Married To The Billionaire I Hate

Emily.

7 years ago.

The roar of the crowd sounded around the field, but I barely heard it. All I could focus on was him...Cole Grayson. He stood in the center of the field, the late afternoon sun had a golden halo over his dark hair. His movements were without effort, calculated, as he dodged past opposing players. The ball seemed like an extension of him, and every time he scored, the crowd erupted in cheerslike a storm.

From my spot on the bleachers, tucked away in the furthest corner, I watched through the safety of my thick-rimmed glasses. My cheeks burned, though I told myself it was just the sun. Who was I kidding? I was completely smitten. Damn.

The cheerleaders screamed his name, waving banners with Cole scrawled in bold letters. Even the guys who pretended not to care shot him envious glances. Cole wasn't just the star player; he was the star of the entire school.

I sighed, hugging my knees. It had been four months since I joined Crestwood High, and ever since that rainy day, he'd been on my mind. It wasn't much...he'd just handed me an umbrella. I was stranded outside the library, soaking wet and fumbling with my books, when he walked up, calm and unreadable. He didn't say much, just handed me his umbrella and walked away into the rain as if it were nothing. But to me? It was everything.

I knew it was silly. Girls like me didn't belong in the orbit of someone like Cole. He was untouchable, like a shooting star streaking across the sky while I sat on the ground wishing I could be closer. Still, I couldn't stop staring. His smile when he scored, the way he high-fived his teammates...it was magnetic. A world I'd never belong to.

"Emily, stop staring," I muttered to myself, shifting uncomfortably on the bleachers. But my eyes betrayed me, glued to the field where he stood, shining brighter than anyone else. Did he even remember me? Probably not. To him, I was just some random girl with glasses and bad hair.

The final whistle blew, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Cole's team had won, of course. His teammates swarmed him, shouting and slapping his back. The cheerleaders screamed his name, waving their banners. Cole stood in the middle of it all, grinning that easy, heart-stopping grin of his. His hair was damp with sweat, his jersey clinging to him, and yet he looked like he'd stepped out of a glossy magazine. He waved at the crowd, soaking up their adoration like it was his birthright.

As he left the field, girls swarmed him. Some held out water bottles, others just giggled and tried to catch his attention. He didn't push them away; he leaned into it, laughing and tossing a few playful winks. My stomach twisted, but I couldn't stop the ridiculous hope bubbling inside me.

I adjusted my glasses, my heart hammering as I clutched the strap of my backpack. Cole had smiled at me before...not often, but enough to make my pulse race. I convinced myself it meant something. Maybe it was crazy, but I'd made up my mind. Today, I was going to tell him. What's the worst that could happen? At least I'd know.

I waited outside the locker room, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure anyone passing by could hear it. The hallway was quiet except for occasional laughter or footsteps, but my nerves made everything seem amplified.

When the door finally opened, my breath hitched. Cole stepped out, still damp from his shower, his hair slightly tousled, droplets of water clinging to his neck. He wore a crisp white t-shirt and jeans, his effortless style making him look like he belonged in a fashion ad. A group of his friends followed, their laughter carefree as they shoved each other playfully.

I clutched the strap of my backpack tighter and took a shaky step forward. My knees felt like jelly, and my palms were sweating, but I had to do this. "Hey... Cole," I said, my voice trembling.

He stopped mid-laugh and turned to look at me, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. "Hey," he replied casually, his voice smooth, but there was a hint of curiosity in his tone.

One of his friends nudged him, smirking. Cole exchanged a quick glance with them before turning his full attention to me, his brows slightly raised.