Cursed from the start

Gala

Gala (jade)

It's 9:00 am when I get the call. I'm sitting at my kitchen counter singing along to the loud music playing from my speakers. My small moment of zen is interrupted by the insistent ringing of my phone.

"I thought I told you not to bother me before I had my morning coffee..." I grumble when the call connects.

"Glad to hear you've still got all that attitude," , the voice on the other side teases, " I'm calling because there's an opportunity for you to get closer to the target tonight."

"And what exactly is this opportunity you're talking about?"

"Do you still have that evening gown I got you for your birthday?"

I did in fact still have that evening gown. It was a floor length gold dress that hugged my body and showed off my back. It was currently sitting in the back of my closet, still in the fancy box it came in.

"Why're you asking?"

"There's a charity auction gala tonight, hosted by the 'generous' Romano family, auction and all. Alexandre's gonna be there since the Romanos just so happen to be the crime family he's working with for now."

"I'm liking the sound of this more and more.", I say, sipping my coffee.

"Great, tonight you're a reporter, there to get info for a puff piece about how the Romanos are the kindest people to walk the earth."

"Looks like that dress will finally get it's time to shine after all.", I say before hanging up. I down the rest of my coffee, wincing a little as it burns my tongue, I'm going to have a long day ahead of me.

Alexdre

I feel the cold champagne going down my throat as I scan the room. Beautiful paintings cover the side walls top to bottom. Faint shouts of paparazzi fill my ears. In the front of the room auction items line on a small stage. Vintage furniture, paintings, and jewelry. I was here for one  reason: press. The Romano family wanted me here for a show of support.

"Clink clink clink" a man taps on a wine glass

"May I get your attention please they auction will be starting"

Everything was a bore to my eyes till she came.

Her eyes shimmered and her hair curled like soft ocean waves. Her face strikes my eyes with a breathtaking beauty.

Half of her hair was clipped up to show off the necklace.

"Finally, what we've all been waiting for, the original Gravshe necklace with a 14.8 carat diamond, worn by this lovely lady right here, going for 800,000"

"810,000", someone cried out from the audience

"900,000", another cried out.

"950,000", someone else cried out.

"Going once going twice going-"

"1,000,000" I cut in

"Sold to the man in the back"