A Golden Invitation

Davina's POV

I froze at the living room doorway, my work bag's strap cutting into my palm. Calista had pulled me aside while I was getting ready, claiming Mom needed to talk about something urgent.

"Davina, take a seat," Mom commanded from the threadbare sofa, positioning herself like royalty. Her crimson lipstick looked garish against her faded makeup, and her polished nails drummed against her wine glass.

"This can't wait? I've got work," I said, tension creeping into my voice. "I can't show up late again."

Mom's eyebrow arched. "Work? You mean waiting on those spoiled rich brats at Velvet Crown? Give me a break."

I held back my response. Fighting with her never led anywhere good. I needed that job desperately. Velvet Crown meant more than just money—it was my escape route, my chance to gather enough cash to flee Meridian and shed the shame of carrying the Hughes name.

Chase lounged in the corner, absorbed in his phone screen. His ability to ignore our family's drama was almost impressive. At least he kept clear of the constant fighting.

"What's going on, Mom?" I pressed, my patience wearing thin.

Mom's mouth twisted into a grin. "We've got exciting news."

I stared at her, doubtful. "Exciting news?"

"Absolutely!" Calista burst out, practically radiating enthusiasm. "I scored a golden invitation to the Meridian Unicorn Party!"

I stared harder, struggling to understand why this qualified as exciting news for me.

The Unicorn Party—that ridiculous, extravagant spectacle for the wealthy elite—might as well have been on another planet.

"And this benefits me... how exactly?" I asked, completely lost.

"Should be fun though," Chase mumbled, still focused on his screen.

"Fun?!" Calista's voice cracked with hysteria. "Do you realize what this opportunity means? The world's wealthiest eligible men will be there! This is our moment!"

"How exactly did you get invited?" I asked, my voice gaining an edge.

"Connections," Mom said with satisfaction, swirling her wine.

I didn't want to know what kind of "connections" she meant. The truth would probably make me sick.

"Fine, so Calista's attending some exclusive party. What's that got to do with me?" I checked my phone's clock. Time was running out.

Mom leaned closer, lowering her voice to a scheming whisper. "This is our opening, Davina. Calista just has to attract the right man's attention. A billionaire. Someone who can transform our entire situation."

I fought the impulse to roll my eyes. Another one of Mom's ridiculous plots, naturally. Juliette Hughes's existence revolved around hunting wealthy men, and she expected her daughters to be her hunting dogs.

"Good for Calista," I said coldly, standing up. "Best wishes with the party. I need to leave."

"Sit back down, Davina," Mom barked, her voice turning harsh.

"I can't be late—"

"Sit!"

I reluctantly sank back onto the couch, watching the wall clock. I was already pushing my luck with timing.

"Listen, you all know how much we've struggled and lost after that old bastard had me thrown in jail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance that will change our lives forever."

"How does this involve me? Did the whole family get invited?"

"You wish..." Calista snorted. "Nobody's inviting you to that caliber of party with that face."

Chase chuckled, drawing our attention. "Calista, stop pretending Davina isn't the most beautiful one in this family," he said, eyes still glued to his phone.

"Gross, don't talk like that—you're my brother," I grinned, always ready to needle him. "Should I mention she's also the dumbest?"

"I do my best."

"Enough, both of you," Mom scolded. "I seriously need to get to work, Mom. Whatever this is clearly doesn't involve me."

"Always so proud of that job, like it's actually worth something."

Dotty, my middle sister, laughed mockingly.

"At least I'm actually doing something!" I shot back.

Before the fight could explode, Mom's phone rang. She glanced at the screen, a calculating smile creeping across her face. "Same time, same place, Curtis? I'll be there," she purred into the phone.

Nausea hit me like a punch. I didn't need details about the call. It was Mom's typical business—entertaining some wealthy man for money, presents, or favors.

After Mom ended the call, she focused on me again. "The point is, we all need to chip in to get your sister everything she needs for that party. Including you."

"This is insane, Mom! Leave me out of it," I said firmly.

Mom's eyes turned cold. "Don't be selfish, Davina. This is for the family."

"I don't have any money."

"Yes, you do," Dotty jumped in. "You've been hoarding money for college."

"Exactly—for college."

"This is bigger than college, and I've told you countless times—you're a Hughes, you have no business with college," Mom said, checking her phone again.

"And I've told you millions of times—I'm not like you! I refuse to be like you. I won't sit around waiting for some rich guy to rescue me."

"So you think you're superior to us now?"

"Oh my god! I'm done. Calista, I'm sure you can handle this yourself, and when you land your billionaire boyfriend or husband, remember not to share a penny of his money with me."

