By the time Andrei got back to their table Serenity already finished her first glass of champagne and was feeling a bit tipsy. Her elbows were on the table and she had her chin propped in the palm of her right hand.

Andrei sat beside her silently. Neither of them dared speak a word. Serenity heaved a sigh then straightened her posture. Just after she did this, the speaker announced that it was time for the fundraising.

"Okay. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This year's anniversary the way we will raise funds would be through a property auction. Earlier today some of the lovely people here had placed some of their properties for auction. And as customs go, the property will be sold to the highest bidder and 50% of the money will eventually go to the organization, the other half will be for the owner who sold it. Voluntary donations are also open. So without further ado let's look at the first property."

A majestically looking villa was projected into the huge LED screen on the stage.

"First on the line is Mr. Cameron's luxury estate in France. A 37-acre property Located in the Picturesque Village of Le Plan-de-la-tour in the South of France and Lovingly Transformed into a Charming Family Compound. Set Amid the Gently Sloping Grounds of the Glorious French Countryside, the Quirky Compound is Actually a 19th-century Village Which Comprises of More Than a Dozen Buildings Including a Main House, Several Guest Cottages, a Chapel, a Bar & Restaurant, a Workshop, a Staff House, Art Studio and Much More. This Small Provençal Village is Just 25 Km North of Saint Tropez. The initial pricing for this property would be 26 million dollars and-"

Small poster boards indicating the name of the individuals who wanted to invest were raised in the air.

"40 million" one shouted.

"50 million" another raised.

"55 million"

When silence prevailed for a few seconds. The speaker continued. "Okay, 55 million, going once, going twice... Sold to the man in black tuxedo Mr. Stephen Smith"

Once again, a new luxury estate was projected on the screen. This time it was antique looking.

"Next is Mr. and Mrs. Montero's Linden Hill Estate in Pennsylvania. A 67 Acres Estate About 25 Minutes From Philadelphia, Designed and Built-in 1929 by Edmund Gilchrist, Linden Hill is an Entire Village of Complementary Buildings Resembling a Miniature Normandy Complete With Manor House and Village Buildings, Its Design Was Inspired by the French Norman Style Architecture. The 67 Acre Grounds Include Formal Gardens, Orchards, Pastures and Woods, Two Swimming Pools, a Tennis Court, Equestrian Facilities, a Duck Pond, and an Aviary in the Form of a Turreted Tower. It has been in the market for three days before the couple decided to submit it for auctioning in this organization. The initial price for this property would be 70 million dollars. Let the bidding begin"

"100 million dollars"

"105"

"120"

"120 million dollars!? Do we have an even much higher bid?" Silence. "Going once, going twice. Sold to mademoiselle Natalia Martini"

Another property flashed on the screen. As Serenity gazed at it, oddly enough she was familiar with the property but her mind couldn't vividly remember when and where she'd last seen it. That was until the speaker spoke.

"Next is a private island owned by Former CEO of Avertini drug corporation, Mr. Francisco Moreti Avertini" that's when the gears in her brain worked. No wonder it was so familiar. It was their family's getaway sanctuary when she was a kid. Oh, how the waves of nostalgia washed over. Time had managed to obscure it from her memory.

Raw emotions began to resurface on her heart.- fear, worry, hurt. It made her all sentimental. Why would her father sell that when it held so much memory of her mother?

"Agria Trias, Athens Greece. It is perfect for an individual who is already looking for a developed island..." The speaker began to speak once again yet she hadn't had the time to dawdle over his words. She was deeply offended, no, hurt by her father's abrupt decision. Had he gone mad? Had he completely forgotten about my mother?

"...This island comes ready with a central living accommodation that has four bedrooms, beech houses, a staff house, and even a church..." How did he even manage to sell that when he's not present on this event? He should at least be here to sign up for the transaction unless... She thought dryly. someone is here on his behalf.

