As the evening wore on, the group's laughter and chatter filled the air, but beneath the surface, undercurrents of attraction and tension simmered, waiting to surface.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group reluctantly bid farewell to the poolside oasis, heading inside to prepare for the auction party. The air was electric with excitement, the promise of a glamorous night ahead.
Inside, the house transformed into a whirlwind of activity. Emma and Ava dashed upstairs, arm in arm, to get ready, their laughter and chatter echoing down the hallway. Trixie lingered in the kitchen, sipping a glass of wine, her eyes locked on Lucas as he adjusted his tie.
Zain, meanwhile, stood by the window, his gaze lost in thought. Alec approached him, a curious expression on his face.
" You okay? You seem a bit distracted."
Zain turned, his eyes clearing. " Just enjoying the view." He replied, his smile enigmatic. Alec raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead heading upstairs to join Emma.
As the group reassembled, transformed by elegant attires and polished smiles, the atmosphere became increasingly sophisticated. Emma shone in a red gown, Ava sparkled in silver, and Trixie sizzled in black. Lucas and Zain looked dashing in their tailored black suits, while Alec excuded confident charm. The paired up couples drove in separate expensive cars.
" Thank you for the dress, it's very beautiful." Trixie spoke tucking some hair behind her ear, Lucas smiled politely turning his attention outside the car window, he found the night beautiful and bright due to the full moon tonight.
Three black luxurious cars stopped in front of the grand hotel, cameras flashed, reporters anxiously waiting to throw questions at the arriving guests, Lucas took Trixie's hand leading her through.
" Mr Lucas Williams, is she your new girlfriend?." One of the reporters asked.
" No questions, please." Lucas spoke.
" The public wants to know, in recent years, you've been seen and spotted with different women, is she one of your women?." Trixie felt uncomfortable by all the questions, they felt like insults to her, ' do they mean she's one of his whores he's sleeping with?' she frowned, Lucas held onto her hand tightly, in a protective manner, leading her inside. Once they were finally in, he turned to look at her.
" Are you okay?."
Trixie gave a nervous nod, he could see how uncomfortable she was, he cupped her cheek with a slight smile, leading her further into the party.
" Emma, darling." Lisa walked towards them, giving her a warm hug, Emma smiled slightly.
" Mr and Ms Qinn,"
" Drop the formality, Emma, I told you call me mother." Lisa said turning to Alec with a smile.
" Why don't we leave the women to catch up, while we grab a drink, son." Grange spoke, Alec held Emma's waist, giving her a reassuring nod, before going with his father, Emma stayed back with Lisa and Laura...both women dressed elegantly shaping their beautiful figures in straight long dresses, Emma could see Laura's belly growing each and every day, soon she'll give birth to Alec's son, his first child with another woman. She felt intimidated standing in front of these beautiful strong women, she wished Ava and Trixie were there with her. Even though Lisa is always kind and nice to her, Emma still felt unfitting into the Qinn family.
" Em.!"
Emma heard Ava call out to her, Emma released a silent sigh of relief. She looked back to see Ava approaching, " what are you doing here. There's someone who wants to meet you?." Ava spoke.
" Friend of yours, Emma?." Lisa spoke staring at Ava with a curious raised eye brows. Emma stared between Lisa and Ava, the eye contact they were exchanging to one another felt like an electric shock, full of tension. Emma could tell both her sister and mother in-law were proud women and deserves respect.
" Uh, well, she's my elder sister, Ava Rose Anderson." Emma calmly introduced Ava.
" A pleasure meeting you, Ms Qinn." Ava forwarded her hand with a slight smile.
" Just Lisa, pleasure is all mine," Lisa shook Ava's hand. " I thought, Emma was the only child to the Anderson family. I never thought she had a sister?." Lisa added.
" Indeed, I was raised in another country, our parents died before they could tell Emma of my existence. Although I knew about Emma, but she didn't, she only found out about me a few weeks ago." Ava simply said.
" Then why did it take you so long to reappear? Why now?."
