The Billionaire Is Mine

Vanessa slammed her locker.

"Stupid combination," she mumbled.

Jacqueline bounded up to her in the junior hallway. She sometimes reminded Vanessa of Hunter a spaniel Leonard her brother owned. She trembled with excitement over anything and kept chattering leaving Vanessa wishing she had magic to turn her into a toad like the wishing well.

"Guess what is happening tonight," Jacqueline shrieked.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. She hated guesses but Jacqueline didn't care. She once told an introverted Vanessa that being quiet could make her get a mouth ulcer.

"What?"

"Paige is having a party!" Jacqueline said and whooped loudly causing a few students to look their way.

"So?" Vanessa whispered.

"So?" Jacqueline repeated, her eyebrows drawn together. Vanessa stared at her navy blue deep-set eyes which had widened in surprise. Jacqueline loved parties. She loves music, festivals, concerts and just anything noisy. She was scrappy, fearless and had a smart mouth, unlike Vanessa who was shy and quiet.

Vanessa was everyone's favourite. At fourteen she was tall and had the perfect beauty of adolescence. People didn't love her just about the way she looked, with her red, wavy hair, her satin skin and hazel brown eyes. She was intelligent and smart. Even her teachers found her irresistible but intelligent. The boys drooled over her. She sat back and enjoyed as everyone worshipped her. She also thought that she had been born as one of the luckiest people on earth. She had a wonderful father and a mother who loved her. They adored her physical beauty but did everything in their power to educate her mind. Peter Alan her father who owned a restaurant taught her cooking, Mia her mother who was a school teacher in literature and Leonard her brother taught her sports. Having such a wonderful family Vanessa grew up happy, intelligent and independent.

Jacqueline stood staring at Vanessa who knew she couldn't keep up the stare. They used to compete with each other who could stare longer without blinking. Vanessa grabbed Jacqueline's arm and pulled her away.

"Are you coming?" Jacqueline asked.

"I don't know," Vanessa sighed.

Jacqueline halted abruptly and turned to Vanessa. She took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"I understand. But you need to get out once in a while to feel free," she said a little too loudly.

Now the motivational talks.

"You can't do anything about Leonard. You can only hope for the best. He also would want you to enjoy your teenage hood because it won't last forever,"

Vanessa looked down at her feet dejected. Three years ago Leonard was diagnosed with cancer. Her mom had given up her job to tend to him at the hospital. She had hoped for his recovery but last month when she visited him at the hospital she found out that his eyesight was failing. She and her mom took turns to read him books.

"Vee?" Jacqueline called out. Vanessa raised her head and Jacqueline pulled her into a warm embrace.

"You could ask your dad to drop you off," Jacqueline said patting Vanessa's back.

"He can't. He has been working late lately," Vanessa replied.

Jacqueline turned to face her.

"Well," she said smiling mischievously. "You could ask Mr Gorgeous," she winked.

They bust out laughing. Mr Gorgeous was Greg Neville, Leonard's best friend who had moved to Houston from Las Vegas twelve years ago. He lived with Nana his great-grandaunt in a huge mansion in Newcastle Estate. He was the son of a wealthy businessman Sir Edward Neville and Vivian Neville. Greg at twenty-one was tall with broad shoulders. He had green deep-set eyes, a well-proportioned nose, full lips and a chiseled jaw. His ash blonde hair was highlighted subtly in a professional setting.

He had met Leonard when he was nine years old at the park. Leonard who had been flying his kite saw Greg sitting alone sulking, came up to him and asked if he wanted a kite. Greg still angry that he had to live with his great grand aunt told him no. Leonard then asked if he had a brother. Greg didn't answer but Leonard didn't mind. He then went on to tell him how he had begged his mother for a little brother but his mother had given him a little sister. Greg had laughed and said he wanted a brother too. Leonard then took Greg's hand and told him since they had both wanted a brother, they could be brothers.

