29 Chapter 29

Ana Louella

"The special auction will start now, and to officially start the event, may I call on the University Student Council president, Mr. Gian Mark Lopez, and the vice president, Ms. Elora Jane Cruz who will serve as tonight's auctioneers." The hostess said.

The hosts moved to the side as they gave the floor to the USC president.

"Once again, good evening everyone." Both of them said simultaneously.

"Hey, what is this all about?" I asked my friends as I looked at them.

"An auction for dates." Andrei snorted and I looked at them confusedly.

"Instead of bidding for things, students will bid for persons whom they would like to have a date with. The money that will be collected from this auction will be given to a charity." Meg explained.

"Who would even waste money for just one date?" I asked as I shook my head in dismay.

"That would be their problem. Most of the students here are wealthy anyway." Meg said.

I pursed my lips as I looked at the USC president who is explaining the mechanics of the auction which I don't understand since I wasn't paying attention to what he has been saying.

"This idea is quite absurd but if it will truly benefit people, then I'm okay with it." I said.

"Would you like a date then?" Meg asked and I rolled my eyes at her playfully.

"I'd rather save the money for your operation." I said and Meg chuckled at my remark.

"Will you guys shut up?" Andrei chimed in.

"Why are you so grumpy tonight?" I retorted.

"Who's grumpy huh?" He asked as he glared at me.

"Right! You aren't grumpy, not even a bit." Meg said sarcastically.

"Don't-" I cut him off by placing my hand in front of his face.

"Just shut up! Okay?" I said and he just glared at me as he darted his eyes towards the stage.

Meg and I chuckled at him as we both mimicked his expression a while ago.

A few minutes has already passed but there are still two ladies remaining. Honestly, I'm starting to get a little impatient and I can't wait to see the men who will be auctioned tonight.

I wonder if the devils will join the auction. Should I bid for Ace?

"Lou, let's go to the restroom. Shall we?" Meg asked and I nodded at her as I rose from my seat.

We walked towards the restroom and as soon as we reached it, we did our business and immediately went back to our table.

"Hey, how's the auction going?" I asked.

"So far, the USC has raised nine hundred seventy five thousand pesos for the ten ladies and six men." He replied.

"Is this even for real?" I asked dubiously and he nodded.

"The students are nuts." He said as he tsk-tsked.

"Fifty thousand pesos, anyone?" Mr. Lopez asked.

"Sixty thousand!"

"Sixty thousand for the lady wearing a wine gown. Now, do I hear sixty five thousand pesos?" Ms. Cruz asked.

"Going once..." Mr. Lopez said and then paused for a while.

"Going twice..." Ms. Cruz said but no one bade higher than the previous amount.

"And sold!" Both of them exclaimed.

"Seriously? Sixty thousand for just a date with a random guy?" I snorted as I rolled my eyes.

"Wealthy people nowadays can spend so much money on stupid things but can't even buy those streetchildren some treats." Meg piped up.

"You're right. They're indeed crazy." I said.

A couple of minutes has passed quickly and thankfully, the last man was sold. The devils didn't join the auction. I'm happy and a little disappointed. I'm happy because I won't see him with a girl tonight and a little disappointed because I don't think I will see him again tonight.

"How much money did they raise tonight?" Meg asked.

"One million and three hundred thirty five thousand pesos." Andrei answered.

How the hell did he add all those numbers without using a calculator? Heck, I can't even solve thirty three multiply by forty four.

"How much is the highest bid?" I asked.

"Seventy five thousand for Lucas Vargas, he's actually my classmate." Andrei answered.

"Is he the one wearing a burgundy tuxedo?" Meg asked and Andrei nodded.

"Not bad." I mumbled.

"Hey-" Andrei was cut off when the hostess spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have another set of men that will be auctioned tonight. This special set consists of three gorgeous, lovely, sexy men." She said as the students, mostly the female ones roared in excitement.

"Do you have any idea who they are?" The host asked.

Women began cheering names and the names that I can mostly hear are Drake, Dane and Ace.

Are they really going to join the auction?

"Okay, let us calm down now... and ladies, don't forget to close your mouths." The hostess stated as she winked.

"Let us all welcome Mr. Axel Dane Cortez, Mr. Ace Dominique Marquez, and Mr. Jackson Drake Ellizar." The host announced as the banquet hall was filled with applause.

The three of them went at the center of the stage as they flashed their sweetest smile at everyone.

"Let's start with Mr. Cortez first." The hostess stated.

Dane stepped forward and waved at everyone as the applause got louder.

"I'll start the bid at twenty thousand pesos. Do I hear twenty five thousand?" The host asked.

"Fifty thousand!"

"Do I hear fifty five thousand, anyone?" The hostess asked.

"Two hundred thousand pesos!"

"Four hundred thousand!"

"Five hundred fifty thousand pesos!"

"Going once..." The host said.

"Going twice..." The hostess said.

"And sold!" Both of them said.

Dane smiled once again before he went to the woman who just bought him to be her date tonight.

"Mr. Marquez, it's your turn." The host said.

Ace stepped forward and my heart skipped a beat when he smiled.

