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2024-10-29 19:42:56Bab terkait
The Billionaire's Obsession (His Addiction) 1
Hello my lovely readers. Thank you for giving my book a chance. Constructive criticisms are welcome and in short, believe me when I say I appreciate you all. Hope you enjoy! The Billionaire's ObsessionCiara Mendes As I glanced at the mountain of pending work, I found it impossible to focus on the article I had begun two days prior. With the deadline looming at the end of the week, the pressure was palpable—I knew my boss wouldn't hesitate to hold me accountable if I failed. Beverly Florence, the striking founder of Flare Magazine, was a familiar name in L.A.'s business circles, known not only for her beauty but also for her disingenuous smiles and high-pitched voice that masked the ambitious entrepreneur beneath.The only reason I had secured this job was my ex, Fisher Roberts—the very same Fisher who had recently sown seeds of self-doubt within me. What he did to me made it nearly impossible to complete my article on Tanaya Henry and her much-discussed new jewelr
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The Billionaire's Obsession Ciara Mendes Today was the day I was departing for New York, and I had mere hours left before my flight. Los Angeles traffic was brutal, and I knew I had to leave soon to make it to the airport. Given the choice, I might have opted out of this trip, but alas, debts must be settled. For just a few hours, I could endure the company of a spoiled rich kid rather than resorting to something that could land me in prison—and give my mother yet another reason to be disappointed in me.I placed the flash drive in front of Melissa as she typed away on her desktop computer. She looked like she could use a spa day; her red hair was tousled, and her white-framed glasses were slightly crooked. I probably looked half as bad myself, having stayed up until three in the morning trying to write an article on Tanaya Henry. Tanaya had done her part, and I was simply supposed to write it flawlessly, but I struggled to complete it as quickly as usual due to the weight of m
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Ciara Mendes Micah Richmond is not just my best friend; he is also a talented twenty-four-year-old photographer at Flare Magazine. He began his career there as an intern, and our boss, Mrs. Florence, was so captivated by his work that she offered him a full-time position immediately after he graduated from college.The handsome man with gray eyes sat across from me at our reserved table in the bar at Davinche Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, not far from the Roosevelt Hotel where we were both staying. After meeting him earlier that morning, he had told me he made a reservation for us, hoping to lift me out of my melancholy state for a while.Of course, he emphasized the meaning of the word "melancholy" while encouraging me to put on a tight black dress from Forever 21 and rose gold heels. He wanted me to get back out there, especially since he wasn't a fan of my ex-fiancé."She looks like my type, don’t you think?" I looked up from my glass and followed his gaze to the bar.
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Giovanni Haynes Mateo was right; tonight, I wasn't behaving like myself. Where was all that self-confidence I used to embody? It felt like Jasmine still held all the power over me, even after two years of silence between us, reminding me of the deep impact she had on my life."Forget it. You probably don't even stand a chance with her," Mateo said, his voice laced with skepticism, as if trying to shake me from my reverie and bring me back to reality, but his words only fueled the fire of my determination."You've lost it man, all that charm. You don't stand a chance with a beauty like that." That was it, Mateo was playing with fire. "Are you doubting me?" I asked him, a mix of annoyance and challenge in my voice.He shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze unwavering, and replied, "Are you doubting yourself?" His words cut deeper than I expected, forcing me to confront the insecurities bubbling beneath the surface."Fine, let's make a deal," I declared, adrenaline surging through m
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Ciara Mendes Martha Haynes was not only a stunning woman but also radiated an extraordinary warmth that captivated everyone around her. As Micah and I stepped into their magnificent mansion, I was struck by the exquisite decor that surrounded us—a reflection of Martha's impeccable taste. Having interviewed numerous celebrities in their homes, I had come to expect nothing less than exceptional elegance, and this was certainly no exception."My husband should be here any minute. Unfortunately, my eldest son is out of town, but Richard is waiting for us in the living room, and Gio is getting ready," she explained as we made our way toward the living room, where the interview for the magazine article would take place."That's perfectly fine, Mrs. Haynes. We'll just set everything up while we wait," I informed her."Thank you, dear! I really appreciate that," she said with a warm smile. "I love your eyes. Do both of your parents have the same eye color?" she inquired, admiring my
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Ciara Mendes The sound of heels clicking against the tiles drew my attention away from the iMac I was working on to the elegant beauty swaying into my small office. She walked with an air of confidence that was utterly justified; after all, anyone adorned in Louboutin heels, a designer peach dress that hugged their figure, and radiating an undeniable glow would undoubtedly exude such assurance."Evei—" I started to say, but before I could finish, she interrupted with an enthusiastic, "Surprise!"This was truly unexpected; just two days ago, she had mentioned she had a packed agenda but assured me she would be there for me once it was complete. I hadn't anticipated seeing her until the end of this week, or at least the beginning of the next.Getting up, I embraced her tightly in a hug, feeling a rush of warmth and relief. “I wasn't expecting you to be here so soon,” I confessed, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes, which sparkled with excitement."I know, but I had
