BILLIONAIRE IN THE SHADOW

Vega Cross call

Dominic walked out of the forbidden place, his mind tight like vice, Evalina's betrayal stiffening every muscle of his heart.

How could she? After everything he'd done for her!

She'd emotionlessly called him a stranger, said he was a pesterer— A nobody chasing after her like a mutt in heat.

The woman he thought had his back for 4 years. All wasted!

Dominic had been there for her right from the day they started their relationship.

In the first year, when Eva was down with pneumo, and her father was swaming in debts, it was Dominic who cleared the medical bill after juggling three shifts from his double jobs. Every water, every med she took. It was all Dom's penny.

When Eva's grade was dropping and she was getting depressed, Dominic became her coach. They shared every moment together, every math they solved held solutions and affection.

Eva promised him under twinkling stars never to allow their love to tear for any reason.

"You're the perfect man for me, Dom." Eva had said.

Dominic had seen sincerely in her eyes that night under the promising star.

Maybe Dominic was too blind to realize it— The moments she started making flimsy excuses about impromptu practicals, night classes. He could have known. She'd never allowed him to touch her, saying it was to preserve herself to make their first night memorable. Even kissing was her was like a curse. But Dom was patient.

Eva wanted him to wait for them to take their relationship to the next level before he could touch her. She said she was scared Dominic might jilt her. Dominic understood, and he sincerely promised her he'll never betray her.

But he never knew Eva was only using him. Like She'd found a gold plot in a filthy hole— She thought she would exploit the gold and leave him hollow and broken— But she's wrong. Really wrong.

She's yet to realize just how wrong she was.

Dominic walked to the curb, the evening breeze biting his face. He stopped a taxi and stepped inside and shut the door.

"Crescent University." He clipped.

Soon, the driver pulled over inside the campus. Dominic stepped down and paid the driver. Students littered the quarters, some staring at him, a few pointing and commenting what he couldn't place as they stared at their phone. Laughter rang from every corner, nasty and snide comments piercing the night, each one targeted at him.

"How bold," One girl in a crimson gown jeered, clapping her hand in sheer amusement. "The poorest boy thinks he's in the same league with Evalina West— the school Beauty."

"Guys like him should be put in their place, and Eva had done a good job." Another hissed, tossing blonde hair behind. "Someone who could barely get his own life straight."

The comments drove through the night like daggers, the last one sharper than the first. Dominic didn't stop. He kept moving, allowing the noises to wash over him— but none get to him.

Getting to his hostel, the laughter rang louder along the glowing hallway; some calling his gut foolishness, some hissing about how stupid he was to ever think Eva would stoop low to date a guy like him.

Dominic's heart tightened. For some moments, the noises stabbed deeper, the jerring surrounding him, stale like the very air— poisonous and toxic to inhale. He exhaled sharply, his jaw tight.

He moved past several doors which seemed to be mocking him at intervals, but he knew where he was going— He stopped at the door of room 20 and walked inside.

He closed the door, allowing the silence to envelop him. The whole school had heard about his humiliation. They knew about the relationship he'd protected for four years in the most horrible way. Eva had recorded a clip, displaying Tristan Cole as her boyfriend while he...he Dominic Reid was the cruel twist, an acid in their sweet love story.

Dominic pulled out his phone, his finger tapping the gallery app where pictures of Evalina sprawled. His jaw tightened as each picture glared at him, each one holding memories Dominic had always loved and treasured, but looking at them at that moment, he felt utterly disgusted.

His finger moved to the delete icon, and in two seconds, the whole picture was gone, her contact erased too.

The door creaked open. Dylan and Marcus walked in looking concerned.

They flanked him at both sides. "I never knew Evalina was the girl you've been talking about," Dylan said, holding his shoulder in consolation. "She doesn't deserve a good guy like you."

Marcus, ever hilarious, chipped in. "Dude," He started, his voice tingling with astonishment and amusement. "That girl was about getting screwed right in front of us. I missed that. Missed the live pornography." He laughed.

Dylan laughed. Dominic chuckled along curtly, slightly amused regardless of his down mood.

Dylan punched Marcus. "You silly man! You joke about everything. Your friend's girlfriend just cheated on him, and you're here making crude jokes."

Marcus lifted his hand mid-air in theatrical surrender. " I wasn't making a joke out of it, but hey.... it's actually funny. Who gets screwed in the dark."

Dylan couldn't hold back his laughter. He swung a playfully kick at Marcus who dodged it laughing hard.

The room became serious as they gathered around Marcus.

"She made her choice, Dom. I know it hurts, but let it go," Dylan comforted. "You deserve someone who will be proud of you. Not someone who's ashamed to even whisper your name in the corner."

Marcus held his shoulder. "Don't let that get into you, Dom. You made the right decision by walking away. She'll soon realize how foolish her foolish Choice was." He tapped his shoulder gently.

Dominic smiled lightly, quietly appreciating their words of comfort. "Thank you guys," He clipped, but his eyes were full of gratitude. " I'm just disappointed. Disappointed after everything I did for her, she pretended I never exist in her life ."

"Heck! Her dagger was too sharp," Marcus chipped, getting all wacky again. "She aimed for Dominic's neck, but she drove the dagger deeper, straight to his heart. That was brutal."

Dylan shook his head in disbelief of Marcus's goofiness especially at that moment when Dom's relationship just fell through. To brighten the mood, he said loudly. "Who's in? Let's go for dinner. Five star restaurant. I'll cover the Bill."

At that moment, Dominic's phone shattered the silence. He pulled out the phone from his pocket. Seeing the name on the screen, his brow furrowed. "Excuse me guys." He stepped outside to pick the call.

Dominic looked around, the evening breeze blowing gently. He picked the call. "Hey, Vega," He growled, voice low, but anger significant. "You're disobeying simple order. I told you I'll call whenever I'm ready to return to the mansion."

The person on the other end, Vega Cross, a powerful man in the city who only answers to one man— The mysterious man who's believed to be the most powerful man in the city, trembled at the other end. Vega Cross is believed to serve the powerful master who's identity is a mystery to everyone.

"Mas..ster Reid." He stuttered. "I'm sorry for calling at this hour, unannounced. I have been receiving barrages of messages and calls from top women around the world.

They're asking to Marry you."