"Do I hear twenty five thousand pesos?" The hostess asked.

"One hundred fifty thousand!"

"Three hundred thousand!"

"Four hundred thousand pesos!"

The banquet hall fell silent once again and the host spoke.

"Going once..."

"Going twice..." The hostess added.

"Five hundred thousand pesos!" I yelled unknowingly.

I don't know why I said those words but I feel the need to do it. I want to raise his value even though for me, he is priceless. He is more than the money but a few moments from now, he will still be with a woman tonight.

"Do I hear five hundred fifty-" The host was cut off when Drake walked out as he glared at my direction.

Is that glare even for me?

"What is his problem?" I mumbled.

"Is Mr. Ellizar alright?"

Ace went towards him and the host gave him his microphone.

"Don't mind him, he's okay but he won't be part of the auction anymore. I hope you'll understand." He announced and then immediately went back to his place.

This time, the banquet hall was filled with murmurs and sad reactions.

"Okay, Mr. Ellizar must be tired or he isn't feeling well. We apologize for that and I hope you'll understand." The host stated.

"Let's continue the bidding, shall we?" The hostess asked and the students cheered.

"The previous bid was five hundred thousand. Now, do I hear five hundred fifty five thousand pesos?" The host asked.

"Six hundred thousand pesos!" A woman wearing a maroon gown proudly announced.

The banquet hall fell in silence and the hosts started the countdown.

"Going once..."

"Going twice..."

"And sold!" The host announced.

Ace walked towards the woman who just bought her and I watched him as he walked.

"I need to go to the restroom." I piped up as I stood.

Meg held my wrist and I smiled at her before speaking.

"I'd like to go there by myself. Don't worry, I'll be fine." I said.

Andrei was about to grip my arm but Meg swatted his hand.

I walked not minding where to go. I honestly don't know where to go. My feet took me to the hotel's garden and I took a deep breath as soon as I reached it. I walked towards a wooden bench and sat on it as I wandered my eyes around the grassed area. I can't see any students here. I can only see trees, plants and flowers.

"Why do I always have to see you?" Someone questioned.

I quickly turned my head to see who just spoke. Drake scowled at me as he puffed on a cigarette.

"I'll go ahead now." I said as I stood from my seat.

He took another puff before he threw the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it.

"Didn't I already tell you not to show your goddamn face to me?" He asked as he glared at me.

I was about to turn back when he suddenly gripped my arm.

"Why do you always appear wherever I am?" He added as he tightened his grip on my arm.

"And why do you always have to ruin my day?" I questioned as I quirked my eyebrows.

"I should be the one asking you that dimwit!" He growled.

"What did I do this time huh?" I asked as I wriggled free from his hold.

Drake roughly threw my arm and he was about to answer but I immediately cut him off.

"Drake, I am not doing anything to you so how could you say that I always ruin your day? You're the one who is annoying the hell out of me and now you're blaming everything on me? What did I even do to you?" I sneered.

"Shut up!" He growled.

"Why do you suddenly get angry even though there's no reason to be angry?" I grunted.

"We both know that I didn't do anything to you so why the hell are you always angry with me? Do I have to beg and kneel in front of you to let me and my friends go?" I asked as I looked at him.

"Shut up!" He yelled.

"I'm so sick of your attitude! I don't even know where-" Drake cut me off.

"You'll shut up or I'll be the one to shut your mouth. Now, choose." He threatened.

"Can you be more-"

He grabbed my waist and pulled my body towards his chest, and then he crashed his lips on mine which silenced me.

I can see everything around me but I can't move any part of my body and I can't feel anything at all. All I can hear is the sound of my heart that is beating wildly in my chest. I want to push him away from me but it seems like I was paralyzed and I couldn't do anything about it.

"Drake!" I heard someone called out.

After hearing that voice, that is when everything came to my senses and with all the remaining strength left in my body, I pushed Drake away from me. I slapped him across his face and I took a couple of steps backwards.

"Why did you do that Drake?" I bellowed.

Drake rubbed the spot where I hit him as he smirked at me. I took a few more steps but I suddenly bumped into something and I quickly turned around to see who it was.

"Ace." I blurted.

"Oh, you're here. Should I leave you two?" Drake asked mockingly as he smirked at me.

"No, I came here to see you." Ace said.

"Ace, I-" I started but he instantly cut me off.

"You don't need to explain yourself, Louella. Save it, I don't want to hear it." Ace said nonchalantly.

I bowed my head in shame because I can no longer look at Ace directly.

"Let's go inside, Drake." He said.

I looked up to see him but he had already turned back. I watched him leave as he held his date's waist. I felt a pang struck in my heart and I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. When he disappeared from my sight, I turned to see Drake. I was supposed to slap him again but he caught my arm right before my hand hit his face.

"Why did you do that Drake? Why did you-"

"Stop being so emotional Louella. Ace will never notice you. Heck, he doesn't even want to see you." He remarked.

"This is all your fault! You jerk- I hate you!" I fumed.

"Will you shut up?" He growled.

I just looked at him as I felt hot liquid streaming down my face. Drake scowled at me before he walked past by me. So many things had happened tonight and I couldn't even take everything in.