Familiar Face

After Olivia's absurd purchase of the gem, the auction continued on smoothly. By the end of it, Gein had also bidden on a painting of landscape that seemed to catch a lot of interest.

"You got the painting at a considerable price, huh?" Olivia asked as they walked to the backstage to retrieve their newly purchased possessions.

Gein nodded. "I spent less than what I was prepared to."

The way Olivia nodded at what Gein said made it look like she understood what he meant when in truth, she didn't. And apparently she spoke the question she had on loop in mind out loud, since she heard Gein holding back his laugh.

"What? Did I say anything funny?"

"You did, actually." Trying his best to imitate her questioning voice, Gein said, "What even is so good about that painting you paid so much for it?"

"In my defense," Olivia turned to look Gein in the eyes before continuing, "It really does seems a little excessive."

"So we're not going to talk about the amount you just spent, aren't we?"

It sounded like a taunt to Olivia's ears but before she could say her rebuttal, they were interrupted by the auction person.

"Your purchase is ready. If you can please follow me."

They were led to a small room. Along the way, they saw the man who had bid for the walking stick earlier. Apparently, there was more to the stick than meets the eyes. The cane's head was made of pure gold and diamonds, while its body made of a rare type of wood.

Although, at the end of the day, it was just a walking stick. Drench in gold or otherwise.

The moment their eyes met, the man's expression seemed to change. He made his way to Olivia, stop short a few step from her and made a decently passable bow, with a grin that didn't sit well her. "If it isn't our very own Aphrodite."

Olivia stared in silence, just the littlest bit taken aback.

Because not many called her that.

In fact, not many knew about that —about her middle name. Since she didn't use it publicly.

Except for that particular point of her rebellious time. Which she had hoped never to revisit.

And out of all the people she had the misfortune to be acquainted with, she only remembered one person with such flagrance on blatant display to them, with such drawling accent.

It was definitely the accent that tipped her off. Aside from the icy cold stare that maybe, just may be hiding some warmth deep inside.

"...Trent?"

"The one and only." A smile replaced his grin. "It's been a while. How have you been, Aphrodite?"

"Trent? As in Vladislav?" She asked warily, still doubting her eyes. And ears, for all that matter.

The man laughed. "Why would you even doubt me?"

"Because you don't usually stray far."

They had a staring contest, before Trent took her hand to kiss it. "Surely I went out sometimes. Even back then, I occasionally went out with you Aphrodite-"

"Olivia," she corrected. "Call me Olivia."

Trent's eyes lit up. Even hidden behind the mask, Olivia could see it and she was not liking any part of what she saw. Her next word came out almost a hiss, in her effort to not scream. "If you don't drop and bury that name, then mark my word Trent, you won't like what to come."

She resent her young self that allowed just about anything that helped fatten her ego back then. It also didn't help that she was almost, in a sense, revered. Olivia wouldn't and couldn't deny that she did, once upon a time, had a rather severe god-complex, which she had came to regret as it only remained as a painfully cringe-worthy memory.

And Trent wasn't helping her case, when she could see his refusal from the casual grin he had on. Clearly, he was enjoying Olivia's increasing irritation.

Gein watched the two of them wielded their tongues during their small verbal exchange, in low voices. It was impressive to say the least, watching as they talked with dripping sarcasm bordering vehemence against each other, while keeping on a light attitude and something resembling a smile.

"I'll do as I please, Aphrodite." Trent said with finality, to end their bickering. Olivia was about to lash on him when he abruptly turned to Gein.

"A good evening to you. Trent Vladislav, an acquaintance of long time with—"

"Me." Olivia sharp interruption got her a wry laugh.

Gein took the extended hand and they exchanged a firm handshakes. "Gein Kingsley, nice to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine. Any acquaintance of Aphrodite is one worth knowing."

"I kindly asked you to drop that didn't I?" Olivia seethed.

"Look, I'm not here to argue with you." Trent said with a sigh.

"Neither am I but here we are."

It was obvious that Olivia had no intention to back away.

Trent relented. "Alright, fine. Whatever you makes you happy, Olivia."

She narrowed her eyes at that. Not one bit of how he said her name sounded right but she decided not to press on.

"While it was a coincidence, I am truthfully glad to meet you again after so long."

"Back at you. Why are you here anyway? And I want answers, not riddles."

"Personal reasons." He said with a nonchalant shrug. "That, and I've heard rumors about the Crown."

Gein frowned. "The Crown?"

