74 The Auction Part One

"I really want to know how did you manage to have an invitation for this auction." Aisha mutters under her breath, one arm of hers is hook around Augustus'.

"I think you're underestimating my capabilities, Ms. Marple." Augustus replied, his hand holding a rose gold invitation with the Copperplate Script calligraphy of "El Grande Asta", and handed it to the guy who will verify if the invitation is authentic or not.

Many had tried to fake an invitation in hopes of entering the auction. Because of the simplicity of the designs, it was easy to fake it.However, unbeknownst to everyone, the casino uses a rare kind of papers, inks, and pens to make the invitation. Once you put it into the fire, it will not burned, but there will be formed an another designed around the calligraphy, it was the emblem of the casino. And for those whose invitation is fake, the owner will be automatically ban from entering the casino again, and some went missing and never seen again.

The guy passed the invitation to the other one, the other guy take the invitation and put it into a small fireplace, he waited for awhile before retrieving the invitation using a charcoal tong. Once he saw the emblem of the casino, he sent a signal to the first guy indicating that the invitation is authentic. The first guy saw this and bow his head to Aisha and Augustus before having someone to escort them inside.

"Thank you." Augustus said and went inside with Aisha.

They don't bother to wait for their invitation, knowing that they won't give it to them again once they verified it. The reason was because the people can't know what the emblem of the casino looks like, for the emblem is the same as the Sutton famiglia's.

Augustus said that they were going to seat in the corner so the guy in black suit leads them to the farthest table in the corner. Both Augustus and Aisha seat, and a waiter immediately served them some finger foods and desserts.

"What would you like to drink?" The waiter asked and handed them a small menu containing with lots of different kinds of liquors and juices.

"I'll have a shot of Ono Champagne Cocktail." Augustus answered. He ordered an expensive cocktail, anyway, he believes that the casino is earning billions of money from exploiting from those gamblers so a $10, 000 of cocktail is nothing for them.

Augustus has no plans to eat or drink anything in the casino, there is a possibility of them poisoning them but he still ordered some in order not to gain suspicions.

Aisha is thinking differently though. "I'll have a shot of DeLeón Tequila followed by Margarita on the rocks using Tres Agaves Anejo." She said and handed the menu to the astounded waiter. "Oh, salt on the rim." Aisha added.

The waiter cough and give Aisha a small smile. "Will do."

Augustus: "..." He stares at Aisha before averting his gaze, he suddenly felt like "unknowledgeable" when it comes to liquors because of Aisha's one sentence.

Aisha saw his brief stare but didn't comment anything from it. Anyways, according to her investigation, although Nancy despise smokes, she is quite a sucker when it comes to liquors.

After awhile, the same waiter gave them their drinks and left. But before that, he send a subtle wink at Aisha and handed her a piece of napkin with strings of numbers.

Augustus saw this and give her a teasing smirk. "Looks like someone got bewitched by your charms."

"What bewitched are you talking about?" Aisha scoffed at him while shifting in her position. She's wearing a black fitted V-neckline long dress, showing most of her cleavage. She's not use wearing fitted long gowns without a slit, she finds it hard to move.

Aisha gaze at the strings of numbers before crumbling it in her palm.

22555000(2×)3999 was written on the napkin. It was too long to be a phone number. It was the Keypad Cipher[1].

If you tranfer it into letters, it will be B(22) L(555) O(000) O(000) D(3) Y(999). BLOODY.

Sure though, this night will be bloody, Aisha thought, her hand reaching for the glass. It was also a good thing that Augustus didn't see the numbers because from his IQ? It was impossible to not know what's the hidden message.

They waited for another half an hour, all guests are required to wore a mask in order not to let other people know their identity, however, Aisha recognize the man three tables away from them.

It was Aeron Cavelli with his three subordinates.

He's wearing a full-faced mask but Aisha easily guess that it was him because of his deep blue eyes that's glaring at the arm of Augustus that is placed behind the chair Aisha was seating.

Aisha rolled her eyes at him. So childish and possesive, she thought. Aisha was determined to ignore him but she caught him standing to his seat, and take three long strides towards their direction.

Aisha immediately panic in her mind, what in the hell was he doing!? Aisha knew Aeron's temper, so she quickly dropped the spoon in front of her.

"What happened?" Augustus asked, he lifted his arms and bent to get the spoon on the floor.

"Nothing, it just slips. Thanks." Aisha said but her eyes are not looking at Augustus but to Aeron who finally returned to his seat again. Aisha was tempted to breathe a sigh of relief but she resisted her urge.

And then the whole lights dimmed, indicating that the auction is about to start.

Augustus sat straighter, his eyes turned sharp as he readied himself. "Finally." He muttered under his breath.

Aisha also straightened her back, but she had a calm expression on her face. This wasn't the first time Aisha had experience going to a bloody battle, however, this night will serve as a start of defeating the enemy.

All of the guests thought that the auction will start now, but the entrance door suddenly opens, and in there stood a man and a woman.

Aisha froze once she saw them, even though both are wearing masks, Aisha still recognize them.

Adeline Ainsworth and Samuel Ainsworth.

[1] A kind of cipher that consists of writing a letter by repeating the corresponding key on the mobile phone keypad. '2' for 'A', '22' for 'B', '222' for 'C', '3' for D, and so on. For more info, there's Google.