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Ciara Mendes For many years, I have attended charity events, largely thanks to my father, an Orthopaedic Oncologist and the proud founder of Johnathan Grant Public Hospital, named in honor of his great-grandfather. He has worked in numerous hospitals around the world, where he met my mother, who was pursuing a degree in fine arts at a college in Canada, her birthplace and upbringing. She was involved in a minor accident, attributed to her clumsiness, and upon arriving at the hospital, she encountered my father, who was working there that day. They fell in love and enjoyed a happy relationship until my mother made the choice to cheat, which she was caught in the act on a day when my dad and I returned home from the movies. That was a sight I will never forget, and it forever altered my perception of my mother. We weren't supposed to be home for another hour, but I had eaten something I was allergic to, which forced us to return home for my medicine. Ultimately, this unexpected deto
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Ciara Mendes Every word that Evei and Navia spoke last night was spot on. My relationship with Fisher wasn’t meant to last; now that everything has crumbled like the Titanic, I can remember all the times when I should have reflected more deeply on our issues. If I had, I might have seen this coming.Fisher didn’t want kids, and nothing I said could change his mind. After we got married, he wanted me to move to Chicago with him, despite the fact that I was born and raised here. I truly enjoy living in Los Angeles.I always felt pressure to be perfect around him, and I vividly remember a few months ago when I dyed my hair a lighter shade. He was so upset that I had to change it back to its natural raven color immediately.The signs had always been there, but I had chosen to ignore them.After Micah dropped us off at my apartment, he stayed in the living room editing his pictures while Navia and Evei joined me in my room, offering their opinions and support that truly lifted my sp
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The Billionaire's Obsession (His Addiction) Epilogue
A.N: I want to thank all my beautiful readers for making it this far. Thank you so much for all your support, please believe me when I say you literally mean the world to me❤️ I hope you enjoyed all chapters.Ciara Mendes "I hate this one. It makes my butt seem nonexistent," Eve frowned as she glared at her reflection in the mirror on the platform she was standing on. Bridget, unfazed and casually sipping the wine the boutique's manager had offered, replied, "That's your sixth dress—you're the most insatiable woman I have ever met." She smirked, enjoying the spectacle while Eve continued to experiment with styles, eager to find the perfect fit that would make her feel fabulous.Eve muttered something inscrutable before turning toward us with a look of exasperation. "Who designed this anyway? I thought it was supposed to be a wedding dress, not something my grandma would wear to bed." "I see what you mean," I chimed in, nodding thoughtfully. "That bow does nothing
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Ciara Mendes Six months have passed, and I still find myself reminiscing about those words. As I absorb the scene before me, I reflect on my sister's remarks. Initially, Bridget opposed my decision, insisting that I would be throwing my life away; however, Dad was supportive, and surprisingly, so was Mom. Despite the time that has gone by, I still grapple with whether I made the right choice and if Bridget’s concerns were valid. Can I truly embrace the role of the good stepmom while the biological mother pursues a better life for herself and her the children in her life?Giovanni's brown eyes gleam with happiness as he cautiously approaches me outside the hospital room where Rhea is settled after giving birth to a baby girl, cradling the little bundle in his arms. Witnessing his elation transforms my despondency into something brighter—contentment. I remember how apprehensive he was about becoming a father, initially paralyzed by the fear of falling short; but over t
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Ciara Mendes "You can't be serious," Eve says."What did you expect me to do? Can you genuinely expect me to feel bitter towards someone who is sincerely sorry for her actions? I wanted to hate her; believe me, I did. But after learning nearly everything about her, I realized that hating her would just be petty. Besides, all of that happened before I started dating Giovanni.""She's pregnant with your boyfriend's baby," Eve argues, trying to make me see reason."The same boyfriend you slept with to get back at his own cousin. Don't make me regret meeting you, Eve."After everything she did, she has no right to judge my choices. I only decided to meet with her because she has always been there for me, and I can't let what happened years ago destroy our friendship. I forgave my mom and sister; I can forgive her too. "I guess I deserve that. I had no right," she said, looking down at the burger that surprised me a bit when she ordered it. "It's your life, and I should jus
