The sound of the shattering glass sent a chill down my spine, forcing me to withdraw deeper into the corner where I was tucked in. "Mansur, please stop. At least for Aaliyah's sake." I begged, the tears streaming down my cheeks. He swung around to face me, his eyes blazing with rage. "To hell with you and that bloody girl." he yelled. Do you hear me, Salma? To HELL with you and her. This is my house, and I can do whatever I want." he yelled, throwing the bottle at my dressing mirror. The glass shattered all over the room, the larger pieces landing on some of the bottles on the drawer beside the dressing mirror in which I kept my incense sticks. This caused them to shatter as well, the glass falling everywhere across the room. I could hear Aaliyah crying in the next room, but I could not go to her as Mansur was blocking the door. "You will learn your place today." he yelled, unbuckling his belt. I shut my eyes as the tears continued to flow, knowing all too well what came next. The first strike was always the one that hurt most.

BATUUL

2015 © S A F I E They never did fall into love. They were forced to marry each other for the sake of their companies. He hated her impulsive and silly ways. She hated his principles and the he way acted so authoritarian with his moods shifting uncontrollably makes her want to scream. But all of these lasted for only two years; many things can happen in that span of time and there's nothing that can prepare them with what Fate has in mind. With the divorce papers blocking their view, his hectic office schedules, her raging hormones and not to mention, a vengeful ex-girlfriend, how would Elle and Gabriel survive the odds? Is Elle going to agree to end the contract and leave Gabe so she can live her dreams? Or is she going to fight for her right and stay as "THE BILLIONAIRE's WIFE"

As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams? ***** Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]