A Runs Girl's Gamble and A Playboy Billionaire's Reckoning

ia's

once before settling, typical nonsense on a

in the living room, making sure the background looked like p

. "Ami is back with another unboxing. Hey guys! This package just

was a limited-edition red gown, gold earrings, and a designer clutch. Everything had to go back undamaged in two days, or they'd charg

insane, it's perfect for tonight's Illinois Elite Charity Gala. Thank you so much my sponsors for always spoiling me." I he

inois

oxing

llino

ay mama!]. B: [How do I get this life?] made me smile, even if it was all smoke and

the bulb light, it looked expensive, just like the man who bought a similar gown for me last month. Senator Briggs. Good riddance. His money h

came sharp through the speakerphone. My best f

la, relax. It's just a gala. I'm not going t

"Opportunities? You mean another rich guy you wanna use and dump? Babe, this life

, spraying perfume on my wrists. "My mom needs the medicine. My universit

salary and respect. She didn't understand the fire I danced with. But she

reful," she said

but soon. I checked my reflection one last time. Amelia Robert, looking like she belonged in

rs and their wives posed for cameras while the people in the city outside struggled with potholes

deliers sparkled, designer fabrics swirled in bright colo

sharp in her black dress. She hugged me tight. "Y

wink, picking up a glass of champagne. The

miliar faces, the small bloggers, event planners, and

on my latest post about "living your best life

him....my

e face. A self-made billionaire, and a real estate king, the kind of man who closed deals worth bill

t his eyes scanned the room like he owned it. The moment they

slightly, letting the light catch my collarb

Illinois swagger. Up close, he was even more striking: he had a sharp jaw

was smooth like good whiskey. "I do

His grip was firm and warm. "Pleasure. I've heard about your work in Chi

"Flattery already? Most wome

No need to stress that. But your projects? Those interest

listened when I dropped careful stories about growing up rough but dreaming big. I kept it balanced: enough vulnerabil

a watching, shaking her head slightly

fferent, Amelia, not like those

?" I asked, si

slowly. "Yo

enator Briggs,' I thought. But the Range Rover in my mind, the foreign accounts,

ome back and introducing me to his business partners and notable politicians, pulling me to the dan

t cars, he stood close. The rain had started, that su

said. "I'll cal

fingers brush his a

y phone lit up with a mess

ight, Ami. Looking forward to

hunting. But I was the one with the plan

life's song played low on the radio, a small voice whispered what Leila a

linois taught me better. Tomo