Faridah stepped out of the small hotel room they had rented in London, her casual outfit starkly contrasting the city's cool evening air.
She wore a simple, light grey t-shirt that hugged her figure just right, paired with comfortable denim shorts, her sandals tapping lightly on the wooden floor as she moved.
A faint breeze ruffled her hair, and she casually adjusted the strap of her bag as she waited for Kyle.
Kyle, who had been adjusting his jacket inside, stepped out and nearly forgot what he was going to say.
His eyes immediately locked onto Faridah. There she was, standing in front of him in nothing but a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals, yet she looked effortlessly stunning.
The city lights glimmered behind her, but she was the only thing he could focus on.
"You ready?" she asked, flashing him a casual smile, oblivious to the effect she had on him. She was always like this so comfortable in her own skin, as if beauty was something she didn't need to work for.
Kyle nodded, though his gaze lingered on her a little longer. "Yeah, yeah, I'm ready," he finally managed to say, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
He couldn't shake the thought of how breathtaking she looked, even in the most unassuming outfit.
Faridah raised a brow, noticing the way he was staring. "What?" she asked, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
"You're acting like you've never seen me in shorts before."
Kyle chuckled, shaking his head as they began walking down the cobblestone street toward the London Auction. "You just look… amazing, that's all."
Faridah laughed softly, brushing it off. "Well, I'm definitely underdressed for an auction."
"Trust me," Kyle replied, his eyes still lingering on her, "you look better than anyone else will tonight."
They strolled through the streets, passing old brick buildings and sleek, modern architecture, the anticipation of the London Auction buzzing in the air. But Kyle found it hard to care much about the auction now.
Faridah's natural beauty, and her easy confidence, made him forget about the grand event they were headed to. To him, she was the one stealing the show.
'She's wearing normal clothes to a private auction to cast her identity and for people not to cause a scene that she's around London.' Keteki thought staring at Faridah and thinking about a lot of stuff.
As they approached the grand entrance of the London Auction House, the majestic building glowed under the evening lights, casting long shadows across the street.
Faridah and Kyle stepped inside, joining the crowd of well-dressed attendees mingling in the luxurious foyer. The space was alive with murmurs of excitement and the soft clink of champagne glasses.
Faridah adjusted the strap of her bag, her casual outfit standing out against the more formal attire around them.
Kyle noticed her relaxed demeanor and smiled, still in awe of how effortlessly she carried herself, even in a setting like this.
Just as they were about to move deeper into the auction house, a voice called out from behind them.
"Faridah?"
Kyle felt her tense slightly beside him, and when they both turned, they saw a tall, sharply dressed man approaching them, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. Anthony Lim, Faridah's ex-boyfriend.
"Anthony," Faridah said, her tone controlled but surprised. She hadn't expected to see him here, but then again, this was his world.
Anthony was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair slicked back, and a familiar intensity in his eyes.
Anthony stopped just in front of them, his gaze lingering on Faridah. "I can't believe it," he muttered, still in shock. "You're actually here."
Faridah remained calm, though Kyle noticed her subtle shift in posture guarded, yet composed. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice cool and steady.
Anthony ran a hand through his hair, clearly still processing her presence.
"I've been inviting you to these auctions for years," he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "And every time, you said no. After the breakup, I thought you'd never step foot in a place like this again."
Faridah's expression didn't falter. "Things change," she said simply.
'if it wasn't for the Ferris and Guiled Family I wouldn't be here assh*le!' she thought looking at them.
Her tone was polite but distant, drawing a clear boundary between them. "I'm here with a friend," she added, glancing at Kyle with a soft smile that seemed to anchor her in the moment.
Anthony's eyes flicked toward Kyle for a brief second before returning to Faridah, a faint frown forming.
"A friend," he repeated, his voice tightening slightly. He hesitated, as though still trying to grasp the situation. "You look… good, Faridah."
Kyle could feel the tension building in the air, but Faridah remained unfazed. "Thank you," she replied, maintaining her poise. "But if you'll excuse us, we have to get to our seats."
Anthony opened his mouth as if to say more, but stopped himself. Instead, he nodded, clearly conflicted, and stepped aside. "Of course. Enjoy the auction," he said, his tone polite but tinged with something unspoken.
