The Ruins of Love and Chaos (AvaLance)

CHAPTER X

"Going once, twice and... sold to the great Senator Carter" a round of applause filled the room after the Senator purchased a beautiful, antique trinket for $25,000.

They were almost to the end of the auction. Sara was still in awe of how much these people are willing to spend on the things they certainly don't need. However, it is all for charity. The Sharpe's have their foundation that helps children from all over the world.

Businessmen, politicians and socialites with deep pockets were seated at the tables. It was a good thing that Sara and Ava were seated with Mayor Oliver and his wife Felicity, Tommy and her sister and Ray Palmer and his girlfriend, socialite and daughter of the CEO of the Legion, Nora Darhk.  The familiar faces made it easier for her. Apparently, Ava talked to the event planner and arranged their seating table for their benefit.

The testosterone level in their table was off the charts. At some point Oliver, Tommy and Ray were having a friendly competition on who can bid the highest for a bottle of wine. Tommy was cocky enough to bid $50,000 on it.

"Hundred thousand!"  There was no denying that Oliver Queen has an unconditional love for archery so when a set of arrows were opened for bidding he immediately set the bar high.  Everyone stopped for a moment to look at the mayor.

Felicity just rolled her eyes. "I tell you, he loves his toys more than he loves me"

"sold! to Mayor Queen!" announced by the host.

"Wow, from aged wine, to antiques to bows. This auction certainly has a little twist to it don't you think?" joked Ray.

"These are all donations of the shareholders of the Bureau. Usually, they would have a theme for the charity, this year they thought it would be a good idea to change things up" Ava explained.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our last auction piece, Adriana." A slideshow of pictures of the bracelet was shown to everyone. It was a thin, silver bracelet with a feather and bird pendant encrusted with diamond for eyes

"The piece was named after the granddaughter of The Bureau's beloved CEO. William Sharpe" The adorable little Laurel came through the back door and made an entrance to the stage carrying the bracelet.

"The bid starts at $100,000" announced the host.

Sara fell in love with it instantly. Something about the simplicity of it, graced with elegance. The bird though, was the thing that caught her attention. It was a canary, her favorite. She was so mesmerized by it that she said it out loud. "I like that... wow"

"Hundred thousand!" said the woman at the far back.

"Thank you! Can we get higher? It is for a good cause. Can somebody give me a hundred fifty?" the host challenged.

"You do?" Asked Ava, who has been silent for a while now. "You actually like that piece?"

"Yeah... it's beautiful" the next thing Sara knew, Ava was already bidding.

"Two hundred" Ava's voice was smooth and casual like giving away two hundred thousand was like ordering cheeseburger.

Sara froze on her chair. She knew they were here for publicity and sure. Ava bid from time to time and even won a watch for twenty five, but bidding two hundred thousand for a bracelet was preposterous. Other bidders started going in for 225 and 230 but it didn't stop Ava.

"Three hundred" the lawyer raised her paddle.

"Are you insane?" Sara was blown out of her mind.

"It's for a good cause"

"Three hundred for Miss Sharpe, anyone willing to go higher?" the crowed was silent for a while. "Going once...twice..."