The Billionaire Deceptions

Little Vivian

Vivian was already seated at her desk, her feet swinging beneath her chair as she waited for the class to start.

Her heart fluttered a little when she saw him- her best friend and secret crush, Jack, walking into the classroom.

He spotted her right away, and his face lightened up with a big smile.

"Hey, Viv!" he called out, making his way over to her desk.

"Hey!" she replied, her own smile growing as he approached.

He slid into the seat next to her, pulling something out of his pocket. "Guess what? My mom bought two of these, and I thought you should have one."

Vivian's eyes widened as he held up a small bracelet, identical to the one he was wearing. "Wow, really? It's so pretty!"

Jack nodded, as his cheeks flushed a little. "Yeah, I wanted us to have matching ones."

She took the bracelet from him, her fingers brushing his as she did. "Thank you, it's perfect! This is so cool! I'll wear it every day, I promise. Now we have something special that's just ours."

"Yeah, just ours," Jack replied, running a hand through his brown hair, as he couldn't stop smiling.

Vivian opened her lunchbox and pulled out the food her mom had packed. "Want to share? I've got some of Mom's famous chicken wraps."

His eyes lit up, as the aroma hit him. "Yes, please! Your mom's food is the best. I hardly touch what our chef packs because I know nothing beats your mom's delicious cooking."

"You're really lucky to have your mum cook for you. My parents hardly come home, let alone cook for me and my sister."

Vivian giggled, handing him a wrap. "I think my mom would adopt you if you asked. She loves feeding people."

"Maybe I should move in with you guys," he teased, taking a bite of the wrap. "Then I'd get to eat this every day."

As they finished their lunch, Jack turned to face Vivian. "You know, Viv, I think you're the coolest girl in the whole school. And now that we have matching bracelets, you know you're my... best friends forever, right?"

Vivian grinned, holding up her wrist to show off the bracelet. " Yes. Best friends forever," she echoed, her heart fluttering. "And maybe even... forever and ever."

Jack laughed, his cheeks turning a little pink. "Yeah, forever and ever."

"Hem hem...Vivian, Jack. It's time to settle down," Mrs Williams, their class teacher, called out to them. "Class is about to begin, and we need everyone's attention."

Jack quickly slipped back into his seat, his cheeks still pink from their conversation. Vivian gave him a quick, playful nudge before turning to face the front, biting her lips to suppress a giggle.

*********

As the final bell rang. Vivian gathered her things, waved goodbye to Jack, who gave her a shy smile and a quick wave in return and then made her way outside.

Mrs. Thompson stood beside the car, waving as she saw her daughter approach. "Vivian, sweetie! How was school today?"

Vivian rushed over, her face lighting up as she saw her mom. "It was so fun, Mommy! We learned about dinosaurs, and guess what? My crush gave me a bracelet..... now we're best friends forever!"

Mrs. Thompson's smile grew wider as she knelt to admire the bracelet. "Oh, that's wonderful, Vivian. It sounds like you had an amazing day."

Vivian couldn't stop smiling as she climbed into the car. "And I got a star for answering all the questions about the T-Rex!"

As she buckled her seatbelt, her father, who was sitting in the driver's seat, turned to look at her with a proud smile. "A star and a bracelet? Sounds like someone's had a pretty special day."

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. "It was the best day ever, Daddy!"

"Well, in that case," he said, turning on the engine, "I think it calls for a celebration.

"How about we stop by the ice cream shop on our way home? You've definitely earned it with those good grades and all."

Vivian's eyes lit up even more if that was possible. "Yes, please! I want strawberries with extra sprinkles!"

Mrs. Thompson chuckled as she settled into her seat. "Strawberry with extra sprinkles it is, then. You really are our little superstar, and we're so lucky to have you as our daughter "

As they drove off, Mrs. Thompson glanced back at Vivian through the rearview mirror. "So, tell me more about this bracelet, Viv. Who's this crush of yours that gave it to you?"

Vivian blushed, twirling the bracelet around her wrist. "His name is Jack, and he's the funniest boy in class. He said his mom bought two of these bracelets, so he gave me one because we're best friends forever now."

Mr. Thompson raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile. "Best friends forever, huh? Sounds serious. So tell me, have I met this Jack boy before? Do I know his parents?"

