Millionaire Girlfriend

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 - The invitation

"I know your name because it’s written right here," Clara added, pointing to the name tag on Ashley’s uniform.

"Oh... I see," Ashley replied awkwardly.

"What’s this?" Ashley asked, picking up the papers Clara had been reading.

"I don’t remember learning any of this in class... at least, not that I can remember," she said after skimming through the pages.

"It’s not for class. It’s for something else," Clara explained, gently taking the papers back from Ashley.

"Oh? For what?" Ashley asked curiously.

She rarely had the chance to talk to someone her own age, especially someone who was in the same class as her.

This might be her chance to make a friend... and maybe even get some free help with the subjects she hadn’t been able to keep up with.

"Ashley! Get over here!" Viviane shouted from across the café.

"I’m coming!" Ashley called back.

"Sorry, I have to get back to work before my boss kills me," she said to Clara before hurrying away.

Clara simply responded with a warm smile.

---

"This is the second time I’ve caught you eating lemon pie. Do you want me to deduct it from your paycheck?" Viviane said later that afternoon.

Ashley still hadn’t eaten a proper meal all day. She was completely broke after spending every dollar she had saved on her share of the rent.

"What’s gotten into you today, Boss? You know I haven’t eaten anything all day. Don’t tell me this is about your son again. What did he do this time?" Ashley asked, her mouth still full of lemon pie.

"A girl from his class told me that little brat offered her money in exchange for letting him stare at her breasts," Viviane explained, completely unaware that her son had made the exact same offer to Ashley and that Ashley had accepted because she felt sorry for him and desperately needed the money.

"So... what did the school say?" Ashley asked.

"The girl was kind enough to keep it quiet and came to me directly instead," Viviane replied.

"And you..." Viviane continued, pointing at the half-eaten dessert in Ashley’s hands, "stop eating my pancakes if you can’t afford to pay for them."

"It’s already the afternoon. I’m probably the only person who still wants to eat your pancakes," Ashley defended herself before reluctantly setting her spoon down.

As she wiped the counter, she noticed that Clara her so-called classmate was still sitting at the very same table.

She had been there since noon.

Now the afternoon was nearly over.

Seeing that Viviane was busy, Ashley walked over to continue their conversation.

"You’re still here. I admire your determination. I would’ve given up hours ago, no matter what those papers were about," Ashley said warmly, hoping to break the ice.

"Actually, I gave up hours ago," Clara admitted.

"I’ve just been waiting for you to come back," she added with a gentle smile.

"Hmm?" Ashley blinked in surprise.

The confused expression on Ashley’s face seemed to make Clara panic.

"Oh my God! I didn’t mean it like that." She laughed nervously. "Actually... some people I know are going to a party later tonight. I don’t really get along with them, so I was wondering if you’d come with me."

Her voice was full of hesitation.

"Look, I know we don’t really know each other, but I don’t have any friends in this city... and I could really use one. Please."

Ashley had originally planned to go straight home when her shift ended at six that evening.

It had been a long time since she had even been near a party.

To be honest, she had never really experienced one.

At the foster home where she had grown up, the curfew had always been so strict that she had never been allowed to stay anywhere long enough to enjoy herself.

Besides...

This was the first time anyone had ever invited her to a party.

Looking at Clara more carefully, Ashley couldn’t help noticing how charming she was.

Appearances could be deceiving...

But she doubted the young woman standing in front of her was secretly a psychopath.

After all...

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

"One question..." Ashley said with a playful smile.

"You’re not a serial killer, are you?"

Clara burst into laughter.

It was the most beautiful smile Ashley had ever seen in her entire life.

"No, I swear," Clara replied, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"That’s exactly what a serial killer would say," Ashley added with a perfectly serious expression, making it obvious she was joking.

_________

A few hours later, they arrived at a magnificent mansion.

"Wow..." Ashley breathed, nervously smoothing the wrinkles out of her simple blue dress.

When Clara had mentioned a party, Ashley had imagined a small house packed with college students getting drunk.

She hadn’t expected to end up at a freaking royal ball.

"Don’t worry. You look beautiful," Clara said with a reassuring smile.

She herself was wearing a breathtaking crimson evening gown that seemed to draw everyone’s attention.

"Easy for you to say. Compared to your dress, I feel like I’m wearing a potato sack," Ashley shot back, gesturing toward her own dress, which was plain, slightly worn, and far from remarkable.

"I’m not talking about your dress," Clara replied softly.

"I’m talking about your smile... and your mesmerizing hazel eyes."

Ashley felt her cheeks grow warm.

"Come on. I want to introduce you to our host."

Clara took Ashley’s hand and gently led her farther into the ballroom, where elegantly dressed young men and women mingled beneath dazzling chandeliers.

Ashley couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t belong in a place like this.

And she was right.

Still, she wasn’t about to complain.

Maybe this was the perfect place and the perfect opportunity to meet her rich Prince Charming.

But would Prince Charming even want someone like her?

Maybe...

As a maid.

"Carl, this is Ashley, a friend from college. Ashley, this is Carl, my older brother," Clara said, pointing toward a man in his mid-twenties.

He was dressed in a striking red suit, a pair of sunglasses hanging from the collar of his shirt. Several young women surrounded the table where he was sitting, eagerly competing for his attention.

"Ashley, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad my half-sister finally found a friend. And thank you for coming to my birthday party," Carl said.

Ashley’s mind practically shut down as everything sank in at once.

First, this enormous mansion belonged to Clara’s family.

Second, this was a birthday party...

And she hadn’t brought a gift.

And third...

She had somehow become friends with an incredibly wealthy girl.

Maybe Clara could introduce her to someone.

A good husband...

Or at least an employer who paid well.

That had suddenly become a real possibility.

She just had to make sure their friendship lasted.

"Uh... Happy Birthday, Carl. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you a present," Ashley apologized.

Even if she had known in advance, there was no way she could have afforded a gift worthy of someone this wealthy.

In fact, she could barely save enough money to feed herself.

"It’s fine. I just bought myself the latest red Ferrari. I don’t think someone like you could afford a gift that matches my taste anyway."

After saying that, he slowly looked Ashley up and down before turning his attention back to the women surrounding him.

"Excuse me?" Ashley asked in disbelief.

’ What an asshole ’ she thought, carefully keeping the insult to herself.

It was probably wiser not to offend the owner of the mansion.

After his insulting remark, Carl didn’t even bother looking back at her.

A moment later, Clara gently took Ashley’s hand again.

"Come with me," she said, leading her away with the same gentle smile as before.

"I’m sorry about that. My brother’s a complete asshole," Clara apologized.

Ashley couldn’t help laughing.

She hadn’t expected Clara to say out loud exactly what she had been thinking.

"Savage. I love it," Ashley said with a grin.

"I didn’t think you’d actually insult your own brother."

"I rarely insult people..." Clara replied.

"But I make an exception when I’m talking about my brother."

"Actually... my half-brother, Carl."

That earned another laugh from Ashley.

"Wow... I love seeing you laugh," Clara said casually.

"Listen, I know you haven’t eaten much today, so let me show you the buffet."

With a theatrical flourish, she swept one arm toward the enormous banquet table.

"Holy shit..." Ashley blurted out.

Never in her life had she seen such a long table overflowing with so much luxurious food.

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