In a world of cultivation only the most powerful and most talented can survive...

Enter Loa Zhuan an Orphan of a previously powerful family that has fallen to the ages...

One day he receives on of the greatest gifts imaginable, a gift able to distinguish him from the rest...

Issei hearing the words Haoh said and finally registering everything that had been going on he swallowed back his words while looking at the 4 people in front that were half humans and half snakes...

Anaconda : You guys tricked us so that Rias can finish her reincarnation ritual...

Haoh : Think about what you want...

Haoh : The fact remains that if you don't get your snakes asses out of here, i don't mind making you snakes kebabs...

Cobra : You little shitting human!!!

Python : Stop it...

Cobra : But...

Python : No buts... Haoh we have come here for the sole purpose of you nulling the engagement with Sona and i think you have no intention on doing that...

Haoh : That's about right... However, i'm curious who is the 4th guy behind you??

Python : He is Garter and always talk when there is an emergency...

Haoh : I see...

Rias : Then you can kindly return back as neither i nor Sona will break the engagement we choose for ourselves...

Rias : Also Sona was about to challenge Viper in a rating game and i'm sure you know he would have lost...

Python : Yes, i'm sure of that... And in fact, i wouldn't have any problem accepting it as it would have been fair and square...

Haoh : But you can't accept the fact that i nulled through everything with Viper... I'm pretty sure he was also fed up with dorks like you controlling his life...

Haoh : Now, the talks are over... The engagement that been cancelled and i'm sure Viper kept his promise...

Haoh : You 4 have 2 choices... BEGONE or DIE!!!

As he said that from his body a tyrannical pressure befell them as his face distorted to inhuman levels to show how angry he was, of course with the help of his system...

DxD : Host Has used 5.000 Pervert Points!!! Remained Ones 0!!!

DxD : Host Has 55 Seconds For The Plan 'Trick Them!!!'

While he was emitting such an aura Haoh was thinking in his mind that at this rate he will never be able to gather any Perverted Points for future uses...

Garter : What are you all doing!!!

Cobra : Ha??

Python : Hm??

Anaconda : What??

Haoh popped his eyes as he could clearly see them shaking and with just a shout from Garter they snapped out of his little trick...

He stopped emitting his aura and then focused his eyes on that Garter that was looking at him with red eyes...

Haoh : Heh, impressive to handle so much pressure should i add more??

Garter : You call that pressure?? It barely tickled me...

Haoh : Then let's see how much you can take!!!

He used it again but this time he focused it solely on him and kept raising it and raising it, at first it seems like it wasn't working but moments later he started sweating slowly as his eyes widen more and more...

Haoh : What's wrong??? Can't take any more??

Even though he played the tough guy, Haoh wanted to cry right now, he had 20 seconds left and tried all possible messing with his senses on emulating that he had such an aura...

What this trick with the system actually do was mess up with the senses of the other, mess a bit more and you can make it appear as if Haoh possesses quite the power...

Just as his trick ended from being out of time, Garter who was catching his head with one hand as he was in pain from messing with his senses like that for so long suddenly threw a few Daggers so skillfully that made everyone guard up against them...

The others who finally regained their senses saw Yuuto deflecting a few along with Rias and Raynare while two of them found their target...

One hitted the center of his chest while the other his hand which the Green Orb was located making it flew from his hand and landed on top of his own Sacred Gear causing a thunderous Roar to be resounded as everything who heard it blacked out...

A certain fan Otaku having everything in his house be it small or big he had collected all items of his favourite Anime DxD.

Haoh Yorion was turning 25 years old today as a virgin when he brought a cake with candles he made a wish in the roof where he was sitting.

"As The Legend Goes, I Wish For My 25th Year Old Virgin Self To Be Reborn As A Mage Preferable In My Favorite Anime!!!"

He blew softly in the candles making them go out and started eating his cake.

As if the heavens heard his wish he choked on his cake that had a few complete almonds instead of trimmed ones and died.

116Chapter 2: 1: the seaside
A/N: tom meets harry :)

tw graphic animal death in this chapter.

the seaside.

.

April 1936

.

Tom Riddle is nine years old and he can talk to snakes. Not only does he talk to snakes, but the snakes talk back. Tom can tell the snakes to eavesdrop and to bite and to slither away.

He hasn't yet told any snakes to go about biting, but he figures it's only a matter of time until he does. The other children (others and others and others) waver between fear and hatred of him. Sooner or later it will become necessary.

At some level, Tom is aware that the other orphans harbour a dislike for him because he is difficult and different.

He is unapologetic. He seeks to be who he is.

And so he must be one of two things, for there exist only two sides in the minds of children: good and evil. Since they don't like him, they of course assume the latter.

Good and evil are such vague, abstract concepts. Who defines them? Not in the simple sense of committing a crime or enacting a betrayal, but in the grand, overarching complexity of life, who cast the final judgement? The children at Wool's would tell you it was God's word. Tom would tell you that a man could only define his own actions by his own judgement, and did this one fact not hold the same for everybody?

It was merely the judiciousness of many against the prudence of few. Tom lives and breathes by his own perceptions. How can he do otherwise, when he is constantly shunned and outcast by his inferiors?

Tom doesn't pretend to be evil. Most of the time he pretends to be good. Neither much appeals to him more than the other. Tom reads fairy tales with his brow creased in resentment. He watches games of make believe unfold in the hearts of the other orphans.

That is not to say that Tom doesn't have imagination or dreams of his own. But his dreams stay in his head. Because the head is really the source of all dreams, because that's where it counts the most, to have such thoughts. To nurture them in the place where they can someday become reality.

So nine-year-old Tom spends a lot of time pretending to sleep in his cot, visions of grandeur dancing across his eyelids. He holds firm that they will not remain visions, not for him. Because Tom knows differently, he knows that while the things in fairy tales will never come true for the other children, some of them may come true for him. Conversing with snakes is a rather blunt example of evidence, but it works.

Sometimes he imagines racing down the streets. His companions, the snakes, follow at his heels. His destination changes as the scenarios he imagines rewrite themselves. He could rule over a lot of people using snakes. Everyone he knows is afraid of snakes. Mrs. Cole, in particular, hates them.

Everyone would have to listen to him, if he was powerful enough. He could wear fine clothes and have people call him Lord. People would respect him, pay attention to him, and he would never again be called a 'poor little orphan boy' by adults who thought they knew better. He would point fingers and have people bow down to him. And if they didn't, if they didn't—

One spring day in the middle of April, Tom finds himself sitting outside in the grass and talking to a snake. The grass is not quite damp, not quite dry. The morning dew has yet to vanish entirely. Tom can feel the tickle of each blade of grass against his bare forearms; his shirtsleeves are rolled up just past the elbow. The snake he is talking to is a plain garter snake; it boasts no particular intelligence or notable markings.

All of the snakes he has encountered call him 'speaker'. The snakes tell him they have tales of other speakers, myths and legends of those who converse with them, but Tom is the only one they have ever met personally.

Tom thinks that he must be the last speaker to walk the earth. When he speaks to snakes, he is speaking on behalf of all of mankind. It is the imaginary stuff of men who belong madhouses. But Tom, brilliant and special, knows it must be more.

"There wasss a great fire. Many flamesss and ssscreamsss. I hear thisss. I hear of ashesss."

Tom considers the snake for a moment. "Wasss it a dwelling of importance?"

"There were great screamsss," the snake repeats. Tom resists the urge to snap at it. The network of snakes that bring him news aren't greatly intelligent. Things that snakes find interesting differ widely from what Tom finds valuable. Rarely does he come across the right sort of snake, the type that is capable of complex instructions. This snake, this ordinary garter snake, raises its head slightly, as though to better gauge Tom's reaction.

"The dwelling isss gone," the snake finally says. "The hatchlingsss are dead or fled. The guardian isss dead."

A house fire, then. Tom strokes a finger down the head and neck of the snake. The creature seems to enjoy the sensation of being petted. Tom marks the event of the fire as wholly uninteresting, then returns to his own internal musings. The cool spring breeze ruffles at his hair like a cat licking itself. There is no one else in his immediate vicinity.

The other children had long since decided to give Tom a wide berth whenever they went outside. He thinks that the berth isn't nearly wide enough. He can still hear them. Not their whispers, no—that kind of behaviour he already dealt with long ago. But there's something in the air around the other children when Tom looks their way. It is more than simple dislike. An adult would have described it as terror.

