Chapter 3: The auctioning

COUNTRY V.

L-CITY.

VINTAGE GROUND PALACE.

Reporters gathered around the red carpet of the Vintage Ground Palace with their cameras and notepads ready to grasp any scope the night might bring.

A white limousine pulled over and five bodyguards quickly got down from the side to protect the man and woman getting down from the car. The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful. In fact, this couple were known as the golden couple as they complemented each other so well.

The man wore a low-key golden Dolce latest suit and pants which had a cooling thread-like pockets to it with shoes from Chanel and the woman wore a low-cut off-shoulder golden dress from a famous designer whose clothes were wore by only the upper class. She paired her dress with a bag from Venice which hadn't been released to the public yet and shoes also from Chanel.

The couple held hands and smiled proudly in front of the camera and the reporters marvelled at their beauty.

Josh Saint has always enjoyed public appraisal and seeing that the reporters were giving him all the publicity he wanted, he smiled proudly. He felt accomplished as he had the woman he loved with him. His confidence shot high and so was his arrogance.

Liyah Myers allowed herself to be led gently by Josh Saint as they walked inside the building. Another car, an ash self-custom made Camry pulled over and all the reporters rushed to see the person inside. This car was the only one of three kinds in the world and one was known to belong to the heir of Saint Group, the low-key President Aaron Saint who was also loved by a lot of women.

Seeing the reporters rush to the man in the car, the couple's face turned ashen drastically as all attention were taken away from them.

Josh Saint glared fiercely at Aaron Saint as his bodyguards protected him from the reporters. Liyah's eyes showed a glimmer of delightfulness but she quickly masked it and held Josh's hand and spoke

''Josh, let's go in. He is doing it on purpose''. Liyah Myers said not wanting to spend another moment there.

Josh smiled and walked inside with Liyah Myers. Aaron Saint watched the two as they entered into the building and he smiled to the reporters and went in with Morris.

INSIDE THE AUCTION HALL.

Morris showed Aaron Saint to his seat in the front row. Aaron Saint sat and turned to his right and noticed Josh Saint and Liyah Myers seated three seats to his seat. Liyah's eyes lit up as she saw Aaron Saint looking at her and she smiled. Aaron Saint stared at her blankly with no expressions and turned away to look at the auctioneer at the stage.

Morris walked to Aaron and sat beside him whispering to him ''Boss, I just found out something, Josh Saint wants to buy the necklace for Miss Myers''

Aaron Saint smirked "so, he intends to empty his pockets for a woman? He must really be in love''. He added amusingly.

Morris smiled and sat straight facing the stage. Their small exchange didn't escape Josh Saint as he intentionally put his arm around Liyah's shoulders. The sudden touch made her quiver and she turned to look at Josh Saint and smiled.

The auctioneer spoke as he stood at the stage.

''As today is a very important night, we wish to not waste anyone's time and go straight for the kill since we have a party after this. Tonight, we will be auctioning a jewellery from famous designer Natalia Hanson from Janice. This necklace is the only one in the world and has received so much appreciations.

Its name came from Natalia Hanson's first interview at Janice. At that time, when the necklace was in its development stage, after seeing it, she gave it the name shadowed beauty. The necklace was bought by Brian Cobbey, her husband and given back to her as a present, but, Natalia Hanson wanted the world to see it and as Vintage is celebrating its 100th anniversary, she decided to donate it. The money from tonight will go into supporting children with Autism. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, now the auction will begin''.

The guests clapped their hands and the necklace was brought out and place in a glass sealed with bars.

The golden moon sign from the necklace shone and made the people marvelled. Liyah Myers looked at the necklace with admiration and love.

