"And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty, and beauty stayed his hand. And from that day forward, he was as one dead." Carl Denham ***** As Marco and i approach the table, Nick comes up behind us. I walk to my usual place next to Marco. Nick walks to his usual place as well and holds out the chair on his right. "You sit here from now on" he announces for everyone to hear, as he looks at me. "I am fine where i am thank you very much" I respond. I remember very well how last time he didn't want me there because Rhea was here. No thanks. You can save it for her. "I wasnt asking" He says drawing unnecesary attention to us with everyone here. "Well good. Because i'm never sitting there, ever! Isnt that Rhea's chair? You made that very clear last time" i retort. I know am being petty infront of everyone, but i dont care. He started it. I would rather sit on the floor than occupy his "mistress' "chair Nick surprises me by smiling. I expected him to get angry or something, especially that i'm defying him in front of everyone. So now i'm not sure whether to feel relieved or scared. He walks up to me and my eyes widen, What is he up to? I'm already sitting down, but he pulls my chair out effortlessly and pulls me up. I stand up in shook and watch him carry the chair i was occupying next to his. He pulls out the one Rhea occupied and replaces it with the one he just took... "There, you can either sit here or on my lap, those are your only options, its up to you" he says turning to look at me again with a poker face. No expression. Zero. I turn to look at everyone at the table, and they are all looking at me expectantly. I look back at Nick and he is the only other person standing. "Shall i choose for you?" He smirks finally. ***** #1 in Lovers (20/12/2021) #1 in New (24/03/2022) #1 in Passion (15/07/2022) Books by Bellamerce Book 1: Only For You Book 2 :When Stars Align Book 3: Fire On Fire Book 4: Diamond Hearts Book 5: A Crystal Love

Jasper stiffens in his seat as I press the metal of the blade against his back. "Don't say a word. Come with me, right now." Of course, he doesn't listen. I had hoped a dagger to the kidney would be incentive enough, but even the threat of death doesn't graze a Devereaux ego. He turns toward me to argue, facing away from the goon that's been eyeing him across the bar. I doubt he even noticed. The man whispers something to his sketchy friend, pointing at Jasper. No time for discussion. I grab his arm and press the tip of the knife harder, just barely breaking the skin. He winces, realizing I mean business, and gets up. The idiot prince seems to finally get the memo, running alongside me until we're a safe distance away. "What the hell was that about?" his ragged breaths take the sting out of his words. I've never seen him like this before. Cheeks red, chest heaving, hunched over himself on the stump of a tree. For once, he looks like an authentic person. Of course, this is merely an illusion. Jasper Devereaux is an arrogant, entitled dirtbag, nothing more. I can't believe I just jeopardized my favorite trade spot for him. He demands to know why I pulled a knife on him instead of just telling him he was in danger. I explain to him that the reason for the dagger was glaringly obvious if you consider the way he acted when I did use it. If he was willing to argue with a blade against his skin, there is no way he'd have left that place in good hands if I hadn't forced him to. I can't help but laugh at the audacity of him to be angry with me for how I chose to save his life. "You really haven't changed." His head snaps up at this, and I see his eyes searching my face. Of course he doesn't recognize me. For me, it was super traumatic. For him, it was just another day. "What are you going on about?" "This isn't the kingdom, Jasper, these peasants aren't at your mercy." I see the blood drain from his face, and recognition clicks in his eyes.

Two names. Two faces. Two pieces of her heart. Life was never meant to be simple when love walked in twice. On one side, there's the comfort of familiarity-the boy who knows her laughter, her scars, and the silence between her words. On the other, there's the spark of something new-the thrill of passion, mystery, and a love that feels like destiny. But when the heart is torn between the past and the future, how do you decide which love is true? One choice could bring her everything she's ever dreamed of. The other could cost her everything she's afraid to lose.