Chapter 2: SOLD

Akala ko'y magiging madali lang at matatapos na ang lahat pagkatapos ng mga dalawa o tatlo kong pagtaas ng paddle. Pero sa hindi ko inaasahan, may tarantado pang makikikumpetensya sa 'kin.

I looked at the direction of the one who have been raising the bid higher and higher after me. Kinilatis kong mabuti ang pagmumukha nito and I rolled my eyes after realizing who he is. Walang iba kundi si Flavio who's seated on a row lower than mine in this stadium seating.

I raised my paddle. "Seventy million", I shouted.

Paglingon ko ay nakatingin din sa 'kin ang gago. He smiled, isang ngiting pang-aasar na para bang nagsasabi na hindi siya titigil sa pakikipag-agawan.

Flavio Devereaux–Aubert, in short, Flavio. He's the first son of my mom's older brother, and that being said, he is my first cousin. Dahil magka-edad lang kami, my mom and uncle brought us together since we were kids para maging malapit kami sa isa't isa. But contrary to what they initially intended, we ended up being each other's nemesis while growing up.

Nakalimutan ko na kung paano at kailan iyon nagsimula. But I've got many vague memories about how our relatives always compare us and me receiving most of their compliments. I think that's when Flavio started to get wary of me. Simula noon ay palagi na niya akong hinihigitan sa lahat ng bagay. He always aims to surpass me. I was always his enemy that he had sworn to defeat on anything.

I didn't thought that jealousy would eat him like that. Pero tangina na man, pati ba naman dito kakalabanin niya ako?

Sinabunutan ko ang sarili ko out of frustration nang makita ko uli siyang nagtaas ng paddle para magbid. I let out a sigh and looked down the stage where the woman who took my attention was standing.

Is she really worth the fight? The money? And the effort?

I scanned her once again. I can't tell how pretty she is with the black laced mask that's obscuring the upper half of her face. All I can see is the cascade of long obsidian-black hair that that frames her face; it was shining under the spotlight. Her hair flows loosely around her shoulders, occasionally falling across her face. At sa bawat marahang paghawi niya nito'y kinakagat niya ang kanyang mapupulang labi.

She was standing there like an enchantress. The other girls were not even close to her. She stood there na wala man lang bakas ng takot, hiya o kaba. She held her face high enough to meet the gazes of the audiences. She completely ignored their gleaming eyes that seemed to pierce on her barely covered body.

I knew it from the moment she stood there, she is my bride.

Natauhan ako nang marinig kong magsalita ang emcee. "1st call, is there no one willing to make the bid higher for item 10?"

I unhesitatingly raised my paddle. "Eighty-eight million", I shouted.

I smirked as I looked at Flavio who was also looking at me. Tingnan natin kung hanggang sa'n mo kayang makipaglaban sa'kin Flavio.

I saw him hesitate. 88 milion isn't a joke, especially this times where money is like a God getting worshipped by people.

Nakitang kong bumulong ang katabi niya, that must be his adviser. Kitang-kita ko ang paglukot ng kanyang noo pagkatapos n bumulong ang katabi niya. Flavio must have been advised to drop the bidding.

Lumingon siya sakin wearing bitterness in face bago siya marahas na tumayo at umalis. Sumunod na man sa kanya ang katabi niya that I only recognized until now to be his long time secretary.

I scoffed at this sight for now, my victory is sure.

"Item 10 is sold to VIP 7" Those words were loke music to my ears na sinabayan na man ng palakpakan.

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko and looked at her. My brows suddenly furrowed when I saw a staff guiding her to the back of the stage. I thought I'll be the one to do that! Just like a prince, I'll offer my hand to her and assist her to our room.

"Fucking shit!" I cussed as I hurriedly went after them.

"Sir wait lang po!" Naririnig kong sigaw ng isang staff pero hindi ko ito inintindi. I'm chasing after my future kid, got no time to waste.

In a single clack of the door, I found myself in a corridor that looked like a hotel's hallway with doors lined up beside each other. I stopped my steps at luminga-linga ako nang hindi ko na makita ang sinusundan ko.

"S–sir, eto p–po and r–room card niyo." Humihingal na inibot sa'kin ng staff na kanina pa humahabol sa 'kin ang isang gold plated card. Nakasulat ang mga katagang "ROOM 22" rito.

"Where can I find this room?" Nagmamadali kong tanong.

"It's down on the sixth floor sir." He replied and smiled which showed the dimples on his face. How could such a gentle looking boy work at an auction who sells people?

Walang kaabog-abog kong tinungo ang unang elevator na nakita ko at pinindot ang number six sa elevator button. Tiningala ko ang indicator light and waited patiently before the number six appears on it.

I held my breath as I felt uneasy. I can't explain why my heart has been thudding loudly inside my ribcage ever since I started chase her.

Hinihingal lang siguro ako. I then straightened my back and started breathing slowly. When I closed my eyes while exhaling, I saw her figure and it made me wonder. Is she a domineering woman just like what she had been displaying or is she actually a soft bunny on the inside? Is she a vir—

I shook my head head nang bigla akong matauhan. Ano ba 'tong mga pumapasok sa kukote ko? I'm just here to find a woman who can be my fake bride, making a deal with her is the most important thing that I'll be doing this night. Nothing more, nothing less.

I picked up my pace. Habang naglalakad ako'y may nakasalubong akong isang matandang lalaki, nakahawak sa braso ang isang babae na isa sa nga na auction kanina.

The man looked old enough to be her grandfather yet the woman still smiled at him seductively with her bright red lips. This world has come to the point where money is what makes people alive, and is also the reason for their deaths. Mahina ang kahit na sinong tao sa harap ng nakakabulag na kislap ng pera, mapa-Solaries o Luminar man 'yan.