The bidding war for a piece of the past

The slow music added serenity to the room though there were people in every corner of the room, chatting and checking the arts out. Clara grabbed a glass of champagne with her arm clutching her purse to the side under her armpit. She was alone and to some extent, she liked that she was.

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She walked to an art that caught her attention. It was a beautiful piece by O’Darrell, one of her favourite artists. It was an illustration that kind of represents her childhood and when she was growing up. It seemed as though no one liked the art since no one cared to check it out. They probably weren’t seeing what she was seeing which was fine.

Clara tilted her head to the side after taking a sip of her wine. She smiled mildly and shut her eyes, stretching her right hand out but stopping mid-way before it reached the art. She knows well how to respect an artwork.

“The bidding is starting,” they announced and that took Clara out of her self-moment as she slowly opened her eyes and straightened her back.

Everyone was gathered now, waiting for the auctioneer to begin, and in no time, he began.

“The first art to be presented tonight was an art created when the artist was homeless and lived on the street in 1967. It is an embodiment of his past life when he had no help from anyone. This art was later refurbished in 1993 and finally brought for auction after the artist's demise in 2007 but since then, it has not been for any owner as nobody could “afford” the price. I hope it goes home with someone tonight,” the auctioneer smiled softly before he continued.

“It is a piece made from the heart by the artist of all time; O’Darrell and it is going for 2 billion dollars!” the auctioneer concluded.

Clara’s eyes widened in bewilderment as she saw the art she had admired earlier being auctioned. She quickly raised her hand and the auctioneer pointed at her.

“2.5 billion dollars!” she said.

“2.5 billion dollars!” the auctioneer shouted while people clapped. “Going…”

Another young lady raised her hand at the other corner of the room.

“3 billion dollars!”

“What?” Clara gasped.

“3 billion dollars!” the auctioneer shouted again.

“3.2 billion!” another man shouted.

“3.5!” Clara quickly shouted, feeling agitated.

“4 billion!” another man shouted.

“4.1!” the first lady who tackled Clara shouted again.

Clara frowned as she could not withstand her anymore. She was going way beyond her budget but she wasn’t ready to let anyone take the piece other than her.

“5 billion!” Clara shouted.

“5 billion!” the auctioneer shouted, looking around at everyone in the room. “Going…”

The same lady raised her hand again, staring over at Clara as she spoke. “10 billion dollars!” she said with mockery in her tone and Clare glared back at her.

Everyone in the room clapped with soft joyous noises.

“10 billion dollars! Is that the price for this piece? Anyone? Going…going…”

Clara wanted to raise her hand and say 12 dollars but she couldn't. That was all she’s got; 5 billion.

She could feel the sadness looming over her as the piece was going to someone else but she managed a smile on her face.

“Going…” the auctioneer said again.

“20 billion dollars!”

Everyone gasped, including Clara.

But the masculine voice was so near like it was right behind her. Then she felt a hand slid right behind her waist.

She looked down at the hand and slowly, she turned back around only to meet with his face. Too stunned to speak, she just stared back at him speechless.

“20 billion dollars!” the auctioneer said and he looked at everyone in the room, waiting for a price that would go against that but no one said anything.

“Going, going, going once…sold!” the auctioneer said and everyone clapped. “The O’Darrell piece of 1967 is sold for 20 billion dollars. Congratulations to the new owner!” he said and everyone clapped.

“Xavier!” Clara finally called his name.

Everyone had their eyes on Clara and Xavier now but Xavier doesn't seem to mind. Xavier leaned in for a kiss which grazed Clara’s lips softly but she slowly pulled away and pulled him out of the room.

“What are you doing here?” Clara asked immediately they were alone.

“If I wasn’t here, you wouldn’t have gotten that piece,” Xavier said with a stained smile on his lips.

“Well, I appreciate that, but you can’t just come up to me like that in public. People would talk…”

“And call you my mistress?”

“Yes, Xavier! You have a wife and a kid. What happened between us was years back. It was just a nightstand.”

“I’m hurt you would see that night only as a one-night stand. It was more than that to me. You made me feel new. You rocked my boat the way no one has ever done before. You made me feel alive that night and boom…you were nowhere to be found anymore.”

“That was because it wasn’t really a big deal. You really need to stop this, Xavier.”

He sighed and slowly nodded before moving closer to her and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Alright. I’m glad you got the piece though.”

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This is my submission to the Inleo prompt suggestion for May. The topic is "Art and craftsmanship, exhibitions.....". You can join here. This is the calendar