Prologue

As Jade Vine made her way down the grand staircase, every eye in the room turned towards her. She smiled gracefully, but she could feel the weight of their gazes following her every step. There was something almost surreal about the moment—she was the center of attention, but all she could focus on was her appearance and how it might look to others.

She paused for a moment to take in her reflection. The long black and gold tulle ball gown she wore shimmered under the lights, a perfect combination of elegance and luxury, and she felt a rush of pride. However, a persistent nervousness quickly eclipsed her pride.

The theme of the night was black and gold, fitting for her debut, a celebration of her stepping into adulthood. Similar attire from the guests further enhanced the formal and refined atmosphere. The host of the party introduced her, along with her parents, and Jade scanned the room with curious eyes, hoping to spot someone in particular.

Today, of all days, she longed to see one specific person—someone who had captured her heart for what seemed like forever.

As she made her way into the ballroom, she whispered to herself, giving herself the encouragement she needed: "Battle on, Jade. Tell him the truth now, before it's too late!" She tried to push down the anxiety building up inside her.

And then she saw him. Ceynol Tarragon. He stood at the edge of the crowd, his strong build and handsome features accentuated by his black tuxedo. There was an air of confidence and power about him, a presence that demanded attention.

To Jade, he seemed like the perfect mix of mystery and masculinity. Every time their eyes briefly met, she found herself drawn to him, her heart racing.

In her mind, Jade cursed her feelings. "Damn! Ceynol Tarragon is one sexy man. I own him! Keep your eyes away from him!"* she thought, frustrated that even in the midst of a room full of guests, she couldn't stop focusing on him.

But Ceynol remained distant, as always. His cold, almost impervious demeanor made it clear that he didn't want anyone to intrude on his personal space. He didn't crack a smile, not even for a second. His expression was always serious, intense, and unapproachable.

Jade couldn't help but feel like she was floating on air as she descended the stairs. Nothing else in the world, not even the grand celebration in her honour, seemed to matter in that moment.

As the host's voice rang out, announcing her arrival, she barely even registered the words. "Let's welcome the debutante and her eighteen dances!" The words washed over her as she continued to fixate on Ceynol. She had no idea what was happening around her, completely lost in the thrill of being near him.

If Jade had her way, the only person she'd be dancing with that night would be him. But instead, she danced with the sons and daughters of her father's business partners, as well as her classmates—none of whom held her interest.

When it was time to dance with her father, Jade felt a mix of emotions. Her father was so proud of her, and the smile on his face filled her heart with joy, but there was still a part of her that was preoccupied with what was going on inside her heart. One more dance with Ceynol was needed before dancing with her father.

As she saw him approaching, her nerves skyrocketed. Her throat felt dry, and her heart pounded in her chest. Ceynol's presence was overwhelming, and as soon as their hands touched, she felt like she might collapse.

They locked eyes, and in that moment, everything else disappeared. There was nothing but the two of them, suspended in time. She tried to steady her breathing as they moved to the rhythm of the music, but every second felt like an eternity.

Finally, summoning all the courage she had, Jade spoke, her voice slightly trembling. "I need to talk to you about something. Can we talk in the garden after this?"

Ceynol didn't respond immediately, and for a long moment, Jade's heart seemed to stop. Then, after a small pause, he simply nodded. Relieved, Jade exhaled. She wasn't sure what his answer meant—he could just be agreeing to avoid an awkward moment—but she still hoped it was a positive sign.

Her father was her last dance partner, and she smiled broadly as he pulled her into a tight embrace. He was beaming with happiness. "If I ever make a big mistake, Daddy, will you still forgive me?" Jade suddenly asked, the question slipping from her lips without warning.

Her father's brow furrowed in confusion. "It depends, Jade. If the mistake isn't forgivable, I will try to find reasons to forgive you, even if the others don't," he answered with a sincere tone.

Jade couldn't find the right words to respond. There was something about her father's answer that made her think deeper. She finished the dance with him in silence, lost in thought.

As the last song ended, Jade thanked her father and the guests, her heart still racing from the earlier exchange with Ceynol. She excused herself from the ballroom, hoping that no one noticed her hasty departure.

Her heart beat faster as she caught sight of the garden through the large windows. She whispered to herself, "I hope he's there." Her gown, heavy with layers of tulle, seemed to weigh her down, but her determination to speak to Ceynol made her ignore it.

She scanned the room for any signs that someone was watching her, but there was no time to care. She rushed to the garden, her mind focused only on the conversation she was about to have.

When she stepped outside, she saw him. Ceynol stood in the center of the garden; his icy blue eyes fixed on her. Her body went cold with nerves, but she took a deep breath and approached him.

"Hey," she said, her voice a little shaky. But Ceynol didn't return the greeting. Instead, he looked at her with a directness that sent shivers down her spine.

"What do you want to say, Jade?" His voice was low and commanding, a tone that almost made her knees give way. She paused, gathering her courage.

She had mentally practiced this moment countless times, yet as it finally arrived, her words appeared to stutter. She could feel the fear creeping up inside her, but she pushed it aside.

"I love you, Ceynol," she said, her voice steady and clear. She gazed into his eyes, her heart laid bare for him to see.

For a brief moment, Ceynol's expression softened, but then something flickered in his eyes, and he shook his head. "It's just a crush, puppy love, or whatever childish thing it is, Jade," he replied coldly, the words stinging like ice.

Jade's heart shattered in that instant, and anger flared inside her. "It is love! Damn it! Didn't you see it, Ceynol? I've loved you all this time! I know you feel something for me too!" Her voice grew louder, and she didn't care who heard her. She had built up the courage to speak her truth, and now she wasn't going to hold back.

Ceynol avoided her gaze, his face set in a stern expression. "I love you, Ceynol. Can you see it? Can you feel it in your heart that my words are real?" She asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

But Ceynol shook his head again, this time more forcefully. "Fuck! You're a child! You're like a daughter to me with your age!" His words hit her like a slap in the face, and Jade staggered backwards, her chest tightening with hurt.

"Age has nothing to do with this! It's my feelings that matter!" She screamed, tears welling up in her eyes. "Tell me, don't you feel anything for me?"

Ceynol didn't respond. He just stood there, his eyes filled with discomfort and regret. Jade reached out, taking his hands in hers. She kissed him—gently, softly, as if she were trying to pour every ounce of her love into that kiss. But when she pulled back, the pain in her chest was still there.

"Tell me, do you feel the same way about me?" She repeated her question, desperate for any response.

She felt her heart tearing apart as she waited for him to speak. When he finally opened his mouth, his words crushed her.

"I'm sorry, Jade. I can't gamble my feelings for you and my friendship with your dad."

Jade felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under her. Her vision blurred with tears, and the ache in her chest was almost unbearable. She stood there, frozen, as Ceynol turned away from her, his footsteps heavy as he walked off into the distance.

Her heart broke with every step he took, and she felt her body trembling with the weight of his rejection. She whispered through clenched teeth, "You are a coward, Ceynol. If only you had just been honest with me."