"What is this?" Ray chuckled pressing a finger to my cheek and bringing it up to his eyes "Makeup?" he laughed and I swatted him on the shoulder.
"It isn't finished" I stressed shoving him out of my room. The door opened to reveal Aleecia, her eyes travelled between us thoughtfully and I diverted my sight. I just had a feeling she knew more than she voiced and Ray seemed to care less.
"People are starting to arrive Cotton." She urged and he straightened his T-shirt and dusted his jean pants.
"You know where to find the ballroom right?" He questioned and I pretended to search my mind for a location, shaking my head a second later. I knew exactly where it was but that would ruin the surprise. Ray eyed me suspiciously and I forced a smile, hiding my nervousness.
"I'll come get you" Aleecia butted impatiently, jagging Ray from the room. I nodded, closing the door behind them. I giggled to myself. Ray had it coming. I was so going to win this thing.
I finished my lightly applied makeup. I had added eyelashes and hair extensions. My hair was fixed in a messy bun and a necklace lined with fake diamonds laid neatly around my neck, paired with a matching bracelet. I wasn't a fussy person but this particular contest meant quite a lot to me. I couldn't afford to lose.
I had bought an elegant white evening gown and the other things I'd need from a gift shop nearby. The dress had a nicely cut sweetheart neckline and a spit that travelled to the base of my thigh. I got up from the chair I'd placed in front of my closet mirror, worming my way into the close fitted dress and admiring my figure while slipping into the only wedge I could find at the store. It was tall but not too difficult to walk in. I whispered a brief prayer.
Hopefully, I wouldn't embarrass myself tonight.
There was a knock on the door and I took a deep breath before making my way to it.
It was time.
I did a series of breathing exercises before swinging the door open. I gasped. It was Aleecia but my God she was beautiful. She clawed my breath away.
"You look pretty good" She offered
"Y-you" I cleared my throat, at a loss for words "You too"
"Thanks" She smiled, walking off and I trailed closely behind her. I could never compete with her. If she was what Ray wanted, there was absolutely nothing I could do.
She was dressed in an off-shoulder, short front, long back, floral gown that slightly brushed against the ground, even though she wore heels. She pushed open a door at the end of the corridor to reveal a small room filled with people.
"The moment we've been waiting for has arrived" Kisses spoke over the mike. She was on a podium/ runway at the front of the room. The spotlight circled her excitedly. She wore a shiny red dress, her hair had fine curls that roped her shoulders, her face was painted with bright dashing colours and her body was stringed with beautiful pieces of jewellery.
The room was spontaneously decorated with white, black and gold balloons and ribbons. The round top tables wore clean golden cloths, with white bows and freshly picked roses in beautiful vases. The scene was surreal. People cheered as Kisses announced the auctioneer, Hilton Crook. Apparently we were going on a single date with the highest bidders. The money from the auction would be given to the improvement of the island's facilities.
Aleecia carried me to another door, shoving it open to expose the participants. My eyes caught Mal's and I waved a quick hello. She smiled back at me and I scanned the room. There were about two older women and four much older men all gracefully dressed.
"Where's Ray" I summed up the courage to ask Aleecia and she shrugged
"I think he went to put some decent clothes on" she pursed her lips before walking up to a nearby mirror.
"We need to talk?" Mal tapped my shoulder and I met her eyes before nodding.
"In private?" She added, scanning the room and I agreed a bit hesitant. The last time I saw her was the day Miss Ven died, we didn't speak but it was understandable. I don't think anyone was in the mood for a conversation that day.
"No one leaves, bidding starts now" Mr Haughty, a security guard stated. He was also my lucky neighbour- the one who survived the fire. I shrugged at Mal and she sighed, forcing a smile. Even though her bright yellow dress screamed happy and ecstatic, her face yelled dull and melancholy.
"Is everything…?" I began, a bit concerned
"Hey"
I jumped, it had been a while since Ray's stealth caught me off guard but it did. I turned to face him, my breath lodging in the corners of my throat. Ray was in a stunning burgundy suit.
"What?" he questioned, his eyes twinkling in the light above us.
"Hank Miller" Someone called and one of the four guys raised his hand and followed Mr Haughty through a curtain that led to the stage. The bidding started immediately but I could care less. I was smitten, charmed, enamoured, captivated- call it whatever the hell you want. I was it.
Ray snapped his fingers twice and I swallowed, trying to bring myself back to the task at hand.
"Uh..." I managed, my heart exceeding its natural beating rate. God, Ray was handsome. He was making me dizzy. I took a deep breath. Thank the good Lord my stupid brain thought of a way to make him lose, otherwise he'd win the darn thing without effort.
"Where're your tights?" He questioned with sincere concern, attempting to lift the split at my thigh. I swatted his hand away a bit shocked by his actions and they called for Helen.
"Are you crazy?" I whispered, searching the room of people to ensure no one saw what he just did.
"Are you? What the frig? The split's too tall. I can almost see between your legs"
I scoffed "Would a, you look nice, kill you?" I rolled my eyes dismissively "May the odds ever be in your favour" I left him standing there and went through the curtain, where everyone was gathered, watching the auction in action.
"Five thousand going once, going twice. Sold to the gentleman at table 6" the auctioneer spoke and the crowd applauded. Another man, I had seen once or twice at the library led Helen to a seat at the front below the stage. It was a long table with extra balloons, ribbons and white roses and cards with all our names spaced evenly at each chair.
The names went by quickly. Mal, Queen of Charm and Wonders was auctioned at seven thousand and Aleecia, Goddess of beauty and resilience at a trilling ten thousand-the leading bid. Soon it was Ray's turn. He'd been waiting patiently behind the curtains in the dressing room. I straightened myself as he appeared, ready for the games to finally begin.
"You look good" He spoke, placing his hand on my lower back as he pulled up beside me. I looked up at him in astonishment. "But, you won't win" He smiled and I shook my head distastefully. He was an asshole who couldn't help but be an asshole even if he was trying not to be an asshole which made him even more of an asshole.
He modelled to the stage, his jacket swung neatly over his shoulder.
"Raymond Williams, Prince of Pleasure" Hilton introduced.
I rolled my eyes as he smoothly slid his Jacket unto him, shoving his hands into his pockets and giving the crowd a smug but droolingly wooing smirk. The ladies spooned and I gave the signal to Bill, Mrs Hoe's current boyfriend, as Ray made his way down the runway. Almost immediately flour came pouring down but Ray was too quick, he used his jacket to block the white, smoky powder, earning even more awe. He ran a hand through his hair as he lowered his jacket, an amused smile slipping across his lips. I yelped in utter frustration as he winked cutely at me before finishing his walk and taking a seat at the front next to the auctioneer.
"Ten thousand" the bidder started and the room roared with responses from eager old people. My chest fell in bewilderment as the bids ended at a stunning twenty-five thousand.
"Sold to the lovely lady in pink" The auctioneer spoke and I felt a rush of anger surge throughout me as Grace stood and proudly waved to the other displeased and disappointed females in the room.
Only a miracle could save me at this point. My plan had backfired and had given me a fist-clenching bite on the ass.
I watched as they cleaned the runway, waiting anxiously for them to call my name. I needed to win. My and Ray's relationship depended on it. I couldn't allow him to be the victor of this night. I just couldn't.