Vivian shook her head. "No, I don't think so, Daddy. I haven't seen them but his parents are really popular. They're super rich billionaires and own a bunch of companies."

"Jack told me they have one called StellarTech, where they make cool gadgets, and another one called Horizon Foods that makes all kinds of yummy snacks!"

The atmosphere grew tense as Mr Thompson and Mrs Thompson exchanged glances. "Vivian, is Jack's last name Anderson by any chance?" Mr. Thompson asked calmly.

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that's it! How did you know?"

Mr. Thompson sighed softly, glancing at his wife again before turning back to his daughter. "Vivian, I think it's best if you return that bracelet to Jack, and maybe... take a step back from being too close to him."

Vivian's smile faded, as she removed the bracelet and held it close to her chest. "But why, Daddy? Jack is my best friend. I don't want to return it."

Mr. Thompson tried to maintain his calm, his gaze shifting back and forth between the road and his daughter's tearful gaze. "Vivian, sometimes we have to make tough decisions to keep ourselves safe. You may not understand now, but it's for the best."

Vivian's eyes welled up with tears as she clutched the bracelet tightly. "But Daddy, it's not fair. Jack is my friend, and I don't understand why we can't just be friends. I don't want to lose him. Please don't make me return it."

"Babeee, Focus! There's a trailer ahead." Mrs Thompson screamed, her voice filled with panic.

But it was too late.

Before he could react, the trailer was already onto them.

It struck their car so hard, sending it spinning uncontrollably through the air

The world blurred around them before the car slammed into the ground with a deafening crash.

LITTLE JACK

"I really hate it when we get dropped off in this limousine" Lily, Jack's elder sister, smirked as she scrolled through her Instagram.

Jack raised an eyebrow, turning to his sister, " Same here, but Dad doesn't care at all. He always insists on it because he likes showing off."

Lily rolled her eyes and sighed. "Even though it's super unnecessary. I mean, it's just school. It's not like we're arriving at some fancy event."

The car finally came to a halt and the driver, dressed in a dark suit, stepped out to open the door for them.

"Have a wonderful day at school," he said, as they climbed out and made their way into the school building.

Lily quickly skipped ahead and turned to her brother with a mischievous grin. "So, Jack, did you give Vivian the bracelet? Did she like it?"

Jack shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, I gave it to her. We're best friends forever now."

Lily giggled and nudged him playfully. "Best friends forever, huh? Does that mean you're planning to ask her out on a date soon?"

Jack blushed and tried to brush it off. "We're just friends, Lily. Besides, she's really special to me."

Lily smiled as she looked at her brother. "You two make a great pair. Just remember to be yourself and everything will turn out just right."

Jack walked into the classroom, eager to see Vivian, but when he scanned the room, her seat was empty. It was very unusual because she was always the first to arrive.

He frowned and then made his way to his seat, hoping she'd just be a few minutes late. But then time passed and there was still no sign of Vivian.

Unable to take it any longer, he walked over to his friend, Tommy, who was busy unpacking his bag. "Hey, Tommy, have you seen Vivian today?"

Tommy shook his head, looking just as puzzled. "Nope, haven't seen her all morning. That's weird, she's usually here before everyone else."

Jack's heart sank as he returned to his seat. Something didn't feel right. "Yeah, it is weird," he muttered.

As Mrs. Williams began the lesson, Jack struggled to focus, his mind constantly drifting back to Vivian.

He stared at the empty seat beside him. Maybe she's just sick, he tried to reassure himself, but a gnawing feeling in his gut told him something was wrong.

Please be okay, Vivian... please.

He kept glancing at the door, hoping that Vivian would walk in, flashing him that familiar bright smile. But she didn't.

Halfway through the lesson, there was a knock on the door. The class turned in unison as Principal Howard stepped into the room.

"Mrs. Williams," Principal Howard called out, "could I speak to you for a moment, please?"

Mrs. Williams nodded and walked to the door.

The principal whispered something to her, and Jack's heart skipped a beat.

Something's wrong, he thought as he stared at them, gripping the edges of his desk tightly.

Mrs. Williams' demeanor changed instantly, her face grew pale as she listened to the principal.