"Yes," Trent answered. "I was asked to track and secure the Crown. It was a real challenge even to find rumors on it."

Hearing that, Olivia remembered her own words from years back, demanding that the Crown presented to her by whatever means.

"Oh," Olivia eyes brightened as she heard his words. "I did leave behind the account for you to manage, didn't I?"

"Yes. You told me to exhaust every mean possible to trace it." Trent drawled out in that unique way of his.

"Then you must have been managing it well, right?"

Trent chuckled. "Of course. I am, despite all appearance, a decently good financier after all." He looked straight into Olivia's eyes. "And just so you know, you can live lavishly with the leftovers, without doing anything forever and still have leftovers without having to work… despite all the spending."

The way Olivia's face lit reminded them of a child's glee at having their wish granted.

"What excellent news! Please make sure the payment for the Crown settled quickly. Credit it off from Aphrodite's account."

"Alright. Would you like to have the account under your management back after this?"

"No. Close them off besides one, and hold to it. I doubt I'll have any use for it but keep it for emergencies."

"But—"

"I'll trust your judgement to decide which line to retain but I want only the main one up."

His lips were pressed tightly, thinking hard the reason she suddenly wanted to do that. Then for some reason, a look of understanding registered on Trent's half hidden face. A small voice at the back of her mind was wondering what it was because truthfully, she simply wanted less link tied up to her past.

With a nod, he gave his words. "Alright. I will see to it."

"And Trent," Olivia said, her eyes following Gein's back. He had excused himself to go settle his purchase of the painting. "Afterwards, I want you to handle the repairs of it."

"...Repair?"

"Yes. It might be called Crown now but it was originally a set of pendant." Olivia explained.

Trent frowned. Just how did she knew so much about the gems? Even her fixation on finding it had been confusing ever since before. "Okay...?"

"Don't fret on it, Trent." Olivia chuckled. "Just be sure to have it delivered to me in a week."

"A week?"

Olivia nodded. "I won't tolerate any later than 10 days."

Trent searched his brain for a goldsmith that could meet his demand. Even if there was one, it would be a hassle to deal with them. He smothered a sigh, a habit that only surfaced when he dealt with Olivia.

"Olivia, can you come here?," Gein called her.

Olivia nodded to Gein and turned to Trent for one last word. "Understand?"

"Yes." He said with a slight bow.

Satisfied, she walked to Gein. When she reached him, they talked a bit on finalizing her purchase and procurement of the items. Olivia explained to him that everything would be settled by Trent, her financier and later on Trent would deliver the items personally to her.

She noticed Gein's questioning gaze. And the slight amused gleam in his eyes.

Both Gein and Olivia watched a moment longer as their handler left them to go deal with others before they silently agreed to make their way out. The two of them exchanged nods with Trent before they walked across the room and out with ease and satisfaction.

"Say, it wasn't just my imagination that almost all eyes were on us as we walked out of the room, right?" Olivia tried to confirm her nagging suspicion. They were once again in the hall. She already had her mask off and was holding it in her hand.

Gein took his time taking of the mask before answering. "You're right. They were watching you, to be precise."

Frown creased her face. "Why would they?"

Gein looked at her incredulously for a while before he broke off in a long laugh. "Of course they would be interested and curious of you." He ease off the laugh and added, "The lady that paid off 50 million, a price more times it's worth for a set of gems."

It was Olivia's turn to look incredulous. She fixed her expression before replying. "It was worth just that much to me. More, if you ask me."

"I was wondering about that," Gein said just as silence started to settle between them. "Why would you go to such... length?"

Olivia laughed. There were more questions besides what he asked in his voice. "Why not? I've spent over half a billion trying to get my hands on it. What's another 50 million to add on that?"

Bewilderment was an understatement. Gein was simply and purely shocked by her admission. Those amount were ridiculous. Olivia let out another laugh that bounced against the wall around them. A humorous sparkle shone in her eyes.

When they reached the base of the stairs back on the banquet hall, she spun and face a still shocked Gein. "Please stop being so shocked. And I regret to inform you that I'm canceling our date after this. I need to settle a little something."

Gein willed himself to be calm. He put on a smile passable enough, belying his still recovering self. "That's fine. I'll claim my date at a later date then."

They talked for a while more before they each bid their farewell. Gein watched as Olivia walked straight to the doors, confidence exuded in her every stride, without a care to her surroundings. She was still giving off a cheerful vibe.

When she disappeared out of his view, he himself began to make his way out.