Critical

My best friend was a "mistress breakup consultant". I had lent her money to start her business, and her very first job turned out to be breaking up my own marriage. "Jessie, what's the point of a loveless marriage? You've wasted Harold's time for five years. Are you really going to keep clinging to him and making him miserable for the rest of his life?" my best friend asked. I laughed at the self-righteous nonsense she was spouting and had security escort her out. She came right back, though, this time with a so-called "Anti-Mistress Alliance", live-streaming the chaos as they broke into my company. "The one who isn't loved is the real intruder!" "Fight for love at all costs!" They chanted while smashing up my office. I watched them calmly, waiting until they wore themselves out before pulling out a contract. "The 100,000 dollars you borrowed from me has been overdue for six months. If you don't repay it soon, I'll be forced to take legal action. "And, the lab equipment you've destroyed is valued at 5,550,000 dollars. You'll need to compensate me at full price. "Otherwise, I'll see you in court."

“The monster you’re talking about,” I muttered, my heart pounding furiously against my chest. “Let it out. I want to feel it,” He smirked, the type that sent shivers down your spine. The type that warned you ‘never make a deal with the devil’ kind. “Watch your tongue, darling,” His cold deep voice had its way of doing something to my stomach, especially when he laid threats. “I don't fuck like a gentleman. I also don't fuck like a monster,” he strides towards me, pinning his gaze on my body. “I fuck like the devil in your nightmares, and you’ll scream like I am your God.” A contract relationship. Signed by ink in words. It was supposed to be a contract, but it was a trap: “Both parties expressly agree that this arrangement is strictly contractual in nature and devoid of any emotional or romantic involvement. Any demonstration of affection, emotional attachment, or behavior suggestive of romantic intent shall constitute a material breach of contract. Violation of this clause will result in immediate termination of the agreement, and the offending party shall forfeit all benefits, assets, or compensations received under this contract. This clause is non-negotiable and emphasized as a binding condition of the agreement.” However, there was another; “Party A must be in a perfect health condition.” *** Olivia Hayes is terminally ill and suffers from cancer. She has lived all her life prioritizing her mother’s health condition until one sentence shattered her dynamism; “I’m sorry, Miss Hayes. The results confirm it is cancer.” With her mother in a critical condition, she struggles to raise the funds for immediate treatment not until her encounter with Ezekiel Grayson, a cold heartless CEO offering a contract that could directly change her life… and destroy it forever.

Kaella Ponce has always been the sales manager everyone relies on—palaging on time, mahusay sa numbers, at hindi basta-basta natitinag. Sa mundo ng Roque Corporation kung saan bawat deal ay critical, she’s the woman who keeps the department running smoothly. Kaya nang ma-assign sa kanya ang isang tila clueless na trainee, she’s ready to roll her eyes and move on. Pero hindi ordinaryong newbie si Jerome. Sa likod ng kanyang simpleng trainee facade, siya pala ang Jerome Roque, ang tanging tagapagmana ng snack empire na pinagtatrabahuhan nila. Sa utos ng kanyang ama, nagkunwari siyang baguhan para maintindihan ang kumpanya at makita kung sino ang tunay na loyal. Nang kailangan niyang biglang umalis dahil sa family business crisis abroad, hindi na niya naipaliwanag ang buong katotohanan. Naiwan si Kaella—brokenhearted at feeling betrayed—at nangakong hindi na muling magpapaloko. Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, matagumpay at kilala na sa industriya si Kaella—mas strong, mas guarded, pero may mga sugat pa ring hindi tuluyang naghilom. Sa isang malaking business conference, nakasalubong niya ulit ang isang ngiti na matagal na niyang gustong kalimutan. Si Jerome Roque, ngayon ay isang charismatic CEO, bumalik para patunayan na hindi nagbago ang feelings niya. Muling nagbabalik ang kilig, ang sakit, at ang mga alaala. Pero handa pa bang buksan ni Kaella ang puso niya? Kaya ba niyang muling mahulog—this time sa billionaire boss na minsan na siyang iniwan? O hahayaan niyang manatili ang distansya sa pagitan nila kahit na malinaw na may spark pa rin?

