Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 36: Auction II

The inside was just as decorated as the outside—only more beautiful.

Warm golden light spilled from enormous chandeliers, dripping crystals like frozen rain. They glimmered above the hall, reflecting against polished marble floors that stretched endlessly beneath Gianna’s heels.

Everywhere she looked, there were reminders of what this auction was supposed to be—what her mother once poured her heart into.

Tall, elegant banners lined the walls, each carrying photographs of children: some smiling brightly in crisp uniforms funded by last year’s proceeds, others looking hopeful, hands clasped, waiting for the next chance this charity promised.

Each image tugged at something inside her—a pang of longing, of grief, of resentment.

One thing was sure though: the event planners had outdone themselves.

She watched the servers weave through the swelling crowd in immaculate black uniforms, trays lifted expertly above the throng, each tray brimming with tall, thin flutes of champagne.

Also watched the guests glide across the hall—men in expensive three-piece suits, women in gowns that whispered wealth with every step—their perfume floating in the air, just as their laughs and muted conversations.

She could see familiar faces—people she had watched her parents interact with years ago—but she made no move to acknowledge them, made no move to make contact.

What was there to say? What was left between them besides history and hollow courtesies?

She beckoned on a server and took a glass of champagne, the cold stem settling between her fingers.

Seeing that everyone was talking to one or two, she wished that she had somehow managed to sneak one of her friends into this setting, instead of standing by the side, nursing a glass of champagne while waiting for N.N.

Was that even a real person?

She looked at the ticket again, saw the seat number attached to it, but the main theme of the day wouldn’t start until about half an hour from now, so she was stuck somewhat.

So, relief threatened to swarm her when she saw Mason walking across the room, with Esme as his plus one.

Cousins.

She couldn’t even detect any similarity, except for the nose maybe.

She willed him to look at her. Luck was on her side, because he did—although she thought better of it when Esme glared at her.

Oh well, she could deal with a forever glaring Esme, she thought as the duo started toward her; she had been dealing with the latter for the past few days, actually relishing the silence, albeit cold, that existed between them.

"Hey, you look beautiful..." Mason started when he reached her, his eyes sweeping over her with a polite warmth, "as usual. Is your date here?"

The emphasis on date made Gianna realize that, like her, Mason was just as curious to know the anonymous sender of the bouquet of roses.

"If he is, I haven’t seen him yet."

"The sender of the roses?" Esme asked, raising her left brow.

Of course the rumor mill had spread the news around the company.

Gianna nodded, deciding to be civil.

"Isn’t that like desperate, turning out here for—"

Gianna snorted. "So much for being civil. Mason, take your cousin out of my face, before I dump my champagne on her."

"He is Director Mason to you!"

Esme’s voice was louder than it should be, and seeing the stares already drawing to them, Gianna cursed beneath her breath. She wasn’t up for this now.

"Mason, see you later..."

She moved away from them, before he could say a word.

"What the hell, Esme! What is wrong with you? Can’t you be civil in this setting as this, like she was at first? Can’t you be mature for your age?" Mason hissed under his breath.

Esme scowled, hating to be berated by her favourite cousin because of her worst enemy at the moment. "Mature? She stole my spotlight, after stealing my office!"

Mason scoffed. "Take that up with Father, Gianna didn’t steal anything. She didn’t even know you existed until then."

Esme stepped away from her cousin, removed his arm from hers, looking hurt, like she had been slapped. "You are cruel to me because of a stranger that doesn’t even look twice at you."

The jab hurt, but Mason’s blank face remained the same. "I’m just being truthful. Enjoy the night..."

He turned away to leave, but she grasped his arm again. "You were really going to let me to the wolves..."

He laughed, tapping her hand gently. "Esme, sometimes, I forget we are no longer teens. Come on, the auction will soon be starting..."

As the duo made their way around the sea of people, toward the area of the hall choked with seats, Gianna was in another confrontation—this time with Sabrina and her mother.

"So, you made it... how did you do it?"

Gianna looked from Sabrina, who had asked the question, to Josephine, who looked surprised by it.

"You invited her?"

So she wasn’t aware? Interesting, Gianna thought, folding her hands across her chest, eyes darting to her wristwatch. Her date wasn’t here yet; the thrill was fast fading to annoyance and irritation.

"Yes, Mom. I wanted her to see it."

This got Gianna’s attention. "See what?"

Sabrina smiled sinisterly. "Oh, you will see... I’m curious to see what you will do then... surely there is a limit to the funds a top designer can have, can spend too..."

A sinking feeling descended on Gianna; she didn’t like where this was going.

"And worse, the Thornes aren’t here to bail you out..."

Gianna realized that too then. Cussed herself for not realizing sooner, for allowing herself to be thrilled with Sabrina’s dare and the stranger who was her date. Where was old Mr Thorne?

"Oh, don’t look around. They weren’t invited this year... I’m not sure why that is... but see, it will work for your good, or mine... who knows?"

Gianna was about to respond, when a hand suddenly slid around her waist.

Warm. Firm. Possessive.

She gasped softly, turning aside to cuss out whichever fool had thought this was appropriate, had thought invading her space without her permission was...

But the sight that met her eyes stunned all words out of her.