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Ciara Mendes "What do you want to talk about?" Yesterday, after Rhea requested a conversation, she received a phone call and quickly excused herself with a hasty apology. Now, here we are, just one hour away from receiving the results, sitting in my kitchen and munching on French fries. She appeared less anxious after I mentioned that my sister had personal matters to handle and that my mother had gone home to participate in an art festival where she would be showcasing her work. However, Rhea's anxiety resurfaced when I asked the question.She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before her eyes met mine. "I want to apologize for getting involved in your relationship. I know you might not believe me, but I never intended for any of this to happen. I was stupid and naive—" "We're only human, Rhea," I replied. "I know I should probably hate you, but I don't. Besides, babies are blessings."She snorted, glancing down at her empty plate. "Yeah, a baby that I can't e
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Ciara Mendes I never imagined I would remain so composed the day I met the woman who is supposedly carrying the child of the man I envision my future with. Rhea Rivera didn’t seem like a bad person; her demeanor was nothing like that of the women I knew Giovanni typically pursued. To be honest, that genuinely unnerved me. Her blue hair, transitioning to a natural auburn color, sat atop her head in a messy bun. Her hazel eyes were fixed on the frayed edges of her ripped jeans, which she had paired with an oversized blue shirt that looked like it could fit two more people.Rhea appeared pleasant despite her silence; she didn't flaunt herself and seemed shy, which made me question whether Giovanni had truly met her at a club or if he had been mistaken. The young woman sitting across from me didn’t seem like someone who would even visit a club, let alone dance half-naked on a pole in front of eager men.At first, I suspected her demeanor was an act, a pretense, bu
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Giovanni Haynes "You have reached the voicemail of..." "Still no luck?" Matt asked, strolling in just as I tossed my phone onto the leather couch across from me. "Come on, man, you did say she asked for space.""Yeah, well, tell that to Haylie." The child has been incessantly asking when she'll get to meet Ciara, and it's getting on my last nerve. He chuckles. "That's on you. I'm taking them out for ice cream, though; you should come along. Who knows, it might help take your mind off things."That's the last thing I want to do. These kids are like small hexenbiest, and the thought of potentially fathering one of my own is inconceivable. "No, I'm good," I replied."Please, Uncle," the kids chant, their eyes shining with excitement. I gave a smile to Luca, who had started to call me "Uncle" just like his cousins. "Alright," I said, getting up to grab my keys from the kitchen. But before I could head out the door, the doorbell rang. "Get that for me, will yo
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Ciara Mendes The two women seated before me made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin. Their piercing gray eyes scrutinized me from head to toe.My mother stood from her seat as soon as her shock wore off. "Ciara, I didn't expect you to actually show up."It had been so long since I last saw her. Her dark hair, which once matched the lengths of my own and Bridget's, now rested neatly above her shoulders in a stylish bob. She carried herself with an air of high prestige, and the glow of a good life practically radiated from her."I'm so glad you came," Bridget said, rising to her feet with a smile that I didn’t return.I watched as my older sister awkwardly brushed away imaginary wrinkles from her white pantsuit before sitting back down. My mother quickly followed suit and then gestured for me to take a seat."You wanted to see me," I said as soon as I felt the chair beneath me. "Wait just a minute, Ciara. Let's order first," Bridget replied, her tone a mix of eagernes
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Ciara Mendes My fingers hovered over the keyboard for what felt like days. I had asked Melissa for permission to finish my article at home and simply email it to her when it was complete. She granted me permission but refused to let me submit it a day late, despite my claims of being in bed with a high fever and headache. I swear, that woman was becoming more and more like Mrs. Florence with each passing day.New tears clouded my eyes. The two people I care about hurt me deeply, and even though it's been two days, the tears won't stop, as if the wound in my heart is still very fresh. What hurts more is the thought of another woman carrying the firstborn of the man I was starting to fall for. What if I wanted to be the one to carry his first child? Although I know he isn't the biggest fan of children, he treated them well, and maybe I could have convinced him if time were on our side. Why am I even thinking about this? It's only been a month. I can't understand wh
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Eve Malhamie "You should call your boyfriend and let him know I've made a reservation for us at The Globe." I took a sip of the appletini I had mixed earlier, admiring my freshly pedicured toes with delight.Ciara walked into the living room wearing a grey T-shirt dress and bare feet. She placed the plates of breakfast on the center table before casually tossing her feet over my lap, the cool touch of her gold anklet leaving a chilly sensation on my thigh."It's seven in the morning, Eve. What's up with the drink?" I shrugged. "Let me live a little, babe. It has apple cider in it, and I always drink some kind of liquor with breakfast." Before I could say another word, she grabbed the glass, nearly spilling its contents on my Baby Phat crop top, and replaced it with a cup of tea.I rolled my eyes at her. "You're such a killjoy. Anyway, have you heard from Micah?" "I spoke to him last night before you arrived, why?" "Oh, no reason." The truth was, I hadn't heard
