billionaire's dilemma

The auctions intrugue

The woman was skeptical at first but seeing the man not having any ill intention, she could only say " since you insisted, I could only tell you"

James waited and waited but the woman did not say anything so he urges the woman to speak, still the woman refused to speak only displaying some things which he doesn't understand. He could only asked " ma why are you not talking, what happens"

" if you want information, you need to pay" said the woman, leaving James speechless, he thought ' where is the woman who said NO to bribe just now?' nevertheless he still gave the woman some money. He curl his lips seeing where the woman hides the money

" ok where do we stop child" asked the woman

speechless, he could only repeat what he asked

" oh!! about that, my granddaughter brought it here" the woman said

' what so I pay 500 pounds only to hear these ' James cried. calming himself he asked " ma where is your granddaughter"

" At her parents house" she replied nonchalantly

James kept twitching but still asked " ma how can I meet your granddaughter?"

The woman did not respond but shows the previous display, seeing these he was so angry to the extent smoke start coming out from his head but he still gave the woman some money, before the woman later gave him her granddaughter number.

" young man, you are now my customer, Incase you need any information, feel free to come here am available all the time" the woman said smiling at him

he only has one thought ' information my ass'

he picked up his painting and left for home, arriving he decided to call the granddaughter

" hello" James

" hi, who is on the line" granddaughter

" sorry, I collected your number from your grandma, I wanted to know about a painting you got for her" he asked

" what painting? can you please describe the painting" granddaughter

then he went into details about the painting

" oh that painting has been there since she just sold it, anyway I got it from a street painter" granddaughter said

" oh!! street painter, do you have any idea where you met the painter or can you recognize him" even though he knew the chance was slim he still asked.

" No" granddaughter

" ok thanks " he was disappointed 'at least the granddaughter is not like the grandmother ' but later in the future he would know he was wrong.

...........

Time flew quickly it was six months. in the Alden empire. James was seen in a meeting among the executive of the company discussing about the upcoming gallery.

" I guess by now you guys knows the reason for these meeting, so Mr Thompson as the head of the art department I need you to pick two or three among your people who will go there with us" said James

" ok sir" he answered

" any objections?"

All executive held their breath, they are not stupid who will object when a lion is eating.

" Since everyone understood, the meeting has come to an end " James said and left the room.

finally it was the day for the Albertsons gallery, everywhere was bustling, people praising arts and people trying to form connections.

" cheers" a man said

" cheers" James replied

" how exciting we both love the same painting, but sorry I am determined to get these painting, I would have given you as a gift for meeting for the first time Mr Alden" said the man

Knowing the hidden meaning between his words, James sneer and said " Mr Albertsons, how can I compete with you in words, I know you owns these company but competiting like these is not interesting, so let's meet at the auction " James said with smiles.

at the auction everyone was seated according to their numbers, some are chattering while some sat quietly waiting for the goods. A lady walked onto the stage and everywhere was quite not because someone shut them up but because of the beauty who came out. After talking about the rules and regulations which everyone nodded in a daze

" cough cough (waking them from their daze) the first goods is ........ the bidding start from 200 pounds"

"200 pounds" number two

" 230 pounds " number seven

"400 pounds " number forty

" 400 pounds..

going

going

400 pounds final, congratulations number forty " the announcer

" second goods is ..... " " the bid start with 500 pounds "

...........

..........

.....

" now the final goods which is a painting of master A who we all know was a well known artist, the starting bid is one million pounds " said the announcer

everyone starts to lament about the price

" 1.2 million pounds" number twelve

everyone looks at the bidder, sure it was Mr Alden James, follow by Mr Albertsons romeo who did not want to give in

" 1.5 million pounds" number five ( Romeo)

some bidders also bid a little but later give up since both business tycoon refuse to give in

" 5 million pounds" number twelve

" 6 million pounds" number five

they both continue leaving the other participants speechless, the other participants have only one thought ' is it good to show your wealth like these '

James gritted his teeth and glare at Romeo " 25 million pounds"

everywhere was uproar ' 25 million, what a waste of money '

" since Mr Alden love these painting so much, I will reluctantly stop" Romeo said with a grin receiving a glare from the opposite side

" 25 million... going... going final. number twelve congratulations" said the announcer ignoring the glare in her mind she is grinning " ha ha ha I am rich, am finally rich"

" congratulation once again number twelve" the announcer said with an excitement

looking at the announcer gloomy he was quite shock ' is these not the person I kept drawing '

after the auction James confronted the announcer

" who are you?"

" pardon?"

" why do I keep seeing you, even in my dreams" James asked

As James awaited the announcer's response, a sense of unease settled over him, tinged with the nagging feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. Despite his attempts to brush off the eerie coincidence of seeing her everywhere, he couldn't shake off the feeling of a puzzle waiting to be solved. And just when he thought he had a glimpse of understanding, her cryptic behavior only added to the mystery.