They had both studied at the same elementary and high school. He was one of the popular boys at school. He was also Vanessa's crush. He had known she had a crush on him but treated her as a child. He had a special name for her which was "Pretty little one". Vanessa liked that he had called her pretty but also disliked that he had thought of her as a little girl. And whenever Greg called her by that name she would pout, looking more adorable. Leonard who was fond of his little sister never left her alone. He made sure she was always with him and so Vanessa was able to watch Greg at whatever he did because Leonard and Greg were always together. Greg was strong, charming and decisive. During his teenage years, he had grown into a tall, extraordinarily handsome youth with a mature courtesy. All the girls at school adored and fussed over him but Greg was not excessively interested in them. Greg loved Leonard as a brother. He had sworn to always be there for him and he did. He protected Leonard who was the exact opposite of him. Leonard had been born sickly. He had pneumonia as a child and was always in and out of the hospital but Greg was always by his side. Greg threw a party for Leonard when he had turned eighteen. Nana was away for a medical check-up so Greg hosted the party in the mansion. He had invited only the hottest and most popular kids at school. Vanessa had learnt about the party at the park when two teenagers were talking about it. She had begged Leonard to take her with him but he refused. Vanessa had turned to her mother, persuading her to make Leonard take her along. Mia asked Leonard to take Vanessa with him because he and Greg had lied that they were having a sleepover. Leonard had no choice but to take her with him. At 8:00 pm, Vanessa was ordered to the bedroom upstairs by her brother when the party was at its peak and wild with a lot of teenagers drinking and making out downstairs. Vanessa had gone to bed angry. She lay in bed imagining the things that went on downstairs. She suddenly heard a thud at the door and slowly turned the lock. She opened the door slightly to peek out and she saw a girl and a guy making out in the hallway. The girl who had her arms around the guy's neck was making animal sounds. The guy's arm was under the girl's skirt and Vanessa tried imagining what those hands were doing to her. Her heart thumped as she watched them kiss so passionately. To get a better view she opened the door a little bit wider and the door creaked a little. The guy raised his head to look in her direction and Vanessa shut the door with a slam.

It was Greg! She rushed to her bed and slid into the covers. Her heart was beating so fast. He had seen her. She knew he had known she had been peeking.

Vanessa felt so heartbroken. She knew he had girls flocking all over him but hadn't caught him in the very act until now. She laid awake in bed all night dreaming of Greg kissing her till she slept off.

Leonard woke her up for breakfast the next day but she was scared to go downstairs. And when she did, she avoided looking at Greg who went about his day like he hadn't done something wrong. She had hoped in her child's heart he would keep himself till she was old enough for him.

"Bye," Jacqueline waved to Vanessa as she alighted from the school bus. Vanessa walked into her home. She was greeted by Hunter, Leonard's spaniel as usual. She walked into her room stopping briefly to look at the picture frame that hung on the wall. It was a picture they took as a family at her twelfth birthday party. She sighed as she walked into her room. She showered, changed into a jumper and walked into the kitchen. She quickly made some toast, grabbed a can of Pepsi and sat down to eat. She had planned to call Greg to ask him if he could drive her over to Paige's house.

Her phone rang and she paused thinking it was Greg calling to ask if she was home already. It was her dad.

"Hi Dad," Vanessa said biting into her toast.

"Hey, sweetie. Umm...are you home?"

"Umm," she replied with her mouth full.

"Err...Listen you shouldn't wait up for me alright? I have some work to do so..."

Vanessa quickly swallowed.

"I understand Dad," she said and then remembered the party.

"Hey, Dad,"

"Yeah?"

"Can I go over to Paige's house tonight?"

"Err...Would you walk over? I ain't coming..." His voice trailed off.

Vanessa could hear people talking in the background.

"Greg would take me,"

"Okay okay, you let him know. I got to go. Love you," He said and hung up.

Vanessa sighed. He didn't even wait for her response. Well, tonight she was going to have fun. She looked down at Hunter who came sniffing around having smelled peanut butter. She got up and fixed his meal. Now Greg. She had to convince him to drive her over.

She texted him.

Vanessa: Hey are you free tonight?

After a few minutes, Greg's text came in.

Greg: Kinda, why?

Vanessa: I'm having a sleepover at Paige's. Could you drive me over by seven?

Greg: Hold on.

Greg called Vanessa's dad. He wanted to be sure she had her dad's permission and he got Peter's approval.

