Chapter 51

The university was hosting an end of the year dance for the graduating class. It was a huge event, and the students were buzzing about the festive occasion. With everything going on in her life, Emma had forgotten about it. When she stopped by her dorm, the invitation was stuffed under her door. For a moment she contemplated skipping it all together. But she promised herself that she would do her best to celebrate her successes, and enjoy her life despite everything that had gone wrong.

​ “I have to go,” Emma said to herself. She thought of all the dresses Will got for her at Jason’s boutique. She had to put them to some sort of use, didn’t she? But who would even go with her? Will was her “fiancé,” but their relationship wasn’t one where he would take her to an event like that. She may be Cinderella, but he wasn’t the prince that was waiting for her at the royal ball. Either way, she was positive he’d say no.

​ She got home that night, prepared to ask him prepared to be turned down.

​ “Will?” she knocked on the doors of his study. “Can I come in?”

​ “Yeah,” he called from inside. She pushed the doors open. Will’s study was similar to the rest of his apartment. Muted tones of gray and black accented with white balanced each other. His desk was massive and littered with pens, scraps of paper and stacks of files. An imposing glass bookcase lined the wall behind him. There was a small picture frame perched on one of the shelves. A younger Conrad carried a small boy on his shoulders. She’d seen that photo in Conrad’s album. She smiled at the memory of a once happy Will. Though it was tinged with sadness at the thought that she’d never know him.

​ “What do you want,” he said without looking up.

​ “The university’s end of the year dance is this weekend. I wondered if you’d like to go with me,” she said. Her voice was unsure, like she was asking him a question she was afraid to ask.

​ “No,” he said without thinking about it. “I’m not available that day.”

​ “You don’t even what day it is,” Emma was incensed.

​ “Doesn’t matter. I’m not available that day,” he still didn’t look up. “Remember what this is. I’m not your loving boyfriend.” He looked up and smirked at her. “And it’s not like either of us are going to get lucky at the end of the night, right? You took that off the table.”

​ “You’re impossible,” she argued.

​ “I’m just honoring your wishes.”

​ “So, you won’t go with me because I won’t have sex with you after?”

​ Will sighed. It was filled with aggravation.

​ “I’m not going because I don’t want to. I’m busy, and you’ve made it so that there isn’t anything in it for me.”

​ “Ugh!” Emma was so annoyed with him. A simple no would have been enough. He took advantage of any chance he could to be mean to her. “Fine. Whatever. Don’t go.” Emma walked out of the study, closing the door behind her. Why did she even bother asking him? Why did she bother with him at all? Maybe she should have included in their new arrangement that he should be nicer to her. The thought made her laugh. William Stewart being nice? He’d probably drop dead from the effort.

​ “He should be thankful for me,” Emma muttered to herself once back in her room. He couldn’t had hoped for a better partner in this. Whatever his reasons, he needed her for this. And as much as she hated it, she needed him to. They relied on each other. Maybe someday he would realize it. Regardless of his attitude, Emma had resolved to go to the event. Will would not deter her from living her life.

​ She decided to call Sabrina, and see if perhaps they could go together.

​ “Oh girl, I’m sorry. I’m going with Alex. We’ve made plans and everything. He’s renting a limo and he’s getting a tux to match my dress,” Sabrina squealed at the end.

​ “Don’t be sorry,” Emma said with a smile. “I’m glad things are okay between you two again.”

​ “Thanks! Things are so good now. Like… so good,” Sabrina said suggestively.

​ “Sabrina!” Emma laughed. “Oh my God!”

​ “Sorry, not sorry. I’ll give you all of the dirty details another time. What are you going to do, then?”

​ “I guess I’ll go alone. I’m not going to miss it just because I don’t have a date.”

​ “That’s the spirit! There is so much I want to talk to you about, but I have to go now.”

​ “We’ll talk at the dance. Bye!”

​ “Bye!”

​ Emma giggled. Sabrina was a such a mess sometimes, but the best kind.

​ “Well, guess I’ll just pick my outfit.” She went to her closet and looked at the dresses that Jason had selected for her. The dance was formal, but not as extravagant as a socialite’s wedding. She decided on a simple, backless, emerald green satin dress. It had similar plunging neckline to the lavender fantasy she wore to Grace’s wedding. However, the dress was more fitted. The satin caressed her skin. The true highlight of the dress was a high leg slit. She would be going alone, but she would still look her best.

The night of the dance, Jack had assured her he would be available to drop her off and pick her up whenever she needed.

​ When she arrived, Emma searched for Sabrina and Alex. They were settled on one of the many small tables scattered around the event space. Décor was simple and tasteful. Small tables were draped in white table cloths and adorned with modest floral arrangement in sleek glass vases. Lights were dimmed, and music was loud but not overpowering. Buffet tables lined the far side of the space. It was a far cry from the elegant decadence of Grace’s wedding, and Emma felt much more comfortable.

​ “Hi, Emma,” Alex greeted her when she approached them. “It’s great to see you. You look nice.”

​ “Good to see you, Alex,” Emma smiled. “And thanks.”

​ “Nice?” Sabrina exclaimed. “She looks fucking hot! Turn around, let me see!”

