It had been a month since that fateful day when Changying had spilled her lunch over herself and Wang Wei. At work he was all business, they had both decided it was best to keep what happened between them outside work. He was still the arrogant control freak she had always known in the office, but there were subtle changes in his demeanor now, and how he interacted with her. His eyes still followed her every movement, and when he came to see her about a project she was working on, he would lean over her or brush against her, the contact making her dizzy with joy.

Wang was a driven man; you didn't get to be in a position like his at such a young age, without putting in the hours and hard work, to back up his talent. Changying often stayed behind with him at work but found when deadlines approached he was better left to himself. After the first incredible week where they had barely spent a moment apart, she felt lonely on the nights that she came home alone to the house she shared with Chunhua.

For her part, Chunhua seemed to have settled down with a mysterious man. She was home some nights and seemed to have become a regular home maker. Changying was startled when she walked in and found the house clean and her mother in the kitchen cooking, when she finally went home for the first time since packing a small bag to keep at Wang's that first week. There had been an uneasy truce between them since that night, but it was better than how it had been.

Changying watched Chunhua folding some laundry, still not quite sure what to make of the change in her, "You going out tonight Chunhua?"

"No, not tonight," she answered wistfully.

"I was thinking it was time to update my wardrobe a bit, do you want to come shopping with me, it's Thursday the stores are open late. We could, you know, hang out," Changying thought that if her mother was trying to change she should give her a chance to mend the bridges so to speak.

"Really?" Chunhua smiled widely, "I'd genuinely like that. Just let me make a call first."

Changying watched as her mother walked into her room opening her mobile and went to brush her hair and slip on a pair of heels. Changying knew the type of things she wanted to try on, and she would need heels to see how it would look. She didn't want to change her look so much as she just wanted to make it less frumpy seeming. Wang liked the understated, quiet librarian, persona she had at work just as much as the sexy girl he took home most nights.

"Let's go kiddo! I haven't been shopping for ages," Chunhua grinned at her.

Changying found herself enjoying shopping with Chunhua who seemed strangely restrained in her choices agreeing that Changying's style was all her own and making gentle suggestions rather than forcing her into uncomfortable and revealing outfits that did not suit her short curvy figure. During the shopping trip, Chunhua brought only one dress and Changying was surprised that it was a sedate style that suited her age as well as flattered her phenomenal figure.

Chunhua was actually a treasure trove of advice now that Changying was actually listening to her rather than cringing away from the lurid details of Chunhua's past conquests. She gave advice on inserts for high heel shoes to stop the ache that came after extended wear, the best bras for her larger cup size, and the benefits of natural fibers particularly in lingerie.

The whole night was fun for them both, Changying even allowing Chunhua to give her make up tips, and they treated themselves to some take home food and red wine from one of their favourite restaurants as the stores were closing. As Chunhua drove them home Changying's phone rang and she picked it up happily seeing Wang's name on the screen she answered with a smile, "Hi Wang."

That was the last word she got out of her mouth as she listened to his tirade, he had tried to call her several times, he had been to her house to find no one home, he had no idea where she was or whom she was with. He would meet her at her house, and he hung up. Trying to hold it all together not wanting to ruin the first fun night she had enjoyed with her mother for years, she looked at her watch gauging the time. 

Chunhua in a rare show of maternal care reached over and patted her leg, "He was just worried about you baby, and that shows he cares more than he wants to admit." She glanced over and smiled slightly before drawing her eyes back to the road, and Changying burst into tears. "Aw baby, don't cry. Sometimes love happens so fast you don't even notice it until something like this happens. It's a good thing to know he was worried and cares about you so much, right?"

Changying took a deep shuddering breath considering her mother's words. "It's more like he is a control freak and I wasn't where he thought I should be."

Andy laughed, "It didn't sound like that to me, he was shouting loud enough for me to hear the worry in his voice. Whether you two want to admit it or not, it sounds a lot like love to me."

Changying sniffed, "We have only been dating a few weeks. It's fantastic don't get me wrong, I have never been so happy, but love Chunhua? You of all people aren't going all Mills and Boon on me, are you?"

"It happens to us all sometimes," Chunhua said wistfully. "Finding that right someone worth settling down for, someone who appreciates all of you not just how you look or whether you give a killer blow job." She grinned and waggled her eyebrows as Changying looked at her opened mouthed.

Book promotion - 

Name - The CEO's Rented Wife
Link -  https://www.webnovel.com/book/14558290406833805/The-CEO's-Rented-Wife


She was known for reading too much. Ms. Changying had been close to the top end of her graduating class from Tsinghua University which is a major research university in Beijing, and a member of the elite C9 League of Chinese universities. An Arts History degree in hand, Changying found that, without connections, all her study counted for nothing in getting a job with the national museum in Beijing. Resigned to mediocrity, she took a job as a researcher for a publishing firm that specialized in historical biographies and fiction.

It was there that she met her boss - Mr. Wang Wei, an arrogant control freak. She researched strictly for Wang Wei who constantly quizzed her on her research methods.

As time went on she found the manuscripts crossing her desk becoming more explicit than the average romance in a historical setting. Themes of bondage or sadomasochism touched on very lightly at first became darker and more elemental to the storylines. 

Changying found her research opening her eyes wider to a whole new world she realized she knew less about than she thought she did.

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

Romance, Sex, Violence, Drug, Drama, Comedy. 

Story characters are full of inner demons and conflict, they are complex with there own personalities and have their own flaws that they will fight against. These personalities will shape the story as situations arise and they are forced to react and adapt. 



--------------
Yang Studio is a writers’ circle which is a support group for writers who wish to be among like-minded people. If you want to start writing and are looking for inspiration, this circle is for you. 

Books published on WebNovel are works of the respective writers from the circle. For reporting any content, readers can contact us.
--------------

Ian listened to Mina's opinion and could not help but to agree. The first thing that popped into his mind was that they shared a common belief, and the second was that Zane seemed to be purposefully trying to sabotage him. He kept on adding 'imagine ifs' to the conversation until he eventually got Mina to wholeheartedly agree with his opinion, which made Ian feel the need to add his own set of parameters. 
 
"President Lee, you may be the exception, but after being friends with someone, even if just for a month, you should know at least one thing that will hurt them."
 
"You think you know things about Zane?" He asked, and Mina nodded.
 
"I know that Zane likes people to think he is more promiscuous than he actually is." Zane's eyes widened, he had never told that to Mina, and he was surprised she figured it out on her own. 
 
"What about me? What can you tell about me?" Drax asked.
 
"You don't know how to speak your emotions well, so you show them. You make Mills feel secure by always hugging and kissing her. You want her, and anyone else with eyes, to know that she is important to you."
 
"She is good," Drax said, scooping Mills into another tight hug that made her giggle.
 
"And what about President Lee?" Mills asked, but Mina looked down. 
 
"I would rather not say."
 
"Oh, come on, I am sure he would like to hear it." Mina looked at Drax with raised eyebrows. 
 
