《Not If I Date You First》Chapter 34
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LIAM
I walk through LAX Airport, my ball cap pulled down low and sunglasses over my eyes. After my audition, I just had time to grab a drive-thru coffee before racing back here. I spent the entire flight out memorizing lines and didn't check into my hotel until after five this morning.
I'm running entirely on caffeine and the kick of adrenaline I get every time I reread Ada's message from last night, which I've done more times than I'll ever admit.
YOU were perfect.
Sure, I've had fans say things like that to me before, but they're talking about the guy they see on the show, not about me. That text is twisting me up in ways I never would've imagined. I mean, I just nailed the audition for the role that could save my career, and all I can think about is Ada.
The worn soles of my shoes squeak against the linoleum, catching the attention of a girl around my age. Her eyes go wide as she stares at me. She raises her cell phone and I see her snap a picture before I have the sense to look away.
Clearly, I need more caffeine.
If she posts that shot, it'll be like a pistol announcing a foot race. L.A. paps love to hang out at LAX. Celebrities are easy prey here. Since I currently feel—and probably look—like an extra on Dawn of the Dead, I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea of being photographed.
I walk faster, hustling through the airport, which smells like a combination of floor wax and Cinnabon. If I'm fast, I might be able to make it to the private, celebrity-friendly terminal before the photogs catch up to me. Only in L.A. would something like that exist.
My phone vibrates. I pull it out as I speed walk, squinting at the text through my glasses.
Ada: Hey Superstar! Hope I'm not bugging you. Just wanted to see how the audition went.
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I slow my pace enough to type because my dumbass isn't capable of waiting until I get to the terminal to write this girl back.
Me: You could never bug me.
Ada's response comes quick. I glance around to see if any photogs have arrived before reading it, but I'm in the clear so far.
Ada: Ha. I don't think the Liam Anders I met a few weeks ago would've agreed with that.
Me: Well, that guy was an idiot. You should definitely forget everything he said.
Me: And the audition was great. Thanks for asking.
Despite my utter exhaustion, I hit all my lines this morning. When I talked to Ackerman and the casting director afterward, I got the vibe they thought so too. The way they said they'd be in touch very soon made it sound like they'd be reaching out with good news.
Ada: Of course it was. You're an amazing actor, Liam.
I stop walking right there in the middle of the hallway. A guy rolling a suitcase and yammering into a phone runs into my shoulder. He glares back at me, and I mutter an apology, but I'm barely paying attention, because this girl legit just made my damn heart flutter.
"Liam!"
Flash. Flash. Flash.
Shit. I look up to see several photographers hurrying in my direction. I heave a sigh.
The old me would've pulled his hat down lower over his eyes and booked it into the V.I.P. area where the cameras couldn't follow. But the new me is a lot more concerned with keeping his job. And unfortunately, playing nice with the paps seems to be an unavoidable part of that.
Besides, if Ada is one of them, then they can't all be that bad.
I take off my sunglasses, sliding them into my back pocket, and smile politely as they surround me, cameras flashing incessantly. Other people stop to stare at the spectacle I've unintentionally created as they pass by, dragging luggage and carrying a menagerie of comfort animals.
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"How's it going?" I nod at the photogs as they fire away, forcing myself to make small talk with them like Mia always used to do. It's no wonder she's the darling of the tabloids. She might be a pain in the ass, but she did always treat the photographers like human beings, which I failed to do.
"Good to see you guys," I say. I might not mean the words yet, but I'm getting there. Ada was right about me needing the press if I want to stay relevant, and they really are just doing their job.
"Look at this guy laying on the charm. I know you've got a thing for us snappers now, but I'm afraid I'm taken, mate," a man with a thick British accent jokes.
I bark out a laugh, and to my surprise, it's genuine. It's been years since I've chatted with the paparazzi like this. It's almost fun.
"Yeah, me too," I say, and they all laugh. I'm pretty sure nearly every person on the planet is well aware of my relationship status.
"Does that mean you and Ada Datchery have made things official then? Are the two of you exclusive?" a man holding a video camera asks.