I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

College in another country was my escape plan. Nobody was going to sabotage that for me.

Nothing mattered more than leaving this town and erasing the cursed name I carried.

"Oh, you're a Hughes, never mind."

"You're a Hughes, you have no voice."

"Girl, you're a Hughes."

"You're a Hughes. Shut up and spread your legs."

"Not a Hughes trying to act innocent."

A Twisted Birthday Present

Irvin's POV

I was known for many things in Meridian: my wealth, my looks, my reputation as the bad boy every story tried to capture, but never quite could. Patience, however, wasn't on the list.

Yet, for Caroline Matthew—my girlfriend—I tried.

Tried being the operative word.

Velvet Crown was my usual evening hangout, the perfect escape before my underground matches. Tonight, though, I wasn't supposed to be here. I had a fight in less than two hours, but it was Caroline's birthday. And Caroline got what Caroline wanted—most of the time.

I leaned back in my booth, swirling my whiskey glass lazily as I watched Caroline chatting up some new face in Meridian, her glittery dress clinging to her like a second skin. She was shamelessly grinding against him—Anderson, or whatever his name was. A fresh face in Meridian, clearly clueless about who I was.

The sight didn't faze me; nothing Caroline did ever truly got under my skin. Our relationship fed on chaos. I smirked, watching her performance, more entertained than anything else. She was playing games, as usual.

When Caroline finally realized her theatrics weren't getting a rise out of me, she sauntered over, her pout in full effect.

"You don't even get jealous anymore," she whined, dropping down beside me.

I glanced up from my glass, keeping my voice level. "What do you want me to do, break some poor guy's nose?"

Her pout intensified. "When did you even start caring about people?"

"I don't."

"Exactly my point!" She folded her arms, shooting me a glare. "You're so... boring now."

I hummed in response, my attention drifting back to the crowd. But then my eyes caught on someone. A Hughes.

There she was, laughing with her coworker at the bar. Her smile brightened her otherwise plain features, her uniform neat and conservative. The sight of her annoyed me.

I had actually considered asking my friend who owns this place to fire her when they first hired her.

"Man, why would you employ a Hughes?"

"She's pretty."

"Still a Hughes."

"Won't be one when her pretty lips are wrapped around my dick."

"Seriously?"

"Come on, I want to have a taste of all of them."

I blinked back to the present, my jaw tightening. I knew all about the Hughes. Everyone in Meridian did. A family that had no business staying in this town.

"I feel like our spark is dying."

I sighed, half-listening as I took another sip. "You say that every day, babe."

"I mean it this time. I think we need... more games."

I raised a brow, setting my glass down. "Games? Caroline, we did threesomes the entire month of October. What's left?"

She leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine, her tone dropping to a sultry whisper. "I want us to go extreme this time."

I tilted my head, watching her with mild amusement. "You're insane."

"We both are." She smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I sighed, leaning back. "What's your brilliant idea this time?"

"We break up for a month," she began, her smile growing. "We each date someone new. You sleep with them, I sleep with mine."

I stared at her, incredulous. "You've officially lost it."

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun," Caroline pressed. "It's not like we don't always find our way back to each other."

"And what's the point of this game? Or is this just your twisted idea of entertainment?"

"To spice up our relationship!" she said like it was obvious. "And—" she added with a wink—"you'll be saying no to my birthday present if you don't agree."

"Thought you wanted a shopping spree in Paris?" I drawled.

She waved it off. "Changed my mind."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Fine."

Caroline practically squealed, climbing into my lap to kiss me. "Thank you, baby!"

"I'm already regretting this," I muttered against her lips.

"Okay, okay, let's pick!" Caroline said, bouncing with excitement.

Her eyes scanned the lounge. "Not her. Not her. Oh—her!"

I followed her gaze, my glass freezing mid-air. My eyes landed on Davina Hughes, and I nearly choked on my drink.

"A Hughes?" I asked in disbelief.

Caroline nodded eagerly. "Yup. I heard she's different from her sisters. Ryker even tried to get with her, and she shot him down. Can you imagine? She might actually give you a challenge."

I shook my head firmly. "I'm not getting anywhere near a Hughes, Caroline."

"But she's pretty," Caroline argued.

"She's still a Hughes."

"Irvin, please?"

"No, Caroline. I'm not putting my dick into a Hughes."

Caroline pouted, turning her attention to her nails. "Fine. If you're not going to play, fine. But I guess my birthday's ruined."

I groaned. As twisted as our relationship was, I loved Caroline. We'd grown up together, transitioning from childhood friends to lovers. And while she drove me insane, I couldn't imagine life without her.

