BILLIONAIRE IN THE SHADOW

King in the king's quarter

Marcus' jaw dropped like a gasping fish at the shore.

"Heck," He screamed, still clinging to the window. "Isn't that Vega Cross?! The man who's factually the richest man in this whole fucking city! I'm fucking seeing him with a fucked Dominic!"

"What the fuck is going on?!"

He gushed, each word trembling out in a rhythm that expressed shock and disbelief.

Before they could catch it...

The door creaked open, and Dominic stepped inside, hands in his pocket. Vega Cross walked in next, gently, his presence silencing the room, yet everyone could read the tension that hung in the air as the supposedly most powerful man in the city walked inside of their cramped room.

Marcus knee buckled, blinking twice, thrice, like he'd just entered a dream too wonderful to be true.

Dylan's expression mirrored his expression. They were caught by the unexpected, unbelievable guests.

If anyone had told Marcus that Vega Cross would one day step into their campus, he would have lashed the person a slap. But here he was— Not just on the campus, but inside of their pack hostel room.

"He's lost?" Marcus wondered, his lips trembling as the sheer weight of Vega's unexpected presence really caught off balance.

Dominic on the other hand was composed, observing their stunning expression with a small smile that reveals too little.

"Mr. Vega Cross," He started gently, his voice measured. "Here are my friends. Marcus. Dylan." He gestured.

He turned to his thunderstruck friends quickly and continued, saying,

"And Marcus. Dylan. Here is Mr. Vega Cross. My top client," He smiled, smooth as oil— unrattled. "I'm his favourite laundry guy, and Mr. Vega has been good to me. He was the one I told you that promised to take us out today."

Vega Cross faltered, slightly taken aback by Dominic's declassing words on who he really was. But he caught the cue, just like the earlier finger signal from his master. He smiled effortlessly, extending his hand for a handshake.

Marcus, still stunned in the moment, stared down at the extended hand. This was gold! The hand which had counted millions, billions, Trillions even. That hand..it was hanging mid-air, waiting...

The man whose hand only presidents, governors, lords and business magnates were opportuned to shake.

Marcus gulped, his hands trembling as he fixed his palm in Vega's.

"It's nice meeting you, Marcus." He shook Marcus hand firmly with a gentle smile— A smile too gentle that makes Marcus wonder if this Vega Cross was an impersonator, a con. Wasn't he the same dauntless man he'd only seen on International TV, turning tables with hard gestures, barking orders to slacking executives. This man is a walking scepter.

Marcus heart leaped to his throat as their palm connected electrically.

"It.. it's... Nice meeting you in person, Mr. Ve..vega cross." He stuttered, still caught in the moment.

"Dylan," Vega shook hands with him Dylan too, his gentle smile real, but surreal to the roommates. "It's nice meeting Mast... meeting Dominic friends." He corrected quickly and stood straighter.

Understanding Dominic's intention, Vega streamed with the flow to keep his identity blanketed. "I'll personally be driving you to Elysian Vogue," He said casually, as though his main job was driving, which further dropped Marcus and Dylan's jaw.

He continued, smiling lightly and sincerely. "Mast—" He cut himself off quickly, again. "—Dominic here has been a good guy. I'm a dapper, and Dominic has been doing a good job to maintain my style.

So, it's not a big deal if I'm showing a little gratitude for his commitment by taking everyone here out for a little shopping. And maybe I'd love to invest something tangible in him too."

Dominic eyes widened, his expression rehearsed. "Mr. Vega," He screamed deliberately, his voice measured. "I'm so grateful for everything. You've done a lot already, honouring us with your presence by coming to a place like this. You're too Kind, Mr. Vega. Not everyone sees a struggling person with talent and invests in them."

Vega smiled, nodding his head gently. "You deserve the favours, Dominic," He said plainly. "Young men like you need to be motivated to keep their talents secure."

Dominic nodded, a sly smile curling his lips as he turned to his friends who were still looking lost.

"Let's go prepare for the outing so we won't delay Mr. Vega." He said, aware of their gazes burning on him suspiciously and curiously like furnace on iron.

"Alright. I'll give you guys some space to prepare then." Vega smiled, taking a quick glance at Dominic before walking out.

Damn!

Marcus was holding back a scream of; what on earth is happening?! Vega Cross, the revered powerful tycoon, the man whose name calls the bluff of kings and rulers, was giving them a space. The man who can shut down the whole of the university and the city!

Immediately Vega stepped out, Marcus nearly jumped on Dominic. Dylan met him briskly too, emotions cycles flickered in their eyes— curiosity, suspicion and disbelief.

"Heck, Dom," He screamed louder than he imagined. "What the fuck was that? Vega? Vega Cross!? Your clients? When? How?"

Dominic smiled lightly. He'd expected a flurry of questions, and he'd prepared good answers that'll keep his identity hidden.

"I'm as surprised as you guys were," He started, hands spread cluelessly. " Mr. Cross had been my high end client for a while now based on private contracts, but I was only chanced to meet him yesterday for the first time in person after which he said he'll like to take me out the next day for some commitment reward— you heard him when he said that, because he loved my service."

Marcus and Dylan stood there, exchanging dazed glances. They wanted to bring themselves to believe the seemingly obvious truth Dominic just told them, but the sheer unexpected visit of the tycoon made his words even more questionable.

"This is unbelievable," Marcus said, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Vega Cross just said he'll drive us to Elysian Vogue. He's fucking driving us. As in, our driver. This..this is just unreasonable."

Meanwhile, Rosa stumbled inside her hostel angrily.