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BIRTHDAY MELTDOWN
Last Updated:
2025-03-24 18:36:15
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PRETEND PRINCESS IT'S NOT OK
Yuki's POV"It's okay, Grandpa! Everything will be okay," I pleaded, clutched his trembling hands as he struggled, his eyes desperate with something besides rage—despair.It wasn't.Roman's face twisted, veins bulging on his temples as he tugged on the tablecloth, plates shattering to the ground. Short, rasping gasps were his breathing. "Lori! Come home now! Come home!" His voice cracked, raw and pleading, as if he believed he could call my mother back from the dead by yelling her name."Grandpa, please!" My voice cracked too, but for an entirely different reason. Pain. The kind that wrapped around your ribcage and refused to let you catch your breath. He didn't recognize me. I wasn't his Yuki then. I was just another name in a cloud of remembered nothing.Lily hurried swiftly, herding the guests. "Everyone, outside." Her warm smile was never there tonight, instead being usurped by one of urgency as she ushered out the flabbergasted elderly guests.Gym Bro, or the guy who'd been flirt
Last Updated : 2025-03-24PRETEND PRINCESS EVERYTHING HURTS
Zara's pov"Creed, no, it's not alright." I shook my head, gripping my fork a little more tightly. "I don't like it when everything feels so tight between us. The way we aren't close anymore like we used to be. I don't like it when you put me on this 'you might break' pedestal."He stiffened but said nothing.I breathed in deeply and cut my pancake, bringing the chunk to my mouth. As soon as it hit my tongue, I softly moaned, closing my eyes for an instant. "God, why are these so good?"Creed snorted a little laugh, but I knew it was fake.I opened my eyes and gazed into his. "I don't want you to worry about me that way, Creed. Not like I'm some delicate thing you have to tiptoe around. I know I screw up. I know I do crazy things sometimes, but I don't want it to be this—this burden between us."I put my fork down."We're going to get married soon."Creed's jaw tightened."And I don't enjoy the thought of us not being on the same page," I continued. "I don't want to be with someone wh
Last Updated : 2025-03-25PRETEND PRINCESS MEMORIES BOUND TO ME
Creed's POVZara's lips trembled, her breath catching as she shook her head."You're a precious gem," I whispered. "And gems are supposed to be adored, not neglected by someone who doesn't know their value."For a second, I thought she'd break. That she'd cry. That she'd say she knew.Instead, she laughed. A cold, empty sound."It's you, isn't it?" she whispered, her voice biting and accusing.I frowned. "Zara—""Don't fucking lie to me, Creed," she spat, fists knotting at her sides. "It's him, isn't it?!"My brows furrowed. "No, this is about us—""It's him! Roman!" Her voice rose, shrill and cracking with emotion. "I knew that bitch was going to get in my way!""Zara, stop." I reached out to catch her, but she shoved me off, eyes blazing with hurt."All this time," she seethed. "You never loved me, did you? You never wanted this! After everything we've been through, I—" Her voice broke, and she swallowed. "We deserve to be together! You deserve to be with me!""Zara—"She slapped me
Last Updated : 2025-03-25PRETEND PRINCESS BREWING DISASTER
Creed's POVI have no clue how I ended up here in this park, but it was… peaceful. I sat on a rock under a massive tree, its branches shielding me from the brunt of the rain. Cold drops still hit my skin, but it was better than wandering the streets blindly, drowning in my own thoughts.I had to think. I had to start over.And yet, the moment I closed my eyes, she was there in my head.Yu Yu Roman.That girl.I didn't know when or how, but something had changed. Something inside of me. I couldn't help it anymore. She wasn't just a passing thought—she was consuming me. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way she always seemed to be running from something, even when she was standing still.Was she the reason I called off the engagement? Was she the reason I couldn't move forward with Zara? Was she the reason I was so fucking frustrated, like my entire life had been a series of choices that led me straight to her?I exhaled a sigh, running a hand through my wet hair.This was a di
Last Updated : 2025-03-26PRETEND PRINCESS BOYFRIEND
