The Rise of Ashton

Chapter Six

Rags to Riches 

Ashton decided to head to the graduation party. He wasn't so excited about it before. But now, everything has changed. 

“I'm sure you're going to have fun, son,” Ashton's father had said as he handed him the card. 

Fun. That was a foreign concept to him. Ashton had been working all his life after college to get a job. Fun wasn't exactly on his list. 

"I guess I have what it takes to show up now,” Ashton murmured as he finally texted Liam that he was going to be at the party for sure. 

The gold card felt heavy in his pocket. He didn't have any limits. In fact, it felt like he'd been given a task. How could he spend so much money in one night?! 

He got dressed in an old suit, it wasn't anything expensive or grand but it was neat. 

“Where to?" The driver asked as the car rolled to a stop. 

“The biggest club in the city. We're having a party," he replied and the driver looked at him oddly through the rearview mirror.

Clearly, Ashton didn't look like where he was going. The club was the most expensive around and he didn't look the part. 

“You're sure that's where you're going?" The driver asked and Ashton nodded. 

He didn't say a word but he looked skeptical as he drove on. 

Ashton leaned against the back of the leather seat. The task his father had given him seemed utterly absurd. 

Spend one million dollars on a party? How was that even possible? How did his father get so rich? Why didn't he know anything about this when he was desperately seeking employment?

It didn't make any sense. It was surreal. 

Yet, here he was, heading to a club he had never been to. “This should be fun," he thought. 

The cab pulled to a halt in front of the venue. The party was at a massive, brightly lit lounge. 

Ashton stepped out, paying the driver before taking a moment to gather himself. This was odd. He'd never been one for parties. 

As he got to the front door, the bouncer gave him a brief once over. “Hey, not everyone is allowed in here," he called out. 

Ashton stopped. 

"Do you have an invite?” 

Ashton nodded and handed the invite on his phone to the bouncer. 

The bouncer hummed, almost like he didn't believe Ashton would have gotten an invite to such a top class party. 

“You should consider yourself lucky to be invited to this club,” he mumbled and then allowed him inside. 

The party wasn't in full swing but the music was loud and the chandelier was very bright. It was indeed a top class party. 

The interior was beautiful. His classmates weren’t there yet. Ashton sighed, realizing he was a little too early.

He looked at the time and decided that he had a few hours more to spend. 

Deciding to make use of the time, he approached the bar.  

The bartender was a large man, his shirt slightly strained across his shoulders. He was busy wiping down glasses when Ashton leaned against the counter.  

“Hey, man," Ashton said, his voice was loud over the music. 

The bartender turned to him and then looked away like he didn't matter. 

Ahsorn noticed that but still placed his order. After all, he had a million dollars to spend and there was no time. 

“What’s the most expensive drink you have here?” Ashton asked confidently. 

The bartender looked up again, his eyes sweeping over Ashton’s dull outfit. He didn’t respond, instead turning his attention back to the glass in his hand.  

Ashton frowned, quickly irritated by his rudeness. “Excuse me. I asked you a question.”  

The bartender finally looked at him fully, setting the glass down with a deliberate slowness. “I’ve got other things to handle right now,” he said, his tone dismissive.

“I don't have time,” Ashton said coolly. “I've got to get this done before morning, I have a deadline, you know." 

The bartender scoffed and said, "I’ll get someone else to help you.”  

Before Ashton could respond, the bartender raised his hand and gestured toward the back. “Bella! Come over here.”  

A young woman dressed in a blue apron approached hesitantly, her steps were slow and she looked timid. 

Ashton could immediately notice her timid demeanor as she stopped beside the bartender, avoiding eye contact with Ashton.  

“Sir, you called," she mumbled softly. 

The bartender nodded and then gestured at Ashton. 

“This is Bella, she's a floor waiter there,” the bartender said flatly. “She’ll take care of you.”  

He didn’t bother to wait for a response before walking off. Ashton watched him retreat to the other end of the bar, where he leaned toward a colleague. 

Their voices weren’t loud, but Ashton could hear exactly what he mumbled to them and it infuriated him.  

“That guy’s clothes are so shabby,” the bartender muttered. 

“Did I just hear him ask for the most expensive drink?" Another asked incredulously. 

“Bet he’s just here to ask questions. He can't afford such, there's no need to waste time serving him.”  

Ashton clenched his jaw, forcing himself to ignore the sting of their words. Turning back to Bella, he took a deep breath. “I asked about the most expensive drink here.”  

“What?" She stammered slightly, “the most expensive drink?" 

Ashton cocked a brow at her, “Yeah, that's what I said." 

Bella glanced at him nervously, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her apron. “Um… the most expensive drink we have is the Reserve Sapphire Cognac.” 

"That's what I want.” 

Bella cleared her throat nervously, "Sir, it’s ten thousand dollars a bottle.”  

“Are you sure that's the most expensive?" Ashton asked. 

Bella nodded meekly, her eyes widening slightly as if expecting him to walk away.  

Ashton nodded with a smirk on his face. “I’ll take a hundred bottles,” he said firmly.  

Bella blinked, her mouth falling open. “A hundred bottles?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.  

“Yes. Is that a problem?”