DECEPTION AND DESIRE

Chapter 7: One more word.

Vanessa

What in the world? Is this guy sent from hell to make my life miserable? After dating me, making me feel worthless, and cheating on me with that trashy excuse of a woman, he still has the nerve to show up here and stir up trouble. And now, this jerk wants me to bid on a ridiculously expensive dress? Knowing full well that I’m just a struggling woman juggling way too many responsibilities.

I glance at him. That arrogant smirk on his smug face tells me everything—he’s trying to humiliate me, to make me squirm.

“Uhh,” I stammer, forcing a polite smile. “It’s a beautiful dress, but I’ll pass. Not really interested.”

“Are you sure about that?” Dave chuckles, his tone dripping with mockery.

My eyes narrow into a death glare. My fingers itch to wipe that grin off his face. It’s bad enough that I’m trying to move on from him, but now he has to be Richard’s cousin. Seriously, universe? Out of all the people in the world, why did you make this douchebag related to someone like Richard? A perfect gentleman. What did I do in a past life to deserve this?

“Or…” Dave’s voice cuts through my internal rant, “are you afraid you can’t afford it?”

I feel my cheeks flush, heat rising up my neck. My palms are clammy, and I wipe them against my dress, trying to keep myself from losing it. Oh, how much I want to punch this smug bastard right in the face.

Across the table, Stacy is watching me with a sly grin. Clearly, she’s enjoying the show. Her perfume is so overpowering, I can barely breathe without choking. Is this how the rich roll—drenched in cologne and bad vibes?

I open my mouth, ready to throw a sharp comeback at Dave, but before I can, a loud thud startles me.

“Dave,” Richard’s voice slices through the tension like a knife, firm and commanding, “one more word, and I’ll have you thrown out of this building.”

The room seems to freeze. Richard’s jaw is tight, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he glares at his cousin.

My heart pounds. Did that really just happen? Richard, calm and collected Richard, just stood up for me.

Dave looks like he’s been slapped. He starts to speak, but Richard raises a hand, silencing him.

“I won’t tolerate you disrespecting my guest again,” Richard says, his tone icy. “If you can’t handle her being here, then you’re free to leave the table.”

I watch as Dave’s confidence crumbles. He stares down at his wine glass, visibly deflated.

For a moment, I can’t take my eyes off Richard. A warm, unfamiliar feeling wells up inside me—pride, gratitude, maybe even admiration. No one has ever stood up for me like this. Definitely not Dave, who left me brokenhearted. Richard is… different. Any woman would be lucky to have him. But I know I don’t deserve him. Not after all this deception.

Leaning closer to him, I whisper, “I think I should leave.”

Richard’s dark eyes meet mine, full of disapproval. I try to rise, but his strong hand gently holds me in place. “No, stay,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. Then, as if to shock the entire universe, he raises his hand.

“Ten million dollars,” Richard declares, bidding for the dress.

My jaw drops. “What? No, Richard, you don’t have to do this. It’s way too much,” I whisper urgently.

He just smiles, his eyes locking on mine with a calm intensity that makes my heart stutter. “Relax, darling,” he says softly. “Consider it my way of thanking you for coming tonight—and apologizing for my cousin’s behavior.”

I’m speechless. Stacy and Dave stare at us, their faces frozen in confusion, unable to hear our whispers.

“I’m taking the dress,” Richard announces, his deep, confident voice resonating through the room.

The auctioneer beams. “Wow, your lady must be one of a kind.”

Richard glances at me, a small smile playing on his lips. “She is.”

My breath catches. His eyes, those dark brown pools, seem to burn with something raw—desire. And before I can process what’s happening, Richard leans in. His lips meet mine, soft yet firm, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

The world fades. My knees feel weak, my pulse races. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Dave’s face turning crimson with anger and jealousy. But I don’t care.

For a brief moment, it’s just me and Richard, and the chaos around us disappears.

****

After the auction ends, Richard gently guides me out of the auditorium, his hand resting lightly on my back.

“There’s an after-party,” he says as we move through the corridors, “but it’s only for family and close friends.”

We step into a breathtaking garden, and I’m instantly enchanted. It feels like I’ve wandered into a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Twinkling lights drape across the trees, and in the center, a majestic fountain spills crystal-clear water into a stone basin. The scent of fresh flowers wafts through the air, wrapping me in its sweetness.

“Wow,” I breathe, taking it all in. “This is incredible. Your sister really has an eye for beauty.”

Richard chuckles softly, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Viv’s always had a thing for beautiful things—and making everything around her just as beautiful. Come on, let’s join the others.”

We walk further into the garden, and I notice the setup: elegant tables and chairs arranged under soft, colorful lights. It’s the kind of scene that belongs in a movie.

At one corner of the garden, an older couple stands near a grill, working together like a well-practiced team. The man is flipping something over, while the woman adjusts plates on a nearby table.

“Dad! Mom!” Richard calls out, his voice brimming with surprise.

The couple turns around, beaming. “Surprise!” they say in unison, their faces lighting up.

The man looks to be in his seventies, his sharp jawline a mirror image of Richard’s. He’s holding a fork in one hand, mid-stir, while the woman spreads her arms wide for a hug.

“Oh, my boy!” she exclaims, pulling Richard into a tight embrace.

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” Richard asks, his voice a mix of joy and disbelief. “I thought you two were supposed to be in Japan, living your best lives.”

His dad chuckles warmly, setting the fork aside. “We decided to surprise everyone. No way were we going to miss your sister’s big night.”

Richard grins. “Viv’s going to be over the moon when she sees you.”

I watch quietly, smiling at their easy, affectionate banter. The love between them is almost tangible, and for a moment, I feel like an outsider peeking into a world I don’t belong to.

Then, Richard’s mom notices me. She gives me a curious smile, her voice warm but inquisitive. “And who’s this lovely young lady?”

Her outfit catches my attention—a luxurious fur jacket, knee-high boots, and a perfectly tilted cowgirl hat. She exudes confidence and class, like someone who knows exactly who she is.

Before I can say a word, Richard slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

“Mom, Dad,” he says with a proud smile, “meet Jane, my girlfriend.”

I freeze. Did he just say girlfriend?

His parents’ eyes widen, their expressions a perfect blend of shock and curiosity.

“Girlfriend?” they exclaim in unison, their mouths practically falling open.