Lahat ng Kabanata ng Billionaire Alpha: Kabanata 491 - Kabanata 500

LukeI didn’t need to give Sophia a half hour to get ready. As it was, we were already going to be late, but I needed the time to get myself composed. In our time together, we hadn’t been alone much. We had either been in a public place or on a plane with several staff members.Standing in her doorway when she was on the cusp of stripping down to change had shifted something inside of me. Of course, I found her attractive. But we were playing our parts as boyfriend and girlfriend. If I had asked her to, I knew she would have kissed me right then and there. I saw the desire in her eyes, and I’d done a terrible job of hiding it myself.Taking a cold shower was in order, but that only took ten minutes. I’d dragged it out longer than usual. I spent extra time picking through my clothes to find the perfect outfit.While I knew I’d have to dress more traditionally for the banquet, I grabbed a suit that I had brought from home. It had faint gray stripes that were only noticeable if you were

SophiaI woke on my own the next day. It was the first time in a long time that I hadn’t set the alarm. Though I had no idea where my phone was, even if I had set one. I hoped Mr. Fraser hadn’t called, but we didn’t have an appointment scheduled. Since I couldn’t have anyone overhear our conversation about the story, I made a mental note to contact him on Sunday after the interview with Luke.The previous evening’s events flooded my mind as I sat up in bed. I fluffed my pillows, pushing them against the headboard and pulling the covers over my chest. I wasn’t quite ready to get out of the soft coziness of my bed.The conversation at dinner was pleasant, other than the silence from the other end of the table. While I tried to ignore it and keep Abir and Erol talking, Luke had been aware of his mother the entire time. I had never seen him so angry before, and I hoped that I would never have that expression directed at me. As a dutiful girlfriend would, I tried to calm him by catching hi

LukeSophia gave me a lot to think about during our time together. She wasn’t fishing for information, but I’d told her my innermost thoughts about how I felt about the kingdom. I hoped my insecurities didn’t show up in her newspaper, but there was enough respect between us for her not to exploit me. I could tell she was having a good time, and I was having more fun with her than I’d had with anyone—even Maddox—in a long time. Seeing my country through her eyes opened my own and gave me an opportunity to take a hard look at what running the country might feel like.The time passed quickly, and I hoped the rest of the evening did as well. I didn’t want to be in the presence of Mother, let alone in the same room. Her attitude from last night still bothered me. I hoped that she would be too preoccupied with her guests to notice me at all. I only had one more full day in the palace, and it was big enough to avoid her if I needed to.Heading back to Sophia’s room, I steeled my nerves. I co

SophiaThe bar was set back at the far end of the room from where Luke and I had been talking. We barely had a moment to ourselves the entire time. He never told me how many people were fond of him. Sure, he was a prince, but he was charming and genuine when he spoke with everyone. It was hard not to fall under his spell.But the moment we stopped talking, I swallowed against the scratchiness in my throat. There were several waiters passing food around the room but not drinks. I needed to keep a clear head, so I opted for two glasses of water. Not many people in the room were drinking, but there were a few. I liked to be a part of the majority when I was in a new situation. Especially when I was on the lookout for another story. Mr. Fraser hadn’t specifically told me to keep the story within the palace walls. If there was a scandal to be found, I’d prefer it had nothing to do with Luke.While I had to play the impartial reporter, I knew my piece would showcase the positive nature of t

LukeThere was no way that Sophia and I could enjoy the rest of the evening after she spoke with Mother. While Sophia was careful not to speak badly about Mother, the damage had already been done. Mother had meddled in my life for the last time. We were leaving today but not without me getting the last word.I avoided Father like the plague in my search for Mother. It was late enough in the morning that I was sure he’d have some business to take care of before seeing us off. My conversation with my mother would go easier if he wasn’t around. Whatever my mother had said to Sophia the night before, Sophia’s demeanor had changed for the rest of the night. While she had been polite to everyone else we spoke with, she didn’t have the same carefree spunk that she did earlier in the night. Thankfully, she was clever enough not to let anyone else notice her change in mood. But I’d gotten to know her well enough to realize something had changed in the short time she was away from me.Even whe