But Tom can smile and play a role as well as any full grown man. He can use complex vocabulary and argue his way out of nearly anything. He can comport himself. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour isn't endearing in a young boy. This isn't the type of behaviour potential parents want to see—it's disturbing, the way Tom Riddle acts. It's abnormal.

The snake eventually lowers its head back into the grass, and Tom dismisses it with a goodbye. Tom stands up and brushes himself clean of any lingering dirt. He walks back inside, the snake following the line of his small shoulders as he moves with the grace and poise of a boy twice his age. It is nearly supper time, and it wouldn't do to be late. The children he encounters on his way in drop their gazes as he approaches. Tom ignores them.

Tom hates the orphanage. He feels as though he's being pushed down, shoved down into a place he doesn't want to be. He longs to break free.

Tom rolls a glass marble between his thumb and forefinger. There's a small cloth bag with a drawstring in Tom's other hand. He is lying on his back, staring at the ceiling of the room he shares with Billy Stubbs. His roommate spends an awful lot of time trying to sneak off and hide in other people's rooms. Tom plans to do something about that, eventually. It would be nicer to have his own room.

The glass is warm against the pads of his fingers. With a sharp twist of his hand, he flicks the marble into the air. Tom watches the trajectory of the glass as speeds up, peaks, then begins its descent.

Then, like pulling a lever down in his head, the marble slows. The air around it becomes molasses, thick and heavy. The marble parks itself in midair like a stalled vehicle. Tom crooks his finger at it; the marble begins to rotate in place.

He keeps it there, watching it slowly spin on an invisible axis. The sunlight glints off the surface, catching the colours and setting them on fire. The marble is burning with intensity, with potential.

This is power. This is only the beginning of what he wants to do, of who he plans to become.

The marble spins and spins—he imagines it shattering. The glass smashing itself into a thousand tiny shards where it floats in the air. He wishes it with all the force he can muster. He wants the glass crushed, he wants to see the shower of glass sand on his bedding as he demolishes the marble. Wants to feel the marble disintegrate under the weight of his will.

Nothing happens, and the glass drops to the floor with a hard cracking sound.

Upon retrieval, the glass marble reveals a chipped, imperfect surface. Scarred from its impact on the floor, it is now duller, less vibrant than it had been. Tom scowls at the ceiling, falling back down onto the bed.

He knows he is special. He is only waiting for the chance to prove it. The chance will come and he will be ready for it. Tom has learned not to wait for parents, for saviours. There is no one to protect you from your own weakness except yourself.

There was an accidental fire at another orphanage. That was the story passed around at breakfast, from mouth to ear, a ripple across the ocean. Flames of gossip spreading across the crowd. The hushed whisper that reached Tom's ears as a new group of brats were led into the dining hall.

Tom is annoyed. There is barely enough to go around as it is. Not to mention there is going to be another upheaval to the orphanage power structure with these new additions. Although, he thinks to himself as he looks appraisingly over the short little line of boys, these additions do not look to be much of a threat. One of them—the shortest, scruffiest looking one—wears a rather mullish look on his face. Dull, worn down.

The new boys slide obediently into the chairs pointed out to them, docile like sheep, and Tom allows himself to relax. No trouble, he thinks. No trouble at all.

Their matron asks their oldest boy to welcome the new young ones. Tom watches with satisfaction as the older boy's eyes flicker to Tom in apprehension. But Tom nods imperiously, and the boy proceeds with introductions.

Tom exudes charisma and power, even seated on an unbalanced wooden stool. There should be no doubt as to who holds the strings of the orphanage, the threads of its fate clenched tight in his fist. Tom even offers the runt of the litter a reassuring smile. The dark-haired boy stares back at him, emerald-green eyes glassy in the poor lighting of the dining hall.

The other new orphans give the smallest boy a bubble of space, their eyes shifting this way and that under the weight of the attention from the matron and her helpers. Whether this is the result of dislike is not immediately apparent. Tom doesn't like the familiarity of that gap, that gap which resembles the gap between himself and the children of Wool's.

This is irritating. He, Tom, should be acknowledged; this is his territory and all the children will fall in line behind him and him alone. The introduction of these new, unknown children is disconcerting. Tom doesn't like these unprecedented additions to his environment. The unpredictable leaves room for error, it leaves him feeling exposed.

Tom catches the eye of the youngest boy again. Green eyes blink balefully back at Tom for merely a moment before the boy drops his gaze to the table. This submissive action makes Tom's lip curl, though he is not sure why. The sense of strangeness tugs on his consciousness like a demanding child, and so Tom shakes the thought away, wanting to be rid of it.

Days pass into weeks. None of the new additions cause trouble, much to the relief of Mrs. Cole and her helpers.

The children are a group of weaklings, Tom thinks disgustedly. A witless lot of brats who do nothing but take up space and resources. A few of them wake repeatedly from nightmares, their cries echoing down the halls of the living spaces. They flinch at matches and avoid the oil lamps. They never sit close to the fireplace. They are shadowy shapes made of ashes rather than human flesh and bone.

The smallest boy, Harry Evans, keeps mostly to himself. He does not speak to anyone except their minders. He does not cry, does not complain. It is never his voice that Tom hears wailing into the night. But Evans wears dark circles under his eyes. He has a pallid complexion and prominent cheekbones that look odd for a boy so young. Tom takes to watching him, and whenever Evans catches Tom's heavy gaze he jerks away as though stung, as though he can't bear anything more substantial than a glance against his skin.

What Tom doesn't know is that Harry Evans is someone who has learned how to survive. Harry has seen the cruelty the world offers the luckless, and he has warped himself to bear it. Harry Evans recognizes bullies and predators, and so he knows when to keep his head down. He wants nothing more than to be ordinary and unnoticed. Attention has only ever wrought him pain.

Tom sees a strange, dark-haired boy who avoids people so violently that the rest of Wool's orphans have difficulties remembering his name. Evans blends into walls and sinks into solitude. He is bland and forgettable. It's a wonder anyone even remembers to feed him. Tom sees Harry Evans and his instincts scream danger.

All this, and Tom has not yet exchanged a single word with the boy.

Careful prodding of the children from the other orphanage reveals nothing but reluctance. All of their previous caretakers are dead. A number of the other children who had lived with them are dead. No one wants to say anything beyond that, as though their tongues have been held hostage. Tom cajoles and threatens in equal measures, but his efforts are for naught. He grows frustrated at this lack of information, but there are no other avenues to pursue. No avenues other than Harry himself.

Tom stares at Harry during mealtimes, trying to puzzle him out. Harry alternates between looking and not-looking. Periodically checking to see if he still holds Tom's attention, perhaps.

The puzzle grows like a hedge maze in Tom's mind: wild and unkempt, full of obscure secrets. At the center of the maze lies the answer, the explanation behind the mask. Because children—normal children, ordinary children—do not act like Evans acts.

Tom has long since separated people into two categories: himself, and then others (who were not like him). This clear division has been the pedestal upon which Tom has rested his laurels. He is different, he is special.

Now forced to confront the fact that perhaps he is no longer the only one in his own category, Tom is shaken, though he won't admit it. He can't place the similarities, exactly. But he can recognize that hint of likeness. Tom tells himself it's all fine. All would, as was often said, come to light eventually.

.

May 1936

.

This year's trip to the seaside is a bore. Tom would rather spend his time running the streets of London, finding and learning interesting things. The other children skip rocks across the water, collect a multitude of seashells, and make large, misshapen mounds out of sand. Tom ignores them all and instead seeks out the only other interesting thing around.

"Hello, Harry," Tom says kindly.

The boy looks up with his curious green eyes. Evans is seated on a large chunk of rock facing the sea. His dark hair, typically in disarray, is finally at home amongst the wild nautical winds.

"May I join you?" Tom adds, when Harry doesn't respond.

Harry shuffles over on the rock, leaving plenty of space for Tom to settle next to him. They stay like that, listening to the bird calls and the shrieking of children playing by the water's edge.

Tom wants a reaction, a response. He is reluctant to break the silence, to give over that final shred of control. He had made a few subtle overtures over the course of the week, trying to lure Evans into conversation. None of it had worked, and Tom had forced himself to admit he would have to grudgingly utilize a more direct approach.

"The other children avoid you."

That elicits a reaction. Finally, Harry turns his head, his mouth pressed in a thin line. Tom drinks in those bright green eyes, entranced.

