Sexy Voice

“And for the last—but certainly not the least—of this evening’s most exclusive bidding wars, representing the rare blue moon of Ariadne… we present this extraordinary ring. A masterpiece, and the very first design of ours truly, Miss Ariadne Altavilla.”

As the emcee lifted it into the spotlight, the crowd in my jewelry emporium collectively leaned forward, their eyes glinting with fascination and desire. Every delicate facet caught the light, scattering a prism of colors across the room, making the air itself seem richer, heavier, electric.

Of course, who wouldn’t want it?

It wasn’t just a ring. It was a statement—a testament to craftsmanship, rarity, and elegance. It was born from the mind of an exceptional international jewelry designer. That’s me.

Every whispered gasp, every furtive glance at the ring, was a silent acknowledgment of my talent, my vision, and the allure I commanded. In this moment, the world wasn’t just watching. It was waiting… for Ariadne Altavilla.

Anniversary celebration ngayon ng Aria and Sapphire, my jewelry emporium here in Manila. Kasama sa selebrasyon ang pag-auction ng ilang jewelry collections na ako mismo ang nag-design. It’s also a charity event dahil ang malilikom na pera rito ay ido-donate sa ilang home for the aged.

“The bidding price will start at one million,” announces my friend, Cara.

Lumingon siya sa gawi ko at ngumisi. Ewan ko kung para saan ang ngisi niya. Siguro napapansin niya lang na halata ang pagka-inip ko sa stage at ikinatutuwa naman iyon ng bruha.

Kahit matagal na ako sa industriyang ito, hindi pa rin ako sanay humantad sa publiko. If it wasn’t for Aria and Sapphire, ay hindi ako lalabas ngayong Anniversary. Mostly si Cara ang front act ng negosyo ko, habang ako mas gusto ko sa lab o sa opisina lang, nag-iisip ng mga bagong jewelry designs.

“I’ll have it for one point two.”

One old businessman bids. He is a Taipan and owns multiple businesses in the country.

“Let’s close it for one million and five hundred thousand.”

“Two point five.”

Lumalawak ang ngisi ni Cara habang tumataas ang bidding price.

Hindi ko alam na nakakakaba pala ang ganitong senaryo. First time ko lang kasi sa ganitong event.

“Two point five, any higher?”

Cara is about to close the deal when a tall, hunky, blonde-haired man surprisingly appears in the event. He confidently walks in, carrying an almost heart-stopping glory with him.

I smile absentmindedly.

Oh my Adam.

Adam Corduza is my fiancé. He’s been my boyfriend for two years before we decided to get engaged.

That’s our story.

I’ve had enough for today narrating how we ended up together. Basta, ang alam ko lang ay mahal niya ako. End of story.

“Three million pesos. Can we close the deal now?”

A lovely, cheeky grin forms on his lips.

Napailing ako bago siya inirapan.

Kung nagkataong nandito ang mahadira niyang nanay at narinig si Adam na handa itong magbitiw ng ganoong pera para sa akin, paniguradong itinakwil na siya nito.

His witch of a mother has a lot of issues in life. Money, politics, money, population growth, and money again. Mahadira, e!

Lahat ng nakikita niya ay pinapakahalagahan niya at siyempre hindi ako exempted.

His mother hates me to the bottom of her fallopian tube, pero nasanay na akong huwag bigyan ng paki ang kamalditahan ng nanay ni Adam.

Anak naman niya ang papakasalan ko, hindi siya. Kahit hindi na siya um-attend sa kasal namin, ayos lang sa akin.

“Seems like the Chief Executive Officer of Corduzas Construction Firm is being a freak-control here,” Cara chuckles sarcastically. Hindi kasi boto si Cara kay Adam para sa akin. Same as my mother.

Against all odds ang affair namin. Saya nga e. Daming thrill.

“Okay. Three million, any higher, bidders? Going once. Going twice. Going—”

“Ten million pesos for the blue moon of Ariadne.”

Napanganga ang lahat sa bidder na bagong dating. Lahat ng guests ay napalingon sa naturang lalaki.

Umarko ang isang kilay ko dala ng gulat. Si Adam naman ay napahalukipkip at never attempted to crack a smile.

Then the bidding war’s over.

Lumapit sa stage ang highest bidder at lumapit sa auctioneer na si Cara. They shake hands formally.

I studied the bidder suspiciously, taking in every detail—from foot… to foot—este, face. Ayokong manglait, pero ang totoo, manlalait na talaga ako. Myghad!

He was tall, yes. Too tall. A grotesque mustache reminiscent of Eugen Hutz, hair wild and unruly like Lenny Kravitz, a geeky ensemble that screamed “try-hard,” and yet… somehow, his movements carried the effortless cool of Elvis Presley. A bizarre, dissonant combination, and I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or recoil.

Wala sa hitsura ng lalaki na masalapi siya. But anyway, I somewhat do believe that ‘don’t judge the person by his teeth.’

Shit.

Mukhang toothpaste pa lang hindi na niya afford. Hindi ako nasisilaw sa metal na nasa ngipin niya, kundi sa golden teeth niya.

Gosh, huh?

He looks like… God! Nevermind. He doesn’t have a look. Oh please.

Binuksan niya sa harapan namin ang dala niyang attaché case at napabuga na lamang ako ng hangin nang i-display niya ang millions of cash niya. Everyone inside the emporium gasps in surprise and amusement.

“Ten million. You’ll have it all.”

By the way, boses lang niya ang kaaya-aya… pero ang boses na iyon, may kakaibang kilabot. Parang narinig ko na dati—malabo, pamilyar, at nakakakilabot sa parehong oras—na para bang nagbabalik ito ng isang lumang alaala na pilit na itinatago ng isip ko.