"But he may not want his friends to hear it," she replied, making all three men in the room stiffen. It was not what Mina said, but how she said it that let them all know she was talking about Ian's actions toward her.
 
----

Back in her room, Mina dug out the phone she had bought, and called Director Porter. The man was excited to hear from her and thanked her for getting all the promotional events scheduled and for securing him a bid for another production. Mina could only smile as she thought that Cylus was once again working to cover for her. She asked for Miss Lisa's number and her boss gave it to her, reminding her that she still needed to tour the studio. 
 
Mina first called Cylus, but it was Vanya who answered his phone. She tried to be pleasant with the woman, who made it her business to point out that Cylus was still showering. Mina did not want or need that mental image, and she could hear the irritation in the woman's voice when she nonchalantly asked Vanya to have Cylus call her back. Mills, who was still in the room, laughed, because she too could hear the woman's annoyance, and Mina briefly explained why Vanya did not like her. 
 
Before calling Miss Lisa, Mina blocked her number, because she did not trust the woman enough to have open lines of communication between them, but she did feel the need to make the call. Lisa answered the phone, not sounding like she was in the best of moods, and Mina opened straight to the point. She told Lisa that they were both suspects for the time being, and she believed that just the way someone had conspired to kidnap them both, that same person may be working to have them killed. 
 
For the first time since they met, Lisa was nothing but attentive and humble while speaking to Mina. She listened to the woman as if she were her only lifeline. Lisa believed that Mina had sway with the president, who had taken a liking to the woman, and as far as she was concerned, she would tightly grip the hand that Mina was extending to her. With the conversation capped, Mills voiced her own opinion on the matter.
 
"Don't worry. I do not trust her. She has even physically assaulted me twice, but you heard the questions I was being asked. Lisa is the prime suspect today, but I will be tomorrow. I am not like her; I don't have a family name to protect me." 
 
"But what if she tries to use the conversation against you?"
 
"Do you think they aren't already listening to everything we say? I can guarantee that my conversations are not just being tracked but recorded as evidence." Mills worked for President Ian Lee, not President Cameron Lee, like Drax. She knew little about the man but Mina's words rang true to her.
 
"But you were on the dancefloor with me."
 
"Which means that whoever spiked that drink wasn't a professional. If they were-"
 
"They would have served the drink while you were at the table" Mills had completed Mina's sentence, then shot out with a question that was seriously bothering her. "Mina, who are you really?"
 
----
 
 
 
Lisa was relieved when she found out that both she and Mina were suspected of tampering with the drinks that were served, but instead of using it against the woman, she had no choice but to work with her in figuring out who was trying to frame them. In truth, she had thought about putting something into Mina's drink, but she could not see how it would turn out bad for the woman. Either Ian would have taken Mina home or the President, and Lisa could not see any of those options as a negative. 
 
Even she would have liked to sleep with Cameron Lee, but Lisa did not want him the way she wanted Ian, and she was steadfast in her belief that Ian was going to marry her. He had even hinted at it during her event, and although he had yet to propose, his actions sparked rumor that Lisa was glad she did not have to start herself. It had only been a few days since then, but the Anders Corp was already up-trending, with people trying to make preliminary investments into the company's projects in the hopes that it may open a window for them to one day work with the Lee family. 
 
Even Lisa's studio was doing well, already near to being fully booked for projects up to three months in advance. None of the bookings were long term productions, but it was a hint that the facility was moving in the right direction. The biggest boon for the studio was its editing facility. Not just for photos, but for video as well. Many directors found it convenient in a way that allowed them to test experimental shots without having to wait days to see if their ideas worked or not. 
 
Lisa stepped out of her room, and coincidentally she saw Charlotte standing in the hall, with an odd expression on her face. She may not have liked her, but Lisa was not cruel enough to ignore a clearly distressed pregnant woman. She approached, carefully helping her sister-in-law into her bed before asking her if she needed anything. Charlotte looked perplexed and Lisa pouted.
 
"You know, you and I may not get along, but that baby is still my relative." Charlotte chuckled a little, and then made another face. "Eww, please don't give birth now," Lisa pleaded, making Charlotte laugh loudly.
 
"Its practice contractions. I am thirty-six weeks along now." Lisa blanched.
 
"Why is your belly so small then?" She suddenly felt guilty that she hadn't prepared anything for the new arrival, who could literally show up anytime within the month."
 
"I got lucky. Other women in my birthing classes have tripled in size." Lisa shuddered. When she wanted to have Ian's baby, she had not considered all the changes that would happen to her body, and she wondered if she were truly ready to have a child. "Don't look so happy," Charlotte said sarcastically. "Besides, you are vain enough to work out throughout pregnancy." Lisa laughed, it was an insult, but it was true. There was no way she would let herself go.
 
"I'll take that as a compliment."

****Completed, but under revision.****
***SUPER SLOW BURN MATURE 18+***

After struggling her way through university, Mina Harlow, a top tier graduate (and literal genius), with the aspiration of lifting her family out of poverty, was still living in the slums, taking odd jobs to earn a living. All of her hard work had been for nothing and her life is cast into turmoil because she offended the wrong Miss from a prominent family. Desperate to for her next source of income, Mina aligns herself with the wrong people, and finds herself amid several conspiracies that keep becoming more and more confounded by misunderstandings. She is mistaken for a spy, by one of the most influential families in the country and held captive as the confusion, mishaps and misunderstandings build up all around her. Under the extreme circumstance, Mina is thrown into despair, hatred and love all that the same time, but will the experience break her or make her ‘better?’ 

(This story is set in a fictional, modern day patriarchal society on the brink of a shift public opinion on the 'role' of the woman.)

Excerpt: 

"Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm stupid," Mina replied. The man laughed sarcastically. 

"I disagree. I think you are a very smart girl."

"Being smart does not mean you can not be stupid." Who told her she was a genius anyway?

***THIS IS AN ADULT STORY WITH AN ADULT THEME. THERE IS VIOLENCE AND IMPLIED VIOLENCE. THERE IS ROMANCE IN THIS STORY, BUT IT IS NOT EXACTLY A LOVE STORY. ***

Janani Trivedi has something that is very very precious to Armaan Verma. So when Armaan storms into her life to reclaim what's his, Janani let's the forbidding businessman believe the worst of her

Though Janani Trivedi seems gentler that Armaan has known of, he's resolved to make her pay. 