She glanced back at the class, her eyes briefly meeting Jack's, before she nodded and stepped out into the hallway with him.

Jack's heart pounded in his chest, and he couldn't take it anymore. He had to know what was going on.

He waited until the teacher and the principal were just out of sight, then quietly slipped out of his seat and tiptoed toward the door.

He paused just outside the classroom, straining to hear their conversation.

"She had an accident last night with her parents," Principal Howard was saying, his voice heavy with concern. " I'm not sure of their condition, but it doesn't look good at all."

Jack felt the air leave his lungs, his vision blurring as he tried to process what he had just heard.

An accident... Vivian...He had feared something was wrong, but this... this was worse than anything he could have imagined.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned against the wall for support.

His legs felt like they were going to give out from under him. Vivian, no... this can't be happening. His mind flashed back to just yesterday, to her bright smile, to the way she had giggled when they talked.

And now... now she was in the hospital, and he didn't even know if she was even dead or alive. Jack wiped his eyes quickly, trying to hold back the tears but they kept pouring out.

He couldn't lose her. Not Vivian. Not his best friend.

Please be okay, Vivian... please, he silently prayed as the tears streamed down his face.

************

THREE WEEKS LATER

LITTLE VIVIAN

The car came to a slow stop outside the tall building, and Vivian peered out of the window with a very heavy heart.

The large sign reading "Maplewood Orphanage" loomed over the entrance, and she felt a sharp sting in her chest as fear gripped her.

The pain she had felt this past few weeks had been so raw and unbearable.

The sudden loss of her parents was something she could never have prepared for. One moment, they were a happy family, and the next, everything had changed.

The accident replayed in her mind over and over. The screech of the tyres, the deafening crash, the silence that followed... and then nothing.

Now, here she was, on the verge of starting a new life in a place that felt nothing like home.

She didn't know what to expect, but she knew one thing for sure, nothing would ever be the same again. Her parents were gone, and she was left alone.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, trying to be brave.

Her little hands gripped the bracelet Jack had given her, the last piece of her old life that she could still hold onto.

The car door opened, and she stepped out, her legs trembling as she took in the sight of the building that was about to become her new home.

Vivian took a deep breath and forced herself to walk forward, dragging her bag behind her.

As she entered the compound, she noticed a group of children gathered together, watching her approach, their faces filled with sympathy.

She blinked back tears, determined to stay strong.

In the center of the group stood a stern-looking woman, the matron of the orphanage. She had a no-nonsense demeanor, her arms crossed as she observed Vivian's approach.

"Welcome to Maplewood Orphanage," the matron said, in a cold tone.

"This will be your new home now, and you'll have to adjust quickly. We have rules here, and we expect everyone to follow them. You mustn't cause any trouble."

Vivian nodded silently, her grip tightening on her bag.

The matron glanced at one of the older children and gave a nod. "Samuel, take her bag. We share everything here, so your belongings are for everyone."

Samuel stepped forward and yanked the bag from Vivian's trembling hands.

The weight of those words sank in....

everything she had left of her old life, everything that was hers, would now be shared among the others.

" You had better adapt to the lifestyle here quickly or face several punishments....Now follow me." the matron instructed, turning to lead Vivian inside the orphanage.

10 YEARS LATER

Vivian

I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts when I heard the familiar creak of the floorboards.

Before I could sit up, I felt the gentle touch of a hand on my shoulder.

I didn't need to look to know who it was- Clara, my only friend here at the orphanage. She always had this way of sneaking up on me when I was deep in thought.

"Vivian," she whispered, giving me a gentle nudge.

I turned to look at her, forcing a smile. "Hey, Clara. What's up?"

"What's up?" she repeated with a soft laugh.

"Viv, tomorrow's the big day! You're turning 18! Can you believe it? You're finally going to be free of this place."

I sat up, crossing my legs beneath me as I played with the edge of my blanket. "Yeah... tomorrow," I repeated, trying to sound as excited as she did.

Clara's smile faltered for a moment as she leaned closer. "Viv, are you okay? I mean, I know you've been counting down the days, but now that it's here... it's okay to be scared, you know."

Her words hit me, and I felt a lump forming in my throat. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "It's just... I've dreamed about leaving for so long, but now that it's happening, I don't know what to feel. What if I'm not ready? What if I fail out there?"

