...Ready For It?

Chapter 4 - Balance Insufficient

Lucky for them, nakita naman ng kanyang Butler ang lokasyon ng gaganaping auction.
Well, it was pretty obvious na may event kung mapapadaan ka sa naturang building. However, she knew this is the right place. Especially since lahat ng naroroon ay nakaayon sa napagkasunduang theme, bright and sparkles.

As she made her way through the crowd, she take glances at her back to make sure na sumusunod padin ang kanyang butler sa kanya. Binalingan nya ng tingin ang mga tao sa kanyang paligid, they all look wealthy and fine. Ningning blends with the crowd so well, not in a bad way. So far, mukhang wala naman siyang masyadong nakukuhang atensyon maliban sa konting tingin mula sa mga taong nadadaanan nila

They then reached the central hall. It is a circular room with a circular stage on the center. The circular stage has a round, hollow hole on its center, probably a lift for the host or the auction item. Napatingin naman siya sa central hall, mistulang colosseum ang pagkakalagay ng upuan. They're stacked and each stair level is higher than the other, accessible through the stairs beside.

She saw an empty space by the front. Magkakasya naman siguro sila ng butler nya doon. She really hates being near his butler, baka mabaho at amoy araw si kuya. But she would make tiis muna as she needs to be safe around unfamiliar faces. Anak pa naman siya ng artista and she needs to be wary of her surroundings. She needs her butler to be beside her.

Ang kaninang ingay ng mga taong nag uusap ay napalitan ng sigawan at hiyawan. She's busy making herself comfortable so she's oblivious of what's happening. She then straightened the edges of her clothes and joined the spectacle.

Umangat na pala ang gitna ng stage, revealing a breathtaking diamond embedded bag. She gasped at the beauty in front of her. Napatili na din si Ningning sa kanyang nakita. Oh my gosh, gagi ang gandaaaaaaa.

"I will put this card into good use."

She then saw someone emerged from the dark corners of the colosseum. Nagpakilala ito bilang host for tonight and nagsimula ang bidding mula 1 Million and 500 thousand pesos.

"1M and 700 thousand pesos," rinig nyang sigaw ng isa sa mga nakaupo sa colosseum, ilang silya ang layo mula sa kanya.

She heard several bidding attempts until it reached 6 Million Pesos.

"10 Million Pesos." Ningning exclaimed. This cards gonna be empty tonight, and she's not sorry for it.

"Thir.....teen Million Pesos." Sigaw ng isang lalaki sa kabilang side ng colosseum. Shit, fifteen million pesos lamang ang limit nya.

She's kind of adamant to follow her dad. Pero she really wants this bag. It's one of the most beautiful bag she had ever laid eyes upon. She wants it so badly. So bad.

The chatter died down. Walang matinong tao ang gagastos ng 13 Million Pesos para lamang sa isang bag. Well, maliban sa kanya at sa lalaking nasa kabilang side ng colosseum.

"Uhm...." Should she try hitting 15M? It's her limit anyways. She could try and the bag could be hers. But she couldn't stop by the mall if yun ang gagawin nya. Lalagpas siya sa limit na binigay sa kanya ng dad nya.

She felt eyes on her. Mukhang nakatingin ang lahat sa kanya, wari'y nag aabang sa kanyang susunod na sasabihin. She's never been one to follow her dad's order, although the guilt after pleasure is pretty hard to deal with.

"15 Million," sambit muli ng lalaki kanina. Fuck, he's gonna get it.  Naiistress na si Ningning sa nangyayari. Someone else would get the bag before her.

Should she try at mas pataasan ang bid ng lalaki sa kabila? But then lalagpas na talaga sya sa limit na 15M na saad ng daddy nya. But she really wants the bag.

Ever since Ningning was little, she had always been a spoiled kid who gets what she wants. And tonight, she will.

Pasensya ka na dad, sorry nalang.

"15 Million and five hundr-"

"16 Million"

Aba, pinapataasan pa talaga ha. Tingnan lang natin. She tried bidding again.

"16 Million and five hundred thousand."

"18 Million"

"21 Million"

21 Million. Ang huling katagang lumabas sa bibig ni Ningning bago sinabi ng host na the bag is yours. Lubos na nagagalak si Ningning sa pangyayari. She finally won the auction. She hears claps all around her.

"Please, proceed to the backstage Miss 21 Million." The host glanced at her way and flashed a smile. "Dear guests, please enjoy the rest of the event."

Sabay na tumayo si Ningning at ang kanyang butler at nagtungo sa backstage. Dala dala ni Ningning ang kanyang tatapuning purse na naglalaman ng kanyang black card.

"Please fill up this form ma'am, dito tsaka dito and dito din." Turo nito sa papel na naka stapler na nilapag nya sa harap ng babae.

Napairap nalang si Ninging. Andami naman nito?! Do they really have to troll me this much?  I don't want my beautiful hands to get calloused with this workload!

She threw a glance at Manong Butler and mukhang nakuha nya ang ibig sabihin ni Ningning. Agad nitong kinuha ang papel at siya na mismo ang nag fill-up ng mga kakailanganing detalye sa loob ng form.

Kinuha naman nito sunod ang black card mula kai Ningning. Galante itong ibinigay ng babae, mukhang proud pa itong gumastos ng sobrang laki para lang sa isang bag.

Unang scan nito sa makinang nasa mesang di nalalayo sa kanila ay kumunot ang mukha nito. She looks confused. Inulit ng inulit nito ang pag-iiswipe sa naturang card at puro beep lang ang marinig mula dito.

"Ma'am, I think your balance is insufficient."