Chapter 7: A Bid for Blind Love
1396 Words
“Are you okay?” Emma pressed, her eyes narrowing with concern as she reached for my face again, determined to find out what I was hiding.
“I’m fine!” I stammered, my voice quaking as I turned my face away, desperate to shield my bruise.
“Did someone hit you?” Her whisper pierced the air, heavy with a protective anger that surged within her. “Your face is swollen!” Without waiting for a response, she took my hands and pulled me into the restroom, her demeanor shifting from concern to fierceness. “Now tell me, who did this to you?!”
I felt a knot tighten in my chest.
“No one, I ran into the door,” I lied, avoiding her gaze, desperate to protect the image of ‘my perfect marriage’.
“You mean you ran into someone’s fist! It’s Tommy, isn’t it?!” Her voice was both an accusation and a plea.
In that moment, I felt my heart growing weak as I couldn’t shield my emotions anymore. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I surrendered to the truth.
“It was just a small argument, and he hit me,” I confessed, the admission tearing through me like a jagged knife.
“I’m so sorry,” Emma said, her shoulders dropped in empathy. Her arms immediately wrapping around me like a vice. She held me tightly, as if trying to absorb my pain. “Look, lots of marriages hit rough patches, but if he keeps hitting you, don’t hesitate—divorce his ass!”
I could tell she was bothered by my unhappy marriage.
“I can’t divorce him! He took our company from me, leaving me with barely any money.”
“What? And you let him?! If you divorce him, you can take the company back!” Emma’s eyes widened. I could see hope etched across her face.
“Tommy had me sign a prenup,” I sighed, feeling the weight of my words resting heavily on my shoulders.
“Oh! This just keeps getting better!” Emma exclaimed, “What benefits do you even have being married to this man?”
“Nothing, I guess. He even forced me to agree to an open marriage and endure all of his affairs.” I cried some more. “But I promise you, I’m going to make him pay for every bit of the hell he’s put me through. He’ll regret crossing my path!” I proclaimed, wiping away my tears as a renewed energy surged within me.
“You said he forced you into an open marriage? That’s insane! He deserves every ounce of your vengeance! With an open marriage, you’ve already got the upper hand! Play your cards right and you will win the game!” Emma barked, each word igniting a fire within me.
I couldn’t help but think, she was right. It will be tormenting for me to be the jack*ss in the pack.
“He said we could both have fun, so let the fun begin!” I said, a defiant smile playing on my lips as I dried what I vowed would be my last tear over this madness.
“Tonight we drink to vengeance!” Emma exclaimed, locking eyes with me. She pulled me into a warm embrace once again. “You’re my best friend, and I promise I will always have your back!”
The climax of the night was about to begin. Emma and I quietly made our way to the nearest available seats. A twinge of nervousness fluttered through me immediately as I found myself wedged between Emma and the man I bumped into earlier, the man disguised in the gingerbread costume. My hands fidgeted restlessly against my champagne glass as I could feel his eyes glancing my was sporadically, causing my nerves to tingle. I took large sips of champagne to quell the lump forming in my throat.
“Let the bidding begin!” The presenter announced, as everyone raised their glasses in a cheerful toast. I joined in.
“First up, we have Maria Antoinette’s Natural Pearl and Diamond Pendant. Please place your bids to claim this once-in-a-lifetime beauty!” the presenter continued.
“Twenty million!” shouted one contestant.
“Twenty-five million!” came the next.
“Thirty million!” another voice added.
“Thirty-seven million!” said the man in the gingerbread costume, drawing my immediate attention. Whispers of awe rippled through the crowd.
“Thirty-seven million going once, going twice, sold!” the presenter congratulated, and I caught myself stealing glances at the concealed figure, though he kept his head straight as if avoiding my gaze.
The evening unfolded rapidly, and after several auctioned items, I found myself on my fourth glass of champagne, feeling a pleasant tipsiness settle in.
“Shelly!” I exclaimed, stretching my hands toward him as my heart sank into my chest. My hand lingered in the air before he awkwardly shook it, failing to introduce himself.
“I like your costume!” I added, attempting to break the ice, but he merely smiled awkwardly, as if he’d rather not engage.
I slumped back into my seat, feeling the weight of his irritation. I glanced over at Emma, who was giggling quietly with the gentleman next to her.
“You come here often?” He asked, a spark of interest in his voice.
“Are you talking to me?” I replied, momentarily confused as he smiled as if nervous.
“I asked, do you come here often?” he repeated himself.
“No. Tonight’s my first night,” I replied nervously.
“Welcome to the party,” he exclaimed, smile broadening.
As I continued to glimpse his way I became even more curious to know who he was, something about him was like a mystery awaiting to be uncovered, just the thought of it caused a smile to grace my lips.
“The last item for the night is another of our most prized gems! The Pink Star Diamond Ring! Please place your bids!” the presenter announced.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He remarked.
“It’s stunning!” I agreed, admiring the sparkling jewel.
It almost felt like we were friends already as he continuously glimpsed my way with a smile.
“Fifty million!” he called out, causing me to twist my neck toward him again, a blush creeping onto my cheeks as shame tugged at me for being unable to place a bid.
Emboldened, I shouted, “Sixty million!”
Drawing gasps and startled looks from Emma and the gingerbread man beside me.
“What are you doing?!” Emma whispered anxiously.
“Just relax; I know what I’m doing!” I whispered back, biting my teeth tightly as I desperately prayed for someone to outbid me. Just as hope began to wane, the gingerbread man flicked his bid up to “sixty-five million!” causing a smile to creep across my face with contentment, as I sighed a sigh of relief.
“Seventy-six million!” Shouted someone behind the crowd, I observed as the man’s shoulders drop as a smile of relief graced his lips.
“Sold!” Shouted the presenter.
Applause erupted as the session concluded, as the presenter declared, “The bar is open; please enjoy the rest of the evening!”
Everyone began to disburse from their seats including us.
“The next time you place a bid, I swear I will act like I don’t know you!” giggled Emma. “We’re only here to feel elite and look fabulous!” Emma warned as we headed towards the bar.
“It felt awkward that everyone else was placing bids while we couldn’t!” I whined.
“Were you trying to impress someone? The man in the gingerbread costume for instance?” Emma teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Not really, but he does give me the ‘I want to get freaky tonight’ feeling,” I admitted, sharing a laugh with Emma.
“I don’t know, he looks like a ‘ninjabread man’—the type who’d have you so hooked you’d forget your own name,” she giggled.
We both laughed heartily until he approached the bar counter where we were seated, a blend of excitement and anxiety coursing through me again as our giggled immediately halted.
- Writer