Creeds pov The words spilled out so fast, so quietly, that I nearly missed them.I frowned. "Why?"She was quiet for a very long time, and I thought maybe she wouldn't answer. But then her voice was there, even and soft."Because it feels like he's all I have."Her words fell into my chest, heavy and sharp.I sort of leaned in, my elbows on my knees. "Don't you have someone else?"She gave a hard, bittersweet laugh. "People around me? Sure. But it's different, isn't it?"Yes. I certainly understood that. The ability to be a crowd of people but still being the only person alone in the room. "Yuyu" I spoke softly.Her head jerked up a bit, and I could barely catch a glint of her eyes in the blackness."People tell you family is the people who are supposed to love you no matter what," I continued, softer. "But sometimes, they're just the ones who hurt you the most."She didn't say anything, but I could feel her looking at me.I swung around, running a hand through my dripping hair."M
Last Updated : 2025-03-28PRETEND PRINCESS PICKING UP PIECES
Yuki's POVThe rain had ceased, and all that remained was the cold wetness of the air and the sound of our silence.I had stepped over a line.This shouldn't have occurred.We shouldn't have been so absorbed with one another like this—anything that dissolved the lines between us was dangerous. Worse, it could cost me my job."So… you and that restless employee?" Creed's voice came out of nowhere, shattering the silence.I blinked. "Who? Jacob?" A smile tugged at my lips."Yeah. Something's up."I feigned a gasp, placing my hand on my chest dramatically. "What are you suggesting, Mr. Malcolm? That I'm playing both of you?"He chuckled, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes."Jacob is cute," I admitted, crossing my legs. "But unfortunately, he isn't my type."A vibration rocked the truck.And then Creed was closer.Too close.My breath stuck in my throat, my heart pounding in my ear."So, Miss Roman." His voice was low, the heat of his breath on me. ".tell me, what's your type?"My th
Last Updated : 2025-03-28PRETEND PRINCESS A GILDED CAGE
Creed's POVThe CreedX Technologies Gala was, not surprisingly, a lavish event.It was held in the city's most luxurious ballroom, and the entire production was dripping with excess. Crystal chandeliers swooped from the ceiling like water icicles, spilling shattered light across the crowd of stylishly attired upper crust. The marble floors glimmered, polished to such a high shine that they reflected the tall flower arrangements and extravagant golden centerpieces on each table. Black- and white-clad waiters navigated the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres—small caviar canapés, smoked salmon tartlets, and small filet mignon.The air was heavy with costly perfume and the muted buzz of polite talk, punctuated every now and then by the clinking of glasses and eruptions of laughter.I was bored to tears.I had already danced with three women, each one as replaceable as the champagne flutes being replenished. The first, a brunette in an emerald gown, prattled on about her fami
Last Updated : 2025-03-28PRETEND PRINCESS UNSEEN
Yuki's povThe sharp smack of my resume hitting the floor echoed like a gunshot in the room. My eyes darted to the crumpled paper lying there, a small but loud reminder of how this day had already gone to shit.I stood there, mouth slightly open, staring at the manager like she’d just cursed my ancestors. What the actual hell?“I’m sorry,” she said, though her tone suggested she wasn’t sorry at all. She crossed her arms, her nails clicking against her sleeve like a countdown to my dismissal. “We’re not hiring.”I blinked, thrown off. “Not hiring?” I echoed, incredulous. “I saw the vacancy notice. Like… this vacancy notice.” I held up my phone, scrolling to the job listing I’d literally applied for two days ago.She didn’t even glance at it. “Well, the position’s been filled.”What? No. No, that didn’t make sense. I’d prepped for this interview for days. I’d ironed my pink blazer to perfection, styled my hair like I was meeting the love of my life, and walked into this cold, soulless o
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
Latest chapter
PRETEND PRINCESS A GILDED CAGE
