《Collateral Damage》1
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At the center of every galaxy was a black hole. The most destructive, dangerous thing known to man existed in the universe—and it was in the middle of almost every galaxy, even hers.
Audrey considered her father the black hole in her Milky Way. If he served a purpose, she couldn't tell what it was, but thus far, his looming pretense just stood to make her uneasy. He was a destructive force, drawing in anything in proximity and destroying it, including and especially her.
Her plans for college went out the window, as she took on two extra jobs, working nights, early mornings, and evenings. She'd hardly had a night off since she'd signed her life away to Alexander Remington that day nearly three years ago. She wiped the sweat from her brow, turning off the grill. Between working at a call center overnight, a restaurant during the day, and a boutique on weekends, she hardly slept.
She walked home after closing, the streetlight flickering ominously, Audrey shifted her bag on her shoulder, sighing softly, her stomach growling. She rubbed it, her brow creasing, her worn-out flats pounding against the sidewalk.
Her check would be late, she mused to herself in concern. If she sent it through the mail she'd probably be three days late. So, the next morning, she took the bus to the source of her ire. Audrey looked up at the skyscraper, jutting out against the sky, her stomach growling, a mixture of hunger and anxiety. With a small groan, she walked in, instantly feeling out of place, with her worn, frayed jeans that were more distressed than fashionable, and her simple black top. The receptionist looked her up and down critically, pasting on a facsimile of a smile.
"How can I help you?" He asked.
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"I'm here to see Alexander Remington."
The receptionist did one more once over, silently asking what business a ruffian like her could have with such an esteemed man. Audrey scoffed.
"Just tell him Audrey Willams is here with his check. He'll know why."
The man pursed his lips, his platinum blond hair shaking as he typed furiously. "I'm sorry, you need an appointment--"
The large glass door opened, revealing a now familiar silhouette. Alexander noted her presence, his eyes sweeping over her form.
"Ms. Williams," His deep voice rumbled against the walls. "I'm surprised to see you. Come in. Joshua, hold my calls for half an hour,"
Alexander held the door open for her, motioning for her to enter. Audrey did so, her hands clutching the strap on her bag tightly, as she walked past him, being bathed in the light but the heavenly scent of his cologne.
"You're not late on your payment," He mused, walking beside her, down a long winding hallway, stopping abruptly at a door, and opening it.
Audrey stepped through once more, this time closing her eyes, enjoying his scent.
"I just didn't have the time to send it through the mail. Didn't wanna be late," She grumbled, pulling the check out of her bag, and setting it on the table. It was a bit wrinkled but clearly written. Alexander looked over her face, her gaze casts away from him, and then down at the check.
"No hearts," Alexander muttered, looking over her signature on her most recent check.
"What?" She frowned.
"Nothing." He set the check in his drawer, leaning back with a small smile. "You've grown. How is your father?"
Audrey scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Dunno. He skipped town once I was on the hook for his debt."
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Alexander noted the strip of her bare midriff showing, the way her jeans fit her hips. He looked away.
"Well... that's all," She turned around. "I should have it by the mail next month."
Alexander watched her walk away with great interest, the slight, natural sway of her hips somewhat entrancing. She was beautiful, and she'd taken the form of a woman now, no longer a young woman, barely out of high school, barely out of childhood. She'd matured. Forcefully, he was sure, having to work as hard as she did to pay a debt that wasn't hers.
"Audrey?" He called, stopping her in her tracks.
Audrey looked back at him, waiting for him to continue.
Alexander cleared his throat, his grey eyes focused on hers, a soft look on his face. "How are you?" He asked gently.
Audrey's lip curled up in disgust, making Alexander rear back at the venom on her face.
"Don't act like you give a fuck," She spat, slamming the door behind him. Alexander blinked, taking out her check once more, noting the signature. He smiled, before dissolving into a chuckle.
Well, if he didn't give a fuck before, he certainly did now. She'd grown into an interesting woman. That venom...he somewhat enjoyed it. Not that it really mattered. Alexander, tucked the check away, with the dozens of others she'd sent in. James Williams had borrowed 500,000 dollars to invest in an NFT business and when it went belly up, he shifted the responsibility to his only child, coercing her to sign her life over to a man he barely knew.
