Contract Marriage

CHAPTER 3:ONE NIGHT STAND

Selene POV

“I have to say, I was wrong. Who knew working as a maud could be so lucrative?” Elly says with a trace of envy as he watches me arrange my new fancy clothes.

“I told you, didn't I? The Tryst Hotel is the way to go.”

“I can't believe that Fred Sloan asked you to work for you and not only that, he gave you an advance to get yourself clothes.”

“I know. I swear it still feels like a dream. Lisa says if I play my cards right, I might never have to be a maid again.”

“So, what? You are going to be his mistress or something?”

“Gosh no! Get your mind out of the gutter! I was thinking more of a stable, movie job. Maybe a secretary or something. I am going to have to get a degree though, I can't remain a school dropout forever.”

“Hmm, you are already making plans…”

“What? What is it?” I ask at her dry tone as I finally turn to face her.

“Don't get me wrong. I am happy for you. I just… I want you to be careful. He is a big-time businessman, anything untoward that happens to you and you will get buried. I-”

“You are worried for me,” I say as I walk towards her to take her hands. “I get it. But sometimes, a good thing is just a good thing and breakthroughs actually happen. Look, I promise I will be careful and cautious until the time anything bad happens but for now, can you just be happy for me and let's go celebrate?”

She stares at me for a few seconds before she nods. “Fine,” she says, giving in. “But only if you let me wear that black sequin gown,’ she finishes with a smile.

“Sure! Go for it.”

†

“You know,” I say while looking around at the club. “When I said let's go celebrate, I meant something like a fancy dinner. Not a club.”

“How old are you? Eighty?” She snacks as she leads me deeper into the arena. “When people our age go out to celebrate, they usually do so at bars or clubs.”

The club in question is one of those high-rise, expensive, kinds of places.

The atmosphere is filled with a sense of expensive, and I mean expensive luxury. Hanging from the ceiling are crystal chandeliers that send light off their multi-faceted surfaces, creating a gentle and shimmering twinkling of lights.

At the heart of the club is another dance floor, smaller in size but way fancier, and is fitted with LED panels that pulsate and move in perfect harmony with the music. Surrounding the dance floor are plush velvet booths that offer cozy and private seating arrangements for the patrons, each suited with comfortable throw pillows and sleek tables made of marble.

The bar area showcases a polished and sleek surface, complemented by rows of meticulously polished brass barstools. Behind the bar, shelves are fully stocked with an array of top-tier spirits and liquors, which glitter under the vibrant glow of the LED lights.

On the walls are a series of abstract artworks, featuring abstract patterns and bursts of vibrant colors. Mirrored panels hanging from the walls, creating an illusion of space and adding a touch of elegance to the overall style.

The finishing touch is a glossy black marble floor, its smooth surface reflecting the twinkling lights from above.

“How exactly did you even manage to get into a place like this?” I ask as we take a seat at the bar.

“Dave hooked me up. He knew the bouncer in charge.”

“Cool. Pays to have friends in high or should I say, sneaky places but still, this is so not my style.”

“Well, you better get used to it. This is the kind of place people like your dear Mr. Sloan come to.’

“First of all, he is not my anything and secondly, I doubt that. Lisa says he is not the social type.”

“Well, your Lisa must be wrong because I am pretty sure that’s him I am looking at right now.”

At her words, I whirl around in the direction she is looking at and immediately catch sight of him.

He is in the midst of a few other men, businessmen from the way they are dressed and in what looks to be a serious conversation.

“Huh. Would you like that?” I say. “He is actually in a club. Can't wait to hear what Lusa has to say about that.”

“Yeah, whatever. We are not here for him though. We are here for you. Bartender!” she calls out. “Shots! Tequila shots. And keep them coming. We are celebrating!”

“You are going to pay half of the bill, you know that right?” I tell her.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I rarely get time off for myself so please let me have this before I get called in for an emergency shift at the clinic.”

“If there is a chance of that happening? Should you be drinking?”

“Yeah, but there are ways to get out of hangovers fast. Hospital secrets.”

I scoff at her mischief and throw back a shot of tequila.

I throw back a lot of shots and soon we both find ourselves on the dance floor, thoroughly buzzed and wild.

There are the usual groping hands that get swatted away, and soon the message passed clear.

Do not touch.

That is until another hand- a firm one- snakes around my waist.

I turn around to lash out but the word dies out once my eyes fall on the man.

Fred freaking Sloan.

Now, I will have you know, that I am very drunk, very happy, and as such not in the right frame of mind.

He is also, unfortunately for me, a very handsome man.

Seriously attractive really.

He is well built, with silky, wavy blonde hair with a loose strand that curls over his forehead, startling green eyes, ivory skin, well muscled and lean.

“Hey!” I squeal. “It is the man of the hour! I was just celebrating getting my new job with you!”

“Ina club?” he asks, his deep maritime voice sending all kinds of shivers up my spine.

“Mhm. I wanted to go to a fancy restran- restore resstauraaant. Restaurant! But my friend brought me to a club. A club! I don't do clubs,” I say with a giggle. “And what are the chances that we would meet here?!”

“Very slim. It is my first time in a club for at least three years.”

“Soooo, it is destiny!” I squeal.

I have been squealing a lot, haven't I?

“How so?”

“Well,” I begin as I stagger into him but he steadily me with his oh, so firm hands. “I have never been to a club, you haven't been in a club. We met just yesterday, by total chance. It is ordained by the sky. The heavens are with me!”

He stares intently at me, his hands still gripping my arms.

“So… you didn't plan this?” he asks quietly but I hear him.

It is like my whole body is tuned into him.

“Planned what?” I ask with a giggle.

“Meeting me.”

I chuckle at that.

“How can I plan on meeting you?” I ask, swaying unsteadily on my feet. “You are all the way up there and I am all the way down here, there is no way we can possibly meet. Except we did! Didn't we? At the hotel. It is fate!”

“You keep saying that-”

“It is because I mean it “

“Tell me, Miss. Kane-”

“Selene,” I correct with a pout. “Miss. Kane makes me sound old.”

“Very well, Selene. What do you say about spending the night with me?”

“With you?’ I ask before gasping in surprise. “You mean… like… s*x?” I whisper.

“Yes, Selene. s*x. Would you make love to me tonight?”

“Yes!” I shout. “I don't mind that. Let's go- wait. El. What about El? Do you want to have s*x with El too?”

“No. But I will have my assistant take her home. Is that okay with you?”

“Okay.”

And in no time, I am walking out of the club with the most eligible bachelor in the country still not believing what is happening.

He holds open the car door as he looks over at me.

“Are you sure about this? Fair warning, if you get into this car, there is no turning back.”

“Pfft,” I scoff as I get in. “I don't do takebacks either.”

He grunts with what sounds like satisfaction before getting in.

The door closes with a sense of finality.

Now we are getting somewhere.