Callea was trying to get the feels of their visitor while cooking at the kitchen. They were with Deive at the living room. According to Deive, he has been friends with those men since they were kids. They were also Deive's business partners. They didn't say much but she knew that they don't like her for Deive. Even when she changed her church dress to one the nice dresses that Deive bought for her, the tension was still there. They were still uncomfortable with her.

She was not the Callea they were expecting. She was not the normal beautiful woman that her grandfather was selling.

"I think that is done, señorita," Marina said then tapped her arm. She was cooking chicken adobo with coconut milk. (Adobo is a popular Filipino dish where fish, pork, beef, chicken or vegetable would be cooked with soy sauce and vinegar and other spices. Callea's recipe was special because it has coconut milk in it.)

 She was zoning out. She didn't notice that Marina was back in the kitchen after she fixed the table at the dining area for dinner. She didn't want Marina to see the guests a while ago. She was protective of her because of her past experiences with strangers. But Deive insisted that Marina must meet his friends, too.

"They are kind and handsome, too." Marina was grinning from ear-to-ear. "Sir Averill even asked me if I am that hunchback in the story that you created. The one where people thought that she was a jinx but became the hero in the end." It was a particular favorite of Callea because she showed that not all beautiful creatures are kind and some who were considered ugly could have a good heart and even save a lot of people.

"Averill know about that? He reads my novels?" she asked in awe. Averill was a businessman. She never thought he had it in him to read graphic novels. And how did he know about her identity as an artist? Her works were popular, sure. But aside from her publisher, nobody knew the real identity of the artist behind her works. She hated attending book signings and meet and greet because she valued her privacy so much.

"Yes. Even the grumpy one is a fan of yours." Marina stopped for a bit to think. "Ah! That's Sir Lucian. Señorito Deive is so proud of you. He boasted you to his friends. You are not just a great artist but you are good in history as well. Now they are interested to visit the underground cemetery with you as their guide."

"Hmmm… Deive is now the ambassador of tourism."

"I also want to thank you."

"Why?" Callea asked and took the Pyrex container where she would put the adobo.

"Because some people looked at me differently now. I used to be treated as a jinx like I couldn't do anything good in this world. "This is the first time that some strangers treated me like a heroine because of the story you created. That I am not some devil's minion or a person with a communicable disease."

She put the Pyrex down and held her hand. "Marina, you are a good person. In God's eyes, we are all the same. We are all beautiful. It is only humans who put a standard on things. Even those who are beautiful experience human's cruelty." And she felt sad when she remembered who had to pay for her beauty.

"Go to the visitors now. I will put the food on the table," said Marina and shooed her away.

Callea removed her apron and left the kitchen. At the living room, Keiran was playing the piano. Deive and his friends were laughing with Sydney's antics about her graphic novel that he read. It was a piece of happy jazz music and was fit for jovial mood.

They stopped talking when Lucian saw her. "Your bride is here," he said to Deive.

Sydney stopped talking and moving entirely and his jaw was slack. He looked like he was afraid to move. He was still afraid of her. He apologized for screaming a while ago when she took off her veil. She couldn't laugh much afterward because he looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Deive had to give him his water canister and made her drink water to calm him down. She promised not to scare him anymore. Well, not that much.

She forced a smile. "Dinner will be ready in a bit."

"I could smell the ginataang adobo. It makes me hungrier," said Lucian and stood up.

While Averill walked towards her. She noticed that he was holding a copy of her graphic novel and a pentel pen. "Could you please sign an autograph for me?"

She stepped back and shook her head. "I don't sign autographs. I mean, not in person." She didn't even want to face her fans. It was weird that someone asked her to personally sign her book.

Lucian crossed his arms over his chest. Drat! The man looked intimidating when his attention was focused on her. "As Deive's future, you can't refuse us. In return, we will guard Deive so he won't stray to other women."

"Don't be like that, man," Deive complained. "I am a good boy. I am faithful." Then Deive smiled at her. "Please sign it for my friends."

He couldn't say no to Deive at that point. His friends would find it more it weirder if she would refuse them furthermore. She took the pentel pen from Averill. She was a bit shaking as she signed her book that had just been released at the market last month. She smiled when she got a hang of it. It also felt great to sign her own book. "Just make sure that my identity will be anonymous to others. I just gave in because you would make sure that Deive won't go back to his womanizing ways."

Deive scratched his own head. "I am a good boy," he insisted.

"Can I make a request?" asked Sydney and raise his hand. "Deive said you like cosplaying the characters you created. Can you cosplay the red vampire Zapira for me? I got a crush on her."

"What?!" exclaimed Deive and hooked his arm on Sidney's neck and tried to choke him.

The rest of them laughed. It was crazy. They were so adorable. And she realized that she hadn't laughed for a long time in the company of strangers. Before it comes easily. That was the old her. She never thought she would experience it again. It was liberating. Deive made him laugh again. With that laugh, Deive also opened the door to her heart. And she would let him inside her heart even if he won't ask for it.

An arranged marriage to a perfect bride.

To keep him in line, playboy Deive Hontiveros needs to marry Callea Lopez so he could start his own business. He thought he got lucky when he sees how beautiful and caring Callea is.

She lives in a haunted mansion though and he got plagued by a mysterious ghost of a woman and her cat from hell.

He must protect his bride at all cost. 

But what if Callea is one with the darkness?

Check out my other book: King of Film 
Synopsis:
 Jiang Cheng a screenwriter is reincarnated to 2001, into the seventeen-year-old body of another Jiang Cheng.
Clutching onto the dreams of his previous life he attempts to succeed where he previously failed.
He starts from scratch, as a small-time screenwriter writing television shows and movie scripts.
Filled with dreams of becoming a generational entertainment legend and establishing an entertainment empire he takes the road to become the King of Film.
....
First Volume of the book:
Amazon- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FDK6N1P
Google Play- https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=6KtjDwAAQBAJ
....
Second Volume of the book:
Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZCSXY5
Google Play- https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=87tmDwAAQBAJ
....
Wanna take this chance to thank Yuumei who very kindly gave me permission to use her illustration it as my book cover. She has some breathtaking pieces on her site, honestly they look so realistic, check them out : https://www.yuumeiart.com
You can also check out her graphic novels: https://www.yuumeiart.com/graphic-novels/


Zhang Xiaohua was a washed-up artist who tragically passed away in a car accident after heroically saving a child’s life. After his death, Zhang Xiaohua’s soul was transmigrated into a parallel universe where the entertainment industry has become sluggish. 

