CHAPTER 57: AUCTION EVENT ARC 1

The morning sun phased through the towering floor to ceiling glass windows, casting a golden shade across the expansive bedroom. Maximus stirred beneath the milk coloured, silk sheets, the light dancing across his chiseled features as his eyes fluttered open.

The mansion was silent and peaceful as always in the morning, as it should be. That was the way he liked it, believing that someone who uses his brain a large proportion of the time would very much need quality sleep.

He blinked at the analogue clock on his nightstand. Still a lots of hours to kill before attending todays agenda— the event was to be held in the evening. The much-anticipated auction was happening tonight.

He reached for his phone, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as one person came to mind.

He dialed the number swiftly.

After a few rings, the line picked up.

"... hello..." Valerie’s voice was groggy, soft, coupled with the sound of warm sheet and bed head. "My fiancee... very nice of you to wake me up this morning."

Maximus chuckled. "Still in bed?"

"Mmmmhmmm..." her tone dipped low, almost seductive.

Maximus let out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wanted to thank you for letting me have this..."

"You don’t have to thank me, Max. This is part of our little deal, remember? As long as you keep being my fake fiancee... I’ll keep letting you play big boy in the antiques world."

"Okay, yes. I can’t wait to splash some money tonight," he said, stretching lazily.

"Oh, I’m sure," Valerie giggled. "And we’re making an entrance tonight. Together, you’re practically mine for the evening and probably the night too, sometimes I feel lonely in my own bed."

Maximus raised an eyebrow, noticing the subtle heat in her voice.

"Let’s see where the night takes us..."

A soft moan met his ear, light and playful. "It sounds so much better in person... and I wil be wearing matching underwear tonight, in hopes that you get to see them and maybe take them off..."

*KPIM!

Maximus felt a throb in his lower half, the usual morning condition kicking in full force. He adjusted under the sheets and let out a quiet, amused grunt.

"Careful dear, your getting me excited... Valerie."

"Good," she whispered. "That’s my job as you’re fiancee."

"You know were not really in love," he muttered.

"And were not really engaged. This is a bit much for someone who barely knows me."

Valerie chuckled softly, her voice wrapping around his eardrums like silk. "Then it’s a good thing I have the rest of my life to figure you out."

Maximus exhaled a breathy laugh, "Valerie..."

She gasped at the sound of her name from his deep, husky voice. "Say it again."

"Valerie..."

Another moan escaped her lips and drove into his ear over the phone speaker. It was low, almost muted, but Maximus could still hear it.

Then her breathing changed, it doubled in speed. Soft whimpers slipped through the speaker.

"Say something dirty..." she whispered. "Say... ’Whose your daddy’"

"Who’s you’re Daddy?" Maximus said absent-mindedly, his voice thick with disbelief and amusement.

"Oh god! I’m close!"

He heard her moan again, but this time it was way louder and more desperate.

Maximus blinked, half stunned but still smirking. "Are you finished?"

Valerie released a breathy sigh a couple times before speaking, "Yes... but there’s still room for more."

Her voice cracked through the phone, it was bubbly and insistent and fresh of the high of her parade.

"Maximus, it your turn... you have to rub one off too! It’ll only make it fair..."

Maximus chuckled, sitting up striaghter in his bed. "Valerie, I’m good, trust me. Maybe after the event tonight, we’ll carve out some... alone time."

His tone was warm but diplomatic, sidestepping her enthusiasm.

Valerie giggled, her voice tinged with a flustered edge. "Oh, you! Alone time, huh? You know... maybe you could like use that opportunity to let me have your seed." she let the words hang, half-testing, half blood.

Maximus burst out laughing, the sound rich and unrestrained. "Val, you’re wild." His laughter softened, but his voice took on a gentle firmness. "Even if we were married, I’m not sure I could go there."

Valerie’s tone shifted, caught off guard. "Wait, what? I’ve got my own cash, Max. You don’t need to worry about that."

He nodded to himself, choosing his words carefully. "It’s not about money. Pregnancy... it takes a certain maturity, you know? On both sides."

"Ohhh," Valerie said, her voice playful but laced with mock indignation. "So you’re saying I’m, what, a minor? At my age?"

Maximus laughed again, shaking his head. "You’re impossible. Look, I gotta get the day started. I’ll pick you up at 8 tonight."

"Eight?" she teased, drawing out the word. "I might not be ready by then."

He smirked, his voice dropping to a playful command. "Wasn’t asking, Val."

She let out a flustered squeal. "Okay, okay, hubby!"

»»»«««

The Obsidian purred to a stop outside Zack’s club, its grey chrome catching the midday sun. Maximus stepped out, his tailored jacket catching a faint breeze, and spotted a man hunched on the curb, head in his hands. The guy looked like he’d been there all night, disheveled and defeated.

Maximus approached, his polished shoes clicking on the pavement. "Bro, you still here?"

The man’s head snapped up, eyes red and wet. He didn’t hesitate, words tumbling out. "She left me, man. Last night. For some richer guy. I loved her, you know?"

Maximus crouched to meet his gaze, his expression steady but kind. "You know one thing about women..." He paused, letting the words sink in. The man wiped his tears, listening. "They’re complicated. But if someone leaves you, especially for something like that, they’re telling you clear as day they’re not for you. That’s a gift, man. You deserve someone who’s all in."

The man sniffed, his voice cracking but hopeful. "That’s right!"

Maximus nodded, his voice firm but encouraging. "If she walks, that’s your shot to level up. Find someone better, because trust me, there’s always someone better. And you?" He gave the man a quick once-over. "You’re not half bad, my friend."

The man glanced down at himself, a spark of confidence flickering. "You think so?"

"Atta boy." Maximus stood, dusting off his knees. "Raise your head. She wasn’t the one, so you’ve got a clean slate to do better."

"I can do better," the man echoed, climbing to his feet, his posture straightening.

Maximus reached into his pocket, pulling out a small stack of bills. "Here’s... one, two, three, four... just take it all. Start something for yourself. Promise you’ll forget her in a week."

The man’s eyes widened, his hands trembling as he took the money. "Thank you, thank you!" He bowed slightly, backing away.

"Oh, and one more thing," Maximus called after him. "Come back in two weeks. Tell me how you spent it."

The man froze, then nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir!"

Maximus watched him shuffle off, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Ah, women... such a blessing and a curse, thank god all the women in my life are a blessing" he muttered to himself.

He turned and strode into Zack’s club, ready to check on the resort’s progress.