Messing in the Auction - Part 1

Jose took his grandma's hand and placed it in his forehead. Then he said "Mano Po!". It was a sign of respect to the elderly upon seeing them. This was also the same at their Aunts, Uncles, godfather, and godmothers. Hence, Jose also took his Aunt Heidi's hand and placed it in his forehead.

"God bless you!" The two said.

Then, Jose took them up to their rooms. They took are to occupy the remaining room on the 24th floor that was supposed to be Jose's.

"Mother! Sister!" Pedro's Mother rushed towards them, the moment the elevator opened.

"Liya, you look... fat!"

"Gaa~"

Grandma Clarita savagely said, in a surprised manner. Liya Tagali, Jose's mother, almost choked out blood as everyone gazed on her and was about to burst into laughter. Fortunately, Jose's Aunt Heidi was already used to it and break the awkward silence.

"Ma, don't be like that to Liya, You've just met after a long time."

"Don't be what? Well, compared to her, your depression of being a single mom, made you became thin."

"Gaaa~"

Finally, before everyone could laugh, Clarissa step forward and took her grandma's hands. Like Jose, she said "mano po!" and Grandma Clarita and Aunt Heidi responded with a "God bless you!". Same what Bea and Jia did to Carlos and Liya.

Toot! Toot! Toot!

The elevator sounded. It meant that it was open for a long period.

"Oh~ Grandma, let's head out of the elevator first."

Jose and his father took the baggage and placed it to the rooms that were supposed to be Jose's room.

(For clarification, Although 24th and 25th floor are separate floors, in the pool area, there was a stair to go up and down. There was also a small bar in the pool area. There they can cook food and take advantage of a more spacious area than the dining area on each floor.)

On the 24th floor, there were three Bedrooms. One was for Clara and Chesley, and besides their room was their parents' room. Opposite it was Aunt Heidi and Grandma Clarita's room.

On the 25th floor, there were also three Bedrooms, One for Clarissa. Beside it was for Carlos and Liya, and in front of it was Bea and Jia's room.

The bedrooms were facing the west, to the vast sea. Whilst, the pool area was facing the city area. This was the same floor plan for the 23rd floor. As for the other floors, they were divided equally.

Sophia and her family stayed in a single room, similar to Arthur and his family. They selected two adjacent rooms that were facing northwest, facing the sea but still having a little view of the city.

Their grandma's savageness, entertained their night as the two-child laughed at some of her jokes.

Days later, December 20, 2031.

Many events were held down the hotel. There was a casino into which the grand prize of some game was a giant 'vehicle' hidden inside a bulletproof protected container. It was maintained as a secret by Ashie Mojo to the point that she didn't even tell Jose what it was.

There was also an auction happening in an event area between the mall and the casino. Also, as Jose said to Jerry, there was an Annual Philippine Vehicle Corporation and Development Event that was held to the other remaining event area.

All the fathers of Sophia, Clara, Arthur, and Jose (Aka, Fathers' league) went down the APVCD Event, to check out some cars.

While their mothers (Aka, Mothers' league) Including Grandma Clarita and Aunt Heidi, went to the mall and check out the stalls. Though they won't buy (Cause they were expensive brands), It was typical for Filipinos to do what they call 'window shopping'.

Arthur and Jose wanted to join the 'Father's league' to go to the APVCD Event, but Jose wanted to wait for Jerry before he would go to the APVCD Event. Hence, he and Arthur decided to go to and check the Auction event, into which, the 'Girls' League', (Clara, Clarissa, Sophia, Bea, Jia, and the two little girls.) decided to go to.

The Auction will only last for three hours. This way, the Girls' League could also bring the two little girls to a play area located at the mall. (It was supposed to be the toy store, but they have no money so. They can only go to a play area, where one can have a ride at a mini carousel and such. Oh, It's part of what Jose paid in the hotel. Hence, they can ride it freely.)

Since they were VIPs from the Hotel, they got VIP treatment from the event area. Well, it was the same for the Fathers' league. Unfortunately, the mall doesn't assist hence, the mothers' league was on their own.

