The Trillionare is Mine

Chapter 1

I never intended to find myself in this kind of mess. A mistake? It barely covers the scope of what happened. But as I stared into the bustling night of California from the high-rise window, my thoughts swirled back to that fateful evening, the choices I made, and the whirlwind that followed.

It all started with Thomas. My ex. The man I'd thought was my forever until I found him entangled with Melissa-my stepsister, of all people. The betrayal cut deep, a twisted knife of anger, confusion, and raw hurt. The pain left me hollow, and that night, I did the only thing I could think of to drown it: I went out, alone, and drank until the memories blurred. But they didn't disappear, not entirely.

I barely remember stumbling into the upscale bar, its sleek interiors and ambient lighting hazy through my clouded vision. Somewhere along the way, I ended up talking to Mark-the man everyone in California whispered about, the multibillionaire who owned Multiverse Books and a staggering array of other businesses. His reputation preceded him; sharp, calculated, untouchable. And yet, in that moment, he didn't feel like a figure of power but a stranger willing to listen.

Our conversation started with the usual pleasantries, but there was something in his gaze, a curiosity that seemed almost... personal. And, somehow, that look was what led us from the bar to his penthouse suite, a quiet escape from the world and my own spinning thoughts.

That night changed everything. I woke up, the reality of what I'd done settling in my stomach like lead. I could barely look at him as I dressed and left. The shame was overwhelming, the knowledge that I'd let my hurt push me into something reckless.

I'd hoped that was the end of it-that our paths wouldn't cross again. But life, it seemed, had different plans.

---

Weeks later, I returned to a sense of normalcy-or at least, I tried. My routine brought me back to work, where I was an editor at a small publishing house. The day had started like any other, filled with manuscripts and coffee, until I received a call from my boss.

"Lydia," he said, voice strained. "We're scheduled to have a meeting with the Multiverse Books team today. You're leading it."

The name hit me like a wave. Multiverse Books. Mark's company.

I managed a steady response, but my heart felt heavy. I had to face him-professionally, at least. I braced myself, knowing I'd have to keep everything strictly business.

Hours later, I found myself in a sleek conference room, seated among my colleagues. The door opened, and in walked Mark, his presence commanding the room instantly. Our eyes met briefly, and I could swear I saw a hint of recognition, a spark of something unspoken between us. I quickly looked away, focusing on the papers in front of me.

The meeting was all business, thankfully. We discussed potential collaborations, projects, and timelines. Mark's voice was calm, his tone confident. He seemed unfazed by my presence, which somehow made me feel both relieved and disappointed.

But as the meeting wrapped up, Mark's assistant approached me. "Mr. Collins would like to speak with you privately," she said, her tone polite yet firm.

I nodded, masking my nerves as I followed her into a smaller office adjacent to the conference room. Mark was waiting, his expression unreadable. He motioned for me to sit.

"Lydia," he began, his voice measured, "we didn't exactly part on clear terms."

My cheeks flushed, embarrassment mingling with the remnants of hurt from that night. "Mark, I... it was a mistake. I wasn't myself."

He held up a hand. "I'm not here to judge. I just wanted to ensure there are no misunderstandings. We're working together now, and I value professionalism."

I nodded, meeting his gaze. "Of course. I do too."

The conversation was brief, but as I left his office, I felt a strange sense of relief, like a weight had lifted. Perhaps this was the closure I needed, a way to finally put that night behind me and move on.

---

Days turned into weeks, and the collaboration with Multiverse Books progressed smoothly. I found myself interacting with Mark more frequently than I'd expected, but our exchanges were always formal, almost distant. He was polite, attentive in meetings, yet he kept a professional boundary between us, which I was grateful for... mostly.

But one afternoon, as I was wrapping up my workday, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Mark.

*"Are you free to discuss some project details over dinner? I believe a less formal setting might allow us to cover more ground."*

My heart skipped a beat. This was unexpected, but his message was straightforward. It was, after all, about work.

*"Sure. Where and when?"* I replied.

An hour later, I found myself at a quiet restaurant tucked away from the bustling city streets. Mark was already there, seated at a corner table with a view of the city skyline. He stood as I approached, offering a polite nod.

"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice," he said as I took a seat.

We ordered our meals, and as we waited, he brought up a few project points, his focus sharp, but his tone casual. It felt strange, sitting across from him like this, discussing work in such an intimate setting. Yet, I found myself relaxing, the awkwardness from our past encounter slowly fading.

After a while, he looked at me, his expression softening. "Lydia, if I may... why were you so upset that night?"

I froze, caught off guard by the question. I hadn't expected him to bring it up, especially not here. But there was a sincerity in his gaze, a quiet understanding that made me feel safe enough to answer.

"It's... complicated," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thomas, my ex, he... betrayed me. And I didn't know how to deal with it."

Mark nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "I understand. Heartbreak has a way of clouding judgment."

The words hung between us, and for a moment, I felt a connection, an understanding. It was strange, finding comfort in someone who was, in many ways, a stranger. But in that moment, it felt natural.

The rest of the dinner was more relaxed, the conversation drifting to lighter topics. By the time we left, I felt like a burden had lifted. We were no longer just two people bound by a mistake but colleagues, perhaps even friends, finding a way to move forward.

---

Over the next few weeks, our interactions grew easier. Mark would occasionally stop by my office to discuss projects, sometimes staying for a casual chat. He was still the same powerful businessman, but there was a warmth to him that I hadn't seen before. And despite my resolve to keep things professional, I found myself looking forward to those moments.

But one evening, as I was preparing to leave the office, I received another message from him.

*"Would you like to join me for a charity event this Friday? It's for a cause close to my heart, and I thought you might enjoy it."*

My mind raced. This was more personal than any of our previous meetings. Yet, his invitation felt genuine, almost... considerate.

*"I'd love to,"* I replied, feeling a flutter of excitement I hadn't felt in a long time.

---

Friday arrived, and as I entered the grand hall where the event was held, I spotted Mark near the entrance, looking effortlessly elegant in a tailored suit. He greeted me with a warm smile, his eyes glinting with approval as he took in my outfit.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice sincere.

I felt my cheeks warm. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

The evening was a whirlwind of introductions, speeches, and mingling with some of the most influential people in California. Mark stayed by my side, guiding me through the event with a grace and confidence that made me feel at ease.

At one point, as we stood by the bar, he turned to me, his expression thoughtful. "Lydia, have you ever considered that sometimes, things happen for a reason?"

I looked at him, unsure of where he was going with this. "Are you saying that night was... meant to happen?"

He shrugged, a small smile playing at his lips. "Perhaps. Or maybe it's just an excuse to make sense of things we can't control."

I smiled, feeling a strange sense of clarity. Maybe he was right. Maybe that night, as chaotic as it was, had a purpose-one that neither of us could fully understand.

---

As the event drew to a close, Mark offered to drive me home. I accepted, and as we sat in the quiet comfort of his car, I felt a warmth settle over me. There was something about him that made me feel safe, a sense of calm that I hadn't known I needed.

When we reached my apartment, he walked me to the door, his gaze lingering on mine. "Thank you for coming tonight, Lydia. I enjoyed having you by my side."

I smiled, the words coming easily. "I enjoyed it too. Thank you, Mark."

He hesitated for a moment, as if there was something else he wanted to say. But instead, he simply nodded, his gaze softening. "Goodnight, Lydia."

"Goodnight, Mark."

As I closed the door, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning

. There was something between us, something unspoken yet undeniable. And for the first time, I allowed myself to wonder what it might become.