[The Wattys 2025 Shortlist] ********** She spent twenty-four years preserving herself for one man-only for him to choose her best friend instead. Tomorrow, they would vow eternity to each other, while she remained nothing but a spectator to a love she had longed for. Desperate, she devised a plan, one final chance to make him hers. A single drop of aphrodisiac, a carefully orchestrated encounter-she would take what was meant to be hers. But fate had other plans. In the darkness of her deceit, she fell into the arms of the wrong man. A ruthless, merciless, and identical in every way except for the shadows that clung to him like a second skin. Her trickery had backfired, and now, she was at the mercy of a man whose hunger knew no bounds. He devoured her, claimed her, and became intoxicated by her taste, scent, and the desperate, helpless moans she never intended for him. She had set a trap, but it was she who had been ensnared. In her desperation, she had tasted her own poison. And he had found a new obsession. *********************************** Started: March 22, 2025 Ended: April 21, 2025 Revised: August 2, 2025

Laki sa hirap si Xy at dahil doon isa lang ang gusto niya sa buhay: Ang yumaman at magkaroon ng maginhawang buhay. Kaya nang biglang dumating sa harap niya ang isang mayamang lalaking nagpakilalang ama niya ay pumayag agad ito sa gusto niyang gawin upang pamanahan siya: Ang makapagtapos siya sa Mainland Private High School bilang valedictorian. Walang reklamong ginawa ni Xy ang gusto ng ama at agad na hinarap ang hamon. Ngunit ang inaakala niyang madaling gawain ay naging isang suntok sa buwan nang ma-diskubre ang madilim na sistema ng eskwelahang pinasok niya. Ang inaakalang simpleng pag-aaral ay nahantong sa pagdiskubre sa lihim ng mga kapwa estudyante at propesor, at pag-ungkat sa mga madidilim na sikreto ng institusyong pinasok niya. Akala ni Xy ay lumabo na ang tyansa niyang maging valedictorian pero nagbago ito nang madiskubre niya ang sikreto ng kaniyang gwapo at matalinong propesor na si Havoc Hidalgo. Makakayanan kaya ni Xy harapin ang hamon ng misteryosong eskwelahan sa tulong ng propesor o matatagpuan niya ang sarili pabalik sa buhay ng kahirapan? ₱₱₱ TRIGGER WARNINGS AHEAD. PLEASE READ WITH PRECAUTION. Language: Taglish (Tagalog and English) ₱₱₱ Writing: June 6, 2023 - July 9, 2023 Published: July 1, 2023 - July 15, 2023 daddy, i need your money ™ athena folder: file no.1 NEKO

Busy protecting his youngest sister, Lucius Tyrone Jorquera sets aside the possibility of having someone to love. But everything changes when he continuously crosses paths with Jinky Elle, the girl who stole his wallet-and also his heart. *** Meeting in the most bizarre way, never did Lucius Tyrone Jorquera think that he would fall for someone like Jinky Elle Castrodes. She's annoying, hard to deal with, loud, and most of all, a robber. But when his sister begs to let Elle be her companion in Illinois, Lucius has no choice but to give in to her request. Despite trying his best not to get entangled with Elle, fate seems to have other plans. Lucius finds himself drawn to her, making their situation even more complicated. When the possibility of Elle betraying him and his family arises, will Lucius choose to catch her and make her pay for her sins, or will his love for her remain strong despite everything? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

After his ex-girlfriend betrayed him, Prius Doncic decides to take a break from relationships. But when the jolly and stubborn Sunrise insists on courting him and making him fall, Prius starts to wonder if opening up his heart again isn't a bad idea at all. *** Still enraged by the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend, Prius Doncic is set on being single for a while. He'd rather be alone than put the lives of the people close to him at risk again. But everything changes when he spends time with Sunrise, her younger sister's friend. She's a breath of fresh air in his life and is just as stubborn as her pet cat. With Sunrise determined to court him and make him fall, can Prius finally learn to love again? Or will his fears and doubts continue to hold him back, even if his heart tells him to open up? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

