Suddenly, I Am Rich

Selina and Gray agreed to meet at a restaurant.

The restaurant was one of those quiet and elegant ones that is located on the upper floors of a hotel. One that is surely expensive and exclusive to the rich.

Gray arrived a few minutes before their reservation time. He was still wearing his suit from the office, but his tie was now more loosened. He had thought of changing, but Selina had texted him that she was already on the way, so he just came straight from work.

As he waited, he glanced out the window. The city stretched below in his view. It was a good sight to look at after a long day of looking at papers with numbers on them.

Despite the fatigue from reviewing documents the whole afternoon, something about tonight made him feel strangely at ease.

After a few minutes, he heard footsteps getting closer behind him. Followed with a soft voice.

”Sorry, did you wait long?” Selina’s voice was gentle as she spoke to Gray.

Gray turned his head around for a moment. He smiled when he saw Selina.

Selina looked stunning. She was wearing a deep blue dress that framed her figure softly. The fabric flowed smoothly as she moved. Her hair was in a ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face.

”Not at all, Selina,” he said. ”I just got here.”

Selina smiled in return. She almost chuckled a little because his tired Gray said otherwise.

”You look tired,” she said softly as she took a seat.

Gray chuckled, resting his elbow on the armrest.

”Is it that bad? I guess I’ve been staring at numbers too long today.”

”Work again?”

”Yeah.” He nodded. ”Chloe needed my help with something.”

”Chloe Lancaster?” Selina tilted her head slightly, curious about it.

”Yeah,” Gray muttered as a small smile showed at his lips. ”She found something strange in her department’s budget. There are missing funds, so she asked for my help. I told her I’d take a look at it.”

Selina’s eyes stayed on him quietly for a moment before she spoke.

”Can’t she... look for someone else in her company to help her?” she asked, stirring the water in her glass as if it was nothing serious. ”I mean, they must have plenty of capable people there, right?”

Gray’s brows lifted slightly. The question was casual enough, but he could already sense the faint change in her tone.

He smiled faintly, resting his chin on his hand. ”They do,” he said. ”But I guess she just trusts me more.”

Selina gave a soft hum as a response. After that, she pressed her lips together into a polite smile before looking away.

”Hmm. I guess it must be nice to have that kind of trust.”

Gray’s amusement grew as he watched her stir her drink again for no reason. Her fingers were moving faster than necessary, and she wouldn’t quite meet his eyes now as if she had other thoughts in her mind.

”Selina,” he said gently.

Selina blinked but didn’t look at him. Instead, she pretended to be distracted by the menu. ”What?”

”You’re not... jealous, are you?” He leaned slightly forward; his voice was low but laced by a teasing tone.

Instantly, Selina stopped looking at the menu. Her eyes widened slightly, then quickly darted back down.

”Wh–what? No! Of course not!” she answered, almost too quickly.

Gray couldn’t help but chuckle at it. His eyes were filled with amusement.

”Are you sure? You just sounded a little... defensive there.”

”I’m not defensive,” she insisted again, her voice getting a little higher. ”I just thought it was strange that she’d go to you instead of someone from her own company. That’s all.”

”Right,” Gray said, grinning now. ”You’re just concerned.”

”Exactly.” Selina crossed her arms lightly, trying to keep her composure.

Gray tilted his head, watching her expression. Selina was now pouting. There was also a slight embarrassment in her eyes that refused to stay on him for too long.

”You know,” he said softly, ”you’re not very good at hiding things.”

Selina’s lips parted slightly as if she wanted to deny it again, but the words caught in her throat. ”I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she muttered under her breath.

”I just wanted to help Chloe figure it out,” he said gently, his tone turning sincere now. ”That’s all. You don’t need to worry.”

Selina’s shoulders eased slightly, but there was still a glint of doubt in her eyes

”I wasn’t worried,” she said quietly.

Gray’s lips curved slightly; his tone was still light. ”It’s fine, Selina. I know you’re jealous.”

Selina froze for a second, her eyes widening a little bit. ”What? I’m not!” she blurted out loud. Her voice became sharper and defensive than she intended.

Gray only chuckled quietly, leaning an elbow on the table with an amused look.

”You are.”

”I’m not,” she repeated again. Selina was frowning now. She crossed her arms as if the gesture could somehow shield her from how flustered she felt by Gray’s words.

”You are,” he said again. Much softer this time, but the teasing in his voice was still there.

Selina’s brows formed a straight line.

”You’re so—” She stopped, biting her lip, unsure whether to argue or throw her napkin at him. His expression didn’t help either. He was just sitting there, relaxed and certain, like he already knew the truth.

”You really think I’d get jealous over something like that?” She exhaled, eyes darting away.

Gray tilted his head slightly. ”Wouldn’t you?”

Selina blinked, looking almost offended as she shook her head quickly. ”I’m not!”

”Selina, you can just say yes. No need to deny it.” He muttered again.

”You are,” he said again, softer this time. But still, his voice carried a teasing confidence that made her annoyed.

Selina’s eyes narrowed slightly. She pressed her lips together and glared at him.

”Gray, do I even have the right to be jealous when we’re not... even together?”

A moment of silence soon followed after that.