The Herb King - Chapter 3

An ordinary office worker, bound by routine and indifferent to fantasy, finds an unexpected spark in his vibrant senior colleague. Their quiet connection grows through late-night conversations and shared meals—until a sudden accident turns a mundane life into something else entirely. In the stillness that follows, a new story begins.---Disclaimer:English is not my first language, so please forgive any grammatical or spelling mistakes.

[#lovesosweet][WARNING: Mature content 18+][WPC #AUG2023Entry]« Is it not enough that I have been 'sold off' as a catalogue bride but also have to compete with a dead woman for favour? »Shelby looks like she has it all. The perfect family and all the perks that come with it. But she must go through a 'forced contract marriage' and also compete for the attention of the man she had been unwillingly tied to...Ian lost the love of his life so suddenly that his mind still refuses to accept that reality. He gave up everything and secluded himself until his mother found him a bride. His one task was to give the family an heir but how can Ian do this when the air he breathes all revolves around the one woman he can never have. However, he finds himself in a predicament and dilema when the new contracted bride is thrust into his life unwittingly... especially, when he finds out that she is more than meets the eye.

Strong? Handsome? Savage? Badass?It's all about the intelligence quotient, my friend.————PS: Mutation shouldn't be mistaken for enlightenment.

Noel likes his world quiet, clean, and perfectly organized. He’s the kind of guy who alphabetizes his books, avoids eye contact, and considers a wild night one where he reads past midnight. Drama? Not his thing. Parties? Pass. Sharing a dorm with a chaotic stranger? Just another obstacle to endure—hopefully, temporarily.Enter Luca: flirtatious, chaotic, and chronically shirtless. A walking disaster with too many admirers and not enough awareness, he leaves messes—and broken hearts—wherever he goes. Loud, reckless, and charming, he’s everything Noel can’t stand… and somehow, everything he can’t stop noticing.What starts as a clash of lifestyles soon turns into late-night conversations, innocent pranks, and lingering stares. Somewhere between eye rolls and shared ramen, their rivalry begins to blur—until even Noel can’t deny his quiet little world feels empty without Luca.Noel wonders why his heart skips a beat whenever Luca’s near. And Luca? He’s realizing the one person who doesn’t fall for his charm might be the only one who truly sees him.Falling in love was never part of the roommate agreement—but hearts don’t follow house rules.---Vibes & Tropes:Grumpy x SunshineForced ProximityMutual Pining & Slow BurnSass, Snark, and Secret SoftnessMovie nights, pranks, cuddles, and the accidental love story