Maya's Pov

"I'm sorry I'm late " Emily apologized and pulled a chair out at the table and sat down.

The auction was already beginning and many people had settled down. Several large round tables covered with white linen clothes, each surrounded with five carved chairs graced the ballroom.

The tables were decorated with flowers and featured plates, knives, forks and champagne flutes - some empty and some filled.

"What took you so long? " I asked curiously, it was not like Emily to be late at such an important event.

"I had some private matters to take care of " She said but I couldn't help but notice the pink stain that crawled up her cheeks, was she blushing?

"You sure did take care of it well " Niklaus said but I couldn't help but detect a hint of mockery in his voice not to talk of the way he was staring at his sister.

It seemed suspicious so I followed his gaze and it rested on Emily's neck. Why was he so interested - oh.

I scratched my eyebrow awkwardly when I discovered the love bite on her neck .

Seriously Niklaus really has quite a great sight, unless one looked closely there was no way he or she would sight those.

But Niklaus spotted it from a distance! Wow, he must really have

microscope vision.

Perhaps Emily must have sensed the ridicule in her brother's voice cause her hands went to her neck and tugged the high neck dress closer and upward.

The five seats were occupied by me, Niklaus, Isabella, Emily and Governor Ahmed - yeah, you heard right. Thankfully I could now look him in the eyes without blushing like a fool.

Reason being Niklaus was beside me, I knew how easily jealous he could get.

While Eden,Tina and Adam were occupying another table across from ours and I was seriously grateful for that.

It was obvious I would be a whole lot uncomfortable if she was with us. Moreover, ever since she started throwing herself on Niklaus without shame, I couldn't stand the sight of her anymore .

I felt like stabbing out her eyes each time I caught her checking out Niklaus or batting her false long catlike lashes smeared with thick mascara at him.

And trust me, it didn't end there.

My anger was reaching the boiling point each time she pouted her lips, winked at Niklaus, flipped her hair or purposely walked right in front of him making sure I watched the way her hips sashayed.

Tina's contempt for me was obvious, she obviously must be thinking I'm nothing but dirt she could easily dust off her butt or someone she could easily trample on.

But I held it in, I couldn't afford to make a scene nor embarrass Niklaus especially in front of such a huge audience ; I'll have a private talk with her later.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Tina staring at me with such a murderous gaze that if her eyes were bullets , I would be long gone.

I scowled at her and intentionally rested my head on Niklaus's shoulder - She can die from envy as long as I care - and focused on the auction going on.

Niklaus who was making small talks with Ahmed was quite surprised at my sudden clinginess, but smiled anyway and drew me closer to him.

"And here is our first item of the night "The auctioneer standing on the podium announced through the headset microphone.

A staff helped uncover the linen off a porcelain vase secured in a showcase while the auctioneer began to introduce it.

" As you can see this is a cobalt blue and white porcelain vase from the Ming dynasty. It is a majestic and rare porcelain decorated with dragons circling the sky and from Jingdezhen.

I guarantee you that the item is authentic and as we all know, the highest bidder wins.The starting price would be one thousand dollars"

I was yet to accept the starting price when someone from the back raised her biding card and said,

"Two thousand dollars "

Followed by," Four thousand dollars."

It wasn't even up-to a minute and the price escalated to ten million dollars.

" This is crazy " I thought outloud

" Why? You don't like it ?" Niklaus, who picked up my words, asked.

"Ye-no..I.. " I fumbled on my words.

"It's fine?"

How was I going to tell him I was stunned at the scene. I hoped to get at least an item from this auction but the way I see things, I should probably forget about it.

I was totally bewildered when the vase was finally sold at thirty million dollars.

Wow, do these people pluck their money from trees or what? Why would I spend thirty million dollars on a single item? Not only that, but on a vase?

I shook my head, there was no way I would ever understand rich people.

The next item was uncovered almost immediately and the crazy biding began.

"Tell me if there's anything you like?" Niklaus whispered into my ears without warning, startling me in the process.

" Okay - no! " I refused right away, causing his brows to furrow together.

" No? " Niklaus asked " Why? "

I threw my hands, then brought them down and sighed " The bids here are crazy, I don't want you to waste your money "

"I'm spending it on you so it's not a waste " came Niklaus' surprising reply.

I wet my lips " Niklaus I'll rather you spend that large amount of money on orphanages than here . Besides, I won't have the heart to own any item worth millions of dollars "

He laughed at me " It seems you've forgotten that this is a charity auction "

Oh right, how could I forget that?

"Any dime earned from this auction goes to established charities. So if you do end up getting any item, always remember that the million of dollars I spent on it was used to better the lives of children "

If indeed I've not fallen for this guy, then this moment I was proud to say "I'm in love with Niklaus Spencer "

My heart pounded against my chest as I watched him passionately explain the reason for this auction.

Though Niklaus had this 'hard to approach' aura and a playboy reputation, the more I got to know him, I realized he was one big softie - that is, if he lays down his guard.

To me Niklaus was like an onion, he looked rough on the surface but the more you peel him layer after layer, you discover there's more to him than the eye meets. And though the layers get complex inside but definitely softer.

I must have been spellbound , before I knew it, I tilted my head and kissed him briefly on the lips.

Niklaus blinked, unsure what just happened. The kiss was brief but it definitely said a lot.

"You're lucky " He breathed against my skin causing me to shiver. I knew what he meant.

If we weren't inside a ballroom filled with people now bidding over an artwork, we would have probably begun another makeout session.

"Just tell me if you see anything you like, " He told me, nibbling on my earlobe.

To others it looked like he was whispering something into my ears but I knew otherwise.

"Alright " I whispered,cheeks flushed.

Soon the artwork was finally bought, but what was revealed next made me draw a sharp gasp.

It was a necklace but covered in red sparkling gems and had a Victorian period feel.

Apparently I wasn't the only one captivated by this beauty cause the crowd gasped in wonder when it was unveiled.

The auctioneer hardly finished announcing the price level when literally the cat fight began.

"Ten thousand dollars "

"Twenty thousand dollars "

"Fifty thousand dollars "

" Seventy thousand dollars "

I bite the inside of my mouth, there was no way on earth I was telling Niklaus I needed that, it was obvious the price would skyrocket incredulously.

But it seems Niklaus was adamant on spending on me cause he waved his bid card " Two million dollars "

Great, he has done it.

"Ten million dollars, " someone said and I turned to the direction of the voice only to discover it was Eden.

Wonderful, now the war of the cousins begins

"Twelve million dollars " Tina joined.

Let's see how long she lasts.

"Twenty million dollars " Niklaus increased the price with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Forty million dollars, " Eden announced, drawing shocked gasps from the crowd and this time no one else dared to bid against them - not even Tina.

"Hundred million dollars " Niklaus ridiculously increased the price and I didn't stay put this time.

I gently tugged his arm but he treated me like a kid by tousling my hair as if saying " Be good " and continue his bidding.

Seriously, this stubborn bull.

" Two hundred million dollars, " Eden offered.

" Four hundred dollars "

" Five hundred dollars " Eden bidded and this time no one dared to breath.

All eyes rested on Niklaus, expecting him to outbid Eden but he ignored the audience and simply crossed his leg over the other.

The auctioneer now looked at Niklaus, trying to see if he would bid further but he remained silent.

The hammer came down, Niklaus was outbid by Eden; he had bought the necklace.

My brows drew together, something was amiss. It was strange, Niklaus was keen on buying that necklace , why did he stop?

" Why did you stop? " I blurted out.

His lips curled " Oh don't worry about your necklace Tigress , that one is a fake, I have the real one "

Wait -What?!!!!