My contract love story

“I told you clearly that we’re going to the club tonight. Why did you dress like it’s a picnic at home?” Arthur asked, his gaze fixed on her through the side mirror.

“This is what I had… is it that bad?” she replied defensively, and Arthur rolled his eyes in response.

“Haven’t you been to the club, Ashleigh?” he questioned. She shook her head cluelessly.

“Are you surprised, Arthur? Ashleigh uses the bus to get around, so don’t expect much from her,” Damien interjected, his eyes fixed on the road as he drove.

Arthur turned to look at Ashleigh and shook his head in disappointment.

“Enough said… drive on, Damien,” he said, holding his hand up in silent disapproval as he flopped back dramatically into his seat. Soon enough, they arrived at a private department store.

Arthur showed his membership card, and they entered the store. He went straight to business, while Ashleigh followed behind him with the store attendants, and Damien sat on a couch to wait. Arthur selected a few options for Ashleigh and handed them to her. She eyed the clothes, noting they were on the shorter side.

“Arthur, I don’t feel comfortable in short skirts or trousers,” she said.

“What are you, a nun? It’s fine. Just try on the ones you’re comfortable with instead,” he dismissed her concern, ordering the attendant to return the dresses she didn’t like.

Ashleigh stepped into the dressing room. After trying on the remaining dresses, she settled on a green satin crop top and a pair of black flowing trousers. When she emerged, Arthur’s eyes lit up in excitement.

“This is perfect! We’re good to go!” he exclaimed. Ashleigh nodded in agreement as she looked at herself in the mirror. He dragged her out, instructing the attendant to pack up the remaining clothes and bring them to the counter.

“Oh Arthur, you really didn’t have to do this. The outfit I have on is okay for now, and I’ll pay for it,” she protested, but Arthur ignored her and continued to the counter, dragging her past where Damien sat.

Damien, who had been waiting, looked at them as they passed by without acknowledging him. He stood up and followed them to the counter, stunned as he observed how Ashleigh’s outfit had transformed her appearance. Ashleigh, paying no attention to him, was still arguing with Arthur, who extended his card to the staff at the counter.

“Ashleigh, I decided to bring you here and get you these outfits because I don’t plan on having you look dull when we go out. This is just the first of many social events we’ll be attending. So, I’ll be paying for the outfits,” he insisted.

“Moreover, this is a private department store, and each item must be paid for with a membership card,” he continued. Ashleigh gave in silently and let him proceed with the payment.

Once they finished and the outfits were packed, Ashleigh reached for them, but Arthur slapped her hand away. As she rubbed her hands in pain, a staff member immediately grabbed the bags and waited for them.

“You don’t do that; that’s why the staff members are here,” Arthur said.

“You could have said that without hitting her,” Damien spoke up for the first time, startling Ashleigh, who had not noticed his presence.

“It’s called tough love. She’ll have to get used to it,” Arthur replied unfazed, adjusting his glasses from his head to his eyes and walking ahead.

They left the store, and Damien drove for a few minutes before arriving at the club. He made his way to the underground parking lot where a valet stood waiting. They pulled up to the entrance and disembarked, Damien handing his keys to the valet as they walked through the door held open by security guards in suits. The hallway was narrow, but the echoes of music resonated as they neared the end, which led to the club. However, Arthur turned down another hallway.

“We aren’t going through that door?” Ashleigh asked, quickening her pace to walk beside him. They reached a set of stairs and began climbing to a door at the top.

“Of course not. We’re going this way,” he said, approaching the entrance where a security guard stood. The man, seeing Damien, made way for them to enter. They entered a large, dimly lit space with a handful of elegantly dressed people milling about. The floors were shiny in the dark, the walls cushioned to muffle the loud music from the ground floor, and a minimal chandelier provided soft lighting. Waiters moved around with trays of champagne, and couches were placed around where some guests sat in groups or pairs. Ashleigh took it all in with fascination and was gently shaken by Arthur.

“You’re gawking. Don’t make it obvious,” he whispered with a smile as a waiter offered them glasses of champagne.

