Chapter 2
Hotel Metropole
Monte Carlo, Monaco
“You can't fuckin' make me act like your husband, bitch! I'm a gurl” He crosses his arms and raises his brow. Gab's loud tune could even reach our country.
“You ditched us yesterday, and now you've gotten yourself into trouble, Thalia!” Divina, who is even more enraged, mouthed me with her sharp words.
I'm still sitting on a hot seat, scratching my brow, trying to think of something to say to them.
“Please, just this once, you did owe me a favor, right I'll ask this as a favor.”
My last trump did shut Gab down and made him think about it again.
The rest of the night, they all start barking at me about how I've turned into a stubborn and certified killjoy in the last two days.
I took out the perfume glass with the fragrance I prepared as soon as everyone had fallen asleep. I'm simply hoping it gets a huge boost in the auction tomorrow. Mrs. Landers needed my support and assistance, and I wanted to help her. I can't bear the thought of Mrs. Landers loses something she appears to cherish.
I rummage through my luggage for a dress to wear to the auction after putting the perfume back inside the box. I took the navy blue satin backless halter dress from my suitcase and hung it on the cabinet next to my bed. Our supervisor had already urged us to be prepared for unexpected parties. Fortunately, I am.
“You appear to be looking forward to attending this function tomorrow night.”
Emalia pondered as I snored next to her.
“Quite,” I said as I rolled back to view her, smiling, “I'm just hoping everything goes well.”
Emalia yawns at me, “okay, enjoy your final night in Monaco, but the day after tomorrow we all have to go shopping for souvenirs before our flight at night,” she remarked, her eyes closing.
I responded immediately before she even fell asleep. “yeah, sure,” And then I, too, succumbed to sleep.
The Auction Hall,
Casino De Monte Carlo,
Monte Carlo, Monaco
I've been standing with sweaty hands for approximately fifteen minutes, waiting for the registration staff to complete queuing my passes. Even the registration of the fragrance and sample fragrances within the unopened box I bought for the auction took a long time to complete, and I still need to show Mrs. Lander's business certificate to confirm the brand's authenticity.
“Do we have any problems here ”
A man approaches the registration table, flanked by two broad-shouldered men dressed in black suits. The man in front of me was taller than me and was wearing a black and gold mask.
Despite knowing I was first on the line, he took a step in front of me. The woman at the registration desk instantly helped him and had my queue placed to wait for them. Seeing her with such a flirtatious smile while assisting him irritates me.
“Excuse me,” I tap on the man's shoulder. “I believe I was the first on the line ”
I raised my brow at him and blurted out.
The woman at the registration desk then patted my elbow gently and mused, “He is a VIP.”
“Given that he is a VIP, I expect he displays a little etiquette,” I rolled my eyes and let out whatever was in my mouth. “Is chivalry dead I'm the first person on the line. It's the least he could do to show what kind of man he is." I answered, causing the woman's jaw to drop. I realize that talking about chivalry in the twenty-first century is pathetic, but I must maintain my stance because I have already created this commotion.
“After you then, Madame,” the man teased, taking a single step back. His smirk was another embellishment narrative I chose to ignore.
Fortunately, that was the end of my queueing. And as I passed by him, I had the impression that he was taking a short sniff at me. However, as I lean back to confirm, he has already returned to the registration table with his full attention. Perhaps I'm having hallucinations. I decide that ignoring it is the best option, so I proceed.
Mrs. Landers is already inside the hall, which surprises me.
As I looked her in the eyes, I couldn't help but ask, “How did—”
but before I could finish, she responded, “Oh, I had to acquire a new pass, I told you that I'd like to see your husband to thank him as well,” she smirked cheerfully.
To be honest, I'm starting to get chills all over my body. How am I going to confront her and tell her the truth, that I don't have a husband
Mrs. Landers has been patiently waiting beside the seat she had lovingly reserved for me.
“By the way, where is your husband ” She inquires after taking a seat.
“He'll make it to the after-party later. He still has a few appointments throughout the day.” I lied once more.
This is starting to irritate me, but I can't let myself get screwed. Not now, when I'm still problematic enough that Gab might abandon me.
“Well, I hope he doesn't miss the masquerade ball later. The practice here is that those couples who dance at that ball beneath the full moon stay forever,” she said with delight. Her eyes were filled with zeal. The thought of me and Gab spending the rest of our lives as a couple makes me puke. Speaking of Gab, I'm curious what took him so long. I instructed him to meet me at the lounge at six o'clock in the evening, but it appears that he would be late or would desert me.
“Is there something wrong, Thalia ”Mrs. Landers is concerned as she tenderly pats my back after I nearly puke from my thoughts of me and Gab. I also found it strange that I immediately felt the need to pee. Am I worried I wonder.
While the auction commenced, I quickly informed Mrs. Landers that I wanted to go to the nearest restroom because the urge to pee would not go away. I can see how she paused for a brief while in perplexity before nodding at me.
It became a hassle for me to locate the comfort room. This function hall's mirrored paths made it difficult for me to know where I was going. Even the doors, which lack the side borders that identify them from the wall, appear to be part of the wall and have tricked me a few times.
I was finally able to enter a comfort room after only a few moments of searching for one. But, just as entering into their comfort room appears to be difficult, returning is far more difficult. I merely trust my instincts, as most people do in similar situations, but regrettably, my untrustworthy senses led me to the wrong room.
And this time it's a vast room, bigger than the one where the auction is currently taking place. The floor is covered in burgundy braided carpet, transitional chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, and stylish maroon draperies grace the windows. Items were kept safe inside each of the separate boxes made of transparent glass inside the room. I'm curious if touching them will set off a security alarm.
I couldn't help but be impressed by what I was seeing. These objects are most likely worth millions of dollars. At the very least, I get to see, if not own, each of them for the first time. There were ancient vases and recognizable Jars, which made me question if they were from the Philippines. I tend to avoid old paintings and even jewels.
A few outfits are also fitted in a half-body mannequin stand. But it was the two crystal red dice within a glass box that drew my attention. It's as though it's pulling me in closer. It's only a dice. Nonetheless, my fingers follow an impulse that whispers in my conscience to touch it.
“Looking for something, Darling ”
A deep man's voice brings me back to my senses. I quickly turn around to see if it's security, but it's a man in a sharp tuxedo with a black and gold mask covering half of his face. Wait a minute—he was the man at the reception area earlier.
What exactly is he doing here
