VI

“Well, well, well…so you finally managed to tame the beast, huh? Leaves more for this tiger,” He told me teasingly as he did a semblance of a roar and puffed his muscles.

I laughed heartily, “A-ha, I’m sure you got women queued to get in your bed.”

“It is hard keeping them out when I’m the epitome of a Greek god.” He said, wiping a fake tear from his eye.

He grabbed two champagnes from a passing tray and handed me one.

“A guy who knows what I like. I like you already.” I said, giving him a nod of approval. He grinned and took a sip of his drink.

“So, where’s the mister?” he asked after a while.

I shrugged from behind my glass. “Networking, catching up with his acquaintances.” I muttered nonchalantly.

He nodded, keeping my gaze as he reached inside his pocket. He reluctantly dropped my gaze and looked at his screen flashing. “Give me your number, we’ll catch up later.” He muttered brusquely as he tapped at his screen, then handed the phone over to me.

“Guess I’m joining the long list of females on your phone.” I told him lightly.

“They don’t make it to the contacts, love,” He told me, mischievously adding a wink. I rolled my eyes as I keyed in my number and handed it back. He quickly tapped on the screen, my phone dinged in my purse.

“It is with great displeasure I leave this table,” he told me as he stood from his seat and did a courteous bow. “I have to return this call,”

“We shall meet again,” I told his raised form, raising my glass to him. He flashed me a smile, raised his glass, then walked away. Heck, when things are said and done with the Grimaldis, I might hop on to Tristan. He was quite the charmer.

I peaked at my phone to see; Save my number, Tristan.

Lovely, I’d run a quick research on him, I just might have found my first investor. I quickly saved his number, put my phone on silent and slipped it back into my purse. I was using it too much. I sat a bit longer, sipping my champagne and looking around. Surveying the area and the people.

Then I decided to continue with my tour.

“Mrs. Grimaldi?” a soft voice sounded from behind me. I turned and saw the sweetest looking redhead staring up at me. I couldn’t help but check out the very visible baby bump that was giving her such a rosy look.

“Yes?”

“You look so beautiful!” she exclaimed, looking at me adoringly.

“Thank you.” I returned courteously. “I love how you’re, quite literally glowing.”

“Thank you,” she muttered, her cheeks getting rosier, “I’m Maggie, the one responsible for all this.”

“Nice to meet you. Beautiful event you have going on here. You’ve probably heard that a lot today.” I added, chuckling. This conversation was pulling on longer than I thought it would. I was running out of things to say.

“I have, but thanks. It’s good to know I’ve pleased many.” She looked at me for a moment then suddenly said, “I know we’ve just met, but could you please do me a favor?”

I chuckled nervously, knowing there wasn’t much I could probably do for her.

“It’s not much,” she added, quickly noticing my reluctance. “I was just discussing with my team, and we came up with a pretty good idea if you’d just hear me out?”

Half an hour later, I found myself backstage chatting up a bunch of other random women that Maggie had picked up and dragged back with her. Her great idea was, simply put, the modern day slave trade. The audience would ‘donate’ a sum of money in exchange, they’d get a date with a hottie.

“It’s for a good cause,” Maggie had mentioned in her favor, with a sly smile.

One of the girls I had acquainted myself with, Jenny, pulled me aside.

“Do you know Justina?” she asked me in a whisper.

I shook my head. She held my hand and signaled to the left, sending indirect glances. I turned non-chalantly to peep. There was a dark-haired girl facing away from us, deep in conversation with a redhead. I immediately knew who it was. She’d worn a beautiful black dress with red details that curved her ass very nicely. The confidence was oozing out of her, she knew she was pretty.

“She’s your husband’s ex-girlfriend. Actually, we all thought they’d get married!” Jenny exclaimed dramatically, with a slight glimmer in her eye. Silently hinting at exactly how serious their relationship was. I eyed Jenny suspiciously. She was a dangerous type of acquaintance, the type to stir up drama anywhere.

