Chapter 2

Sarah’s POV

“$200,000, I meant to say,” the man’s aloof voice resounds in my ear for a couple of seconds.

I still find it hard to believe that there are people like him who’ll waste that much money, trying to win a bid. Rich people will always remain a big mystery to me. No matter how hard I try, I can’t fathom how the minds of the these people work. What is it that they’re trying to prove?

The whole place is thrown into a deafening silence and seconds later, murmurings, mutterings and gasps engulf it. I stare in awe and bewilderment at the man who’s at the verge of becoming the highest bidder tonight. He’s sitting so confidently and relaxed in his chair, wearing a forbidding look that he doesn’t seem to get tired of.

Our eyes are still locked, we’re gazing at each other almost as though we’re communicating with our minds when really all I want to do is walk up to him and ask him how he can bid such a ridiculous amount to get a date in return. I know I should be psyched that he’s willing to pay that much to go on a date with me, that I’ll be walking home with nothing less than $50,000 but I still find all of this cringe-worthy.

“Anyone up for 250? Going for $250,000, anyone? No one?” Mr Maguire thunders cheekily, he’s almost yelling at this point.

I bet his insides are squealing with elation, his potbelly’s thumping and his mouth is watering at the easy money he’s about to make. I’ve been mulling over how he managed to organize this and get these men to come here. But I figure I shouldn’t stress over it. I’ve got way too many things to worry about.

And Mr Maguire has always been a greedy and cunning man. He owns a nightclub and a gambling den right here in the heart of Cole Spring city where I’ve lived all my life. He’s a loan shark too, a heavy one. He used to be friends with my late father many years ago. I ended up taking loans from Mr Maguire in order to fend for my family.

Now, I’ve got huge debts to settle with him including his excessive rates of interests that keep adding up whenever I default and many more piling up as I struggle to make ends meet. So when he’d proposed this idea of an auction, I thought it was crazy. I still do but if it can somehow lesson the burden on me, I’ll gladly take it. And it’s not like I’ll be doing anything other than going on a date. If anything, it’s a win-win for both of us, we’ll, Mr Maguire for the most.

“Going for $200,000!” Mr Maguire screams, pulling me out of my deep thoughts, happiness blaring in his voice as his eyes dance over the faces of all the men present.

I roll my eyes and shake my head a little before shifting my gaze to the dashing man in a black suit, my soon-to-be date. Our eyes meet yet again and I realize he’s been staring at me, his icy glare burning my skin the whole time. I feel a strange pang in my chest and I quickly look away.

“$250,000!” A voice yells and everyone turns to the direction it came from.

I rake my eyes all over the person. Another wasteful rich son of a.... He appears tall, with masses of dark brown hair and a five o’clock shadow that graces his chin, giving him a bold look. He’s good-looking but not as good-looking as Mr Grim. He’s decked in a grey suit and his hair is slightly in a disheveled mess but in a way that makes him more attractive.

A loud gratifying smirk forms on his lips, having raised the bar higher. He must be feeling so smug and pleased with himself. I guess we have ourselves the highest bidder tonight, or not. We all turn to look at Mr Grim, eager to see if he’ll give up or raise the bar even higher. And he doesn’t disappoint.

“$300,000,” he responds way calmer this time, it’s scary to me. He moves his head to face the man who’d dared to bid higher than him and I observe as the two of them share a deadly glare. They seem to know each other and judging by how they’re glaring at each other, anyone can perceive their rivalry.

“$350,000!” The second dude counters, his smirk slowly fading off and his eyes never leaving his opponent.

“$400,000,” Mr Grim responds in a chilled manner. Everything about him is so calm to the point of making me feel uneasy.

“$450,000!” The other dude strikes again and now, his smirk has completely washed off, replaced by a distraught expression.

It’s almost as if the auction’s just for the two of them as everyone else goes dead silent, engrossed in the drama playing out before them and awestruck by their ridiculous display of wealth. We keep shifting glances between the two men, wondering which one of them leaves here with me tonight.

“$500,000,” Mr Grim opposes and adjusts his tie, shooting his opponent a look as if to say, “I’d like to see you beat that.”

But of course, the other guy is just as relentless and I’m getting a feeling this isn’t about the auction anymore. There’s definitely bad blood between them and now they’re trying to best each other under the guise of this event.

The guy hesitates before yelling in what I presume to be frustration, “$600,000!”

Mr Grim doesn’t say anything. I gaze at him, my eyes pleading with him to bid higher and shut this guy up for good but nothing. He just sits there, utterly speechless. I don’t have a problem walking out of here with either of them but for some reason, I want Mr Grim.

“Going for $600,000! Anyone up for $650,000?” Mr Maguire quizzes and on getting no response, Mr Grim’s rival gets up on his feet and walks over to me, smiling victoriously.

He snakes his arm around my waist and immediately Mr Grim stands up, raising his voice for the first time tonight, “$1,000,000!”

I gasp aloud along with everybody else. Is he crazy?

He gets up as well and comes to me, his eyes bereft of warmth. He glowers at his rival’s arm which is still hooked around my waist and grits his jaw. “Now let go of her, she’s mine.”