The Rise of Ashton

Chapter Nine

Quest Storm

“Huh?" Liam asked, wide eyed.

Liam was his only friend but even he knew that Ashton wasn't worth such an amount of money. 

Ashton merely smiled and stared back at him quietly. 

“What are you playing at? We all know the most expensive drink isn't meant for the likes of you," Zoe snickered. 

The room went quiet for a short while and everyone turned to Ashton looking at him oddly. 

“He's just bragging!" One of the girls snapped. 

“Did you hear that?” one of his classmates jeered, nearly doubling over humorously. “A loser like him wants to buy the most expensive drink here? What’s next? I'm sure he’ll tell us he’s buying the whole building?”  

“Or that he's going to get us all a bunch of new cars!" 

Another voice interrupted. “He certainly can’t even afford a loaf of bread in such a posh party, let alone a hundred bottles of anything!”  

The mockery got even worse as it spread across the party and before long, everyone was laughing and taunting Ashton. 

Ashton didn't respond. But the sounds seemed to come from everywhere. Everyone was in a hurry to belittle him. Everyone wanted a go at him. 

“Maybe he thinks the drinks are free if he flashes a fancy card!”  

“Who does he think he’s fooling?”  

Zoe and Clifford were, of course, the loudest of them all. 

Clifford leaned against the counter, his arm still draped around Zoe as if she were some trophy. “Come on, Ashton,” he said with a smug grin. “It’s okay to admit you were just bluffing. We won’t hold it against you. Much.”  

Ashton didn't reply, he just stared at them both without saying a word. 

Bella swallowed loudly, looking around. She didn't want to make him more disgraced than he already was. 

“Sir, we have other drinks you could go for." 

But Clifford scolded the waiter girl, "Why are you making excuses for him? Don't you see he's a fool?" 

Zoe smirked, her eyes narrowing as she looked Ashton up and down. “He’s always been a good actor, though. He had me fooled for a while, too. Too bad it doesn’t pay the bills.”  

Ashton didn’t react. He leaned back in his chair, his expression calm, almost bored. 

The more they mocked, the less he seemed to care, which only fueled their anger.  

The waitress, Bella, approached him hesitantly, clutching the golden card in her hands. 

“Sir,” she said quietly, “are you sure about this? We don’t even have a hundred bottles of the drink you requested. At most, we only have ten in stock.”  

Ashton was calm as he turned to her and gave a small nod. “Then I’ll take all ten,” he said simply and shrugged. 

Bella blinked, startled by his composure. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Understood, sir. I’ll process this right away.”  

As she walked off toward the register, the laughter behind Ashton grew louder.  

“Oh, I see what he’s doing,” Clifford said with a smirk. “He’s trying to save face. Can’t afford a hundred, so he’s settling for ten. Still a stretch for him, though, isn’t it?”  

Zoe giggled, leaning into Clifford as if sharing a private joke. “I bet he’s just stalling. Watch, the card’s going to bounce. He’ll be humiliated in front of everyone, and then maybe he’ll finally learn his place.”  

Ashton’s lips curled into a faint smile, but he said nothing. 

He sat back, his body relaxed, his fingers lightly drumming on the counter. 

The quiet confidence in his posture only seemed to irritate everyone even more.  

“What’s with that smug face?” someone muttered.  

“He’s acting like he’s better than us,” another sneered.  

“Look at him, all peaceful like he owns the place,” a girl added, her voice sharp with disdain.  

“I bet he's going to be thrown out of here for lying!" 

Clifford looked at Zoe and shook his head, "I can't believe you stayed with a clown like this. How did you last a few days?” 

Zoe shrugged, “I had to pretend he wasn't silly or broke. I guess his academic achievement meant something then. Right now, it's just silly.” 

Their insults grew louder and more personal. 

They attacked his appearance, his supposed lack of success, even his family. 

Liam standing beside Ashton, looked ready to explode.  

“Ashton,” Liam muttered under his breath, his fists clenched, “why are you just sitting here letting them talk like this? Say something!”  

“I will let the party decide. I have made my order, that should clear it out." 

Liam looked a little uncertain and then he moved closer and whispered, "Ten drinks, man? You don't really have to do that.”

Ashton could see the hesitation in his eyes. Clearly, Liam didn't even believe him. He too thought he'd not be able to afford the drinks. 

"Don't worry, Liam, I've got this." 

Liam shrugged. He was a supportive friend so even if he didn't believe in the card or the fiasco that Ashton was putting on, he knew he couldn't betray him but arguing. 

Meanwhile, everyone was very quiet as they waited for the waitress to return with the drinks and of course, his bounce card like they believed. 

Minutes later, Bella returned, the card still in her hand. She wasn’t carrying any bottles. The crowd noticed immediately, and the room erupted into laughter once more.  

“See? I told you!” Clifford shouted, pointing at Ashton. “He couldn’t pay. He was bluffing the whole time!”  

Zoe grinned triumphantly. “Poor Bella probably had to explain to him that his little card doesn’t work here. It’s okay, Ashton. Maybe they’ll let you wash dishes to pay for even showing up here.”  

Even Liam looked concerned now. He glanced at Ashton, but Ashton’s expression had barely changed. 

He looked at Bella, his brow furrowing slightly. “Where are the drinks?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.  

Bella hesitated, clutching the card tightly. “I’m sorry, sir,” she began, her voice trembling.  

“You don’t need to apologize!” Clifford cut in, his laughter loud and obnoxious. “You’re just doing her job. It’s not your fault he's a bloody liar!”