" I was working, and my kind of job is a really dangerous one, look at it as in, I was only trying to protect what's precious to me. That's why I stayed away for so long." Ava spoke staring at Emma.
" And what kind of work do you do?." Laura asked, Ava's gaze shifted to the woman next to Lisa, neither of them seem to hide their dislike for one another, Ava smirked... leaning in as if to whisper.
" It's not easy, being a professional assassin you know, killing my targets is my specialty," she spoke." Especially, if I don't like you." Ava added. Laura frowned, to her it sounded more of a threat, she's so proud of the kind of job she does that she's not Afraid of saying it. One thing is for sure, ' this woman is a psycho ' Laura just kept quiet.
" If you don't mind, I will have to steal my precious little sister away for a while." Ava took Emma's hand, dragging her away. " You okay, I could see you standing stiff from a distance, figured you need saving?." Ava added when they were far enough.
" Hm," Emma nodded," I always feel uncomfortable being around Laura, I see her as competition, I guess." She added.
" So she's the one caring your husband's child huh." Ava sneered coming to a stop, she held Emma's little chin, and added. " She's no competition, you're the most beautiful and bright girl I know. Even if she was competition, she's fighting a losing game, you know why?." Emma stared into Ava's bright grey eyes being curious.
" Why?."
" Because Alec. chose you, he is with you and not her, he loves you, Emma, he married you and not her. You're Alec's wife, and not her." Ava told her. Emma dropped a tear, they were the sweetest and encouraging words Ava has told since they met, she nows felt like she has a sister.
The lights dimmed in the opulent ballroom, and a hush fell over the crowd of wealthy socialists, entrepreneurs, and celebrities. The air was thick with anticipation as they waited the start of the exclusive auction party. At the podium, the event owner, the enigmatic and stylish Mr. White, smiled charmingly as he surveyed the room. With a raised of his hand, the lights brightened, and he began to speak in his smooth, velvety voice.
" Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most anticipated event of the season! Tonight, we gather to indulge in the finer things, in life, to bid on the rarest treasures, and to make unforgeable connections. Our auction features one-of-a kind pieces, from rare artworks to luxury experiences, all carefully curated for your discerning tastes."
As Mr White spoke, the crowd's excitement grew, and the room buzzed with whispered conversation and clinking of champagne glasses.
" Without further ado, let's begin! Our first item up for bid is a stunning diamond necklace, valued at a cost of $1 million. Who will start the bidding at $500,000 with that?"
The auction began, and the room erupted into a frenzy of bidding wars, laughter, and deal-making. The wealthy and rich attendees were ready to splurge. One of attendees bid the diamond necklace at $700.000million , which was sold to him at the spot. He gifted the diamond necklace to his girlfriend in front of everyone in the room. The woman proudly smiled.
Emma felt a hand wrap around her small waist, she looked up to see Alec staring back at her with a warm smile. She smiles back... pulling her attention back to the bidding.
" Next up, a rare Chinese silver - dragon hairpiece- chopstick. Legend have it said, it was worn by the most beautiful and influential clan leader of the Chinese empress. Only one remained behind while the other was buried along with her, this bidding cost $3 million. Who will start the bidding at $800.000?." Another bid was put up for auction.
Lucas was the one to bid the next item, surprising both Zain and Alec.
" $1000.000 million," he said, murmurs erupted in the opulent ballroom... but he never paid any attention to them, instead, he turned to Trixie and added." For the beautiful princess, standing next to me." Trixie almost choked on her glass of wine, she stared at Lucas with confusion and shock, ' did he just bid me an hairpiece worth a million? $1000.000?." She blinked at him. One of the event workers brought Lucas the Chinese hairpiece- chopstick on a red velvet pillow. He took it and placed it behind Trixie's ponytail, a smile curved up to the corner of his lips. Trixie blushed staring into his chocolate brown eyes, she blushed even more knowing all eyes were on her and Lucas.
" T_thank you, I... it's, very beautiful." Trixie managed to spill out words despite her tongue being heavy to get any words out. Emma gave Trixie a reassuring smile, which worked on calming her down.