Harry licks his lips. "Do they?"

"They do," said Tom.

"I hadn't noticed," Harry says blandly. "I've been a bit distracted by all your staring."

Tom's hands clench, but he refrains from scowling. He won't allow Harry to get a rise out of him that easily. "What happened at the other orphanage?" he demands. "No one says anything."

Harry fixes him with a rather unnerving stare for such a small child. Not many children have the proper experience to back the kind of force a look like that requires. "There was a fire," Harry says, like Tom is slow, then resumes looking away.

"You know that's not what I mean."

Silence. Tom wants to strangle Evans, he really does. The two boys sit there, the sea lapping gently against the edge of the rock.

The breeze picks up after a while, dropping the temperature slightly. Harry pulls up his legs, wrapping his jumper-clad arms around his knobby knees. He reminds Tom of a feral cat, what with his wild hair and his skinny, lanky form that seems to curl in on itself.

"I'll find out eventually," Tom tries.

The other boy smiles at that. He looks younger when he does so, more peaceful. The wind ruffles Harry's bangs across his forehead, just enough so Tom can see the small, jagged scar hiding there.

"Will you?" Harry asks challengingly.

Tom feels his conviction settle deep in his gut. "I will," he breathes darkly, and it's a promise.

Upon returning from the seaside, Tom had strangled Billy Stubbs' pet rabbit and hung it from the rafters.

Its body had dangled from the rope that was knotted loosely around its neck, blood trickling through its fur and onto the floor below. The rabbit's eyes had been turned into a gory pulp, each eyeball somehow crushed within its respective eye sockets. Those round, wide eyes had once been glossy and clear, like marbles. Now they were lifeless.

Tom's hands and fingernails are neatly trimmed and spotless, not a single hint of blood lingering on them. He'd scrubbed them raw in the lavatory and watched the dried flecks of red spiral down the drain. Tom doesn't fully grasp the concept of not rushing into things. His mind sees the path between his desires and reality; it bridges the gap without too much thought to the consequences. He's still too young. He is full of petulance and brimming with confidence.

No one says a word about who might have committed the crime. No one wants to think about it. Billy is too afraid to even cry in Tom's presence, and Mrs. Cole drinks heavily that night.

The next day, Tom gets a new roommate

A collection of others work for my enjoyment

Goatee Garter browsed for some time. He too had his eyes on the crystal chandelier.
He walked back to them and asked, "What’s the value of the chandeliers?"
Li Du said, "We’re not planning to sell them. If you like them, you can take them, but you’ll have to take all the other stuff around it."
Garter said in disdain, "That’s all junk, why would I take any of it?"
"You expect to get something valuable for free?" Li Du asked with a chuckle.
"The chandelier is already broken," Garter continued in displeasure. "A lamp that doesn’t light up, isn’t a good lamp—you can’t consider it valuable!"
"Alright," Li Du shrugged, "suit yourself, that’s our condition."
The reason that the George brothers and Garter weren’t willing to accept these conditions was that they came with their pickups. For small pickups like theirs, this mountain of trash was too much.
"Let’s change the conditions, alright?" Garter said. "Like, I can buy it with cash."
Li Du shook his head. "Sorry, I’m not strapped for cash now. What I need is someone to help me clear this trash."
"Come on, brother," Garter said helplessly. "Look at my car—it’s too small. D*mmit, I can’t take it all away!"
"Sorry, I can’t trade with you then," Li Du said. "You know my terms. Though, there might be another way for you to get it."
"What way?"
Li Du pointed to something in Garter’s pickup that looked like some sort of jade sculpture. "I think that thing is quite pretty, like some work of art."
He paused, and then continued, "How about we do it like the Amish, and barter? If you’re willing to trade, then I’m willing to trade my chandelier for it."
Garter glared at him suspiciously. "That’s a replica, it’s not worth much."
"Is that so? Well, I quite like its style," Li Du laughed.
Seeing his smile, Garter gradually smiled as well. He then collected the sculpture to carry over to him, but then said, "No, no. This can’t do. It’s actually quite a treasure, I can’t trade this."
The older George walked over and said, "Don’t be silly, it’s just a man-made replica. It’s worthless. Li, are you sure you want to trade your chandelier for this?"
Garter scoffed, "Fool, Li has a good eye for things. Whatever he has his eyes on is surely something good!"
Godzilla came walking over. He lifted the distilling boiler and said, "How much for this?"
Li Du cast him a bizarre look and asked, "You want this thing? What’s it for? It’s just junk."
Godzilla shook his head and said with an awkward cough, "It can make alcohol."
Garter rubbed his hands together and asked, "Is he a partner of yours?"
"Yes, a good brother of mine," Li Du said.
Garter’s eyebrow twitched slightly. "We can do it like the Amish and barter. However, not with this precious thing, but with this boiler for your chandelier. You can give it to your friend as a gift!"
Li Du laughed. "You’re really calculative, buddy."
"Don’t be so quick to object," Garter put down his hands and said. "If your friend wanted this chandelier, would you give it to him? It’s broken."
Li Du pondered for a moment, and said, "I guess I’d give it to him."
"Right?" Garter said, "So, since you’re willing to give this chandelier to him, why not just trade the chandelier for something that he likes, and give that to him?"
Li Du considered again, and said with a nod, "Sounds logical. I have no counter argument for that."
"Then don’t think of any arguments, and just accept it," Garter said excitedly.
The George brothers were displeased. The younger George walked over and said, "Li, we asked for the chandelier first, you can’t do this."
"Yeah, buddy, it’s just a distilling boiler for moonshine. If you like it, I can get it from some second-hand store for you."
Li Du said, "It’s not that I like it, fellas. My friend likes it."
Godzilla glared at the George brothers like a ferocious beast looking down on weaklings.
Seeing such, the George brothers gave up and said, "Alright, I guess there’s no way to make it happen. Looks like we’re gonna lose out on this treasure."
"You guys know the rules of the old goods market," Garter said proudly. "Bartering will always be a viable method of trade. When doing business, bring along some good stuff with you. Know your way around before coming, idiots!"
"That guy’s a real scumbag," the older George said angrily.
"Yeah, he’s definitely a scumbag," the younger George agreed.
Godzilla carried away the distilling boiler. Garter carefully placed the chandelier into a large box and moved it to his pickup.
"Are you going to fix them?" Li Du asked.
Garter glanced sideways at him, and said, "These are mine—what I’m going to do with them doesn’t concern you anymore."
Li Du could now acknowledge what the George brothers had said; there was nothing wrong with the name that everyone else was calling him—Garter was a scumbag!
The younger George saw that Li Du had been brushed off, and said with a smile, "Are you regretting doing business with him now?"
Li Du shook his head. "No—Godzilla and I both wanted this thing."
The older George was puzzled, and asked, "Why a distilling boiler? You guys want to sell moonshine? If so, you guys still lack a racing car."
Li Du didn’t understand the latter half of what he had said. "What do you mean? What do we need a racing car for?"
Hans explained, "It’s a joke. In the 1930s to 1950s, moonshiners would stash their goods in cars, and to avoid the cops, they had to do the transport everything at night."
"With that, due to the constant pressure, their driving techniques kept improving. They grasped how to boost the performances of their cars to escape arrest.
"In some southern states, a culture of loving cars appeared. It eventually gave birth to the NASCAR races. That’s why he said you need a racing car—to avoid arrest from the state cops."
NASCAR was a series of racing competitions in America, with over 1.5 billion people watching them every year. The races had higher viewer ratings than other sports like baseball, basketball, and football.
In fact, the first winner of the NASCAR championships was a car that was driven to smuggle moonshine just a week before the competition.
Li Du laughed as he shook his head. "No, no. We’re not planning to sell moonshine. We don’t do illegal stuff."
The older George seemed disappointed. "You have this equipment and you’re not making moonshine? What a waste."
Li Du looked at the boiler and said, "The reason for buying this is because I feel that it’s an antique."
The George brothers laughed loudly; they thought he was joking.
Hans knew that Li Du wasn’t joking, or else he wouldn’t have spent so much effort trying to get this distilling boiler.
Mr. Li believed that this was a treasure, and that it was very valuable!