A month ago, the invasiveness of his question would've sent me over the edge. Now I'm weirdly fine with telling everyone how I feel about Ada—especially Ada herself. I hope she's watching. Knowing my paparazzi girl, she will be.
I look straight down the barrel of his camera and wink. "If she'll have me."
"Aw, now that's just bloody adorable right there," the British guy says.
I'm about to walk away when I hear a commotion from the back of the group. Someone shouts, "Wesley!"
My head jerks up, and I see my friend edging his way through the swarm of photographers.
"What's up, man?" Wes thrusts his chin at me. His arms are laden down with a duffle bag and a giant cup of coffee.
"I didn't know you were out here." I clap him on the shoulder before thanking the paps. We turn and walk down the hall into the V.I.P. area.
"What brings you to L.A.?" I ask as Wesley drops his duffle on the floor, and we take a seat in the luxurious leather chairs. A waitress practically runs over to take our drink orders.
"Just an audition." Wesley scrubs a hand over his eyes, looking as spent as I feel.
"Same. What part were you auditioning for?"
"Uh," Wesley clears his throat, suddenly interested in the tile floor. "Alaric on Where There's Smoke."
It takes a second for his words to sink in. Because he can't possibly be going after the part he knows I've been busting my ass to get for months now. I stare at him, but he keeps his eyes fixed on the ground.
All I can say is, "Oh."
"My agent wanted me to at least audition," Wes explains. "You know how it is, man."
"Yeah. I know how it is," I say, even though I don't. Wesley's got two major movie deals lined up after Cipher wraps. He didn't need this part. I can't believe he did this now, when things were starting to turn around for me. He might as well have punched me in the face.
"We're cool, right?" Wes asks, finally looking me in the eye.
"Sure. We're cool." I force a shrug.
But we are most definitely not cool. I never would've gone for a part I knew Wesley wanted—no, needed—this badly. My friends are like my family. I wouldn't do that to any of them. Maybe Wes and I aren't as tight as I thought we were.
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The She-Devil And Her Alphas
What are you doing? he asked solemnly
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❃ The Mob Boss and The French Mafia Princess ❃"Shira," I warned, "Come any closer and I will stop the car right here and fuck you," I spoke with a stern tone, my hands gripped on to the steering wheel so hard my knuckles begged to come out. "Valerius, you are all for the bark and never the bite." She whispered, sensually nipping my neck. -Valerius De Santis is one sexy yet ruthless Italian Don that doesn't have to say a word for women to swoon over him. When he meets the eldest daughter of the French Mafia, Shira Lamoreaux, he thinks she's too innocent and pure. However, what he doesn't know is that this loving girl knows exactly how to play his dirty game. Valerius wants to tame his feisty tigress and make her his. But Shira is keeping her problem to herself, which slowly consumes her. Will Valerius save her from the demons on the inside and out?MATURE CONTENT & 18 +#1 infertility 08/08/2021#1 feisty 08/08/2021#1 secrets 08/08/2021#1 strong language 09/08/2021#1 french 27/08/2021
8 154A Lovesong of Rooks: Angels and Demons Aren’t Saving the World, So I Guess I Have To
The year is 1998, in a world that seems familiar, but is also strange and different. Demeter Serraffield is the heir of the aristocratic Serraffield family, who hold a seat in the Curia of Lords, the parliamentary body that rules the whole of the world. The day before her sixteenth birthday, she travels to Metropoly, the greatest city in the world, where she must reside by law, or give up her seat in the curia as well as her status as an aristocrat. At the Seat of Law, the home of the Curia of Lords, Demi expects to be squired to a man who has an alliance with her family, but there are hidden things unfolding out of sight, and as a result, Demi ends up being squired to one of the most powerful men in the world, Matthias Eisenreich, the Iron Duke. Demi must swiftly learn the rules of the aristocratic society she now inhabits. As if that wasn’t enough, she also has to enter school for the first time, and finds herself the new student council president on her first day as a high school student. She must also learn all that she needs to know to govern her own territory, and to act as a politician. Above all else, she must discover the terrible hidden truth of the world. The world is a terrible place, but there is hope. She will mend all that is broken. Where redemption never ends in death, and we can grow flowers even from salted earth. Illustrations by the author. Books. Books books books books books. This is a story about books. Hope you like books. Age Difference Romance/Active heroine/heroine pursues Kingdom/Coalition Building/Internal Management Aristocracy/Intrigue/Politician Heroine Ridiculously OP heroine School Antics Magic/Magical Girls/Alchemy Modern Urban Magic/Fairy Tales Difficult/Dark/Monstrous/Broken World Angels and Demons Slow burn, happy ending but a rough road to get there. Reincarnation Game/ game-like mechanics. Updates once a day until the end of Canto One, then updates once a week, on Friday. Book One is complete. Story is also posted at Syosetu and Archive of Our Own. If you really want to know what I’m all about, check the essays up in the Intro to the Gabiverse (non)fiction.