"Fine," I finally gave in.

Caroline lit up, throwing her arms around my neck. "Yes! Thank you, baby! Okay, now your turn. Pick someone for me."

I leaned back, scanning the room. My eyes landed on Hugh—a local businessman and soon-to-be groom. A wicked smirk curved my lips. "Him."

Caroline frowned. "Hugh? Isn't he getting married next month?"

"Even better," I replied smoothly. "Like you said, the game is sweeter if it's harder to achieve."

Caroline grinned. "You're twisted, Irvin."

"I'm a Jenkin, babe."

An Unwanted Proposition

Davina's POV

I was completely drained. My feet throbbed from hours of standing, my head pounded from dealing with one difficult customer after another, and my spirit felt hollow from another day of pretending everything was fine.

Velvet Crown had been packed tonight, and all I craved now was to catch the next bus home, collapse into bed, and hope my mother and siblings weren't around. I couldn't handle them today—not their chaos, their criticism, and their endless reminders of the reputation I desperately wanted to shed.

I waited at the bus stop, gripping my bag firmly, watching headlight after headlight sweep past me. The evening air felt crisp, the wind playing with loose strands of my hair.

The rumble of an engine broke through my thoughts. I glanced up, startled, as a glossy black sports car came to a halt right in front of me. Its bright headlights flooded me with harsh light. I squinted and stepped backward, prepared to run if needed.

Nothing positive ever happened when fancy cars pulled over for people like me.

The door swung open, and Irvin stepped out.

My breath hitched.

He wasn't merely attractive; he was breathtakingly gorgeous. Tall with powerful shoulders, features sculpted like ancient marble, and a commanding presence that demanded notice, Irvin was everything people whispered he was. His aura was suffocating, the type that stole your breath before you even knew what hit you.

He rested against his car with casual elegance, his eyes locked on me as if time meant nothing to him.

"Hey," he said, his voice silky and tinged with cocky confidence.

I blinked, wondering if my tired mind was hallucinating. I looked over my shoulder, then again, convinced he must be speaking to someone else. There was no way a Jenkin would be addressing me.

"I'm talking to you, Hughes," he said with a smirk.

My thoughts scattered. All I could manage was stuttering. "W-what? Me?"

"Yup."

I held my bag closer. I stared at him like he'd just claimed the moon was purple. "Why... why are you speaking to me?"

His smirk grew wider, and then, completely out of nowhere, he said, "Go on a date with me."

I went rigid. The words struck me like lightning. Had I heard correctly? I blinked frantically, expecting a joke, but his expression stayed serious, almost entertained.

"What?" I gasped. "Y-you have a girlfriend."

Irvin shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Not anymore. We split up. Check the headlines, Hughes."

The offhand way he delivered it made me feel like I'd entered some bizarre parallel universe. My brain fought to process this.

"I don't get it," I said, my voice trembling.

"How much?"

I blinked again. "What?"

"I asked, how much to go on dates with me?"

It took a moment for his words to sink in. My mouth fell open as understanding dawned. "You... you want to pay me to date you?"

"Maybe," he said, his tone casual, like he was discussing tomorrow's weather.

"Why?" I asked, my voice climbing with bewilderment.

"You don't even know my name!"

"I know enough, Hughes."

God! I hate being called that. I felt rage burning beneath my exhaustion. My hands clenched into fists. "No," I said with conviction.

Irvin lifted an eyebrow. "What?"

"I said no."

He cocked his head, genuinely taken aback. "Why?"

I gaped at him in disbelief. "What do you mean, why? You don't know me. You've never spoken to me before. And now you suddenly want to—what? Purchase me for dates? When I saw you just yesterday with your girlfriend."

"Don't tell me you were watching me, Hughes," he said, his smirk sliding back into place.

"You wish," I shot back.

"Trust me, that can't be part of my wishes," he replied smoothly. His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Name your price, Hughes."

"I said no!" I snapped, my voice unwavering. "You can't just purchase people to date you. I'm not interested."

Irvin's smirk wavered for an instant. He moved closer, his presence suffocating, as he looked down at me. "You're a Hughes," he said, his voice dropping low. "Stop pretending you have any dignity."

My chest constricted, fury rising inside me. "Please, leave me alone," I said between clenched teeth.

He backed away, his smirk sliding back like armor. "Three dates. Five thousand, each."

My eyes went wide. "What?"

"You heard me. Sleep on it, Hughes."

And with that, he spun around, climbed into his car, and sped away, leaving me standing there, stunned, my mind spinning into complete disorder.

"What the hell?"