They love gold, and they love silver. Even more so, they love gems that dazzle, like stars across the skies. 
Firearms, jewelleries, and precious metals; A collector’s world will not be complete without antiques.  
Storage auctions, old goods trade, re-estate sales and gold-digging. But the truth is, if one wants to make money, then the supreme way is through searching for the legendary treasures. 
Holding the fort, there’s an ocelot, a wolf, and an Andes condor. At the side, there’s a loyal hound, an irascible ape, and an African honey badger. Who said that you can only rely on humans when treasure hunting?! 

Max was frowning and wanted to get up. 
Liz got on her knees and pushed on Max's shoulders with her palms, using her bodyweight to keep him down. "Don't move. You might be hurt."
"The snake bit me…", he growled weakly. 
The stinging sensation in Max's left calf, just above his riding boot was a giveaway.
If she didn't know better, Liz would think that he is dying. She almost laughed, but she stopped herself because there is a possibility that he hurt his back. 
"It's a common garter snake. You will live. But you will need a tetanus shot."
Liz's comment made him open his eyes and look at her. Max thought how his current situation is… not manly at all. But he was glad that Claudia is gone, and he didn't mind that Liz is holding onto his shoulders.
"Let me do a quick check on you… promise not to move a muscle.", she told him.
He wanted to nod in response, but she told him not to move so he smiled.
Max closed his eyes when Liz's fingers moved at the back of his neck while suppressing his urge to pull her down for a kiss. Since he met her he found her attractive, and now that she is seriously focusing on his wellbeing he found her... irresistible. He allowed her to bend his legs at the knees. 
"Why did you send her to the clubhouse? She could have called the ambulance from her cell phone."
Max's question made Liz stop her movements for a second. 
"She was noisy.", Liz responded with a smirk and resumed her actions. 
"I didn't hear you stop her from going.", she added after a second.
He chuckled. True, he didn't stop her because he would trade hundreds of Claudias for this one-on-one checkup with Elizabeth.
A faint noise was heard from the direction of the clubhouse. Human voices spoke in urgency.
Max grabbed a handful of pebbles from the trail and threw them at the back of the Liz's horse, making it flinch and run away.
Liz looked up toward the horse who was heading down the path swiftly without a rider.
"What…?", she didn't finish her question. His arms wrapped around her and he rolled both of them further away from the trail, into the bush.
"You shouldn't move!", Liz reminded him. She was thinking about his potential injury first and it took her a second to process what happened. And that she is on top of him.
"I'm fine.", he responded with a whisper, his eyes locked on hers.
They were so close that she could smell the sweet mint from his breath. Probably from the mint chocolates which come with the bill at the restaurant. She also had one, and they are tasty.
"What if there are more snakes?"
Her question made him glance around nervously.
Liz stifled a laugh. 
"It seems that someone is afraid of snakes…", Liz teased.
Max looked at the woman on top of him and wondered if she realizes in what position they are. So many others would do a community service to be in his embrace like this and Liz... is teasing him. Did she drink a Max-immunity potion? How can she not be flustered? Is she not finding him attractive? Not even a little bit?
Liz tried getting up, but his strong arms held her in place. 
She frowned. "What are you doing?"
Max paused while wondering: what is he doing? He heard the noise and assumed that those are people that Claudia alerted, and that they are coming their way. And he didn't want anyone else other than Liz by his side, so… His brain short-circuited from the feeling of her weight on him, and her thin waist under his arm felt good and her soft breasts giving a perfect contrast to his firm chest they are pressing on… Max blinked few times. What is he doing?
"I'm sorry.", he said. "I just wanted few more minutes with you. Undisturbed.", he admitted.
Liz half-relaxed at his words. As much as she was not comfortable on top of him, the thought that his partner of choice is Quentin, made Liz lower her guard toward Max. While thinking about Quentin, Liz guessed that Max got them here so that they are not found by that noisy woman she sent away. "You don't want to be with that woman?"
Max inhaled. Did Liz see through him? Max is aware that he is not indifferent toward Liz, but is it so bad that Liz can see it? Well, this is not the time to lie. "Claudia is not important."
Liz understood: the woman is not important because he has Quentin in his heart.
"Max, I don't want to tell you how to live your life. But are you true to yourself? You should think how your actions are impacting others. She is maybe not important to you, but I can tell that you are important to her and the longer you use her like this, the deeper her feelings will go. Your behavior is selfish."
"You don't approve?"
Liz reminded herself to keep her mouth shut. Who is she to tell Max not to use random women to cover up his relationship with Quentin? But Liz saw that woman's amorous gaze directed at Max, and she is sure that there are many others like Claudia, and Liz had to say something.
"Do I approve you using that woman or any other? No. I don't approve. I know that you have your reasons, but can't you think of a better way? Do you need to put all this elaborate show of a playboy who is always in the mood to party and even have a fake girlfriend just to cover up your insecurities? There will always be people who accept you for who you are…" Liz stopped talking when she felt that his grip on her waist is intensifying. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's OK.", Max paused. "Do you accept me for who I am?"
"Yes.", Liz responded without missing a beat.
A small smirk danced on his handsome face. "I'm curious. What do you think… who am I?"
Liz thought for a second and remembered how Max is quick to catch onto hints, and how he almost begged her to help him stage a show for Sabrina so that she believes he is in a happy relationship, and he admitted that he used her as a fake-girlfriend in front of his family… and she told herself that her opinion of him should not be impacted by the gender of his partner.
"You are smart, and attentive, and you care about your family, and even though you lie sometimes, you do it in an effort not to hurt other's feelings and you prefer the truth…"
As much as he was holding onto her firmly, his arms went limp. Even with his despicable behavior, she sees so many good traits. Max is confident that Liz sees him in such a positive light only because she is shining so brightly. 
Liz used this opportunity to scramble off from him. 
"How are you feeling?" She was pressing on the back of his neck again.
Several people were right on the other side of the bush, looking for the person who fell of a horse. 
Liz was about to stand up and get their attention, when she felt Max holding onto her hand. 
"You need to go to a hospital to get checked.", Liz urged him. "Some injuries manifest themselves hours after they occur, and by then the damage is done."
Max knows that she is right, but he does not want to separate from her. Not yet. "Accompany me to the hospital."
Liz paused. "Don't you want to call Quentin?"
"If they require a family member to discharge me, like last time… I don't want Quentin to be there." Max didn't lie. If Quentin is there, and any of his family members see him, they will give a hard time to Max. The 'Quentin the bad influence' is a never ending topic, especially for Max's father.
Of course, Liz has her own thoughts why Max does not want Quentin by his side in front of his family, but she is not the one to call it out openly. After all, if Max is comfortable talking about him and Quentin, he would not go to such lengths to hide their relationship behind all those girls like Claudia. "I understand. I will go with you." 
---
If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.

Elizabeth (aka Liz): an attractive young lady, smart, career-driven, self-sufficient, wants to save the world (one surgery at a time).

Maximilian (aka Max): hot, smart, rich, playboy, who loves to party!

What happens when Liz and Max meet due to an accident? Their personalities are clashing but persistent accidents keep pulling them together.

An accident: an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause. 

...

Mature content! 18+

…
Excerpt from the story...

Max was confused. "Aren't you appalled by my words? Offended? Why are you still here and not running to your place?"
Liz shrugged. "Last night you promised no lies. And I hope that you are comfortable enough with me to say what is on your mind. No matter if you are gay or not, the fact that I feel safe with you will not change. Unless you do something to prove me wrong."
Max was surprised by this logic. But then he remembered the deal they made: he will not lie, no games and he will treat her with respect… and she believes him.
"You want to know what is on my mind?" He decided to try his luck: "I want to kiss you."
Liz frowned for a second while thinking about how to respond. Then she craned her neck and pointed at her cheek. "Here."
Max was not sure if he should laugh or cry. "That is not the kiss I was going for."
"That is the only one you will get. Take it or leave it."
Max is not silly to miss an opportunity. "I will take whatever you are willing to give me."

...

This is a heartwarming story that will make you all warm and fuzzy while you laugh and sigh... 

---
Thank you for reading!

*****
I own the cover.
*****

Check out my other novels: 'Is this Destiny?' and 'Amara - Reunion'

Maya's POV

As we changed into our gown, I felt so happy, and to be honest, and this is the first time I am attending a wedding with a happy face after seven years. Jocelyn looks so beautiful in her bridal white long sleeve mermaid tail gown. And I can't stop myself from smiling from ear to ear. And the moment we arrived at the church, I can't stop the pounding of my heart since I know I will be seeing Adonis, and we will walk down the aisle together, and I have to link my arm to him. Just thinking about being close to him again makes me feel the butterflies on my stomach.

