𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧- (𝐒.𝐌)

Part 2~ The offer of a lifetime

Hannah

I standing in front of the door to Grace's condo, knocking slightly and hearing footsteps on the other side.

"Omg! You're here!" she shouted and wrapped her arms around my shoulders and gave me the biggest hug she ever has given me and rocked us side to side. "I have missed you so so so much," I said and laughed "And you won't believe what I'm about to tell you" I grabbed my suitcase and walked inside her condo.

"What? Tell me" she said exited while we walked into her room. There were like 10 dresses thrown on top of her bed "Woah" I looked at the pile of dresses and then back at Grace "What?" she said and looked at me "I need to look good when we are going out" she took a dress in front of her and looked at herself in the mirror.

"Anyways" I shook my head and sat down on her bed "When I was on the plane I met this handsome guy. He is a businessman and he looks really rich. He had the seat beside me and we talked during the whole trip. I swear to god Grace, he is the most handsome man I ever met. It can be possible that he is from heaven" I giggled.

"If you would be me you would have died there and then" she looked at me with wide eyes "Did you got his name or number?" I shook my head "Ugh Hannah" Grace tilted her head backward "Like why? If he is so handsome as you say, why didn't you get his name or number?" "I know I know. I was stupid. But like for real now Grace. Why would a handsome businessman like him want a normal university like me?" "Why not?" she shrugged and continued to look after the perfect dress.

Because there is a time difference between London and Toronto, it is already 8 pm and I came just half an hour ago. We had a little before party on our own, we shared a bottle of red wine, got dressed, and did our make-up. Since neither I nor Grace can't handle so much alcohol we are both a little tipsy already.

We walked arm in arm laughing while we walked towards the bar. The city was light up by street light, from the cars and the high buildings. Since it was Friday the streets were full of laughing people, all from teenagers to adults. Grace stop in front of the door and searched for something in her purse. "What is it? Don't say that you forgot your phone at home?" I rolled my eyes "No I have it here. But I forgot to tell you. This club has different themes every Friday. And today's theme is gatsby. So you need to put this on" she gave me a silver-grey mask that will cover almost half of my face.

I looked down at the mask in my hands and then up at Grace "Are you serious" I raised one eyebrow "Yes! Does it look like I'm joking?" she giggled and put on the mask that looked exactly like mine but her mask was black. I sighed and put on the mask before we entered the club.

The music was loud and it felt like the floor was bumping under our feet. We walked directly towards the bar and took our seats "Good evening ladies! What can I get for you two?" A young man -around 25 years I would guess- behind the bar asked "Two mojitos" Grace said out loud over the music. He nodded his head and made our drinks.

"So tell me, Hannah. How do your studies go?" "Good to be honest. I only have one year left then I'm free!" I took a sip from my drink "And Liam?" "I don't care about him anymore. He is just a disturbing douchebag. I will found someone better" "I like how it sounds" she laughed and took a big sip of her drink.

My eyes looked over every people in the club everyone seemed to have a really great time. But something catches my eyes. There stood a handsome man, in a black suit a black matching mask

brown hair and he was really tall. He didn't dance like the other, he stood there, talking to another man with a whisky glass in his left hand and his right hand in the pocket of his suit pants. My eyes widened when I saw who it was. It was the stranger from the plane earlier today.

"Grace," I said with my eyes still glued on the stranger "Yes" she turned around with the chair and looked at me "You see the handsome guy over there?" I asked and pointed at him "Yes! Omg, he looks hot" "I-I think that it's him. From the plane" "Are you kidding me?! He is hot! Go and talk to him" I turned around towards the bar again "No" I shook my head "Why? This is your chance to get his name. If you don't go to him, then I do it. And I might steal him because he is hot" she stood up and was ready to go to him, but I grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to her chair again. "Okey, I will do it. But not until I have got another drink"

Then a lady in the middle-age coming toward us. She looks like she is around 50 but she looks beautiful, like a model. She wears a grey maxi dress without arms and a big silver necklace that looks really expensive. She has long brown wavy hair that is in a nice half set up. "Good evening ladies. I am sorry to interrupt your conversation, but you, my dear" she look at me "you are stunning" She paused and studied me from head to toe intently. "And you are?" I asked confused, dragging out on the r's. "Alice Treadaway" she hands me a slick prospectus, white and pink, printed on the thick expensive stock. Propelled by curiosity, I started to read out loud.

"De Lamour is pleased to resume its tradition of hosting The Auction. Our elite and exclusive event offers the opportunity of an exceptional company with one of our beautiful prizes to affluent individuals from all over the globe" I looked up at Grace who looked at me with big eyes "I see what's going on here. You're a pimp" Grace burst out

"A pimp?" I asked chocked and looked at Alice "Oh my, n-no no! The Auction has nothing to do with prostitution. You stand to receive a significant amount of money, but only for your time. Not your body" "So you're telling me that I could make money just by hanging out with some rich man?" Alice nods her head.

I look at Grace who has a big smile on her face "And for how long?" I look over at Alice again "Just one week" "Common Hannah it can be fun" Grace says and shook my knee with her hand "I have a university you go to" "And so do I. But it's only for a week. It can be fun"

"So what are you saying, ladies?" Alice looked at me and then at Grace. I thought about it for a little while, sure it can be fun to hang out with a rich man for a week, but I also have my studies back in London and my studies are more important than this. I sigh and look up at Alice "Should I write down my name somewhere?" I asked with a smile "First there is a preselection round. An audition, if you ladies want to. I need to take a few photos of you if you want to proceed"

I exchanged a glance with Grace before turning back to Alice, giving her what I think is my best smile as I strike a pose. She takes a photo from a few different angles, upper body, and full body. "Will the guys who gonna bid see these pictures?" "Yes, they will. But first, you need to fill out the personality assessment in the prospectus I gave you. This is just so they can find out a bit about you before the bidding begins. Complete the assessment and send it to me via email. Then you will be informed if you are selected or not"

She leaves as abruptly as she appeared. I stare at Grace in disbelief, wondering if I merely imagined our strange encounter with Alice.

Grace widened her eyes and I furrowed my eyebrows, the thinking was she was looking at. I turned around and saw the stranger standing in front of me. "Hi, I'm Shawn"

~~~
I know that this is just the second part of this story. But what do you think?