the smallest one of them: the embalmed pharaoh. Watch out, Chi said. Lawrence hadnt even realized she was resting her hands on a small wooden chest. That contains the pharaohs entrails. Lawrence jerked away and slid the star shot out from her dress. When she picked it up, its shaft warmed her fingers. Is this really going to work? If you pay attention and do as I say, Chi said. Now, the soul resides directly in the center of your being. To reach it, you must draw the blade precisely down the middle of your ches
In the darkness before him, a figure slowly filtered into view. First, the wings: undersized and gossamer-thin. Then the body deepened in color just enough for Noah to see a small, pale angel sharing his Announcer. Noah did not know him. The angels features were soft and innocent-looking, like a babys. In the cramped tunnel, his fine blond hair blew across his silver eyes in the wind that Daniels wings sent back each time they pulsed. He looked so young, but of course, he was just as old as any of them. Who are you? Noah asked again. How did you get in here? Are you Scale? Yes. Despite his innocent, infantile appearance, the angels voice was gravel-deep. He reached behind his back for a moment, and Noah thought perhaps he was hiding something there--perhaps one of his kinds trapping devices--but the angel simply turned around to reveal the scar on the back of his neck. The seven-pointed gold insignia of the Scale. Im Scale. His deep v
All the rage left Chi like air being let out of a balloon. How do you mean? When I die, its not because of anything that Noah does. Its something that happens inside me. Maybe his love brings it out, but--its my fault. That has to be part of the curse, only I have no idea what it means. All I know is, I saw a look in his eyes right before I died--its always the same. He tilted his head. So far. I make him miserable more than I make him happy, she said. If he hasnt given up on me, he should. I cant do this to him anymore. She dropped her head into her hands. Lawrence ? Chi sat on her knee. There was the strange tenderness hed shown when she first met him. Do you want to put this endless charade to rest? For Daniels sake? Lawrence looked up and wiped her eyes. You mean, so he wont have to go through this again? Theres something I can do? When you assume one of your past selfs
Noah nodded. And when they get here, the rebels will expect me to fight. Lawrence winced. Shed been with Noah twice already when he was gearing up for battle, and both times it had led to something shed never wanted to see again. What should I do while youre-- Im not going into battle, Lu Xin. What? This isnt our war. It never was. We can stay and fight other peoples battles or we can do as we have always done and choose each other over everything else. Do you understand what I mean? Yes, she whispered. Lu Xin did not know the deeper meaning of Des words, but Lawrence was nearly sure that she understood--that Noah loved her, that she loved him, and that they were choosing to be together. They will not let us go easily. The rebels will kill me for deserting. He replaced her helmet on her head. You will have to fight your way out of this, too. What? she whispered. I cant fight. I can
The wardrobe was jammed with colorful, exotic garments, but one object caught her eye: a large curved helmet. It was heavy, made mostly of thick leather straps stitched together with tight seams. At the front was a smooth bronze plate with an ornate fire-breathing dragon carved into the metal. The dragon was the zodiac animal of the kings birth year. Chi floated toward her. What are you doing with the kings helmet? Lawrence slid the helmet onto her head, tucking her black hair inside it. Then she opened the other side of the wardrobe, thrilled and nervous about what she had found. The same thing Im doing with the kings armor, she said, gathering a heavy tangle of goods into her arms. She donned a pair of wide leather pants, a thick leather tunic, a pair of chain-mail gloves, leather slippers that were certainly too big but that shed have to make work, and a bronze chest guard made of overlapping metal plates. T
Lawrence probably seemed crazy to Lu Xin, barging in here wearing a singed animal hide and a necklace made out of bone, her hair a wild and tangled snarl. How long had it been since shed looked in a mirror? Had a bath? Plus, she was talking to an invisible gargoyle. But then again, Lu Xin was standing vigil over a dead guy, giving Lawrence dont-mess-with-me eyes, so she seemed a little crazy herself. Oh boy. Lawrence hadnt noticed the jade knife with the turquoise-studded handle, or the small pond of blood in the middle of the marble floor. What do I-- she started to ask Chi. You. Lu Xins voice was surprisingly strong. Help me hide his body. The dead mans hair was white around his temples; he looked about sixty years old, lean and muscular underneath many elaborate robes and embroidered cloaks. I--um, I dont really think-- As soon as they learn the king is
I wont set foot in there. Noah pointed at the temple. Lilith was close to tears. Then you dont love me. I love you more than I ever thought possible, but it doesnt change a thing. Liliths thin body seemed to swell with rage. Could she sense that there was more to Noah s refusal than merely some wish to deny her? Noah didnt think so. She clenched her fists and let out a long, shrill scream. It seemed to shake the earth. Lilith grabbed Noah s wrists and pinned him against the tree. He didnt even struggle. My grandmother never liked you. Her arms trembled as she held him down. She always said the most terrible things, and I always defended you. Now I see it. In your eyes and your soul. Her eyes bored into him. Say it. Say what? Noah asked, horrified. Youre a bad man. Youre a--I know what you are. It was clear that Lilith didnt know. She was gras
She did, and it looked different than it had before. The veldt of stars was endless, the dark of night folded again and again over so many bright spots that the sky was more light than black. Its beautiful. Its about to be a tabula rasa. His lips curled into a twisted smile. Ive grown tired of this game. This is all a game to you? Its a game to him. He swept his hand across the sky and left a dark swath of night in his wake. And I refuse to concede it to that Other simply because of a cosmic scale. Simply because our sides are in balance. Balance. You mean, the scale between the fallen angels who allied themselves with you, and those who allied themselves with-- Dont say it. But yes, that other. Right now there is a balance, and-- And one more angel has to side, Lawrence said, remembering the long talk Arriane had given her at the diner in Las Vegas. Mmm-hmm. Except this time, I wont leave it to chance. It was a shortsighted goal of mine, the whole starshot bit, but I
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