The New me

I kept quiet the whole ride, thinking of how I'll survive in this place.

Back in the mansion, I stayed holed up in my bedroom. I only went out when my parents arrived and asked to eat dinner with them.

"Have you enjoyed your vacation, darling?" Mother was slicing her steak.

"Yes mom, the place was fantastic. It's a pity we only went for a few days." I said a little regretful.

"Then tell me where and when you want to go again and I'll make it happen." Father said trying to appease me.

"I'll take up the offer then. Don't regret it when the time comes." I said jokingly.

"Then next time you don't forget your prescription goggles, darling. I was surprised when I heard it from the maids. "

Oh? Those were prescription goggles? I thought they were just normal. But wait mother, you asked the maids to look on to my things without informing me?

Somehow my appetite decreased. "Yes mom, I'll be more careful next time. I'll check twice, no, thrice before going."

"But I'm sure it was fine even without those. There was Luke with her after all." Father said giving a meaningful smile.

"I'm sure it was." Mother agreed.

"Yeah" I said weakly then quickly lowering my head to hide my annoyance. There's a lot to think of than that guy.

After dinner I searched for the things I needed and dialed a number on my phone. If somehow it was me in that place that time, then would I have suffered more damage? Probably. I am alone after all. It was really luck that guided me out.

When we were done with breakfast in the island, our group went to the security team to check on how things progressed.

Aster and Heather went back to sleep in a new unit after they were told that the team would do full search and investigation so they were hoping for a good closure. When we arrived our group was told that the guy had been working alone, he was fired and was detained in a nearby city as the island was part of their jurisdiction. There was no cctv footage as it was black out during the brawl. A duplicate key was found in his possession and nothing else and since he confessed it was quickly concluded.

Five days later, I've received an invitation to a jewelry charity showcase by Cindy Tian. Since our family and theirs seem to be on good terms, I accepted it and went when it was time.

The charity was held at one of our hotels, Paradise Novue at the grand hall on the 38th floor. A lot of people came, celebrities who were endorsing the jewelries and those who love their brand, even those who wanted to build connections came. The ratio of women and men is on 8:2. My parents also went given that we were all personally invited.

The charity started with the emcee welcoming all guests then gave a brief summary on the origin of 'Inspirit' the name of their shops and introduced the head of today's event; Mrs. Wang most widely known as Cindy Tian.

The rules of the event is like any other auctions, the highest bidder will win the jewelry, be it a ring , bracelet or a set and the money shall be given to the chosen charity. But if the same person won three rounds of items then he/she can't participate anymore to give chance to the other guests.

A total of 23 pieces were to be modeled.

The first was a necklace made of white pearls with a rhinestone brooch; a violin was played when the model walked on stage. The next one is a vine necklace with white pearls and sapphire blue backdrop and it continued until the last item with few intermissions in between.

Gerbera was one of the models and she wore a set of emerald earrings and necklace, the extricate design and her body made it all the more beautiful that even the few males were expressing their admiration.

After the models were done with their walk, the bidding started. The first customer was a celebrity and the media were all praises.

Cindy had done herself a good job. As there were celebrities and influential people who attended the showcase, the media were contacted and they were allowed to cover given that only 2 people from their company were to go inside. The bidding was on live coverage so it added twice the thrill and burden to those who went.

I tried to bid on a pair of pink chandelier earrings made of gold and adorned with crystal rhinestones as I thought it's cute and it's something I can actually wear. The piece went to another guest.

Mother won the set of emeralds that Gerbera modeled and another set of ruby. Lily got the antique diamond bow brooch and a necklace of vivid yellow diamond on a string of white diamonds I wanted. We were down for the last three pieces and I still haven't won a single piece. Although they can't talk bad before me, people were quietly stealing glances on my direction.

The next item on the list was a diamond bracelet on 18k white gold. An elderly man won it and gifted to his companion for the night.

Second to the last item was a cushion-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond flanked on each side with oval pink diamond. It was totally pretty, a nice piece to be worn. I joined the game bidding thrice the amount I last set. Some who were with me dropped their number and stopped competing, there was only three of us left, Lily, me and another daughter of an influential family.

I doubled the amount of my bid and both did the same. I could only triple the amount for my next bid so one or both will stop. The other girl stopped while Lily and I continued. Now our bid had blown into ridiculous amount, even surpassing that of mother's. When one increased her bid, the other followed until I gave up and Lily won. She looked at me and smiled triumphantly. The amount she paid was fifteen times the first bid she made. The media on site were all complimenting her. All applauded and praised her good heart while giving me side glances.