Faridah offered a brief nod before turning to Kyle. "Shall we?"
Kyle, who had been observing the exchange quietly, simply nodded. As they walked away, he cast a quick glance back at Anthony, who stood watching them, a conflicted look on his face.
Once they were out of earshot, Kyle leaned in slightly. "That was… unexpected."
Faridah let out a soft sigh, her expression softening as she gave him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, it was," she admitted. "But I'm not letting the past ruin tonight. Let's go enjoy the auction."
Kyle nodded, admiring how gracefully she handled the situation.
No matter what history was behind her, she was firmly rooted in the present, and that, he thought, made her even more remarkable.
'But she called me a friend and not her lover. Is this what she thinks of us?' Kyle thought feeling sad along the auction.
The grand auction house buzzed with excitement as guests mingled under the sparkling chandeliers, their chatter mingling with the soft notes of classical music that filled the air.
The atmosphere was electric, a mix of elegance and anticipation as attendees awaited the highlight of the evening, the auction of the coveted blue diamond ring, known as "The Jewels of Rarity."
Faridah stood near the front of the room, her heart racing with exhilaration. She wore a simple t-shirt that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her natural beauty as she held Kyle's hand, both of them eager to witness the moment unfold.
The ring was displayed under a glass case, glimmering like a piece of the night sky, its deep blue hues captivating everyone around it.
The auctioneer, a distinguished figure in a tailored suit, stepped up to the podium, his voice booming with authority. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now at the pinnacle of our auction. I present to you the exquisite blue diamond ring, The Jewels of Rarity. Revered as the most luxurious gemstone in the world, this stunning piece embodies elegance and exclusivity."
As he spoke, Faridah couldn't take her eyes away from the ring. It sparkled brilliantly under the lights, its rarity symbolizing not just wealth, but a timeless beauty that resonated deep within her.
'It would look good in Kyle's hands.' Faridah thought as Keteki looked at her knowing she got what she wanted.
The auctioneer continued, "This blue diamond, with its extraordinary depth of color and flawless clarity, is a testament to nature's artistry. The allure of blue diamonds lies not just in their beauty, but in their scarcity. There are only a few in existence, making this ring not just a piece of jewelry, but a legacy."
Kyle leaned closer to her, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you really going to bid on it?"
Faridah glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I have to. This isn't just a ring; it's a statement. It's a piece of history."
The auctioneer raised the starting bid, and hands began to shoot up around the room, eager collectors vying for their chance to own the rare jewel.
Faridah felt a rush of adrenaline as she raised her paddle, her heart pounding in her chest. The numbers climbed higher and higher, each bid echoing in her ears like a drumbeat.
As the bidding intensified, she found herself locked in a fierce battle with another bidder a sophisticated woman with a confident demeanor.
The stakes grew, and with each increasing bid, Faridah's resolve only strengthened. She could feel the eyes of the room on her, the anticipation palpable.
"Going once! Going twice!" The auctioneer called out, his voice reverberating in the high-ceilinged hall.
Faridah raised her paddle once more, her voice steady as she declared her final bid.
"Three million!"
The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to the auctioneer. He looked at the rival bidder, who hesitated for a moment before shaking her head in defeat.
"Sold! To the lady in the shirt!" The auctioneer's gavel struck, and the crowd erupted in applause.
Faridah couldn't believe it. A wide smile broke across her face as the realization sank in, she had won the blue diamond ring. Kyle turned to her, his eyes filled with admiration and excitement. "You did it! It's yours!"
The auction staff carefully brought the ring to her, and as she held Kyle's hand and put it on him in front of everyone, it sparkled brilliantly under the light, reflecting all the colors of the room. It felt surreal, a dream come true.
"No Kyle, It's yours," Faridah said as she smiled at him while Kyle was red as a tomato.
Keteki immediately took a picture of them secretly as the diamond shone in Kyle's hand.
Faridah looked at Kyle, his heart swelling with joy. "Why are you giving such a valuable thing to me?" Kyle asked as Faridah smirked.
"Because I don't want to keep introducing you as my friend," Faridah said as everyone blushed to hear such a statement including Kyle.
'She really is a Dominant Alpha.'