Fh5- Hi

Happy

After the old woman left the gallery. The organizer announced that the awaiting auction will start after thirty minutes.

"What can you say about Leblanc?" Bob asked me as he guides me inside the auction hall.

"What should I say?" I asked back, arching my eyebrow. I reached for my facemask using my right hand. I was about to remove it since reporters aren't invited inside the auction hall unless they have the money to bid for the works.

"I'll talk to someone I know." Bob said. He stands up and leaves me alone.

I examined the auction hall until I saw someone familiar. It is Eugene. He wears a blue Armani suit paired with black Cole shoes. His blonde hair is neatly combed into a man bun. I was about to stand up and approach him when someone speaks beside me.

"Hi." a husky voice enveloped my ears.

"Hello." I greeted back to the rugged-looking brown-eyed monster who's sitting beside me. Everything about him screams danger but there's something about his eyes. I don't know but I can't help but be captivated by his hazel orbs.

"I'm Lumiere. How about you?" he asked as he fixes his silver tie. I can't help but look at his adam's apple as it moves.

"Hey! What's your name?" he asked again. With that, I unconsciously tell him my name forgetting the need to use my pseudonym.

"Happy." I simply muttered.

"Woah, what an awesome name." He said as he bites his lower lip. I can't help myself but bite mine too. I felt mesmerized for the first time. His left hand caught some of his brown wavy hair strands and carelessly combed it up using his long fingers, making his hair a bit messier. Thus, I wouldn't say it lessened his appeal because it was the other way around.

"Remove your facemask." he commanded me. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just senselessly followed him. He reaches my blue hair and tucked it behind my ear. I felt lost with his gaze.

"You are a real beauty." he softly whispered in my ears as he caressed my hair.

"We will start our auction." I suddenly snapped back into reality as I heard the speaker. I hurriedly remove his hands on my hair and sat properly. I tried my best to hide my face because I'm sure that my whole face was beet red.

"I'm sorry." I said. Instead of giving me a proper reply he just chuckled as a response. I was about to take a short glimpse of him but a short cough interrupted me. I fixed myself and brought back my dignified stance.

"Ehem, I'm back." Bob said as he occupied his seat.

"What did you do?" I asked him while calming myself. My system.

"What do you mean? Didn't I tell you about it earlier?" Bob asked. I don't even know what I am talking about my head is kind of floating in mid-air.

How can that man affect me that much?

"Never mind. I'm just thirsty." I said trying to hide my embarrassment.

"You sure?" he asked. He touched my forehead like he was trying to check if I am sick. I moved his hands away from my forehead.

"Are you sick?" Lumiere asked me.

"No, I'm not. I'm just thirsty." I told him.

"I'll ask someone to get you something to drink." Lumiere replied as he dialed someone over his phone. He stared at me like earlier. Deep and haunting.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Mr. Leblanc." Bob formally greeted the devil beside me.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Cowell." he greeted back.

Bob formally shook his hand.

"Sorry if I eavesdropped in your talk. I just wanted to help." he said.

"Thank you very much." Bob smiled at Lumiere.

"Let's call Ms. Gertrude to have an opening speech."

Everyone in the auction hall clapped as Gertrude walked across the stage. She grabbed the microphone from the speaker

and started to talk.

"Thank you, everyone, from coming here in my first ever art exhibit and auction. I hope all of you will enjoy the night. Let the bidding start." she said timidly like a fragile woman.

I stared at Bob and asked him. "Should I bid?"

"You have your own money. Do whatever you want." he replied. I can't help myself but smirk. Do whatever I want? You know that I can never do what I truly want.

"Bidding for the painting 'Fierce' starts at 20 million."

A lot of people raised up their number cards fighting for the first painting that if I estimated it only equates to a million or even lower. I didn't raise my number card.

"40 million!"

"45 million!"

"Why don't you bid?" Lumiere asked.

"I'm not interested in the painting." I simply answered. He gave me a glass of strawberry shake and I gladly accepted it.

"Even though if you will learn that I'm the one in the painting?" He asked then he elegantly sipped his wine without having the need to take his eyes off me.

He is that subject? I can't believe it. Why did he volunteer himself as a subject for an artwork? Is he that bored in his life? It is understandable that he is undeniably God's gift to women but why?

"Any comments, Tiger?" He resumed while smirking arrogantly.

Maybe he dates Gertrude.

"Don't give me pet names." I said avoiding his question. I drink some of the shake but I find it unsuitable for my taste. It was too sweet for a person like me.

"Don't change the topic here." he said.

"52 million."

"It's my choice if I change it or not. Change my drink into wine." I retorted. He looked at me like he heard something ridiculous. He fixed his tie and cautiously leaned his head near my face.

"It's me who has the final word, Tiger." he whispered.

"I'm not a Tiger and I decide for myself." I angrily scowled at him. Then, I felt the bitterness of the last words that came from my lips.

"Chill lady, I'm just kidding." He said while trying to calm me down. He chuckled lightly as he caressed my shoulder.

"52 million going once, going twice. Sold!"

I ignored him the whole auction. I really hate men like him. They always want to be on top but I won't let that happen. The auction is about to end and I haven't even try to bid yet.

"Last item for the auction. Fiery."

I can't help but wonder about the tattoo carved on the man's V line. It is a familiar-looking symbol but I forgot what it is called. But, I'm sure that I've seen it before. As I stare at it longer my inner desire to bid for it screams.

"Bidding price for Fiery starts at 120 million."

Without second thoughts. I raised my number card and bid for the painting.

"160 million." I shouted

"What a good start from Ms. H. Higher than 160 million everyone?"

"180 million."

"250 million."

I can't lose. There's something behind that tattoo. I want it. I want that painting.

"300 million." I bided.

"320 million."

"375 million."

"400 million." I shouted.

"1 billion." a woman chimed in. everybody gasps as she raised the bid into a higher price.

"I can't have it. I won't bid higher than 500 million." I murmured.

"Do you want it?" Lumiere asked me but I chose to ignore him. Since I really find him annoying.

"1 billion going once, going twice. So—"

"25 billion." Lumiere casually said. What the hell is wrong with this guy? 25 billion for a freaking painting. What's funnier is that it is his self-portrait?

"25 billion for Fiery going once, going twice. Sold to Mr. Leblanc." everybody clapped for him.

"You can now claim it, Mr. Leblanc."

"Let Ms. H claimed it. It is my gift to her for attending my gallery." he said. He stared at me and motioned me to walk on the stage.

I just stared at him in dazed. He must be really crazy. I didn't stand up because I don't want to accept it. But, Bob became Lumiere Leblanc's accomplice. He helped me stand up and he gave my hand to Lumiere.

Will you sell me to him too?

I faked a smile and received the painting with the assistance of Lumiere. I thought he was done from destroying my night but the thing that he whispered in my ear made everything worse.

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