Let's see what happens when Janani's secret is out!! 
Or how the formidable businessman works it out

PS : Inspired from Mills and Boon

Nathan just realized that the air around his sister was colder than anywhere else. It seemed like there was someone who had just used magic around his sister.
"Did someone just use magic around you, sister?" Nathan looked around the deserted garden.
"Maybe I'm cold from taking too long in the toilet to clean the stains on my dress. We'd better find a warm place to dry my dress." Anastasia tried to distract Nathan from what was happening to him.
Then they both walked towards where the Tea Party was held. Before entering the Tea Party area, Anastasia stopped her steps and hid behind the Tea Party wall.
"It's warm enough here."
Thanks to Nathan's handkerchief, now Anastasia's dress is dry enough on the outside of her dress. And hopes that using her magic can help Anastasia dry her dress which is still wet on the inside.
Anastasia closed her eyes and activated her shabby magic 'Wind Breeze'. Nathan, who was near her, took a few steps away from his sister. But badly Anastasia's magic was still the same as during her training in the Training Arena, Anastasia was only able to gather a little wind around her body.
The half-sleeved light purple dress that had several layers of skirt bottom began to sway due to Anastasia's magic, the gust of wind no stronger than a notebook flutter.
But unfortunately, what Anastasia expected from her magic didn't seem to be going her way, Anastasia was already exhausted before making her dress dry.
"Umm ... Sister, have you activated magic long enough? Looks like your dress hasn't dried completely yet." Nathan reminded his sister what he had seen
"Uh ... Ha ... I think so." Anastasia gasps.
"I'm sorry because my magic is earth, I can't help you with your wet dress, sister." Nathan was a little gloomy because his earth magic if used would not help dry Anastasia's dress, it might make it worse.
When they are busy with their conversation. Prince Mills from the Tea Party came and surprised them both.
"Hey, what are you doing, miss? Why don't you enter the Tea Party area?" In a slightly high tone. Because Prince Mills only saw Anastasia's back and was covered in the shadow of the wall, he didn't recognize her.
"Ah, we were just trying ..." Anastasia is surprised then turns around and sees someone who surprised her.
"Prince Mills!" Anastasia is surprised by the arrival of Prince Mills
"Anastasia? What are you doing here alone?"
"Hey, here I am, Prince Mills." Nathan interrupted the conversation with his sister and Prince Mills.
Nathan, who is two inches shorter than Anastasia, is blocked by Anastasia's body and clothes so Prince Mills cannot see him.
"I'm drying my wet dress, Prince Mills."
"How come your dress is wet? Let me help dry it with my magic."
Prince Mills then took out a small flame on his palm and brought it closer to the waist of Anastasia's dress.
"Ah, this is very warm. Your abilities are extraordinary Prince Mills, you can control your magic well." Anastasia while rubbing her wet waist so that it is completely dry because it has soaked into her underwear.
"Hehe, it's not much." Prince Mills chuckled and flushed slightly.
"Maybe next time we should practice magic together." Anastasia offers Prince Mills to practice magic together.
It didn't take long for Anastasia's dress to dry, unbelievable magic from Prince Mills. Anastasia still chooses not to tell Prince Mills and Nathan what happened to her in the toilet garden.
Anastasia worries that it will get worse if more people find out about the problem with the silver-haired man because his identity is still mysterious. And choose to stay away from the silver-haired man the next time we meet.
Then they headed to the Tea Party. Still sounding bustling, the tea party was accompanied by music playing by the people in the corner of the courtyard.
"Since this is the Tea Party, have you guys tried Trules royal tea?"
Anastasia and Nathan together shook their heads. Because since arrived at the Trules Kingdom Tea Party, Anastasia and Nathan have not touched the Food / Drink at the Tea Party at all because they had to get into trouble with the Silver-haired man. and Nathan, who had to deal with other troublesome young royal maidens.
Prince Mills waved his hand at a servant for him to come over to him. And Prince Mills took 3 glasses of tea for himself, Anastasia, Nathan
The waiter brought quite a lot of tea on the tray which was carried on the right side. The waiter brought that much tea to fill the tea which had begun to decrease at the main table of the Tea Party because it was taken by the arriving guests.
However, the clothes used by the waiter who brought the tea were wearing a black coat with a white shirt and black pants, different from the cake-carrying servant Anastasia had hit earlier.
"Hmm. This tea is delicious, it's very soft." Anastasia took a sip of the hot tea Prince Mills gave her.
"Hmm ... right, it tastes very soft and fragrant. I heard a rumor that Tea from the Trules kingdom is one of the tastiest teas. And it turns out that this is not just a rumor, it is very delicious." Nathan smelled the hot tea before siped it.
"Yes, since I was a kid I liked tea, that's why the Trules Kingdom made its own tea. And I didn't expect this tea to be famous outside the Trules kingdom." Prince Mills enjoyed his tea by shaking the glass.
"By the way, is there any male servant here wearing all white?" Anastasia asked Prince MIlls about a little anxiety in his heart about the silver-haired man.
"Hmm ... The servants who wear white clothes are all? Looks like nothing, even the butler here is dressed the same as the other servants only he carries a short staff in his hand." Prince Mills shrugged his shoulders.
"How about you try the sweets at the Main Table too, if you like this hot tea, you will definitely like the sweets there because it will be a perfect combination with Hot Tea." Prince Mills invited Nathan and Anastasia to walk to the Main Table.
"Hmm ... This is very good, Prince. This sweet food is mixed with soft tea. I like it. The chefs in the Odeviel Kingdom should also learn the recipe." Anastasia liked the combination Prince Mills suggested.
"As I thought, you will like it, Princess Anastasia." Prince Mills with a happy face.
"Can I see how it's made in the kitchen?" Anastasia is curious about the making of sweet foods and teas.
"It's okay, Princess Anastasia. Incidentally, I also want to introduce someone to you." Prince Mills will invite Anastasia to see the process of making sweet treats and teas.

Anastasia Clarke was the daughter of a wealthy family, unfortunately she was born with a disability.

Her beauty was never revealed because of her routine at home. She couldn't do activities like normal people, because she spent more time on the bed.

On her 16th birthday became her fateful day, she was reincarnated into a world where the impossible was possible while the dreamer's reality. Everything was changed when Anastasia Clarke awakened to a new world.

She was reincarnated as the first princess of the Odeviel Kingdom in her new life. When she was awakened in her new life, a handsome and sweet prince was sleeping on the edge of Anastasia's bed.

Somehow, the Prince decided to get engaged to her all of a sudden, she could only be surprised to hear that because she had just awakened her new life and didn't know anything about the problems that had happened.

Could Anastasia be able to live her new life well? Even though in her previous life she was just a girl who was sick and had no experience as a royal bloodline and the fiancé of a Royal Prince?
--------

This is my first book ever written. Apologize for the bad writing. I am slowly editing it but it takes time. Once you get to the next chapter, the quality gets much better.

"Hey Big Guy, See anything?" Pvt Mills ask Bartley as they followed the 3 technicians into the forest. "What are hell are they collecting?"

"Samples." Pvt Bartley replied. His eyes constantly scanning left and right at the clearing where they stopped.

"Damn, I know its samples, but for what use?" Pvt Mills grumbled, he slaps away an insect that landed on his neck. Both of the Marines were wearing No. 4 forest camo fatigues, open-faced helmets with their armored chest plates and equipment harness. Except for Bartley, he lugs along a PK-299 heavy machine gun, that is attached to an exoskeleton frame that he wears, with several large pouches containing ammunition for his weapon.

