The Billionaire's Dilemma

Chapter 1: Stella

Chapter 1: Stella

I could barely twist my lips upwards and smile at the baby staring at me. She was adorable with glowing skin and big eyes, but it felt like my stomach was sinking to the bottom of my feet.

My fingers started to tremble in nervousness, and I clenched them in a fist to stop them from being so noticeable. I looked around as to what I can divert my mind with when my eyes fell on the complimentary in-flight magazine in front of me. Familiar face graced it's covers, and my lips turned up in a soft smile as I took in the features of the older man, whom I considered a good friend.

How ridiculous was it that I was supposed to marry him a decade ago?

A chuckle escaped as I turned the page to read the exclusive story. Alexander and Zoey looked really great together in the photoshoot and their daughter was just the cutest thing ever. I thought back to when I had met them as a couple last time I was in New York. It was so irritating and sweet how crazy in love they were.

As I thought more about what had happened in New York ten years ago, bad memories threatened to come forth, but I kept my attention on their pictures, focusing on the good ones. I flipped through it, enjoying the editorial interview of Veronica Rivers, my personal fashion icon and reading about the diverse topics which the magazine covered, ranging from technology to astronomy. The magazine helped pass most of the remaining time left in the flight.

I was almost at the end of it when I noticed my picture. I froze for a second, not expecting it at all.

As I inspected the photograph, I realized it was a moderately old one, clicked at one of the fundraiser events I had hosted, and gave myself a small mental pat on my back. I had taken great pains to remove myself from the social media equation over the years and all that effort was proving worthwhile. A lesson learnt in all my years was the power of social media and how easily it can destroy you.

But why am I here?

My question was speedily answered when I looked at the headline. Return of the Heiress.

I sighed, as I shut the periodical, not wanting to read whatever was written about me now. I was sure it was something negative about me anyways. I wanted to keep myself out of the limelight as much as possible, but obviously I can't control everything. I had managed to steer clear of anything substantial getting printed about me these past nine years, but ever since Alexander had announced that he would be leaving the company, there were a couple of articles published about me every day. It was chaotic.

I leaned back in my seat and stared up at the seat buttons, wanting to not think about the unread article in the journal. I closed my eyes, changing the song which was playing in my Bluetooth headphones using the buttons on its sides. As the slow tempo of Maps by Maroon 5 started, I glanced at the small in-flight tray table where the magazine was kept, discarded. My fingers idly started to play with the thin-chain gold necklace around my neck. I looked down at the small clasp which served as a pendant as I debated whether to pick up the periodical again or not.

No.

No.

Don't do it, Stel.

Ah, crap.

At long last, curiosity won as I hurriedly found the page again. As I read over the content, I was pleasantly surprised. The tone of the article was optimistic, which was a stark contrast as to what I had read in another magazine a week ago.

I scanned the words again and sure, a lot of feelings washed over me, but I loved the way the writer had stated her opinions. I will surely be on the lookout for more articles written by Ms. Anushka. I promised myself as I finally relaxed, grinning at the baby who had turned back to look at me again from his seat in front of mine in the small commercial plane. A quick peek confirmed that the mother was asleep.