Mr. Thorne’s lips brushed the back of my gloved hand, “Madam A,” I mentally cringe as he purrs, “My pleasure meeting you. Grandmama Morales chooses her associates with her usual impeccable taste. I trus is well?”
I withdrew my hand from his grasp, sliding it across my waist. “She is in excellent health and spirits, Mr. Thorne. She sends her regards and her keen interest in your recent… acquisitions in the Asian markets.”
His eyebrows lifted a little, “She is, as ever, well–informed. Please, assure her I am always open for a discussion.” I nod looking away from him, toward the grand atrium where a group is forming. The soft tu playing changes as people take a partner.
Asher stood slightly behind me, in a guiding stance as he involved Mr Thorne with other business discussi
A waiter passes with a tray of champagne and Asher grabs two glasses, Mr Thorne grabbing one also.
“Here madam A,” Asher smiled, handing me one.
“Thank you.” I took a sip, holding the glass stylishly.
“Mister Morales,” a young man drifted over to us. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” He nodded at me, staring me down.
“She’s Madam A,” Asher introduced. “Grandmama Morales’s personal liaison.”
The man’s posture straightened immediately, “An honor. I’m Julian Cross, of CrossTech. We’ve long admire Mrs. Morales’s ventures in sustainable energy. If there’s any possibility of a dialogue…”
And so it continued. Soon, we are the center of a small circle involving big and small organization representatives trying to get me to set them a deal with grandmama. Thanks to Ashler, he handled most of it all without me making a fool of myself.
Damn, I need to know more about grandmama and how much power she weighs in this world.
“See? They’re trying to eat out of your hand. Just like I said.” Asher leaned in, whispering into my ears.
“They’re trying to eat out of Grandmama Morales’s hand,” I corrected quietly. “I’m just the one they believe to make that happen.”
“Same thing though,” he winked.
A soft chime rings through the museum. I look to see a woman in a glittering silver dress standing on the grand staircase, speaking into a microphone.
Ladies and gentlemen, please move toward the main hall on the next floor, our attendants will assist you. The auction will begin in five minutes.”
The crowd around begins to shift, joining the others toward the location.
Chapter 82
I clutch Asher’s arm. “Okay. Are we also doing this?”
“We are,” he says calmly, guiding me forward. “Just follow my lead.” He slipped a sleek, black credit card in my hand. “For you. Anything you see that you like, anything that catches your eye. Just bid.”
My fingers closed around the card. “Asher, I can’t-”
“You have to,” he insisted, “let me put you in on secret. This is a test.”
“What?,” I frown, turning to face him. “What do you mean by a test?”
“You know you’ve never spoken to grandma, she hasn’t fully accepted you as part of our family and has wanted you to be sent to Nigeria so that she can test you personally but mum and dad refused, she got angr reason why she did not visit us all this while. Grandma is very sweet but she can be the opposite sometimes she finds it hard to trust. This is a test for her to see if you’re worthy to be a Morales.” He draped his arm around my shoulder, “I know you are worthy of being a Morales.”
*****
We found seats near the front. The stage was set with a single podium, and a large screen behind it. The audience whispers excitedly, flipping through glossy catalogues.
I sighed, picking one. I need to take my mind away from the news I just heard; that I might never be accepte by grandmama. I opened the catalog to see pictures of rare artwork, sculptures, jewelry and antique items. I gasped as I looked over to the starting bidding prices.
“These prices start at seven figures,” I whisper.
“Yes.” Asher nods, leaning toward me to stare at the catalog.
The auctioneer steps onto the platform, smiling brightly.
“Good evening, esteemed guests. Tonight we begin with item number one…”
A painting appears on a stand, showcasing on the large screen. “It depicts a volcanic eruption on a coastal cliffside, the lava flowing into the ocean creating intense explosions. Dark smoke billows above, contrasting with the turbulent blue–green sea below while a distant town and mountains sit under a moody sky. It’s going for one hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Two hundred thousand!” A voice shouted
“Three hundred!”
“Five fifty!”
I stare at them in disbelief as the prices went higher.
“Asher… this is insane.” I whisper
Another iten comes up.
Chapter 02
A sculpture.
A jeweled necklace.
A rare book.
And it all got sold in minutes. All at prices huge enough to buy buildings.
This is really a game for the rich.
55 vou
A new item appeared on the screen. It was a gown, a historic piece from the 1920s, once owned by a fam rebellious film star. It was a flapper dress in crushed black velvet, but what entranced me is the hand–sew silver–thread embroidery that swirled across the bodice and down the skirt in a pattern reminiscent of ar deco skyscrapers and constellations. It’s daring, tragic, and utterly magnificent.
“Lot 47,” the auctioneer’s voice boomed. “A piece of fashion history. The ‘Starlight Rebuke‘ gown. Bidding starts at two hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Do you like it?” Asher asked, seeing my transfixed expression.
“It’s… incredible,” I breathed.
“Then it’s yours.” He made to raise his paddle, but I placed a hand on his arm.
“No. Let me.”
I could feel his surprise, but he nodded, a proud smile tugging at his lips.
“Three hundred thousand” a voice called out before I could talk
“Four hundred thousand.” Another boomed
“Five hundred thousand,”
My heart beat wildly against my ribs as the prices rose up. This is insane. You could fund a small country with this money but I also understand them. The dress is calling to me also.
I raised my paddle, the small, numbered plaque feeling as heavy as a brick.
“The lady in the emerald mask bids five hundred and fifty thousand,” the auctioneer announced.
All eyes turned to me immediately.
“Six hundred thousand.” The woman that bided first glared at me and upped it.
“You can do it,” Asher smiled. “Get it”
I gave a slight nod.
“Six hundred thousand from Madam A!”
Chapiti O2
“Six hundred and fifty.”
I nodded again, my mouth dry.
“Seven hundred.”
A pause. The auctioneer looked toward the phone. “I have seven hundred thousand. Going once…”
I held my breath. This was it. My limit.
“Going twice…”
Just as the gavel was about to fall, a new voice cut through the tense silence from the back of the room.
“One million.”
A collective gasp rippled through the auditorium. Every head, including mine- and the spotlight to find the source.
–
swi
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
