Nicholas Team went to Nico's house early in the morning getting the big painting of the blue eyes as it was properly wrapped and preserved by Nicholai.
Levi on the other hand was at his room looking at the entire thing. Nicholai's expression was sad and unhappy yet she still put a fake smile in dealing off with his brothers staffs as she don't want another word with her parents about her actions.
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the grand dining room, casting golden rays on the elaborate spread of food. Levi sat at the far end of the long oak table, casually buttering a slice of toast, his expression unreadable.
Across from him, his aunt Gaga sipped her coffee with an air of practiced poise, her sharp eyes fixed on him like a hawk.
The silence was broken only by the faint clinking of silverware. But Aunt Gaga was never one to let silence linger. She set her cup down with a deliberate clatter and leaned forward, her emerald necklace catching the light.
"So," she began, her tone sweet yet laced with curiosity, "I hear you're planning to attend Nerizaelle's auction tonight."
Levi's hand paused mid-motion, the butter knife hovering above the toast. He glanced at her briefly, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.
"Yeah," he said simply, his voice calm but guarded.
Aunt Gaga raised an elegant brow, her painted lips curving into a subtle smile. "Quite a sudden decision, don't you think? You've never shown any interest in these... affairs before."
Levi set the knife down and leaned back in his chair, his sharp features shadowed by the morning light. "Things change," he replied coolly, reaching for his coffee.
"Oh, I'm sure they do," she said, tilting her head slightly, her tone now laced with playful suspicion. "But I can't help but wonder—what's so important at Nerizaelle's that it's worth breaking your usual routine? A rare artifact? A business opportunity? Or..." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, "...someone?"
Levi's grip on his coffee mug tightened ever so slightly, but his expression remained impassive. "Does it matter?"
Aunt Gaga chuckled softly, the sound like silk sliding against glass. "To me, everything about you matters, dear. You know that." She leaned back, her gaze never leaving him. "But I suppose if you don't want to share, I can respect that. For now."
Levi met her gaze, his steel-gray eyes unreadable. "Good."
The tension between them was palpable, but neither said another word about the auction. As Aunt Gaga gracefully resumed her meal, a small, knowing smile played on her lips. Levi, on the other hand, focused on finishing his breakfast, though his mind was far from the dining room.
Whatever awaited him at Nerizaelle's Auction was clearly something he wasn't ready to discuss, not even with her.
After all he was only doing this favor for Nicholai since she looked like she's in trouble.
Nicholas stood in the center of his art gallery, the grand room illuminated by the soft glow of crystal chandeliers.
The centerpiece of his collection "Ocean Eyes" hung on the wall, framed in gold, commanding the attention of the space. He took a step back, his eyes tracing the delicate strokes of the painting. A grin spread across his face, slow and wicked, as the thrill of his triumph sank in.
Finally. It was his.
Nicholas let out a low chuckle, which quickly grew into an uncontrollable laugh that echoed off the polished marble floors. He threw his head back, the sound of his amusement filling the otherwise empty gallery.
"Ah, Nicholai," he muttered under his breath, addressing his absent sister. "You should have known better than to underestimate me. Such a pity it was so easy."
Still grinning, he pulled out his sleek phone and dialed a number. His fingers drummed against the edge of his pocket as he waited, his anticipation bubbling over.
The line clicked, and a warm yet authoritative voice answered. "Nicholas. Is it done?"
"Oh, it's more than done," Nicholas replied, his voice laced with glee. "The painting is here, perfectly hung, and ready to make history. I want the invitations sent out immediately."
"To whom?" the voice asked.
"To everyone who matters," Nicholas said, pacing now, his excitement barely contained. "Big names. Collectors, investors, critics. Make sure they understand this isn't just an auction, it's an event. The unveiling of Ocean Eyes will set this gallery apart from every other pitiful display in the city."
"And what about Nicholai?" the voice probed cautiously.
Nicholas smirked, his tone turning cold. "She's done her part. Whether she knows it or not, the painting belongs to me now. It always should have."
He stopped in front of the painting, his gaze fixed on the piercing blue eyes staring back at him. "This," he said softly, as though speaking to the painting itself, "is going to make me unstoppable. And after the auction, when it's gone for a fortune…" He trailed off, his smile growing wider. "Let's just say, dear Nicholai will have much bigger problems to worry about."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, then a measured response: "I'll see to it that the preparations are flawless."
