CHAPTER 27: THE AUCTION (1)

When I arrived at the Auction dinner gala, it was still early, and only a few celebrities and businessmen were there before me. Everyone came as couples and were getting their invitation checked at the entrance. Having no invitation with me, I slowly stepped away to the side of the red carpet, and tightly held the handle of my handbag.

I didn’t trust Seith a bit, but I hoped he wouldn’t disappoint me. Even though I had enough money to bid for the necklace, Seith’s invitation was still needed to pass the entrance. So, I stood there waiting for him.

The more I waited, the more anxious I got, checking my wrist watch every now and then, even playing with it to keep myself busy.

For how long do I have to keep waiting? More and more people came and got in, yet there was no sign of Seith. At this point, the security men began to throw ugly glances at me and one even dared to approach me.

"Ma’am, if you don’t have any invitation, please leave. We don’t like people hanging around."

"I’m sorry, I am waiting for some..."

"Or maybe you’re waiting for the perfect moment to sneak in." He didn’t even let me finish before he cut me off. "This is a high-end dinner, not for everyone."

His words struck me. I suddenly felt the urge to slap him for being so rude, but instead, I faked a smile and moved further away from the entrance. I was at fault anyway. If I had an invitation, he wouldn’t have thought so lowly of me.

"I told you to leave, someone hanging around without an invitation is not safe for the guests."

"I’m not hurting anyone, can’t you just leave me be?" I finally snapped at him.

He matched towards me, looking even more furious than he already was, and my heart started to race in my chest. I tried to get away, but he grabbed my hand and started pulling me away from the building.

"Stop it! What do you think you’re doing!" I yelled, struggling to free myself.

"Showing you the way out," he curtly said, as he dragged me down the steps.

"I know, please stop it!"

The other guests were staring at us, some laughing while others whispered to themselves, probably enjoying the show. I have never been so humiliated in my life. My face turned red with embarrassment and I wished I could just disappear.

"The lady said you should stop. Why are you still holding her?" A voice I recognized in an instant spoke up, and the guard finally left me alone. I slowly looked up and found Seith standing in front of us with a deep frown.

"I’m sorry... sir. The lady didn’t have an invitation and it’s against the rule to hang around without one."

"So you think you can push her around like cargo, isn’t it?"

The guard’s shoulders slumped and he bowed his head.

"I’m sorry, sir... it won’t happen next time."

"Be sorry for yourself, because there won’t be a next time. You’re fired. Leave now. And pray to your god that I don’t set my eyes on you again."

The guard suddenly fell on his knees and started pleading and apologizing for the way he treated me, but Seith didn’t even spare him another glance. He turned to me with a smirk, while I was still trying to process what he just did. He fired a guard? Who was him? The organizer?

"Are you okay, Mi Lady?"

"Yes... Yes," I stuttered, adjusting myself.

"Let’s go," Seith said, holding out his arm for me to take. Which I did after some hesitation.

"You look gorgeous by the way," he smiled as we walked past the entrance. The guards there didn’t bother to check his invitation card, as though they already knew who he was.

"Thank you," I replied, a blush creeping its way to my cheek. He didn’t look bad himself, never was. He was looking even more beautiful than the last time I saw him.

And I wasn’t even kidding because the moment we entered the grand hall with high ceilings and different kinds of crystal chandeliers, all eyes fell on him. I could see the way some groups talk in low tones while throwing glances at us, and I felt really nervous. I have never been the center of attention my whole life.

Shortly, an older man who seemed to be in his late 50s with well-styled silver hair approached us, smiling. He seemed to be the organizer.

"Seith," he called, stretching his hand for a handshake. "I’m glad you could make it here today. Thank you for coming."

"It’s no big deal, Mr. Rick," Seith smiled, accepting the handshake.

Mr. Rick turned his attention to me, looking me up and down, before tilting his head to the side.

"And who is this beautiful lady by your side?" he asked.

I swallowed and opened my mouth to introduce myself, but his next words made me almost choke on my words.

"Seith, I hope we will be getting a marriage invitation soon. I like her already."

Seith didn’t react like I expected, and said neutrally, "Mind your business, uncle."

Uncle?

"Okay, okay..." Mr. Rick smirked. "I will leave you alone now. Enjoy yourself." With that, he left.

Seith led me to a table filled with different dishes and drinks. Then excused himself, saying he was going to greet some business associates.

Instead of sitting alone and watching as people mingle with each other, I decided to look around. Rick’s mansion was huge and grand. Even the food smelled delicious and luxurious. And the people here weren’t any different, they all looked expensive.

I was grateful for my dress too, an ocean blue colour with little cleavage. It made me really stand out from the crowd, and also made me nervous from the looks I was getting.

Walking around the mansion, admiring the richness and artistic nature, I didn’t look where I was going and bumped into someone.

Stumbling backward, I raised my head to find a middle-aged man. His eyes were bloated and his fat face was quite greasy. It turned more disgusting when he looked down and saw that the red wine he was holding had spilled on his clothes.

"I’m really sorry for hitting you. I didn’t notice someone was in front of me," I apologized, genuinely sorry for what I have done.

To my surprise, the man smiled and pointed at the stain on his chest. "It’s not only a problem of you running into me. My suit was made by a top Italian designer. It’s my favorite suit, and now you have ruined it. What a pity!"

I looked at the perfectly ironed gray suit. It was well tailored and seemed delicate.

"I may not be able to pay for your clothes, but red wine is washable. I will pay for your dry cleaning. What do you think?"

The man shook his head, still smiling.

"The party just began and there will be an Auction in the next few minutes. I can’t wear these dirty clothes till the end. It’s embarrassing! Well, I don’t need you to pay for it. Just help me wipe it off and it will be alright."

My brows furrowed. The red wine had already penetrated into the suit. How could I wipe it off? But after all, I was the one to blame.

If I was paying attention to where I was going, this wouldn’t have happened. And if the man really wanted to be heartless, he wouldn’t have offered a way out. I just needed to accept it for it to be settled.

Fortunately, I remembered carrying a wiper with me, which I quickly took out of my purse and pulled out one piece. As soon as I reached for the man’s chest to help him wipe it off, he grabbed my hand before I could even touch him.

"Don’t tell me you will use that cheap stuff on my expensive suit. I want you to use something softer... Your hands."