"...The beautiful island has three beaches and one of those beaches is overlooked by an extravagant outdoor dining area that can accompany up to 30 residences..." Serenity gritted her teeth in silent fury. Oh, how she'll berate him when she visits Italy again. Gods, if she ever found out the person involved who is undertaking this transaction on his father's behalf, she'll surely throw a fit at that person for not even consulting her first.

"...It is one of the few islands where you can actually land your private jet. There have been talks of the island having a hefty supply of minerals and oil perfect for a good investment with an eye to developing it to whatever the investor might see fit." Serenity made her decision firm. I'm not letting anyone take this away from my family. I may not visit it now but I can surely revisit it someday with my children.

"This one's a bit pricey..." The speaker sound astounded. Serenity scoffed. Of course, it's pricey. My parents had place way much effort into developing it.

"With a staggering initial price of 310 million dollars. Folks take it or leave it"

"500" someone from the crowd shouted.

"550" She hoisted up her poster board in the air. Andrei's attention was immediately drawn to her. She may not be looking at him but he did not fail to notice it all- the resoluteness in her tone and the hurt in her features. What could be so special about this place that she could not seem to let it go? Her father had made it clear to him last week via phone call to put the property for auction. He guessed his father in law never discussed it with his wife.

The biddings continued and he could sense his wife's ever-growing frustration with every sigh she released so he decided to intervene.

"What is it about this property that you cannot seem to let it go?" He asked with his casual deep masculine voice.

She did not spare him a glance nor a word. Andrei groaned at the silent treatment he was getting. What did he do this time?

"Serenity I'm asking you a question" his voice was low and surprisingly serene that it even took him by surprise. Usually, at this rate, he would lose his temper at the person for ignoring him completely, but with his wife, it's an entirely different scenario. It even baffled him that he was trying earnestly to maintain his coolheadedness. His eyes dropped to where her hands were restlessly fidgeting with the clutch bag which had been resting on her lap. He dropped one huge hand over hers to stop the movement.

Serenity heard him the first time he spoke yet she did not acknowledge it for an answer she could not actually give a reason to. As soon as he touched her hands her body had long ceased to relax. It became tense once again. She heard him curse under his breath at mayhap had been for the taunt response of her body whenever he touches her.

"Look at me" his voice had lowered even further, nothing more than a hoarse rumble.

She tilted her head as she ran a woeful gaze over him. He was definitely not avoiding her eyes, his gaze just a frank and unflinching regard. She shook her head mutely; disconcerted by both his proximity and his direct stare.

"Talk to me" she fidgeted slightly, not entirely sure what to make of his sudden interest and concern.

Serenity sighed. "My father" she started to say something but felt something in her throat blocking the words from continuing. It was the brewing emotions. Gods how can she be vulnerable around him.

"He didn't even ask me before sending it for auction" she managed to say it despite the huge lump in her throat but she could no longer meet his eyes as she acknowledged the somehow painful act her father had devised.

Her gaze was now fixated on the hand that covered hers. He hadn't removed it yet and he had no plan to remove it sooner.

"That island holds a special place in my heart because... it's one amongst the place where I had the best memories of my mother before she..."

She bit her lower lip to stop it's trembling.

He said nothing in response, just kept staring at her thoughtfully. With his other hand, he captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger and gently tilted her face up until she raised her vulnerable gaze up to his unfathomable chocolate brown eyes.

"Do you want me to cancel it" He offered and she smiled sadly.

She shook her head her eyes bright with unshed tears. "And risk having conflicts with other businessmen" she let out a painful chuckle before continuing. "I don't think that's the smartest idea, besides what's done is done. I only need to win it back"

Such had been her response before dragging her hand out from under his.

He let go of her chin to stroke the back of his hand down her soft cheek and she tried her best not to cringe from his touch- why was he acting like this anyways- but she wasn’t quite successful in masking her reaction because his eyes iced over and his hand dropped heavily back to his side.

Serenity's attention left him when the voice of the speaker reverberated audibly inside the room.

