Ch-7

Five Years Later 

   Alora's POV 

        If there was anything I'd missed from my time away from New York, it just had to be the dazzling lights that lit up the streets at night. With the strips of red, blue and green neon lights flashing around, you could easily start a dance floor right in the middle of the street. All you needed to compliment it was some music. 

“Are you okay, Alora?” Someone's voice by my side was all it took to pull me out of my thoughts. I turned to my side, just to see a familiar face staring at me, a small smile on his face. “You look deep in thought.”

“I'm fine, Fredrick.” I nodded once. “I was only reminiscing.” 

While the nostalgia that came with being back in town again were nothing short of bitter sweet, I knew there was some part of this town that had the power to turn my mood from a huvdred to zero in a matter of seconds. 

 Not memories exactly, but more specifically; people. 

“The good old days?” Fredrick chipped in. 

“Darling.” I purred. “The best is yet to come, and we're going to make sure of it.” 

A lazy smile made its way to Fredrick's lips as he raised a champagne glass in the air. Reaching for mine, I leaned in closer just so we could clank the glasses together. 

“To ruining those who ruined us.” I made a toast, before downing its content. I allowed the bubbly liquid settle in the pit of my stomach before I spoke up again. “Driver, how much longer till we get to the venue?”

“We're almost there, ma'am.” The driver nodded at the overhead mirror. “I just need a space to park.” 

I took the driver's word before reclining deep into my seat. For a moment, I dreaded ever getting out of the comfy cushion of the limo, but I had work to do, and I would be telling myself the biggest lie if I said I wasn't looking forward to this. 

Only a couple of minutes passed before the driver successfully parked. As he turned down the engine, I watched Fredrick get out of the car, before coming to my side of the door. 

“Shall we?” He flashed his pearly white dentition, before stretching an arm out. 

“I wouldn't want anything else.” I looped my hand in his before walking towards the event. 

The event had to be the most talked about in New York for the past couple of months. Ever since it's announcement, it had been raking up views and Investors alike. Every one who was everyone in the business world couldn't afford to miss it, and the sheer satisfaction that I was going to see two certain individuals filled me with a dangerous level of happiness and determination.

It was a contract/ award ceremony, and while others usually overlooked the other, Fredrick and I had decided to go all out in both aspects. 

“You two look stunning ma'am.” White bright lights flashed in our faces as the paparazzi rushed us, each one wanting to get more than a few shots. “And we haven't seen you two in New York times before. Is this your first time attending?”

To spice things up, Fredrick and I had decided to go masked. We'd been away for five years and the best way to show up was with a big bang, or not show up at all. 

After having our full with the paparazzi, we continued inside the hall where the event was going to be held. It was dimly lit, with traces of gold glistening from time to time and at certain angles too, but that wasn't the surprising part. 

The auction  had already started. 

We were super late, but it only made me all the more proud. 

What other way to give a  dramatic entrance, than arrive fashionable late? 

A million and one eyes turned to face me. While all the attention would everyone else sink deeper into the skin, while wishing that the ground would open up and swallow them all, I only tilted my head closer to Fredrick, just for a quick and chaste kiss to the lips. 

The entire hall burst into an uproar. Muffled whispers spread through the attendants and participants, but while I watched different emotions flicker on their faces, I couldn't help but search for two people amongst the crowd. 

Eliaz and Cynthia. 

Luckily for me, I didn't need to search for too long. In a matter of seconds, I spotted them hurdled in a corner, confusion etched into their faces. 

Despite the fact that so much time has passed, I couldn't exactly say they had changed one bit. They still looked the same and I took it as a sign that I was going to enjoy pulling the carpet from under their feet all the more. 

“If we would all quiet down,” The microphone buzzed from the centre of the stage. There, a huge frown was etched into the host’s face and for a quick second, I honestly thought he was going to ask us to leave. “and her back to business, I would really appreciate it. We have a long way to go and so little time for that.” 

I flashed the crowd a wide grin before finding a seat in the crowd. Even after sitting, more mumbles and murmurs reached my ears. 

Everything was going to plan, and it completely warmed my heart. 

“Once again, I welcome you all to New York’s annual contract auction “ the host announced. “On today's episode, we have the city's multi million real estate contract up for grabs….” 

A round of applause cut him off immediately. None of the host's words were lies. The real estate contract was a life changing one, hence the entire buzz around it. 

 “Let's get right into it.” He slammed a small gravel into the pulpit in front of me. “Who's going to start off the auction for us?” 

“I million dollars.” A lone voice cheered from the crowd. “I bid one million for the contract.”

“What's that?” Someone sneered. “Are you trying to ruin the city with that amount? I bid 5 million dollars.”

“5 million dollars.” A crooked smile made its way to the host's lips. “That certainly can't be all now, right?” 

“10 million dollars!” 

“20 million dollars!”

“50!” Another voice boomed. “50 million dollars.”

“Shouldn't we?” Fredrick whispered in my ears. “They're all going higher…”

“But not high enough.” I cut him off. “Just sit back and relax. Trust me.” 

Something flickered across his face, but Fredrick said nothing. With a nod, he turned his attention back to the active bidders. 

“100 million dollars!” The host yelled again. “The contract is currently at a 100 million dollars. Would anyone else like to outbid that?” 

Total silence stretched out in the hall. Even though I was in and out of my thoughts, I was still able to recognize who had just made the last bid, and it was none other than Eliaz. 

“100 million dollars for Mr Eliaz.” He announced again. I couldn't see him, but I could already picture the wife grin he was putting on. “Going, going and…..”

“200 billion dollars.” I said at the last second. My voice hadn't been the loudest, but it spread far and wide, followed by a series of loud gasps. “I bid 200 billion dollars for the contract.” 

I sought out Eliaz’s face again and the surprise that had been etched into his face wasn't one I would be forgetting anytime soon. 

“Gone!” The gavel slammed down against the pulpit with so much force I thought it was going to break. “The New York city multi million real estate contract goes to. …*

“Alora.” I got up slowly. “Alora Vancleef.” 

The crowd fell silent as I pulled off my mask, but I didn't miss the terror that made its way to both Eliaz and Cynthia's face.