Bound By Contract, Tied By Faith

One night, one secret I dragged my tired self out of the Nova FM studio, wishing I could just fall into my bed and disappear. My feet ached from hours of running around in heels, coordinating interviews, answering calls, and making sure nothing went wrong on air. My blouse was wrinkled, my skirt tight, and my hair probably looked like a mess. Honestly, I didn't even care anymore. My body ached, and my mind was buzzing with everything I had to do tomorrow. Outside, Lucas was leaning against his black sedan, grinning like nothing in the world could bother him. "Ivy!" he called, waving. "Finally done?" "Yeah... barely," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. "You look exhausted," he said with a smirk. "But I have something to make tonight better." He pulled a bag from the back seat. I raised an eyebrow. "What's that?" "Wait and see," he said, waving the bag like it was a magic trick. "It's for Serena's birthday." I groaned. "I can't. I'm so tired, Lucas." "That's why I got this for you." He held up a deep crimson gown. It was soft, silky, and hugged curves in all the right places. The neckline plunged just enough to make me blush. "I... I can't wear this," I said, touching the fabric nervously. "It's too much." "Too much?" he laughed softly. "Ivy, it's perfect. You're perfect for it. Just one night. Please." I wanted to say no, but I was too tired to argue. The little thrill of his charm made me nod. "Fine. One night." By the time we reached Serena's mansion, it was so big, I would have said she had done well for herself but that would be a big lie, her parents are filthy rich and they bought her the house on her 21st birthday. My hair was curled, the dress hugging me like it knew exactly where to sit. My heels clicked against the marble steps. I felt exposed, uncomfortable , and just a little excited. Lucas opened the black front door for me. The door was glossy, shining under the soft golden lanterns along the driveway. I could see my reflection faintly in it, my hair slightly messy, my dress clinging too much, and I shivered as the cold night breeze hit me. It brushed against my bare arms, creeping along my shoulders. I hugged myself slightly, wishing I had worn a coat. The smell of perfume and fresh flowers hit me as soon as I stepped inside. The house smelled rich and welcoming, like someone had spent hours preparing it. Soft laughter, the clinking of glasses, and gentle music floated through the air. The mansion was huge. Rooms flowed into each other, doors wide open, revealing guests chatting in small clusters. A long staircase stretched to the upper floor, polished wood shining, with a cream and gold carpet runner down the middle. It looked elegant, almost endless. The party was alive. Music played, soft but loud enough to fill the rooms. Guests were laughing, some dancing, some smoking, others holding glasses of champagne. I could see people twirling on the dance floor, a guy showing off his moves while friends cheered. The birthday cake sat on a table in the center, its candles flickering softly, the frosting glistening under the chandelier lights. Serena's voice cut through the crowd, bright and happy. "Ivy! You made it! I thought you wouldn't!" I smiled and walked toward her. She pulled me into a tight hug. "Happy birthday, beautiful! Here's your gift. And look! Lucas brought champagne!" She pointed to the tall bottle he carried inside. I could see the sparkle of the chandeliers reflecting off the polished floors, the gold and crystal lighting up the room like tiny stars. My chest tightened slightly, the dress hugging me so tightly I felt both exposed and elegant. The soft silk slid along my skin, and every step in my heels made me aware of how visible I was. I mingled, laughed with Serena's friends, and danced a little. I tried to enjoy the party, but I hadn't seen Lucas for a while, and my exhaustion didn't let me relax completely. The weight of the day pressed down on me, the tight dress reminded me of how exposed I was, and I felt that strange flutter of nerves whenever someone's eyes lingered a little too long. I spotted Maya across the room and waved. She came over, smiling. "Have you seen Lucas?" I asked quietly, trying not to sound worried. Maya shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him. He might be around somewhere." We decided to check together. First, the pool area empty. Then the lounge, still no Lucas. Then the barbecue area, nobody. The music, the laughter, the clinking glasses of the party kept rolling on, and yet he was nowhere. I felt a small knot in my stomach. "Where is he?" I muttered. Just then, a bartender walked by and shrugged. "I think I saw him heading upstairs a few minutes ago." My heart jumped. Upstairs? I hadn't noticed him go. I whispered to Maya, trying to sound casual but still worried, "If I catch him sneaking around just to smoke, I'm going to kill him." Maya laughed softly. "Men lie about everything. Don't worry, I'll keep a lookout for you." She gave me a reassuring smile and headed off toward the balcony to check from below, leaving me alone. I started walking toward the elegant staircase at the back. Each step felt long, the polished wood gleaming under the light. My heels clicked softly, echoing in the hallway. The fabric of my dress tugged against my thighs with each step, reminding me of how exposed I felt. I hugged myself slightly, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine. Halfway up, I passed a slightly open door. A low sound floated out moaning, soft and muffled. I froze. "Oh, great," I whispered. "Some couples finding a way to have fun." But the voice... it sounded familiar. My stomach twisted. Could it be... Lucas? I laughed nervously, a little breathless. Had he brought that expensive drink to me, I would have said I'm drunk... but why does this sound like him? I crept closer. The moaning became clearer, unmistakably Lucas. My heartbeat hammered in my chest. My fingers gripped the polished wood of the railing as I leaned closer to the crack in the door. Light spilled out from inside, casting shadows on the wall. And then I saw them. Lucas and the Serena....making out. Not caring that anyone might see. Her dress was pushed up to her stomach. His trousers were down slightly. He held her hair in one hand. Every movement, every touch... so deliberate, so intimate. I could feel my chest tighten, my stomach dropping. My hands went limp. My knees shook. My mouth went dry. I could smell the faint perfume she wore, mixed with the lingering scent of champagne from the party below. I whispered, voice trembling, "What dah fuck!!!Why... why would you do this to me?" Neither of them moved. Neither even flinched. Serena looked at me, almost casually, as if she had expected me to see. Lucas... he didn't move, he was so shocked. My heels slipped slightly on the polished floor. My legs felt weak, my stomach burning. My chest ached, my throat tight. My dress clung in all the wrong ways. I could feel the cold air brushing against my bare arms. My heartbeat raced so fast it hurt. My whole body froze. They sticker together as if they were inseparable. I could not move. I could not breathe properly. All I could do was watch... and feel my world shatter in a single, horrifying moment.