"Wow! I never thought I would see you again wearing that kind of smile." Lisa said as she stared into my face.

"What you mean?" I asked, and I pretended I don't know what she was talking about, but I can't deny it to my best friend.

"Maya, you can't hide how happy you are right now that you are beginning to know Adonis again, and I understand that kind of look very well." She declared.

"I hate to think that only Adonis Monleon could make you that happy, we have been here with you almost every day of your life, but never in a day, I made you smile that kind of smile, not even your brothers," Lisa added, and I feel so guilty about it.

"Hey, you don't need to feel upset, Maya, I am just stating the obvious, I am so happy that you are back to the old Maya I know, did you forget that every time you smile, you light up the entire place because you have a warm and captivating smile, a full of life kind of smile. Ever since he left you, you became the woman who wore a fake smile. Welcome back, Maya Alva." She said, and I laugh.

As the wedding ceremony continues, I can't stop myself from stealing glances at Adonis, he looks so handsome with his suit, and there are times I caught him staring at me, and I can't stop myself from feeling like a teenager again, and most of all I miss the thrill. And I realized having one date with him is not enough, and I can't stop thinking about what would be our next date be like, and I am looking forward to our next date.

The ceremony is over, and then when we arrived at the Hernandez hacienda, I couldn't believe the whole place transformed into a beautiful reception. And I am so glad that we have good weather today. The introduction of the host is so beautiful, and I know this is the time we have to dance with the bride and groom as their backup. I know Adonis is not so fun dancing hip hop, but I find it so cute that he danced all he can, and I can't stop smiling during the entire performance, and I am shocked when Adonis took my hand after our dance number, and he brings me to my table.

My ex-boyfriend made a short speech during the wine toasting, and I am always mesmerized by how well he delivers his messages, and I hate to admit that I am falling for him all over again. Am I going to regret this, or are they going to laugh at me again? It seems to wait for him for seven years was the easiest thing to do for me, but it feels like getting back with him became the hardest, and I hope he will never surrender because I can't trust him again to have my heart.

During the throwing of the bouquet, I don't want to participate, but the host keeps calling my name, so I don't have a choice but to come to the stage, and as Jocelyn turned her back on us to get ready, I can hear upbeat music on the background. As the bride was about to toss the bouquet, all the single ladies, including Lisa and Ariana, betrayed me as they run away from the stage. I left alone in front of the guests, and I don't have a choice but to catch the bouquet since it symbolizes good luck, and I don't want it to hit the ground and got ruined. 

I hear the crowd got so excited when the host calls all the single male in the reception, and I laugh that Adonis stood up even before the host called his name. And I can't stop myself from feeling excited.

"Please! Just give me the garter, Chris!"Adonis yelled, and all the guests laugh.

"I am sorry, buddy, I won't go easy on you," Christopher replied, and I felt so shy watching Don Miguel, and he was looking at his grandson and me, and I felt relieved when he laughed, and I can tell Adonis's grandpa is having fun. 

"Guys, please, back off," He also begged his male friends, including his cousin. The host continued calling the single male in the vicinity, and I saw my two brothers stand up from their chairs, followed by Adrian, James, Jake, and some of Chri's friends.

"I am sorry, Adonis, you are not the only one who wants to partner with Maya," Jake said to his cousin, and I can see that Adonis give him a hard stare, but he laughs.

"Well, I know Ben and Rich will back me up, so bring it on, Chris," Adonis said confidently, and I couldn't believe he is so eager to get the garter.

"Yes!" My brothers both replied.

"Be fair, guys!" Jake responded, and I couldn't believe this is happening, and I can't stop myself from smiling and shaking my head at the same time.

"Go, son!" And my heart melts when I heard his grandpa shouted his support to Adonis. And I can see the crowd are getting excited, and it feels like they are watching a tournament, and we are not attending a wedding. It was fun watching the boys get ready while Chris faces them.

I seldom see Don Miguel attends social events in our place because he is always busy, but now he attended Chris's wedding, and it is an honor to have him at our site, my mom went to his table, and they talked but stopped the moment the games started.

"Before the groom will toss the garter, the audience wants to see some dance moves from our handsome single men right here on the stage. So, music maestro." The host said, and I can see the horrified look on Adonis's face, but when he looked at me, I smiled at him, and then his face lit up, and he winked at me and started dancing. Adonis is good with social dancing, but he is terrible with modern dance. But he doesn't look bad dancing with our friends. And my brothers don't want to lose when it came to dancing, so they were dancing like a pro, and the happiness that I can see on our mother's face was priceless. She enjoyed watching his two sons dancing without a care.

"Thank you, guys, you got that moves. We were having so much fun watching you dance, and to be honest, I have been hosting weddings for a long time now, and it is always a challenge for me to convince the single men to join the throwing of the garter, but on this particular wedding of Chris and Jocelyn is the first time I experienced something like this that all the men wanted to get the band." The host said, and she looked at my face.

"Well, now I understand why and it is apparent, the lady who got the bouquet is so beautiful, and I can tell you are now eager to join her. So, boys, get ready, and Chris, I think your buddies are now prepared to compete with each other to get the garter from you." The host declared.

The moment Chris throw the garter, it was a series of shouts and laughter, and it was so hard to identify who got the strap since I can only see my brothers tried to clear the area for Adonis. Still, Jake and his friends make it hard for Adonis to reach his goal, but in the end, I can see the triumphant smile on Adonis's face as he raised his right hand holding the garter.

"Wow! You got it, handsome, and may I know why you were eager to get that garter." The host said after she gets closer to Adonis while she offered him the microphone, and I can see Adonis's face blush.

"Because I like her a lot." He said, and I can hear the crowd got crazy, and I can see the amusement on his grandpa's face.

"Wow! Adonis Monleon got a crush." The host said, and then Adonis whispered something to the host, and she smiled at me.

"Okay, now since you got the garter, it is time for you to put it on Maya's leg and up above her knee." The host said, and the intense look on Adonis's face tells me he can't wait to go near me. Adonis walks closer to me, and he gets down on one knee as he lifted my leg and started rolling the garter, and I can hear the crowd shouting higher. After Adonis put it above my knee, he stood up and takes my hand as we pose together with the couple for picture taking.

"We are not done yet, Maya and Adonis. We still need to finish this game, and this is what you need to do since you were both the winners; you need to follow what the newlywed we will do." The host said, and my eyes widened.

"Now, Chris and Jocelyn, show them what you want them to do." The host said, and the newlywed nodded. Chris Kisses Jo on her forehead, and Adonis mimicked his action, then he strokes her hair, and Adonis did the same. The groom kissed the cheeks of his bride, and he followed him. And when Christopher kissed Jocelyn's lips, I thought I would faint, and then I felt his lips brushed mine, and Adonis kissed me on the lips passionately because I knew it. Chris and Jocelyn planned all this since they kissed long enough that made us out of breath.


Maya Alva is beautiful and smart but despite her intelligence she fell in love with her friend's twin brother who loves hurting her feelings. From grade four to High School Adonis was her only crush even though he was arrogant.

Adonis Gabriel Buenavista Monleon in short Adonis Monleon came from a rich clan, he is handsome and has a strong sex appeal, since childhood he has shown that he will never like her because she came from a poor family. But everything changed when Maya slapped him in the face with great force.

One night the long-awaited dream of Maya happened, Adonis Monleon kissed her under the starry night at the terrace of the Monleon’s mansion. It was a magical kiss but Adonis crushed and broke her heart later that night by kissing another girl.

That is why Maya hates him, and she promised herself to do everything she can to forget the only man she loves since childhood, but why can’t she forget about her first kiss? How can she resists him, the moment they met again on the summer after she graduated from High School?

Can Maya stop her own heart from falling for Adonis over and over again? And stick to her promise to totally forget Adonis?

Can Adonis win over the heart of Maya after he left her with a broken heart and soul?
_____________________________________________

My Friend’s Artogant Brother 
Book 2: Falling For My Best Friend’s Brother

Lisa Montesclaro is always in the shadow of her beautiful friend, Maya, and to watch her best friend got hurt by her first and only love, Adonis, she promised herself never to get involved with someone like him. Still, she became one when she found herself falling for Maya’s elder brother Benedict.

