The spotlight that had swung to the back of the room illuminated a blond man. He, too, wore a mask- sleek, silver one that covered the upper half of his face, leaving only a thin lips and a strong jaw visible held his bidding paddle loosely, his lips curling into a smirk as his eyes met mine.
“Sold! The Starlight Rebuke gown goes to the bidder in the back row.”
The auctioneer’s words drift through my thoughts.
I glanced at Asher. I wanted to ask him a thousand questions at once. Questions like; Who is that?
How can he buy that dress for a million?
I opened my mouth but no words came out. My lips felt dry, and my mind fuzzy.
“Aria,” Asher murmured softly, leaning toward me, “the dress do not really worth it.”
“And now, Lot 48,” the auctioneer’s voice boomed again before I could form a response, pulling my atten back to the screen. “35–acres farmland on Riverbend Road, delinquent property taxes of 3.2 million,”
The screen lit up with breathtaking drone footage of emerald–green land lined with thick cacao green foli rows of cocoa trees with pods hanging heavy and orange–ripe. Below them, coffee shrubs bristled with the glossy foliage, red berries spotting the shade. Pakok rubber trees rose farther. The view changes to a field palm kennel trees, their fronds rustling like green fireworks through the sky and a small stream flowing in between the rows of trees. It soon changes to the view of a sea, white waves crashing against surrounding cliffs.
“Bidding starts at two million.”
“Three million” a man raised his paddle.
“Four million”
“Six million.” I glanced at Asher, watching the numbers climb higher. I’m surprised that he’s not bidding for such land.
At ten million, he finally stirred, raising his paddle.
The auctioneer’s eyes snapped to him. “I have ten and a half million from Mr. Morales.”
The man that bided first, with a face like a square shaped walnut, countered. “Eleven million.”
Eleven and a half from Mr. Morales,” the auctioneer confirmed, his gaze flicking back to Asher, who had returned his hand to his knee.
Thirteen million” my head wiped to the masked man from earlier as he joined the bidding.
Chapter 83
55 vo
“Sixteen million” the audience gasped, their head swiping to my direction. I could feel Asher stiffen be me, before taking a sharp breath. The walnut–faced man scowled at me, lowering his paddle.
“Eighteen million” the masked man raises his paddle, his lips curling into a ugly smirk. Gosh I hate tha
smirk.
“Twenty two million” the auditioneer gasped as I raised my paddle.
“Twenty two million from the lady in emerald mask, going once.” She announced.
“Going twice…” I looked toward the masked man, catching his stare. He smirked at me, giving me a smal
“Sold to the lady in an emerald mask.
*****
“Damn tiny, you really shocked me tonight.” Asher grin, scrolling through his phone. We’re on our way h and it still sounds a bit unbelievable to me that I had gotten such beautiful land; I mean, grandma ought t proud of choice right?
“Don’t worry your pretty head too much, remember we’ve got school tomorrow”
“Shit! I have not done my assignments.” I groaned, “I’m skipping school tomorrow.”
“Whatever.” Asher mumbles, “chat mum once you get home. I told her you left your phone at home.”
“Thanks, I will.” I smiled.
*****
“Thanks,” I said to the driver, pulling my heels out of the car, I had pulled it off in the car.
“Slow down tiny,” I ignore Asher, dragged my gown up and limped across to the door.
I pushed the door open, and stepped in, my feet screaming in relief at the feel of the soft carpet.
“Ahhh!” I yawned, rolling my shoulders, “Ouch… stupid heels,” I muttered, dropping them to the ground and settling on a couch.
“Let me handle that miss.” I froze as a soft hand, with little callous, wrapped around the skin of my left foot.
Then exhaled. It was Lena, a housekeeper, kneeling before me. She got employed after mum sent Kayla to a culinary chef school.
“Thanks, Lena.” I gasped, holding her hand, “but please–don’t call me miss, and stand up, you don’t have to kneel because you want to massage my feet.”
She blinked. “But… you’re my boss.”
“Boss not your God” I snorted, “At least sit on a small stool if you want to help me. But please, I need some cookies and a cold drink.”
Chapter 83
“Yes miss.” She giggled at my look and disappeared into the kitchen.
65 your
The moment I entered my room, I collapse face–first onto the bed.
“Homework,“* my brain reminded me.
“Leave me,” I groaned, “I’m missing school tomorrow.”
“Aria?” I flipped onto my back as Asher’s voice buzzed through the door. “Tiny, are you okay?”
“Barely.” I sighed
“Good. Finish your assignment.”
“I hate you.”
“Love you too. I think you should leave Mum’s call until tomorrow.”
I sat up, pushing my gown off and strolled into the bathroom. After scrubbing myself pale and soaked in c water, I walked out, and pulled my oversized hoodie on.
I grabbed my laptop, spread my textbooks on the bed, and groaned as I opened my assignment file.
*****
“Finally!” I shouted happily as I typed the last line.
My eyes burned, my brain felt like mashed potatoes and I’m sure my hair looks like the aftermath of a tornado from my itching.
But I wasn’t done.
The screen glowed as I typed into the search bar.
“Riverbend Farmland – Acres – Ownership History – Taxes.”
A soft chime sounded behind me and I look up to see Lena entering with a tray of warm water and a mug
tea.
She froze. “Um… Miss Aria?”
“Yes?”
“Your light was still on so I thought you might still be busy and that means you might need this.”
I blinked, surprised at her thoughtfulness. “I might have.”
She set the tray down, bowed and fled. I giggled and focused back on the screen.
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.
