Prologue

Sixteen-year-old Celine watched as her father twirled her mother around on the dance floor. They’re high school sweethearts and years later, still in love more than ever. Swinging her back and forth, looking lovingly into her eyes. It was like watching a Disney movie. She loved seeing the look on her mother’s face as she started back into her father’s eyes adoringly. Her dad was her mom’s prince charming and her mother was his princess.

It was love.

They were at a friend of the family’s wedding and Celine had been excited to come when she found out about it. Her elbow-length dark brown hair had been done in soft curls. She had put on a light amount of makeup, which was the right amount to highlight her features. She rarely dressed up as much as she currently was. It was the current event that influenced her to do this.

Her stunning cream-colored maxi dress made her look like she was floating across the room when she walked. It had an overlapping off-the-shoulder neckline that created a sweet and romantic look. The princess-seamed bodice that carried into her fitted waist and figure-flaunting mermaid skirt with a side slit; made her feel even more beautiful.

“I can’t wait to meet my prince charming,” she sighed dreamingly, as she saw the other couples dance around the floor. “Weddings are so romantic.”

Someone made a noise of disgust beside her, “That’s gross.”

Celine turned to her right and there stood her archnemesis since the day she was born, Lucian Donatello. She hated him to her core. He would always make trouble to her and never leave her alone. She had no idea how he was so popular with the other kids. To everyone else he was an angel; but to her, he was her worst nightmare.

Celine rolled her eyes. “You don’t know anything about romance. You wouldn’t know the meaning of the word if it hit you in the face. You wouldn’t know what love is in general.”

Celine never understood how people liked this guy. Maybe it was his curly dirty blonde hair and those big blue eyes framed by dark long lashes, that drew people in. Or the charming smile he would throw everyone’s way. If only they could see the truth and for the devil he was.

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she put her hands on her hips. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

“You’re the one that started it first!” he replied like she was being a hypocrite.

She stuck her nose up, as if he was below her, “You’re bothering me. Which is worse.”

Lucian tugged on one of her curls, “So me telling you that I think your dress is hideous is horrible as well? Or is it worse than talking to me?”

She couldn’t decide which was worse, so instead, she tried to think of another insult she could throw back, “Your face is ugly.”

Lucian chuckled to himself with amusement. He always enjoyed rattling Celine. It was the best way to pass time whenever he was bored.

Lucian’s right eyebrow raised, and he looked down at the finger that touched his chest.

Smirking in amusement and enjoying rattling Celine, he continues to patronize her, “I pity the guy you dance with. You’ll just stomp on his shoes throughout the whole song.”

“No, I won’t!” Celine stomped.

Lucian laughed and pointed at her feet. “You just stomped right now!”

“Lucian stop bullying Celine,” someone chided.

The two young teenagers turn to where the voice came from and saw Lucian’s parents Mr. & Mrs. Donatello stand in front of them.

Lucian turned towards his mother, “I wasn’t bullying her. This girl,” he pointed his thumb toward Celine, “was the one bullying me. She won’t leave me alone. She has been following me around and keeps asking me to dance with her.”

Celine gasped and felt embarrassed, even though she knew it was a lie.

He cupped his mouth and leaned towards his parents; as if he was whispering a secret and said in a loud tone added, “I think this girl has got a crush on me.”

She bumped him on the shoulder, as she walked past him “I wouldn’t like you even if you were the last guy on earth!”

“Whatever you say, Celine,” Lucian shouted after her in a taunting tone.

His father looked at him, and shook his head, “Son you have to stop taunting her.”

His mother looped her arm around his father, “I agree with your father.”

“If I didn’t know better,” his mother leaned forward peering at her son. “I’d say you are the one who has a thing for Celine.”

Lucian’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, “That is outright ludicrous!” He pointed to where Celine just left, “Celine Westwood?” then shook his head rapidly back and forth, “Never!” Making sure to emphasize the word ‘never’ to his parents.

I will never fall in love with Celine Westwood, was the last thought in Lucian’s mind as he exited the ballroom.

Never.