With a group of small musicians, memories and just his wits about him, he is forced to create something for himself in his new environment, working hard to sustain himself and his mother, while also trying to regain control of his father's company.

Follow his journey as he attempts to become a world-class entertainment mogul and conquer the entertainment world by storm.

_____________________________________________

*Get the first volume of the book:
Google Play-https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=6KtjDwAAQBAJ
Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FDK6N1P 

*Get Volume 2 of the book:
Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZCSXY5
Google Play-https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=87tmDwAAQBAJ

Discord: https://discord.gg/TeTKhzp

Get Some Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/huaxiang-entertainment
_____________________________________________

Book Cover is by Yuumei Art who very kindly gave me permission to use it as my cover. She also has loads of other amazing pieces if you wanna check them out at: https://www.yuumeiart.com

Why not try my new books: Angel of Death, King of Sports and King of Film

I plan to post about 5 or more chapters today. 

Vote power stones up to 200 or more power stones and you get more chapters! 

Let me know what you want to see more of in this story and how many harem members there should be!

[WARNING]: The next chapter will be extremely graphic, [Use of clones] Trigger warnings. Remember there is no NTR in this novel. I don't write that shit. I am a true Harem God. 


DISCORD: https://discord.gg/vRcGCsy


ALSO REVIEW! VOTE AND REVIEW! LETS GET TO THE TOP OF HAREM NOVELS! FUCK EVERYONE ELSE!

A pro gamer is thrust into an advanced fantasy world full of powerful gods, demons, heroes, legends, and mythical beasts. This new world is a brutal one full of hierarchy, corruption, and power. One ruled by rank and status. He starts off with a reset System of his highest Pro Gamer Loadout. Awakened not as a hero, but as the heir of the Demon King! Archer must find out the cold truth if he was reincarnated or summoned into this new world? And what is his true bloodline? Both the VR and fantasy worlds collide into the most epic adventure; full of legendary loot, big battles, and of course kingdom building.  Archer will grind his way up to become the apex of this new world. 

[The seven deadly sins will devour all!]

[ Welcome to the Inferno! To Grimmsal! Hell awaits you!] 

"I will change my destiny." 

"I am Archer Asmodeus." 
____________

[Tags]: Overpowered MC, System, Anti-Hero,Harem,Monster Girls ,Reincarnation, Netori, Action,Grimdark, Kingdom Building, R-18, Extreme Gore, Harem, Polygamy, BSDM, NSFW, Incest, Dual Cultivation, Dark Magic, Mature, Dungeon Thrones, Slice of Life, (Slow-Build Harem), Drama, Epic, Hidden Gem, 

>WARNING!

If you didn't know, the first volume of this series is published on Amazon and Kindle with all art scenes done by Jourd4n. 

currently, volume 2 is coming closer and closer to being completed but from now on I'm doing all the art scenes myself for all my other novels.

[ Sadako The Demon Of Neodeka ] still has a long way to go but when this story is completely done I'm planning to publish it as a full blown hardback book. Definitely going to put a little more pazzaz into the final product for this one. 

BUT THE BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL 

As a Halloween special I'm posting the first chapter of Welcome To The Afterlife (graphic novel version) on Instagram in full color. Look for it on Thursday @lyranichi

The difference between life and death is a fine line. 

  Evan Shadows; A 19 year old boy who finds his way into another world after dying in a tragic accident.
      
  In the world of Neodeka there are horrifying monsters, dragons, and ofcourse pretty girls. 

  Though, after getting scratched by a terrifying creature, it seems he must set out on a quest with his new friends to find something called a 'Life Crystal' before he starts to turn into one of those monsters!


---------------------------------------------------------



Continuing In Volume 2




Evan Shadows and his friends finally defeated the evil dragon Atsuko the world of Neodeka broke apart. Everyone was separated in the fall, ending up in yet another strange world.

The world of Jigoku. A kingdom preparing for war under their king Goliath A.K.A Sadako's father. Evan, Sadako and Basa are alone on their journey thus getting to know one another and becoming trusted allies. 

Avery Volk has been on a rampage in the world of the living for 2 years, torn up over the loss of his beloved Blair. Until one fateful day an old friend shows up with news for hope, a way to save Blair, revive her from the Phantom realm. Unfortunately, Avery will have to face Goliath himself in order to get Blair back. Though, Goliath seems to know Avery even though they never met before, or so Avery thought...

Lyran Ichihara comes into contact with a handsome boy with wings. Though they get along just fine, he doesn't want to tell Lyran his real name for some reason. Instead, he goes under the alias 'Angel'. They travel the wasteland in search of the rest of Lyran's party into the town of Selina which is cut off from the overbearing rule of the demon king Goliath. Until news comes one day that shakes Lyran to her core, Angel helps her on her mission to infiltrate the king's castle.

Read to find out what happens as some relationships form and some tear away. Also, a new life is created.

------------

[ Sadako The Demon Of Neodeka ]

The tale of the life of the daughter of the king. She was cast out of the castle at a young age and forced to work as a slave. 

This poor lonely girl would one day become the powerful demon known as Sadako Gravestone.

This is GhostyZ. The author of many fanfics and some originals on this site. I am using this account to enter into the Fantasy contest for Thrones and Kingdoms. Since my other account already has some other novels saved and I couldn't post this novel. 

>>There will be some graphic content. Just to let everyone know<<

This story will have a system but I won't overdo it with the stats. There will mostly be action and drama as well as other themes. There will also be classes,ranks, and tiers  which I will later list. 

This story is in its project stage. But I hope I can make it good each day. I will try my best to edit each chapter and add more content each day. 

Prologue will be uploaded today. All info chapters will be posted in the Aux section.

If you have any questions ask away. I will try my best to answer each question about this story.

Also I will show some pics of how the MC looks like.

A college student is reborn in a fantasy world that is fused with Magic and Cultivation. Myths, Legends, and Mythical Creatures all exist in the world of Zareth. Clans and Kingdoms filled with Harem Lords roam these lands which are inhabited by the most radiant Maidens and Goddesses of all races. But this world is a brutal and unforgiving one, in which only the strong thrive. Dragons, Spirit Beasts, and an ancient darkness lurk in the shadows. 