​ Emma laughed and twirled for her friend.

​ “Yes girl! I love it!” Sabrina turned to Alex. “Babe, can you get us a few things to munch on?”

​ “Of course,” he leaned down and gave Sabrina a small kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

​ “You two look great!” Emma gushed.

​ “There is so much I want to tell you!” Sabrina grabbed Emma’s hands. “He asked me to move in with him!”

​ “Really? Are you going to?”

​ “I did. Just a couple of days ago. He told me he loves me!”

​ “That’s great! Do you love him?”

​ “Yeah. I said it back. Is that crazy? Do you think it’s too soon?”

​ “Not at all. You can tell how much he loves you by the way he looks at you! I’m so happy for you. Do you think you two will ever get married?”

​ “Maybe? I fell hard and fast for him, so I do hope he’s the one. I think he is, but it’s too soon. Things have already moved so fast, so I don’t want to rush anything else. He even offered me a position at his company after graduation. And while that could lead to many sexy times, I don’t want to mix business and pleasure like that.”

​ “That makes sense. Have you had any other job offers?”

​ “A few. I’m still weighing my options. But girl, I have been babbling about myself since you got here! What about you? What are you going to do after graduation?”

​ “I haven’t made any plans,” Emma hung her head. “I’ve been focusing on my dad and the contest. I have applied for a few jobs, but haven’t heard anything. It seems like everything is such a mess right now.”

​ “Cheer up! You passed the first round in that contest. Even if you don’t win, you’ve been noticed by prestigious people in your field. One of them is bound to want to hire you!”

​ “You think so?”

​ “Girl, I know so! You’ve got everything going for you! And let me tell you, you broke some necks when you walked in. Has anyone caught your eye?”

​ Emma blushed and looked away Sabrina.

​ “Well, I…”

​ “Is it Will? There seems to be something going on with you two. The way he looks at you is so… primal,” Sabrina commented.

​ “Uh…,” Emma didn’t know what to say. She had been lying to her best friend about Will for so long. How could she tell her that she was getting married in less than a month?

​ “Sorry that took so long,” Alex said as he came back with a couple of plates of food. “The line was a mile long.” *Oh thank God!* Emma was glad for the interruption.

​ “That’s okay,” Sabrina beamed at him. A popular song came up, and Alex’s eyes lit up.

​ “Dance with me?” He implored his girlfriend. Sabrina giggled but looked at Emma.

​ “I can’t leave my girl all alone.”

​ “Oh, please don’t worry about me. Go dance with your boyfriend,” Emma smiled at Alex. They really loved each other and it warmed her heart. Lying to her friend and keeping secrets from her was the last thing she wanted to do. It was hard and she hated herself for it. As she picked at the food Alex brought for them, she heard someone call her name.

​ “Emma?” She looked up and was shocked to see Spencer walking towards her.

​ “Oh hi!” Emma greeted. She covered her mouth so the food she had just shoved in it didn’t fall out.

​ “Wow,” he breathed. “You look amazing.

​ “Thank you,” she blushed. “It’s wonderful to see you. What are you doing here?”

​ “I helped to sponsor the dance this year. I used to go to this school, but dropped out in my sophomore year. I’ve never been to a school dance at all, so I figured I should attend the one I sponsored.”

​ Emma giggled, and invited Spencer to sit down. They conversed about the design contest, and different architectural concepts. Their conversation was easy, interesting and captivating. The conversation eventually floated into Emma’s family life. She mentioned about how her father was recovering from an accident and how she had been caring for him.

​ “You are just so impressive,” Spencer commented. “Balancing two majors, the contest and caring for your father? How do manage?”

​ “I’m not sure,” Emma blushed. Spencer was such a gentleman. He listened to her and was genuinely interested in what she said. “Most days feel like a spiral. I’ve been so focused what what’s happening around me, that I feel like I haven’t had time to think about what happens after graduation.”

​ “You could come to my studio,” Spencer offered. Emma’s eyes went wide. That would be a dream come true, but she didn’t want to seem too eager. “I already know that I like your design aesthetic and you did well at the contest.”

​ “Wow, thank you. That’s such a kind offer. Can I think about it?”

​ “Of course. Emma listen,” Spencer said with a sudden shyness. “I’d love to ask you out for dinner sometime.”

​ Emma’s eyes almost flew out of head. She hadn’t expected that. Spencer was very handsome, and she really enjoyed talking to him. But the image of someone else popped into her mind.

​ “That would be nice,” Emma said trying to sound as friendly as possible. “I’d love to pick your brain some more. I have so many questions.” She took a bite of cake that Alex had brought over, and some frosting smudged on her lips. “Oh no,” she lamented.

​ “Let me,” Spencer offered. He leaned into her a bit, wiping the frosting away with a tissue. Their eyes locked, and Emma blushed. Spencer stared at her with sincere attraction in his eyes.

​ “Thank you,” she whispered.

​ “Well, well, well,” a familiar unwelcome voice jeered. “Looks like Emma went and got herself another sugar daddy.”

​ It was Vivian. Why was it always Vivian?
The Billionaire's Contract Pet
Detail
Share
Font Size
40
Bgcolor