#like the usual meaning of 'good luck' doesn't exactly apply to this situation

[realtapiocafan]

codependent besties <3

[zodiactalks]

Love Life with Libra Woman & 5 Brutal Truths

Libra women are represented by the scales for a good reason. They're usually balanced individuals, capable of mixing pleasure with hard work, and the good with the bad.

However, things are hardly as easy as they initially look, and the same applies to loving a Libra woman.

The truth is that, while a relationship with a Libra woman can be a romantic and fun affair, it also has its challenges. Challenges that you may or may not be up to facing, depending on your Zodiac sign.

What makes Libra women such a challenging, yet ultimately rewarding person to love?

Well, here are 5 brutal truths about loving a Libra woman.

#1. They're hopeless romantics.

Libra women are one of the most romantic signs in the entire Zodiac, which can be both a good and a bad thing.

On the one hand, Libra's romantic tendencies make them one of the Zodiac's most committed and loving signs; they won't hesitate from demonstrating their love publicly, coming up with cheesy ways of showing their adoration, etc.

On the other hand, their romanticism can lead them to see their lives and their relationships with rose-tinted glasses, resulting in someone who understands things as they wish they were, rather than as they are. Not to mention the undue pressure it puts on other signs who are nowhere near as romantic as them.

Because of their romantic qualities, loving a Libra woman is a hands-on experience; there's no hanging back and letting the relationship progress naturally. You'll have to work for it and make sure she notices you're making an effort.

It's not only about loving her; it's about loving her and showing it in ways she recognizes and finds acceptable. It's a little performative, sure, but it's precisely what makes her happy.

On the plus side, this over-the-top approach to romance will be returned two-fold, as Libra women's competitive nature and desire to show their love will result in them trying to one-up you to demonstrate they love you more.

If you're into that kind of romantic displays then you're in luck, Libra women are naturals at it, and your relationship will be full of beautiful, Instagram worthy moments.

If you're not one for cheesy displays of affection, but you're still in love with a Libra woman, then either get ready to pretend you're into it or maybe get used to the idea that your Libra lover won't stick around for long.

Why?

Because...

#2. They're incredibly superficial.

It sounds mean, but that's just how they are. Libra women are one of the most superficial signs of the entire Zodiac, and they're not ashamed of it at all.

It's not entirely a bad thing, but it's not a positive thing either.

To put things bluntly, Libras are naturally attracted to beauty and good taste. They appreciate the finer things in life and love surrounding themselves with beautiful things and people.

It's this superficial nature that often makes Libra women's love seemingly performative. It's not that they don't love you, they do, it's that the way she chooses to show her love is usually geared towards her sensitivities, rather than yours.

This means that she'll organize a huge party to celebrate your birthday, even if you're an introvert who'd rather jump off a cliff than face a crowd.

By the same token, that's precisely why she expects big romantic gestures and shows of love. She'll appreciate the little gestures, sure, but if that's all you're doing, she'll wonder why you're cheaping out.

It's not all lost for those of you on a budget, though. A Libra woman won't actually expect you to break the bank to please her. You can go for budget solutions to her romantic needs, as long as it looks good and is exactly the kind of thing she likes.

#3. They flirt all the time.

A trait shared by Libra women and men alike, Libras are huge flirts, even when they're in committed relationships.

For the most part, this is because they can't help it. They ooze natural charm and will find themselves seducing others even without intending to.

A quick trip to the store could end with a smitten cashier even if a Libra woman were doing nothing out of the ordinary to attract then. They're that charismatic and charming.

Libras will flirt on people almost by reflex, and people will flirt with them just as eagerly. That's just a fact of life, so consider yourself warned if you're a jealous lover.

However, flirting alone isn't enough to destroy or even risk a relationship. Just because a Libra woman is insanely charming and can flirt at the drop of a hat, doesn't mean she's going to cheat on you at any opportunity.

Truth to be told, Libra women can be very loyal when they're in a happy relationship, but their flirty natures and appreciation for the human form will lead her to check out other people.

Nothing wrong with just looking, right?

#4. They run away from conflict.

Libra women detest conflict and will bend over backward to avoid painful and uncomfortable situations, particularly when it comes to their relationships.

Their desire to lead a fairytale relationship can push her to bottle up issues until it blows up on both of your faces, and their dislike for general conflict can lead to her running away rather than facing things head-on.

While arguing constantly isn't a healthy thing in any relationship, avoiding all arguments to escape from awkward situations can be just as damaging. After all, issues are likely to arise even in the happiest relationships, and failing to address them can complicate things even further.

Libra women are likely to avoid conflict in their love life, personal life, family life, and just about any aspect of their lives. In fact, the only reason they can't be called doormats is that, sooner or later, Libra women explode unleashing months of pent-up frustration on others.

#5. They're people pleasers.

When all is done and said, Libra women are people pleasers. They're capable of charming the pants off anyone, sure, but they also do it because they desire to be liked and appreciated.

That's one of the biggest reasons behind their conflict avoidance, their over-the-top romantic gestures, and their flirtiness.

They want to be everyone's friends, they want everyone to love them, they want to be noticed, and they want to leave their mark in the world.

Many of their choices and actions will be made with this in mind. As a general rule, a Libra will avoid doing anything that will put them in hot water, mainly if it involves the people they love.

If Libra could get away with it, they'd live perfect lives, in perfect houses, with perfect partners and perfect friends. Not because they crave perfection, but rather because they'd love it if everyone around them wanted to be part of their lives.

[cordonia-continued]

Captivated

Chapter 22

AU - TRR Liam x MC (Riley Taylor)

A/N - Set after the Tariq scandal is cleared. Liam ends his engagement to Madeleine and proposes to MC as per the original story, but Riley turns him down. This AU follows their life from then on.

NSFW

Word count - 2,528

@kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @amandablink @hopefulmoonobject @texaskitten30​ @mom2000aggie​ (let me know if you no longer want to be tagged)

catch up here

Bastien pushes Madeleine up against the ballroom wall, his body moves closer in front of her, pinning her there with his hips, putting himself between her and the faceless and nameless attacker that’s stormed the palace. She lets out a sensual gasp as she feels his hard muscular body pressing into her soft curves.

“Like it a bit rough do you Your Grace?” He purrs into her ear, his rough beard scratching against the smooth porcelain skin of her neck.

“How very dare you.” She simpers. “You’re just here to protect me.” She presses her full breasts against his chest, grinding her curvaceous hips into him, she feels his arousal thick against her pelvis. Her eyes dart around the chaotic ballroom.

“Worried about being seen with me?” He whispers nuzzling into her soft fragrant skin. “What would the court think if they saw you with a commoner like me.” He raises his thick dark eyebrows, his chocolate brown eyes staring into hers with unabashed lust and desire. Madeleine’s heart beats wildly in her chest, she can’t remember Bastien ever grunting out more than five words to her before now. Without thinking about anyone around them she leans forwards and captures his lips in a passionate, hungry kiss all thoughts of the mystery attacker pushed aside. His beard tickles her face as his insistent hips grind into her core, she looks down at the large bulge in his pants with longing in her eyes. Bastien follows her gaze and smirks.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you ride it Countess. I’ll show you how well a working class commoner like me can treat a posh pussy like yours.” His rough sultry words light a fire within her and send blood pulsing down to her centre, an ache throbs between her legs. His hands tangle in her hair as his lips meet hers again, his tongue demanding access to her mouth. Suddenly a loud alarm echo's out across the ballroom startling them both. Madeleine wonders why it sounds so loud, as if its right next to her head, and so familiar, as if its a sound she’s heard before...

Madeleine reaches a hand out to her bedside table as she blindly gropes around for her mobile phone. She immediately silences it as soon as she locates it and snuggles back down into the duvet, hoping her sleepy mind will wander back to the dream she’s just been rudely interrupted from.  She’s barely had time to nestle back into her cosy pillows before it rings out again, loud and shrill in the otherwise silent room. Groaning she pushes her silk sleep mask up onto her forehead and forces her eyes open. She glances at the illuminated clock on the table next to her, the neon green numbers dance and blur before her sleep filled eyes as she squints to make them out – 04:38 it reads. Whoever the hell is calling her before dawn is going to be on the receiving end of a piece of her mind she thinks to herself cursing under her breath. She answers without looking at the caller ID.

“What?” She barks into the handset. “Jim who?” Her patience is wearing very thin with this early morning wake up call already. “Jim Baxter? Oh Jim. Sorry, of course I know who you are, why on earth are you calling me at this ungodly hour?” Madeleine curses giving her personal number to the smarmy yet undeniably hard working media mogul, office hours to him are an unknown concept. Suddenly the fog clouding her sleep deprived brain clears and she bolts upright in bed. “What? Are you sure?” She asks incredulous at what he seems to be telling her. “No, no I don't have a comment or a statement at the moment. Where did you hear this?” Her usual professionalism has returned as she rises from her bed and makes her way into her dressing room. “Right. Leave it with me and I’ll find out what's happening and get back to you. Jim, how long have I got until this makes the news?” Her stomach drops when he gives her an impossibly short deadline. “I’ll call you within the hour.”

Madeleine takes a cold shower and dresses quickly, taking time to check her appearance in the mirror and carefully apply mascara and her trademark red lipstick. She finds her phone where she left it tangled in her bed covers and scrolls through her contacts, locating Jacob Henley’s number. He answers it with a croaky voice sounding thick with sleep.

“Is she with you.” Madeleine barks at him as soon as he says hello.

“Good morning to you too. How lovely to have a wake up call from you this morning countess.” He replies. Madeleine can hear the smug smile that she knows is on the cocky but undeniably good looking agents face.

“Jacob I don’t have time for your bullshit today.” She admonishes him.

“You know I love it when you talk dirty to me.” Madeleine bristles. His incessant flirting with her was enticing to begin with and she stupidly encouraged it, however right at this moment it’s infuriating.

“Jacob. Is. She. With. You?” She says enunciating each word slowly and purposefully with a hope to him understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Madeleine.” He purrs. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Is who with me? I’m guessing you mean Riley?” He sighs and shifts in his bed untangling himself from the brunette reality TV star who’s snoring softly next to him. Madeleine hears him let out a groan as he stretches his body out.

“I paid you to to get close to her, to get a few candid photos taken in public so they split up or to make her fall in love with you so that she leaves him. Now she’s done that you need to keep your end of the deal, send me pictures of her with you now, the more incriminating the better.” Madeleine snaps. “You’re causing me a headache right now. I need to issue a press statement clearing up this stupid issue of where she is, she’s with you isn't she?”

He sighs, as much as he hates to admit defeat it’s clear to him he will never be more than a friend to Riley, and if he keeps pushing his luck trying to get the pictures Madeleine wants he won’t even be that soon.

“Madeleine we both know that’s never going to happen, this plan of yours isn't working, she’s not going to leave him, she’s not with me.”

“Just shut up for a second will you.” She snaps pressing a hand to her eyes. “I paid you to get rid of her from Liam’s life, now what the fuck have you done with her? Where is she?”

Jacob bolts upright in bed as what Madeleine is saying to him sinks in. “What? What the fuck are you talking about? I only spoke to her yesterday morning, she said nothing about leaving him. Is this what the call from that gruff kings guard was about last night? What the hell has happened? Why is everyone asking me where she is?” He fires questions at her making her head spin.

“I don’t know what’s going on.” Madeleine admits. “I got a call from Jim Baxter, you know the media mogul who owns half of the newspapers and TV stations in Cordonia. They’ve had word that she’s missing. It must be one hell of a story if he’s calling me himself. If I find out you and her have some little scam going, I swear I will hunt you down, cut off your bollocks and wear them as earrings.” Jacob knows the countess doesn't make idle threats.

“Madeleine I swear I have no idea where she is. What’s Liam said about it? Let me know as soon as you hear from her, please? Despite what you think about me Madeleine, I do actually really care about Riley you know.” Jacob’s heart leaps from his chest to his throat, he doesn't just care about Riley, he admits to himself, he’s totally and utterly in love with her.

“Ugh whatever. Just call me if you hear from her. And do not engage with the press, leave that to me.” She hangs up without waiting for a response and makes her way to the palace offices to see if she can find out what’s going on.

                                                       ****

Bastien’s team and the police work continuously through the night on locating Riley. Liam and Drake stay in the conference room with them the entire time, surviving on cups of strong coffee. Olivia finally retired to bed in the early hours insisting they wake her if anything happens.

As Madeleine enters the room her eyes dart around taking in the number of people and activity going on around her. She notices Liam and Drake slumped in armchairs at the back of the room and makes a beeline for them.

“Liam, you look like shit. What the hell is going on in here? Please tell me the rumours I’ve heard are not true.” She barks at him. He groans. He could do without her snark right now.

“Madeleine what exactly is it that you’ve heard?”

“That Lady Riley is missing. I guess from the activity in here that it’s true? Don’t tell me she finally left you and ran off with that cocky agent of hers?” Her full painted red lips curl up into a cruel smirk.

