His Forbidden Desire

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.