Because Lisa has had no boyfriend since birth, she wants to experience her first kiss with Maya’s brother, and she made a decision to confess to Ben one night on the terrace of the Hernandez mansion. Still, she became frustrated when he turned her down when she confessed her feelings towards him. And Lisa made a vow never to make herself look like a fool again in front of Ben.

Benedict Hernandez is hot and handsome and one of the most eligible men in San Antonio, where the wealthiest family in the entire country live. When her sister's best friend confessed her feelings towards him, he hated himself for turning her down, since he knew Lisa is a sweet young woman, but because the first love has broken his heart, he made a vow never to fall in love again.

Benedict tried his best to stay away from Lisa as possible, but how can he resists Lisa’s charm when he always sees her around in their estate wearing sexy dresses and a beautiful smile on her face?

Then because of a prize they won together during a wedding they both attended, their attraction towards each other will be tested.

Can Lisa stop herself from falling for him more the moment they spend one week vacation on the La Trinidad Island? 

Can Benedict finally let go of his fast and give himself a chance to fall in love again?

Please join Lisa and Benedict as they journey together in finding true love.

Thank you to all readers! Please support my other books entitled:
Princess Malia’s Secret
Falling In Love With Miracle
I Will Make You Love Me Again
Loving Madeline
The Powerful Dragon Witch (WSA Entry 2021)
The CEO’s Perfect Mistake

The next part of the events that should happen in the reception proper took place. Blue isn't interested in whatever will happen next so she went to their house and sat comfortably in the couch in their living room.
Realizing that she's hungry, she went to their kitchen and opened the cupboard, only to see that it's empty.
Blue sighed and went back to the living room. She just played with her phone and opened the Hello app installed in her phone. She checked the group chat where only she, Pepper, and Alena are the members and the group was flooded with messages.
Blue scrolled up to see what the commotion is all about and she realized that it was just a petty debate of the two as she scrolled down.
But, the topic of the debate is Blue. They're debating about whether Blue should reveal her identity to the public or she should just remain anonymous.
Pepper Mint: 「Hey, @Alena Cervantes, what do you think? Should Blossom reveal her identity in the public, that she, SakuraKiss, one of the authors with best-selling works in "Moonflower"Publishing Company, and is also a web novel writer in the writing platform 〔Words by You〕, is the same person as Blue, a designer of the 1997 Company who managed to make her own name in the fashion industry without the help of the company? 」
Alena Cervantes: 「The heck, what are you talking about? Of course our Blossom needs to stay anonymous in our entire life. Do you want her to be bugged by everyone?」
Peper Mint: 「Makes sense, makes sense, but, don't you think that revealing her identity to the public would make her reputation better? Everyone would look up on her. Hah, I think I would be a very proud best friend.」
Alena Cervantes: 「Yep, many people would look up on her and you know the consequence of that? Many people will envy her and try to bring her down.」
Pepper Mint: 「Right, I remember that I once wrote a story about a woman who killed a famous actress because of her insecurity and jealousy.」
Alena Cervantes: 「Peper Mint, are you still normal?」
Pepper Mint: 「Of course. So, do you think that it's better if Blossom revealed her identity?」
Alena Cervantes: 「I'm telling you, it's not a good idea. Just wait for the time when someone notices that SakuraKiss and Blue is actually the same person. By that time, our Blossom will hold a press conference and tell the people that she and Blue are just the same person. She did nothing wrong from keeping it. The best answer when someone asks her why she kept her identity from everyone is 'No one asked.'」
Pepper Mint: 「Wah! You're quite smart, Alena!」
"..."
Blue went silent when she finished reading her friends' messages. She sighed and started to type a message.
Sorrow Blossom Qin: 「You're talking about me revealing my identity. Why don't the two of you reveal yours first? Tell the world that PeachMangoPie, the professional gaming live streamer, and SweetLullaby, one of the authors under"Moonflower"Publishing Company, and also a web novel writer in〔Words by You〕, are the two mysterious online singers called Sister Duo, who had gained a lot of followers in their Hello because of their song covers.」
Blue breathed deeply and sent the message. Later on, her notifications flooded because of her friends' messages.
Pepper Mint: 「Alena-jie jie! Did we anger Blossom-jie jie?」
Alena Cervantes: 「I think so.」
Pepper Mint: 「Then what should we do?」
Alena Cervantes: 「Stay silent and don't mind each others' business. :)」
Sorrow Blossom Qin: 「Why are you suddenly afraid of me? I'm not mad. It's just... this matter regarding me, revealing my identity to the public, is not really advisable. I'll just go with the flow. It's not like being SakuraKiss and Blue at the same time is a crime.」
Pepper Mint: 「Sorry, Blossom-jie jie. Right, Alena, I take back my words. Blossom-jie jie is smarter than you.」
Alena Cervantes: 「Argh! Don't talk to me ever again, Pepper Mint!」
Blue stopped playing with her phone when someone entered the house. She glanced at the doorway and saw that it was just her dad.
"What's the matter, Papa?"
"You go out and have fun with everyone. The next event will be the bouquet throwing. Go and catch the bouquet." Mr. Qin told Blue.
"Okay, I'll go."
Blue stepped out of the house and went straight to the garden. True to what her dad said, the bouquet throwing will start soon.
"All of the single ladies, go here in front and line up." The emcee announced and Blue can't do anything but line up with all of the single girls in the venue.
"Okay, okay. So everyone is here! The bride will throw her bouquet in 3... 2..." The emcee laughed for a while and started the countdown again. "3... 2... And 1!"
Ji Mei threw the bouquet backwards and it's like the time slowed down while everyone was staring at the flying bouquet. They're very curious on whose hands it will land.
Blue groaned when she felt that something was thrown in her head. She raised her hands to check what ridiculous thing had landed on her head, but a bouquet of flower slipped from her head, and it fell straight on Blue's hands.
Blue wanted to groan louder. She didn't even make any effort to catch the bouquet and it still landed on her hands.
Ji Mei snatched the mic from the emcee and started talking.
"Eh, biao jie! You caught the bouquet, hahaha! The family is expecting for your marriage." Ji Mei said and spoke again, "What is everyone waiting for? Zhang fu, go and throw the garter. Everyone's excited to know who our biao jie is going to marry!" Ji Mei glanced at Fu Quan.
(A/N: Biao jie= older girl cousin; Zhang fu= husband)
"Alright, alright. To all of the ladies that are here in front of us, why won't you take a seat first?" The emcee spoke. "There, all of the ladies are now seated. Now, all of the single men out there, go here in front and make sure that you're very qualified for our bride's biao jie when you happen to catch the garter."
Men stood lazily in front and Blue's eyes widened when she saw that Light was also lining up with the single men.
Woah, this shameless man happened to be single? Then her instinct was correct. It was very obvious that he's still single. Who would happen to like a stone-cold man like him?
"Okay, line up now, our handsome bachelors! The groom will be throwing the garter in a count of three. I'll start counting! 3... 2... 1... Go and catch!"
Blue's eyes were also looking for the garter even if she's just sitting quietly. Only one man among all of the group of men in front is not moving. It's Light.
Everyone looked at Light and the emcee started talking again. "Looks like our bride's bao jie and this someone who caught the garter are indeed a great match! Who could've imagined? Both of them didn't move when the bride and groom threw the bouquet and garter and it landed on the both of them. Oh my, is this fate?"
Blue wanted to snatch the mic from the emcee because he's just talking too much.
Light silently held his head and the garter is really in his hair. He sighed and walked towards the front part of the venue where the emcee is also standing.
"Your name is...?" The emcee asked Light.
"Light." Light answered and the emcee smiled at the guests.
"Our next groom has a nice name? How about our next bride, what's her name? Right, why don't you go here in front and stand with us?"
Blue stood up an walked towards the emcee's direction. She stood up at the right side of the emcee and Light stood up in the left side.
The emcee glanced at Blue and asked, "What's your name?"
"Blossom." Blue answered and Ji Mei suddenly squealed like a high school girl in love. The guests just laughed hard.
"Oh, our bride suddenly squealed for no reason... or is there a reason?" The emcee looked meaningfully at Ji Mei and Ji Mei just laughed. This emcee should just be a showbiz reporter instead. Minding everyone's life out of the blue.
"Oh, if I guessed it right, these two is your dream couple? Like OTP, One True Pair?" The emcee inquired and Ji Mei just gave him a thumbs up. "Well, the two of you, stand there at the center."
Blue and Light unwillingly stood up at the center of the front part of the venue. They stared at each other for a while and suddenly turned their heads in opposite directions and everyone started to squeal.
What are they squealing for? It's not like they're a famous love team of their generation.
Also, who would be enthusiastic over a love team consisted of a 28 year-old woman and a 31 year-old man?
"Why don't you put the garter in Ms. Blossom's thigh, Mr. Light?" The emcee said and Light knelt with one of his knees in the ground, like he was proposing to Blue.
Again, everyone squealed hard.
Light gently lifted Blue's feet and inserted the garter there. He rolled the piece of garter over her legs, then upwards and upwards until it reached her thigh. Light's movements were careful. Even the tips of his fingers didn't meet Blue's skin.
Blue breathed fine when he stood up and left the garter alone.
Everyone clapped for them and the emcee spoke again.
"What a sweet scene! All of the guests won't let you sit down if you don't dance as a pair so stay there."
The band started to play a familiar song. So Close by John McLaughlin.
Blue took a step forward towards Light's direction and she doesn't know if she's just unlucky in this particular day because she suddenly slipped when she tried to take a step.