"Good," Nicholas said, his voice sharp. "I want this to be the event of the season. No expense spared. By the end of the night, they'll all be talking about me."
He hung up without another word and slipped the phone back into his pocket. Standing there, bathed in the glow of his success, he couldn't help but laugh again.
The sound was darker this time, tinged with ambition and something far more dangerous. In his mind, the game was already won, and he was the victor.
As he turned to leave the gallery, the piercing blue eyes of the painting seemed to watch him go, their expression enigmatic, as though they knew something Nicholas didn't. But he didn't notice. He was already too consumed by thoughts of his next triumph.
Night came as it was time for the Grand Mask Exhibit that was lead by Nicholas Nerizaelle.
The gallery hummed with the low murmur of voices and the soft clink of champagne glasses. Nicholas spared no expense in ensuring the evening exuded grandeur.
A string quartet played in the corner, their haunting melody weaving through the dimly lit space. Guests roamed the room, their identities obscured by elaborately designed masks, adding an air of intrigue to the event.
Nicholai stepped through the gilded doors, her sleek black dress shimmering under the light. Her mask, silver with delicate filigree, concealed her features, but her sharp eyes took in every detail of the exhibit.
Her gaze flickered to the Ocean Eyes painting, prominently displayed at the center of the gallery.
Her breath hitched.
He had done it. Nicholas had taken it.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, but she quickly composed herself, blending into the crowd. She wasn't here to cause a scene,not tonight. Instead, she focused on the bigger picture: observing Nicholas and figuring out his next move.
Across the room, Levi adjusted his own mask, a sleek black design that revealed only his stormy gray eyes. Beside him, Aunt Gaga sipped her champagne leisurely, her golden mask adorned with emeralds glinting as she scanned the room.
"Why are we here again?" Levi murmured under his breath, keeping his tone low.
"To gather information, of course," Aunt Gaga replied, her voice laced with amusement. "And to see just how far Nicholas will go to flaunt that painting you're so mysteriously interested in."
Levi didn't respond, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the Ocean Eyes. It was impossible to deny the pull it had, the way it seemed to dominate the room.
"You're not the only one keeping secrets tonight," Aunt Gaga added knowingly, tilting her head ever so slightly toward a figure in the crowd. "Look who's here."
Levi followed her gaze and froze. There, standing near the painting, was Nicholai.
Her posture was poised, her expression unreadable beneath the mask, but Levi recognized her immediately. She lingered near the painting as if torn between admiration and anger, her body language betraying a mix of emotions.
"That's her, isn't it?" Aunt Gaga asked, smirking behind her glass. "The sister. I see the resemblance."
Levi clenched his jaw. "I didn't expect her to show up."
"And yet, here she is," Aunt Gaga said with a delighted chuckle. "This just got far more interesting."
As if sensing someone's gaze, Nicholai's head turned slightly, her eyes scanning the crowd. Levi stepped back instinctively, blending into the shadows.
"Careful, dear," Aunt Gaga teased. "You wouldn't want to be caught staring."
"I'm not here for her," Levi muttered, though his eyes lingered on Nicholai for a moment longer before he forced himself to look away.
Meanwhile, Nicholas appeared at the center of the room, his golden mask glinting as he raised a glass to address the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice smooth and confident. "Tonight, we celebrate not just art, but history. The Ocean Eyes is more than a painting—it's a legacy. And soon, it will be in the hands of someone who truly appreciates its worth."
Applause erupted, but Nicholai's fingers tightened around her glass. She could hear the smugness in his voice, the triumph he reveled in at her expense.
Nicholas's speech continued, but Nicholai's attention drifted. She caught sight of a pair of gray eyes watching her from the shadows, just for a fleeting moment. Her chest tightened. It was a familiar gaze, yet impossible.
Levi, hidden behind his mask, stepped further into the crowd, staying out of her line of sight. Aunt Gaga's amused voice whispered beside him, "Whatever happens next, darling, I suggest you keep your mask firmly on. Secrets make the game so much more fun."
Nicholai turned back to the painting, trying to shake the uneasy feeling. Unbeknownst to her, the evening was far from over, and the secrets hidden behind masks were only beginning to unravel.