The people had increased as time went on and by seven sharps, the fundraise began officially. Everything was well choreographed and the event went well without a hitch. Now came the time for the workers to step on the dais to have them raise money. The males went first and that session was accompanied by lots of laughter as everyone contributed wholeheartedly. The men paraded themselves on the dais one by one, each immaculately dressed and with a promise of well-made food.
The highest bid at that time had totaled a hundred thousand dollars after which a hip song was played just to welcome the ladies. Standing on her feet, grace joined the rest of the girls as they walked sashaying across the dais. Moving in beat to the song, excited and moving with the flow of the atmosphere, everyone stood still as the mc brought the crowd to a standstill. And now, ladies and gentlemen, to our main event of the evening, our ladies, a round of applause for them, please. The mc said with a flourish as he flipped his hand towards the stage.
Each lady was dressed elegantly while sauntering like queens, none dressed for sex. The bidding started and grace started imagining who would bid for her tonight and how much she could raise. Probably not much. They were ten ladies on the stage, the first on the bid was an olive complexioned lady, whom grace remembered had worked as a waitress. Her curves were held delicately in a figure-hugging dress that drew attention to her curves. Her make up beautiful, making her green eyes pop.
Next was Theresa, her friend and she surprisingly fetched a good price of 150,000 dollars. As the bidding went on, grace found herself having to fight off some nerves. Yes, she knew that she looked amazing and for this because she hoped she could raise more money. The main question had been who would then go home with her. what if it was a psycho?
Finally, her turn came, and the mc surprised her by introducing her as the crème of the party. Clearing his voice, he had raised his voice as he held her hand. “Dear guests, our final bid is approaching and if you still do not have a girl or a man to go home with, you had better prepare yourself.” The mc said this as he winked to the audience, to which the audience broke into laughter. The whole night, the atmosphere had been ambient, perfect for a relaxed and joyful evening, an atmosphere she was sure made the people open their purses more.
“Standing before you, is the crown of the whole of this event, Grace Walter. First to have learned the main dish of our hotel to perfection. She can probably make this dish with her eyes closed, she’s pretty and good company. Let’s start the bidding now.” The event was not as noisy as one would imagine, rather, the guests could contribute their money which was reflected on a large screen at the front. The contributor would then raise their flag for recognition.
The first bid was 100,000 dollars to which she was flabbergasted. Looking on, there was an older man who had bided. Fast-forward, the bids rose with a crescendo and within a short while, she had raised 500000 dollars. Her boss was also there looking at her. praying and hoping that she would go home with someone who was at least on the younger side or maybe cook for a family. She kept posing, thrusting her strong points to the crowd.
There was a sudden spike, someone had donated a million dollars, the highest bid that far. Looking on, she realized that the bid belonged to Alex. She had not expected Alex to bid on her as the event belonged to him. But there he had and if she was honest with herself, she felt some warmth flourish within her heart.
Finally, the total bid on her was 1500000 dollars to which she moved off from the dais to sit beside Alex, who would be her cooking date. The event wrapped up being a success, and the older couple in support of the fundraise approached her and Alex with smiles plastered on their faces. Hugging her, and kissing her cheeks affectionately. They slapped his back as they congratulated him on the success of the event, though their eyes seemed to travel between the two of them as though questioning what was going on between them.
Alex had a sheepish smile as he pretended not to see their questioning eyes and, in a few minutes, they were well on their way home. They went back in the same car that had brought them, a chauffeur driving them while having room for conversation. The car ride was occupied by a comfortable silence. Grace did not know why but she felt at peace and she kind of preferred it that she had to cook for her boss instead of someone else.
As they parked Infront of their apartments, Alex had her door opened and held her hand for her. for the past few days Alex had been charming, and respectful. He had given her space just as she had wanted. Yet she had a nagging feeling at the back of her mind, as though she was, missing out on something. Placing her hand in the crook of his hand, Alex took them up the stairs to her place. While there, he watched her fumble with her keys before they settled for a goodbye talk.
“So Uhm I’ll see you tomorrow for the dish?”
“Mm I’ll be there, and thank you very much for offering for me… I do not know what I would have done if someone had won me over.”
“Ha-ha that would have never happened on my watch,” Alex replied while his blazing eyes looked at smoldering her with desire she knew was reflected back in her eyes. Clearing his voice, Alex gave her hand a kiss. “So, I guess this will be goodnight?”
Feeling shy about desiring Alex while she had already canceled out on any desire for him, she looked down as she answered. “Yes, it’ll be a goodnight. And thanks for the pleasant night you have given me.”
“It is always a pleasure grace, always a pleasure… see you tomorrow then. Take care.”
Closing the door at his turn, grace took a deep breath in as she leaned on the door. Alex had looked at her with so much desire and fire she had felt herself scotched. The blatant interest, even though later veiled, turned her on a different scale. She knew that if it had been someone else looking at her in the same way, she would have felt disgusted instead of excited. Still, on a high from the event, she sat before her vanity and began cleansing her face from all the caked makeup. Feeling her face fresh, her pores breathing again felt heavenly.
Afterward, she took a warm bath, followed by a tuck in the bed as she waited for sleep. Funnily, her mind seemed too preoccupied, or was it excited to sleep. She felt drowsy and tired but sleep just kept evading her. then her mind took her on a journey. Even without her permission, he kept stealing her attention. Today he had looked handsome, his eyes searing right through her with so much want and desire she felt overwhelmed. At the same time, his eyes held a mystery about them. A confident way that seemed to say I can play your body so well you will want me every moment.
Realizing that thinking about Alex was not helping matters, grace decided to take deep breaths as she counted backward from a hundred. She figured if she could get bored out of her mind, she could finally close her eyes and get some rest, because her body was really tired, her mind too.