Will he rise up the ranks and become a Harem God? Conquer the Divine Lust. 


Support: https://www.patreon.com/ghostybones

[Tags]: Overpowered MC, System, Anti-Hero,Harem,Monster Girls ,Reincarnation, Netori, Action, Kingdom Building, R-18, Extreme Gore, Harem, BSDM, NSFW, Dual Cultivation, Summoner, Mature, Sex, Dungeon ,Thrones

>WARNING!<  Incest, Mind-Control, Hardcore, Hidden Tags


Novel also being posted on Royal Road and Scribblehub.

6

Talin hesitated outside his bedroom door, his gaze on the breakfast tray he'd made.  He'd burned the toast a bit, but it was edible.  Pushing the door open, he entered the bedroom to find Dimitri sitting up.  Ignoring his heart's little skip, Talin took the tray to Dimitri's side of the bed.
"I brought coffee," he said banging the tray slightly on the bedside table.
Dimitri helped him steady the tray.  Once it was safe, Dimitri took his left hand.
"I hope you're not leaving me to disappear downstairs," Dimitri said.
Talin laughed.
"No, I called Lori; she'll handle opening the club."
"Good," Dimitri tugged on his hand until he sat on the side of the bed.
"You took my rose," Talin said, shifting until he sat legs crossed on the bed facing Dimitri.
Reaching for the tray, he placed it on the space between them.  He took Dimitri's cup of coffee and held it out.
Dimitri took the cup with a small shrug.
"You don't need black roses, Talin.  I'll get you vibrant red ones if that's what you want."
"But, the black one was unique.  I don't even know where it came from."
Dimitri pressed a finger on his lips.
"Don't worry about a dead rose, my dear.  I'll get you a whole plant."
"And where will I put a rose plant?" Talin asked putting jam on Dimitri's toast.  "I don't have a garden out there."
Dimitri nodded to the windows and the little balcony built in there.
"We'll put a flower pot there."
"What about when it snows?"
"We'll wrap it up." Dimitri grinned.
Talin shook his head.
"You have a solution for everything."
Dimitri nodded.
"That's right."
Talin scoffed.
"It gives you a big ego."
Dimitri bit into the toast with a small happy sigh.
"I want to eat breakfast with you everyday."
"I doubt that," Talin said applying marmalade on his toast.  "You have Kat cooking for you."
"I'm a third-wheel in that house."  Dimitri grinned.  "She and Lukas have eyes for each other in the morning."
Talin laughed at that picture.  He doubted Dimitri would ever be a third-wheel in any situation.  His personality brought him up front and center.
"You don't believe me," Dimitri said.
"I think they both love you too much to make you feel like a third-wheel.  You're whining," Talin said.
"Jeez, there's no joking with you."  Dimitri sipped his coffee.  "Still, I prefer having toast with you to any fancy breakfast."
Talin felt warmth burst inside him and he took a bite of toast to hide it.  They ate in silence for a few minutes.
Talin reached out to wipe away toast crumbs caught on the corner of Dimitri's mouth.  Dimitri took his hand and pressed a kiss on his fingers.
"What are you doing today?" Talin asked.
Dimitri sighed.
"I have to go to the marina.  Lukas needs help with one of our charter boats.  Something's wrong with the engine."
"You like working with engines.  The day I went to your place, I found you working on a pump engine.  Is that what you do all day?"
"I do a lot of things in a day," Dimitri answered.
"Things like what?" Talin asked, wanting to know all he could about Dimitri.
So far, all he knew was that the man had insomnia, and liked to sleep in Talin's bed.
Dimitri put his coffee cup on the bedside table.
"Lukas and I own the marina together, but he does the administrative work and dealing with customers.  Kat helps but she has her restaurant to deal with.  I work behind the scenes.  I check the charter boats, do maintenance and if anyone needs help with their boat, I handle that.  We offer warehouse space, so I make sure shipments are in order.  My job gives me a flexible schedule and I get to work with my hands."
"And your men, those guys you hang with, what do they do?" Talin asked.
"Sean and Tomas help me," Dimitri said.  "They handle all the warehouse problems which can be trying."
Talin met amused blue eyes.
"Satisfied?" Dimitri asked.
"Nope," Talin shook his head.  "Where did you go last night?  I saw your car in the parking lot before I fell asleep.  You weren't in the club, I called Lori to ask."
"A friend picked me up," Dimitri said with a slight shrug.
"What friend?"
"Business friend," Dimitri said.  "He had an emergency to do with a shipment and needed my help."
"Is that why you didn't sleep?" Talin asked with a frown.  "Dimitri, you have to take better care of yourself.  I know how it is to overwork."
"Don't worry about me," Dimitri said.  "I don't sleep that much anyway.  Besides, I slept the whole day yesterday."
"Still," Talin moved the tray to the bedside table.
Dimitri pushed the sheets away and moved closer, reminding Talin that he was still in his boxer shorts.  They hadn't done anything beyond a few kisses and holding each other.  Dimitri sunk his fingers into Talin's hair, tilting Talin's head back so that they could kiss.
All thoughts of what Dimitri did or didn't do disappeared.  Dimitri tasted like coffee, strawberry jam and toast.  Dimitri's tongue stroked his, Talin pressed closer, his arms moving up Dimitri's strong upper arms to his shoulders.  He could kiss Dimitri all day.  Their kisses were drugging, heated...he sighed when Dimitri broke away to trail kisses along his jaw to his neck.
His fingers sunk into Dimitri's mink black hair, and a moan escaped when Dimitri bit at the curve of his neck and shoulder.
"I've dreamt of holding you like this," Dimitri said sucking on the sensitive spot.  "I can't believe it's finally happening."
"Why do you keep saying that?  Am I really so unapproachable?" Talin asked leaning back to meet Dimitri's gaze.
"I—," Dimitri pressed a kiss on his jaw and let him go.  "It seemed better to look at you from a far."
Talin sighed and got off the bed.  "Well, seems you're still looking from afar."
"Why do you say that?" Dimitri asked in surprise.
"Nothing," Talin said, picking a knitted sweater he'd thrown over an armchair beside his bed.  "I have no clue what we're doing, so—, it doesn't matter what I say."
Talin wore the grey sweater and tugged it over his t-shirt.
"Talin."
Talin tried…he tried…to fight that sexy voice, alas he was mortal and weak.  Dimitri's low voice was tempting; it felt like expensive silk stroking his cock, arousal slammed him hard.  He wanted…meeting pale blue eyes, he sighed, berating his body for wanting a man with secrets like Dimitri.
