Styling
Serendipity
by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Blurb:
Birthdays
are normally celebrated, but that is not the case for 26-year-old fashion
designer, Olivia Rose Salvador. She doesn’t like birthdays, much less her own.
She considers October 1st as a jinx, because all through her life, all the
important people in her life have left her right smack on that day.
As
the heir of the international Style Rose fashion brand, she is in charge of
preparing for Style Rose’s first appearance in Philippine Fashion Week. During
her stay in the Philippines, she meets 31-year old pediatrician, Jake Ocampo,
who is literally the “boy next door” as he lives right next door to her
temporary condo unit in Bonifacio Global City.
They
start to get to know each other and everything seems to be going smoothly, as
both, who have been burned before in terms of love, start to open up again and
start living life to the fullest.
But
what happens when it seems the jinx is strong and the ghosts of their painful
pasts start coming back and making themselves felt? Will these ghosts threaten
their very new and very fragile relationship?
Or
will Jake’s love for Olivia break the October 1st curse?
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Excerpt: Olivia
I
looked at my wristwatch as I walked toward the arrival area and saw that it
was still on Italy time. it was 8:15pm. When I looked at the airport’s clock,
it read 3:15 am.
I
saw my cousins, Sandy and Joey with Aunt Toni, right outside, waiting excitedly
for me. I waved and together they shouted, “Welcome back, Olivia!”
I
approached the three with a smile and gave each one of them a hug and a kiss. I
asked, “How’s Lolo Lito?”
“Lolo
is waiting for you, Olivia,” Joey responded with a big grin.
I
felt the humidity of Paranaque City as we walked to their rented van. I saw a
few media people coming our way. They asked me a few questions, which I gamely
answered, plugging our store and the fashion show.
After
the encounter with Filipino media, we traveled from Paranaque to Taguig where I
would be staying in Sandy’s condo unit for my 3-month stay. After the successful staging of the fashion show this month, I would be going on my
Calaguas trip.
When
I arrived at the lobby of the condo, I noticed a cute guy and he held a bag
with a stethoscope hanging on one side. He looked like a pediatrician because
of his Bugs Bunny necktie and his child-like vibe. His companions waved at him.
No distractions please . . .
focus, Olivia, focus on your goal.
Excerpt: Jake
Excerpt: Jake
I think I ruined her night. I should have just stayed in my unit
and try to reflect rather than going to her event and ruining it for her. I was
so down when I found out that my patient had intracranial hemorrhage after a
series of MRIs.
But I chose to show up to let her feel my support. When I saw
her saying goodbye to the crowd, I felt a massive bundle of sentiments in my
chest. I didn’t want to burst her bubble . . . but I needed her more than ever.
Call me selfish . . . call me inconsiderate. I have to because I
need her. I need her kiss, her hug, her love . . . I need her.
“Let’s go . . .” She smiled at me and asked for my car keys.
I asked if she had a driver’s license. She laughed and shook her
head. She pouted while I opened the door for her.
While we were in my car, I asked, “Your unit or mine?”
She meditated for a while and smiled, “Mine.” And as soon as we
arrived at the condo, she hugged me. I whispered, “Thank you.”
She stated, “I am going to cook for you.” She asked if we could
go to the nearby convenience store. Everyone was staring at us. I forgot, we
were still wearing our formal attire.
“Back in Venice, I cooked dinner for Mommy Ellie. Her favorite
dishes are bigoli and cacciucco.” She was stunning in her
little black dress and white stilettos.
“What do you want for dinner?” She demanded an answer while
holding my hands.
“Anything . . .” I was so distracted by the fact that I failed
as a doctor.
She sighed and rubbed my chin with her forefinger, “He will be
fine. Don’t worry too much.” It was almost nine in the evening. She smiled and
stated, “I will cook Carbonara ala Olivia.”
I faked a smile because I wanted her to know I was okay. She
asked, “Anything else? You want chocolate ice cream?” I nodded. We got to the
soda section. Olivia requested, “Honey, can you get a bottle of soda?”
About Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Racquel Sarah A. Castro
is living with cerebral palsy. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
information technology from AMA Computer College–Biñan Campus. She always wants
to inspire people in every way she can. She also desires to prove the goodness
of God through her life. Racquel is living with her parents in Biñan City,
Laguna, Philippines. She is a geek, a blogger, a math tutor, a food addict, a
Web designer, and a freelance programmer.
Her family is currently a
ground volunteer of Basics Global, a nonprofit organization based in Dubai,
UAE. She also leads the music ministry branch of Jesus Christ Rules Bible
Christian Church. She aspires to be an emissary of people with disabilities.
She started the campaign called Novel Cerebral Palsy Awareness Drive by
featuring her disability in her works.
Contact the Author
Email:
racquelcastro2884@gmail.com
Blog:
https://racquelsarah.wordpress.com/
Twitter:
@rsacastro017
Facebook page:
Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Wattpad: RacquelSarahCastro
Era is not a full romance novel I usually read based on the recent e-books and print copies I got, and not really something that I would write up for a review. But the story got me, had me, made me think - and feel something I always have whenever I read graphic novels. It has magic (not the supernatural though, more on the scientific aspect with regards to Era), and mystery. Inquiries kept on popping out of my brain as the scene on every page flashed in front of my imaginative eyes. And I so love the tinge of romance in the story, I don't know maybe I just have that thing about romance, or maybe the magic, mystery, and romance combined together just really works on me.
Characters that I love! Haha.
Era is such a sweetheart after having a family of his own.
Sam is the bestest of the best, best friends, ever!
Bel is such a Bel, she's perfect for Era. Hahaha.
Left with lots of feels about life, time, regrets, family, friends, love, taking risks, making a choice, and choosing the most important thing in life. This is an inspiring read for everyone who believes that we should live and love life to the fullest. Fighting! ❤️
If I Knew Then is a light romance with a twist of mystery. A fast pace development of love between Rafa and Nicole was something I never want to happen if I was in a relationship, but then the story got me excited as I flipped pages over and over, the fast pace thing was justified and the answers to my inquiries transpired and satisfied Rafa's act, being an asshole, in the tiny bit part of the story, but all in all he's so sweet, and sexy. And the best ever awesome grandson to Josefita, so I really love him na. 😂
Nicole Alcaraz is a wtf! She fell in love too quickly with Rafa, but who wouldn't be?Rafa Argota is...
a Latinoa chefa man with absa bilinguala sweet grandson, best ever. ❤️
I love unrequited love, that's why it melts my heart knowing that Rafa's grandma experienced such. I hope the author will write a story of Josefita and Miguel Antonio, that Fita was never unloved. Huhuhu. Please...
Meet the Author
My friends call me Beth. I write love stories, love poems, and love letters to no one in particular. If I am not found curled up with a good book with a cup of coffee in front of me, I am most probably crouched somewhere plotting my own happily ever after, blogging about that good book, writing articles for website contents, composing academic essays, editing someone else’s manuscript, looking for a new place to eat, having coffee with my friends as we make stories about the other people inside the coffee shop or even about the passersby or just out there having fun.
Find out more about me by visiting these pages:
Website: http://bethgstories.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @bethgstories
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