Despite the feud between their families, Anastasia Caradine finds herself saving Giovanni Hendrix. In doing so, the two find themselves falling in love with each other. But in this game, loving someone under their circumstances proves to be dangerou...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Virginia Beach, VA November 15, 2023
Eleven years prior...
She scribbled down her notes as her English teacher, Mrs. Mott, went through the PowerPoint slides. She was ready for the bell to ring, wanting nothing more but the school day to come to an end. She couldn't go straight home due to having practice once school was over, but that was the part of the day she enjoyed.
"Alright, you'll be conducting a book report and will be working with a partner. You'll have one week to get everything done and will be presenting to the class." Mrs. Mott explained as she sauntered over to her desk. She picked up a stack of papers and proceeded to pass them out. "These are the rubrics and further instructions of what the assignment entail."
Groans erupted throughout the room as she maneuvered around, ensuring that everyone had their papers. She walked back to the front of the class and set the remaining papers back on her desk.
"I've already assigned everyone with partners. You've shown me in the past that you can't be trusted when you pick your own partners, so listen to who you'll be working with." Mrs. Mott said as she adjusted her glasses on her face.
She proceeded to call out names, letting her students know who they would be paired up with. As Anastasia's eyes scanned over the words printed on the paper, she heard her name being called along with who she would be working with—Giovanni Hendrix. Her jaw dropped and she placed her papers down on her desk, raising her hand in the process.
"Yes, Miss Caradine? Is there a problem?" Mrs. Mott gave Anastasia her full attention.
"Never mind," she grumbled once she gained the attention of the entire class.
After a few minutes of Mrs. Mott explaining what she expects from their assignments, the bell had sounded off through the school. She had gathered her things and exited the classroom once Mrs. Mott dismissed them.
"So, we're partners." His raspy voice filled her eardrums as he approached her from behind.
"That means nothing. We work on this assignment and we move on with our lives." Anastasia told him, not bothering to look at him.
"Don't tell me this petty feud got to you too?" Giovanni ran his hand down his face. "I'm not the enemy, Ana."
"You don't know me to call me anything other than Anastasia. We are not friends." She barked back, halting her steps to finally look at him.
As attractive as she found him, she couldn't draw cross the boundaries that were placed before her. Their families had been feuding with each other for well over a year now, and she was under strict advisement to stay away from him no matter what. That's why it was a bad idea for them to be paired up for this book report.
