The Red Scarlet

Dearest Dr. Natalie Yoon,

            You are invited to a masquerade birthday celebration and an auction event held in Hera Palace. The event starts at 8’oclock in the evening. We are pleased to have you as our guest for today’s very important auction. See you there…

Pitter-patter… That’s the first splatter of rain that I heard; droplets of moisture began to drip from the invitation letter that I have just read, again. I wasn’t even moved a bit by this rain. Then I felt a warm breeze of air brushes softly against the blades of my shoulders.

“It won’t kill me.”

“But it will ruin your pearly sleek satin dress.”, he said presumptuously, I suppose. Ball gowns are overrated for this kind of event, as I have known.

“Come on, let me escort you to our destination.”

The man, who wore a suit with a nightly shade of blue and a silver mask that somehow highlighted his well-sculpted cheekbones, pulled me into him, embracing my shoulders, and proceeded to walk across.

I looked up above and saw the clouds began to gather in the sky. I remembered leaving the house with such warm weather that even this fully covered face of makeup could melt in just seconds. Yet now, as I look above, the beautiful shade of cocktail-blue began to darken into a Reaper’s shade of gravel-grey. There I saw large billows of clouds that looked somewhat of airy anvils drifting under the gleaming disc of the sun. I suppose this began as a whispering in the air which a whisper I didn’t hear.

"Mr. Kim, thank you for inviting me. I did not expect you to invite me on such an occasion.", I said to the man just a few centimeters shorter, wearing a white tux and a red velvet undershirt accessorized with chains of gold jewelry and sparkled with bits of a diamond. Anyone would easily recognize this man even with his snowy white mask on. Everyone would know that he was Mr. Jun Kim, my client. He is as well the owner of SK Holdings and the host of today’s auction in Hera Palace.

"I know, I know, my wife insisted Doctor. I know you don't like parties but my wife wanted to make 'them' jealous when her friends heard of your acquaintance.”, he replied and laughed rubbing his belly almost a button away from coming out of his tuxedo.

"Thank you for coming, my lady would be very glad in her golden year."

“I am pleased to be one of your guests, Mr. Kim.”

Ah…I have almost forgotten about the man who escorted me.

I scanned through the flock of feathers as most of the guests' masks were accessorized with large colorful peacocks and were sparkled with eye-blinding sequences. As I was scanning through the crowd to find the man I was with a while ago, I noticed a middle-aged woman in a daring but exquisite gown excusing herself from a group of women of I guess was of the same age. I then realized that she was approaching me.

"Dear, you did not inform me that she has arrived. How cruel...", the woman stroked my client’s arm and snaked hers around his, embracing his arm tightly and endearingly. 

"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Kim. You look stunning as always.", I said as sincerely as I can behind my marble mask and smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor, you are as well and a flatter as ever.”, she giggled. She looked at my left and right. She might have already noticed that I am alone.

“Are you alone, dear?”

"I am, unfortunately."

"That is okay, though my friends would have been really surprised for the double treat. They will be more excited if they were to meet Marcus as well.”, she said with all smiles.

Ah, indeed, women even her age would swarm over Marcus.

“Now, come along, there are people who want to meet you. And I am sure you will make new acquaintances. Let us enjoy the party, shall we?" Mrs. Kim kissed her husband on the cheek and pulled me lightly as she guided me to her group of lady friends who were waiting patiently for our arrival.

"Unbelievable Jodie, the woman is your doctor?", a member of the group asked surprised.

“Come on, you belittle me, dear Chiselle. Of course, she is my doctor!", I giggled lightly as she exclaimed.

"Oh dear, how come? I mean, are you still accepting clients, dearie?", another has spoken who acted suspicious of the birthday celebrant.

"It is a pleasure meeting you ladies, I am Dr. Natalie Yoon. And as for the question, I am now assigned as a medical director in Seoul."

"Does that mean, you aren't taking any more clients?", another has spoken.

"Silly Sissy, she meant you have to follow protocol before you get to be one of her patients; not just deciding here and then.", Mrs. Kim clarified.

“Harold!”, a friend of Mrs. Kim pointed at someone outside our group with all excitement. “Is it really Harold?!”, one of the women exclaimed. Then I noticed that it is not just this group of women who got struck by Cupid's arrow but also every woman in the room. I guess this Harold is somewhat a famous knight of every woman in Hera Palace. Out of curiosity, I shall inspect then of who he may be.

When I looked behind my back, I saw the exact man wearing a tux of nightly shade of blue that had engulfed his obviously chiseled tanned structure and a silver mask which perfectly highlighted his well-sculpted cheeks. Harold was my escort.

“Lady Kim, it is always an honor to receive such invitations. Happy Birthday!”, the man named Harold said and kissed the top of Mrs. Kim’s hand.

“Oh sweet Harold, you are as ever charming of a young man. Now, may I introduce you to our family doctor, Dr. Natalie Yoon.”

