Chapter 5

Emery

The next day I was getting ready for an auction. I had found my calendar last night - as I spent the rest of the afternoon going through everything in my house - getting reacquainted with all my belongings. If I hadn’t found this calendar I would’ve forgotten what day it was.

The object that I wanted to get was a beautiful relic that had belonged to my mother. It had been passed down to her from her own mother and had been in her family for nearly a hundred years. It was a beautiful ruby necklace .

She’d kept it for several years but then in a show of good will she loaned it to the museum.. after she died it legally transferred ownership to them.

Tonight they were having an auction.. and I was going to get my mothers necklace.

I had no idea how much they would start the bidding for her necklace. But even though most of my money from my parents was tied up… I had managed to squander away a good bit of cash by selling one of their properties.

This was going to be a formal event, which meant I needed to look my best. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and slowly began to smile. A few years ago I had chopped off my long brown hair to sit above my shoulders. It was long now down to nearly my stomach. But I felt like a change was in order.

A couple hours later I had returned home, my hair now cut slightly above my shoulders … and now colored to a deep dark burgundy red. I grinned. I wasn’t sure how long I would keep it this way … but for now it seemed appropriate.. the color made me feel stronger somehow, which was exactly what I had wanted.

I pulled on a dark gray long sleeve glittery dress. It was tight and hugged all my curves just right. I added some strappy heels and made my way outside to my car.

A few moments later I pulled up to the huge building where the gala was taking place. I handed the keys to the valet and went to the large glass doors. I pulled my invitation from my small hand bag and handed it to the man standing there in a tux.

The place was breathtaking. There were lights strung from the ceilings.. a man in the corner played a grand piano .. the notes trickled through the air softly.

There were caterers walking around with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. I picked a tall glass from the trays and sipped on the expensive drink as I walked around and took in everything.

The museum was having this auction to raise money but this extravagance must have cost an absolute fortune.

I made my way to the next room .. passing by fountains and ice sculptures galore .. to the table where you signed up and they took your information and gave you a paddle with your number on it.

I had seen a few people I knew and spoken to them, but in that moment I saw someone that I had certainly never expected.

Jasper was here. And not only that, he had brought Vivian.

He had seen me. And he was coming over.

“Seriously Emery? What are you doing here are you following me?” He said.

Is he serious?

“Why would I be following you?” I asked incredulously.

“I don’t know! That’s what I’m asking you. What more do you want??” He had started off whispering but now he’s getting loud. And garnering the attention of several other people.

“No I did not follow you Jasper I had no idea you would even be here..” I said as I scrunched my face up toward Vivian, being unable to control my disgust for her.

He laughed then…. Laughed.

“You’re something else…” he said.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. Of course he would think I was here for him .. even though I told him I wasn’t going to marry him yesterday.

“Why are you even here? You hate this kind of stuff.” I asked him.

“I’m getting Vivian’s birthday present… it’s her eighteenth you know. I’m letting her pick it out.” He told me.

Right then they made the announcement and we all walked into the next room. They gave everyone a booklet with the pictures of the items listened and a little bit about them. I turned the pages until I found my mom’s necklace.

There it was .. just as beautiful as it had always been. I rubbed my hand over it, a sad smile on my face.

I looked up to see Vivian watching me. When I met her eyes she looked away quickly.

I ended up sitting to the right and a little behind Jasper and Vivian. They were sitting there whispering to each other as Vivian was showing him something in the book.

The auction was taking forever. I wish they’d hurry up and get to mom’s necklace so I could get it and get out of here.

I took a peek back up at Jasper and Vivian. He was saying something to her… They both started laughing.

A pang of sadness and jealousy ripped through me. Things used to be good between us. We used to talk like that - and laugh. We had fun together.

It seemed like soon as we got married all of that ceased. If I really thought about it.. the bad times were severely higher in number than the good. But even those few good times — they were great.

Watching them together now though.. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. It’s so obvious that something is there between them. There were so many signs but I had never once let my mind go there.

Once Jasper wouldn’t leave Vivian’s side just because she had a cold. He stayed with her, taking care of every single need she had. If ever he would take me out somewhere for a special occasion .. if he bought something for me for my birthday or our anniversary, he also had to buy something for her. He never hesitated to hug her or show her affection, in an almost uncomfortable way, even if I was standing right beside him. If I ever said anything about him favoring her.. he’d get mad at me and tell me I was being jealous.. that her father died for him and she was his responsibility.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I finally saw the auctioneer bring out mom’s necklace. I sat up straighter in my seat.. grinning. I was finally getting it back. A little piece of my mom. It was special, just like she was.

I felt that nervous excitement bubble up as the man was talking about the origins of the necklace.

Then .. he began the bidding.

But all that excitement I had felt a second ago… it was quickly erased.

Because Jasper was holding up his paddle.

He was bidding on my necklace.