8 63Witch of Andania
Laura Alexandra Muriel is the willful 16-year-old crown princess of the island kingdom of Andania. Endowed with breathtaking beauty and well-versed in both the twin arts of magic and the zither, she’s the gem of the imperial family. However, the golden age of Andania is long past and the weakened nation is besieged by the northern protectorate of Vaishya and threatened by the southern slave empire of Saadian. As the flames of war ignite throughout the world and Andania teeters on the brink of destruction, the nation’s survival demands the ultimate sacrifice from one to save the many. A civilization with two opposing systems of magic. Ancient Magic: Wielded only by Andanian witches, emphasizes innate Talent and self-sacrifice for higher magic (Talismans, Song). New Creation Magic: Preferred by the high gods & the rest of the world, requires sacrificing the life energy and blood of others for higher magic (Spells, Incantations & countless other forms). A world with two antagonistic superpowers and an island nation forced to the brink of extinction. Protectorate of Vaishya: The world’s largest trading union. Calcutta, the capital is the wealthiest city on earth, and ruled by the benevolent Zimran royal family, who seeks to establish a trading monopoly on unique Andanian magic. Empire of Saadian: The world’s mightiest slave empire. Riyadh, the capital is the grandest city on earth, built on the backs of countless slaves, and ruled by the Immortal Emperor Xerxes, who seeks exclusive rights to the immense military potential of unique Andanian magic. Andania: In its golden age, its unrivalled magical wares were famous throughout the known world. Magical artifacts with unimaginable power, flying fleets of steel, and enchantments that rivaled the divine blessings of gods. But today. An aged powerless king clings on to power with his two young daughters, the last of the ancient witches of Andania. And as the fleets of both Vaishya & Saadian crest the horizon, the survival of the nation is threatened as never before. And two princesses that simply wanted to spend a happy childhood together in peace. Laura Alexandra Muriel: The willful & stubborn elder sister and The Witch of Andania, the title granted to the most accomplished witch of her generation. Her sworn duty, to sacrifice even her very life, to ensure the safety of her people. Her greatest love and lifelong competitor, her dearest younger twin sister. Lily Alexandra Muriel: The kind & supportive younger sister and the undisputed genius in the zither and song. Her only wish, to live in peace and quiet with her elder twin. Her curse, a power that could doom an empire to desolation. What’s the worst that could happen? A forbidden Tower, that can grant any wish. A forgotten Species, resides within the darkest depths of the seas. An ancient Serpent, plots to usurp the remnants of the high gods. Powerful witches, desperate wishes, lost memories. Immortal emperor, devious archmages, blood sacrifice. High gods, undead diviners, hidden costs. Will the mortal witches finally triumph? Will the Immortal rule the world? Will the gods survive the serpent’s schemes? And what about that cute fluffy kitten? Will she ever have her heart’s desire? Tags: Fantasy, Action, Tragedy, Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Strategy, Magic
8 229I wanna be yours... -ALEX TURNER-
"I want to change your mind.""Alex... You're drunk.""But my thoughts are sober."You just broke up with your ex boyfriend, and Alex is there to comfort you. Or, is it getting a little bit too comfortable?Will romance your friendship forever?Highest rank:#1 in Alexturner#3 in Arcticmonkeys#1 in Arabella(Why did 16 y/o me write this..)
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