THE BILLIONAIRE'S MERMAID

Chapter Three: The Beginning of a Rivalry

Belle's POV

Five years had passed since that fateful sunset when I first caught a glimpse of the woman who would change everything. The mystery woman.

It had started innocently enough—a fleeting moment of curiosity. The way she laughed, the way the sunlight danced in her hair; it all felt magical. That day on the beach, my heart raced in a way I had never experienced before. I had been a princess, bound to the ocean and my responsibilities, but in that moment, I felt free. I wanted to know her, to be near her, to experience the vibrancy of life that radiated from her.

But reality had a way of pulling me back. My duties were never-ending; I had to command my people, ensure the ocean was clean, and maintain the peace. And yet, there was a part of me that longed for something more—a life above the waves, filled with laughter and warmth, just like I had seen that day.

It took years of determination and hard work to blend in with the humans, to adopt their ways and learn their customs. I thought that maybe if I learned enough, I could find the mystery woman again and connect with her. I imagined the life I could lead, living freely in a world of laughter and joy, far away from my royal duties.

But as I lived among them, one thing gnawed at me: the mystery woman remained a mystery. I tried to catch glimpses of her, to follow the whispers that echoed around her name, but it was like chasing shadows.

Then came that fateful day—the day I stumbled upon a billboard in the heart of the city.

I hadn't thought much of it at first. Just another advertisement, another human face promoting a product. But as I stepped closer, a chill ran down my spine. The backdrop was unmistakable—the villa, the very place I had called home, where I had learned to navigate this strange new world.

And there, standing tall and confident, was none other than Psyche Zypheria.

I felt my heart drop as I connected the dots. Psyche wasn't just a name. She was the woman who had the power to shape the world I longed to enter. She was the one holding the key to the life I wanted. But more than that, she was intimately linked to the mystery woman—the one I had obsessed over since that day by the beach.

The realization struck me hard. The mystery woman and Psyche knew each other. How had I not seen it before? I had been so focused on the glimmering hope that I could find the mystery woman again, but in doing so, I had completely overlooked the potential danger standing in my way.

In the weeks that followed, I became obsessed with both women. Psyche, the powerful billionaire, and the mystery woman, the radiant enigma I couldn't quite grasp. I learned everything I could about Psyche—her empire, her ruthless reputation, her cold demeanor. It was evident that Psyche wielded her power like a weapon, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she was a barrier between me and the mystery woman.

There was an intoxicating thrill in watching Psyche from the shadows. I learned her habits, her routines, and even how she interacted with her flings. Each one appeared to be charmed initially, captivated by her cold allure. But it was all a game to Psyche. She would play with their hearts, consume them, and toss them aside when they no longer suited her purposes.

And that's when the frustration began to bubble within me. I despised Psyche—not just for what she represented, but for what she was doing to the mystery woman. How could someone so cold be so close to someone so vibrant? The mystery woman deserved more than Psyche's detached manipulation.

It wasn't just about the fact that the mystery woman was tied to Psyche; it was the way Psyche seemed to overshadow everything. There I was, a mere whisper in the wind, hoping to get closer to the mystery woman while Psyche was the roaring tempest, holding her attention and admiration.

One afternoon, while waiting in a café for a chance encounter, I finally laid eyes on Psyche in the flesh. She was everything the tabloids said she would be—commanding, sharp, and effortlessly cool. I watched as she moved through the room, each step echoing with authority.

What struck me, though, was how disconnected she seemed, even surrounded by people. It was as if she wore an invisible barrier that pushed everyone away. I felt a pang of sympathy but quickly suppressed it. This was Psyche. She was a barrier, a wall I had to break down if I ever wanted to reach the mystery woman.

But there was something else stirring inside me. A hunger. A desire to not just get close to the mystery woman but to understand what made Psyche tick. I had to figure out how to leverage Psyche's influence to my advantage.

With each passing day, I could feel the intensity of my feelings growing. I wasn't just longing to find the mystery woman anymore; I felt an urgent need to confront the one person who stood in my way. Psyche might have seen me as invisible, but that wouldn't last for long. I could no longer stay in the shadows. I needed to get close to her, to learn her secrets, and to finally unearth the truth behind her connection with the mystery woman.

It was a dangerous game I was playing, and as I stood on the precipice of a rivalry I had never anticipated, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.

If I wanted to win the mystery woman's heart, I would have to face the Ice Queen head-on.