Leanna

[Complicated]

I smiled and shook her hand.

"Leanna Lee."

Zoe returned my smile. "What do you think of the painting, Leanna?"

My eyes flickered at the painting, observing it.

"Rebellious and wild," I said. Then look at her. "If I don't know any better, I would think a man painted it. Not expecting it to be an innocent frail-looking lady," I added, voice teasing.

Zoe smiled, yet her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Zoe."

A gorgeous, well-built man with brunet hair approached us. He was so eye-catching that all the ladies, even the older ones, paused to take a good look at him.

Wait, I saw him in the newspaper. He was there at the signing of a billion-dollar joint venture with Jansen Corp.

Zoe beamed at him, wrapping her fingers around his.

"Leanna, this is my fiancé, Nicholas Farrell. Nick, meet Leanna Lee." Zoe's eyes beamed with affection, looking like a love-struck fool at the man, totally forgetting all about me.

Nicholas extended his hand, and I briefly shook it.

"Leanna Lee? I don't think I ever saw you around here. Are you new in New Haven?" Nicholas said as he looked me in the eyes.

I gave a timid smile. "I only arrived here in New Haven yesterday."

Nicholas gave an 'oh' look, then shifted his attention at Zoe. "Your parents have been looking for you. It's time to start the auction."

Zoe's expression fell from her face at the mention of her parents, but she quickly masked it with a smile that was a tad bit forced.

She looked at me with those big sparkly eyes of hers. "Leanna, come with me to the auction hall."

I should have refused. But then again, the helplessness in her deep blue eyes mesmerized me into nodding my head.

The three of us went inside a vast hall and made ourselves comfortable on the front row seat. Zoe motioned for me to sit beside her, which I obliged.

In front of us was the stage and beside the stage were the reserved seats for the Collin's family. Sophia and two middle-aged people, must be their parents, were seated together with Holley and Nixon.

I was confused why Zoe didn't take the seat beside her family but decided to shrug the matter off.

Not my problem.

It was not even thirty minutes that the auction started, and I was already bored senseless at the auction of paintings all done by Sophia. Though the arts were indeed beautiful, it was so pretentious like the one who painted it.

I never once did claim to be a virtuous person. In fact, I was quite petty when it came to people who crossed me.

I glanced at Zoe, who had a blank expression, staring at the stage with eyes popping from its sockets. I even spied tiny red veins on her eyeballs. Droplets of sweat tickled her nose and forehead even though the room was cold.

Restroom maybe?

I ignored her and swept my eyes, finding something that would help me stay awake. I caught a glimpse of hatred in Holley's face before she beamed, smile a bit crook.

I ignored her and flicked my eyes at Sophia. Then I stared at Zoe. After which my eyes traveled to the middle-aged woman who was a counterpart of older Sophia. Then peered at the middle-aged man who resembled Zoe before resting my eyes on Zoe herself.

I shook my head.

----

[Auction]

I didn't even want to ask why Zoe looked nothing like her mother and Sophia.

Too much drama. Best avoid it.

I sighed, raffling my lips. I lowered my head a little, so they wouldn't notice me taking a peek at Cain's pictures on my phone, when out of the corner of my eyes, Sophia winked at my direction before turning her gaze at the stage.

I raised an eyebrow.

I shifted my gaze at Zoe, but the latter kept staring at the stage, not even blinking. I peeked at the man beside her and saw him grinning at Sophia's direction.

Ahhh . . . too complicated.

I was going to resume taking a peek at Cain's pictures when the monitor flashed Zoe's painting that was exhibited outside the hall.

"Next, we have a painting made by Zoe Collin's. The price starts at five thousand dollars."

Okay, I wouldn't even comment at the auctioneer's lack of introduction on the painting compared to Sophia's, but why the hell was the price so low? The size and style alone were worth a hundred thousand no less even for an amateur painter.

A series of mocked waves of laughters echoed, and Zoe tense into a statue.

Ohh . . . so that's why she's so uneasy.

Though the price was low compared to Sophia's ridiculous starting price, no one bid for it.

What's wrong with these people? Don't they have eyes?!

Zoe shot a look at Nicholas, and the latter, sensing her distress signal, raised his hand.

"Ten thousand dollars."

I rolled my eyes. Useless piece of dick!

Everyone laughed while Sophia and Holley snickered as they covered their mouths.

I raised my hand. "Hundred thousand dollars."

I ignored the gasped as I maintained my expressionless face.

Zoe shot me a thank you smile.

"I already said, I like your paintings," I said.

"Hundred thousand going once . . . going twice . . . Sold to number forty-seven!"

"Who's that?"

"Which family is she from?"

"I don't know. It's my first time seeing her."

Murmurs bounced along the room. In the corner of my eyes, Sophia whispered something to her father. She then raised her hand, and the auctioneer sprinted to her direction. Sophia whispered something to him, and the auctioneer nodded and went in the center stage.

The auctioneer fixed his tie as he locked his scrutinizing eyes at me like I was a thing waiting to be auctioned.

"Number forty-seven, someone tipped us that you don't have the money to pay one hundred thousand dollars. The rule of this charity event, cash or cheque must be paid on the spot upon winning. Even though you're young, you can still be convicted for lying and bidding without money."

"What?! She doesn't have money, but she still dared to bid? Young people these days."

"Just look at her. You can tell she doesn't have a hundred thousand dollars with her."

"Little girls should be ban from participating in these kinds of events."

The auctioneer motioned for the guards, standing at the corner of the spacious hall. "May we ask the guards to take this young girl out and detain her in one of the rooms while we wait for the authorities to question her."

Zoe stood to her feet. "She's my friend. You can't take her."

"Young miss, it will serve as a lesson to her and for others who will try the same prank. This charity auction is serious business. We are already ashamed that we let someone like her participate in this prestigious event without doing a background check first."

I crossed my legs. Boredom written all over my face like this whole charade didn't have anything to do with me as I rebutted, "And what if I have the money?"

Heavy silence befell the room.