CHAPTER 17
The climax of the night arrived, which was the auctioning of the dresses. A transparent rectangle shape runway was set up in the hall. On the wall behind it was a projection of the runway so people from behind could see. Sienna stood beside Darius in the VIP room which gave a perfect view of the runway.
“Are you good at bidding?” asked Sienna to Darius.
“I have never bid in any of Alex’s parties,” he replied back as he took her hand in his.
“Don’t tell me you have never bid anything for your date?” asked Sienna with raised eyebrows.
“I have never brought a date to Alex’s parties. Therefore I have no one to bid for. Thankfully this year I have you. So if there is anything you fancy, do tell. I am kind of excited about this,” he said with a grin. Sienna laughed at Darius’s expression, which was like seeing a little kid discovering a new hobby.
“One thing, if there is a higher bidder for a dress that I like, just let it go. It is just a dress. I do not want you to spend too much on me,” said Sienna with a half smile.
“You always protest the fact that I spend too much on you. It does not matter how mow much I spend, I’m doing it all for you. Can I have a little fun splurging on my sweetheart once in a while?” pleaded Darius.
“Fine but only once in a while and don’t spend too much,” said Sienna with a smile. Suddenly a tall blond haired guy came on the runway with a microphone.
“Good evening fellow members. Welcome to another year of Alex Crusellas’s prominent social gatherings. It is now the time of the night where we will auction off some very beautiful items to give to charity and to the funding of our hallowed society. This year is special for the girls because we are auctioning off one of kind dresses that are personally designed by the top designers of today for this very momentous occasion. Tonight we have designers like Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Marchesa, Dior and many more. Boys, get ready with your cheque books,” he said proudly.
“That is Harrison Williams. He organizes the auctions every year,” whispered Darius to Sienna. The girls, including Sienna were very excited and thrilled because these dresses are one of a kind and cannot be found anywhere else. The lights were dimmed and the drumming techno music started to play. One by one graceful models with masquerade masks strutted across the runway in their designer dresses.
Sienna did recognize some of the dresses from magazines she had read like a striking pearl colored dress with layers of chiffon on the skirt from Chanel and a bejeweled red dress with a plunging neckline from Dolce & Gabbana.
There was one dress that caught Sienna’s eyes. It was dramatic dress with a body hugging sequined top and a white thin skirt that flowed likes ripples on a stream. The sequin top made it dramatic but the delicate white skirt made it very ethereal. It completely stood out among the other dresses.
After 10 models with delicate masquerade masks around their faces strutted themselves, they all lined up in a straight line in front of Harrison where the bidding would begin. The dresses would start from a price of 8000 euros and above. The most highest bidder so far was 22 000 euros for an exquisite Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired black dress.
The model that was wearing the dress Sienna was fond of stepped forward and Harrison briefly explained about the dress.
“ This sequined Grecian inspired dress is from the fashion house Marchesa and bidding starts at 9000 euros. Do we have any takers?” asked Harrison.
“I like that one,” said Sienna to Darius softly.
“Good choice. I can already imagine it on you,” replied Darius as he raised his hand to indicate he is taking the offer.
“Do I hear 11 000? Anyone?” asked Harrison again.
“11 000 right here!” shouted from the left side of the VIP room. Sienna leaned forward on the railing to see who was the guy. It was Tad, her friend Fabiola’s boyfriend.
“15 000,” said Darius to Harrison.
“Anybody would like to challenge Darius on that?” asked Harrison arrogantly.
“25 000 for the dress,” hollered Tad.
“The highest one yet! Anyone want to go higher?” asked Harrison.
“ I’ll take it for 30 000, Harrison,’ said Darius with a smirk. He was actually enjoying himself but Sienna was getting a little worried. 30 000 euros is a lot of money.
“38 000 euros,” said Tad, not wanting to give up.
“Tad is still not giving up,” said Darius as he looked at Sienna.
“Darius just let Fabiola have the dress. It is not a big deal,” said Sienna as she held his arm.
“You are fond with the dress right?” asked Darius as he stroke his hand on her arm.
“Well yeah…but…”
“Then I am getting it for you,” he said with a kiss on Sienna’s temple.
“45 000, Harrison,” said Darius.
“Do you want to go any higher Tad?” asked Harrison.
“50 000,” replied Tad. Darius let out annoyed sigh and looked at Tad, then back at Sienna.
“55 000 euros and my Jaguar,” said Darius finally. The whole hall broke into conversation and the girls gasp as they all heard Darius bidding his car. Even Sienna was shocked.
“First time bidder Darius Cuza is bidding with his car. Anyone else who can beat that?” asked a very stunned Harrison. Tad was about to say something but Fabiola cut him off.
“Give me one minute, Harrison,” said Fabiola. She then walked across the VIP room towards Sienna.
“Tad loves his car too much to bid it and Darius obviously wants that dress on you. So you can have the dress,” said Fabiola to Sienna.
“Thanks Fabiola,” said Sienna as they hugged each other. Then they both leaned on the railing to have a good look at Harrison.
“Sienna is getting the dress, Harrison. Darius won the bid,” bellowed Fabiola to Harrison with a smile.
“Sold to Darius Cuza for 55 000 euros and his Jaguar sports car,” said Harrison and everyone clapped and cheered. After all the dresses were auction off, Harrison made the final announcement.
“Thank you all for donating. This year we have managed to raise an astounding 270 000 euros, the highest we made so far,” he said as everyone cheered.
“As the last surprise of the night, the committee members have decided to give a treat to the guys that have bid. To those special guys, your dates will get the dress but you will get to spend a day with the models that wore the dress you bought,” he said with a smirk. You could hear the dissapointent moans of the guys that were unlucky. The girls on the other hand were very shocked because the models were very attractive girls.
“I specifically told you not to spend much and you end up giving away your car. As mad as I am, I am still very excited and grateful that you bought me the dress,” said Sienna with a wide grin on her face. She placed both her hands on either side of Darius’s face and kissed him senseless.
“Thank you again Darius,” she whispered gently.
“Anything for my sweetheart,” he said as he leaned in to kiss her again.
“Now while I go talk to Julez about my dress, you have to find a way for us to get home,” said Sienna sarcastically with a smile and a quick kiss on the lips. As Sienna walked of to meet Julez, Alex came along.
“You lucky bastard,” he said immediately.
“Why?” asked Darius with his arms crossed.
“First you are insane to give away your Jaguar and second, you are fortunate because your model is the striking Harlow Erasmus,” said Alex with a smirk.
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