Riley sighed, shaking her head.
“I’m better now.
This is the sixth time you have asked since the accident.
Seriously, it was a small fall.” Then she turned to me.
“See what I have to deal with?” I smiled at her.
Even though she was complaining, I think she liked the attention, and the unnecessary care.
Her brother’s friends were like more brothers for her.
I’d give anything to have a support system like that.
Although I wasn’t sure I wanted Roman as a brother.
He was too overbearing.
And he had not said a single word.
Why?
My eyes betrayed me again to him.
He looked nothing like the man I’d met at the hospital.
Or perhaps he looked exactly like him, only more composed.
More dangerous.
The black tuxedo he wore was perfectly fitted to house him.
His hair was swept back from his face, unlike that day when a few strands fell on his forehead.
He certainly was the kind of man who could walk into any room and made everyone else wonder whether they belonged there.
He looked polished, and even more expensive.
What was I saying?
Was he for sale?
A gavel fell on the board, and everyone began shuffling around.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we shall begin the auction shortly.” a voice said over the speakers.
“Oh, let’s go take our seats,” Riley said, already pulling me along.
Again.
We followed the others toward a large table.
I paused when I realized where I was sitting.
At the front!
Riley waved me to sit beside her, which I did.
Quickly.
It would be embarrassing if they found out I have never sat anywhere this fancy before.
Not even at the Doctor’s conference where I was given an award.
Roman took the chair on Riley’s other side, and Mr.
Worthington sat in the one on my right.
When my eyes crawled across the table to where he was sitting, I caught Roman’s eyes already on me.
Immediately, I looked away.
Why won’t he stop looking at me?
He had not said anything all evening.
Had not even acknowledged my presence yet he would not stop looking at me.
What?
I was not fancy enough for their fancy art fundraiser?
Raising my eyes to him again, I glared.
No word obviously, nor even a reaction, yet somehow he was the loudest person at the table.
“Three times the charm, they say.” Someone said.
I pulled my eyes from Roman and turned to my right.
It was the Brit, Eli.
He was smiling.
“I’m sorry?” “First at the door,” Eli continued, “then through a mutual friend, now we are sharing a table and sitting side by side.” He leaned closer.
“I don’t believe in fate, that’s Lucien’s department, but even I find this odd.” I smiled.
It was as insincere as the attention I was trying to pay him.
Roman was still staring at me.
I could feel it.
I could feel his eyes even when I wasn’t looking at him.
This was crazy.
I was Riley’s guest.
If he wanted to be angry, he should be angry with his sister.
Here was a gentleman who had not only saved me from embarrassment this evening, but was talking to me.
I blocked Roman out, completely.
“I don’t believe in fate either,” I said, giving Eli my full attention, “So let’s just call it coincidence.” “Much agreed.” I smiled.
This time, it was sincere.
A spotlight illuminated the auctioneer stepping onto the podium.
His smile was very wide.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.” Applause filled the room.
“Tonight, we would be auctioning out many valuables donated from our very own selves in this room, after which the proceeds will be sent to St.
Nichols Hospital in Boston.” Another round of applause.
“Now, without further ado, our first item of the evening.” The first item was brought out.
It was a strange-looking bust.
It had one eye larger than the other, an elongated neck, and what appeared to be a mouth that had been deliberately carved crooked.
“A pseudo face sculpted by Lauren Hope in 2005, formerly owned and now donated by the Evans.
Opening bid, five hundred thousand dollars.” I nearly choked on my champagne.
People began raising their paddles.
One million.
Two million.
Three.
Five.
Someone finally called seven million and the hammer fell.
“Sold!” My mouth fell open.
What?!
Seven million dollars.
For that?
Even a first grader wouldn’t accept that as a gift.
Rich people were weird.
“Isn’t this exciting?” Riley leaned in asking, but her eyes—and her smile—were for the auction.
I nodded.
It was not.
At least, not to me, but her excitement was contagious and soon I was smiling too.
She picked up her champagne flute.
“Just imagine how much this money will help the hospital.” That was a good way to forgive the sculptor of ‘pseudo face’.
“Do you do this often?” I asked.
“What?
Charity fundraisers?” When I nodded, she chuckled.
“You are cute.
Of course not.
People would rather spend money trying to impress each other than spend them helping people.
Lucky for me, Roman and the others can spend to impress people and spend to help those in need.
All I just need to do is ask.” Her delight made me smile.
Yeah.
Lucky her indeed.
We returned our attention to the auction.
The second item, a blue-colored orblike—globe like?— object was brought out.
I was still staring, trying to discover what it was when Eli leaned toward me.
“So, new friend, how did you and Riley meet?” I turned toward him.
“How did you know I’m new?
That’s assuming.
We could have met a long time ago.” His lips pulled into a smile.
“You couldn’t have.
I’ve known Riley for years.
You, for about an hour.
Counting the door incident too.” His hand relaxed easily on the armrest.
It felt overpowering and royal.
“If you had met long ago, I’d have known you for longer.” Okay, that was a really good point.
“We met at the hospital about a week ago.”