"To study."

"You know what? You are all fun and games, really." Mills gave up trying to chat with Bartley and walked up to 1 of the techs crouching over a plant. "Hey, whatcha doing?"

The technician turns and lifts up a small container with a leaf inside. "Well, we are cataloging the plants to see if they can be eaten or used in some way." He gives the bottle a little shake before placing it carefully into his bag.

"Eh, ok." Mills straighten up, unimpressed. "So this blue-green plants are edible?" He pucks a leaf off a small tree. Most of the leaves of the plant life in Blake's world are bluish in color with a hint of green. 

"Well not this," The tech stood up. "Over here," he waves Mills over and kneels down to a tiny growth with blue fern-like leaves. "This here is a kind of tuber or root, in case you jug heads don't know what a tuber is." The rest of the techs laughs as he continues his explanation. "The guys at the lab says it tastes like carrot and potato and carries the same nutrients and vitamins as them. So they called this a carr-ato." 

"Oh wow." Mills rolls his eyes while Bartley looks on in interest. "So other than the tuber root carr-ato. Nothing more interesting found?" 

"Hahaha, we found plenty in the last week." The tech proudly said. "There a tree sap that tastes like maple syrup but when dried becomes like rubber."

"Also there's this berries that the other team bought in," The rest of the techs chipped in stories. "- that huge monster fish from the sea." "-mushrooms from the -"

Mills listened with half an ear to the excited techs talking about new discoveries on this planet. He waves away the insects buzzing around his face and leans against a tree. He looks around the clearing, pulls out a pack of protein bar and starts chewing on it.

"Mills," Bartley said in his usual tone. "Mills, something is watching us."

"What?" Mills jolt up. "Where?"

"I am not sure." Bartley slowly turns on the spot to face towards the forest. His eyes peer intently trying to find the source of his unease.

"Are you sure?" Mills fingered his weapon's safety. He casually walked towards the techs still in lively discussion. "Guys, I think we should start to pack it up. It's getting late." They are roughly 1 hour on foot away from the base.  

"But we are not done here. It's still early!" The techs protested. "We only collected less than half of the samples needed"

"We can do it tomorrow, for now, pack it up, we are heading back," Mills growled at the techs.

Sensing something is wrong, the techs quickly grab their belongings and equipment. Less than a minute, they are all ready to return.

"Quickly now, let's go." Mills lead the way with Bartley covering the rear. The group quick march through the forest, climbing over massive tree roots and in certain areas, dense foliage.

"Mills," Bartley comms. "It's following us. I can hear it."

Shit. Mills cursed. "Base, this dog 2, we might have a situation here." He comms back to base.

"What's the situation?" Base radio back.
"We appear to have something following us. Unable to identify,"
"RTB immediately, a rapid response team will meet up with you along the way for escort, over."
"Roger that!" Mills ended the comms. "Let's go," He pushed the group to travel faster.

They push through the dense foliage and emerges out into a field of grass. The wind causes the grass to sway like waves. "This is not good." Mills said as he scans the surroundings. The closest treeline is about 200m away. "It's too open."

"Big guy, hold the rear. We go by frog leap," He tells the group. "I go first. Once I reach the tree line, I will give a signal then you guys are next. Just run ok? Don't stop till you hit the trees."

Mills look left and right before dashing across the field in less than 40 seconds before he arrives at the edge of the forest. He quickly got into a ready position to cover the rest and waves the techs to start running. The techs seeing his signal, they ran towards him. Once they reached the cover of the trees, Bartley followed suit and sprint across.

Suddenly a huge roar erupted from behind Bartley, causing to pause and turn. A wolf the size of a bus leap out from the foliage and lands several meters behind him. Everyone stood and stared in amazement before yelling for Bartley to run. The giant wolf-like creature, has 2 horns like a buffalo, and grey-blue colored fur coat, making it seemingly bend in with the surrounds. It made a leap towards Bartley who following the encouragement of the group, was running towards the trees.

Mills flicked his safety off his M7A1 and took sight on the creature. The 2x red dot sight mounted on the weapons seems to enlarge the creature furthermore. Once he noticed Bartley out of the line of fire, he triggers his weapon, firing a long burst into it. This time, instead of the C type rounds, he was loaded with AP rounds.

The AP bullets slam directly into the center of the creature, causing it to tumble. Sparks and bluish blood burst out from the impacts. The creature yelped in a very dog-like manner and as it rose up, it shook its body causing specks of blue blood to scatter.

"What the fuck!?" Mills roared! "That's cheating! It's bloody armor piercing rounds! It fucking shrugged it off!" Pissed, Mills continued firing at the creature.

By this time, Bartley made it over to the tree line. He took a deep breath and braced himself as he hoists his PK-299 and fires a stream of bullets at 1,400 rounds per minute. The tracers from the HMG was like a laser, striking the creature, and tearing it to meat chunks.



"

The crew of the Training Ship UNS Singapore escaped from an alien fleet, finds themselves stranded on an unknown planet and has to survive against deadly monsters and magical creatures.

Genre  
Sci-Fic, Fantasy, Magic, Kingdom Building, 
 Army Building, Technology gap, War, Grand Strategy 

Book 1 Chap 001 - 200 
Book 2 Chap 201 - 400 
Book 3 Chap 401 - 600 
Book 4 Chap 601 - Ongoing
----------------------

Audio Narration by Agro Squerrils on Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvM0lAnxdGo