Creed's POVThe CreedX Technologies Gala was, not surprisingly, a lavish event.It was held in the city's most luxurious ballroom, and the entire production was dripping with excess. Crystal chandeliers swooped from the ceiling like water icicles, spilling shattered light across the crowd of stylishly attired upper crust. The marble floors glimmered, polished to such a high shine that they reflected the tall flower arrangements and extravagant golden centerpieces on each table. Black- and white-clad waiters navigated the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres—small caviar canapés, smoked salmon tartlets, and small filet mignon.The air was heavy with costly perfume and the muted buzz of polite talk, punctuated every now and then by the clinking of glasses and eruptions of laughter.I was bored to tears.I had already danced with three women, each one as replaceable as the champagne flutes being replenished. The first, a brunette in an emerald gown, prattled on about her fami
PRETEND PRINCESS PICKING UP PIECES
Yuki's POVThe rain had ceased, and all that remained was the cold wetness of the air and the sound of our silence.I had stepped over a line.This shouldn't have occurred.We shouldn't have been so absorbed with one another like this—anything that dissolved the lines between us was dangerous. Worse, it could cost me my job."So… you and that restless employee?" Creed's voice came out of nowhere, shattering the silence.I blinked. "Who? Jacob?" A smile tugged at my lips."Yeah. Something's up."I feigned a gasp, placing my hand on my chest dramatically. "What are you suggesting, Mr. Malcolm? That I'm playing both of you?"He chuckled, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes."Jacob is cute," I admitted, crossing my legs. "But unfortunately, he isn't my type."A vibration rocked the truck.And then Creed was closer.Too close.My breath stuck in my throat, my heart pounding in my ear."So, Miss Roman." His voice was low, the heat of his breath on me. ".tell me, what's your type?"My th
PRETEND PRINCESS BOYFRIEND
Creeds pov The words spilled out so fast, so quietly, that I nearly missed them.I frowned. "Why?"She was quiet for a very long time, and I thought maybe she wouldn't answer. But then her voice was there, even and soft."Because it feels like he's all I have."Her words fell into my chest, heavy and sharp.I sort of leaned in, my elbows on my knees. "Don't you have someone else?"She gave a hard, bittersweet laugh. "People around me? Sure. But it's different, isn't it?"Yes. I certainly understood that. The ability to be a crowd of people but still being the only person alone in the room. "Yuyu" I spoke softly.Her head jerked up a bit, and I could barely catch a glint of her eyes in the blackness."People tell you family is the people who are supposed to love you no matter what," I continued, softer. "But sometimes, they're just the ones who hurt you the most."She didn't say anything, but I could feel her looking at me.I swung around, running a hand through my dripping hair."M
PRETEND PRINCESS BREWING DISASTER
Creed's POVI have no clue how I ended up here in this park, but it was… peaceful. I sat on a rock under a massive tree, its branches shielding me from the brunt of the rain. Cold drops still hit my skin, but it was better than wandering the streets blindly, drowning in my own thoughts.I had to think. I had to start over.And yet, the moment I closed my eyes, she was there in my head.Yu Yu Roman.That girl.I didn't know when or how, but something had changed. Something inside of me. I couldn't help it anymore. She wasn't just a passing thought—she was consuming me. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way she always seemed to be running from something, even when she was standing still.Was she the reason I called off the engagement? Was she the reason I couldn't move forward with Zara? Was she the reason I was so fucking frustrated, like my entire life had been a series of choices that led me straight to her?I exhaled a sigh, running a hand through my wet hair.This was a di
PRETEND PRINCESS MEMORIES BOUND TO ME
Creed's POVZara's lips trembled, her breath catching as she shook her head."You're a precious gem," I whispered. "And gems are supposed to be adored, not neglected by someone who doesn't know their value."For a second, I thought she'd break. That she'd cry. That she'd say she knew.Instead, she laughed. A cold, empty sound."It's you, isn't it?" she whispered, her voice biting and accusing.I frowned. "Zara—""Don't fucking lie to me, Creed," she spat, fists knotting at her sides. "It's him, isn't it?!"My brows furrowed. "No, this is about us—""It's him! Roman!" Her voice rose, shrill and cracking with emotion. "I knew that bitch was going to get in my way!""Zara, stop." I reached out to catch her, but she shoved me off, eyes blazing with hurt."All this time," she seethed. "You never loved me, did you? You never wanted this! After everything we've been through, I—" Her voice broke, and she swallowed. "We deserve to be together! You deserve to be with me!""Zara—"She slapped me
