My contract love story

Excitement crackled in the air after Ashleigh hung up. Her long-held dream of attending college was finally coming true. In a month, she’d be a student! Grabbing her textbooks, she piled them on her desk and switched on the computer. Rushing to the college website, the welcome banner seemed to gleam, a symbol of her imminent arrival.

Minutes flew by in a daydream of college life. Finally, snapping out of her reverie, Ashleigh decided to create a study schedule. Though work had eaten up most of her time, she was determined to catch up. Thankfully, Adrian was arranging a tutor to provide focused support. With luck, she could finalize a schedule by Monday night.

An hour later, the schedule complete, sleep beckoned more powerfully than dinner. The excitement was buzzing through her veins.

The next morning, Ashleigh woke up with a lightness she hadn’t felt since arriving. Adrian’s news had been the best gift he could have given her. Dressed in a matching pastel purple skirt and blouse, her hair in two ponytails, she even added a touch of makeup. When she finished, she looked radiant.

Her phone, resting on the dressing table, buzzed incessantly. It was James and Fiona, bombarding the group chat with messages about her day. Rolling her eyes at their early-morning energy, Ashleigh snapped a selfie and sent it with a message: “Feeling good, decided to wear some makeup.”

The chat remained silent for a moment before erupting in a flurry of hearts, fire emojis, and capitalized compliments. Smiling, she grabbed her tablet and slipped on some slides, heading downstairs. A collision with Tara on the stairs startled them both. Tara’s frown deepened as she scanned Ashleigh from head to toe.

“Seems you’ve taken to dressing up lately,” Tara sneered, a hint of malice in her voice. “Last night and again today. Let me offer some unsolicited advice: Adrian won’t be any more attracted to you. In fact, you might be repelling him.”

Ashleigh’s eyes widened with sudden realization. Tara’s annoyance stemmed from her outfit during the video call. Unsuspecting of Adrian’s call or his reaction, Ashleigh felt a flicker of satisfaction. Tara’s insecurity confirmed Ashleigh’s newfound significance in Adrian’s life.

Ashleigh decided to take the high road. Ignoring Tara’s outburst, she continued down the stairs, handing the tablet off dismissively. Tara, fuming, stood rooted to the spot.

Tara’s frustration had been simmering since Ashleigh’s arrival. Initially, she’d dismissed Ashleigh as someone Adrian wouldn’t take seriously. However, Adrian’s stern dinner-table declaration demanding respect for Ashleigh shattered that illusion.

Despite her efforts to cultivate a closer relationship with Adrian, she remained stuck in the professional zone. Her attempts to meticulously manage the household, sometimes bordering on harshness towards the staff, were fuelled by a desire to impress Adrian, to prove her worth. Yet, here he was, elevating Ashleigh to a position of authority, demanding Tara treat her as an equal. How could she show respect to her perceived rival?

The previous night had been the final blow. Witnessing Ashleigh answer Adrian’s video call while clad in a nightgown had broken Tara’s spirit. Rarely did Adrian call during his business trips, yet here he was, reaching out to Ashleigh. Tara, tasked with delivering the call, had been forced to confront their connection.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Tara stormed down the stairs after Ashleigh, grabbing her arm roughly. “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” she spat. “You’re delusional. Adrian just needs you for a while. Once he’s done, you’ll be back to wherever you came from.”

Unable to contain herself any longer, Tara stormed down the stairs after Ashleigh, grabbing her arm roughly. “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” she spat. “You’re delusional. Adrian just needs you for a while. Once he’s done, you’ll be back to wherever you came from.”

Ashleigh stared at her for a moment, then a laugh bubbled up, escalating into a full-blown fit. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to regain her composure.

“I’m truly sorry,” she offered, wiping away the tears. “But that’s just so ridiculous.”

Her laughter subsided, but her expression hardened. “Remember when I warned you about getting on my bad side? You just successfully did that.” She took a step back, establishing a clear physical barrier.

“Let me straighten you out,” Ashleigh continued, her voice firm.

“You seem awfully upset about my marriage to Adrian. Did he ever lead you to believe you had a chance? It’s no secret you’re only here because of your father. You grew up in this house, and Adrian generously offered you and your father employment. But your ambitions seem rather…twisted.”

Her posture unwavering, Ashleigh locked eyes with Tara. “You see yourself as the victim of my arrival, but if Adrian had any romantic feelings for you, I wouldn’t be here. You’d be his wife. Wake up, Tara. He never chose you, and he wouldn’t choose you even if I left which I have no intention of doing.”

The commotion had drawn the attention of the household staff, who gathered in the hallway. Security personnel materialized at the entrance, silently observing the unfolding scene.

Ashleigh’s final words hung in the air, heavy with authority. “Remember who you are, Tara,” she said, her voice firm. “And act accordingly. Actions have consequences.” With a gesture, she signaled the security personnel waiting at the doorway.

Tara’s face contorted in fury. She struggled against their firm grips, but her resistance was futile. “This is outrageous!” she shrieked.

“My father will hear about this!”

Ashleigh remained unfazed. “Your resignation is effective immediately. I will not tolerate disrespect in this household. Please escort her out.” The security guards nodded curtly and ushered a frantic Tara out of the mansion.

The remaining staff exchanged shocked whispers. Tara, the iron-fisted head housekeeper, had been a pillar of the Cagliari residence for years. Her word had been law, overseeing the entire estate and the daily lives of all the staff. Adrian, a fleeting presence, visited for no more than two days at a time, leaving them to operate under Tara’s rigid rule. Now, with the new mistress asserting herself, a sense of change hummed in the air.

“That applies to all of you,” Ashleigh declared, her gaze sweeping over the stunned faces. “Any behaviour resembling hers will not be tolerated. Is that understood?” Nervous nods and muttered confirmations rippled through the room. Alone now, a wave of doubt washed over her. Leaning against the wall, she fretted about Adrian’s reaction.

“He said to establish myself, not fire Tara!” she chastised herself internally.

Unbeknownst to her, a silent observer remained the new head chef, his amusement barely concealed beneath a curtly displayed smile. He cleared his throat, drawing Ashleigh’s startled attention. A man in chef’s whites stood before her, his amusement barely hidden by a thin smile. Ashleigh straightened up, ready to face whatever came next.