The Billornaire's Secret

Jealousy

I was quizzing Alexander on our project, trying to keep him focused, but the moment his phone buzzed, his attention wavered. I glanced over at the screen and saw the name “Sophia♡” flash brightly against the dim library light.

My curiosity piqued, I watched as his expression shifted. For a fleeting moment, his eyes sparkled with a warmth I had never seen before. It was as if a tiny spark had ignited within him, illuminating a part of Alexander I had yet to uncover.

A pang of surprise hit me. Who was this Sophia? What was it about her that could elicit such a reaction from him? The calm mask Alexander usually wore had cracked, revealing a glimmer of happiness beneath—a glimpse of the person he kept so carefully hidden.

But just as quickly, the mask fell back into place. He looked away, his expression once again neutral, the warmth extinguished as if it had never existed. I returned to quizzing him, but my mind lingered on that brief moment of vulnerability. Who was Sophia, and what did she mean to Alexander?

As we continued studying, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I had caught a glimpse of a part of him he rarely showed. It was like he’d let his guard down, just for an instant, and I had witnessed the real Alexander beneath layers of cool detachment.

Questions swirled in my mind, each one more urgent than the last. Was Sophia a friend? A family member? Or perhaps something more? I yearned for answers, but Alexander was back to his usual self—calm, collected, and decidedly closed off. Frustration bubbled within me. I wanted to know more about this girl who had sparked something in him.

As we packed up our things to leave, I caught Alexander’s gaze lingering on me for a heartbeat longer than usual. My heart raced at the thought of what might lie beneath that calm exterior, but then, just like that, it was gone, and he looked away.

I sighed, confusion swirling in my chest. What was going on with Alexander? And who was Sophia, really?

___

Ava was practically bouncing in her seat as we settled down at our usual café after a long day of classes. The air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee and pastries, and the familiar sounds of chatter surrounded us.

“I can’t believe it! I’m actually going to the Grey gala!” Ava exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “How did that happen? I thought it was an exclusive event.”

She leaned in closer, her voice a hushed whisper, as if she was sharing a big secret. “You won’t believe it! So, you know how my mom is friends with the Greys? Well, she reached out to them about the gala and mentioned that I’d love to go. And guess what? They sent me an invitation!”

My mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Seriously? That’s amazing! But I thought it was by invitation only.”

“It is! But apparently, they’re allowing a few of their family friends to bring guests. My mom told them I was a huge fan of their charity events, and they thought it would be a great opportunity for me to experience it,” Ava said, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Mia chimed in, her expression shifting to one of awe. “Wow, Ava! That’s incredible. You’re going to be surrounded by all those rich people and fancy dresses!”

Ava grinned widely, the kind of smile that lit up her entire face. “I know! I can’t wait to see what everyone wears. I need the perfect dress, something that’ll make me stand out!”

As she launched into a detailed description of her dress ideas, my mind wandered. The Grey gala was known for its opulence and exclusivity, and the thought of being in that world was both thrilling and intimidating. I couldn’t help but think how I was like to go there?

Ava continued to talk about her plans, but I was only half-listening. The gala was going to be a significant event, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it would change everything.

---

Ava bounced ahead of us, her excitement palpable. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I get to go to the Grey gala! I need the perfect dress!” Her exuberance was infectious, but I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my gut.

Mia and I exchanged a knowing glance. We were happy to support our friend, even if it meant a day of shopping that I was slowly losing interest in.

As we turned a corner in the mall, I spotted them—Alexander and a girl I’d never seen before, laughing and chatting as if they were old friends. She was stunning, with long, curly brown hair cascading over her shoulders and piercing green eyes that sparkled with mischief.

But what caught my attention the most was the way Alexander was smiling at her. It was a warm, genuine smile—one I’d never seen directed at me. My heart twisted with a sudden, fierce jealousy.

“Guys, look,” Ava whispered, nodding towards the couple. “Isn’t that Alexander?”

Mia followed her gaze, and I felt a tightening in my chest. “Yeah, it is. And who’s that with him?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, as the possessiveness flared within me.

The girl reached out, touching Alexander’s arm, her hand lingering a little too long. He didn’t pull away, and my mind began racing with the implications.

“Let’s go,” I said abruptly, tugging on Ava’s arm. “We have shopping to do.”

But it was too late. Alexander had already spotted us, and our eyes locked. For a moment, the world around us faded, and all that existed was the tension crackling in the air.

Then, the girl followed his gaze, her expression shifting. “Alexander, who’s that?” she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness, as if she were trying to stake her claim.

I felt a surge of panic, and I knew I had to escape before things got any more awkward.

“Let’s go,” I repeated, dragging my friends away from the scene, my heart pounding in my chest.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just witnessed something pivotal—something that would change everything between Alexander and me.

As we walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back over my shoulder. Alexander was still watching me, concern etched on his face. But the girl had already pulled him back into their conversation, her hand on his arm once more.

I felt a pang of jealousy that I quickly suppressed. I had no right to feel this way; after all, Alexander and I were just friends. He was free to spend time with whoever he wanted. But the image of him smiling at her lingered in my mind, making me feel uneasy.

“Hey, Liv, what’s wrong?” Mia asked, noticing my distraction.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “Nothing, I’m just… I don’t know. I guess I’m just a little surprised to see Alexander with someone like that.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Someone like what?”

I hesitated, not wanting to sound petty or jealous. “I don’t know. She just seems really… perfect, I guess. And they seem really close.”

Mia nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I can see why you’d think that. But maybe there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

Intrigued, I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Mia leaned in, her voice conspiratorial. “I mean, maybe she’s not as perfect as she seems. Maybe there’s a reason Alexander’s spending time with her.”

My frown deepened, my mind racing with possibilities. What secrets was Alexander hiding? Who was that girl, really? And more importantly, why did her presence make me question everything I thought I knew about him?