PRETEND PRINCESS EVERYTHING HURTS
Zara's pov"Creed, no, it's not alright." I shook my head, gripping my fork a little more tightly. "I don't like it when everything feels so tight between us. The way we aren't close anymore like we used to be. I don't like it when you put me on this 'you might break' pedestal."He stiffened but said nothing.I breathed in deeply and cut my pancake, bringing the chunk to my mouth. As soon as it hit my tongue, I softly moaned, closing my eyes for an instant. "God, why are these so good?"Creed snorted a little laugh, but I knew it was fake.I opened my eyes and gazed into his. "I don't want you to worry about me that way, Creed. Not like I'm some delicate thing you have to tiptoe around. I know I screw up. I know I do crazy things sometimes, but I don't want it to be this—this burden between us."I put my fork down."We're going to get married soon."Creed's jaw tightened."And I don't enjoy the thought of us not being on the same page," I continued. "I don't want to be with someone wh
PRETEND PRINCESS IT'S NOT OK
Yuki's POV"It's okay, Grandpa! Everything will be okay," I pleaded, clutched his trembling hands as he struggled, his eyes desperate with something besides rage—despair.It wasn't.Roman's face twisted, veins bulging on his temples as he tugged on the tablecloth, plates shattering to the ground. Short, rasping gasps were his breathing. "Lori! Come home now! Come home!" His voice cracked, raw and pleading, as if he believed he could call my mother back from the dead by yelling her name."Grandpa, please!" My voice cracked too, but for an entirely different reason. Pain. The kind that wrapped around your ribcage and refused to let you catch your breath. He didn't recognize me. I wasn't his Yuki then. I was just another name in a cloud of remembered nothing.Lily hurried swiftly, herding the guests. "Everyone, outside." Her warm smile was never there tonight, instead being usurped by one of urgency as she ushered out the flabbergasted elderly guests.Gym Bro, or the guy who'd been flirt
PRETEND PRINCESS BIRTHDAY MELTDOWN
Yuki’s POVI had never planned a party this hard before.Actually, scratch that—I had never planned anything this hard before.I sprinted across the community center's event hall, dodging a tray of drinks, repairing the banner that was slipping off the wall, and then rushing towards the old record player we'd borrowed to make sure it was working. The music had to be perfect. The food had to be perfect. The decorations had to be perfect.Because tonight wasn't just any night.Tonight was Grandpa Roman's birthday.And I was going to make sure it was going to be awesome.Lily was already on the job, floating around the room in the prettiest dress I'd ever seen her wear—a light lilac-colored thing that made her look forebodingly dateable. She had a tray of drinks in hand, smiling at the older visitors, making sure they were alright. An angel.And of course, because she looked like an angel, some dude had already started circling around her.I side-eyed the dude—a tall, broad-shouldered du
PRETEND PRINCESS BE BETTER
Creed's POVI held onto Zara and dragged her into her house. She was obviously on something—I just had no idea what.The entire drive back, she had been acting off, like she was drunk. The answer was staring me in the face, hovering on the edge of my mind, but I didn't want to believe it. There was no way she hid something from Chicago to the resort.Someone had to have given it to her.And I was positive sure it was that stupid surfer guy, Steve. He was the type of guy who drank anything he could get.When we got to the door, I looked down the driveway. No car.Her mom wasn't home.I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want her to worry. Hell, I didn't even want her to know I was home.This was when I was going to inform Zara that I was calling off the wedding.But it seemed like that was not going to happen tonight.She clung to me, rambling incoherently—words tumbling together, spilling apart, not coherent.I had to grip her, because if I released her, she'd get herself killed or s