"What?" he asked.
Their gazes locked.
"I want in," Dimitri said, "all the way."
Talin forced himself to look away from Dimitri.
"Ah…well, if it was sex you wanted, you could have asked that first day," Talin said, trying to joke through the intensity of Dimitri's words.
He had no idea what to say.  He didn't know if he could handle someone getting to know him.
Isn't that what Dimitri was implying here?
It had to be…he frowned.
"Sex is easy, I want more than that.  I need it, Talin," Dimitri stated.
Dimitri got off the bed in a fluid motion and closed the distance between them with a few steps.
Talin couldn't help the gasp when Dimitri held his shoulders, turning him, so they faced each other.  Unable to resist, Talin touched Dimitri's stomach, his fingers tracing soft hair dusting down to the waistband of black boxer shorts.
Dimitri ran his fingers through Talin's hair, stroking the long messy strands.  Talin leaned into the touch.  It was so new, yet so familiar: comforting, he let out a shaky breath and looked up to meet Dimitri's gaze.
"Can we take it slow?" Talin asked
His chest felt tight, fear creeping in at the thought of allowing someone in…again.
Dimitri's smile was slow, roguish…sexy…jeez, everything the man did linked back to sex.
Talin's cock hardened, pressing against his jeans.
"Whatever you want, Talin," Dimitri said leaning to touch his lips to Talin's, "as long as you let me have breakfast with you."
Talin chuckled.
"And have my bed for sleeping?" he asked.
"Yep," Dimitri said his fingers bunching in Talin's hair gently.  Using the hold on his hair, Dimitri tilted Talin's head back, "for sleeping…and other pleasurable activities, hopefully soon."
Talin closed his eyes when Dimitri finally kissed him, this time leaving no doubt what type of pleasurable activities Dimitri wanted.
***
The trash pick-up truck showed up at around one o'clock.  They were two days late.  Talin stood at the back door watching them clear the trash area.  He'd been worried the health officers would show up and find the trash area messy.  Health officers were a pain…not to mention the fines…he sighed and stepped back into the building.  He needed to call the removal company and straighten the schedule.
Instead of going to the main club floor where Lori was dealing with late deliveries, Talin went to his office.  He'd spent the past thirty minutes compiling a list of potential waiters for hire.  Settling behind his desk, his gaze fell on the card Detective James left him.  He'd brought it down here by mistake.
Picking it up, he touched the number with a frown.  Dimitri thought it was a good idea for him to keep the card.  When he'd asked why, Dimitri had smiled and told him to let the detective know if Ken Luther showed up at the club.
Dimitri.
Now there was a man with secrets.
Talin opened the top drawer of his desk and dropped the card inside, his thoughts firmly on Dimitri as they had been through the week.  They'd only spoken for four days, and it felt like he'd always known Dimitri.
It had to be the epic kisses, Talin thought with a smile, though the secrets intrigued him too.
Like last night, he'd glanced out the living room windows to see Dimitri's car in the parking lot.  Talin wondered why Dimitri would leave his car in the parking lot when he'd need it to get to the marina.  Then there was the Caleb Barnes saga, and the two men who followed Dimitri around.  Then there was this morning…why had Dimitri looked so stressed when he'd shown up?
The questions were many, but then the kisses filled his thoughts and the questions rather took a backseat.
He was in lust with Dimitri's kisses.
Talin touched his lips and couldn't help smiling at the memory of Dimitri pressing him against the front door before he left two hours ago.  He hadn't wanted that kiss to end.  He'd instead wanted them to go back to his bed.
Dimitri, however, had broken the kiss, patiently held him until they both could breath easier, and then he'd left with a devastating smile.
Damn Dimitri, he frowned, the man had insane self-control.
"Talin," an amused deep voice broke into his thoughts.
He glanced up to find a tall thin black man smiling at him.
"Carl," Talin said, pleasantly surprised.
Getting up, Talin walked around the desk to meet Carl and give him a tight hug.  He laughed when Carl patted his back and tugged on his ponytail.  Carl Brown was his oldest friend.
"I knocked twice, but you seem preoccupied," Carl said stepping back to study him.  "I see smiles, visiting the land of the living again, Talin?"
Talin chuckled and playfully punched Carl's arm.
"It's great to see you, Carl.  Did Terry kick you out of the house today?  I haven't seen you in a while."
Carl laughed and moved to take a seat on the armchairs set before Talin's desk.  Talin joined him, moving his chair so that it faced Carl.
"She's driving me crazy," Carl said, his voice soft, dripping with fondness.
Terry was Carl's wife.  Talin had been Carl's best man at their wedding six years ago.  They had one two-year-old boy they both doted on.  Carl was madly in love with his little family.  Happiness radiated from deep within.  It brightened Carl's dark brown eyes as nothing else could.
Talin was jealous.
"You haven't come to visit the Turnip," Carl said studying him.  "We worried.  Terry asked me to come here and drag you out to lunch."
Talin smiled at the mention of Carl and Terry's eclectic bookshop.  He missed that place; the couple had a knack of stocking the bookshop with the best of books.  They'd let Talin name bookshop when they first opened it.  Talin still couldn't believe Terry had agreed to call the bookstore the Turnip.
"That woman," Talin smiled.  "She's so bossy."
"She worries about you," Carl said leaning forward, elbows on his knees.  "Although, I have to say, you're not as depressing as you usually are.  What's changed?"
Talin scoffed.  "What are you talking about?"
"Secret smiles, happy eyes, hmm…" Carl grinned.  "Anyone I know?"
Talin shrugged.
"Not really," he said not ready to mention Dimitri's name.
Carl gave him a knowing look and stood.
"Guess you're not ready to share.  Come on then, I'm not taking no for an answer.  We're going to the steakhouse down the street.  We need to get some meat on them bones."
Talin gave the list of names on his desk a wistful glance.
Carl took his arm before he could launch any protest and led him out of his office.  Talin barely grabbed his jacket on the way out before Carl closed the door.
It was wonderful to walk down the street with Carl.  He listened to Carl talk about his son, and watching him grow.  Carl talked about Terry, love in his every word.  He'd forgotten what this was like, just listening…Carl could talk for hours…somehow it had always seemed like the best thing about Carl.  He'd never needed to talk, Carl did it all…Talin just listened.
