Kio Soledad de Merced always kept his life quiet and private. He never wanted anything flashy and grand. Attention and spotlight were the two things he never wanted to have. Calm and easy, that's how he preferred his life. Shiloh Lumiere Bendia's life was far from what he wanted, she was born for the spotlight. Living under the scrutinizing eyes of the world, Lumiere's life consists of cameras and flashes following her whenever she moves. The world gravitates around her, and everyone who sees her is drawn to her light, including him. The moment he saw her on that stage with the spotlight shining on her, he knew he would spend his whole life admiring her from afar. But with the twist of fate and a little luck, his fate might have changed. A secret moment. A lingering stare. Quick stolen moments behind the camera that no one knows about. But to what extent can they sacrifice for a losing battle they knew they would never win? To love is to risk. To risk requires courage and courage is only found in places we're too scared to take. ---- Date Started: March 2025 Date Finished: June 15, 2025

Disclaimer: This is the first book that I've ever written. Proceed with caution and understanding. --->> Hiraya Francesca is the golden child of Eunthastica University Foundation, the genius prodigy is bound to nothing but success. She treaded her life with grace and confidence. For her, failure isn't a roadblock but a redirection for something greater. A perfectly curated diamond amidst stone and sand. A perfectly curated success in a world full of commonness and mediocrity. Hiraya can have anything in this world, may it be beauty, brain, or boys. Everything. Except for Deimos Soledad de Merced. Kaya noong nagkaroon ng pagkakataon at hinayaan nitong makapasok si Hiraya sa buhay nito ay hindi na niya pinalagpas pa ito. She seized her chance and gambled, ngunit tama nga yata ang sabi nila; lahat ng matatalino, pag dating sa pag ibig ay nagiging bobo. She poured her heart and soul into all the oceans that she sailed and the spaces in between that she crossed, only to be welcomed by betrayal and loss. She loved him, he despised her. She trusted him, he betrayed her. She watched him tore her kingdom, and offer it to his own queen. Stripped out of her own title, the golden child lost her kingdom and crown. Date started: December 2023 Date finished: December 2024

When Franco moved to Manila for college, he told himself that he'll experience everything there is to experience. And he did. His first year could be considered as... scandalous, to say the least. So when his sophomore year came, he promised himself that he'll do better para na rin sa future niya. He intended to join this prestigious organization that would surely help his career in the future. When Franco joined AIESEC, he knew his life would change... little did he know, magbabago talaga ang buhay niya nang makilala niya si Joaquin Lorenzo Santillan-the perfect student who's beloved by everyone. Franco was in awe. Every where Joaquin goes, his presence commanded respect. His presence was magnetic, his smile effortless, his charm undeniable. And he was nice-so nice that Franco unknowingly followed him around, like he was orbiting around Joaquin's magnetic presence, eager for him to be noticed. Akala ni Franco ay okay ang lahat. Naka-pasok na siya sa org. Mukhang magiging kaibigan niya na si Joaquin. But one night, few beers after, his world seemingly collapsed when Joaquin stared him in the eye and said, "In case there's any confusion, let me make it clear-I'm not gay." Franco's world tilted on its axis, crumbling in an instant. Now, his mission was simple: survival. Avoid Joaquin at all costs. Erase the memory of that moment, of those eyes, of the touch that seemed to linger impossibly on his skin. Little did he know, some marks aren't so easily erased.

xj

hhss

Mara Torrefranca Buenaventura is one of the "deadliest" girl in her clan. She wears innocence as a mask that hides her wickedness and ruthlessness behind an angelic facade. She's the karma of those people who hurt her first. But one heartbreak would turn all her beliefs against her making her life miserable-chained to her past and ruled by guilt. A prisoner of her own misery. But will a man she viewed as the villain in her life be enough to bend her morals and make her feel what real love is?

Shanaia Ciel, the "coldest" Fortalejo, doesn't like trouble. She always craves peace and calmness. An introvert who rarely smiles and who always appears snobby will attract a troublemaker-Crius Rylan Silva, a basketball player in Ateneo and a drummer, was well-known for being a bad boy. She's aware he's dangerous-a king who only worships himself. How will she stop being tangled in his own chaos when she completely falls in love with the danger itself?

Spoiled brat Brandy Varquez always gets what she wants in a snap. But when she meets Asiel Fortier and gets entangled in a mess that taints them both, Brandy starts to wonder how far her so-called power can go. *** Spoiled and bratty, Brandy Varquez is always used to having things go her way. With her family's wealth and connections, she effortlessly puts everything under control. However, her life takes a turn when she gets entangled with Asiel Fortier and mistakenly believes that he is her fiancé. Despite their growing feelings for each other, circumstances repeatedly break them apart. As they fight to save their relationship, an event suddenly tarnishes Asiel's reputation, and Brandy unexpectedly finds herself trapped and powerless. With a love story that started out with a lie, can Brandy and Asiel seek justice and find a second chance at life? Or will their shared memories become nothing more than a taint on the past? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Louise De Ramos

Chey Venice Fortalejo is the "friendliest" and most approachable amongst the Fortalejo cousins. Since they were young, she had been very vocal about her supposed crush on Toshi Delafuente. Mula noon ay sigurado siya sa kanyang nararamdaman para sa kababata kahit wala itong ibang ginawa kundi pagsungitan. Ni isang beses ay hindi nito sinuklian ang kanyang pagtingin. All her life she chased for the boy who didn't even spare her one glance and begged for his love she thought was for her until Grey-the ill-tempered and troublemaker Delafuente, entered the picture. He made her slip and fall into his arms. Will she ever recover as she slipped into the wrong Delafuentes life?

Zera Damonisse Delafuente, "the bratty girl" of the Delafuente clan who has an alluring and goddess beauty will do anything just to lure her crush to fall inlove with her. Sa larangan ng pangmamanipula at pang-aakit, nangunguna ang kanilang pamilya roon lalo na't binansagan ang kanyang ina na mangkukulam. Zera thought she's the one who's luring him, but little did she know, she's the one who's gonna be lured by him.