"Xander! Run!" a figure called from the burning building. Xander couldn't see the figure clearly in the smoke. All he knew was the figure was talking to him from a burning building window.
"No! I'm not leaving without you" Xander shouted back
"But, I'm sticked, I can't go with you"
"I'm still not leaving without..." At that moment, the building came down, knocking Xander down with its debris.
"Xander!"
Xander's eyes shut open, he was sitting behind his desk in his large office with his forehead covered in sweat.
"Nightmare?" he turned to the direction of the voice. It was Hunter, he looked closer and saw that he held Hunter's wrist tightly. He released the wrist in an instant as if it was on fire.
"I'm sorry, I wanted to wake up but you were muttering some words, when I got closer you squeeze my hand, you have a strong grip" he explained and joked at the end sensing his discomfort.
"Oh, sorry" Xander apologized
"No worries, it's time to leave for the auction"
***
The huge hall was decorated with chandelier both big and small. The stones hanging from the them glistened under the dim light. Couchs and sofas littered around the hall and waitress carried tray of snack and champagne giving it a crazy rich Asian vibe.
Xander had a glass of champagne in hand as he greeted whoever came to congratulate him from taking over from his face as this was his first social event.
Someone in the crowd climbed a poduim at the front and hit a fork on their glass to get everyone attention on him except from Xander's.
Hermia and her fiance stood in his line of sight listening to the person talk at the front. Time went faster than he could account for.
He tuned out the speaker subconsciously and watched every small movement Hermia made, the way her finger twirl with her hair, until the crowd disperse and settle down.
"The auctioning is about to start" Hunter said lowly to his boss and gave him a white circle placard that had a number written on it. He had noticed Xander's distraction, thisade him wonder if Xander actually hate if wife or his just being jealous. Hunter shrugged and walked to the bar where he have a good view to everything happening.
The Auction started as soon as everyone had a seat and a placard at hand. The Lots were mostly necklace Nd some that came with earrings. The first necklace was presented it was least expensive of them alll and was auction off at twenty thousand dollars to number 6 which was Hermia and her fiance.
The second auctioned necklace, "follow in my footsteps" was more expensive than the former. The binding started at thirteen thousand dollars and was sold at fifty thousand to number 13, Alexander Cage.
From the second to the ninth lot presented for auctioning, was sold to number 13. Every buyer had to give up on the lot because the new chairman raised the bind high.
"Now for the purpose of tonight, we present to Dil Dhadakne do, an hindu name, which means let the heart beat in English. It was crafted from the rarest gem and crossed the seas for you to see it here" tye auctioneer announced as he removed the white clothing from the priceless jewel.
"We will start with hundred thousand dollars" he continued
"An hundred and ten thousand dollars " a woman said raising her placard that says number ten.
"A hundred and twenty thousand dollars" Hermia said
"Two hundred thousand dollars" another male buyer said
"Three hundred thousand" an older man said raising his placard that stated number 1.
"Three hundred thousand, any higher binder?" the auctioneer announced.
Everyone was waiting for Mr. Cage to make another over priced bond but he was just staring at the jewel while sipping his champagne.
"Three hundred thousand dollars to number one in one, two.. "
"2 million dollars" Alexander Cage called and the whole hall gasped and was filled with whispers.
"He really wanted to flaunt his wealth" some people whisper in grimace.
"Look at his smirk, he might be worst than his father"
"I heard he has a girlfriend, I hope the girl would be wise so she won't end up like his mother"
Hermia had had enough of been defeated by her ex husband as he flaunt his money just to taunt her.
"2.5 million dollars" she called and Alexander smirked.
At that moment everybody sensed the tension in the room thicken so much that it would take more than a knife to cut it.
"8 Million dollars" Alexander Cage called nonchalantly, like he was talking about the weather.
Hermia turned to glare at him before turning to her fiance.
"Do we have enough to go higher" she asked and Mike shook his head to say no and she huffed in annoyance.
"I expected that much" Mike said as he turned to Xander's direction. For once Hermia wished she didn't hide her true character. She has keep her head down since the Dally Family is close to bankruptcy. She has to rely on Mike's aid but a starting company is nothing compared to a three generation conglomerate.
"8 Million dollars going in one, two, three and gone" the auctioneer said and the hall was filled with claps.
Xander had not only bought an expensive necklace he had also showed the Cage family was still Top tier after the retirement of the former chairman.
Xander smirked at Hermia as she glared at him in return before moving backstage to pay for their jewel.
Chuckling, Xander turned to the bar where he saw Hunter standing few minutes ago but was met with an empty presence. He called his phone shich was surprising switched off.
"Why is your phone switch?" Xander said to himself agitated. He walked to the bar and noticed the male bartender had been replaced by a female.
"Excuse me, have you seen a young man in navy blue and blonde hair?" he asked the bar tender.
"No, sir, I just started my shift and the person before me had gone home" she said politely, Xander nodded and moved aside for people who wanted toake an order.
He looked around the hall hoping to see a familiar blonde hair but he was no where to be found. He stomach churned as every possible thoughts ran through his head.
"Did Hermia do something?" he muttered to himself and subconsciously shuddered as he realized he underestimated her.
As if sensing his panick 5 men dressed in black undershirt and tuxedo came towards him.