Ellyse Kennedy and Kai Laurent have been married for six years. During those years, their marriage was spent apart with Kai being on business trips and Elleyse caring for their child at home. It was an arranged, loveless marriage and Ellyse has had enough. The moment she finds out that her husband was meeting with his ex girlfriend after finding out that she was pregnant again, her desire to file for divorce ignited. When Kai went home to find divorce papers sitting on top of his desk with his wife’s signature, he demanded her to come home. “Divorce? Have you lost your mind?” Kai says with emphasis on each word, confusion dripping from his eyes. It was the very first time Ellyse saw her husband show any emotions after six years.

Si Felicia ay isang batang ulila na may pambihirang talino at diskarte. At isang utak kriminal kung tutuusin, pero hindi kailanman ginamit sa kasamaan.  Sa murang edad, naging banta na siya sa kapulisan at naging pakay ng mga pinuno ng kriminal na sindikato. Hangad nilang gamitin ang galing ni Felicia para sa pansariling kapangyarihan. Ngunit isang gabing puno ng panganib ang tuluyang nagbago sa kanyang kapalaran. Iniligtas ni Felicia ang mga anak ng mayaman na biktima ng kidnapping, at hindi niya alam na doon na magbabago ang tadhana ng buhay niya. Tinulungan siya ng isang binatilyo at pinapanggap na apo ng pinakamaimpluwensyang businessman sa boung mundo at nakuha niya ang pansin nang matandang businessman na iyon na matagal nang naghihinagpis sa pagkawala ng kanyang pinakamamahal na apo. Inampon siya ng matanda at ginawa bilang huwad na tagapagmana. Kahit batid ng matanda ang buong katotohanan, buong puso niya itong tinanggap bilang apo, sa hangaring makaramdam muli ng init ng pamilya bago siya tuluyang mamaalam. Pero hindi ganoon kadali ang buhay sa loob ng mansyon. Ang mga magulang ng nawawalang bata ay malamig at mapanakit. Ang kanyang stepsister, parang ahas na laging handang manira.  Hindi niya ginusto ang lugar na ito, pero pinili niyang manatili, para tuparin ang hiling ng tanging taong naniwala sa kanya. Hangad lang ni Felicia na maging mabuting apo. Pero kailanman ay hindi naging sapat ang kabutihan sa mundong puno ng kasinungalingan at inggit. At sa likod ng bawat ngiti sa mansyon, may mas malalim palang lihim… Isa siyang pamalit.... Pero baka siya rin ang susi sa pagkawasak o pagsalba ng pamilyang ito. At kung aapakan siya ng mga taong dapat ay pamilya niya... Pasensya na lang sila. Hindi siya ang tipo'ng basta na lang magpapatalo. Dahil siya ay si Felicia o nagtatago sa pangalan ni Lucia Moretti. *****

Wanita yang kutolak berubah cantik saat aku datang ke kampus jadi narasumber dan dia moderatornya. Siapa sangka dia kini akrab dengan seorang lelaki yang merupakan dosen muda. Yang membuatku terkejut dan m4ti kutu, lelaki itu adalah...

Kelakuan ipar yang di luar nurul, membuat Nessa semakin muak! Pasalnya, Mila adik dari sang suami terus saja minta dibayarin barang-barang Co miliknya. Sekali dua kali, okelah. Namun, permintaan itu terus terjadi secara berulang kali. Sedangkan Nessa juga punya kebutuhan, meskipun belum ada anak di antara mereka! Dapatkah Nessa keluar dari keluarga yang terus merongrong minta hartanya itu?! Ataukah, Nessa memilih untuk berpisah dan menemukan jodohnya tentu dengan orang yang lebih tepat? Terlebih, ada seorang Direktur yang sedari dulu memang mencuri perhatiannya. Merebut Hati Sang Direktur, akan membawa Nessa jauh pada kehidupan yang tidak ia duga sebelumnya.

