"If you don't stop laughing, I'll make sure you regret it later," Olivia couldn't help the threat when Gein wouldn't stop laughing since moments ago.
Gein laughed. Again. Luckily, he managed to cover it with a fit of cough. Olivia slanted him an annoyed glare.
"You can't blame me. That was too funny. Especially you...!" A smile could be seen on him.
Olivia groaned.
He could hear her muttering some unflattering words, but couldn't exactly catch what it was. It almost made him let a loud laugh for another round. He couldn't believe Carlos would very subtly but sternly lectured her in the heart of the banquet.
And all the while, Olivia didn't say a single word in reply.
"That was amazing," Gein said.
"It was not." She had been gritting her teeth enough to grind on it. She swore to return it in folds to Carlos later. And while she was at it, Gein seemed as if he needed a dose of it himself.
"Are you sure you don't want to go back to them?" Gein asked, still mildly enjoying the situation.
"I'd rather walk back to my place."
Gein was slightly taken aback. "Are you heading back already? There's still more left to the event."
Apparently, all sorts of thing had happened in the first hour she had stepped into the hall.
What luck.
"Maybe not... it is still early after all." She contemplated. "And I'm really craving more of those champagne too."
"Allow me to play your escort," Gein offered. For all his amusement over what happened, he was getting worried with her how much she had to drink, although he tried not to show it.
After her short reprimanding session, she darted off and had steered clear off Carlos and Vivian as well. Gein had been tagging along with her, and they went around seeing what were being held in the vast, three-floor hall their host used as the venue.
"I heard there'll be an auction later."
"Apparently it's being held on the second floor." He looked at his watch. "If you're interested, we can still make it in time for the start."
Olivia eyed Gein, weighing her options. "Why not. You never know what you might find in an auction hall."
Having said that, she walked ahead, leaving Gein to trail behind her. His longer stride gave him the leisure of doing that. Just short of climbing the stairs, she stopped a passing waiter and picked up another flute of champagne.
"Just how much have you had?" Gein couldn't stop himself. It was starting to grow on him, and greatly worried him.
"...enough to make me a little tipsy," she said after a sip. "Don't worry, I can handle this much. I've had time to get used to them. "
They climbed the stairs while keeping the small talk going. Of course, Olivia had to have another glass of her most beloved drink despite Gein's concerned warning before they reached the big wooden door of the auction room.
They were stopped at the door, and was handed a piece of mask each. "You need to put this on before entering."
She took the half-mask and observed it for a while. It was designed simply, with an intricate swirl design at the left eyes as the only decoration. She took a peek at the one handed to Gein, and saw that the one in his hand had a simple design resembling a crest.
"After you put it on, you may enter to enjoy the auction, madam, sir," the man said, handing them a numbered card.
The auction was just about to start. While the seats were filled, many were also scattered around the room. Olivia eyed the attenders and noted all the different type of mask they wore.
Those were probably the most notable and interesting for her, much more than the desire-laden ambience.
No amount of masking could hide their snare-like smile and probing eyes that darted at everything and everywhere.
"It sure is interesting to see so many masked people roaming the room." Olivia said as she continued to carefully observe the room.
"I agree," he replied. Finally giving in to his urge, he leaned closer to Olivia. "Would you mind if I ask you to slow down on the drinking?"
Olivia turned to Gein, late to realise that he had leaned in and almost collided with him. She was clearly surprised, but it disappeared just as quickly. And despite the mask, Gein could see her delighted expression that settled in. "While I don't mind it, what make you think I'll listen?"
Gein was caught off guarded by her playfulness and a stray laugh escaped him. "You're right. But won't you do it as a favor to me?"
"On the condition that you'll join me at the bar later," she said and finished her champagne and handed the empty glass to a passing waiter.
Agreeing that it would be more enjoyable to be closer to the stage for a clearer view, they went to take a seat. The auction was in the middle of building momentum over an antique vase, the first item.
"I do know a good and valuable object when I see one... But I just couldn't relate to antiques. What is it that they see in... that?" Olivia mused aloud. It amazed her how the vase was nearing half million in bidding price.
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder after all," Gein mused out secretively.
The auction continued to proceed smoothly, enough that Olivia was growing bored.
"If another painting comes out, I'm off," Olivia said after the third painting was successfully auctioned. And that was because nothing had managed to catch her attention.
"Hmm..."
Olivia glanced at Gein, who was rather absorbed with the flow of the auction. She must admit, even with the mask hiding half of his face, Gein was a feast on the eyes even just from his half-hidden side profile.
This time, she wasn't caught staring.
"Six objects had found their new owner. We have five more before the auction ended," the auctioneer's voice boomed throughout the room. Excited murmurs rose everywhere.
"The next item seems to be a gem." Gein said with a small smile.
Olivia chuckled. "Well, seems like I'll be delaying my leave then."
Just then, the said item was brought out. It was a set of three gemstones. A sapphire, an emerald and a ruby cut in a similar fashion to each other. It was really a sight to behold.
Gasps of surprise and appreciative whisper was everywhere. Even Gein had his eyes longer on the gems.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you the Crown of Gems. Consisting of an emerald, a ruby and a sapphire, these gems had been sought after by many. Their last whereabouts before we acquired it was in east, and even before that, it was said to have been all around the world."
He didn't have the need to explain more. The bidders were all too eager to start bidding.
"Without further ado, I will start to call with 100 thousand."
The bidding escalated very quickly. While Gein was watching the process with interest, Olivia remained silent.
Then just as suddenly, she stood up, holding her card high. "3 million."
The room fell silent. The bid she offered was over twice than the on-going bidding price.
"3 millions, we are going by 3 millions." The auctioneer called after a moment of silence.
"5 million!" A lady called, challenging Olivia. She looked somewhat triumphant, as if she had won the bid. The room resumed it's silence state.
Olivia levelled a glare, before turning to the stage. Exuding confidence fit for a king, she asked, "By chance, is there any chain hole on the gems?"
The auctioneer went to discuss something and came back to the front, bringing conformation for Olivia. "Yes, there's certainly traces of that."
"It seems to be legit...!" She mumbled cheerfully. "10 million."
Gein stared wide eyed. He and the rest of the people in the room were all surprised with the price she was bidding on it.
Before the auctioneer could even call her bid price, she was overtaken by the same lady from before. "11 million!"
"22 million." Olivia didn't even bat an eye before casually doubling the bid price, nor did she hesitate.
"…25 million!"
"50 million. I'll keep doubling the price so you can keep going."
If the hall was previously stunned, it was now heavily draped in pin-drop silence. It took the auctioneer a while to begin calling for other bid. When no one else stood to bid, he finally closed the deal. "The set of gemstones had been bid successfully by number 74 at 50 million!"
Clapping could be heard, but Olivia only had the gems in her eyes. She had an overly satisfied smile on her face, and a racing mind excited to see her spoil of war.
Finally, after so long!