----------------------

Please support if you enjoyed my story! =)
https://www.patreon.com/neobear

Discord
https://discord.gg/A8Tm86V

Chapter 714
(Unedited)
…
The eyes of Shin Jiao and Alea Zin met, and he just flashed her, a smile, in greetings. When Alea saw what the young man named Si Ji gestured, she heaves a sigh of relief. This is because she knew that the situation is not yet irreversible.
Actually, Alea has already noticed that Si Ji is a bit distant and did not bother with any small trifles. As long as he is not offended and it is not in dire need he would not act and would just brush things through.
However, if these two stupid brothers would be dumb enough to offend him, then she would not be able to stop what would happen next.
She saw how easily this young man which seems to have a lower cultivation level than hers easily killed those high elves with a higher power level. And this knowledge thoroughly scared her.
A sneer appears on Alea's beautiful face.
"I clearly heard that the lords in the town commanded you, people, to keep a low profile. What is the meaning of this?"
"Haha… Miss Zin, we are just having friendly banter, why so serious. Am I right young man…" Holstein Mills said as he lifted his chin towards Shin Jiao's direction with a provocation on his face. 
Shin Jiao did not dodge his gaze and also nodded his head.
"Let's do it somewhere we can fight without any hindrance." Shin Jiao said with a smirk.
Seeing the confident look on Shin Jiao's face plus him doing the challenging, Alea heaves a sigh of relief. It seems that the young man would not cause too much trouble.
"I want this to be official. If Holstein loses, you and your family stay away from the blacksmith shop. If not, then don't blame me for the consequence of your action." Alea Zin said with a serious expression.
"Then what if he loses?" Holstein Mills sneered.
"Then I will move out of town…" Shin Jiao said with a smile.
Hearing those words, Holstein Mills frowns, he is not contented with the condition.
"No… if you lose, then you will be imprisoned in our family dungeon. This is the punishment for challenging the Mills…" Holstein said with a sinister grin.
Hearing those sinister words from Holstein, Alea suddenly frowns but did not reply. She knew how overbearing the 2nd generation immortals are. Even she herself has that kind of disposition before. But now, she has changed. Plus she did not want to be noticed too much by the higher-ups.
She didn't want her family to come and take her away and be used as a bargaining chip.
Shin Jiao did not reply and just showed a sneer on his face.
"Then I will do that same to you two then… Let's start…" he said nonchalantly as he walked out of the shop.
The group arrives on a platform where there are also many people who are fighting against each other. This place is somewhere where people from the town would either practice or settle their scores with each other.
The group settles the condition of the battle and signs it with their blood. After that Shin Jiao and Holstein Mills went up to the fighting ring and face each other.
Many onlookers have already noticed this side as they recognize the Mills. As Holstein Mills is somewhat famous in town many have decided to watch this fight. They wanted to see who is audacious enough to challenge the genius of the Mills family.
On the stage, Holstein Mills is showing a proud look on his face while looking at Shin Jiao who is standing opposite him.
His eyes suddenly caught a figure standing on the judge's seat. It was his uncle one of the city Lords, Geland Mills.
Seeing his nephew challenging an unknown person, Geland Mills whisper to the young man beside him some words and that young man immediately nodded his head and left.
Geland Mills has a power level of 83 and is one of the lords under the Mills family in the town. The Mills is not that big of a family, but due to them having two lords in the town, they hold a somewhat strong footing in it.
As Geland saw his talented nephew challenging an unknown person, he feels a bit confused. But seeing the young man under the stage, he somewhat could tell what is happening. This nephew of his truly pampers his brother, and this might be the reason for this conflict.
He just shook his head and decided to deal with the consequence later.
On the stage, Shin Jiao did not take out any weapon and just stood calmly while facing Holstein.
Then suddenly the figure of Holstein Mills flashed and then with a quick speed, he appears in front of Shin Jiao. This speedy movement of his is followed by a powerful punch towards Shin Jiao's face.
Holstein's hand is covered with lightning Dao energy which crackled as it appears in thin air.
Shin Jiao's eyes squint and without hesitation moves a step to the side dodging the punch. But Holstein did not stop with just one attack, he suddenly used a skill that made his movement a bit faster, and the number of lightning fists in the air multiplies.
Hundreds of lightning-covered fists began to attack Shin Jiao who keeps on dodging from side to side creating a lot of afterimages.
This scene dumbfounded the onlookers as they have not seen such exquisite dodging technique before. In fact, not even those lightning bolts were able to touch Shin Jiao's clothes.
As the two continuously fight, one attacking and one dodging of defending, the scene in front of them now look like a dance presentation on the stage. Though it caused too much destruction, yet none could help but feel that the fight is a great piece of dance presentation.
"Is that all you've got? All you know is to dodge! Coward!" shouted Holstein who is not ticked with annoyance as his attacks were all rendered useless against his opponent.
"Haha… You can't even hit me. I'm just giving you a chance to attack… Come! Come!" Shin Jiao said with provocation.
His challenge made everyone laugh below the stage, and this made Holstein seething in anger.
He suddenly waves his hand and a long blade appears on his hand. The shimmering light produced by the long blade made everyone dazzled.
"That's the 'Demon Vanquisher', the signature weapon of Holstein Mills… that young man is too unlucky." Someone from the crowd exclaimed and the crowd nodded their heads in agreement.
Who did not know how Holstein would use that sword to fight against those demon beasts in the forest? And he is also able to kill many High Elves and Zith'ra people using that blade.
Everyone now felt sorry for the youth. When Holstein Mills stood on the stage, they already expected such an outcome, so they did not even think that the young man could really win against a powerful gold armored protector like Holstein Mills.
However, the audience could still feel that the young man before them is truly brave or just brazen enough to face such a foe.
Without warning, Holstein's speed suddenly increased as he flashed suddenly behind his opponent. 
When the crowd saw this everyone was silent. They did not expect that Holstein would really end the fight in a flash. They are expecting the torso of the young man would be cut in half.
However, Holstein suddenly feels a bit weak, and then before he would fall; his head suddenly disappears from his body.
The supposedly bisected body of his opponent suddenly disappears from the spot like a thin smoke and a figure is actually standing beside Holstein.
Then a headless body fell to the ground with a puddle of golden blood pouring out of its severed neck.
Everyone gasps in disbelief at this scene as they did not actually saw what had happened. For some unknown reason, Holstein Mills the genius swordsman of the mills family was actually defeated in one move.
They did not know what had happened so everyone began to discuss below the stage.
However, they have not recovered yet when suddenly another head disappears and that is the head of Grim Mills.
"Yaahhh!!!" a woman's cry reverberated through the air which stunned everyone in the crowd.
They all separated and saw the now fallen body of Grim Mills with a pool of golden blood coming out of his also severed head.
"How dare you!" someone on the stage suddenly shouted as the figure of Geland Mills appear on the stage while looking at the figure of Shin Jiao who is now standing next to Grim Mills' body.
"Do you think the Mills family is easy to be bullied? Do you think that attacking my nephews would not have consequences… well let me tell you…" Geland Mills's aura suddenly rises.
However, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder as a young woman stood beside him.
"Lord Mills… this is an agreement between two parties. The Mills family is not the law in the town…" she said with a calm voice.
When Gelan Mills saw who the woman is, his body was shaken. This woman is a well-known figure in the town. She is in charge of the town's inner security and laws. She is one of the most powerful lords in the town which many are afraid of, Lord Ryoko Kiwazo.
"Haha… What an interesting lad… he looks weak, but his technique is not reliant on power. He executes his skills with minimal use of power yet each move of his is a killing blow… what a dangerous fellow." Ryujin Osmond who is sitting calmly inside the second floor of a restaurant muttered while watching the scene below.
He dined in this place to meet someone but did not expect to see such a spectacle.
His eyes suddenly landed on the young woman who walked near the young man who took down those two from the Mills family.
"So she is here…" Ryujin Osmond said with a contemplative look on his face.
"What is her connection with that guy?" he thought as he suddenly gestured at the youth behind him.
He whispers some words to that fellow and then looks back at the event happening below.
Meanwhile, on the stage, Geland Mills clenches his fist and glared at Shin Jiao who just showed a calm expression on his face.
He then turns around and was about to leave the stage, when Geland Mills suddenly shouted.
"I will give 500 energy cores, to anyone who can defeat him in a challenge!"
With that shout, he looks at the woman beside him and sneered.


He was sent to a world where different races and beings wage different types of wars and fight for supremacy. 