Cassandra Sayson, graduate ng apat na taong kurso ng business administration ay sumama sa graduation party na sponsor ng kanilang departmento na ginanap sa beach resort. Sa isip pa ni Cassandra, she has nothing to lose dahil natapos na niya ang apat na taon na pag-aaral sa college. May diploma na siya, hindi na masama ang mag-enjoy kahit isang gabi lang. Simula ng mag-aral siya mula elemtarya hanggang kolehiyo ay hindi pa niya naranasan ang gumimik, kaya sa beach resort ay tinodo na ni Cassandra ang maging masaya at malaya upang maranasan ang mag-enjoy sa party ng walang pakundangan Sa kasagsagan ng kasiyahan ay nalasing si Cassandra kasama ng kaniyang mga kaibigan. Nauwi sa tuksuhan at isang dare ang nangyari. Ang dare ay pumili ng lalaking halikan, kahit sinong lalaki na trip niyang halikan. Napadako ang tingin niya sa isang matangkad, matipuno at guwapo na lalaki. Ang lalaking hinalikan ni Cassandra ay ang tanyag na Doktor Adrian Razon na mula sa bilyonaryong pamilya. Namangha si Dr. Razon ng masilayan ng masinsinan ang babae dahil kamukha ito ng kaniyang girlfriend na si Sharon, nasa Amerika at comatose. Isang linggo ang lumipas pagkatapos ng insidente ng halikan sa party ay kinausap ni Dr. Adrian Razon si Cassandra at nag-offer ng proposal. Gusto niyang magpanggap si Cassandra na kaniyang girlfriend at maging asawa. Pumayag si Cassandra , nagkasundo silang dalawa na gumawa ng kontrata na ang pagpapanggap ay sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon. Isang taon pa ang lumipas ng pagsasama nina Dr Razon at Cassandra ng malaman ni Cassandra na siya ay nagdadalang-tao. Gusto niyang sabihin Kay Adrian na dinadala Niya ang anak ng doktor, subalit hindi Niya nagawang magtapat pa ng bigla namang nagpakita ang Isang babae na nagngangalang Sharon.

"In the kitchen, she's a firestorm. In love, she's about to burn." Youngest Perez. Billionaire. CEO. Head-turner. Maxine Avrielle Griego Perez has it all-beauty, brains, and billions. With multiple successful businesses under her name, she's unstoppable. But behind the glam life, may isang pangarap siyang matagal nang hindi natutupad: To become a certified chef. As her final requirement, she's sent to train at Moonlight Kitchenette, a cozy restaurant owned by her tito-but managed by Chef Timothy Hayden Sanders, a perfectionist known for being cold, demanding, and insanely hot. At first, clash sila. She's used to being in control. He's used to obedience. But in between the yelling, stolen glances, and late-night cooking sessions, something starts to simmer. Timothy falls-for her strength, her sass, and that laugh she tries to hide. And Maxine? She falls harder. For the first time, she lets herself feel. Then comes Cassandra. The manager who's always wanted more than professionalism. One drunken night. One betrayal. Maxine leaves-broken, silent... and pregnant. Five years later, Maxine returns as a world-class chef and single mom. Fierce, focused, and definitely not here to rekindle anything. But fate isn't done with them yet. Timothy is back, full of regret-and still in love. He wants answers. He wants her back. What he doesn't know is... he already has a piece of her. Secrets will be exposed. Old wounds reopened. And somewhere between revenge, forgiveness, and five-star meals... a second chance might be served.

Sa isang maliit na isla na tinatawag na Tabon nakatira si Lavender, isang simpleng dalagang sanay sa tahimik at payak na buhay. Isang gabi, habang inuutusan siyang puntahan ang kaniyang ama sa dalampasigan, natagpuan niya ang isang estrangherong lalaki—basang-basa, sugatan, at halos walang malay. Tinulungan niya ito at doon niya natuklasang wala itong maalala—hindi kung sino siya, saan galing, o kahit ang sariling pangalan. Ngunit isang bagay ang siguradong malinaw: hindi siya ordinaryong tao. Sa mamahaling suot, ginto niyang relo, at tindig na tila sanay sa karangyaan, malinaw na malayo ang pinanggalingan niya sa simpleng mundo ni Lavender. Sa paglipas ng mga araw, unti-unting nabuo ang isang koneksyon sa pagitan nila, kahit hindi alam ng lalaki ang sarili niyang nakaraan. Ang hindi alam ni Lavender—ang lalaking sinagip niya ay si Adrian Zevion Alcantara, ang nawawalang tagapagmana ng isang malakihang negosyo sa siyudad, na tinutugis ng mga taong gustong kontrolin ang yaman at kapangyarihan ng kaniyang pamilya. Ngunit sa muling pagbabalik ng kaniyang alaala, kailangang pag-desisyunan ni Adrian kung saan siya kabilang—sa marangyang mundong pinagmula niya o sa simpleng buhay na nagbigay sa kaniya ng bagong dahilan para mabuhay… at magmahal.