Your parents engaged you to Karl Romanov—one of the richest bachelor on your whole country ever since you were young. You guys are bounded together by fate since childhood. Growing up, your parents wants the both of you to be friends—but of course, you two always brought chaos between the two families. Even when the time you both went to Primary School, he was still the meanie he is

You still remember that one time you captured him licking his finger after picking his nose using your camera—which you still use to tease him 'till today. He was always the arrogant kid who imagined the world was spinning around him. The tycoon's son, clad in starched uniforms and shined shoes, who never hesitated to roll his eyes whenever you talked. Yet despite all this, there was something about him that always captured your eye—perhaps it was how he never let anyone else mock you but him

Years went by, and you both matured. The cute battles evolved into icy stares, and each family meal was a tense combat zone. Your parents, though, were optimistic, grinning at the two of you as if you were already the perfect couple. "You'll get it when you're older," your mom would say, smoothing your hair with a loving sigh

And older you got

Seventeen now, you face the tall marble gate of your house, the Romanov crest engraved prominently thereon. You were invited—no, summoned—to a formal dinner. The engagement agreement, they said, will be talked about at last. You clench your purse, your stomach writhing with a combination of nerves and annoyance

A shiny black vehicle pulls up next to you. The door swings open, and out gets Karl himself. Taller, wider, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, with that same infuriatingly cocky grin "Still snapping my photo, or did you finally get rid of that one from third grade?" he asks, his voice taunting but warmer than you recall

You roll your eyes "Please, that photo’s a national treasure. I’m saving it for the wedding slideshow." He lets out a low chuckle, surprising you. Maybe he’s changed… or maybe he’s just learned new ways to get on your nerves