Greg: Okay

Vanessa: Don't be late...smiles

Greg smiled. He had watched Vanessa grow from a cute toddler to a beauty queen overnight. She carried herself as a youthful queen created by superb health, youth, and genuine happiness that high spirits can give. Greg found her attractive but never showed it. After all, she was his best friend's little sister and he also made sure no boy came near her. Vanessa had complained to Leonard about Greg being so protective of her. Leonard sat her down and told her stories of some terrible things boys did to girls especially pretty girls like her if left unguarded and that Greg was just watching out for her like he should but couldn't because he had been diagnosed with cancer and was on medications. He then asked Vanessa to listen to Greg and do what he said. Vanessa occasionally teased Greg by disobeying his instructions.

A few minutes past seven Greg pulled up at Vanessa's house. He drove a convertible that he had bought four months ago. Vanessa got into the car with her backpack.

"Hi," Vanessa said shyly.

Greg smiled at her. She looked lovely in the dress she wore. As he drove, Vanessa occasionally stole glances at him and played with her fingers. Greg who was focused on the road took no notice of her as he hummed the song playing from the car stereo. They said nothing to each other till he pulled up in front of Paige's house. Greg looked surprised to see a lot of teens dancing to the music that boomed from inside. He turned to Vanessa

"There is a party going on," He said with his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

Vanessa blushed. She hadn't told him about the party.

"Well.." she stuttered.

"There is no way I'm gonna leave you here all alone with these..."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know these people,"

"They all attend my school Greg, besides dad knows," she said pouting.

Greg stared at her. Her hair was the colour of fire, and her skin glowed as if refreshed from some inner stream, but her mouth was too vulnerable as if not fully formed.

"Fine. Go on," He said still staring at her.

Vanessa got out, grabbed her backpack and hurried into the house. Greg watched her go in. She had this air of defiance like she was about to break some rules. Well not under his watch. He got out and joined the party. He looked around for Vanessa and found her talking and laughing with some friends. He grabbed a beer, stood in a corner and watched her, ignoring all the pretty girls who tried to get his attention.

Vanessa had seen him come in even before he saw her. Jacqueline and Tessa her friends had called her attention to him.

"Aww looks like Mr Gorgeous is interested in partying with us tonight," Jacqueline said drooling.

"Let's go say hi," Tessa said. She had never had the opportunity to talk to Greg and was jealous of the "privilege" Vanessa had.

"No!" Vanessa said as she sipped her juice.

"He is staring at us. Let's go say hi," Tessa persuaded Vanessa.

"You guys go, I'm not going," Vanessa said firmly.

"Did he drive you here?" Jacqueline asked Vanessa.

Vanessa nodded and went to refill her cup. Tessa bustled over to where Greg stood tall, taller than everyone else. He had thought no one would notice him but he was wrong. The girls wouldn't stop trying to get his attention and the guys occasionally stole glances at him, observing him.

Vanessa tried hard not to look in his way. She knew he had joined the party to keep an eye on her so she wouldn't do anything stupid. Well, that was exactly what she was going to do right now, right under his watch. She walked over to Jake Clay, one of the hottest boys in school who had asked her out so many times and had politely him turned down. She grabbed his hand, pulled him away from his friends who yelled their support and took him to the back of the house where a tree shielded them from prying eyes. There, Vanessa held his face in her hands and kissed him full on the lips. She didn't know how to kiss and broke off after a few seconds. Jake who couldn't believe his luck, grabbed her waist, pulled her against him and kissed her deeply. He suddenly broke off like he was being pulled off. Sure enough, someone had yanked him away and thrown him to the ground like he weighed no more than a bag of chips. It was Greg.

He grabbed Jake up by the collar and hit him with his fist repeatedly.

Vanessa screamed. People gathered around Greg but nobody was bold enough to stop him. They all looked on as he beat up Jake. Satisfied Greg turned toward Vanessa. Fear gripped her for some seconds. She took a few steps back as he advanced towards her. She had never seen him angry. He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her away towards the car. She struggled to free herself from his tight grip.

Greg opened the car door and released her hand.

"Get in," He said roughly.

Vanessa was angry. She hadn't expected him to beat up Jake. He had created a scene without caring how it would affect her at school. Now she would be given a nickname. The kids at her school were brutal when it came to scenarios like this.

"No!" She yelled.

