The Billornaire's Secret

A Moment Under the stars

I excused myself from Sophia**, citing a need for the restroom. After splashing some water on my face, I stepped outside, but instead of heading back to the ballroom, I drifted towards the gardens. Somehow, I found myself on the balcony instead. The cool night air swept over me, a refreshing contrast to the warmth and noise of the party inside.

As I strolled along the balcony, my gaze caught on **Alexander**, standing alone at the railing, staring up at the sky. The dim light from the ballroom barely touched him, casting shadows that made him look distant, unreachable.

I hesitated for a moment before approaching quietly, careful not to disturb whatever thoughts had him so absorbed. **For a while, he didn’t notice me**, his eyes still fixed on the stars. But then, sensing my presence, he turned, his expression softening when he saw me.

For a few seconds, we just stood there, letting the silence speak, the only sounds being the faint music behind us and the quiet hum of the city below.

**"I love the stars,"** Alexander finally said, his voice low, as if sharing a secret. **"They remind me... of how small we are, of the infinite possibilities out there."**

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. **"It’s beautiful,"** I murmured, tilting my head to follow his gaze, letting the vastness above sink in.

His eyes drifted from the stars to me, lingering for a moment longer than expected, before a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. There was something about that smile—soft, almost wistful—that made my heart skip.

He stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking. **His hand brushed mine, a brief touch, but enough to send a shiver down my spine.**

The air between us thickened with something unspoken, the tension growing with each passing second. I felt it as much as I saw it—the way his gaze dropped to my hand, then to the tattoo etched into his skin. His fingers traced its lines absently, the act intimate yet detached.

**"Do you want to know the meaning behind this tattoo, Liv?"** His voice was hushed, almost daring me to say yes.

**I swallowed**, my curiosity rising to the surface. **"I do,"** I whispered, barely audible, as if speaking louder might break the fragile moment between us.

His expression softened, his eyes turning back toward the sky. **"It’s a reminder of my mother,"** he said, voice dipping into something vulnerable. **"She loved astronomy. This tattoo... it’s of the constellation she loved most."**

My gaze followed his, the stars above somehow brighter now that I knew their significance. **"Which constellation?"** I asked, unable to resist the pull of his story.

**Alexander’s smile was tinged with nostalgia.** **"Andromeda,"** he said. **"She used to tell me stories about the princess chained to a rock, waiting for someone to save her."**

There was a quiet pain behind his words, something deeper than just a story. **"That’s... beautiful,"** I whispered, my voice as gentle as I could make it.

His eyes found mine again, and this time there was something raw in them. **"She died when I was young,"** he said softly, his voice cracking on the last word. **"But every time I look at this, I remember her stories, her laughter... the way she’d make the stars feel closer."**

A lump formed in my throat as I watched him. **Alexander wasn’t just the mysterious, brooding guy I’d gotten to know**—there was so much more under the surface, layers of loss and love.

**"I’m so sorry, Alexander,"** I whispered, wanting to reach out, to offer some form of comfort in the face of his grief.

He nodded slightly, his gaze not leaving mine. **"She would want me to be happy,"** he said, though his voice wavered. **"To chase my own stars."**

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the distant sound of music from inside, but out here, it was just the two of us, cocooned in this shared moment.

**Then, unexpectedly, Alexander’s hand slipped into mine**, his fingers weaving through mine with a quiet determination. His touch was warm, grounding, as if saying so much more than his words could.

**"I feel like I can talk to you, Liv,"** he said, his voice low, a rough edge to it. **"Like you understand me in ways no one else does."**

I stared down at our joined hands, feeling the warmth of his touch, the connection that had been growing between us, now fully realized.

**"I’m here for you,"** I said, my voice just as soft, barely a whisper. **"Always."**

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**Author's Note:**

Hey everyone! I decided to make a few changes to this chapter to really bring out the emotion and connection between the characters. I wanted to slow down the pacing and add more depth to the moments between Alexander and Liv, especially when Alexander opens up about his tattoo and his mother. It felt important to let the tension between them build naturally, making their interactions feel more intimate and meaningful.

I also added some more sensory details—like the cool night air and the distant music from the ballroom—to create a stronger atmosphere. I wanted you to feel like you were standing right there with them on the balcony, sharing in the quiet, vulnerable moment between the two. I hope these changes make the chapter even more immersive and heartfelt!

Thanks for your continued support, and let me know what you think of the new version!