Sweet Deception

PROLOGUE 2: The Calm Before The Storm

The sounds of waves crashing against the shore filled the air as Christiana and Oliver stood on the edge of the beach, hands intertwined. It was a full moon and the starts shine above casting a silver glow on the beach. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of saltwater and the distant smell of coconut sunscreen.

Oliver chuckled getting Christiana’s attention he remembered how she always said a full moon meant a lion giving birth and although it sounded ridiculous he believed every word, he looked down at her hand barely fitting in his palm enclosed in his. His eyes trailed, wandering to her elbows, shoulders, chest and finally her face; round, puffy cheeks and beautiful brown eyes stared back at him. 120... that’s how many freckles she had on her face excluding the one on her lip and his chest tightened about what was to come. He felt an overwhelming urge to memorize every curve of her face, every sparkle in her eyes.

“What are you staring at?” Christiana whispered, her voice barely audible over the waves.

Oliver couldn’t stop the words that came next even though he knew it would be the last.

“I promise you, Tiana. I will always be here for you’’ Oliver whispered, his eyes burning with such intensity that Christiana’s heart skipped a beat.

She gazed up at him, her eyes locked on his. ‘’I love you, Ollie’’

“I love you too Tiana, forever and always”

As the waves washed over their feet washing away the sand that had gotten stuck in between their toes, Oliver leaned in, his lips brushing against Tiana in a gentle sweet kiss. The world around them melted away in that moment leaving Oliver lost in the spell that was Tiana. The sound of the waves, the stars above, and the warmth of Christiana’s skin blended together in perfect harmony.

But as the night wore on, the tide began to shift, the waves grew angry and the sky sad. What was once a calm beach turned to be a force to be reckoned with. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the waves crashed against the shore, a soothing melody that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber. But Oliver knew better. He knew that this moment, this perfect, peaceful moment, was fleeting. The wind picked up whipping Christiana’s hair into a frenzy as Oliver held her close.

Christiana, sensing his unease, tightened her grip on his hand. "What's wrong, Ollie?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Oliver smiled, trying to reassure her. "Nothing, Tiana. Just enjoying the moment."

Little did she know their life was now the calm before the storm and it was heading straight for their love, one that would test their devotion and rock and change the course of their lives forever?

As they stood there, wrapped up in each others arms, the waves crashing against the shore seemed to whisper a haunting warning: “The storm is coming. Will your love be strong enough to weather it?”