With a body of a mere mortal, he learned the way of the immortal craft and a different cultivation technique. Making him able to roam the land searching for a place where he could belong. 

How can he survive in this dog-eat-dog world he knows not. But combining the ingenious designs of the modern world and immortal energy, otherworldly devastation awaits those who face, the geared immortal.

***Thanks to those who liked the novel. Your rate and comments are of great help.

Guys this is a story of a time between 150-300BCE when an army commander makes a poor peasant 's daughter
The man was of 20 years and the girl 17
Pls read it this is my first try soon it will be nice so pls don't trash it

Dropped Novel, don't waste your time here....

Henry Mills Regina Mills, Multi billionaire father has passed down his company to his youngest but hard working daughter Regina. And while she makes plan to expand a certain blonde with the power of persuasion worms her way through her heart breaking down her walls with simple ease. But will they be able to be happy or is some fucked up shit going to happen I will let you ponder on that. this is also a g!p so beware

--------------------------
And I don't own outa or the cover art so who ever made this it's awesome and Um I'm pretty sure the person who made the cover name is on the cover but this is my story, but I don't own any of the characters so please don't sue me  also very heavy sexual content 

And I hope you enjoy if you have any opinions or criticism leave them in the comments or feel free to dm me I do want to get better as a write so don't hesitate.

Twelve-year-old Dhruv sat crying in one corner of the playground, plucking at the grass, watching the other kids play at the far end. It had been a couple of months since he first started avoiding them. His friends often talked about how his dad and mom were separating and they would ask questions to which he had no answers.
 

'Do they fight?' 'Don't you try to stop them?' 'Will you leave us?' 'Will you stay with your mom or your dad?' 'Is your mom marrying again?' 'Is your dad?'
 

Their curiosity was legitimate. No one knew of such a case in their middle-class neighbourhood. Divorces, even in television soaps, were cause for much distress. Families were meant to stay together till the end of time.
 

School was a nightmare. He would have stopped attending if not for his mom. She taught in the same school—chemistry and maths for eighth and ninth standards—so skipping school wasn't an option at all.
 

Things had gone downhill so slowly that he didn't notice anything in the beginning. It was like Tetris on slow rewind. He thought other kids were going through the same crisis. For the past few months, there were rumours of his mother having a torrid, Mills-and-Boon-esque affair with the principal, who also owned the school and three other branches. The seniors would often cook up stories about his mother and the principal locking themselves in his room for hours. Dhruv would innocently ask, 'Why would they lock themselves in?' The seniors would affect a boisterous, evil laugh. He would ask again, 'Tell me, why would they lock themselves in? Tell me?' He would try hitting them and they would push him away. He would then lock himself in a bathroom stall for three straight periods.
 

Today morning, between the third and the fourth periods, when he was hiding in the bathroom, he overheard two seniors talk outside.
 

'I can't believe Namrata ma'am is banging that oldie. She's quite something, isn't she? Very perky breasts for thirty-five,' said a senior, probably in the ninth grade.
 

'Dude. We should totally check out the CCTV footage. Imagine her naked on top of that man! Did I tell you? That guy in the other class? Ramit? That bastard dropped a pencil and Namrata ma'am picked it up. She totally bent over and showed everything. He tried clicking a picture but it came out totally blurred.'
 

'Should we repeat it in her class tomorrow?' They laughed. Dhruv heard the taps run. The boys left the washroom.
 

*
 

Dhruv returned home in a sullen mood.
 

'Why are you not eating, Dhruv?' his mother asked, ladling another spoonful of rice, then cradling his face in her palms and kissing it. She was a good cook. Despite the toxic environment, Dad always ate quietly, concentrating on every morsel.
 

'I don't feel like eating.'
 

'You didn't eat your lunch too. Is there something wrong? Someone troubling you? Should I talk to your class teacher?' Mom asked, making little rice balls.
 

'I don't feel like eating, Mumma,' snapped Dhruv, pushing her hand away.
 

'What's the problem, Dhruv?'
 

'IT'S NOTHING! THERE'S NO PROBLEM, MUMMA. LEAVE ME ALONE!' His mother retreated in shock. Dhruv had never shouted at her. They were always on the same team. And then he spoke. 'Don't pick up pencils from the ground tomorrow.'
 

'Why?'
 

'Because I am asking you not to, Mumma!'
 

'But why?'
 

'JUST LIKE THAT!'
 

'What's the matter with you, Dhruv?'
 

'THE SCHOOL WANTS TO SEE YOU NAKED. THEY WANT TO SEE THE CCTV FOOTAGE OF YOU IN THE PRINCIPAL'S ROOM WITH THE PRINCIPAL.' Dhruv pushed the plate away and ran to his room. His father looked up from his plate, his eyes burning embers. For the next three hours, he heard Dad and Mom shout at each other in the next room, things breaking. He blamed himself for opening his mouth and cried into his pillow. Later that evening, he sneaked out of the house through the window.
 

*
 

It had been three hours he had been missing from home and no one had come looking for him. The other kids had gone home. He wandered the streets alone hoping that his parents, exhausted from all the shouting, would find him gone and come looking for him.
 

He had wandered to the E block of their apartment complex. This part had the cramped flats—little stinking one-bedroom apartments with flaky wall paint and wet clothes hanging from clotheslines in balconies. As he aimlessly looked on, he saw a family stroll out from the lobby, giggling and laughing. A middle-aged couple, much like Mom and Dad, and two kids. The younger of the two seemed to be around his age and she was staring at her sandals which flopped and made a clapping sound as she walked. Her skin was brown and white in patches, like a dalmatian, but she was smiling. Dhruv felt envy rip him apart.
 



 



 

I Love u Rachu



https://www.*******.com/aditya6499

Mark Walters changed after Mia's heartfelt confession that day. Suddenly all the ugly memories he had of Mia Clark transformed into something else - an awkward misunderstanding. The vulgar and unrefined Mia Clark then was now seen as an anxious, silly woman. Mark Walters had known the woman had desperately loved him, but didn't truly understand the extent until Mia told him directly. All those time he believed she was only after his money - suddenly became ridiculous at the truth to her words that she known him long before he had money. What drove his heart to guilt was that the woman hadn't been stupid or ignorant to his feelings for her. She knew he did not love her, yet still, she clung on to him, foolishly. She was aware that he was ashamed of her and never complains when he refused to take her out to public. For a man to learn how much a woman had sacrificed for him in secret, he will be moved when it comes to light. Mia had brought all her suffering to light and Mark Walters fell lost into it - unable to get back out.                  

In the mist of his inner turmoil, Mark Walters again missed his current wife's suffering. Olivia Mills could see the change in Mark Walters. She could see his heart wavering. Bitterness rose inside her as she felt neglected. After the death of her child, the mother is most vulnerable - physically and mentally. Instead of getting love and attention as she should after losing her child, Olivia Mills had to deal with Mark Walters' faltering heart. While she needed him to comfort her and be with her, Mark Walters instead coupe up at his work or locked up in his study at home to drink his guilt away. The man she had spent her childhood loving and yearning, suddenly appeared lacking as a husband. For a beautiful young woman who still has the rest of her life to live, she refused to let anyone destroy her future.                  So what does Olivia Mills decided to do? She searched for someone more capable to be her - someone more suitable as her husband. Her target? The story very own second-male lead - Kai Endou. 