"How's your store, Carl?" Talin asked as they settled in their seats at the Steakhouse.
Carl picked up his napkin giving him a surprised look.
"Doing great, Terry ordered new graphic novels, you could come over and check them out."
"That sounds like a plan," Talin said studying the menu.
"Really?" Carl asked sitting back.  "She's kept stuff for you for months."
"I'll drive to the bookshop later."  Talin looked up to find Carl staring at him.  "What?"
Carl took the menu away from him.
"Okay, what have you done with the real Talin?"
Talin laughed.
"I'm the same old Talin."
"No you're not," Carl shook his head.  "You're definitely not the same Talin I've seen the past four years."
Talin held Carl's gaze for a moment, before he looked away.
The past filled the silence between them…too close…too hard…yet now; Talin took in a deep breath and let it out slow.
"I'm sorry," Carl said his tone regretful, "I've ruined it."
"No," Talin shook his head.  "There's nothing to be sorry about.  I-I checked out…"
Carl studied him, and then reached out to squeeze his hand.
"Don't think about it.  I'm insanely happy to see the icicles melting.  Please, let's go to the bookshop after this.  It will be like old times."
Talin watched Carl pick up the menu, a small grin on his lips.  He wondered why he'd never seen how much his self-imposed exile worried Carl.
"I feel like having barbecue short ribs," Carl said grinning at him.  "What do you say?"
Talin laughed.
"Sure, definitely feel like getting sauce all over my face.  Why not?"
Carl nodded and called their waiter.
****
Hours later, Talin drove back to the Talon from Carl and Terry's bookshop feeling happy.  He'd strapped in a box full of new copies of fantasy graphic novels on the passenger seat.  Terry knew his tastes well, and she'd kept the best titles for him.  Glancing at the box, memories came back, happy memories.  He'd always loved graphic art, the more conceptual the better.  Carl and Terry had helped fuel that love through the years, encouraged him when he'd created it too.  Thinking about his art skills brought back memories.
Memories…the vault in his head clicked open.
Gabriel.
Talin remembered afternoons in the sun, seated under a huge oak tree, the grass so green…gorgeous green, but not as gorgeous as Gabriel's green eyes.  He remembered sketching those eyes, trying to put them on paper, and capture the light just right…but never quite getting it.  Kisses under that tree, giggles of delight…followed by…emptiness.
On coming headlights blinded him, and Talin jerked his car to the side of the road, his foot heavy on the brakes.  He came to a stop with a jerk as the driver behind him honked his irritation.
Glancing at the box on the passenger seat, Talin wondered when the past would stop hurting.
His cell phone buzzed.  Glancing at the caller ID, he let out a soft sigh when he saw Dimitri's number.
"Where are you?" Dimitri asked when he answered.
"On the way back to the club," Talin said adjusting his seatbelt.  "I went to see old friends.  Are you at the Talon?"
"I stopped by to drop something off, you weren't there," Dimitri said.  "Are you alright?"
Talin glanced at the box of graphic novels.
"Yeah, I'm fine.  Are you coming over tonight?"
"Later," Dimitri said, his voice filled with promise.
Talin smiled.  "I'll wait."
"Drive safe," Dimitri said then.
Ending the call, Talin placed the phone on its holder on the dash.  Holding the steering wheel with both hands, he let out a steadying breath and eased back into traffic.
"Steady, steady…," he whispered.
***
Back at the club, Talin helped Lori clear tables for the night.  It was almost three o'clock in the morning, Dimitri still hadn't shown up.  Picking up the last stool, he overturned it on the table and stretched his arms above his head.  His shoulder muscles complained and he dropped his arms.
"Did you have fun with Carl?" Lori asked as she filled out the daily forms.  "I saw him drag you out of here earlier."
"Yeah," Talin said taking the rag he held to the counter.  "I didn't realize I was neglecting them until I saw him today.  Their son is walking and everything.  It was surreal, I remember a small tiny baby who had to be carried with care."
Lori chuckled.
"Boss, you haven't noticed much these last few months.  Working, working," she shook her head.  "I guess you've turned on a switch in there.  I can't wait for the new employees you're hiring.  It will mean day offs."
Talin frowned.  "You get day offs."
Lori scoffed.
"From where?" she asked looking around the empty club.  "I'm pretty sure the bulk of the work has been between you and me."
Talin picked up the dirty rags and went around the counter to dump them in the washing machine.  He put in the right amount of soap and started it.
"Dimitri came over earlier," Lori said as she put away the daily forms.
She went back to his office and brought back a package wrapped with delicate green netting.  She placed the package before him with a wide smile.
"Unwrap it, I've been dying to see what's inside all night."
Talin undid the green string holding it all together, and the netting fell away.  He grinned when he saw the small potted plant, the thorns unmistakable.
"A plant?" Lori asked.
She touched the earthenware pot with intricate designs on its surface.
"The pot is expensive.  I don't get it."
Talin touched the leaves carefully.
"It's a rose plant."
"A rose plant?" Lori frowned.
Talin ignored her confusion and instead reached for the card tucked into the plant.  He opened it and found Dimitri had written a note.
>>>For your balcony, water it everyday. D
Talin placed the card on the counter and went to the sink.  He picked up a beer mug and filled it with cold water.  Lori gave him an amused look when he returned to water the plant carefully.
Twenty minutes later, he carried the box of graphic novels, with the rose plant carefully balanced on top, upstairs.  Stopping at his door, he got his keys and unlocked the door.  Ignoring the lights, Talin went into the living room to place the box on the coffee table.
He went back to close the door and turn on the lights.  That's when he saw the white envelope on front door rug.  Frowning, he picked it up, as he locked the door.  Opening the envelope, he pulled out a picture with a note on the back.
'Dimitri Sedlackov is dangerous.  He's not what he seems.'
"Well, that's ominous," he said under his breath turning the picture.
There was Dimitri holding a bundle of…money?
Talin frowned.
***