Blue is a fashion designer envied by her colleagues because her name is remarkable in the fashion industry, but little did they know, she's also a web novel writer in Words by You, a writing platform famous in their country.

Light is a web novel writer in Words by You, main genre is Mystery/Thriller, but little did his readers know, he's also a manhua artist, famous in that industry.

These two people, they don't get along very well.

What if one day, they need to work with each other?


Note: the photo used for the BC is not mine. Full credits belong to the real owner.

Madeline had been frantic while searching for the garter as it was an intimate possession of any lady and to drop it and to be found by another person was embarrassing. From the time she had realised it to be missing she had been trying to think where it could have been dropped but who knew Calhoun had it. 
Her brown eyes glanced at Sophie, who was busy looking at the paintings, and Madeline looked back into Calhoun's eyes that were filled with amusement. Gulping down softly, she asked him, "D-do you mean y-you have it?" it was hard to keep her head straight at the thought that the piece of fabric was in his possession now. 
"It?" asked Calhoun, ready to twist her around with his words as he enjoyed seeing those pink lips stutter out words. 
Madeline pursed her lips and came to realise it was true. The King had it, and she didn't know how it came to be with him, but the most decent thing for him to do was to return it to the person whom it belonged to. In this case, she was the owner of it.
"Could you please return it to me?" asked Madeline, but in response, she heard Calhoun chuckle and her eyebrows furrowed. 
"How can I give it to you when what you are looking for is not that but your handkerchief," stated Calhoun to the point. He put his hands into the pockets of his trousers and continued to look at her—a small smile on his lips which was subtle as if he were enjoying it. 
It was true that Madeline had spoken about a missing kerchief but when he knew she was looking for it, it was unfair how he was making her search for something he had already picked. Calhoun leaned forward to have his lips against her ears as if he didn't care if Sophie were to turn and witness their current closeness, "How careless of you to drop something like that in the middle of the castle. Careless people don't get the right to keep things." His breath was warm against the shell of Madeline's ear, and she quickly stepped away from him with her face turned red. 
She was worried where Lady Sophie had seen them, but the vampiress was in her own world, "You cannot keep things that don't belong to you!" she whispered to him and saw his lips twist. 
"Watch me keep it," he replied back to her and Madeline's heart sank in her chest. 
The amount of anxiousness that he made her feel, she doubted she had ever felt it to be so much if she were to consider her entire life. What was he even going to do with her garter?! He was a man and not a woman to steal it from her!
Madeline closed her eyes, trying to calm her heart when she heard him say, "You have a very reactive heart and its good to see how much my words affect you, but then you wouldn't want Sophie to know that it wasn't the kerchief you were looking for but something that was on your thigh, holding the stockings snuggly."
She would have never thought that one could describe a garter in such a way, and for a moment she felt the words affect her. 
The wicked smile appeared on his lips when Madeline stared into Calhoun's eyes. Madeline had not dropped the garter anywhere on the ground, but Calhoun had taken it away from her when she had turned around while she was sleeping on the couch in the afternoon. With the hem of her petticoat that had moved up to her thigh, it had left one side of her thigh to his view where the stockings rode up her leg and to show the frilly and lacy innocent garter. 
"What are you going to do with it?" asked Madeline because she didn't find any actual reason for him to keep it with him. 
"As a souvenir," was his simple reply and at the same time, Sophie had turned around to see King Calhoun and the human standing in front of each other. 
"Souvenir?" asked Sophie, who had not heard the short conversation that took place between the two of them in the room. 
Madeline didn't want Calhoun to speak out loud about their conversation, and she gave him a quick look and then at the Lady to say, "I was saying how I would get a souvenir for everyone here if I go back home. There are a lot of things that one might find to be nice in the village that people might like it here."
Sophie rolled her eyes, "I don't know what good would be there that people like us haven't seen yet." 
"Maybe, if I go there tomorrow I can buy some for the King," her words came out careful, and she saw how the smile on Calhoun's eyes faltered while his eyes continued to be fixed on her. 
Madeline knew she was not supposed to test Calhoun, but he had was being difficult and doing things that were embarrassing by taking away things that didn't belong to him! He was the one who spoke about souvenir, and she had only continued to talk about it. 
The vampiress shook her head, "I definitely don't want any part of it. No offence but I have seen the people there and God it is so crowded and sweaty. I mean I didn't go there obviously," she laughed by placing her hand on her chest, "I heard it from Lady Jules. She said the market looked like animals going back and forth. So, no, thank you." 
Calhoun then said, "If you want something, you just have to ask." That is what she did! Thought Madeline to herself when it came to the fabric, "I will have Theodore or someone to go get it for you."
Madeline had never met a person like Calhoun before, which was why she could not just ignore him apart from him being the King. He did things that pushed her buttons and expected her to sit put without reacting. But the truth what Madeline didn't know was that Calhoun pushed and tested her because he liked to see those reactions from her. 
Sophie had wasted her time on the human which she wouldn't have done if it weren't for Calhoun being here. Her own eyes looked around the gallery to find the handkerchief which was not here. She had to be under good light. Therefore, she asked Madeline, "Do you remember where else you might have dropped it?" 
Madeline, who now knew where the garter was, shook her head, "I will look for it in the room."
The vampiress rolled her eyes at this, "I guess we can all stop looking then," she said turning to Calhoun and say, "We can ask the tailor to get some new ones made for her. This way, she wouldn't have to worry about a single piece of handkerchief." 
"I have asked Theodore to call the tailor to get some of the clothes stitched. He will mention about it." Hearing Calhoun's casual words, Madeline's eyes turned wide in fear. 
"No!" Madeline exclaimed to have both of their attention. The last thing she wanted was to have James brought back here in the castle in front of the King. 


[Mature content 18+. No rape]

"Your bed is cold," spoke a voice in the room that had her eyes go wide in fear. Nervously, she turned around, gulping softly to see a shadow on her bed as if someone laid down there. The man who had been lying down sat up emerging out from the shadows where he had been waiting for her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked when his feet touched the ground and he pushed himself up to start walking towards her. His handsome features looked darker than usual because of the lack of light in the room.

"I came to meet you," he tilted his head, "Where did you go?"

"I went out for a walk," came the quick reply that had him smile, a smile that scared her the most.

She took a step back when he came close to her. It didn't stop him from cornering her, and her back hit the wall behind her. He raised his hand towards her face, and she closed her eyes, scared. She shuddered when his fingers trail down from her temple and her jaw and neck. Her blonde hair was left open.

"In the middle of the night?" she didn't answer him knowing he could decipher her lies through her words. He stepped closer that had her turn her face away from him and his words vibrated on the skin of her neck,

"Did you go to meet him, my sweet girl?"

