𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

𝐀𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

His words were flowing effortlessly, as he painted a vivid picture of what the app could become.

“It’s not just about finding romantic connections, though that’s a part of it, too.” He said. “It’s about forming meaningful friendships, relationships, and partnerships based on shared dreams and goals.”

I could feel the sincerity in his voice and the depth of his commitment to this vision. “That’s incredible,” I said, genuinely impressed. “But how does it work?”

Roux leaned back, his eyes never leaving mine. “Users would put their interests, dreams, and what they’re passionate about.” He explained. “The algorithm would then match them with others who have complementary aspirations — people they might never have crossed paths with otherwise.”

He looked up at the stars, as if seeing the future of the app unfold before him. “People would be connected by an invisible string,” He said, a sense of wonder was visible in his voice. “It’s this idea that our destinies are interwoven, and the app would be the thread that connects us.”

I am captivated by his passion and the depth of thought behind the concept. “It sounds like a powerful way to bring people together.” I said.

“It’s more than just an app to me,” He confessed, lowering his voice to a hushed tone. “It’s a way to bring positivity and meaning to people’s lives, to help them discover their purpose, and find others who share their journey.”

“I love that. Your dream is truly inspiring, Roux. I can see how much it means to you.”

He smiled. “Thank you, Teagan. I feel like I am meant to create this invisible string that will connect people in extraordinary ways.”

“The tagline, “Connecting hearts, weaving together the invisible string of fate,” would go so well with it.”

“It’s amazing, Teagan. Thank you so much.” He came closer to hug me tight.

—

I sat at my desk in the bustling office, engrossed in work. The clock on the wall seemed to tick louder as the day went on, and I was surprised when Dacre suddenly called my name over the intercom.

“Ms. Teagan Hernandez, please come to my office.” His voice echoed through the office space. I quickly gathered my stuff and made my way to his office.

As I entered his office, I noticed Dacre’s serious expression, and my mind began to race with possibilities of what this meeting could be about.

“I need you to stay in my office until tonight.” He said in a firm yet cryptic tone.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Why?” I asked, trying to make sense of his request.

“I have something important to discuss with you, and I need your full attention.” He replied. His expression gives nothing away.

I didn’t understand the reason behind that, but I just nodded.

—

Hours passed, I diligently attended to my work in Dacre’s office. My mind’s officially wandering to the mystery of what Dacre wanted to discuss with me.

Time seemed to drag on, and the office gradually emptied as evening fell, leaving me alone in our boss’ office.

Finally, as the day drew to a close, Dacre stood up and motioned for me to follow him.

Where are we going?

My eyes widened in surprise as Dacre walked towards a seemingly inconspicuous bookshelf. A quick press on a hidden button, the bookshelf opened, revealing a secret door.

Intrigued, I followed Dacre through the passage, and to my amazement, I found myself in a hidden corridor.

“This is amazing.” I whispered in awe, feeling like I had stepped into a spy novel.

Dacre chuckled. “It’s a little secret I’ve kept to make my exit from the office more interesting,” He said. “It saves time, and I must say, I enjoy the novelty of it. You like it?”

I nodded. As we reached the end of the secret corridor, an elegant elevator stood before us. Dacre pressed a button, and the elevator smoothly descended to the parking level, leaving me slightly disoriented from the seamless ride.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into the underground parking lot. Without a word, we walked towards his car.

As we settled inside the car, Dacre started the engine, and the soothing hum filled the space around them.

—

The quiet ride gave me a moment to reflect on the unexpected turn of events, and I couldn’t help but wonder what’s waiting for me.

As he drove through the city, the silence continued, but it was a comfortable one. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of shared understanding with him, as if words were unnecessary between us.

We arrived at our destination. The club’s facade was adorned with ornate carvings, blending modern architecture with timeless elegance.

Despite the darkness outside, the exterior was bathed in soft, golden lighting — inviting us into the opulent world that lay beyond its doors.

The entrance was marked by a tall, polished mahogany door that silently opened as we approached. Stepping inside, we were met with a lavish interior that exuded sophistication.

The club’s dimly lit ambiance lent an air of exclusivity with strategically placed chandeliers casting soft, warm glows that danced off the rich furnishings and gleaming marble floors.

My eyes were drawn to the main hall, where an impressive crystal chandelier hung from the intricately embellished ceiling, illuminating the room with an ethereal radiance.

Guests mingled gracefully, dressed in their finest attire, as they sipped on champagne and engaged in animated conversations about the paintings and upcoming auction. The low hum of voices created a melodic background to the event, adding to the ambiance of exclusivity and refinement.

—

The artwork was a dazzling array of colors, styles, and themes. Each piece carefully curated to showcase the talent and creativity of the artists.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the auction.” He announced. “Tonight, we have an exceptional collection of masterpieces up for bidding. Let’s begin with the first artwork, ‘Ethereal Symphony’ by renowned artist Vincent Sterling.”

As the velvet curtains were drawn back, revealing the painting in all its splendor, a hushed murmur spread through the room. The image portrayed a serene landscape with vibrant colors that seemed to dance with life.

“Let’s start the bidding at 100,000 pesos.” The auctioneer called out.

Immediately, hands shot up around the room. Each bidder were eager to secure the captivating piece for themselves.

TO BE CONTINUED.