#BLNovel #boymeetsboyworld
Talin focuses on work, barely giving anything else attention. One encounter in his club's parking lot drags him out of his dull life. 
Dimitri has watched Talin for so long, when Talin storms into his workshop, Dimitri decides he won't stay in the sidelines any longer. Dimitri decides he wants Talin for life.

The butler served the dishes in the dining area. Laurice was hesitant at first but the moment she smelled the aroma of the food, she suddenly felt hungry her mouth instantly watered. 

Her eyes swelled when she saw the table filled with sumptuous dishes. There was a steaming lamb stew which is according to the butler a traditional irish stew, colcannon which is also an irish dish that pretty much resembles that of a potato mash only with kale and spring onions, and a pub salad with a tangy tarragon dressing. 

She gulped. 
'Looks yummy! and hearty!'

Sid was pleased to see the look on her face and immediately pulled her a seat on the table. He was feigning his hunger from the beginning but looking at the woman beside him with her bright and shiny eyes he was starting to feel hungry himself. 

He just could not decide what is it he was actually craving for.
...

Laurice was surprised with the sudden gesture and thanked him rather shyly.

'Oh! What a gentleman!'

She wasn't aware that another person was in fact more surprised than she was. Butler Han was starting to feel giddy from his young master's actions. He did not expect him to be such a gentleman especially towards the woman. Back at the villa, he has already seen some differences from his young master but thought it was just out of respect and a way to appease his son and that he was only being hospitable to a guest but now that he was seeing another side of his young master, he was starting to realize that the man has really become quite odd but absolutely gentle and caring and may be a little too bold, towards Laurice. Only towards Laurice.

The butler thought the man was indeed interested with this beautiful woman. 
'Oh! He had finally found the answer! He will inform the madam right away! Such good news and great luck indeed!  

He thought that finally atleast one of the brothers was beginning to show some interest with the opposite sex. He sure hopes to be able to help the madam plan their wedding soon! 

...

On a certain part in Dublin, Capital of Ireland.
An old but beautiful woman was doing her early morning yoga routine sneezed three times in a row.
'Who is it? Who's cursing me? Ruining my zen time.'

If only the woman knew about a particular butler's good news, she might forget doing yoga for the rest of her life and book a flight back home immediately.

...
Back at Woodville Homes.

Both Laurice and Sid was eating quite happily on the table while chatting. It seemed Laurice was indeed a food enthusiast and could not help but keep asking him about traditional irish cuisine. Sid might not be a good cook but atleast he knows his roots well so he was able to respond to her queries. 

"Can you teach me how to make these?" She asked while pointing at the dishes. "And more?" Her eyes was pleading as she bit her lower lip.

Sid really likes it everytime the woman bite her lips whenever she was getting shy or nervous and excited. Her eyes will always complement those feelings. 
It was rather cute and he did not find it annoying at all.
He was even getting curious if she was actually the clingy type when in a relationship.

When he thought of her being in previous relationships already, he was somehow feeling remorseful and envious. 
His eyes deepened.

Sid cleared his throat and said, "You can come at the villa if you want to. I'll have the chef arrange a special demo for you."

'So smooth young master, why don't you just let her live at the villa to save us all the trouble. Everybody happy.' 
An eavesdropping butler was chanting inwardly. 

"I'd love to! Thank you!" Laurice said happily, her eyes were gleaming. She did not realize that her agreeing will not only let her learn how to cook irish in the future but will also make her indebted to the man himself with a high price forever.

...

The two finished off their meal and Laurice insisted on washing off the dishes herself but the servants did not allow her so and just took charge of it and even handled the sorting of the groceries themselves. They just asked her to rest a bit together with the young master at the back porch instead.

Laurice could not refute and could only sigh in submission. She went out of her way to the back porck after she bid her thanks to the servants.

Her lanai was an extension of the living area separated by a floor to ceiling transparent glass sliding door. She went out and saw Sid who was already sitting on the single couch with a book on his hand. 

The moment Sid felt her presence, he immediately asked, 
"You like graphic novels?" 
Laurice noticed that it was her book on his hand that he was skimming.

"Yes, very much. I actually love reading fiction in general better than watching films." She said. Laurice felt there was no harm on telling him about her hobbies and such.

Sid: "Hmm. I see. You also write, don't you?"
Laurice lightly chuckled.
Laurice: "What made say so?" 
Sid: "Just a guess. Well?" 

Sid looked straight to her eyes. Her heart seemed to have missed a beat when she saw those electrifying deep cognac brown eyes. She remained rooted to the ground.

Laurice let out a breath out of her chest and averted his gaze before replying, "I do. I'm into prose and poetry. I do write novels when i'm in the mood. And my favorite so far is actually writing children's stories with graphic arts."

Sid: "You can also draw?" Sid knows the woman was already extremely talented and hearing everything that she was fond of and interested about, was making his heart even more proud of her. 

Laurice was stunned for a second and replied with a 'Hmm'.

She did not say anything else afterwards. 
She just remained standing there. She seems so near and yet so far from him it was making his heart swell.

Sid continued to blatantly look at the woman while she stare blankly in space. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes that's making his heart ache. He hated seeing her like that. 

He rose from his seat and went up to her. 

...

Laurice did not notice that Sid was already right next to her and did not know how long he was standing there for. She just felt a sudden weight on her shoulders. 

She tilted her head to the side and saw that the man was actually leaning on her shoulder. Her eyes flew wide-opened. Her heart started pounding. His face was so close to hers she could almost hear his even breathing. She was caught momentarily by his stunning features and could not help but stare at it. 

The man's eyes were shut. 
'She thanked the heavens for that else she might not have the guts to scrutinize the godly man before her.' 
His lashes were long, His brows were dark and full and arched rather handsomely. His straight greek nose and his full and moist lips are so attractive as if carefully sculpted to complement his gorgeous face. And his hair, his short hair ... his soft-raven black hair which was surprisingly smooth as it gently brushes along her nape was giving her tingling sensations down to her feet. Her toes curl. 
" ... !!! "
The man was sinfully sexy. 