Greg was taken aback. He had expected her to get in quietly. He knew he shouldn't have beaten up Jake. He couldn't understand why he felt angry anytime he saw any guy with Vanessa. He felt angry with Jake for kissing Vanessa. And now, she wants to go back to the party so she can do what? Kiss every dude who would jump at the opportunity.

He took a few steps closer to Vanessa so that her back was against the car and stared down at her.

"Get into the car and I'm not gonna say it again," He said slowly breathing hard.

Vanessa looked up at him. Her beautiful eyes glared at him.

"Make me!" She said with her eyebrows raised.

Greg felt a sensation sweep through him. She was daring him. He took another step closer still staring at her and his body was touching hers. Vanessa returned the stare. He stared at her face, beautiful oval face. Her hair looked wild like wet fire blew over her face. He glanced at her lips, those lips Jake had sucked. They were full and moist. She had kissed a boy in his presence. Tilting her chin, he kissed her. His lips crushed hers. His body reacted in a heartbeat, his sex swelling with urgency in a way he never felt before. He felt her relax. Her sweetened mouth soft under his, he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into the silky warmth of her mouth.

Greg broke off as suddenly as he kissed her. He felt stupid for making out with his best friend's sister. He hadn't expected to feel this way with a minor. He got into the car, started the engine and waited for her to get in.

Vanessa stood astonished. Her skin was burning from his touch. All she could hear was her heartbeat. This was unbelievable. It was a dream come true. She had kissed the one and only Mr Gorgeous. She touched her lips which were swollen from that hot kiss. She was overjoyed. Vanessa turned to go get her bag but changed her mind and decided to get it tomorrow. She got into the car and Greg drove off. They didn't say anything to each other on the way home. In a few minutes, Greg pulled up at Vanessa's house.

"Good night," Greg said.

"Good night," Vanessa whispered her voice trembling and got out of the car.

Greg waited till she was in the house before driving off. Peter wasn't home yet so Vanessa screamed with joy immediately she got into the house. She ran to her room with Hunter after her and settled on her bed. The incident replayed in her mind. Greg had kissed her. Mr Gorgeous had kissed her. Does that mean he loved her? Of course, he did. People don't kiss except if they have feelings for each other. Greg had feelings for her. Damn, she was one lucky girl.

She sang in the shower and danced with an excited Hunter who could sense she was happy. She got into bed with Hunter who had been sleeping in her room ever since Leonard was admitted into the hospital. Vanessa fell asleep thinking about Greg. That night she dreamt about him. In her dream, Greg came to her and kissed her so passionately he set her body on fire.

At school on Monday Vanessa was "very" popular. Those who didn't know her got to know about her because her schoolmates who were at the party had informed those who weren't. There were different versions of what had happened. Some said Greg and Vanessa who were in a relationship had fought and Vanessa had gone off with Jake so she could make Greg jealous. Others said Vanessa wanted Jake to be her boyfriend but Greg wouldn't let her date him. And wherever Vanessa went kids stared at her making her squirm. Jacqueline looked around for Vanessa who had disappeared during recess. She found her hiding in the toilet.

"Oh my God!" Jacqueline whispered in a voice that was loud enough for others to hear.

She squeezed in with Vanessa in the toilet and shut the door. Other girls were talking about the incident in the restroom and Vanessa had been listening.

"What are you doing here?" She asked and before Vanessa could speak, added "Don't tell me you are hiding,"

"That was unbelievable!" She shrieked, her hands on her head holding her hair. "You grabbing Jake and taking him out. And then Greg beating him up,"

She busts out laughing.

"That's insane!" She whispered.

Vanessa listened to her as she rumbled on as usual. This wasn't funny at all. She heard a couple of kids call her "Greg's new pet" in the hallway.

"Vee....what's wrong?" Jacqueline asked.

Just then they heard someone say Vanessa was a whore. Jacqueline pushed the door and came out.

"Who said that?" Jacqueline asked with her hands on her hips. A couple of girls who had been talking kept quiet went about rinsing their hands and left. Jacqueline turned to Vanessa.

"Don't let anyone get to you," she said. "Besides they all wish they had Mr Gorgeous rooting for them,"

Vanessa smiled. Jacqueline was the one who had her back.