Because Mark Walters was the protagonist of the story, Olivia Mills never knew Kai Endou existed until she married Mark Walters. In the original story, Olivia Mills' heart remains faithful to the protagonist because the man had doting on her above all things. Now everything has changed with the transformation of Mia Clark. And after witnessing how much Kai Endou had love Mia Clark, Olivia Mills' heart wavered. Olivia Mills felt that her destiny had supposed to be the one to receive such unconditional love - not Mia Clark. Unable to contain her desire for the ultimate love - the ultimate man, Olivia Mills made plans to steal Kai Endou. She hadn't thought it was wrong. She had felt it was her right.                  

But Kai Endou was thoroughly captivated by Mia. Olivia Mills quickly learned the difficulty of even getting close to the indifferent man. But the more indifferent he was toward everyone else and the more doting he was toward Mia, the more Olivia Mills wanted to have him. By hook or by crook, Olivia Mills was determined to win Kai Endou's heart. All she need was an opportunity. She had found her chance at one of the charity event. While Mark Walters was still stuck at work, Olivia Mills had gone on ahead to the event. Sure enough Kai Endou appeared and luckily for her, he was alone. Not wanting to destroy her soft, gentle demeanor, Olivia Mills waited for the right moment to strike. She waiting until Kai Endou went off alone to the garden and followed quietly after him. At the right moment, she accidentally bumped into him and fell into his arms. Using her innocent allure, Olivia Mills stared up into Kai Endou's handsome face, using tears to bait him.  

"What is this?" A sweet voice suddenly asked with a lilt of laughter.                  

And before Olivia Mills saw who the familiar voice belong to, she already fell onto the ground. Anyone looking at her - white silk dress with sleeves fallen down her shoulders, her hair in slight disarray, and fresh tears, they would believe the woman had been taken advantage of. In tears, Olivia Mills pulled the sleeves to cover her bare shoulders while looking at Kai Endou - clearly saying without words that she was innocent that the man had been the one who took advantage of her.

  "It's not what it look like" Olivia Mills carefully put her plans to motion by defending the man. "Kai only help me as I was falling"                  

Olivia Mills look at Mia Clark with innocent teary eyes - purposely saying Kai Endou's name intimately to provoke the woman. In the past, she had used the same method to get Mark Walters. The old Mia Clark had flown into a jealous rage and attacked Olivia Mills while Mark Walters defended and protected her. Olivia Mills had expected the Mia Clark to behave the same way.  

"Honey" Mia giggled softly, lifting her eyes from the beautiful young woman on the ground to the tall handsome man. "What are you doing? If you thought to help her, why did you drop her in the end?" 

 "She fell on me" Kai Endou went to Mia, keeping his eyes on her while wrapping an arm around her waist. "You know I don't like to touch dirty things"                  

Mia laughed against Kai Endou's chest, unaware that the man was gazing lovingly at her. When her eyes turned to look at the stunned expression on Olivia Mills' face, she smiled coldly. 

 "Sorry Mrs. Mills, my husband is a bit of a germaphobe. He didn't mean to drop you like that" Mia giggled softly as she leaned her head against Kai Endou's strong chest while continuing to look at Olivia Mills.

 "But please be careful and watch your steps in the future"                  

Olivia Mills' face still held onto her teary innocent expression, while her hands betrayed her anger as they gripped onto the grass beneath her.  

"Oh" Mia then lifted her head as if she remembers something. "And Mark, you really should take Mrs. Mills to the hospital to see if there are any nerve damage. This isn't the first time we see her fall like this. What happened if one day she accidentally damages her beautiful body? Then that'll be truly unfortunate"                  

Olivia Mills' eyes shot to Mark Walters as soon as Mia mentioned the man's name. Standing nearby was Mark Walters himself with a very dark expression. Olivia Mills had never received such a look and was terrified to see those angry eyes on her.  

"Mark! T_ This isn't what it looks like" 

 "We believe you Mrs. Mills, don't look so terrified" Mia giggled as she continued to lean against Kai Endou's chest. "It was all an accident. Mark and I luckily came in and saw what happened"                  

Olivia Mills face paled as Mia continued to smile.  

"Mia" Kai Endou whispered against the top of Mia's head. "I thought you were still in Taiwan with the boys"  

"Noah was bored and wanted to come home" Mia reached up to pinched Kai Endou's cheek. "While I slave away doing my motherly job, you're off having fun" 

 "Mia" Kai Endou smiles lovingly as he bent to kiss her pouting lips. "How could I have any fun when you're gone?"  

"Liar" Mia watched as he took her hand from his cheek to kiss it. 

 "Let's go home" Kai Endou smiles softly. 

 "And do what?" Mia teased.  "Anything you want"  

"Anything I want? Umm..."                  

Mia tapped her chin to think, ignoring Kai Endou's loving gaze, Mark Walters' envious gaze, and Olivia Mills' resentful gaze. 

 "Oh" Mia smiled brightly while she placed her index finger on Kai Endou's chin. "The floors to the house as not been waxed for some time now. You should wax it until it's all shiny again"

  "And what will you do, my love?" Kai Endou chuckled softly, his arms still holding onto the beautiful, playful woman.

  "Me? I'll watch you wax the floor" 

 "You'll watch me?" Kai Endou's brow rose with amusement.  

"Uh-huh" Mia smiled, revealing her deep dimples while her voice turns sweet. "It's always a pleasure to watch you clean the house, husband"  

"Oh?" Kai Endou's eyes immediately heated.                  Laughing softly, Mia patted his hard chest before she looked back at the red and green face of Olivia Mills.  

"Let's go home" 

Kai Endou did not care about anyone but Mia and so did not hide his desire for her as he clutch at her slim waist.

 "Mia"                  

When the man took her hand and took her away, Mia smirked at Olivia Mills - causing the young woman to glare outright with hatred. But by showing such hatred, Olivia Mills completely forgotten that she still had to deal with Mark Walters. Turning to Mark Walters and seeing the surprised in his eyes, she realized her mistake in dealing with Mia Clark. She had destroyed her pure image to Mark Walters by showing such hatred toward Mia Clark.



 After school I walk to The Night Owl. Most Fridays the girls come with me. Everything's on the house for us – the Night Owl, along with the restaurant upstairs, is owned and managed by my parents. 

 Ever since they met and fell in love at chef school in Seattle (pretty romantic I guess), they dreamed about starting a business together. 

 The only complication was that my dad wanted a haute cuisine restaurant and my mom wanted a cozy little coffeehouse. 

 So when my gran offered to put money down on a building, they decided on a compromise. Fine dining restaurant upstairs, coffeehouse downstairs. 