'If only she could touch his face.' She thought while unconsciously lifting her free hand towards the man's seemingly sleeping face only to stop mid-air. She retrieved the hand and gently pat her chest.

'What am i doing?! Calm down heart!' 

She was having difficulty on what she should do at the moment as her heart rate increases until the man leaning on her finally spoke, "Im sleepy." 

Laurice: " ... "

He said he was sleepy?! 
'What the he*l is she supposed to do?!' 
...

Inside the living area, a certain butler was also shocked by what he saw. His jaw dropped.

Butler Han: " ... "

UNTIL I FALL INLOVE AGAIN
Romance, Comedy, Drama, Modern

(Graphic Warning: With Mature Content)


SYNOPSIS:


Laurice Ledesma Azul

Had an artistic temperament.
A shrewd femme d'affaires.
With a sheltered past. A broken home. Thwarted passion.

She possessed an unrivalved beauty that is envied by women and coveted by men. An exquisite woman of her youth with a vulnerable character.


...

With her sanity on the line, will Laurice eventually succumb to the temptation of the gorgeous stranger with a son playing as his wingman? Sid Walsh was relentless.

Another Walsh however came in play. Laurice's interest is perked up. Will there be rivalry between brothers? 

An old flame returned as well. It was the most disturbing one.

But if an ex-boyfriend's appearance wasn't chaotic enough, a tenacious fiance revealed himself claiming his rights as the future husband!

The battle among lovers is on!
Laurice was somehow caught in between.

But she still had a missing person to find and a career to foster. 

Will she ever find the courage to be free from all control, abandon herself to her desires without reserve and trust wherever fate leads her to be? 


...

20th of March, Year 20XX

At that serendipitous moment, Laurice was certain she saw something in his cognac eyes - something akin to love.

...

Extra Scene: 

"I like you." 

The man was still lost in his thoughts when he heard the words. It was almost inaudible. Like a careless whisper.

"Y-you like me?" He uttered.

"W-well, i don't h-hate you." Laurice stammered. 

The man arched his eyebrows in amusement. He grinned at the woman who was being defensive. A playful glint flashed past his eyes.

"Can i kiss you, then?" Sid asked.

Laurice: " ...???!!! " A kiss?

Kitty Mercenary Association 
Kitty Mercenary Contract 
Enforced by the God of Promises, & backed by the God of Gluttony 

Every Great Hero needs a Kitty Companion~

Rules:
1. The client is not allowed to abuse or kill the kitty. 
2. The client must always give the kitty the best available living conditions. (If you have a room with only one bed, the kitty gets the bed, and the client gets the floor.)
3. The client must always give the kitty the best available consumables. (If you drink wine, the kitty can't drink water.)
4. The client is not allowed to sully the dignity of the kitty.
5. The client is not allowed to send the kitty to certain death.
6. The client is not allowed to rob the kitty.
7. The client must pay the association XXXXX lbs of Catnip at the start of every year (the equivalent in human currency will also do). Otherwise, this contract will be terminated. XX% of this payment will be paid to the kitty as wages. Advanced payment is allowed. 
8. If the kitty dies, the client must die as well... 

Contract duration: __________ years  Start date: __________

If both parties agree, then sign here:

*______________________________  *______________________________

Congratulations! May the newly born pair of kitty and master have a wonderful adventure!

…

Back when kitty first read that contract, kitty thought that only an idiot would sign it. 

Kitty used to be a common, peace-loving kitty. After graduating from kitty school, kitty went back home, slept, ate, and slept all day. Every ordinary, non-changing day was a day of peace, a day that kitty would be satisfied with. 
Walking no further than to the doorway to pick up the graphic novels that kitty ordered online, and turning on the television while stuffing kitty's cheeks with delivery sushi, kitty lived a very efficient life. 
Kitty was satisfied, but mama kitty was not. Mean mama kitty kicked kitty out, telling kitty not to come back until kitty gets a job. How awful! What kind of mama kitty is she!? 

Left with no other option, before kitty starved to death, kitty went to the most well-known kitty job placement association, otherwise known to all the kitties in Kitty Paradise, as the Kitty Mercenary Association. 
The kitty mercenary association does not care for your credentials, as long as you're above a certain age. Whether male kitty or female kitty, educated or uneducated, citizen or convict, thin or fat, the kitty mercenary association accepts them all. 
Free job training, free catnip, and free lodging. They guarantee to never give up on you until you get a job! ...It was hell. 

The comfortable dorm life that was advertised on television was definitely pirated from some school drama. The reality? It was a ****ing kitty boot-camp. 
Every morning, kitty would be forced awake by a sounding gong. All the kitties in the dorms would be force to run. No run? No food. 
Even worse was that the kitty instructors would sometimes bring out a "prize" for the fastest kitty, an entire fish on a fishing hook! That's right, it was on a fishing hook, connected to a fishing line, to a fishing rod held by the kitty instructor running alongside us kitty mercenaries-in-training. Us kitties, whom have only the lowest grade of catnip every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, drool at the sight of said fish. Every kitty would run faster, and the first kitty to get to the fish would have it all to himself... or so you'd think. After that kitty takes the first bite, all the other kitties would leap at him, and start a kitty tussle. The brutality of it all scared kitty very much. Kitty didn't dare to take part. 

Breakfast really was just plain catnip. Kitty doesn't have anything against catnip. Catnip is the common currency and staple food of Kitty Paradise. But eating the same kind of catnip every day, every meal, can't help but make kitty feel it go stale...
There wasn't even any milk to go along with our meals, only water. Apparently, all the vitamins and minerals we kitties needed were infused into the catnip. No wonder the catnip tasted different from the catnip back home.

After breakfast would be our daily punching routine! We kitty mercenaries-in-training would line up standing, and thrust our fore-paws forward, shouting "Meow! Meow! Meow!", until our throats go hoarse. 
Squats, push-ups, sit-ups, dragging along kitty milk barrels... filled with sand! We kitties had to do them all. 

Then, still all sweaty, we kitty mercenaries-in-training would have to shout out the kitty code of honor, ten times for each verse. It was a code of honor filled with patriotism, designed to rehabilitate former kitty criminals. But the thing is, kitty is not criminal. Why does kitty have to shout all this...

