"Quinton, you promised!"
Quinton sighed heavily, regretting that he had promised his baby sister that he would accompany her to a charity fundraiser event.
"Fine Olivia, what time is it again?"
"9 pm sharp! Better yet, why don't I just meet you at your house at 8:30?"
"Fine, see you then." He said.
"Wait," she said, "one more thing."
"What?"
"Are you single?"
Quinton blinked. "Why are you asking me that, Olivia?"
"Just wondering..."
"Yes, I am Olivia."
"Okay great. See you soon!"
"Great?" Quinton questioned. But his sister had clicked off the phone before responding to his question.
***
Tanya Simmons looked up into the blue eyes of Eric Chandler. "Your motherboard seems to be zapped. It's going to cost as much to fix it as it would be to just buy another one."
Eric frowned. "Damn, alright."
"Yea, sorry there's nothing more I could do for you. Did you need help with anything else?" She asked.
Thirty minutes and two clients later, Tanya found the time to take a quick break. She sat in her leather chair behind her wooden desk and sipped her coffee. Her mind drifted back to her earlier appointment with Quinton Thompson. She couldn't erase the image of him from her head. He was definitely tall, dark, and handsome. She'd even been tempted to call him and "check" on his computers, but she had to keep it professional. Tanya's daydream was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. She smiled when she saw who was calling.
"Hey sis." She said happily.
"Hey Tanya. How are you?"
"Doing well, just taking a break, how about you?"
"I'm good, just got finished working out. I'm headed to pick up Dominic from football practice."
Tanya smiled at the thought of her nephew. "How's he doing with that?"
"Very well, he enjoys it. They have a game this upcoming Tuesday, you should try and come. I know Dom would love that if you did."
Tanya considered it. The best part of working for herself was that she was her own boss, and could do as she pleased. She looked at her calendar in front of her and noted that she had no set appointments for Tuesday. "What time is it?"
"2:30."
"Alright, I'll be there."
Tanya ended her call ten minutes later, happy to hear from her sister. She continued to sip her coffee as she made a mental to-do list for the rest of her day.
***
"Are you really going behind me dressed like that?"
Quinton looked down at himself and then back up to his sister. "What's wrong with how I'm dressed?"
"You look like you're going fishing, not to a fundraising event!"
You look horrible. No one wants to see you Quinton. She doesn't want you around her looking like a fool. You are a fool. You look a mess.
Quinton shook his head. "I have on slacks and a button-up t-shirt, who wears that to go fishing?"
"You need to change." Olivia commanded.
"No."
"Quinton! Seriously!"
"I'm going like this, take me or leave me."
"Fine," she huffed, "you're driving."
The drive to the charity event was quick, as Quinton lived right around the corner from the Lakeshore House, where the charity event was being held.
"So...I need you to have an open mind about this charity event." Olivia said as she got out of the car.
Quinton shot her a look and frowned. "What are you talking about, Olivia?"
"You'll see. Just be open-minded, please."
The Lakeshore House was elegantly modeled with twin arches laced with white lights. People were scattered about, conversing happily as they sipped champagne.
"We got here just in time, it's about to start," Olivia observed.
Before Quinton could say anything, a woman on stage tapped twice on the microphone in her hands. "Welcome everyone, the bidding will begin shortly, all contestants please make your way backstage."
"Quinton, so, I kinda signed you up as a contestant. Go!" Olivia attempted to push him towards backstage but Quinton wouldn't budge.
"What are you talking about, Olivia?"
"You're going to be bid on."
"Bid on? I'm not a piece of meat. Is this why you asked if I was single?!" He growled as everything clicked.
"It's for charity. Please."
Quinton gritted his teeth. "You tricked me."
"Only because I knew you wouldn't agree to it."
"Exactly."
"You're single, bro, there's no reason for you not to. Come on!"
Quinton thought about it. She was right. It was only for one night, and what's the worst that could happen? He sighed in defeat. "You owe me."
"Yes!" Olivia nodded excitedly.
Quinton followed the other men towards backstage, leaving a very happy Olivia waving behind him. He anxiously stood in line behind several men, waiting his turn to be auctioned off. He could hear the women catcalling and shouting as the announcer kept the bidding going.
"200, 200, do I hear 250? 250, 250 do I hear -- 300! 325! 350? 350! Winner at $350!"
Quinton idly wondered how much he'd be worth.
You aren't worth shit, no one wants you. No one wants you Quinton, you're not worth it.
Quinton shook his head in frustration.
"Up next we have the gorgeous Quinton Thompson. Mr. Quinton owns his own successful graphic design business, and enjoys a determined and independent woman with a passion for what she does."
Quinton could only assume the blurb about him was submitted by Olivia. He made a mental note to never agree to anything with her again.
He was being pushed on stage surrounded by bright light, he had to squint to see.
"Let's start off the bidding off at 100, 100, do I hear 125, 125! 200, 200, 250, do I hear 250, oh! 275--" Quinton was surprised he was going for so much. "--300! Do I hear 350? Wait a minute folks, I see 475! That's a new record! $475 winner!"
Quinton didn't know who his mystery date was, but she had paid a lot to get him. Before he knew it, he was being whisked away offstage.
"Mr. Thompson, your date will be tomorrow evening at the elegant Seasons 52 at 7 pm sharp. Enjoy your date and thank you for participating." said a lady with glasses.
Before he could say anything in response, she disappeared backstage, leaving him standing there looking dumbfounded.
"Quinton!" Hearing the sound of his name, he turned to see Olivia smiling and motioning for him to come to her.
"You went for the highest amount so far! $475, wow!"
"Yeah, wow." He replied, as he walked up next to her.
"You've raised so much money!" She squealed excitedly.
"Is the date paid for too?" He asked her, hoping he wouldn't have to come up of any money out of pocket.
"Yes, it is. It's at Seasons 52. They had to book the reservations two months in advance."
Quinton nodded. He knew how exclusive the restaurant was and had heard great things about it although he himself had never been there before.
"I can imagine." Quinton said, nodding.
"Quinton."
Turning, he came face to face with the same gorgeous woman he had seen earlier that day in his office: Tanya.
"Tanya." He said, smiling. He watched her face turn into a frown.
"No, Tanya's my twin sister. I'm Toya. I'm assuming you've met her?"
"Oh," Quinton fumbled over his words, embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Yea, she came to fix my computers today."
"It's okay, it happens all the time. What are the odds?"
"Yea, exactly what I'm saying. You said your name was Toya?"
"Yes. I'm the one who just paid $475 to go out with you." She said.
"Oh! How nice! I'm his sister Olivia!" Quinton had almost forgotten she was there, he cleared his throat before speaking.
"Yes, Olivia tricked me into tonight's events." He scowled.
Toya laughed. "I'm glad she did. I look forward to our date tomorrow."
"So does he, he just won't admit it. You're gorgeous by the way." Olivia chimed, while Quinton glared at her.
Toya laughed again, "Thank you. So are you."
"Aw, I like her Quinton!" Olivia smiled.
"Well, I hope you two enjoy the rest of the night. I'm actually on my out, I just wanted to come and introduce myself first." Toya announced.
"Thank you. I guess I will see you tomorrow?" Quinton replied.
"Yes sir. Goodbye." She turned and headed towards the exit.
Quinton watched her go, and was anxious for tomorrow to hurry up and arrive.