The Trillionare is Mine

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quite shake. There was something different about him, something that made me feel... seen. But as I got ready for work, I rem

I noticed my colleague Jenny

ked, raising

she teased, folding her arms. "Come o

cheeks warm. "It was just a chari

"The Mark Collins? As

t casual. "It was for

Sure, work. But you went with him? And you

eresting night," I replied, hopi

, if you need any tips on dating a tr

ny the excitement that bubbled inside me. Something about Mark had

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project when my phone buzzed. I glanced d

ner tonight? I have some ideas I'd like

ver the screen. This felt different from our us

t time?"* I

*"Seven o'clock at Montclair'

the city. My stomach flipped as I realized just h

-

y seated at a table by the window, looking as effortlessly

ing out a chair for me. "

Thank you for inviting me.

. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of orderin

prised. "You r

mile playing on his li

. But as the evening went on, our conversation drifted from business to more personal topi

ughtful. "Lydia, do you ever wonder i

, surprised. "W

vision, a drive that I don't see in many people. And yet, here you are, working

bout it, sure. But... I don't know if I'm ready.

. "True. But it also takes cour

then doubt crept in, reminding me of all the reasons I'd stayed in my curren

h I hadn't felt in a long time. By the time we left, I felt ligh

-

ing, Mark sen

ith me again tonight. I have a

xious, I agreed, wonder

t his office, where he gr

tured for me to sit, and once we were

a partnership," he

en aback. "A..

e. I want you to join me, not just as an employee, but as a partner. You'd have a say in the projects

partnership with Mark Collins was an opportunity I hadn't

is is... it's incredible, but I don't kn

believe in you. And I know you can do this. You don't ha

ement and apprehension. "Thank you,

-

he idea of working alongside Mark, of shaping the future of a company as powe

g back and forth, I called

ing eyes of our colleagues. As we sat acr

ht about your off

is face. "Lydia, you've

that felt both reassuring and personal. "Welcome to the

-

nfluential publishing houses in the country. I was part of every major decision, and Mark made it clear that

cripts in his office, Mark looked

. what could've happened between

rmth in my chest. "Sometimes

ity in his expression. "I do. I

with the weight of unspoken word

go out with me? Not as busi

as something I'd thought about for weeks, but

k," I replied, my v

-

charming as I'd remembered. The evening flew by, filled with laughter, shar

walking on air. As we stood by my door, he reac

ver met anyone like you," he

lf leaning into his touch, feeling

spered, unsure

both tender and electric. I melted into him, letting the moment

he smiled, his eyes filled wi

plied, feeling a sense

that this was only the begi