After lunch is weapon training, and weapon maintenance. After the founding of Kitty Paradise, the ancestors of we kitty-kind adopted the same weapons used by those stupid fur-less animals called humans. What were our ancestors thinking, kitty wondered. But kitty didn't dare to say that out loud, or else, the kitty instructors will scold kitty for being an unfilial descendant. 
Sword, shield, spear, axe, club, bows, guns, bombs... kitty used them all. 

"Why can't kitty just master one weapon and be done with it?" One day, kitty was stupid enough to ask that.

"You stupid kitty! What if you one day lose your weapon and have to use whatever you find on the ground? Will you then complain that it isn't a weapon you are good with!? Go give me another 100 push-ups!" The kitty instructor so berated. 

After the weapon maintenance was a shower, then dinner, then chores, and then sleep. All of this sounds like it takes a short time, but in reality? We kitty mercenaries-in-training only had a mere 8 hours of sleep per night. Only a MERE 8 HOURS! For a KITTY! Isn't that awful? 

Days passed. Then weeks. Months went by. 
Just as kitty was getting despairingly used to this kind of torturous everyday life, when kitty thought that it couldn't get any worse, our weapon training courses got replaced by self-defense courses. 
It does not sound that bad? Kitty laughs at your naivety. 
If it was just sparring with your kitty comrades and instructors, it would have still been fine. But do you know that game in the arcades? The whack-a-mouse game? Mm. Us kitty mercenaries-in-training had to go through that... except we were the ones playing the role of the mice. 
A giant human-shaped robot raises it foot... and then stamps it down at us kitties at increasingly high speeds. How awful! This is kitty-abuse! 

It was at that moment that kitty decided to quit!
But kitty was not allowed to quit...
Kitty was chased by starving dogs...

"**** ****ing dogs! Why are those evil animals in Kitty Paradise!? This is a breach of national law!" 

"Don't worry. This isn't a dog. It is a toothless, claw-less, hairless, castrated... 4-legged big land fish." 

"Woof!"

"It barked just now! Kitty heard it bark just now!" Of course, kitty's complaints fell on deaf ears. Kitty went back to training. 

After training in how not to get stomped to death by wicked humans, next was projectile training... where kitty was targeted by bullets, from handguns, to sniper rifles, to gatlings. Then, it was artillery training, where kitty was targeted by ballistae, falling missiles, homing missiles. Disaster training, where kitty had to disarm bombs, swim against a flood, survive a fall from the top of a building, survive a fall from aircraft, survive an avalanche at Mount Olympuss...

Everything was for our own good, they say, so that kitty can survive in the work-world, they say. But kitty felt... it was hell.

After a year in that hell, kitty graduated, having gone from the late levels of the second stage of the monster cultivation stages, the stage of Salvaging Enlightenment, blazed through the third stage, the stage of Honing Perception, and entered the early levels of the fourth stage, the stage of Feral Instinct. 

This miraculous cultivation speed, was just as advertised on television!

Kitty cried on the day of graduation. Whether it was tears of joy, or tears of release, even kitty did not know.
After signing a confidentiality agreement, forbidding kitty from saying anything about the kitty boot-camp, kitty was given his kitty mercenary certificate from his squad's kitty instructor. The always mean kitty instructor looked at kitty with a proud smile on at that moment. Kitty thought he was a different kitty. 
Every kitty in our kitty mercenaries-in-training squad, or at least the ones that graduated on time and didn't have to take remedial lessons, took a photo together to take home as a souvenir. Every kitty, except our kitty instructor, was crying in the photo. 

Our kitty instructor told us a few more things about the job, told us to be careful out there, and then we left. The next time Kitty would come to the Kitty Mercenary Association would be when the association has found a client for kitty. Naturally, kitty is not allowed to decline. For the next hundred years, according to contract, kitty would have to accept jobs from the Kitty Mercenary Association, in return for the torture, scratch that, training, that the association provided to kitty. Hopefully, kitty does not get a client for the next hundred years.

Officially, kitty had gotten a job. Thus, the satisfied mama kitty finally let kitty back into the house. Kitty resumed his peaceful life, of eating, sleeping, flipping through the pages of graphic novels, watching anime, and sleeping. 

The peaceful life did not last very long. Kitty got a client sooner than kitty expected. 

It was a stupid human male with a stupid smile plastered on his face.

...

Rune's walk back to her house was rather long as she was figuring out all the possibilities to why Caspian was there, and why out of all the years she went there and never saw him there, She had to admit that he was a good looking young man. However she needed to remove those thoughts from her mind and figure out why he was there and what does he know that she does not know. 

Rune opened the door to her house and she was completely lost in her thoughts trying to piece together the puzzle. She went up the stairs and layed on her bed, the thoughts about Caspian were taking over and it annoyed her more than enything. She grunted in annoyance and made her way to shower. When she was finished with her shower she put on some comfy pajamas which were some black sweatpants and an oversized shirt. She was staring at herself in the mirror while brushing her hair.  She then headed to her bed. Rune pulled her cover and put her extra pillows on the floor next to her queen size bed. When she crawled into bed she reached for her book that she leaves on her nightsand, it was never a think book and some may not even call it a book considering the fact that it was just pictures. Graphic novels were Rune's thing, she would finish quick and by the next day she had another one on her nightstand waiting to be opened. There was a light knock on her door, she put the book down and walked to the door. When she opened the door she saw her father. Rune was closer with her father than her mother, Rune was not what her mother wanted her to be. Rune like neutral colors and her mother wanted her dressed in bright colors. Rune was never going to be a girly girl and that is what her mother wanted. When she was younger, she would fore her to dress a certain way even though Rune told her that she did not like it. Her father would see that it bothered her and tried to change the subject everytime her mother tried to force something on her. 

"How was school?" Her dad asked. Rune went to sit on her bed and allowed her dad to follow her into her room. " Great, all my exams are finally over and I can rest." Rune said with a cheerful smile. "I'm glad that you can finally rest and not stay up all night studying." It wasn't unusual to have late night conversations with her dad, he was her bestfriend and she always looked forward to the conversations.

The Middle of Us is about two people who meet accidentally in their safe havens. They are both longing to know what happiness feels like, they will both soon realize that they are able to find it within each other. Caspian is from a different dimension and he is soon brought to Rune’s safe haven. They are both connected to one another by a simple tulip.

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