what lies beneath the sand

The door swung open, and there he stood—Stanley Richardson. I froze. He was dressed in only a partially buttoned white shirt, his chiseled chest and toned abs on full display. A silver chain glinted against his skin, and his low-hanging boxers revealed more than I was prepared to see. My cheeks burned as my gaze dropped to the ground. “Evening,” I mumbled, my voice barely audible. Stanley leaned casually against the doorframe, his piercing amber eyes boring into me. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he looked me over as though I were some insignificant object. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone sharp, almost bored. “I—I’ve changed my mind,” I stammered, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “About the deal. I’m ready to accept it.” His smirk widened into something almost cruel. He chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “You’re ready, huh?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, too bad. The deal’s closed.” ********** Betrayed by love and abandoned by family, Alora Kane is left with nothing but a shattered heart and a bruised spirit. Desperation drives her to the doorstep of Stanley Richardson, a ruthless billionaire with a reputation for breaking more than just deals. Seeking a lifeline, she’s met with a cold rejection that leaves her reeling. But Alora isn’t one to stay down for long. In a world where power and survival go hand in hand, she must find her strength, confront her past, and navigate a dangerous game of betrayal, desire, and vengeance. Will she rise, or will she fall?

SIS (Social Issue Series) #2: StereotypingPiercing, Tattoo, Dyed Hair. Usual indications of a badass. Kapag babae ka at meron ka nito ay malamang fuck girl, adik, slut, o wala ka raw patutunguhan sa buhay.Lia Kennedy grew up doing whatever she likes. Wala siyang nakitang rason para pigilan ang sarili sa kung ano man ang mga nakapagpapasaya sa kaniya. Ngunit nang mamulat ay nagising siya sa mapait na katotohanang hindi mo magagawa lahat ng gusto mo sa mundo. Madali para sa iba ang manghusga base lang sa kung ano ang nakikita nila sayo.Ridge Terrence is no exception. A serious guy who had things plan ahead for his life. He's one of those who believe that what you see is what you get. He gives no time for bullshits.As Lia gets stuck between being herself and changing to be accepted, she faced several conflicts in her teenage years that brought their fate together.Will it be a good thing? Or a bad thing?

Blurb: Matagal na magkasintahan sina Emy at Ricardo, ngunit sa araw ng kanilang anibersaryo, bigla siyang hiniwalayan ni Ricardo nang walang paliwanag. Kalaunan, nalaman ni Emy na si Ricardo ay isang tagapagmana ng isang makapangyarihang angkan at napilitang magpakasal sa isang babaeng ipinagkasundo ng kanyang mga magulang. Sa kabila ng sakit at hirap, pinalaki ni Emy ang kanilang anak nang mag-isa at itinago ito sa loob ng maraming taon. Paglipas ng panahon, muling nagkrus ang kanilang mga landas sa di inaasahang pagkakataon. Sa muli nilang pagkikita, nalaman ni Ricardo ang tungkol sa kanilang anak at nagsimulang ipaglaban ang kanyang pamilya. Ngunit bago sila muling maging buo, haharap sila sa mga pagsubok na muling susukat sa kanilang pagmamahalan. Mapagtatagumpayan kaya nila ang pagsubok na iyon? Mabubuo pa kayang muli ang kanilang pamilya? O muling mawawasak at paghihiwalay ng isang sirkumstansya.

Loyalties will be tested. Hearts will be broken. Desire will be their downfall. Middlesbrough's underworld is a dangerous game, and Matthew Smith finds himself right in the middle of it. A once-feared gang leader, he is now forced to be a pawn in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Matthew's only shot at freedom is helping the police bring down Mr. K, the elusive mafia boss of the city. The only problem is that the detective he is forced to work with is the same man who arrested him years ago. Masahiro Payne is everything Matthew hates: cold, calculating, and relentless. But their only hope for survival is by pretending to be a happy couple, blending in amidst dangerous crime, deceit, and power struggles. The closer they find themselves to taking down Mr. K's empire, the more they are attracted to one another, an affair too potent to turn from. As their undercover mission spirals into a web of lies and hidden desires, they face a growing threat from all sides. But the greatest risk is the one they can't control-their own feelings. With every touch, every stolen kiss, the line between their fake relationship and real emotions blurs. In a world of betrayal, trust is a luxury, and falling for each other may be the deadliest mistake of all. Can they survive the deadly mafia games or will their passion be their demise?

A dystopian Earth was struck with a series of plagues called the Death Waves, where it wiped out more than half of the entire world. As the remaining survivors try to rebuild a new world, systems in societies sprung up that ensures humanity doesn't fall to extinction. But at what costs? Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth hates everything about these systems. Although born into nobility, Eli wanted nothing of her status and struggles to fit in a society where she feels everything is followed in coercion. But she will do everything to protect her family, even when it means giving away the only man she loves. As she navigates her way in life, family, friendship, and love, Eli discovers there's a much more evil lurking in the system that was created to protect humanity.

One day, everything is still normal. And another day when their dad had to offer them a tip for travel- or as what it seems. Faye Elanise, along with her twin sister, Zaye Eranice, followed his order which led them meeting four strangers. Stuck inside a room of vines, a man appeared out of nowhere giving them the key for a vine-covered door which they later found. He left them hanging, questioning their identities. And that is when the mystery behind them started to awaken. A starting point to find... what lies within them. All Rights Reserved ©Trixie Sherice/plumints

Phil tormented by horrifying nightmares discovered a mysterious book about dreams during his 13th birthday. Stalked by abominations and monstrous entities in his dreams Phil looked for solutions until he finds an answer. Learning how to journey in his sleep Phil carelessly dove down and arrived at the Abyss of Dreams. Peering down the abyss Phil saw a gigantic creature imprisoned, the large creature felt Phil’s presence and as it was about to open its eye Phil woke up. As days went by strange things happen as people around the city where Phil lived mysteriously fell into coma. Can he solve the mystery of the people who fell in a coma? What is his connection in this accident? Find out more in the story Whispers of the Void What Lurks Beneath the Abyss: The Prisoner in the Abyss of Dreams.

What? is a mystery story that will leave the readers question what exactly is going on with our main character. The setting is based on the islands of the Philippines. Vladimir is an established business man but is very spontaneous and outgoing. One morning, he woke up in an unfamiliar place with people whom he apparently met the night before with no recollection of who he is and how he got there. He was in an island resort owned by Noah, I hot entrepreneur who is willing to take care of him and give him shelter until he regains his memory. Meanwhile, back in the mainland, Vladimir is allegedly reported missing by his family and led by his husband, Andrew and his friend Davin and Victor. Vladimir's loved ones are on a mission to find him in anyway possible. Will Vlad regain his memory while on Noah's Island? Will Andrew find any leads on how to find Vladimir?

After being accused of what he knows nothing of by Richard Davidson, the CEO of a prestigious corporation, Wilhelm is all set out to make them pay. Heaven seemed to have smiled down on him when Richard's bratty wife kissed him, fired Richard for adultery out of rage, and employed Wilhelm as the new CEO, all in front of him. Thereby, walking straight into the lion's den unknowingly. Will she be able to take back her words when all Wilhelm saw was an opportunity to avenge? Not to mention he's just as stubborn and tenacious as her. He's fire and she's ice. To get through each other, one must quench or melt. None of them will be willing but amidst the struggle, one must give up. Who would it be? The Fire ? OR the Ice?

He was once my sun, I always yearn for his light. But now, I don’t know. I think he’s still a sun. But his light is too much for me — my eyes burn when I look at him.