Now, Audrey Williams owed him everything.
He pressed a button on the intercom. "Josuha?"
"Yes, Mr. Remington?"
"Always let Ms. Audrey in when she comes. No appointment necessary."
Alexander tapped his desk. He only had two more years before they were no longer attached, him and Audrey. And that should've been fine. But he found himself curious about the woman she'd become, under his influence. What kind of person had he helped shape?
"You're 9 o'clock is here, Mr. Remington."
Alexander shook his head, clearing his mind of his wandering thoughts, and pressing the intercom. "Send him in."
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A 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 63Honeymoon Rivals
Two rivals. All around the world. On fake honeymoons.Poppy:All I've ever wanted to do was travel and see the world, every inch, every corner of it that I could. Everything in my life was going according to plan. Every day was summer vacation for me.Until Joshua Everett Nilsen walked into it.My co-worker, my rival, my nightmare. Everything I hate put together into one... I hate to admit it, devilishly handsome man. He's gorgeous and that only made me hate him more. As handsome as sin.But he's bossy, he's arrogant, he thinks he's always right, and now, he's my travel partner. Now, there's no escaping him because everywhere I go, I'll go with him. Josh:Escaping my past and traveling is the one thing that has kept me going so far. And finally making it and seeing the world has paid off. Everything in my life was going according to plan. Every day was summer vacation for me.Until Poppy Valentine obliterated it.My co-worker, my rival, the most annoying person I've ever met. She's everything I despise and more. With her attitude, her constant need to prove me wrong, her brighter-than-the-sun smile, and her annoyingly pretty eyes, I hated her even more.And now I'm her travel partner. It was her mess, her problem, and somehow, she pulled me down with her. Everywhere I go, she's coming with me....Travel Addict Weekly. The biggest travel magazine in the city of New York. Poppy and Josh. Josh and Poppy. The most popular writers. And the biggest rivals.When Poppy's travel partner is fired for breaking employment rules, she needs someone else to travel the world and write articles critiquing every city with her. And who would be better than the man she hates the most? Josh.It's pure attraction and intense chemistry hidden in the name of rivalry and hatred...ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
8 99Amethyst Reviews ❦
Looking to gain feedback on your book? Or maybe you want to get your masterpiece out there? Well, look no further - Amethyst Reviews is the perfect place for you!Find out how to get an in-depth, honest review of your book inside ⇨- open [ ]- closed [ ]- closed for catch up [✔︎]*Reviews will be closed for catch up when 10+ unreviewed books are in the queue.
8 193Friendly Desire | Jikook |
_____________________________HIGHEST RANK #1 Designer 10-13-2018______________________________"Should I teach you how to kiss?" The boy gulped, hint of pink appeared on his cheeks "W-what" he swallowed. Warning this story contain: ▪ fluff ▪ Sexually explicit material ▪ Strong Language Ships in this story: ▪ Jikook ▪ Vhope Start: July, 27, 2018~ End : September, 1, 2018~ ♡ ~》 Enjoy 《~ ♡
8 129bad things ➸ tincan ✔ (EDITING)
[STATUS: COMPLETED]a good and fun-witted person like Can meets the leader of the secret thug group named Tin. hate will maintain their relationship with each other but change into love sooner. will they love last or they will end up and give up on each other?ds : 3/9/19de : 8/27/19©minhyukist
8 55Troubled With Tattoos
❝What if I fall?❞❝Then I'll catch you.❞ ❝He was arrogant, obnoxious, funny, cocky, sarcastic, a know it all, a delinquent, a bad influence, yet knowing all these things I still couldn't manage to stay away from him. Something about him just drew me in.❞Secrets, lies and psycho exes rule Violets life. After her younger brothers death, Violets life took a turn for the worse. The grieving daughter moves in with her Aunt and everything seemed fine after that, except they weren't. Mix in a quirky coworker, an old friend, and a guy who always uses his corny pickup lines and you will have a pot of disaster. Violet bumps into a boy at the car repair garage who she also just found out was her new neighbor. Violet tells herself that she is not here to find love. But who is she fooling? Throw in some hot guys with tattoos and you will soon find yourself also troubled with tattoos.Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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