The auctioneer started mentioning the price and Josh Saint sat up straight. ''The auction price for shadowed beauty is $5 million dollars''. The guests put their plates up and started coating their prices

''$6 million dollars''

''$7 million dollars''

"$ 8 million dollars''

"$ 15 million dollars''

The guests turned and looked at Josh after he mentioned the price that silenced them. The auctioneer smiled and spoke ''$15 million dollars anyone else? Going for $15 million dollars 1, 2…''

"$ 25 million dollars''

Everybody turned to look at Aaron Saint with admiration while Josh Saint starred with shock. Liyah Myers clutched her fist nervously.

Aaron Saint smirked at Josh as if daring him to put up a higher price if he had the guts.

''$30 million dollars'' Josh Saint spoke and looked at Aaron proudly.

Aaron Saint smiled and sent a text to someone and got up to go out. The auctioneer then declared Josh Saint as the winner of the jewellery. Liyah Myers watched Aaron as he went out and knew right away that Josh Saint had just been played but the latter didn't even realise it. Liyah Myers smirked.

AFTER AUCTION PARTY.

A slender woman with beautiful features walked towards Aaron Saint with twins each at her side. She smiled and spoke as she snatched the glass of wine Aaron Saint just picked from the waiter.

''You are one dangerous man; I didn't expect my necklace to be sold at that amount. The foundation would be so grateful to you. Can you see my heart which is screaming of appreciation?''

Aaron Saint chuckled and spoke as he hugged the kids

''I see your mother has learned to sweet talk now. How are you Cherry and Perry?''

Perry pouted and spoke ''Uncle Aaron, I missed you.''

Aaron smiled ''I missed you too, Perry''.

''Is it only Perry you missed?'' a soft voice spoke.

Aaron turned and held Cherry's hand ''Hello beautiful, will you be my date tonight?''

''Tell me that when I'm 18 but, by then you will be old and mom said I shouldn't date old men'' the little girl said.

Natalia Hanson and Aaron Saint laughed so hard at the child's response ''Ouch, that hurts my pride Cherry.'' Natalia Hanson smiled and spoke to the kids.

''Go and bring your daddy, tell him I'm with Aaron Saint''. The kids ran away to look for their father leaving Aaron Saint and Natalia Hanson

"Natalia Hanson''

''Aaron Saint''.

They laughed and chatted.

''How could you be so ruthless? When you called me and asked if I could apt the price last night, I was confused. Now, I understand, I should warn my husband to not get into your bad books''

''I should be saying that. Your husband is more dangerous than me''. Natalia Hanson saw Liyah Myers walking their way.

''Oops. Looks like you have company''. Aaron Saint turned and saw Liyah Myers getting closer to them.

Liyah Myers smiled at Aaron Saint and spoke ''Aaron, won't you introduce us?'' Natalia Hanson smiled at Aaron Saint sparing no face at all for Liyah Myers as she said ''I should go and look for my kids''.

''Sure, go ahead, Nat''. Liyah Myers watched Natalia as she walked away and turned to Aaron Saint and spoke.

''Am I such an eyesore for you? Such that you can't wait to get out of my sight?"

Aaron Saint smiled. "Those are your words. Excuse me!''

Aaron Saint turned to walk away but Liyah Myers held his hand.

''Aaron, can you forgive me? I really love Josh''.

Aaron Saint looked at the slender hand holding his hand and shook it away while saying ''there is nothing to forgive, and I don't really care about your love story with Josh''.

''You are still harsh towards me. Can I interpret that as you still caring about me? Actually, I've been keeping tabs on you''.

Aaron Saint turned to face Liyah Myers and spoke ''you are delusional, maybe you should consult a psychiatrist. I don't go back to my vomit; you know that very well more than anyone else''.

Liyah Myers stood frozen on the spot after hearing Aaron's last words. She chuckled sarcastically and watched him walk away.

MEANWHILE BACK IN D-CITY.

KASH FAMILY HOSPITAL

WARD 003.

The nurse in-charge for night duty opened the door and walked into the ward. The bowl of water suddenly fell to the flow as she stood watching the girl whose eyes were opened and also starring at her. She screamed and ran out of the ward. August blinked twice and looked at the door that has being left opened by the shocked nurse.