Chapter Two: The Auction

As we walked into the auction hall my chest tightened. Clara let go of my arm so I could walk the rest of the way to the group of glammed-up young women and other feminine presenting people. I was quickly led to the stage before standing in a line beside them. I stared out at the crowd of bidders and swallowed nervously. I wasn’t anywhere near as beautiful and charming as half the women among me. I tried to remember what my mother told me this morning. I have something no one else has to offer so I needed to be confident in it.

Funny, she told me to be confident but never taught me how to be…

The first woman went up and the auctioneer stood beside her. “Introducing the first woman of the event, Alyssa, on page four of your brochure,” he began into the mic and after announcing a few facts about Alyssa, she spun confidently and even blew a kiss.

Offers were being shouted one after the other. It was only so the attendees would get an idea before putting in their final bid in the end. I think it was also to get our attention so we’d know who planned to spend the most on us. That way we could get them the most attention during the mingling portion of the night.

Two more girls went and it would finally be my turn soon enough, my fairytale moment. Before I could get another thought across I was dragged off the stage by my wrist. I nearly stumbled as the curtains brushed against my skin before getting backstage.

“What’s going on?” I asked the man who was a part of the auction team. My eyes diverted to the name tag attached to his shirt under his collar. “Austin.”

“You don’t need to participate in the auction any further.”

“W-why?” I asked as a childlike fear that I was in trouble washed over me.

“You’ve already received an offer, one you shouldn’t pass up,” he explained, a smile emerging on his face. “Your mom agrees that there’s no point in wasting time.”

Shouldn't that be up to me to decide? At least after my introduction. More importantly, how could I have an offer this soon? Did any of the attendees even get a good enough look at me? They didn’t get to meet me or hear anything about me.

“Honey!” Mom shouted as she rushed to me with papers and a clipboard in her hand. “You won’t believe it.” My cousin Clara was by her side with the same energy.

Mom handed me the paper with the offer on it. A man named Ryker Hart… He was a dragon shifter only a few years older than me. I didn’t mind that he wasn’t human, the part that surprised me was his bid. A hundred million and access to request services from his personal sorcerer. My whole family would be set. I recognized his family’s name, Hart but only because my best friend Emily was a part of that world enough that she kept the rest of us up to date on the business of the high class. Her family wasn’t rich but they had connections through charity work and fundraising for the public.

“Whoa… are you sure this is for me?” I asked, my eyes wide and glued on the amount.

“Yes! He named you,” Clara said, excitement in her tone. “I guess all he needed was to see your page in the brochure.”

I looked around, expecting to see him as I asked, “Where is he?”

“He left but he’s sending his driver back for you,” Austin answered.

“Oh,” I said before clearing my throat. “I don’t feel comfortable signing this until I meet him.”

I could see the disappointment in Mom’s eyes as I gave the paper back to him. The amount of money Mr. Hart was offering would change her life. The thing is, we agreed we weren’t doing this for the money. We both wanted me to find a partnership where I’d feel fulfilled so I needed to have a good feeling before saying yes.

I looked behind my Mom and cousin at my brothers. “Is something going on? Why isn’t Rei on stage?”

I gave the sheet of paper with Mr. Hart’s bid to Darren and my other two brothers looked over his shoulder. None of them spoke right away.

“She can’t turn this down,” Clara said.

“Why can’t she?” My three older brothers asked in unison.

“Do you see what he’s willing to pay for her?? That’s how much she’s worth to him!” Mom exclaimed. “There’s no way he doesn’t plan on treating her like it, she deserves this.”

“That doesn’t matter, she can’t marry a dragon shifter,” Cole said. “Especially one who’s odd enough to make an offer like this before the auction is even halfway over.”

My family continued to argue with each other, not including me. “I want to at least meet him,” I said, but not loud enough for any of them to hear me. I groaned before losing my patience “I want to meet him!”

Surprisingly, no one protested, not even Darren, although his gaze was disapproving and disappointed. “Then it can’t be helped,” Mom said and walked closer to me with a smile as she pushed my hair out of my face. “You’re worth every penny he’s offering Reina, let him see that.”

I nodded and hugged my mother before Clara walked with me out to the front to wait for the driver Mr. Hart sent.

“Are you nervous?” Clara asked.

“Yes,” I said with no hesitation and she grabbed my hand, holding it to calm me down until a short luxury limousine pulled up in front of us. I took a deep breath as I watched the driver get out and open the door for me. I got in and waved to my cousin before he closed the door.

My heart raced as we pulled off. I prepared myself to be let down because I couldn’t convince myself this wasn’t some kind of mistake. He couldn't have been convinced he wanted me, not him, not so quickly.

Breathe Rei.