 When they first moved in eleven years ago, the building had been abandoned for ages. I was only five years old, so I don't remember much – but whenever I look at it now I can still see the blanket of moss and ivy growing all over the facade so thickly you could barely see the walls. 

 Today a small group of tourists in flannels and hiking gear are standing outside the shop peering in through the windows, probably trying to decide whether or not to go in. 

 From the looks of it they've just been for a long walk and want a bite on the way back. 

 I might as well pay my way and rustle up some business. 

 I walk up to them smiling, fighting back my shyness. 

 "You should go in," I tell them. "They have the best pecan nut pie in Portland." 

 A middle-aged woman with dark close-cropped hair turns to me and smiles. 

 "You think it's ok?" She asks. "We're gonna tramp mud all over the place. " 

 I look down at her muddy hiking boots. The rest of the group looks just as bedraggled. 

 "That's ok, there's a separate entrance for the courtyard," I tell them, pointing to a wrought iron gate around the side of the building. "I'll send someone out to take your order." 

 "You work here?" she asks as the group heads towards the courtyard. 

 "Not exactly," I answer. 

 Before walking through the door I stop on the step and look up at the sign above the doorway. 

 An old slab of wood hanging on iron chains. Two owls painted in bright green and brown sit side by side on a branch, their eyes huge and looped with crazy Celtic patterns. Swirling purple letters spell out "The Night Owl" against a dark blue backdrop, sprinkled with small golden stars. Even smaller letters in gold below say "Open 12 to 12". And below that, my gran's initials, so tiny you wouldn't notice them unless you looked really close. 

 The bell tinkles as I go through the door. Jade smiles at me from behind the counter. 

 "I'll be with you in a sec Ashling," he says as he switches on the coffee grinder. 

 I watch him take down two mugs shaped like owls hanging from hooks above the counter. 

 Jade's a trained barista and he makes a cup of coffee faster than anyone. 

 I can see what it is that Jamie likes about him. Besides being handsome in an unkempt, tortured artist kind of way (a vague resemblance to Kurt Cobain with sandy blonde hair tied behind his head and sharp features), he's also a genuinely nice guy. 

 He dropped out of art school before he got his barista qualification and started working for my parents, but he still paints in his free time. 

 Today there's a smudge of bright blue paint on his left shoulder, just below a tattoo of a lotus flower encircled by two brilliant orange Koi fish. Most other people would assume the streak of blue is part of the design but I've had plenty of practice staring at Jade's beautifully toned arms, and he's usually got paint smudged somewhere on his person. 

 I watch quietly as he adds the finishing touches onto a pair of foamy cappuccinos. The new waitress comes over to pick up the order, shooting me a sideways glance as she places the mugs on a tray. 

 She has a totally impractical hipster haircut – shaved at the back and on the sides, with a long wavy fringe – that requires her to tuck back her hair every few minutes. To be honest I don't know how long she's going to last. 

 She's pretty efficient and hasn't dropped an order or spilled coffee all over a customer (not yet, anyway), but she has a weird attitude. 

 Especially towards me. 

 I could be a real cow and say something to my parents about her, but I'm not just about to get someone fired just because they don't like me. 

 "Table four," Jade tells her. 

 For the first time since she started, I actually see her smile. It's really just the hint of a smile but it's there. A bit of color comes to her cheeks and she flutters her eyelashes as Jade places two honey and oat cookies on either side of the coffee mugs. 

 "A group just arrived in the courtyard," I tell her, smiling as warmly as I can. "I told them you'd go take their order." 

 The smile immediately slips from her face, and she casts down her eyes, nodding before walking away. 

 "Sorry to keep you waiting Ashling," he says. "Where are your friends? They're not gonna watch you play tonight?" 

 For the past year, every Friday at five I sit on the stage – a raised wooden platform at the back of the shop – with my guitar and play a set for the after-work crowd. 

 My playing at the Night Owl was actually Jade's idea. He thought we should have live music on Fridays to give the place some atmosphere. 

 Usually on Fridays after school, my friends and I will get a table near the back and spend the afternoon drinking chai lattes, sometimes getting some homework done (almost never) while Jamie flirts with Jade at the counter. They stick around for my performance, and then we go to my house and watch Netflix. 

 Not tonight though. Right about now they're probably getting ready for the concert. Doing their hair, putting on nail polish, probably under the disapproving gaze of Grace's mom. 

 "They're going to the Fable concert tonight," I say. "Anyway, how are things going here?" 

 "Same as usual. All the regulars," he says. 

 I scan the room. 

 "Where's Mrs. Leyton?" 

 "Oh, yeah," he smiles. "She came in early today. With a guy." 

 Mrs. Leyton is an elderly widow who comes into the shop every single day at three thirty for afternoon tea, and usually sticks around until five. She hasn't missed it in years, as far as I know. 

 We always see her sitting at her table by the window, her makeup and hair immaculate, a brilliantly colored scarf wrapped around her neck, with her order of Earl Grey Tea and the cake of the day. She sits all alone and writes. 

 I think she's writing her memoirs, but Jamie says it's saucy Mills and Boon porn. It's really odd for her to not be here at this time, and it’s even weirder for her to bring someone else to the coffee shop. 

 "Did you recognize him? I mean, the guy she was with?" I ask, suddenly curious about this mystery man. 

 "Never seen him before," Jade answers. "They were holding hands across the table and everything. It was actually pretty romantic." 

 There's an awkward silence as I try to think of something to say. For some reason talking about this sort of stuff with a guy makes me feel nervous. 

 The thing is, I've never actually had a boyfriend, let alone kissed a boy. It might have happened with Evan, if things hadn't gone the way they had. As it is, I have zero experience. 

 I feel like even just talking about love, dating, whatever, will give that away, so I avoid it. I wish I didn't always over-think everything. 

 "I guess I'll be taking the back room keys," I say, turning my face to hide the blush creeping across my cheeks. 

 One of the many problems with being as pale as I am – anytime I blush, the whole world knows it. 

 "Sure," Jade says, reaching under the counter and passing them to me. "See you at five."

The lone survivor of a terrible tragedy, sixteen-year-old Ashling Shields is living like she’s already dead. But when a chance encounter with an irresistibly wicked teen rock star goes awry, she’s pulled into a world of fallen angels and seductive vampires. A world of dark pleasures, enchantments and secrets deep in the midnight forest.

Ashling must unravel the mystery of her past before the dark force hunting her catches up. It's a second chance to follow her dreams... if her nightmares don't kill her first.

mills and boon Novel

Young Master Wang, You Are Mine

When a Genius Makes a Mistake

BOUND BY LOVE

Enchantment Of The Eternal

Out of Space

The Geared Immortal

the boon book

Dropped this one too.

The Regina Mills Affair

World's Best Boyfriend

In My Blood~ Harvey Mills

***^

FABLE

Bro I’m lost

Wild Willow Mills

People search mills and boon also like: