#readonline

[idolsoftheshallowarc]

01.

My name and Miles Zed, and I am nineteen years old. I have long black hair that I wear in my face way to often, and I have dark black empty soulless eyes and pale white skin. I wear all black consisting of a metal band t-shirt, and black ripped jeans and my favorite pair of black high top converse shoes.The story starts with me.I'm from North Springs, Colorado. I just graduated school and more than anything that means I have more time to play my video games. My mom made me get a job but she doesn't know I'm quitting soon. I mean, why do I need to work if she's just going to take care of me anyways?I tried to convince my parents to let me play my video games in peace, but it never worked. Ever since I graduated you would think they had a reason to let up on me, but never did.They eventually told me if I wanted to keep my car I would have to get a job, so I did. It was only a distraction and a good excuse to get out of the house.It was a normal night, and I was driving home from work. It was already 7:30 and dinner was at eight. But that wasn't the point. I needed to finish dinner early because I hated staying up to late playing GOD SLAYER 3, even though I always did.I was taking the exit off the freeway and when I saw it. It was the most beautiful comet I've ever seen in my life.The purple and orange haze of the blurry yet vivid comet shot across the sky and fell behind the trees. I thought nothing of it at first. But ad I got home and got out of my car I realized in all the excitement it gave me a headache.I ran up stairs after greeting my parents and took medicine and went back down for dinner. Little did I know that comet was a sign. Not only was it a sign, my life would change forever that same night.

[lovestoriestarot]

Icy Shots On A Hot Billionaire (Series)

👉Blurb 👉Craziness starts… “Yeah,” he says, “this is Eric Rodricks, our client, CEO of Rodricks Real Estate Investments, and this is our Marketing Manager, Selena Dutchmond.” The guy is hot, Adonis style, Greek God, towering, with beautiful dark blue eyes, chestnut wavy hair and a billionaire. That suit on him makes women stay at his feet. GQ magazine model. That’s why Jessie’s high-pitched voice has been on. “Nice to meet you, sir.” I extend my hand. “The pleasure is mine.” And I manage to take my hand back. Derek, I’m sorry, man… She’s mine… Oh! You’ll be mine, baby… Don’t you worry. I have to talk to Derek to get a confession out of him and then we’re on, Angel. I see Selena coming from the other way of the hallway to the elevator, crying. She has her purse in her hand and her gaze is down. She doesn’t see me and bumps right into me in the front of the elevator. I keep still but I’m a bit shaken seeing her like this. “Oh! Sorry!” She looks at me and then at Derek and my men. “It’s alright. Something happened?” I see her eyes are red and that she’s keeping tension inside of her. The elevator comes as one of my men has pushed the button when we’ve reached the spot. She walks in, leaving us here, with her head down, not looking at any of us, pressing the lobby button, and the doors closing. I get into the next elevator and on her footsteps. My men are already tailing her downstairs. She won’t escape me. 👉Genres of the book: Billionaire Romance, Curvy Girl Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark Mafia Romance, Possessive Alpha Males, Strong Female Lead, Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Action, Comedy, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, with the touch of the paranormal along the series, with a HEA.

👉Read the first chapters for free and you can become a Baby Angel Free member to enjoy more unlocked chapters on this book and other books we have available on the website of similar genres:

[turpentinecreek]

Have you missed any of the recent newsletters (magazine)? If so, you can find them online at https://www.turpentinecreek.org/about/about-turpentine-creek-wildlife-refuge/newsletter-archives/ Read them online or download them.

#TCWR #TurpentineCreek #RescueToRefuge #FundFreedom #Sanctuary #BigCat #Cats #read #reading #news #newsletter #readonline

[upsurgecomic]

[almfineartandphotography]

These first two weeks working at Spotlight News/TheSpot518 have been good. I learned how to copy edit, conduct research for story ideas, learn more about the Town of Colonie that I’ll also conduct stories for in addition to my arts coverage, and learned how to preview Town board agendas & turn them into mini stories. This is the first time I’ve done a preview like this for any newspaper I’ve worked for. It’s a process that’ll take time to know and understand but at least it’s a start. And last night (2/7) I attended my first Town of Colonie Planning Board Meeting. Feel free to check out the preview in the Colonie Spotlight and on www.spotlightnews.com at your convenience. (“Vanara Hotel Eyes Troy-Schenectady Road 122-Unit Hotel” Preview by Amy Modesti) #ALMFineArtAndPhotography, #ColonieSpotlight, #SpotlightNewspapers, #PreviewByAmyModesti, @spotlightnewspapers , #AlbanyCountyNY, #TownOfColonieNY, #PlanningBoardAgendaPreview, #LathamNY, #CommunityNews, #BuyLocal, #SupportLocal, #ReadOnline, #OnNewsstands, #February82023Edition, #CapitalRegionJournalist, #UpstateNYJournalist, #PreviewArticle, #February2023, #SpotlightNewsroom , #WednesdayUpdate (at Colonie, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CobWPfdj5Ad/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[futuretechnerd]

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[measuringbliss]

Spider-Man Read-Through 021: A Jackal and a Wedding (ASM 129-131)

MASTERPOST

The Punisher and the Jackal are introduced! How fun. What an iconic cover. But more importantly, we ponder on whether Peter has been more objectified with Ross Andru's takeover and you'll see my opinions have evolved throughout this batch.

The Punisher is tasked by the Jackal to eliminate Spider and does so by generously showing us his wonderful butt, that I oddly hadn't noticed when I was a kid but now can definitely appreciate. The Punisher thinks Spidey killed Norman (which, sort of). As for the Jackal's reason? Uhhhh we'll see that next year.

Spider-Man out of context.

The Punisher realizes thanks to Spidey that the Jackal would have killed him after Spidey's death and him and his fantastic skin-tight suit go away (to his own magazine?). In the last panel, the Jackal pretends the reason he wants to kill Spidey is to take over the city, which, as you might know, was retconned later. Hmm.

In the comics on Readonline (I love reading reactions, makes me feel like the fandom isn't dead!), we can see this:

And I kind of disagree, so much as I don't see why this comment is on this particular issue. Peter has been objectified since his beginnings but particularly when Romita Sr took over. Ffs, his first issue was a gay BDSM romp. Peter is very clearly handsome, but he has been for about 80-90 issues (and you could argue he also was handsome in Ditko's style). The issue contains two panels with shirtless Pete, and I didn't find them particularly erotic.

HOWEVER! I do think he is made to look like the perfect husband, be it the pin-up pose in the first panel or the sewing in the third one. He's a domestic husbando. I wonder if that's intentional. But I wouldn't call all of those objectification... maybe the first one. His shirt is in a corner, it's vaguely sleazy, but the focus is on the traditional biceps, not so much on his butt (and we saw in this very issue that Andru has no trouble giving cake to men).

I do think it's an interesting observation though. It's the first time I see that aspect called out.

The next issue (130) features Hammerhead, which never made anybody feel joy.

Hammerhead has injected a chip in his henchmen's heads that explodes if they try to say his name. Sure! Spidey has other priorities though, and he wakes up his boyfriend (Hmm... *Are* the men more objectified than before, with Ross Andru? Huh. I'm starting to think this might be true...).

SO WE FINALLY GET THE SPIDER-MOBILE. When it appeared in Into The Spider-Verse's credits, I jumped, I'm telling you. It's iconic! very lovely. I don't quite know why everybody hates it, I think it's a fun concept. As the car soars in the street, Gerry Conway's narration explains that "a legend is born" and he didn't know how right he was.

Rimbaud's death from #120 is referenced, and he apparently died for Ock's plans... which seems outlandish to me considering what those plans actually are.

...Okay, I'm really starting to think dear Nathaniel might be right. Oh, my ovaries... I think I'm pregnant.

Anyway, while I'm very glad to see MJ again, Peter is very frustrated because her being close will make his Spidey job harder. But they're cute together! It's heartwarming to finally see them having a cute scene where Pete isn't being an ass.

At Betty and Ned's Christmas party (<3), Peter reaffirms to himself that he's not yet ready for another relationship, with MJ trying really hard to get in his pants--understandable, honey.

The issue closes on another iconic reveal, what Ock had planned all along, a storyline years in the making...

May looks ravishing, hah.

The concept is ridiculous but I'm completely here for it. But what is Ock's real objective, you say? Can't it be love?

...Okay, here you go (and I completely forgot about it).

I had completely forgotten about that, and it's no thanks to how completely absurd it is. Spidey eventually flies away with May, because he also learned how to fly a plane apparently.

And what happens when a Hammerhead meets a nuclear bomb or whatahavit... happens.

So Ock and Hammerhead are thankfully dead (for now, boo).

To be fair, it's a gorgeous panel.

And the closing panels are great too.

[insidetheskinofthesun]

Is 1632 good? You mentioned it in your tags and it sounds fascinating.

Yeah, it's meant to be a pretty good series--it's legally free to read online, as well, via this link:

https://www.baen.com/readonline/index/read/sku/0671578499

[idolsoftheshallowarc]

02.

We ate dinner and I felt fine long enough to forget about my headache but, as soon as I found myself climbing the stairs I realized it came back. Well, of it ever even went away.

So before I knew I was climbing into bed and I fell fast asleep.

"Wake him up." A voice whispered. It was girl voice, and I heard her nudge someone and he laughed to himself.

"No way, I don't know him! What if he tries to punch me?" He laughs.

"You have too stupid, this is not a fucking movie!" She growled.

I opened my eyes to two teenagers in my bed, on all fours face to face with me.

"What the F*ck is going on? And who are you?" I mumbled.

"See I told you.." the girl laughed.

And I quickly sat up, but instead of throwing them both back, they shifted away like it was nothing.

"This isn't funny, I don't even like movies!" The boy whined. "I'm too old for teen angst"

"Who the f*ck are you two?" I asked once I realized that there was two teenagers not only in my room. But sitting on the edge of my bed staring right at me.

"We're, Victoria and Chase." The girl said. She had pastel purple hair and a golden crescent moon sticker between her eyes. She had on dark purple eyeshadow and thick cat eye eyeliner. She had on a ROTTEN THRASH band t-shirt cut into a crop top and a fishnet shirt under it. "We're here because.. well we've got something to tell you. You remember that comet you saw earlier tonight?"

"What comet?" I lied, wiping my eyes.

"We saw it too!" She exclaimed. "That means that you me and that doofus are special." She pauses for a second to look for a response. To see what I'm thinking. "Look, your life is going to change, I know mine sure did. But just listen. We're here to help you. We're you're friends now." She said softly.

"I don't know what the F*ck you're talking about." I demand. "Mom!?" I call out impatiently.

I look to the door as it opens literally a millisecond later, and back to the two on my bed but they were already gone through the open window.

"Are you okay?" My mom asked as she came in.

"Um yeah.." I stumbled, "I don't know who opened my window.." I let out a sigh.

She walks over and closes it, and before she does I hear a voice, running away in the distance call out "We'll be back Miles! We'll just keep coming back!"

"That's weird." My mom interrupts my thoughts. "Maybe you opened it and didn't even realize before you went to bed." She offered as if she didn't even hear the voice.

[lovestoriestarot]

Icy Shots On A Hot Billionaire (Series)

Genres of the book: Billionaire Romance, Curvy Girl Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark Mafia Romance, Possessive Alpha Males, Strong Female Lead, Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Action, Comedy, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, with the touch of the paranormal along the series, with a HEA.

All Rights ReservedIcy Shots On A Hot Billionaire Series, by Andra-Cristiana Stan, Romania. Copyright © October 2019. All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 1 – Coffee Is A Bitch…

Selena

“Jeez! Would you watch where you walk for a change?!” The hot brown content snakes down my shirt and skirt, drawing out a monster on me.

Why am I always met with such accidents?

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to… I was on my… Let me help you.” A nice lady in her early forties says, flustered on the event she caused, looking for something in her purse to give me.

“I-It’s okay… Sorry for yelling… I’m about to have an important meeting and this happens…” I take a napkin from a near empty table and I’m trying to clean myself a bit while the woman gives me one, too. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m really sorry. It’s my fault. I was reading my emails and didn’t see you. Here, let me pay for the cleaning.” She gets her wallet out, trembling a bit.

That’s strange. I know I have a killer look when I get mad, but I’m not a pulling-out-hair bitch. She didn’t see me? I’m no skinny one. I’m a 16 size for some loose ‘fabrics’ and 18 for others. Whatever… She looks nice and sorry.

“No, I don’t need that. Thank you. Let’s forget about it. I’m late for my meeting. Bye-bye.” I give her a quick smile and start to the café’s toilet to see the damage in plain sight.

The lady’s saying something to me in the background, but I don’t have time for other apologies and pleads for amends.

I enter the bathroom like a storm, scaring a young lady that is grooming at the mirror. I shoot a smile at her.

“Someone spilled coffee on me.” I say like she cares about that.

She gives me a weird look, packs her things and goes out, leaving me alone.

“Jesus Christ! How am I going to clean all this?”

My shirt, the front of my suit jacket, and skirt in diagonal are a mess. I’ve seen it earlier, but to see it in the mirror it’s pure horror.

My phone is buzzing.

“Great! Just great!” I get out my phone from my purse. It is Marta, my secretary.

Yeah, I’m a Marketing Manager at a big company, Donahue Estate Development. It’s my first month and meeting a big client today. He’s such a big of a client that some other four managers from our company are going to attend the meeting.

I take the call, fanning under my lips.

“You’re running late! The client is here! Jesse’s in heats around him! The Big Wolf is asking for you to take the meeting for presentation! Where are you?”

The Big Wolf is our 34-year-old playboy CEO. A muscled model with fine Greek God features, wavy black short hair, hazel eyes and exciting every girl that lays eyes on him. He’s always in an expensive tailored suit. Not me though. Jesse is the Planning Manager and the one that must have all the hot guys. The client must be hot.

“I’m at the coffee shop across the street. Haven’t slept all night, working. And someone spilled her entire coffee all over me. What am I going to do?” I send another look into the mirror, giving me cold shivers down my spine.

“What? Are you kidding? You should be here in five! They’re on to the meeting room!” She’s freaked out. If I lose my chair, she’s out, too. I hired her.

“But he’s earlier! It’s seven-thirty! The meeting was at eight!” I’m sure it’s at eight.

“I sent you a message last night. They changed it at seven-thirty. The guy is apparently besties with the Big Wolf, and they want to go and see a new land for investment together, after the meeting. Oh!” 

Why am I getting angry at this pause? 

“I didn’t send you the…”

“Marta?!” She always does that!

She’s young and she’s learning. She’s 21 and having a new boyfriend. She’s aloof, making everything hard for me sometimes. But she’s diligent to learn, so I don’t want to fire her.

“Sorry! I’ll make some excuses and you come as fast as you can!” And she abruptly ends the call. 

No, she didn’t!

My head is spinning, I’m sweating, and I could kill someone for real at this point. I’m still in the ‘testing’ period on my position. I haven’t had problems so far, but this could be one.

I take my purse and go out of the bathroom, on through the tables, turning around some heads at my sight for how I look with all the coffee on me, and go out. I really don’t feel embarrassment at this point. I see a clothes shop nearby and that’s my target.

“Hi!” I approach the lady there who gives me a weird look all over. “Do you have women’s suits like this one?” I’m pointing at the one I’m wearing.

“Not one that would be on your size, unfortunately.” I hate it when they say that. At least she doesn’t flash me the grimace of ‘you are fat’. “But we do have some casual clothes that might fit you well.” That’s a savior right there. “Would you want to try them?”

“Of course! Just give them to me! I’m pretty late for an important office meeting! I really need your help!” I kind of yell a bit because I feel like I’ll faint if I’m too late for the meeting.

She gives me a warm smile.

“Follow me then.” She takes me to the changing room. “Wait here. I’ll bring them right away. Any preferred color?”

“Black or dark blue. Thank you so much!” I smile at her with all my face but having a drummed heart.

After a few minutes, she comes back with black leggings in an office style, a black top having a dropped cleavage, office style again, and an over the bottom black jacket with one golden button to close it. Fine material and trendy for businesswomen. I wonder if I’ll fit in those and how much are those going to cost. Never mind. I’ll try them.

I dress up in a minute, at least that’s what I want to think it has been, and look at myself in the mirror.

“Can I see it?” The lady says outside the changing cabin. I open the door for her to give me the look. “Wow! You’re so hot in those! You look amazing! Why do you wear that ugly suit?! That’s a keeper on you!” She puts her hands over her mouth like she is Cinderella’s Godmother and genuinely smiling over my transformation.

Yeah, I look pretty hot for my figure. Don’t you think I’m the kind that has bulging fat. No. I have a defined S-shape figure (though I’m fat as I’m no Victoria Secret Angel), with a cute butt out, some breasts, not big ones, but they’re there, thick thighs and nice legs overall. I’m not a model, I know, but I’m OK. I do have a bit of belly out.

“So, I’m passable?” I really don’t want to make a wrong impression in the company, going out there with my fat screaming through my clothes. I do see it’s a perfect match on me, but a second, more objective, opinion is always welcomed.

“You’re more than passable! You look like on a magazine! But let your hair loose like this and you’re a doll!” She takes out my hair band and arranges my hair. “There! Everything’s perfect now!”

“Great! I trust and thank you! Let me pay it quickly!” I give her my dirty clothes as she has asked me and go with her at the cashier’s desk.

She puts my clothes in a shopping bag, takes the tags from the clothes on me, registers and swipes my credit card. Well, office credit card. I’ll have the accountant take a hit-and-run over me, but I’ll deal with that later.

“Here you go! Wish you good luck on your meeting!” She gives me everything and smiles.

“Thank you! Hope it will go well! You have a coffee from me later! Bye!” I rush out like crazy from the store and send a glance on my phone. 7:55. Shit!

In five minutes, I’m at the elevator to go to my office’s floor which is the tenth floor. The receptionist and the security guard say ‘hello’, but I just wave at them as I’m super late. Finally, I’m at my floor with Marta waiting for me at the elevator with my file and laptop.

“Give me those. Here’s everything. The Big Wolf is upset. I’ll be there, too. Go!” She gives me a look with a smirk when she realizes what I’m wearing and pushes me to go.

“He’s not going to be so upset anymore.” She grins. 

He’s going to be murderous in stares… I fucking know that… And the yelling will be present… It’s how he is… It’s my fucking luck for the day seemingly… Yeah…

I go with quick steps to the meeting room, already hearing Jessie’s high-pitched voice, sweet-talking what I think is the client. I knock on the door and enter. Everyone stops talking and all eyes are on me. Derek Donahue, our CEO, has the chair with its back at the door.

“It’s about damn time you…” And he turns around with the chair to criticize me but stops at the sight of me, scanning me from head to toes. 

I know… Sorry…

“So sorry. Traffic.” I ignore everyone’s stare, and he comes back to his senses while I go to my spot.

“Yeah,” he says, “this is Eric Rodricks, our client, CEO of Rodricks Real Estate Investments, and this is our Marketing Manager, Selena Dutchmond.”

The guy is hot, Adonis style, Greek God, towering, with beautiful dark blue eyes, chestnut wavy hair and a billionaire. That suit on him makes women stay at his feet. GQ magazine model. That’s why Jessie’s high-pitched voice has been on.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” I extend my hand.

He takes it and stares into my eyes with those ravishing waves he has into them, not letting go. I’m not intimidated. Jessie rolls her eyes and clears her throat while I’m trying to have my hand back. Jessie’s sending me spears across the room at this point.

“The pleasure is mine.” And I manage to take my hand back.

I sit on my chair, open the file, and then the laptop, starting the marketing presentation for him. Marta enters the room and sits on the chair behind me, near the projector, to work on the slide show while I speak.

I deliver all the information and I ask if there are questions or things that need to be changed. Eric is looking at me, laid back on his chair with his hand on his cheek, in a thinking pose. He has a smirk on his face. I guess he’s satisfied with the presentation.

“That’s interesting.” Eric says looking at Derek who’s staring at me. He does that often, but now it is longer than usual.

“What? Yeah. She’s our best.” He snaps out of whatever he has been thinking. “Anything you need a correction or addition on?”

“No. It’s fine. But I would want to have a word with you, alone.” He stares back at me like I’m under a metal detector. 

Take your fucking eyes off me, motherfucker… There’s nothing here for you… Just saying…

“If there’s anything, I’ll be in my office.” I say with a professional smile, standing up and leaving Marta to pack things up. “It has been a pleasure to work on this project, sir.” 

Not really, but anyways… 

I extend my hand for the final handshake.

He takes it in a strong grip, like trying to get a reaction from me. I’m reactionless as ice. 

You fucking sucker… I’m not a sucker for hotness or money… I don’t give a single fuck on you… Jessie though, she’s all there for you…

“You did a great job. Rarely I’m so impressed.” He gives a smile, landing his gaze on my lips. 

You’re so asking for it… But I’ll behave… Yeah… Let’s finish it already…

“Thank you, sir. Have a good day.” I try to take my hand back while he’s resisting. 

Don’t know for how long I’ll behave though… 

He lets go after a few good seconds to Jesse’s despair, who is still in the room with a short tight black dress and a white jacket on her to die for model body.

She is a Barbie doll all over. Even I, as a woman, could fall in love with her beauty. In the sense I would want to look like her. I’m not a lesbian, though many think I am. Why? Because I don’t have a boyfriend and I always keep it friend zone for males or strictly business. I don’t have time or want for a personal life.

I walk away and straight to my office. I need to drink something cold for the heated morning I’ve had since the coffee shop till present. 

Finally… I’m so fucking cursed… Good it finished…

My office is one with a view over New York City. I have a leather chair with a wide neat oak desk. There are a few framed posters with motivational quotes on the cream walls and a big library with books on law, management, marketing and economics. I’m 31. I have Law school and Finance-Banking-Accounting bachelor’s degrees. I may seem I have it all, but I don’t. I’m in huge shit and this job is the one that keeps me out of bankruptcy. Not all out, but it helps my financial situation a bit. But that’s a story for another time.

“Hey! You were awesome!” Says Marta, coming in with all the things, placing them on my desk. 

Yeah… Yay… Not awesome… I so hate everything, but I have no choice… You’re cute though… Kids… He, he, he…

“Thanks. I worked my butt off for that presentation. Can you bring me some cold Diet Pepsi, please? I’m so thirsty.” My mouth is dried out and I’m feeling hot. I hope my blood sugar levels aren’t too high. I’m a diabetic. Insulin dependent. Five shots a day. Stress increases my diabetes’ levels.

“Yeah, in a minute. No! You looked so sexy and like a vixen! That Eric guy couldn’t take his eyes off you! And Derek, too! Ouch! I see romance!” She’s grinning like a high school girl. 

Oh, Jesus… I know you’re a sucker for this kind of things, but it’s not MY thing…

“Stop dreaming. It’s normal they were staring at me. I was delivering the presentation. Now go and give me that drink. Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for the message.” I answer my ringing phone while she’s pouting, then puffs at me. Kids. 

I know, baby… I know… I’m not like you to be thrilled over such occurrences…

“Selena?” That’s my mom on the phone. I do hope nothing happened. She’s tensed.

“Yeah, mom. Everything okay?” I’m trying to keep my cool, but I can feel something happened. 

Hit me with it… I can take it…

“Sweetie? We are losing the house…” 

Shit! 

She starts crying on silent.

“Mom! Calm down! I’m coming over. Where are you?” I’m keeping an outside cool, yet inside I’m sinking.

The shit we’re in since the economic crisis, has all my family on the edge. We were rich people, at some level, not millionaires, but we had it going without lack of money. We had and still have construction companies. Small ones, but they were and are a family business. An investment project with bank loans among other such ‘sugary’, cut our throats financially and we’ve lost many things. The house is next. 

I saw it coming… Jesus Christ…

“At home. Your dad went crazy and I don’t know where he is. He can’t take it anymore! I think he’ll do something! Lord! Why is this happening to us?”

A tear escapes down my right cheek and my heart is in pieces for both my parents and for our family.

Marta comes in with my drink with widened eyes on how I may look at this point.

“Calm down, mom. I love you and everything will be fine. Dad’s going to be fine. I’ll be there right away. Wait for me, will you?” I’m still trying to keep my cool to make my mom feel she’s not alone and that she has a strong daughter to protect them.

Now do you understand why I give a shit on men and don’t want to get involved with them? Love is never going to help my situation, only complicate it.

“Yeah. Come safe, baby. Love you.” She hangs up crying. I’m all teary but not voicing it.

“What’s the matter? You look like shit. Here. Have a sip…” She gives me the drink, which I take and have some. I feel like yelling and raging out loud. 

This shit is never going to end….

“Nothing. Help me clear all the meetings today. I have some family problems which I can’t avoid. Send on my email all the work I need to do. Please, don’t forget anything, okay?”

Nobody in the office knows about my problems. They think I’m healthy, only fat, and living on high horses. That’s the image I’ve created. I stand up in a hurry and take my purse.

“Wait! Derek called. He wants to speak with you. Now.” She says, but I’m out through the door, not looking back.

When I reach the elevator, with my gaze down, I bump into someone.

“Oh! Sorry!” I look at the person I’ve bumped into. It’s Eric, followed by his men and having Derek beside him. 

I’m so fucking cursed… Should have realized since the coffee spilled on me moment… It was a bad omen for the fucked-up day… Only oh-so-good-news…

“It’s alright. Something happened?” He sends me a worried look seeing my probably red eyes. 

All the shit happened… And you were the last person on Earth that I wanted to see right now…

“Where are you going? Didn’t Marta tell you I’m expecting you in the office?” Derek is both pissed and worried. 

She did… But you’re not important at this point… I give a fuck on everything… My family comes first…

“Nothing happened.” I dismiss Eric with a cold voice. “Yes, she told me. I have some unexpected family situation and I have to leave for the day. You can cut my paycheck. I’ll still run all the work at home. Marta will send everything on my email. I really have to take a leave, sir. I’m not going to wait for your approval. If you consider you want to fire me over this, you can do it. I’ll understand. Have a good day, sir.”

I don’t give a shit at this moment if I lose my job as well. If I’m sinking, let it all sink. Why not? I can take it, right?

The elevator comes at perfect timing and I go in, leaving Derek with a dropped jaw and a what’s-going-on expression. Eric? I don’t know. I’ve totally ignored his presence. He’s not my boss. I go in and press the lobby button and the elevator closes with only me in it, which is great. 

The shit of my life is an ongoing story… I’m so perfect… 

======

You can go and read the next chapters for free on our website:

[lirots]

exit west pdf

FINALIST FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE

10 BEST BOOKS OF 2017, NEW YORK TIMES BOOK Audit

Victor OF THE L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR FICTION and THE ASPEN WORDS Scholarly PRIZE

"An amazing novel… [that] shows up at a critical time." — NPR

"Maybe Hamid realized what planned to happen to America and the world, and gave us a guide to our future… immediately startling and … strangely confident." — Ayelet Waldman, The New York Times Book Audit

"Moving, venturesome, and permanently human." — Amusement Week by week, "A" rating

A New York Times smash hit, the amazingly visionary romantic tale that envisions the powers that drive customary individuals from their homes into the dubious hug of new terrains.

https://www.lirots.com/2021/07/exit-west-pdf.html

[grheonsh]

(￣▽￣)ノ This is my first post on Tumblr, I thought of posting my latest story. let me know what you think. °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

[xiaxialake]

Welcome to the first book from the Takamagahara Monogatari series.

Kogitsune is a retelling of Kokaji, a Noh Theatre play from Japan, about a famous swordsmith helped by the Inari God to forge a special sword for Emperor Ichijo (980-1011) which will be called “Kogitsune-maru”.

You can read the Noh play here:

http://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/data/program_037.html

I wrote the stories as “historical fantasy,” with influences from Japanese mythology and folklore, and combined them with my love for BL and Yaoi. That means the Takamagahara Monogatari series depicts love stories between two men. However, none of these love stories are written as “romance,” so beware.

Hope you enjoy Kogitsune.

[jasuwonderworld]

A simple example of my coloring process with comic pages. At first I smash the basic colors in there and then (this is the most time-consuming part) "clean it up".

My Neighbor Naruto - page 68 is almost done! Follow the story on www.sasunaruart.com, the new page should be up on Monday. 😙