MONALISA
I had no classes today and I was just going to be home all day. On days like this, I and Francesca would have hung out together but now that she is no longer in my life, I just have to make do and stay home myself all day.
I had reached out to Irene to see if we could meet up together but as if fate was forcing me to stay home today, it turned out that Irene had been asked by her mum to go on an errand outside town and she would only be back by evening.
I glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was 10am. I groaned, dumping my phone and walking towards my curtain to pull them open. I had liked the cool and dark atmosphere but now I wanted fresh air and some light to get in.
As I pulled the curtains open, I looked out and I could see a black car pulling out of the mansion opposite us. Two more black cars followed suit and suddenly all cars stopped.
I moved even closer to the window to see if Lucius was in any of the car but I could not see that. I was far enough from the cars and the windows were also tinted.
Suddenly, my phone rang. I turned and headed back to my bed. I picked my phone up and saw that it was Lucius Devine calling. I picked the call immediately and took the phone to my ear.
“Hello Cupcake” he spoke up first and I felt my insides warming with his voice.
“Hello daddy. Good morning” I greeted back after suppressing a silly giggle.
“Nowhere to go today?” He asked and I headed back to the window, now sure that he was in one of the cars.
“Yes, I have no classes”
“Hmm, I see. Get dressed and join me then”
“Where are we going to?” I asked, my fingers finding my hair to twirl the edges.
“You will find out once you get down here” was his simple response and then he ended the call.
“Hmphh!” I turned away from the window and rushed into my closet to pick something to wear.
As I went through the clothes, I thought back to how grateful we should be to him. My clothes allowance per month was more than mum’s salary for crying out loud!
Pushing the thoughts away, I quickly found something to change into. A purple flay dress with pink floral patterns. I dressed hurriedly, put on a pair of heels and rushed down with a purse, my phone and my wallet.
I finally got down and the door of the car where he was in was being held open for me. I gave the man holding the car door open a small, courteous smile and got into the car.
“Let’s go” He said to the driver and then turned to look at me.
“You look beautiful” he pointed out and I felt my heart skip a beat.
His compliment had seemed so sincere and not just that but also the fact that he was looking me dead in the eye while telling me that contributed to it.
“Your hair looks so pretty let down” he added and then placed his hand on my thigh.
“Where are we going to?” I asked the question again after a few seconds.
“To an auction”
“An auction?!” My eyes widened and he turned to look at me, a small smirk pulling the corner of his lips.
“What? Never been at one?” He asked.
“Yes”
“Then I hope you enjoy being there”
“I guess I will” I mumbled.
**
“A million”
“Two million!”
“2. 2 million!”
That huge amount of money for a painting. That was freaking expensive!
“This is getting even more expensive! It started off at 100k dollars. How did it get here?” I whispered to daddy and he chuckled.
“That’s how it goes here”
“Are we here to buy anything though?” I asked.
“Yes, I am here to get that painting” he replied.
“To get the painting? It’s already at 2. 5 million.”
“Cupcake” He turned to me and pulled at my cheek lightly.
“Any other bid?!” The auctioneer asked but there was no more response.
“Any other bid?” He asked again.
“Five million” daddy suddenly spoke up and my eyes widened.
“Five million dollars for a painting!” My eyes widened.
“It’s an ancient painting, cupcake”
“Five million! Going! Sold!”
“That was a lot” I whispered.
“The next item is the Brunei Vase” it was announced and my lips immediately spread in a smile.
“The Brunei Vase”
“You like it?” Daddy asked me.
“I do! I have read a lot about it. It’s one of the best ever made but I also know how expensive it is. I wonder who will be lucky to get it”
“I wonder too” Daddy shrugged slightly and we both returned our attention to the bidding.
The bidding soon started and the opening price was a million dollars.
“Three million!”
“Woah. Can these rich guys chill? Adding two million dollars to it is wild”
“Cupcake” Daddy turned towards me and cupped my face.
“I need to splash more money on you” he said, glanced at my lips and then looked away with a deep breath.
“Four million!”
“Five!”
“5. 2!”
“Six million!”
“9 million!”
“Okay, this is really wild. I know how priceless that vase is but isn’t this getting a bit too much?” I asked but got no response. All I got was a deep chuckle.
“Ten million!”
“Twelve million!” Daddy suddenly spoke up and I darted my gaze to him sharply.
“13. 2 million”
“15 million” Daddy spoke up again, his voice completely calm.
A man in front of us turned his head a d glared at us for a spilt second.
“Sixteen million!” He bidded.
“Fuck. I am getting bored now” daddy groaned.
“Thirty million!” He suddenly bidded.
I gasped, my eyes widening and my brain freezing for a second. Thirty million dollars! Splashing thirty million dollars!
All eyes turned to us immediately after Daddy said those words.
“Thirty million… Any other bid?! Going… Sold!”
“There, cupcake” Daddy turned to me and cupped my face once more.
“I hope that vase makes you happy”
“Getting a vase for that amount is…” He placed his index finger on my lips, shutting me up.
“As long as you are happy, cupcake.”