As a psychiatrist and psychologist, Grant Crown strives to avoid complications, such as relationships and love. But when he crosses paths with Sussex Eindenborough, Grant finds himself embracing all the complexities related to her, eventually making him break his rules. *** Initially arranged to marry his older brother Kreston, getting interested in Sussex Eindenborough is a big no-no for Grant Crown. As someone who avoids complications, entangling himself with someone like Sussex is too complicated for his liking. He then pushes the thought aside, but he always finds himself thinking about her and wanting to be near her. With Grant willing to break his own rules just to have her by his side, and Sussex striving for her freedom and dreams, can they set aside the complexities and build the relationship they both long for? Or will the secrets and challenges surrounding them crumble what they have and drive them further apart? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

Decided to seek revenge for the demise of his mom, Lorch Crown chooses to hurt the daughter of his dad and his mistress. But when fake feelings suddenly turn real, can Lorch stop everything before his plans backfire on him? *** Moving on from his traumatic past, Lorch Crown does his best to forget the horrible experiences and start anew. With a promise he made to his deceased mother, he's decided to seek revenge on his father for leaving them behind. The plan is simple-make their business fail, make his daughter fall for him, and then hurt them with the truth. Lorch knows he shouldn't truly fall for Saskia. She is off-limits, and loving her is downright wrong. But when feelings win and deeper secrets are revealed, what should be a simple plan turns into a chaotic situation. Now torn between fighting for his love and pushing through with his revenge, can Lorch choose to do what's right? Or will more issues arise, making him lose everything in the end? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

Book 2 of the Persephone series. Mob boss x thief. She stole from him not knowing he is a mob boss. Now she is his capture. ********** Ebook and paperback are available to purchase

Still haunted by her traumatic past, Kalisz Roman finds it hard to trust the people around her. But when her heart starts to beat for someone she just met, can she finally overcome her fears and start anew? *** Running away from her traumatic past, Kalisz Roman tries her best to live normally by working as an editor. She often secludes herself and dresses up like a grandma to take away others' attention. But when the need to leave the place she's staying in arises, Kalisz contacts her friend, who offers her a place to live. There, she meets Kronack Crown, the guy who suddenly makes her heart beat fast. Kalisz knows she's not supposed to fall for him, let alone trust him, but she keeps finding herself drawn to him. When she thinks she's finally living happily, her past suddenly crawls back, scaring her to the core. Afraid to trust again, can Kalisz finally choose to face her fears and fight the demons clouding her thoughts? Or will she leave everything behind again and hide, even if it means breaking her heart? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

When a private night unexpectedly becomes public due to a scandal, Mirrow Crown does his best to remove the videos and track down the girl he was with. However, when they finally meet again, misunderstandings arise, straining Mirrow's relationship with her, his family, and his friends. *** After meeting in a bar and spending a steamy night together, Mirrow Crown believes that he has finally found the girl for him. She is innocent and captivating, completely capturing his interest. However, when their encounter unexpectedly turns into a public scandal, Mirrow is frustrated to the core. With Silence disappearing and their reputations at stake, he does everything he can to erase any evidence of that video, even traveling around the world just to find her. When they finally meet again, misunderstandings come between them, leaving Mirrow angry and confused. Despite the undeniable connection they share, will Mirrow choose to let go for the sake of his friendship with Luc? Or will he fight for his love for Silence and break all the rules? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

Warning: 🔞 (This is not suitable for young readers.) Milk, undercover and disguised, infiltrates the world of ruthless billionaire Lucian Velorca, aiming to bring him down. But Lucian, a man known for his ruthlessness and lack of compassion, captures Milk and turns her into a pawn in his game of revenge. As he seduces her, Milk finds herself falling for him, only to discover his affection is a carefully orchestrated facade. Now trapped in his web of deceit, Milk must find a way to escape before his wrath consumes her. Will she be able to escape the fierce wrath of this demonic man? DW1 | jayewel