Episode 16: The Highest Bid
772 Words
"Five thousand dollars."
A wave of whispers swept through the ballroom.
Students turned to stare at Serena.
Even the auctioneer blinked.
"Five thousand going once..."
Before he could continue, another voice rose from the back of the room.
"Six thousand."
The crowd gasped.
Amara looked over her shoulder.
It was Olivia Hart, the president of the Law Society.
She smiled sweetly at Serena.
Serena returned the smile.
It wasn't friendly.
"Seven thousand."
"Eight."
"Ten."
The ballroom erupted into excited chatter.
Amara leaned toward Kael.
"Is this... normal?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Unfortunately."
"You've done this before?"
"Every year."
"And they always bid like this?"
"I usually leave before it starts."
She laughed.
"I don't blame you."
---
The auctioneer grinned from ear to ear.
"Ten thousand dollars!"
"Do I hear eleven?"
Serena calmly lifted her paddle.
"Fifteen thousand."
A collective gasp echoed around the room.
Olivia hesitated.
Then lowered her paddle.
"Sold!"
The gavel struck the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Miss Serena Blackwood!"
Applause filled the ballroom.
Serena walked gracefully toward the stage, accepting the certificate for her "Weekend Mentorship Experience."
Her eyes found Amara immediately.
There was triumph in her smile.
As if she'd just won something far more valuable than an auction.
---
"I should congratulate her."
Kael's voice sounded almost resigned.
"You don't look very happy."
"I'm happy for the scholarship fund."
"But?"
"I dislike being treated like a prize."
Amara smiled sympathetically.
"I can understand that."
He looked at her for a moment.
"Can you?"
She nodded.
"I came here on a scholarship."
"Sometimes people look at me like I'm a charity case instead of a person."
Something softened in Kael's expression.
"I've never looked at you that way."
She believed him.
"I know."
---
Later that evening, guests began drifting out onto the moonlit garden terrace.
A jazz band replaced the orchestra inside.
The atmosphere became more relaxed.
Lily appeared carrying two slices of chocolate cake.
"I've been looking everywhere for you!"
She handed one to Amara.
"I've decided dessert fixes everything."
"It usually does."
They found an empty bench beneath strings of fairy lights.
"This has actually been a really nice night," Amara admitted.
"Except for Ethan."
"And Serena."
"And almost having a heart attack during the first dance."
Lily laughed.
"Details."
Across the garden, Kael was surrounded by faculty members and alumni.
Every few seconds, his eyes drifted toward Amara.
Lily noticed.
"You know..."
"I think someone keeps checking to make sure you're still here."
Amara pretended not to hear.
But she couldn't stop herself from glancing back.
Their eyes met across the garden.
Neither of them looked away.
---
"President Vale."
Kael turned.
Serena stood behind him.
She held the mentorship certificate between two fingers.
"I suppose this means you owe me a weekend."
His expression remained polite.
"The proceeds go to student scholarships."
"They do."
"But the prize still stands."
She stepped closer.
"We'll have plenty of time together."
"I'll have my assistant schedule the sessions."
Her smile faltered.
"Assistant?"
"The mentorship is conducted through official Student Council activities."
"You didn't think we'd be spending a weekend alone, did you?"
A flicker of irritation crossed Serena's face.
"Of course not."
She forced a smile.
"That would be inappropriate."
She turned and walked away before he could see the disappointment in her eyes.
From the shadows, someone quietly chuckled.
"So even money can't buy his attention."
---
Near the end of the evening, the Chancellor returned to the microphone.
"Before we conclude tonight's gala..."
"...we have one final tradition."
Several seniors smiled knowingly.
The first-years looked confused.
"The Founders' Treasure Hunt."
The room buzzed with excitement.
"The rules are simple."
He gestured toward a display of sealed envelopes.
"Each pair will receive a clue."
"The first team to solve every clue wins."
Lily clapped excitedly.
"I love treasure hunts!"
The Chancellor continued.
"Your partner will be..."
"...the same escort assigned to you tonight."
Amara looked at Kael.
He looked back at her.
Ronan, standing nearby, couldn't hide his grin.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
Faculty volunteers began handing out envelopes.
Kael accepted theirs and broke the wax seal.
Inside was a single handwritten clue.
'Where the university's oldest promise was carved into stone, the first key awaits.'
Amara frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Kael smiled.
"I think I know."
He offered her his hand.
"Ready?"
She slipped her hand into his.
"Lead the way."
Neither of them noticed the figure watching from the balcony above.
A camera clicked.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The mysterious photographer lowered the camera and smiled.
"The headlines will write themselves."
- Writer