“Well,” I shrugged, putting her at a loss for words. I’d hang around with her kind some time back, it would be in my best interest to keep away from her

“You should be careful though, she’s kinda a psycho.” Jenny whispered in a smaller voice. She wouldn’t quit, would she? I thought, disbelieving. Nonetheless, I found my attention being pulled by a certain dark female hair in the room. So this was his type.

“Ladies, get ready, you’re about to go on stage.” A certain high pitched voice came, pulling me out of my reverie.

We went back to the other girls and started fixing each other’s hair and psyching ourselves up.

My phone vibrated a bit and I quickly got it out and checked. A message from Killian:

Where are you?

Backstage. I sent out a quick reply.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen,” the MC’s voice boomed, “ for the last part of this auction, we bring you a surprise,” he explained, giving a dramatic pause. “Come on out, ladies!” that was our cue to go on stage.

“Presenting,” he said, gesturing at us, ”these beautiful ladies, offering a dance and a date to the highest bidder! A round of applause people!” a short round of applause followed. I could feel the crowd’s excitement and I was beginning to get a little excited.

Seeing the ladies parading before me and getting bid on was thrilling. Three thousand?

“Let’s give a round of applause for the beautiful Justina Levante. Looking as beautiful as ever, gracing our stage.” He paused, giving the crowd a minute to appreciate her beauty, then continued, “Let’s start the bidding at 1000 dollars,”

Quite a few people raised their boards. Whew. The Mc noticed this too and kicked it a notch higher,

“two thousand five hundred,” the same number of people.

“4000!” the excitement was getting more tangible, seven boards raised.

“ Six thousand, five hundred,” went his voice.

The murmur in the room was louder as people couldn’t help but look around. A familiar face in a Milan suit raised his board. There was a moment's pause in the audience.

“Once,” the MC went on, “twice,” he prodded.

“Mr. Ricardo has gotten himself quite the catch!” the MC boomed. Justina quickly caught my glance amidst the cheers and flashed me a sneer.

“Now, now” he went on as Miss Justina was escorted by Mr. Ricardo off the stage.

“After that, I think it’s only fair to Mrs. Grimaldi,” he said, enunciating the missus, “that we started at three thousand.” He said dramatically, seeming to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

My heart skipped a beat. This was getting more and more exciting.

“Ten grand.” Came Caden’s voice from the crowd. My eyes quickly sought his. A bolt of electricity shot through his gaze and through me. My ears were burning as I struggled to maintain my composure.

“Fifteen.” Came a familiar voice. I reluctantly broke my gaze and saw none other than Tristan.

“Fifty.” Came Caden’s voice. Could we all just relax? The MC also appeared to be at a loss for words.

The MC cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had ensued,

“The husband has swooped in to claim what’s his!!! Anyone dare to raise the bid?” he asked the crowd, letting the dramatic pause press on long, ”Once,” he started, “Twice!” another dramatic pause. “Ding ding ding!” music blasted through the hall as I was escorted from the stage and into Caden’s arms.

He rested his arm confidently on my waist and gave me a possessive squeeze that had tingles running all over me. He gently ushered me over to the Greene’s table. He pulled out the seat opposite Mary for me and sat right next to me resting his hand on my thigh.

Be still my heart.

I looked across the table and saw Mary give me a mischievous smile and a wink. I blushed softly and looked away and back to the stage.

"Didn't you see anything you liked?" Caden suddenly whispered, his breath tickling my ears as his lips softly caressed the tip. We could both play this game. I turned to him and met his gaze.

“Your reward is my reward.” I muttered seductively as I leaned in and gave him a little peck on the lips. This would look great in the tabloids. He studied me for a bit, a little smirk playing on his lips, then he turned to address the Greene’s.

“Pardon my interruption,” a soft sultry voice sounded. We all looked up and I found myself clashing with a pair of chocolate-coloured eyes. She smiled at me and turned to Caden.

“A moment of your time, please.” She asked him politely. A pang of jealousy shot through me but I quickly squished it. Caden squeezed my thigh, then stood and followed Justina out.