Clara reached out and took my hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "Vivian, you're the strongest person I know. You've survived everything this place has thrown at you, and you've come out stronger. So don't worry, babe."

Her words weighed on me, reminding me of everything I've endured here.

When I first arrived here, everything felt so devastating, so hostile but then I had no choice but to adapt, to learn quickly, or face the consequences.

The harsh treatment from the other kids, the stern discipline from the matron, it all felt unbearable at times.

My charm and quick thinking often got me out of trouble, and soon enough, I found myself in the matron's good graces.

She began to rely on me, trusting me with more responsibilities around the orphanage and it wasn't long before I became her favorite.

But even with the matron's favour, there was one thing I could never seem to get.....adoption.

Year after year, couples would come through, looking for a child to complete their family.

They'd smile at me, ask questions, and sometimes even compliment me on how pretty and smart I was. But that's where it always ended.

They'd choose someone else.....always someone else.

So yeah, I was ready to leave. I had been ready for a long time.

The outside world couldn't be any worse than this place, could it? I had nothing left to lose.

"Vivian!"

I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of a familiar voice calling my name.

I turned to see the matron standing at the entrance, with a wide smile spread across her face.

She didn't smile often, and when she did, it usually meant something was about to change.

"Come with me, dear. There's someone here who wants to meet you," she said, her voice surprisingly gentle.

My heart skipped a beat, and a rush of adrenaline surged through me. I glanced at Clara, who gave me an encouraging nod.

This had happened before, but something about the matron's demeanour made this time feel different.

Maybe it was the way she looked at me, almost as if she believed this could really be it.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Alright," I whispered, standing up with shaky legs as I followed the matron out of the room.

We reached the entrance, where a couple stood waiting. Well, perhaps not exactly a couple.....the woman looked far more elegant than the man.

She was well-dressed, the kind of woman who looked like she belonged in a magazine...perfectly polished and poised, everything about her screamed wealth.

The man, in contrast, appeared more like an escort, because of the way he appeared.

The woman smiled warmly at me, and the man extended his hand in greeting.

"Vivian, this is Mrs. Anderson and her good friend," the matron introduced. "They've come all the way from the city to meet you."

I said it, he wasn't the husband.

Mrs. Anderson placed her hands gently on my shoulders and said softly, "Hello, Vivian. The matron has spoken so highly of you. I can't wait to spend more time with you."

I felt a warm sensation in my chest. For the first time in years, someone wanted to spend time with me, someone who might actually see me as... family.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, my earlier fears and doubts temporarily pushed aside.

Maybe, just maybe, this was it. Maybe I was finally getting the family I had always dreamed of.

"Why don't you go pack up your things, Vivian? We can leave as soon as you're ready." she continued.

A small smirk formed on my lips as I thought about my lack of personal belongings. "I don't really have anything to pack. We..."

"We don't keep personal belongings here, Mrs. Anderson. Everything is shared among the children. Vivian has nothing of her own to take." the matron interjected.

Mrs. Anderson's expression shifted slightly, but she quickly masked it with a warm smile. "That's alright," she said, calmly.

"We'll take care of everything you need from now on, Vivian. Let's not worry about anything else."

"Errmh...let me go say goodbye to my friend first, and then we leave," I said, running a hand through my hair as I headed towards the room.

As I walked down the corridor, my heart felt like it was about to burst from excitement.

This was really happening. I was finally going to have a family.

I barely noticed Clara until she practically jumped in front of me, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Vivian!" Clara squealed, dancing with joy.

"Oh my God, Clara, keep your voice down." I cautioned, dragging her playfully inside the room.

"Oh my gosh, do you know who that is?" she asked, trying to keep her voice down but failing miserably.

I blinked at her, still dazed. "What? Who?"

Clara grabbed my arm. "That's Mrs. Anderson! The Anderson family! They own StellarTech and a bunch of other companies. They're like super billionaires!"

I froze, the pieces suddenly clicking together in my mind. Anderson.

The matron had introduced the woman as Mrs. Anderson.

OH My God!

How had I not noticed? The woman who might be taking me home... was Jack's mother.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Jack. The boy who had been my best friend, the one who had given me that bracelet, was now connected to the family that might become my new life.