Sebastian Knight

7. Sebastian

While Liliana left to help Deigo, I was being interviewed Emily for an article when something unusual caught my eye. She was wearing a wire and trying to hide it from me, but I could tell she was nervous. I had to be careful of what I said around her, as I didn't want to give away any information.

Her flashy hazel eyes did nothing to throw me off my guard. I could tell she was disappointed, but there was nothing more I could do.

Just as I was about to speak again, I heard someone tapping a microphone and interrupted my train of thought. I turned to see a man at the front of the room, dressed in a crisp suit, addressing the crowd.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, before we start this auction off, I want to thank everyone for coming."

I glanced over at Emily who nodded in agreement with him before turning back toward me in time to hear him continue. "As some of you may already know, tonight's auction is being held by Mr. Blaine Worthington himself."

The crowd around me grew cheerer as they knew we worked together on previous auctions, he was a great auctioneer and had an eye for the most valuable. He knew I gave the best parties, he would bring in famous celebrities or even just wealthy people and have them show off their wealth by donating items like expensive cars and houses for charity auctions.

My eyes darted to the left as I saw Liliana escorting Mr Blaine to the stage as he was of course an old man. Mr Blaine has worked with my family for years and was a dear friend.

"Ladies and gentlemen, would anybody here tonight like to take a holiday? By show of hands, how many of you are planning to take a vacation this year?" Mr Blaine asked not wasting another second.

Mostly everyone in the ballroom raised their hands in to air to the question. Liliana headed back over towards me, reaching out for her. I gently grabbed her hand once again. Leaning into her ear, I whispered.

"Emily has a wire attached, keep normal. Let the others know later."

Liliana nodded, scanning the room once more. Trying to see if someone was nearby she could speak too.

"Well, have I got good news for you lucky folks! For tonight’s live auction, the Lakewood Rotary Club has acquired two amazing vacation packages from Winspire, the nation’s leading provider of unique travel experiences," Mr Blaine spoke again.

"The first is a ‘dream-come-true’ for the lady in your life: a weekend shopping spree at Bloomingdale's in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, plus a $1000 gift card and the services of a personal shopper. These assistants are at-the-ready to offer fashion advice and attend to your every shopping need."

The crowd of guests grew more excited at the description of the holiday. Liliana leaned against my arm.

Mr Blaine continued, "And, if that wasn't enough, our second package is an all-inclusive, two-week-long tropical adventure! Pack your bags and imagine exploring two exotic destinations; first, to a secret beach in Costa Rica, with days spent in pure tranquility and romance, and then a stay in a top-of-the-line Caribbean resort!"

Liliana squeezed my hand in anticipation as Mr. Blaine went on to describe all of the amenities included in the package. The auction began, and before long the bids for each of the packages rose steadily. Finally, when the bids had reached an unprecedented level, the crowd erupted with excitement and she looked up at me with a glimmer in her eye. I could see that she had already chosen which package she wanted. We bid aggressively and ultimately secured the Caribbean resort vacation.

As the night contuined each item that was given had be brought and only one was left. It seemed to be a cheap item but the more money for the childrens hospital, the better.

"And our last bid of the night is this is this luxury spa gift pack with a gift voucher, do I hear 100?" Mr Blaine asked.

The room was quiet for a few moments until a voice rang through, "150."

Mr Blaine nodded and contuined until he got up higher, at this point. The bidding continues, with the auctioneer calling out higher and higher bids. The room is filled with the sound of voices, all competing for the item.

Finally, Mr Blaine calls out the winning bid. "Sold to the gentleman in the back for $500!"

Vendors began passing out food once the auction was finished, meanwhile I looked at Rachel taking a drink from a glass of champagne I had in my hand.

"Ready for our interview?" I asked, a slight smirk on my face.

Emily smiled warmly, "Yes." She fiddled in her bag getting a pen and paper out, huffing as she finally looked back up at me. "Thank you for allowing me to interview you, on such short notice."

"That's fine, as you can see from over there a lot of reporters are here," I replied.

"So Mr Knight, what made you want to do a charity for children?" Emily asked.

"It's always been a dream of mine to help the less fortunate out with more research and more places for sick children to stay with their families. We have raised over half a million dollars so far to build a brand new location which will also have a hospital and the best cancer doctors and nurses out there to help these children. It will have over 500 apartments and will be free of charge for everyone battling this horrible desaise. I honestly can't wait for the day when cancer is cured," I replied, I was passionate about this project.

As children are the future, what's a future without children. No one likes cancer. Rachel finished writing everything down before looking at me.

"Who is/was your role model?"

Looking at Emily, I took a second to think before answering this question, "My mum. Unfortunately my mum had passed away a few years ago but honestly she had such a kind soul. She was always there to help people and those who are struggling a lot. She opened our home to many strangers over Christmas, thanksgiving and Easter. It hurt her to see so many people without families over the holidays. She even had a regular night once a week where she would invite anyone off the street to our house and we would hold a massive feast."

"Wouldn't there be risk of theft?" Emily asked.

"Actually most of those we brought to our house for meals and warmth and just family are actually working for us as well and we've never had an issue. Even Liliana is starting to do the same, helping those who can't help themselves. She's managed to get 35 percent of those on the streets a job at one of her father's pubs as either hosts and packers."

"What projects are you presently working on?" Emily queried while tucking her hand behind her right ear.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, I knew what she was trying to get out of me, "Well, I am actually really proud of Liliana, she has a open show coming up soon which I'm very proud to be by her side for." I didn't say much more than that because I promised her I wouldn't.

Emily looked disappointed at my answer, she probably thinks she has me fooled but oh no. I can smell a rat when I see one and I'm not letting out any vital information, who knows who could be listening. "One more question Mr Knight. How do you balance your work and private lives?"

"It is the most difficult thing to balance your work life and your private one. I try to take one month out each year so that I can just run away from it all with my family. I try not to work over the weekends unless I have a commission that is not in the city where I live. Somehow, this arrangement works," I snarled, hating where this conversation or 'interview' was going.