LYSANDER
Since she wasn’t ready to tell me ’bout what happened, I was willin’ to give her some time.
Two nights ago, an invitation was sent out to me by a group of hosts who will be hostin’ another art auction, but in some other location, unlike the first one where I bumped into Nyssa.
She would love to go with me, she said so, and now that the mornin’ of the auction had come, I was busy in my room gettin’ ready for it. After selectin’ an outfit from the many collections in my wardrobe, I stumbled upon a piece I believed was perfect.
With a smile, I walked to the room Nyssa had stayed in since her first day in my house. “What do you think ’bout this dress?” I asked, causin’ her gaze fixed on me. “Is it good for an auction like this?”
“Yes, Lysander.” The woman winked.
“You’ve got a girlfriend you want to gift? It’s cool.” Her words made me walk into the room fully and she got off the bed, headin’ to the wardrobe. She was tyin’ a towel around her and also, gettin’ ready for the auction we were both goin’ for.
“It’s all yours, Nyssa. I don’t have a girlfriend to give it to,” I laughed, announcin’ and could see the shock on her countenance.
“Will you be kind enough to wear this for me, Nyssa?” When I excused her, I asked and without waitin’ for an answer, I shut the door, and headed to the kitchen so that I could dish the meal I prepared this mornin’.
Soon, Nyssa was in front of me, smilin’.
“I can’t believe my eyes, you look so beautiful in this. I couldn’t just go by the boutique without gettin’ this piece. It’s art.” I confessed to the woman who walked with me to the table for our breakfast.
“Thank you, Lysander. It’s beautiful indeed, but you know you didn’t have to. I love it, also.”
Before the end of the next hour, my guest and I were ready for the auction. Just to be sure, I asked. “Ready?” And then got a nod before walkin’ to the door, openin’ it for the woman who was plantin’ a smile on her countenance. In moments, we hopped in the car after I had locked the entrance door.
The man who works at the gate opened up for us and I drove out of the compound after wavin’ at ‘im. “Let me know when you’re confused at the auction. I may be busy but not very busy to assist my guest, you know.”
When we caught up with the gate of the venue, a man who worked at the gate opened up for us to drive in. “Oh, finally.” A sigh of relief ran out of my mouth and I parked in the lot, studyin’ the place so I could mark it before walkin’ into the hall. When I was certain, I hopped down from the car and walked over to the other side where I opened for the woman to hop down.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, my lady.” I gave out one of my hand and she took it, while we began to walk to the door of the hall. “Do you recognize anyone here?”
Nyssa looked at me and shook my head. “I don’t know anyone here except you, Lysander. I’m not sure if I recognize anyone. Do you think I know one of them from my past?”
“Of course not,” I shook my head. “I was just askin’, nothin’ more.” I explained and she looked at me with suspicion in her eyes, shakin’ her head and grippin’ my hand tighter.
Soon, both of us sat in the front row seats of the hall. She let go of my hand already and I looked around, recognizin’ a few people I waved at. What if Kazmir Draven came here? How would she face her husband? I thought ’bout it and looked at her to see she was also lookin’ at me.
“Is there a problem? Are you comfortable at all?”
The beautiful woman gave me a nod.
“I am fine. Aren’t you goin’ to leave me? You talked ’bout assistin’ with a few things. I almost forgot you are popular.” She looked away, wavin’ at someone who waved at her and then turnin’ to look me in the face again. “Do I know this person?”
I chuckled, my voice resoundin’ in the area where we were seated. “I wouldn’t know, Mrs. Draven. Do you know her? I should be the one askin’ you. Or is it ’cause you are dressed in red and lookin’ stunnin’ also?”
The show started in moments. Everyone ran around except a few people who were already settled. At some point, the woman I came with took my hand in hers. I let her hold it but when I had to let go, I got on my feet and whispered. “I need to assist with brin’in’ out portraits that are up for sale. Do you mind?”
“No, I don’t,” she smiled and I heaved a sigh, standin’ fully on my feet and walkin’ away after wavin’ at her.
In a jiffy, I was assistin’ the hosts with brin’in’ out many portions, ones I recognized and ones I didn’t. After so many comin’ and goin’, I was done with the task.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Lysander,” one of the supporters hailed while I didn’t say much but walked away and took my seat next to Nyssa who I watched all these while only to be certain that there was nothin’ wrong with her.
“You good?”
“Yes,” she replied. “As a matter of fact, I’m enjoyin’ the auction. When is the main deal goin’ to begin? I think I have waited enough or haven’t you? I saw the nice pieces you brought out of the storeroom. They’re all beautiful, Lysander. With deep meanings.”
“Yes, Nyssa. All beautiful pieces by beautiful artists who know what they are doin’. Accordin’ to what I heard from one of the supporters who spoke to another, only women drew those pieces. You can imagine we still have good female artists who are good at what they do in the industry of art.”
Somethin’ cut short the conversation.
“Hello, beautiful people,” a woman claimed the stage and spoke to us. “It is nice to meet you all. Myself and the others in charge of this auction hope you are havin’ a good time. We apologize for the delay in goin’ into the main deal but we must take a break while you are given desserts. Have a good time.”
It didn’t sit well with some of us, especially Nyssa who waited so much for this time to come. With a grunt, she greeted the waiter. “Thanks, but this ain’t what I want.” Although she sipped from her glass, she looked at the stage now and then, as well as checkin’ the watch on her wrist for the time.
“The auction won’t begin unless you are patient and even if it’s startin’ now, it’ll look like later. So be patient with the hosts. I’m sure they’re comin’ up with somethin’ fantastic – a fantastic piece that will be sold first. It’ll do nothin’ but blow your mind.”
In patience and good spirit, she sat up, managin’ a fake smile that became real the next moment. We sipped from the glass, patiently waitin’ as well as bein’ entertained by the outfits of guests who made it to the auction. While we did that, I knew in my heart that no one came lookin’ as good as the woman beside me.
“The auction may begin.” The voice of the woman who announced a break came back, causing me to look at Nyssa who smiled, handin’ over the glass in her hand.