chapter 3
1086 Words
Later that night, I decided to go to the bar. My best friend, Amanda and I usually meet up for our weekly happy hour whenever we can.
"What do you mean, you haven’t talked to your fiancé?” Amanda crossed her arms and leveled me with a reproving stare. “What type of ridiculous relationship is that?”
I sigh tiredly. I came here to relax and temporarily forget about all my worries, but it seems that's all Amanda wants to talk about. “An arranged one.” That's if I can even call it that. The bar tilted before righting itself. Perhaps I shouldn’t have had two and a half mai tais in a row, but my weekly happy hour with Amanda was the one time I could let loose.
No judging eyes, no need to worry about how broke I am.
So what if I was a little tipsy? The bar was called The Tipsy Chicken. It was expected.
Amanda is dressed in her baby blue shorts that show off her long tanned legs paired with a red crop top that does an amazing job at showing off her amazing cleavage. Her ginger hair has been combed short to fall on her shoulders.
"Wait. So, you have to fake marry him and have his baby?"
"That's what Madam G said," I answered.
"Oh, babe. I'm so sorry. I thought it was a one and done. I know I referred you to her but it's still not too late to back out. Maybe you can apply for another loan" she suggests.
It's true Amanda referred me to Madam G, but I already had plans to seek out other means since the seven loans I had applied for were rejected.
"My credit is low, Amanda." I explained as I took another slow sip from my mai tai ."If I apply for another loan, the bank will laugh in my face. It's an opportunity I can't miss." I gulp the whole drink down "And who knows? Alexander Wilson might not be so bad" I feel heat creeping into my cheeks as I remember the picture of him from Madam G's office.
After I move in, I’d have to spend every night with him, so I was clinging to my freedom while it lasted. The prospect of sharing a room, a bed with Alexander Wilson was…unnerving.
The images from Madam G's office rose in my mind, I remembered the picture of him sitting behind a desk, eyes dark and posture arrogant, with tendrils of smoke curling around that boldly charismatic face.
An unexpected heat ran between my legs.
"Alexander Wilson!" She exclaimed "You're going to marry Alexander Wilson?" She asks.
"You know him?" I ask
"Hello, do you live under a rock or something?" she teased.
"Sorry, I've been more concerned with raising $100,000 than turning into TMZ" I said the last part jokingly
"Khloe, he's only like the richest man in the whole city!" She exclaims as her lips curl up in a smile.
"What!" If I still had my drink, I'm sure it would be all over the table this instant.
"Come on. The Internet is plastered with information about him. From articles, to videos — you can learn everything you need to know!" She replied still elated
"Really?" My interests suddenly dissipate.
"Yes!"
"Hm. Enough talk about Alexander for the night" I reply.
"Fair enough" she takes a sip of her drink. " So, when are you supposed to meet him?"
"Tomorrow"
"Tomorrow?" She exclaimed "You're basically going to be Alexander Wilson's s*x slave now— totally jealous by the way—so clearly there's only one thing to do."
"What?" I asked. Amanda was more open to things like this than I am. If there ever was a rule book on how to navigate the unexpected, Amanda must have written it.
She's a wild card.
"You're marrying a rich hottie and you'll be able to pay for Kassie's treatment. Celebrate! We have to celebrate, Khloe.l' she yells above the loud music. "It's time to hit a nightclub, babe! We need to make the most of your last night of freedom." The excitement she's feeling is so obvious from her tone.
As much as I hate to say it, Amanda is right. I don't know what tomorrow may hold. I should enjoy the one last night of freedom I have, before I meet him and my life changes forever.
Luckily for both of us, the club closest to us is one of the best in town, according to Amanda.
Several minutes later, I and Amanda arrive at the nightclub, KALON.
"Whoa! The line goes down the street and around the corner!" I exclaim "With this many people, we'll freeze to death before we get inside." I regret not bringing a jacket.
"No way. I'm too young to die. Let's go" Amanda says before dragging me to the front of the line where the burly bouncer stares us down, then looks away.
"You can't just leave two hot girls like us in the cold like this, can you? Amanda asked seductively.
"Yes." he replied
"Seriously?" Amanda asks, fuming.
"Yes" he repeats "Get back in line"
We head back to the bottom of the line.
"We should go home, I'm freezing" I say to Amanda, this line was discouraging.
"Or I can help you get it instead." A voice that wasn't Amanda's says
I turned around to find a tall man towering over us, with his gaze focused on Amanda.
"No, thank you. We don't know you buddy" I replied
"Then let's change that." He smiles at Amanda, clearly smitten. "I'm Clinton Woods." I don't blame him, She's gorgeous. And dressed in that black dress, she looks irresistible.
"Clinton Woods." Amanda repeats "Nice to meet you".
"I'm having a little VIP celebration upstairs. Maybe you can join and we can get to know each other?" He smiles, flashing his pearly whites.
Amanda smiles and starts to follow after him but I grab her arm. "Amanda, not to be that type of person but we can't afford bottle service" I remind her
"I doubt we'll have to pay," she smiled. "Besides, I've never seen a VIP club room before. We have to go, please?" she clasps her hands pleadingly, her lower lips poised in a pout. See what I mean? Wildcard.
There's no way I can say no to that face. "Fine" I groan and then smile at her
"Yes!" She exclaims "let's get me laid"
Oh. Lord.
- Writer
