Against Her Other Love: Fighting for Love in a Woman's World: Against the Matriarchy, #1

By Alan Stroe

On an island ruled by women, a lonely boy gets an unexpected chance at love, but a callous Casanova ruins it.

Heartbroken, he receives advice from his friend Mario--a confident, strong young man who secretly opposes women's rule.

Mario soon discovers his own gorgeous girlfriend is being swept off her feet, by the same smooth-talking rival.

To his further dismay, he will have to fight for his love by dueling in the upcoming stun-sword tournament.

Will the broken hearts be mended? Can Mario reconquer his beautiful but fickle girlfriend? Will men ever regain their freedom on this island? Start reading this unique series to find out. Immerse yourself in realistic sword fighting, romance, and intrigue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiberian Press
• Release date: Mar 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507001929

Book preview

Against Her Other Love

Against the Matriarchy – Book One

a novella by

Alan Stroe

Copyright © 2015 by Alan Stroe. All Rights Reserved.

DEDICATION

To all those who have ever been betrayed in love.

Contents

The Painter’s Heartbreak

Jungle Stroll

Party at the Cliffs

The Girl Who Loved Two Boys

The Muse Makes a Move

Painting Session

Evening Date

On a Secret Beach

The First Fight

The Second Fight

The Painter’s Heartbreak

The sun was descending into the ocean to the west of the Colony’s peninsula, imparting a beautiful soft orange glow to the neat, white villas spread throughout the hillsides covered by palm trees. It was a gorgeous day, like any other day when it didn’t rain on the island. Mario left his house with a light heart, happy to be alive, happy to be going to a party where she would be present, happy to have a greater purpose in life.

When he passed by Daniel’s house—his next-door neighbor, and best friend back in grade school—he hesitated. He would have liked to invite his quiet friend along, but things hadn’t been going great between them lately. Daniel was a traditionalist, extremely conservative in his political views, and this created a rift between them. Mario was a young man on a mission. A man with the urge to convert everyone he met to his causes and principles. A man who couldn’t take no for an answer. Whenever someone failed to be persuaded by his logic and insight, Mario’s respect for them decreased. Surely, he was dealing with a weaker, more emotional person. Thus, he was pondering in the middle of the beautifully manicured alley, debating whether to bring along this weaker friend of his to the very exclusive party he was invited to.

Mario’s generosity got the better of him. Daniel was a good guy despite his shortcomings, and going to the party would do him good by pulling him out of his increasingly isolationist ways. He entered the yard and rang the bell. Daniel’s father answered.

Hello! May I have a word with your son, please?

Hi. Sure you can. The father was obviously glad to see someone visit his son. Daniel! A friend is here to see you!

...What friend? Daniel asked as he descended the staircase.

It’s the guy next door! Mario, isn’t it? Mario!

Oh, it’s you, Daniel said neutrally when seeing his old friend.

I’ll leave you guys to it. The father excused himself.

Hey buddy, it’s been too long. Mario offered Daniel his hand.

I guess.

They shook hands. It was impossible for Mario’s energy to be lessened by Daniel’s obvious apathy. Yeah, it’s good to talk to you again. He grabbed Daniel by the shoulder and invited him outside. Listen, I have a proposition for you. Some of the protectresses in my homeroom obtained permission for a party in a new spot, far off, in the Cliffs area. I thought you should come too.

Thanks, man, but I’m busy.

What are you busy with?

Painting. I’m finishing something up.

Painting? Mario made an effort not to roll his eyes. Come on, man! You can do that any other day.

I have to do it now. This is the sun I need.

You’ll get the same sun tomorrow evening.

You don’t know what it’s like to want to finish something real bad.

I’m sure I do.

"Then you should understand."

Mario thought for a second. Can I see your painting?

Daniel looked at his friend, his large eyes seeming to open up a bit more. Really? You want to see it?

You bet I do. I want to see what’s more important to you than all the hotties at the Cliffs.

Daniel led him up to the balcony in his room. A large canvas painted in oil was mirroring the gorgeous view of the gulf below.

My goodness, this is magnificent! You painted all of this?

Yep.

You’ve become a top-notch artist, my friend. Last I saw you at this, you were scribbling elephants with a pencil in your math notebook. A silence ensued while Mario immersed himself in the picture. The trees, they’re so... it looks like they’re crying. Stunned, he looked at Daniel, discovering in his reaction that they indeed were. It’s the same scene, yet... it’s not. It’s a totally different feel. It’s like the whole island is crying.

Yeah, it is.

Mario was usually somewhat oblivious to the emotional state of others, but even he could tell something was definitely not going well with his friend. He became determined to get to the bottom of it all, and his resolve to get Daniel out of the house increased ten-fold. What is this here? Are you adding a couple walking on the sea shore?

No. I’m removing her.

Oh, I see. Why are you removing her? His eyes became focused like laser beams on Daniel.

Daniel lowered his eyes. I don’t want to talk about it.

That’s cool, man, I understand. Listen, do you like painting portraits?

Of course. Those are the most interesting to paint. What else is around here? The sky, the sea, the sand, and the trees. And the rain.

Awesome. How about you paint a portrait of me? Would you like that?

You bet! When can we start?

Tuesday. But first, I have a favor to ask of you.

Which is?

Come with me to the party.

Daniel became vexed. What’s it to you if I come to this party?

I really think it would do you good.

I hate parties! Good thing no one ever invites me anyway.

Let me be frank with you. I’m concerned you’re getting too isolated.

So what? Some people prefer solitude.

"True, but an excess of solitude is bad. You become too enclosed in yourself, too