Nana and Jinhai were the center of attention not because they were they just had their wedding done, but because of the precious bouquet and garter, they were holding.
Jinhai had already removed the garter from Nana's left thigh under her wedding gown when they got changed. Usually, the groom unties it in front of the witnesses, but even if it was not much skin exposed, like hell, he would let anybody see even that much part of his beloved wife.
Nana felt as if all the single women were looking at it with X-ray vision.
"Mam!" Meiling waved her hand. "Please throw it a bit this side. I am here!"
"Hey! You are the rigging the toss!"
"That's not fair!"
Meiling snorted. "Everything is fair in love and war."
Nana laughed. "Well, I wouldn't don't know where I am throwing because I will be tossing it from my back."
"So do I," Jinhai said.
"So, no partiality."
"Booooooo…."
Liu Hai clapped. "Okay, now! We will get ready for the bouquet toss first!"
Everybody cheered.
Huo Xiao Fan giggled and silently wished her luck while Huo Shen and Liwei had sulky expressions on their faces to see Serena taking part in it.
Huian smiled and wished everyone luck.
Nana said, "Okay. Get ready!"
She turned, and her back faced everybody. She raised her hand, and the bouquet came in full view.
All the women were ready in their positions. Serena was looking forward to the bouquet toss, but with all the ladies' eyes glued to the bouquet like hungry wolves and their feet ready to run and grab the bouquet the moment it was tossed, Serena didn't have much hope for herself.
"I am ready. I will begin the countdown. 3…"
The atmosphere instantly silent, as if it was the beginning of a war.
"2…" Nana slightly waved the bouquet from side to side, and everybody's eyes followed the path along with her.
"1!"
Nana tilted the bouquet slightly towards her to give the momentum and then randomly tossed it behind her with all her strength.
All the women immediately dashed forward.
"I will catch it!"
"Hey, out of my way!"
"The bouquet is coming my way."
It was chaos till the bouquet hung in the air.
Serena blinked her eyes twice as she saw the bouquet was coming towards her. It was already too close to her, and she instinctively leaned, raising her arms.
"Oh, no!"
The women exclaimed, and they ran, but it was too late.
The bouquet already landed in Serena's hands.
"Ahh!" Huo Xiao Fan squealed in delight.
"Who caught it? Who caught it?" Nana was excited, and as soon as she turned, she was surprised to see Serena holding it.
"Ahhh!! Serena, you caught the bouquet!"
"Zhilan dear, congratulations!"
But two people, in particular, were not happy at all – Huo Shen and Liwei. Their faces turned dark and ugly.
Zhilan caught it!
They lamented on listening to Huo Xiao Fan!
"Mom! She caught the damn bouquet!" Liwei exclaimed in frustration.
"Yes!" Her gaze sparkled. "It's good news! What are you two getting so depressed for? Zhilan really caught it!"
"…"
"…"
Huo Shen and Liwei were speechless.
Serena was still in a daze, and so was Jianyu on his side.
She caught it…she caught the bouquet. Now, I have to catch the garter at any cost!
Was it a sign that his proposal would really be a success?
Am I hearing the wedding bells ringing?
Now, Jianyu felt even more pumped up for the garter toss. If Serena caught the bouquet on her side, then he had to succeed, too, in getting the garter! How can he let anybody else do that?
His gaze burned in determination.
Chen Liling was satisfied to see her son ready for his part.
Huian giggled. "Congratulations, Serena."
"T-thank you."
Nana came down from the podium and hugged her. "Wow, Serena. Congratulations. I am so happy for you."
"Ho~~" Liu Hai laughed. "Guess we will finally see somebody else's wedding too."
Serena blushed.
Shin was carefully observing Huian the whole time. At first, he was a little excited about the garter toss too. He didn't show it in his expression, but if Huian had caught it, then he had decided to give his all to catch the garter too. He didn't know why. It was instinct that, if it was Huian, then it was him on this side too.
But, he felt a little disappointed that Huian didn't take part in the toss at all.
It was just a fun game…why didn't she go for it? Did she really think the deal was serious about her getting married next if she had caught it?
That begged another question in his mind.
Is she not ready for a relationship?
His gaze dimmed, and he couldn't help but sulk. Since Huian didn't participate, he didn't feel in the mood to be in the garter toss. It just dampened his spirits.
Liang Xiao Dan said, "Shin. Come on. It's the men's turn next!"
"I will not be there for the toss. I am just not in the mood."
"Eh? What happened suddenly?" she was perplexed.
"Nothing…I will pass," he smiled, but it didn't reach his ears.
Liang Xiao Dan felt that something was serious. Before, he seemed playful just like them, but now something felt off.
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Shin. Is everything alright?"
"Son," Liang Zou came too, "Is anything the matter?"
"No, Dad."
"Then why aren't you taking part? You should enjoy these fun games."
"Mom, Dad, please!" Shin was now irritated, "it's just a garter toss. What's the big deal if I don't take part in it? Is it necessary just because I am single? Well, not like I want to be like that, okay?"
They were stunned at his behavior. They exchanged glances.
Wasn't everything just fine a while ago?
Shin realized his outburst and quickly calmed down.
"I…Sorry, Mom, Dad. But…I don't want to be here. Forget it. I will be outside for a while."
Shin quickly left the reception area.
Liang Zou asked, "What happened? He wasn't this angry just a few minutes ago. What changed?"
"I don't know Zou…I am worried about him," Liang Xiao Dan was concerned. "Should I go after him?"
"No, let it be. He is annoyed at us now. Let us give him some time and space to calm down. We will talk to him later once he is not angry anymore."
She sulkily nodded.
At the other end, Huian was frequently watching over Shin's side, so she saw the little argument between Shin and his parents.
She was too far away, so she couldn't hear the conversation, but from Shin's expression, it seemed that he was pissed off at something, and then he just left.
"What happened to him so suddenly? Is it because of…" she murmured.
She turned a little pale thinking of that. Her heart raced in fear.
"Huian dear, are you okay? You are sweating," Xiang Qingge asked worriedly. "Are you sick?"
Xiang Wei touched her forehead. "Your temperature seems okay."
"No, I am fine," she quickly smiled. She eyed the way in which Shin went. "I will just go to the washroom and come back."
They nodded.
Huian got up and quickly walked away.
---
Jing yelled. "Now, it's time for the garter toss! Get ready, all the bachelors!"
"Woohoooo!" Everybody cheered.
Jing mysteriously looked at Yukito and said, "I will catch the garter for sure!"
Yukito raised his brow at him, and Jing winked.
He giggled.
Well, we will see…
Jinhai said, "Get ready."
He turned and raised the garter just like Nana did.
"1…"
"2…"
"And 3."
Jinhai tossed the garter behind him, and everybody dashed forward.
But Jianyu was already a step ahead of them. He literally did what Chen Liling told him to do like measuring the angle and speed and mapping out the direction.
He took a huge leap and jumped forward. The men were stunned at his athletic side, and they could only gape at him.
Jianyu effortlessly caught the garter since there was no competition.
He snorted. "At least, you could have given me a challenge."
Everybody finally snapped out. Serena's mouth was wide open to see him seriously trying to catch the garter. But, her heart fluttered, too, knowing that he caught it. Now, she felt if she should really propose to him today.
Huo Shen snorted. "That was a simple catch."
"Heyyyyy Chen Jianyu caught it already!"
"You didn't give us a chance, bro!"
"Yeah, you leaped in like your life was depended on it."
Chen Liling squealed. "Ahh!! My son caught it! Guiren, he caught it."
She wiped her non-existent tears. "Our son isn't useless after all."
Chen Guiren nodded. "En."
Jianyu shrugged. "Winners keepers."
The bachelors moped their sorry faces all around.
Jianyu clutched the garter, and he took a deep breath. He looked at Serena and wanted to say something, but Huo Shen and Liwei didn't look like they would let him even come near her.
He took out his phone and typed a message.
Serena's phone buzzed a moment later. She opened it to see Jianyu's message.
Her heartbeat quickened as she opened it.
"Can we talk alone for a few minutes?"


[COMPLETED] From the outside, Nana’s life seemed simple. She had everything she had ever wanted: a cute but rascally pair of twin brothers, a best friend, and her own restaurant. Nana couldn’t ask for anything more; she was happy and content in her life.

One day by chance, Nana meets Madam Chen of the second most prestigious Chen family who instantly liked her for her son, Chen Jianyu.

But this one meeting turned Nana's simple life into a hell of a rollercoaster. Amidst all the twists, when the time came to announce Nana and Chen Jianyu's engagement in the Chen's celebration banquet, someone from the shadows planned the biggest conspiracy that woke Nana to the biggest horror of her life.

What will happen next?

One thing is for sure. Nothing is as simple as it seems to be.

---
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My other novels :

1. Crimson Instinct
2. Because I cannot hurt you
3. The Mafia King's First Love

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Hello to my dearest readers~~~

This is my first time writing. Please do give it a try. I have a full time job. So if I ever miss any updates, I will try my best to compensate.

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**Cover is not made by me. All credit to it's creator. I have just edited it a little.**

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