"Boss, your brother has arrived," one of the prisoners said to the guy who was gymming on the rod atop the cell.
His hands were massive, muscular, legs strong, chest broad. His face wasn't revealed, only a short smirk.
"Maybe father's fate will be upon him," he smirked, gymming harder.
****
"Ahhhhhh!"
Calliah yelled as she ended the VN. She had voice-recorded everything that happened last night.
"I will never drink again," she swore, hitting her head.
"I wonder how Axel would look me as…" she muttered.
"Are you going for the auction?"kacey asked
"Hmm," she nodded.
****
Auction Room
The room was filled with rich people, company owners, and Calliah representing her company.
TV reporters broadcasted live, all eyes on the legendary ring.
As she walked up the stairs, someone bumped into her.
"Ahh, sorry…" Calliah muttered.
The man in black walked past her. She caught a glimpse of his eyes.
"Purple?" she whispered.
"That color… so rare," she muttered again.
She took her seat at the front; the masked man sat opposite her.
"Salvatore Mundi, painted by Leonardo da Vinci," the man in black announced, holding the wooden gavel.
"Do I have an opening bid?"
"One hundred dollars!" a woman shouted behind Calliah.
"$100… do I have $110?"
"$150 million!" another shouted.
"$150… anyone higher? $190… anyone?"
"$300 million!" a man said, folding his leg.
"$300 million… do I have $350 million? From the back, front, middle who?" the auctioneer pointed, pacing.
"$400 million!" the first bidder shouted. Calliah turned and saw it was Gavin.
The masked man yawned at the escalating bids.
"$450 million!" Gavin yelled, raising his paddle.
"Anyone? Going… to… be… sold… sold! 1… anyone… 2… still going… 3… sold!" The gavel hit the wood.
"Salvatore Mundi sold to Gavin Aiden!"
The room erupted in applause. Gavin folded his arms, smirking. Close by was Gu Feng.
"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Rare Oppenheimer Blue Diamond, 14.62 carats, vivid blue, flawless. A masterpiece, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. True treasure, rich history, mesmerizing color. Who'll start at $50 million?"
"$150 million!" Gavin raised his paddle again.
"$150… no one higher? Going once… going twice… sold?"
"I heard $200… $200 million anyone?"
"$250!" someone raised.
"$250… I hear $300… closer… $250???"
"$400!" Gavin raised again.
"Any higher? Going… 1… higher… 2… giving… 3…" The gavel struck.
"Sold to Mr. Gavin!"
Gavin smiled with his swollen lips, "Hello, I'm Gavin."
The masked man stared at him, quietly annoyed.
"Weirdo," he muttered in English.
"And lastly… this…" The curtain opened.
A ring sat on a mannequin hand.
"The Raines Company ring, stunning diamond emblem of prestige, gifted to Mrs. Rosa by the state's largest industry leader."
"One million!" a paddle went up.
"$300 million!" another.
"$500 million!"
"$800 million!" Gu Feng raised his.
"$1 billion!" Gavin objected.
"$1.5 billion!" Calliah raised hers.
"$5 billion!" the masked man raised his.
Everyone turned to him.
"Who is that? Which company does he own?" someone whispered.
"$25 billion!" Calliah smirked, staring at him.
If I could sell this gift, Raines
Company could renew and trade with him well.
"What's going on?"
"$28 billion!" the masked man raised, staring at her.
"$30!" Calliah raised.
"$35…" He raised.
The remaining company CEOs held their paddles but dared not raise. Only Calliah and the masked man were left.
"$40!" Calliah called.
"1…" the auctioneer started.
"50!"
"2… higher??? Do I see 53??"
"51!"
"3!" the gavel rang.
"And the ring is sold to Miss Calliah at $51 billion!"
"Arrrgh!" the masked man groaned, giving a wicked smirk.
"Let's welcome Mrs. Calliah to take a picture with the ring," the announcer said.
Calliah stood as the ring was placed on her hand; she snapped a picture. Some cheered, others murmured.
The masked man left, glancing back at her as he exited.
Tall. Broad. Purple eyes.
"Is that… purple eyes?" someone whispered.