Chapter 96

Bella-Rose POV

All rich guys thought processes must be running in the same lines. There is bling everywhere I look. Nothing like the only other big party I attended.

Photographers perched on the sidewalk of the red carpet. This looked more in the lines of an Oscar event than a charity auction.

It all seems so nice if only the rich don’t spend a million dollars to throw a party only to collect a grand.

For a second, the clicks of the camera made me revert to my nightmare. People crowding me... mocking me. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak. Oh no! Not now. The suppressed, long-forgotten panic came back in full force. Why? Why now? I was doing so well.

Chris staggered on the carpet, clasping my hand in his, occasionally posing for the media, unaware of my condition.

No. I'm not a victim and I refused to be one. I'm stronger than this. I mentally chided myself.
I may have thought of a certain someone in my mind's eye to calm my breathing and gain strength. He may have been disappointed in reality, but the James I pictured in my mind never broke my confidence.

He supported me in everything. It's a cowardly way, I know. I drew his strength, self-assurance, soaking up his air of authority and wrapping it around me like a cloak, I stood straight as if a broom is stuck in the place of my spine.

With confidence I don't know I possessed, I squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and sauntered behind Chris.

Those pesky clicks don’t bother me. I'm serene, still water with nary a ripple on sight. At last, we reached the door where security staff took our details.

I did it... I did it! Oh my god. I finally slew my demons. For a girl who was scarred mentally just a month ago, I did the impossible. I walked on that red carpet without batting an eyelash as if walking between the flames is my daily routine.

I know what you are going to say- it's because of HIM. Perhaps. But I'm not going to peek too deep into that. James is an enigma. If I start thinking about him, I don't think I can concentrate on Chris. As usual, I shoved the thoughts to the darkest corner of my mind. One day it's going to overflow.

I feel like I aged a decade in these mere seconds... like I fought a battle and won. I peered at the still blissfully unaware Chris. How could he not sense my distress, my panic?

At times like this, I can't help but overthink. Is Chris the right one for me? Doesn't he care about me? Do all those sugary words are just that... a means to get closer to me? Is he like all those other guys who only seek women for one thing?

Careful Bella, there is no need to dwell deep in a shallow pond. It may not be clear but it is shallow.

I stared at Chris, hoping he may have felt the tension in my muscles, my dilemma. No such luck. He misinterpreted my look as he gave a cocky smile at me and said, "ready to knock them down, Rose?"

"Ya... yes," I replied with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

With a deep breath, I entered the environment that I thought wouldn't be a part of my life anymore.

This event is more grandeur than the previous one I attended with Amanda. Of course, why wouldn't it be? That was for the employees who draw a salary. But this... this is for rich people who breathe money. You can see the difference from the get-go.

To a side, tables are placed, facing the stage. On the other side, there is a ballroom for dancing.
Chris escorted me to the table with his name written on it. As soon as my back hit the chair, he left me to my devices and started chattering with the man beside him.

This... this is not my idea of a date. Even though I was not willing, he must have at least try to make me comfortable. If only he is someone else... snap out of it Bella! What's wrong with me? I steered clear of his thoughts for a month, only to think about him here.

The familiar setting might be the cause. I can clearly see HIM here. My thoughts came to a halt when the waitresses made rounds carrying bite-sized food that is laughable.

I glanced at the other occupants of the table. Not one person acknowledged the waiter or the food. They are all busy chattering. Gloating their riches. I suddenly feel like Alice in the wonderland.

I gave another glance at Chris. Sensing my gaze, he turned to me, and with his easy-go smile, he lightly squeezed my hand and continued his discussion with the other guy.

Left to my own devices, I started eating the food. Forget it. They might not appreciate it. But I will. With a bright 'thank you' to the waiter who came to collect the plate, I attacked the next course.

The woman across from me scoffed at me for eating like a normal person. Unfortunately for her, it just bounced over me. What? I'm no dainty thin stick who can live just by inhaling food.

All too soon the dinner came to an end. I was thinking of excusing myself to get some fresh air when a woman clad in fiery red dress sauntered into the stage with a mike in her hand.

"Thank you all for coming to this event. Now before you get bored, let me start the auction," she gave a forced chuckle. She didn't miss the mark. Most of the guests are bored.

Thankfully, once the auction started the clutter calmed down. Chris also stopped talking logistics with the man and focused on the stage. Bored out of my mind, I scanned the people and mentally ticked those who came here to buy and who is just for the ride.

The auction was at a slow pace, the items huge and the price in thousands. But soon, the proportion reversed. The smaller the object, the higher the price.

Most of them are paintings or art forms, cruise tickets, etc., At one point in time, Chris bid over the cruise tickets. I had a mini panic attack presuming for whom and why is he buying those tickets?

Alas, he didn't feel it important to share the news with me. I checked the time on the pretext of checking messages. It's only 9:30 pm. God, when you need the time to run fast most, it crawls to let you know who is in charge.

I hid my yawn as I scanned any gawkers who might look at me. Shocker! A woman yawning at such happening place.

The sudden bid from Chris woke me from my musings. Now what? Is he bidding for a hotel room? If so then I'm out of here. I turned my head to the stage. My breath hitched.

It's the most beautiful painting I have ever seen. Words fell short to describe its beauty. It's a single red rose not fully blossomed, amidst the snowy background. It stood proud, ethereal. The artist did great justice to the painting.

It looks like the rose is slowly getting iced or the iced rose is slowly shedding its snow, depending on the perspective. I felt a tug in my heart. Without knowing, the artist has depicted my heart. More specifically the struggle my heart is going through.

That picture speaks to me. It has a voice of its own. I couldn't take my eyes off it. How did the artist do that?

Reality slowly seeped into my consciousness as I heard the bid that is going on. Chris and one other guy are in a tug of war for this painting. But with each bid, the price is escalating quickly to the point of ridiculousness.

I tried to tug Chris's hand to drop it, to get his attention. But no, he is on his agenda and nothing seems to deter him.

Oh boy, this is not the way I thought this date will go.

Finally, finally, the other guy dropped after raising the price too high. At least he had the sense to drop now.

The red dress woman hovered the funny-looking hammer (seriously? Role-play much?) and cajoled the crowd with "is there anyone who can out-do it?"

Oh, come on, you are not happy with this number yet? If possible, I just want to stagger onto that stage, snatch that hammer from her and bang it hard on the podium with "sold! There, be happy that it got this much."

Alas, I'm not brave enough. I peered at Chris. He sat at the edge of his seat unable to contain his excitement.

The lady finally started the golden chant with "selling it to the guy at table 5 once, twice-"
Before she can finish the sale, a male voice said calmly, from the front door, "I will buy it for double of this price."

That voice... oh no, what is he doing here? Why now? Why bother when he left me alone these few days.

I don't want to look back. But I'm unable to resist taking a peek. My breath hitched. It's him. And he is here.