Paddles Up!

Ant strode into the fundraiser's venue, where it was already packed by guests. It was a fundraiser led by his law firm in an attempt to portray itself as a well-meaning company who gives back to the community and not just existing for the money.

To be honest, he didn't want to set foot in this event. He could think of numerous things to do than attend some event where snooty, rich clients can show off their wealth and their "generosity." He could be at home, cuddled up to his boyfriend, sharing a bottle of wine. 

But alas, he had to attend the event if he wanted to make partner in the firm. He needed to show his bosses he was a team player and he deserves to have his last name plastered in front of their firms' building.

Schofield, Holmes, & McPartlin. 

It just sounds right. His name deserves to be there. He's worked his ass off for the position he's at right now. There's no way in hell he's gonna lose out the spot to anyone else. Especially him.

Ant glared across at the tall, lanky man currently kissing up to Phillip, the senior partner of the firm. He watched as Stephen exaggeratedly laugh at something Phillip had said. 

He despises Stephen. Ant has hated him since law school. They have been rivals then, and they're still rivals now. 

Ant shifts his gaze from the two when the MC announced the event was going to start. 

His law firm decided to do a Bachelor auction as a fundraiser to help whatever cause they were sponsoring tonight. He had been asked to be part of it, but declined it. The thought of being presented in front of a large audience and being bid for was embarrassing. He feels sorry for the sods who had to take part. 

So he sits back and watches as, one by one, some of his colleagues were being auctioned off. He sipped his drink as women - and a few men - raised their paddles to win a date with the bachelor on stage. 

Ant had to admit they picked some gorgeous men to be part of the auction. But, of course, none of them were as gorgeous as his boyfriend. No one can compare to his Declan. 

As the latest bachelor marched off the stage with his date, the MC announced the last bachelor. "Now, it's time for the last bachelor. I don't really have to introduce him, because everybody in this room probably knows him already, but I'm gonna do it anyway. Ladies and gentlemen - but mainly the ladies - get your hands together for one of Britain's best TV presenters, Declan Donnelly!"

Ant's head snap up to the stage when he heard his boyfriend's name. Declan stepped out from behind the curtain and walked center stage for everyone to ogle at. 

Jealousy started to brew in Ant as women - who had no idea Dec was his man (no one knew about them, in fact) - started whistling. It only got worse as Dec egged on the ladies and even winked at some of them. 

He didn't like this. Mainly cos Dec didn't even give him a heads up about it. Ant would have been fine if Dec told him beforehand. He's doing it for a good cause - whatever that may be because he still doesn't know what this fundraiser is for.  But the fact, Dec did this behind his back angered him. 

Ant had been so clouded by his anger that he didn't notice that the bidding had started. It wasn't until he heard a man's voice when he noticed.

"Ten thousand pounds!" Stephen smirked as he waved his paddle. 

"Wow, ten thousand!" the MC said in awe. "Is anyone going to bid higher?...Going once! Going twice! So-"

"Fifteen thousand pounds!" Ant yelled as he frantically waved his paddle. He had yanked the paddle off a woman's hand just before the MC closed the auction for his Declan. The woman was now glaring at him, but he didn't care. He needed to make sure that Dec was not going on a date with Stephen bloody Mulhern.

"Seventeen thousand!" Stephen shouted.

"Twenty!" 

"Twenty two thousand!"

This went on for a while. The two's bids slowly got higher and higher. It seemed it was gonna go on all night until Stephen made a huge bid.

"Fifty thousand pounds!" 

The MC looked over to Ant. "Sir, are you gonna try to outbid the previous offer?"

From across the room, Stephen haughtily smirked at him. 

To hell with it! He's got money to spend. "One hundred thousand pounds!"

Dec's eyes bulged at the huge bid, while the stupid smirk on Stephen's face fell. 

There was no way he was gonna let his Declan go off on a date with Stephen. He would have been fine with the other women, but not Mulhern. 

Has he mentioned he loathes the man?

Ant walked up to the stage and grabbed him by the waist before initiating a full-blown kiss in front of everyone.

When Ant broke the kiss, Dec's cheeks were painted red, surprised by Ant's actions. For once in his life, the TV presenter was speechless.

The same could not be said about his lawyer boyfriend. 

Ant faced the audience and smiled. "Sorry, guys. Good cause or not, I'm the only who can take my boyfriend out on a date."