BILLIONAIRE IN THE SHADOW

Elysian Vogue

The call went silent for a heartbeat. Vega Cross hanging on the line, waiting for Dominic's declaration.

Outrightly, Dom's expression twisted with disapproval and suspicion as he wondered how news of his fallen relationship quickly spread. Thinking about the proposals from another angle, a light smirk curled the corner of his lips. This would be fun— Of course. He chuckled low.

Just a few minutes after his relationship fell through, proposals came flooding from women around the world. Evalina didn't know just how much she'd lost.

Dominic's voice came, sharp and authoritative after processing everything. "Accept all the requests, Cross," He said. "Keep my identity safe— hidden. And dig in, I want to know how my personal affairs got out so quickly."

Vega Cross nodded frantically even though Dominic couldn't see him. "Yes, master. I'll make my findings and do as you've ordered." He said with a tone burdened with respect.

Dominic nodded curtly. "Good," He said and stood straighter, his mind processing a quick thought. "For the proposals, let's use Reid sixteen as the window."

Vega went quiet for a moment before breaking the silence, each word filtered and cautiously spoken "Master Reid," He said suspiciously. "You mean you'll be accepting the proposals at your company's 60th year of commemoration."

Dominic raised a brow. "You've got any issues with that?"

"Oh," Vega's words came in a rush. "No. No. No. I'll start scheming on it, Master."

"Good." He clipped. "Prepare a token of $2 million dollars in the imperial Bank Cards and send it over first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Sir."

The line snapped.

Dominic shoved the phone into his pocket and looked around carefully. Satisfied that he wasn't heard, he sighed, then walked inside to meet his friends.

He walked in to see Dylan and Marcus engaging in light conversation between as they operate on their phones.

"Can we start going now?" Dylan said eagerly, his eyes flickering to Dominic the moment he entered.

Dominic smiled curtly but genuinely, his hands resting in his pocket casually. "Actually," He drawled, his voice confident. "I have another idea."

Marcus looked up from his phone and Chuckled. "You're not going to ask us to start packing some dirty students clothes and nonsense for laundry, Are you? We're graduates now, " He chipped in. "The last time, that fatso in room 20 left her panties in the heaps of her nonsense. That ain't some romantic move at all."

Dylan's laughter cut the room. He collapsed back-first into the bed in sheer amusement along with Dominic who's laughter was quickly controlled.

"Relax, Marcus," Dominic raised a hand, his smile assuring. "I'm taking both of you out tomorrow. A little shopping. Maybe Elysian Vogue. What do you think?" He said casually, his brow lifted as he assessed the two.

Dylan's laughter died down immediately. Marcus head snapped up from his phone. The room fell into a stunning silence as the two glanced at each other before looking at Dominic with incredible gazes.

They knew everything;

They're struggling to meet up with a normal lifestyles. Nights they've spent doing odd jobs for penny wasn't a joke nor a dream. It was real— Sometimes, they had to borrow textbooks because they can't afford it.

In summary, they were hardly measuring up. They all knew their account balance was not balanced.

"What the heck are you talking about, Dom," Marcus dropped his phone dramatically. "You're puffing junks now? Or you got your head hit on tank?"

"Maybe the heartbreak is messing with your head. Did you just say, Elysian Vogue!!?" He whispered low, his voice carrying the weight of an incredible scream.

Marcus shifted in his position agitatedly. "C'mon, dude. You're serious?" His brow scrunched incredibly.

Dominic understood their argument, but he wasn't willing to reveal his identity to them. Not now.

He chuckled over it, and said casually. "It's not a big deal guys."

Their eyes widened as the non-challancy in Dominic's tone stunned them even more. The same guy who was barely scraping by.

Marcus stood up to Dominic as the astonishing silence lingered. "Dude," He started. "A single cloth in Elysian Vogue can pay our full tuition f*e. You must be kidding, Dom!"

"Where the heck did you get the money from?" Dylan chipped in, shocked.

"Wrong question , Dylan," Marcus cut in. "Let's assume he got some bucks today. What's he going to eat tomorrow?"

Dominic smiled lightly. "You don't have to worry about that. It's not a bad idea if I'm taking my friends out, is it?" He said firmly, taking his stand. " And about how I got money. A rich client tipped me, real big after a satisfied job."

Dylan and Marcus exchange glances. Obviously, they weren't buying his words. Marcus shook his head. "Listen dude, I have no penny to spend on medical bills for ulcer when you squander the money. Keep the tip. We're gonna need it later. Luxury can wait." Marcus slumped on the bed, Shaking his head in disbelief.

Dominic sighed. At some point, he was tempted to tell them he wasn't the poor student they assumed him to be, that he was the CEO of Reid Eighteen consortiums.

But that would only heighten their confusion and shock. He kept quiet and said. "Alright. You win." But a knowing smile curled his lips, his intention known to him alone.

He settled onto his bunk, not in defeat but in quiet acceptance, scheming a good plan. He pulled his phone and typed a message to Vega Cross.

"Ready a Royce Rolls tomorrow with the Imperial Card. 10am."

Satisfied with the message, he hit the sent icon, watching the message deliver smoothly.

Warm golden light spilled across the Marble through the casement window. Crescent University buzzes with the usual rhythm, a sharp reminder of their new status.

Fresh graduates. No lectures. No deadline assignments and professors sickening threats about missed impromptu tests.

Marcus and Dylan were awake, shoving their clothes inside their bag as they got ready to vacaute the hostel. Dominic on the other hand sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone casually.

Marcus was saying something about getting a mini apartment downtown when a smooth mechanical sound spilt the air from outside. The air shifted, the Rhythm outside became distorted.

Marcus stood straighter, a pair of old trouser hanging mid-air in his hand. His eyes narrowed, exchanging curious glances with Dylan.

"Some rich spoilt campus dudes." He said without interest, but the noises outside persisted.

Curiously, and unable to let the shake off the thought of what was happening outside, Marcus walked to the window. His breath caught at what he saw in front of their hostel.

" Dammit! It's a fucking Royce Rolls!!" He screamed.