"1 billion!" The speaker exclaimed taken aback at the prize. "Going once..."

Serenity was alarmed not because of the abrupt increase of bidding price but the fact that she was running out of time. How did she manage to be recklessly swept off by his temporary acts of ingenuine concerns just to be heedless of what was happening around them? She shook her head disappointedly.

"Going twice..." She redied her hand, grabbing the poster board to lift it once again. Just when she was about to raise it, Andrei took her hand that was clutching the board to stop it only to raise his own. The act itself made Serenity maddeningly confused. She couldn't comprehend his intentions as she gazed at his impassive features.

"40 billion" he announced with a tone of affirmation. Serenity looked at him unbelievably not knowing how to react. Was he doing this to purposely hurt her, mock her? He deliberately disregarded her passages of sentimentality over that particular place. Now she felt stupid for pouring her heart out to him.

"40 billion...going once-"

She fidgeted pathetically over his grip trying to free her hands. "What are you doing? Let me go" she hissed impatiently at him, shoving off his hand from her.

"Going twice..."

"All I'm doing is for you " he pointed out as he gazed intensely at his wife's murderous stare.

"Are you doing this to deliberately mock me! I'm as financially able as you are and as you'll ever be. I can handle myself." She snapped at him. She was now wriggling her hands to loosen up from his grip, doing a series of discrete hitting on his knuckles against the table but still, he won't budge.

"Andrei!" She protested. She wasn't shouting but merely lowering her voice in harsh tones. Gods, causing a scene was the last thing on her mind.

He seemed outraged by her actions. "Serenity, speak and move once more and I won't hesitate to kiss you in front of these people which as much as it is appealing to me I know that it would be the opposite to you considering that you hate showing public display of affection" he responded dryly and she went still.

Once again if her stares could kill, Andrei would be dead and resurrected only to be tortured and killed again. She'd already killed him twenty times in forty different ways in her mind and she wouldn't mind adding twenty more ways to it.

"Going thrice sold to the man who founded the organization himself, Mr. Andrei Jeth Willforth"

Serenity's shoulders fell defeatedly but her murderous stare stayed unfaltering. She glared at Andrei contemptuously.

If one mistook his acts as sweet, then they're clearly sick.

She felt mocked, betrayed and cheated on. He's the worst one there is; an intellectual snob, an arrogant arse and a very discrete cheater.

His hand loosened over hers and her urges of smacking him across the face were way too much, yet she refrained taking deep breaths to calm herself. Once again causing a scene was the last thing on her mind.

She felt hot tears brimming at the side of her eyes and she wiped it away quickly the moment she felt it fall. Andrei saw the anger and pain, yet couldn't pinpoint her bearings or where it's coming from. Shouldn't she be happy or at least grateful to him for she wouldn't spend a penny on retrieving the land back? Besides his intentions were good. He would give it back to her.

"Why are you crying?" He asked.

"I hate you, " she despaired, dashing at the tears.

"I'm going back to the hotel suite and don't even sleep on the same bed as me. The suite has two rooms. Use the other one" She slid off the chair, making sure her gown was straight and smooth before looking at him again. "Or if you want, you can stay at your woman's place tonight. I saw you two earlier leaving"

He felt enraged at her words. His eyes narrowed on her painfully humiliated face. "Oh for goodness sake, that's not what you think it is" He bit off a curse before getting up abruptly.

He approached her and she was about to push him away when he ceased her by the waist unexpectedly. Serenity made a sound of protest and attempted to put some distance between them but Andrei's arms came up to circle her loosely, his hands meeting in the small of her back and the tips of his fingers just brushing against the slight swell of her backside.

Her own hands came up to firmly brace against his chest as she wanted to push him away. His large hands moved down to fully cup her backside and he lifted her slightly until she could feel his sudden arousal. He lazily pushed himself against her, dipping his head until his mouth was next to her ear.

"Let's go home" he whispered, his breath coming hot against the side of her ear.