“This is where most students come on weekends; it’s the closest club to the school campus,” he explained as they made their way to the balcony overlooking the general hall below.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Down there is the general hall, which is divided into sections. Up here is the reserved section, where the real elites hang out. From student body representatives to school ambassadors and influencers, they all come here. This is your first step to social visibility in Robin,” he said. Ashleigh nodded in understanding as she looked downstairs.

Her eyes widened when she saw her roommate dancing wildly with her friends. This was the first time she had seen her since her last visit to their room a few days ago. As she tried to focus on them, she was interrupted by a female voice.

“Arthur, what a pleasant surprise!” The voice called out. Ashleigh turned to see him exchanging pleasantries with the lady and her friends.

“I did not expect to see you here today. You haven’t been around for a while,” she said, her voice overly sweet as her smile brightened.

“Well, I’m just here to unwind with a new friend! Say hi, Ashleigh,” Arthur said, gesturing to Ashleigh. She greeted them all with smiles.

“Oh, nice to meet you, Ashleigh…?” the woman drawled, waiting for a response.

“Hartman. Ashleigh Hartman,” she replied for clarity. The woman looked at her with a hint of confusion.

“Doesn’t ring a bell, I’m afraid,” she said dismissively, and Arthur’s smile faltered slightly.

“Well, since you’re here, Damien should be around too. Can you point me in his direction?” the woman asked, standing on her tiptoes to look around.

It was then Ashleigh noticed Damien was not with them, and she wondered why he had been so quiet. Arthur placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder, pulling her down to face him, and put on the sweetest smile he could muster.

“I don’t know where he is, but I’ll let him know you asked! Enjoy the party,” he said. The girl gave him a menacing look before walking off with her friends.

“Bitch,” Arthur muttered, just loud enough for Ashleigh to hear, making her cover her mouth in laughter.

“Who’s the girl?” Ashleigh inquired.

“Someone not worth mentioning. That’s why you need to be here, so you don’t make friends with your worst enemy as well. There are plenty of people like her in Robin,” he explained.

“If you say so. Also, where is Damien? Why does he keep disappearing?” Ashleigh asked, scanning the area for him.

“Oh, he’s in the private booth over there with his staff,” Arthur pointed out. Damien emerged from the booth with some people.

“His staff?” Ashleigh asked.

“Yeah. He owns this club-well, his dad does, technically-so it’s more work for him when we come here, while we get to enjoy ourselves. That’s why we don’t come here much. Also, there are bitches like her milling around, vying for his attention,” Arthur explained. Ashleigh nodded in understanding.

“Now let’s get to why we’re here, shall we?” he said, holding out his hand. Ashleigh swallowed hard before taking it.

He proceeded to introduce her to various people, engaging in conversation, banter, and light jokes. Arthur was carefree, mingling effortlessly and becoming the life of the party, while Ashleigh hesitated to say anything that might seem awkward. As the night progressed, Damien joined them. Ashleigh noticed him only because she was paying close attention to her surroundings.

“Are you having a good time?” Damien asked quietly in her ear. She glanced at him briefly.

“Not that much, but Arthur is really keen on this opportunity, so I have to make it worth it,” she replied, watching Arthur dramatically explaining something to the others, who laughed along.

“He’s like that even with a glass of orange juice-that’s why he’s an art student,” Damien said lightly, observing his friend from his corner.

After a while, Ashleigh felt the need to take a break and stood up.

“Where are you going?” Damien asked, drawing the attention of others to her.

“Oh, I feel a bit stuffy, so I’m going for a walk,” she explained. They all nodded, and Damien made way for her to pass.

She walked to the balcony, observing the party below as people swayed to the music. Her gaze landed on the exit where she saw her roommate and her friends once again. This time, they were with a group of guys and appeared heavily drunk. Both friends were making out with the guys while her roommate was held by two guys and led out.

Ashleigh debated whether she should follow them, given that her roommate had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with her. However, seeing how those guys were holding her roommate, she decided to act. With Arthur and Damien occupied, she slipped away quietly.