I offered my hand to him. He then placed his palm below mine and kissed the back of my hand. He smiled pleasingly.

“I see, so you are the “Natalie Yoon”. The one who almost got drenched in the rain.”

It was unnecessary, really.

“Oh, so you have met each other already?” Mrs. Kim replied rather perplexed to hear the news. As she should be, knowing the rumored reason why men do not go near me.

“Yes, he was kind enough to escort me inside amidst the rain.”, I humbly said.

“Anyway, the name’s Harold Kang. It is a pleasure to meet you, doctor.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

Mrs. Kim placed herself in the middle of where we stand and snaked her arms on each of ours both.

“Well Harold, since Natalie doesn’t have company for tonight, may you be kind enough to be her escort?”

I looked at Harold smiling yet my eyes are pleading not to. Please don’t.

“It would be a pleasure of mine as well.”, the man smirked pleasurably.

Pfft. A stand-offish bastard…

Harold offered me an escort arm. I obliged and we walked arm in arm to the auction room.

“So doctor-“

“Please call me Natalie.”

“Understood. So Natalie, are you here to bid for an auctioned item? Which item are you eyeing for tonight?”

I hate this kind of talk.

“A chatter, are we? Tell me something interesting about you instead.”, I asked him instead rather than replying to the question.

“I’m a North Korean defector. Does it interest you enough?”

Interestingly enough that made me speechless.

I decided to look at him carefully looking at his expression which nothing is even plastered on his face, and said, “It’s the “Red Scarlet.”

I was here to bid for the rare item of the night, the “Red Scarlet”. It is worth than the value of the famous French Queen, Marie Antoinette’s treasured necklace of which I have also won during an auction in Bordeaux, France. The 26 oval-shaped pigeon-blood Burmese rubies that weigh 1.27 to 5.38 carats were strategically placed to create a floral effect that would make any other lady be in awe for its magnificent style; this would definitely look good with my other prized possessions.

“Then you better not lose to me, doctor.”, he playfully smirked and I clearly saw the mischievous wink he gave.

We arrived in a room where almost a hundred men and women in masks and gowns started to place themselves orderly sitting on the chairs arranged for each guest.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for replying to our invitation to our annual charity event. May I please ask for a big round of applause for our frequent clients who have donated to every auction we held from year one until this day.”, Mr. Kim announced and the crowd then applauded.

“As we all know, every charity event is also a bidding contest.”

“The protocols of this auction event are simple. If you place the highest bid, therefore you win. If you win, all the money for the bidding will be donated to the organization you wish to donate to. Simple isn’t it?” 

“Then, let the auction begin!” The crowd cheered loudly.

Hours have passed and most bidders had already bid for their eyed item yet I am still here patiently waiting for that necklace.

“Natalie, it seems that someone is eyeing you from afar.”, Harold who was remarkably quiet during the previous biddings, has finally spoken.

“Who? Where is he?”

"It seems he knows you, Natalie. He has been staring at us this whole time. I might as well think that he’s been throwing daggers at me.”

I looked at the man that Harold had mentioned. He does seem familiar…

“And now, behold!”

“The last item for tonight. One of the world’s eleven most famous necklaces, expertly crafted by the famous jewelsmith James Curren, the “Red Scarlet”!”

It’s finally here. I better place my bid well-

“10 million! Right off the bat!”, the host announced this that had me surprised. I immediately scanned the whole room to see who that was. I then found him…

“15!”, I raised.

“20!” Harold raised. I looked at him with irritation plastered all over my face.

“25!” I raised back.

“It’s about time!” This means that the bidding is already above its highest value. As a matter of fact, it was already thrice from my maximum bid option.

“And 35!”, the host announced.

 I looked in the direction of the bidder and there I saw him already looking in mine, rather amused at my situation. I then looked away and thought hard for a moment.

“Going twice, going thrice. Sold to you, sir!” Mr. Kim announced the Red Scarlet necklace, which was supposed to be mine, was sold off to a man I have never even seen in any auction events.

“I’ll excuse myself now,” I told Harold out of frustration. I cannot take such defeat from a reckless bidder. The reasons are: One, no one dares to bid thrice as high as Natalie Yoon’s. Two, no one dares to pull a trigger at Natalie Yoon. Lastly, three, no one dares to look at me with a cocky smile!

That man better becomes aware of my existence next time. He had dared to challenge me again…

.

.

.

"You have been following me. Take off that mask and show yourself."

"If I take it off, would you come home with me tonight?"

"I won't."

"Then I won't take it off."

"Tell me, why did you partake in the bidding event?"

"I have reasons."

"Can you give me one reason?"

"I'll tell you one reason you know."

“Do tell…”

"My wife…She has a fascination for rare jewelry."

"I see, she knows how to play the game well. What is the name of this lady?"

"Everyone knows her."

"I am aware."

"Then you know my identity."

"I do."

"Then, shall we settle this elsewhere?"

“And then we shall, Marcus Lee.”