The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

The local chess club was a familiar haunt for the regulars.

As soon as Grayson and Brittany started their game, a crowd gathered around them.

These folks were seasoned players, not much for the latest TV shows, but they'd caught a glimpse of the previous inter-city tournament and recognized talent when they saw it.

Someone called out to Brittany, "Hey, weren't you on TV a while back?"

Brittany, who'd forgotten to wear a mask, quickly denied it, "No, sir, you must be mistaken."

As she fumbled for her mask in her pocket and put it on, the old man didn't press further, assuming his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Grayson knew Brittany well enough to recognize her modesty. Anyone else who'd beaten a star player from Welandia would've been all over the news, boasting. But not Brittany. Even faced with recognition, she shied away from it. The elder, nudged by his family to come home for dinner, couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity.

At the dinner table, his granddaughter, Mabel, was enjoying her meal when he leaned in, "Mabel, you're a journalist, right? Did you cover that match where the girl beat the Welandia chap? What did she look like?"

Brittany's photo on her phone, Mabel showed

eyes lit up,

intrigued, grabbed her camera, "Thanks, grandpa,

interview subject for

chess club, Mabel caught Brittany and Grayson stepping

can I

aback and alone, refused, "Sorry, I'm

"You're the talk of the town, Brittany. People want to know about you. Let's set

spotlight, Brittany tried to turn off Mabel's camera, insisting, "I'm not a public figure.

desperation peaked, grabbing her arm, "Just a

over. Furious at the damage, Mabel pushed Brittany, who fell hard against the

shouted, realizing the gravity of

Mabel was too caught up with her broken camera to notice