The Billionaire is Mine

Chapter One A Life-Changing Choice

New York's skyline glittered in the distance, the neon lights casting a flickering glow over the bustling streets below. Samantha Wilder stood by her bedroom window, gazing out at the chaos of the city she longed to escape. She was so close, so close to the day when she could leave her parents' cramped apartment behind and finally live on her own.

She had been working part-time at low-profile clubs for months now, saving every penny. The dream was always the same: a tiny apartment, her own space, free from the suffocating atmosphere of her home. But tonight, as she looked at her reflection in the glass, her heart pounded with uncertainty.

"Sam, you're gonna love it," Cassie's voice echoed in her mind. Her friend had just introduced her to The Paragon, one of New York's most exclusive clubs. Cassie had secured a way in-through a deal that Samantha didn't fully understand, but she trusted Cassie. She had no idea what to expect, but if it meant more money and a step closer to her dream, she would take it.

Her phone buzzed, and a message from Jonas popped up.

"Can we talk? We need to figure things out."

Samantha bit her lip, her heart sinking. She hadn't seen Jonas in a few days. Their relationship had been strained. Lately, she had felt the distance between them-physically and emotionally. She loved him, but not in the way he wanted her to. She hadn't told him why she wasn't ready to take their relationship further. She just couldn't. Maybe tonight at The Paragon would help her forget everything.

At The Paragon, the air was thick with expensive perfume and the sound of high heels clicking against the polished floor. The club pulsed with energy-high society, and the elite, all in one place, sipping expensive champagne and laughing loudly. Samantha's nerves fluttered in her stomach. She wasn't used to this world, but Cassie was in her element.

"Relax," Cassie whispered in her ear, a sly grin on her face. "You're gonna fit right in."

Samantha swallowed her fear, taking a step forward. As they approached the bar, Cassie's eyes scanned the crowd, landing on a tall, sharply dressed man. "There's the manager," she muttered, leading Samantha toward him.

The man, his name was Mark, had a look about him-a combination of arrogance and charm. He greeted Cassie with a smile that was far too smooth.

"Cassie," Mark said, his eyes lingering on her. "I'm glad you could make it." He glanced at Samantha. "And this must be the new girl?"

Cassie nodded. "She's good. She'll fit right in." She leaned in, her voice low, "And, you know, she's looking for more than just a job. A future."

Samantha froze, her breath caught in her throat. What had Cassie just promised?

Before she could react, Mark slid a business card into her hand. "Let's talk later, darling. I'm sure you'll be perfect here."

Samantha nodded, too stunned to say anything. She had no idea what she was walking into.

Jonas had been with Samantha for almost two years, but tonight, something had shifted in him. He had tried to be patient with her, to respect her wishes of not wanting intimacy but when she kept pushing him away every time he tried, something inside him snapped.

He had come here for a release, a way to forget the tension he'd been feeling. And when Mildred, always flirtatious and provocative, had made her intentions clear, he had felt that brief flicker of something he couldn't ignore.

It started with a glance. A look that lingered just a second too long. Jonas had felt it, the desire building in him like an uncontrollable wave. Mildred had always been there, always teasing, always ready to push boundaries without hesitation. She was easy to talk to, easy to kiss, and, as Jonas would soon realize, far too easy to fall into bed with.

They had stepped away from the crowd, moving into a private area of the club. The music was muffled here, the atmosphere more intimate, more charged. Mildred had pressed herself against him, the scent of her perfume intoxicating, and the heat of her body against his sending his pulse racing.

"You've been so tense," Mildred murmured, her lips grazing his ear. "I can help you relax." She smiled wickedly saying to Jonas "What you didn't get with Samantha, you'll find it with me.

Jonas wasn't sure what happened next. His mind had become a blur, the frustration with Samantha clouding his judgment. He knew what he was doing wasn't right, but in that moment, it felt like a release. The connection with Mildred was physical, with no strings attached. She wasn't complicated like Samantha. She didn't make him feel guilty, didn't force him to confront emotions he wasn't ready to deal with.

Mildred's hands were everywhere on his shirt, pressing against his chest. She was quick and eager, and Jonas responded in kind. He kissed her deeply, his hands shaking as he fumbled with the buttons of her dress. The urgency of it all, the need to escape the emotional mess he had found himself in with Samantha, overtook him.

As their bodies came together, the world outside seemed to disappear. The music, the crowd, the noise, all of it faded into the background. For the first time in weeks, Jonas felt like he was doing something that gave him control, something that didn't leave him feeling helpless.

But as the moments passed, the thrill began to wear off. There was a hollowness in his chest, a nagging emptiness that refused to go away. He wasn't just betraying Samantha-he was betraying himself, and in that realization, the lust that had consumed him turned to regret.

Mildred didn't notice his change in demeanor. She was lost in her pleasure, her moans filling the air. But for Jonas, the act felt mechanical, almost distant. He couldn't stop thinking about Samantha-about how she had been pulling away, about how he hadn't given her the space she needed, about how he had let his frustrations spiral out of control.

When it was over, Mildred pulled away, a satisfied smile on her face. But Jonas felt no satisfaction. Only guilt.

"I knew you needed this," Mildred purred, running her fingers through her hair as she adjusted her clothes. "You should've let go sooner."

Jonas didn't respond. He could barely look at her. His mind was consumed by thoughts of Samantha-the girl he had betrayed in the worst way possible, with her friend.

He had no idea how to fix this, but one thing was clear: he couldn't keep living this lie. And now, with Mildred's laughter ringing in his ears, he knew that his relationship with Samantha might be beyond saving.

Back at Samantha's parents' apartment, the tension had reached its peak. The constant shouting echoed through the thin walls, filling the space with a sense of suffocation. Samantha's father, Raymond, was yelling at her mother, Linda, his words slurring from too much alcohol.

"You don't get it, do you?" Raymond spat, his face red with anger. "We're stuck in this rat hole, and you don't do anything to help! I've been busting my ass, and where's the money going? You don't care about anything but your damn shopping."

Linda's voice was icy. "I do care. Maybe if you didn't spend so much time at the bar, I'd have a chance to do something."

Samantha stood frozen in the hallway, her heart aching. Her parents had been like this for as long as she could remember-always fighting, never seeing eye to eye. The arguments, the broken promises, the constant tension-it made her want to leave even more.

She turned to walk away, but just as she reached the door, the shouting escalated.

"YOU'RE WORTHLESS!" Raymond screamed.

Samantha's breath caught. She could hear the tears in her mother's voice. "I'm doing the best I can!"

Samantha quickly exited the apartment, her chest tight, the fight echoing in her mind. She had to get out.

It was not too long before she realized she had no choice but to accept the offer at the high-profile club, "The Paragon" if she wanted to be out of her parent's home to keep her sanity. There was no longer room to think about it, she was willing, she was ready, and with teary eyes, she got out her phone to contact the club manager who had slid his card into her hands.

"What awaits Samantha at the Paragon" Will it be life-changing? Will it make her dreams come true? Or is she in for an unexpected tangle with a high-profile caliber?