“Madeleine.” Drake warns her. “Not now ok.” She turns to him as if she’s only just noticed his presence and curls her lip in disdain.

“I am the Royal Communications Director, it is my job to know what’s going on. I shouldn’t have to hear it by being woken in the early hours by Jim god damn Baxter asking for a statement.” She folds her arms across her chest and sticks her chin up defiantly.

“We were trying to keep it quiet Madeleine.” Liam snarls through gritted teeth. “The police think she’s been taken.”

“As ever Liam, you have done a wonderful job of keeping your private life out of the media.” She states sarcastically. “What do you mean taken?”

Her voice is shrill and it hurts Liam’s sleep deprived brain. He winces as he replies.

“I mean kidnapped for fucks sake Madeleine, what the hell do you think I mean!” He shouts the last part at her. Madeleine’s eyes grow wide and Drake knows it has more to do with the normally placid kings uncharacteristic outburst than the fact that she’s hearing about Riley’s potential kidnapping. The agents working around them look up in surprise at the disruption. Liam lowers his voice again. “The police have agreed that they don’t want any news reports scaring whoever’s got her into doing something stupid.” He looks at the floor so she doesn’t see the tears pooling in his eyes.

“Why was I not informed of this! This is unacceptable. We need to work on a statement right away. My phone has been blowing up all morning. The press have obviously got hold of the story from somewhere. Something about a café owner on Main Street being questioned yesterday afternoon. Liam we need to take control of this before any news channels pick it up.”

“No!” He says firmly.

“Liam, they are going to run the story anyway. We need to get ahead of the curve and put our own spin on this.” She snaps back equally as firmly.

“Madeleine this is not some fucking PR stunt. Contact the Chief of Police, Officer Beckett. Work with him on what they want put out to the press. Do not do anything without his say so. Is that clear?” Liam orders.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Liam, I need to get something out within the next half an hour or it’ll be speculated about on breakfast news. We need to draft something together. This should come from the palace not the police.”

He’s finally lost his patience with her and lets out an explosion of pent up anger.

“NO! Madeleine I have given you a direct order and I expect it to be followed!” He bellows. The police and agents working around them share sheepish glances with each other as activity around them ceases and the room goes deathly silent. He turns to his best friend in the chair next to him.

“Drake I can’t deal with her right now, get her out of here.” Liam’s normally kind blue eyes are cold, grey and steely and Drake immediately rises silently from his seat and leads a shocked and open mouthed Madeleine out of the room.

Olivia passes them in the hallway. “Drake, Countess Madeline. I assume from the lack of calls overnight that there’s no update?” Madeleine stalks off down the hall without pausing, ignoring them both.

“No Liv, nothing. I don’t even know if they are any closer to finding out what happened. The press have got a hold of the story. Maddie is off to draft a statement with the Chief of Police. Liam just tore her a new one, he had me escort her out.” He raises his eyebrows at Olivia.

“He’s still in a state then?” She questions, already knowing the likely answer.

“Yeah. Although he’s still putting on a brave face. I’m gonna go and shower and change and see if I can get my head down for an hour. See if you can get him to do the same. Call me if anything happens.” He walks off down the corridor as Olivia takes a deep breath and enters the conference room.

“Liam, you look like shit.” She kisses him on the cheek and sits in the chair next to him.

“Yeah, you’re not the first person to tell me that today.” He replies with no hint of humour or sarcasm in his voice.

“You need to go shower and change. Get something to eat. Try and sleep for a bit. I’ll stay here, I’ll call you if anything happens, ok.” Liam shakes his head.

“Olivia, I can’t. I need to stay here.”

Olivia takes both of his hands in hers.

“Liam, no one wants to see their king as a stinking mess, what would Riley think if she saw the state of you? Go and shower. Have some food. You’ll be no good to anyone if you burn out.” Liam knows if Riley was here she’d tell him to relax, to take deep breaths, to take care of himself. Stop worrying about me she’d say to him, I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself, I’m a New Yorker remember. Liam stifles a sob.

“I look that bad huh?”

“Yes you do. Now go.” Olivia pushes him up out of his seat.

“Make sure you call me straight away if anything changes.” The cold grip of fear still hasn’t left his chest and Liam feels its fingers tightening around his heart.

“Of course I will. Go.”

“Thank you Olivia.”

“You don’t have to thank me Liam.” He nods at her and leaves the room.