nick joaquin short

"Please teach me to become a better writer!" "Oh?" Joaquin got his glass sipped his whiskey as he looked at me in a condescending manner. "I need something in return," he teased as he put his glass down on the table, making me nod excitingly. "Yes, yes! I would do anything you ask for!" Hearing her feedback, he stood up from his chair then walked towards me, chuckling. "Erm..." I stepped away from him, now bumping my back on the wall behind me. Surprised, I gasped as he did a breathtakingly hot "kabe-don". He then spoke near my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "What if I ask... for a collaboration?" --- Haven Thorne, a young woman who is eager to become a great writer, secretly attended a party that was hosted by a popular and rich top author, Joaquin Greyson. Wanting to learn from the great writer, Haven gathered her courage and visited his home for consecutive days even after the constant rejections. Irritated, Joaquin entertained the persistent woman to stop her. Seeing her determination however, piqued his interest and had agreed to her request—even asking for a collaboration! Will the top author really be willing to teach the newbie, or will he lose his patience? Will she able to meet the demands of her experienced mentor, or will she disappoint him? With that in mind, what will their pen and passion teach them? Love, hate… or something more?

{ Choi Dea and Sung-ho } "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines...." - by William Shakespeare Choi Dea was in the possession of a position where she never truly wanted to be, just because of her father insisted. Her whole life was existing without love, she never got a chance to meet her mother. One day and within a day, her sister Joo-eun trapped her in a business downfall, she planned it all along. Why would a bastard be the CEO of the top cosmetic company, when the true heir was still alive? Joo-eun did that to her because of hatred and envy. Dea actually never thought about her birth, those feelings never occurred to her. But when she saw her company fall, her cold heart began to quiver, unable to decide between the right and wrong. Due to her close friend's suggestion, she went to meet the Mafia Boss of the underworld, to convince him to help her company regain their shares. Mafia Boss Sung-ho was literally shameless, he had a crush on Dea from the moment he saw her. He decided to help her company and cleared the people who were after her, but the exchange was......... Two people, from two different worlds, both of them didn't want to be from the beginning who they were. The exchange, could Dea be able to give her heart to the Mafia Boss? Or would she backstab Sung-ho and destroy the underworld if she listened to her conscience?

"Seeing you in this black little dress is fucking up every ounce of my self-control, Ashlynn. So get ready to be treated like the sexy, sultry woman that you are, but try not to ruin those expensive manicures I paid for while you dig hard into my skin." _________________________ Julian Kings was nothing short of a dangerously good-looking, egoistical asshole with perpetual skirt-chasing habits. He was certainly the last person on earth Ashlynn Holmes would like to get involved with, but the vows she had recited at the altar for the contract marriage to him proved otherwise. The number one rule was that under no circumstances should any of them fall in love with the other. And they didn't. Or so it seemed... What would happen when they realize they needed each other in ways they'd never admit to and felt way more for each other than the always-existing sexual tension and the strong urge to take off each other's clothes.

Edith Sherwood is an orphan girl who is strict and idealistic. She ran for chairman of the student committee at her school. Her path to victory is cut short when Edith discovers that she is nine months pregnant. How did that happen? Edith was the only ordinary human being, as she knew herself. She went to a special school for werewolves. Edith hasn't gone through puberty for the past 5 years and thinks she's fine. Who would have thought that a one-night stand with Seth Tinley McKirby, a popular bad boy at her school, would lead to her anomalous pregnancy? --- "For what? I don't want to deal with you anymore, Seth! So go and leave me alone, and then just assume that nothing has ever happened between us!" Edith snapped. "I will be responsible. You are pregnant, and the child in your womb is my child." "I really hate you, Seth!" Seth felt awry. "I want to set something straight. Edith, I love you, and I will wait until you give all of your heart to me," Seth insisted. --- The anomalous pregnancy leads Edith to the truth about her identity. Her past and supernatural abilities are slowly revealed, leading Edith to her destiny with Seth and their baby. How can she improve her destiny?

Annisa Humaira seringkali dihina karena tak seorang pun tahu siapa ayah kandungnya. Meski demikian, dia memiliki semangat juang tinggi untuk menjadi pengacara. Hal tersebut menarik perhatian dua pria tampan dengan latar belakang berbeda. Raditya Atmaja, seorang duda kaya beranak satu dan juga Zian Bintoro, kekasih sepupunya. Keduanya begitu mencintai dia dan bersiap meminangnya. Namun, siapakah pria yang akan dipilih Maira pada akhirnya?

Si Marissa Alvarez ay isang marriage matchmaker at siya ang napiling humawak sa kilalang gwapo at di ma reach na bilyonaryong si Ethan Joaquin para makahanap ng babaeng papakasalan nito. Pero bakit parang imbis na makahanap ito ng babaeng makakapareha ay bakit siya ang palaging hinahanap at ginugulo nito. Maloka-loka na siya dahil ang lahat ng babaeng ipinapareha niya sa lalaki ay napupunta lang sa iba. Hindi naman masama dahil malaki-laki din ang porsyentong nakukuha niya pero gusto niyang ikasal kaagad ang lalaki para sa ikakatahimik ng buhay niya. Pero hindi niya akalain na ang sekretong itinatago niya ay malalaman din ni Ethan na humantong sa mas lalong naging magulong buhay niya kasama ang bintang bilyonaryo. "Do you think that I will let you go? Think again, My dear." Magagawa pa ba niyang makawala sa binata?

For Claire and Diaz, they are memories. Back then, they were simply regular friends from middle school. But one day, a short message from Claire was unanticipatedly received, and it had a profound effect on their relationship. Ten years had passed since their previous encounter. But, why did Claire still extend a marriage proposal to Diaz, even though they hadn't spoken in a dozen full moons?

Being with the only man she ever loved has always been her dream which she was determined to make come true. Her dream finally come true and she ended up with Alexander Thompson, her dream man. Wendy thought she could finally be at peace and explore her marriage happily, but her happiness was cut short after she learned the secret that changed her life forever. Her husband whom she wants to spend the rest of her life, wasn't going to live forever. He had just two years to spend on earth because of the deadly brain tumor he has been diagnosed of. How will she cope with living without her husband? Will she ever get out of the pain especially as her husband's family never liked her in the first place? Find out the miseries of Wendy Lee, a twenty-six years old young lady that only wanted nothing, but to be with the man she loves...

Ares Vasilios and Luciana Milano met 4 years ago at a new year's eve party, when they shared a short moment of magic and passion. Three years later their paths cross again. What drama would unfold for them? Will they feel the same sparks they felt 4 years ago?

No connection. No acquaintance. In one night of passion with no expectations, strangers become intimately acquainted. Will one night of lust turn into their happy ever after? Is it simply lust or could it possibly be love at first site? A collection of short stories: four couples, one day, twenty-four passionate hours. "Strangers" is created by Stephanie Walls, an eGlobal Creative Publishing author.