The sounds of wings flapping and excited chattering amongst birds left the girl no choice but to get up from bed. Scratching her messy bed hair, she took the rubber band around her wrist and tied her thick, long hair into a bun. Yawning, Selina made her way to the bathroom where she stared at the reflection of her face. Using the ring finger on both hands, she leaned against the sink and faced the mirror.
Her eyes had visible signs of fatigue and dark eye circles underneath it. Sighing, she wet two towels with cold water and slapped it on her undereye area, hoping it could reduce the puffiness. As she plopped lazily on her back, her arms spread out like a snowflake on the bed.
Every time she closed her eyes; she replayed the accidental kiss from yesterday. Her lips parted slightly when she remembered the feeling of his soft warmth spread to her lips. Yesterday night, her lips felt hot from that small peck. She couldn't help her fingers from touching it over and over again.
After fifteen minutes of applying the cold towel on her eyes, she washed up and went downstairs for breakfast. She thought Jason was still asleep in his room, so she didn't knock on the closed door. Once she stepped down the remaining steps of the stairs, her eyes glued to the couch where their lips met the previous night.
Her fingertips reached for her bottom lip again where she had just applied a layer of rosy tinted lip balm. Though the lip balm had a fresh mint effect, the heat from their peck last night overpowered the cooling sensation on her lips.
Instead of walking towards the kitchen like she had originally planned, her feet strode towards the couch. When she got close enough, she found Jason sleeping with his palm facing upwards on his forehead. A small gulp slid down her throat as she went around the couch and ended up sitting on the furry carpet.
'What am I doing?' She asked herself as her eyes observed the man in front of her. Her eyes kept wandering back to his lips no matter how many times she looked away. She pressed her lips together and extended her arm out.
Midway of reaching his lips, she paused and retracted her fingers. Shaking her head, she gathered herself together and went towards the kitchen. Since he was asleep, she wanted to make sure she didn't make too much noise while preparing breakfast.
Once she had gone to the kitchen area, Jason let out a deep breath. He didn't sleep the entire night and only pretended to be sleeping on the couch when he heard her open the door from her room. When he decided to act like he was dead asleep, he never considered the possibility of her watching him as he slept.
He kept asking himself whether he should move while fighting the urge to peek at her expression. Thankfully, she moved to the kitchen and stopped staring at him. After several minutes later, he sat up on the couch and stretched.
"Morning." He greeted as he stood up from the couch.
"Good morning. Breakfast is almost ready, so go wash up." She smiled weakly at him and quickly concentrated back on making breakfast.
"Thanks." He nodded and went upstairs.
In the middle of eating breakfast, Selina became more conscious of the dark circles under her eyes. She broke the silence between them and said, "I think I want to visit the mall later and pick out some cosmetics."
Looking up instinctively, he replied, "You're already beautiful. No need for any touch ups."
"Mm.. I want to get at least a concealer and some lip tints. Without lip tints, I'll look like a zombie. I also want to get other stuff." She felt an itch in her chest when he complimented her beauty. The smoothness in his lines were getting better and better at stirring her attention.
"Alright. Be careful when you go out. Oh, right. Next Tuesday, let's go out for dinner."
"Dinner?"
"Mm. Didn't I promise to treat you to as many meals as you like? A chicken bun place opens later in the evening. It has pretty good reviews, and I want to bring you there." He reminded her about his promise at the hospital when she forced the bland meals down her throat.
"Mm. Okay!" She nodded.
Early Tuesday morning, Jason gave Aaron a call to make sure everything was prepared. Aaron was already at the auction hall, waiting for Bryan to show up. To ensure everything would go smoothly, many staffs at the auction hall were replaced with Jason's people.
Once Bryan and Alfred showed up at the auction, Aaron informed Jason and the guards. Surprisingly, this auction had many guests, and everyone had their own exclusive seats with name tags on it.
Oddly, the seats were separated in pairs, so Aaron couldn't be seated next to Bryan considering he brought someone along with him. The closest seat was at least five steps away from him. Under careful planning, Aaron decided to wait until the lights are dimmed to make his move.
At the same time, Alfred's eyes wandered around to stay alert. They knew the lights would dim any minute now and it would be easier for their enemies to target Bryan in the dark. Alfred whispered, "If anything happens, I'll hold them back. You go and do what you have to do."
"I know." Bryan replied with a nod while flipping through the pamphlet in his hands. His eyes longingly stared at the picture of Selina's painting. His fingers glided across the cold surface of the paper in his hands.
Lights dimmed in the next seconds as the host stepped out with the microphone to introduce himself. Proceeding with the event, he started presenting descriptions of various products in the order of the listed products from the pamphlet.
Selina's painting was the second to last on the list. As for the last product, it was a mystery reveal, so nobody knew what it was. Bidding signs raised around the auction hall as bidders fought against each other.
Aaron wasn't paying attention to the auction at all. Instead, his attention was fixated on Bryan. Earlier, something shiny reflected from someone's watch into his eyes. Though he wasn't sure if it was a weapon, he had to be on full guard. From his pocket, his hand was holding onto a taser in case hell breaks loose here. He wished he could take action right now, but the damn lights were roaming randomly across the auction hall like a disco party. If he moved right now, it would be too obvious.
After some time passed, it was finally up to Selina's painting. This time, Bryan and Alfred took a close look from their angle at the painting to make sure it was authentic. As the bidding continued, Aaron noticed the same flash of light from a near distance.
At the same time, Bryan squinted dubiously at the painting. He whispered, "That's not her painting. We need to go." Sensing quick movements coming from the side, Aaron rushed out of his seat and stuffed the bracelet with the note into Bryan's hands.
Guests around them rose from their seats and took weapons from under their seat with a grin on their faces. Aaron stood in front of Bryan and Alfred with his arm blocking others from getting closer. He said, "Listen up, my men and I will hold these people back. Find a chance and leave. Keep the bracelet and the notice. No matter how late you are, go to that location."
Guards formed a human shield in front of Aaron. One of them passed Aaron his improvised bladed tonfas. With his ultimate weapon in hand, Aaron smiled, "Your death dates are here."
Although Bryan and Alfred didn't know why these people were helping him, he appreciated it. "Thanks, but their target is me." Bryan stuffed the bracelet and note inside his pocket as he knocked down his attacking opponents.
"No shit sherlocks! That's why get out of here." Aaron said as he knocked down waves of men skillfully.
"Buddy, I don't know who you are, but I already have my own plans. You should get out of here before you get hurt!" Bryan spoke as he noticed more groups rushing in from the other entrance.
"Hell no. The fun is only beginning here." Aaron refuted as his blade slashed another person's throat.
Recognizing his moves, Bryan's eyes widened, "You're..!" Before he could finish his words, several guys rushed towards him with metal bats; ready to strike him.
With the microphone in his hands, the host announced, "The final auction item is Bryan Gu's head."