They were seated at a VIP section of the event area. It was located at the right side of the stage, slightly angled and elevated. The glass was tinted so that the other people won't know the identity of the VIP.

Ever since Dorfon assisted Jose, he was assigned by Ashie Mojo to assist Jose personally. (except for matters regarding floors from the 20th and above.)

Dorfon sat at the far, right, end. On his left was Jose. Beside Jose was Clarissa then followed by Jose's two cousins. In the second row, the far right end was Arthur who was beside Sophia. The next two seats were for the two little girls. And in the second row, the far left side was Clara.

"Brother, can you bring us some snacks?" Jose whispered to Dorfon.

Dorfon nodded in response and stood. He slightly opened the door and talked to a man silently. Minutes later, snacks arrived that made the two little girls happy. Now all of them seemed like they were watching a movie.

"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! I would like to thank you for attending the Annual Christmas Golden Summit Auction." The speaker bowed.

"First, I would like to express our gratitude for the presence of our VIP guest, Thank you!" She turned towards Jose's VIP area and bowed ninety degrees.

"Now, I would explain the auction rules. The rules are simple. One can bid on the item with the minimum bidding price set. You can increase the bid by a thousand or more. And the last bid will win after three seconds without anyone placing a higher bid."

"We would be auctioning different items from ancient to advance items. So, to start, Our first item would be... A One-night performance invitation from POGS Boyband! They are one of the top boybands in Asia and is currently in the Philippines for their Christmas concert. For one night, they will go to the event or party they would be invited from December 23 to December 30, 2031. Starting bid... 200,000 Pesos~"

Before the speaker can continue a girl wearing a shirt with a POGS Boyband member in it, stood and placed a bid.

"300,000 Pesos!!!"

The speaker smiled as she held the wooden hammer and started counting.

"300,000 Going once!"

~~~~~~~~

in the VIP area.

"WTF? Sigh... If I only had money." Jia went teary eyes. She was also a fan of many boybands and one of them was POGS Boyband.

"Hoho... I didn't know cousin Jia liked boybands." Jose grinned.

"Tch! Stop rubbing salt to your poor cousin's heart!"

~~~~~~~~

"300,000 Going twice!"

'Hehe, It's mine!' The girl grinned as she saw older peeps who were not even interested in bidding in the item.

"One Million Pesos!"

"F$CK!"

Someone shouted that made the girl coughed out blood. The speaker was astounded as her head turned towards the VIP area.

'Heh... I still have 200 million pesos... It has no worth after five days! Well, I doubt that I could even spend around 100 million pesos in five days so...' It was from Jose.

Dorfon, Arthur, and the girl's league (except the two little girls), Their eyes were like they were gonna pop out from their sockets. The two little girls, on the other hand, clapped as if admiring Jose's actions.

"Are you out of your mind?" Clara scolded. Amongst the group, only Clara has the gust to get angry at Jose. Well, Clarissa... She'll just sulk in a corner, which was something Jose doesn't want.

"Hahaha! Just watch!" Jose shrugged with a grin.

"One Million Pesos! Going once!"

"One Million Pesos! Going twice!"

"Sold! For One Million Pesos! Congratulations to our VIP!"

Everyone clapped. It was not because the VIP won a good item but because he won it whilst destroying the heart of his enemy. It was the real meaning of Auction to them. Obtain something you want or make others feel hopeless by overwhelmingly getting something they want.

As for the girl, she ran out of the auction with tears in her eyes.

"You know what to do Dorfon. Also, Know who was that girl. In a few days, I'll use the invitation, I want you to make sure that she meets the boy band personally." Jose grinned.

"Bro~brother?! Where will you get that one million?"

"Relax... I'll explain things later. As for cousin Jia, you need not worry. I bought the invitation for you. We'll plan about it later on, ok."

"Cousin is really kind." Jia nodded with a thankful smile.

'Kind? Not really! Haha.' He thought.