Vanessa didn't mention the incident to Leonard and didn't know if Greg told him because they never kept secrets from each other. She'd run into him several times when he came visiting at the hospital but he never said more than a hello to her. She then realized he was avoiding her. But that was the least of her problems. Things had been pretty tough lately at home. Her dad had problems at work and Leonard's medical bills had almost exhausted her parent's savings although Greg assisted financially. At this rate, she wondered if she would be able to go to college. She decided to get an after-school job.

"What kind of job do you have in mind?" Jacqueline asked.

"Well...there isn't any other job I can do until I'm older except..."

"Babysitting!" Jacqueline shrieked.

They were sitting on the old glider swing sipping soda and watching little kids play in the sandbox.

"I can't babysit,"

"I'm not asking you to,"

"Of course, I won't let you get a job without me," she said rolling her eyes."Besides I'm gonna need the experience sooner,"

Jacqueline had vowed never to give birth. She would rather adopt babies than go through the pains of childbirth. When Vanessa asked shouldn't her partner have a say in her decision, Jacqueline snorted that her partner would support her decision or she wouldn't get married.

They were hired by Vanessa's neighbour Kelly Thomas to babysit Jerry her three-year-old son.

One morning during their third week of work, Kelly's younger brother Sam visited his sister. He was nineteen, had a long ponytail, muscles in his arm and brown eyes. He watched them as they took turns engaging his nephew with activities. He stared at Vanessa a lot making her blush.

"Let's play jigsaw puzzle," Jacqueline said to Jerry.

"Yay!" Jerry yelled and ran to his room to get it.

"I want to go pick up some stuff at the store," Sam suddenly spoke up.

"Umm," Jacqueline snorted without looking at him.

"You should come with me,"

Jacqueline glanced at him before replying. "Right now, that's not possible,"

Sam chuckled. "I wasn't talking to you,"

Vanessa blushed. Jacqueline gave him her evil eye.

"Well, as you can see she is working,"

"Let's her respond dude. You ain't her mouthpiece,"

Did he just call her dude? Jacqueline's face turned red.

"Sissy. Do you have a problem?"

Vanessa giggled. Sam stared at Jacqueline who looked like she was about to explode with her heavy dark eyeliner.

"What did you just call me?" He asked.

Jacqueline made an ugly face before responding. "Duh! Do you need hearing aids now.. cause I know I didn't speak Italian pus-sy," Jacqueline emphasized the word pussy.

Sam stared at her dumbfounded. This girl was crazy. He grabbed the keys to his truck and hurried out of the house slamming the door behind him.

Jacqueline and Vanessa busted into laughter but immediately composed their selves as Jerry came out of his room holding his jigsaw puzzle.

"Is Mama home,"

"No darling. It's your uncle Sam who left," Jacqueline spoke sweetly making Vanessa marvel at how good she was at acting.

As they walked home that day Vanessa brought up the topic.

"You're good at acting you know,"

"I'm not aware," Jacqueline said grinning. "I'm good at many things like chewing gum, face timing and quarrels,"

"And tongue-lashing," Vanessa added.

Jacqueline chuckled. "Well, some people need it. They don't understand the word 'politeness'. And I happen to be the one with their antidote.

Vanessa smiled. Jacqueline had a good sense of humour.

Two years later Vanessa got the news of Greg's great-grand aunty's death. She died at ninety-nine leaving behind her great-grandnephew Greg whom she adored and had raised as her own. Nana never married and never had children while she lived. She was a wealthy woman who had lived a quiet life. She had willed all her wealth to Greg who left Houston after her funeral and a few weeks of mourning. He frequently spoke to Leonard on the phone and sent money to settle hospital bills. Leonard had begun hallucinating despite being heavily medicated. Vanessa would sit holding his hand for hours. She missed those years when she would chase after him and Greg. Whenever they saw her coming they would groan pretending she was a real pain. She would tease them, and make them sit still while she took turns making their hair. She missed those days when she fell sick and couldn't disturb them, they would sit with her in her room, reading her books and telling her stories of Disney princesses.

She missed her mom who was always at the hospital tending to Leonard. She missed her dad who was always busy at work and had no time for her. She wished she could make Leonard well and her family go back to how they were. But wishes weren't horses.

On a cool evening, two years later, three days before Vanessa's graduation, Leonard died.