The Royal Contract

Amelia could only smile nervously at the back of the stage, waiting for the next event to happen. At least she was not the only one anxious, seeing her friends and some other guests shaking and breathing heavily beside her.

She could hear the announcer continue with her spiel, entertaining the crowd as they awaited the revelation of the next event. Still, it did not comfort her as she felt sweat dripping down her temples.

“Girls, smile.” She heard her friend talking, trying to boost their confidence. “It is not like they are hanging you on a wooden spike.” Dani continued with her joke.

Amelia could not help but smile, admitting Dani was right. She was overthinking her situation and putting pressure on herself when it was not necessary. She just needed to breathe and calm down.

“Easy for you to say. You are not in our shoes.” Jacky voiced out her protest, but she did not appear anything like she was nervous. “Luckily, Marcus would not allow any of these men to buy what I am selling.” She confidently bragged among them, lining up at the backstage entrance.

At least Jacky seemed so sure of her future, believing that her fiance had her back. But who would have her back when she was not even in a relationship?

.....

“I am a married woman. No one would take an interest in me. But you, Jacky, are still single until you wear his ring on your finger.” Dani pointed out. “As for the rest of you, enjoy your single life and this night.”

True.

All she could do was try to have fun. She was still young. Although her clock was ticking, she should not fret about not finding the right one. She would eventually find her soulmate. She just needed to have more faith.

However, her mind conjured up an image in her head. It was clear whose eyes were staring back at her. Of course, she recognized those sparkling eyes.

But how could she declare that she found the one when she still yet to hear his declaration of his undying love for her? Would he ever love her the same way she did?

“Amelia, is something wrong?” Haley, who stood next to her, asked. “You look like you have seen a ghost.” Her friend’s hand held her by the shoulder as she checked on her. “Are you ok?”

Was she?

She was not sick. She knew that. But she believed what was happening to her had nothing to do with her health. Was it? She suddenly questions if falling in love had nothing to do with a heart condition.

Oh, my! She just admitted that she loved him. When did this happen? How could she know that what she felt was love and not just some infatuation with a man she could not have?

“I am ok,” Amelia answered her friend. She did not lie. Physically, she was as healthy as a horse. But emotionally and mentally, she was confused about how to proceed with this discovery.

Should she keep this bottle up inside her?

But before she could dwell on it any further, the announcer started calling their names, snapping her out of her reverie. She had to shove her emotions aside and concentrate on finishing this task.

She only agreed to this because she knew many would benefit from this event. Many lives would change with every single buck she would gather in this fundraising gimmick.

She was not doing this for herself. She psyched herself up, motivating herself to go up on that stage and do what she had to do. It was for the good of the many. It was for their cause.

“Ready?” Haley asked her again. The concern seemed to appear on her expression. But she smiled and assured her friend that everything was perfectly under her control.

“That is you.” Amelia tapped her friend, telling her that she was up.

Quickly, Haley hugged her and walked away, stepping into the limelight as a spotlight showered down on her. She watched her friend stand in the center of the stage, all smiles, confidently showing the crowd what she had to offer.

Then, the bidding started.

After Haley, it would be her turn, then the rest of the women who volunteered to participate in this activity. She could already hear the bidding start for Haley.

Jacky, who had gone first, had a generous buyer. Of course, as she had proclaimed, Marcus made sure he won the bidding. But, he still paid a considerable amount. It was, after all, for a good cause.

“Do we have another bidder?” It would seem three men were fighting for her as the auction continued.

The fight for the prize lasted until the last man standing gave his final offer, and the others surrendered. It would seem the man Haley introduced as Gerald won.

At least Haley seemed satisfied that her date fought to win the bidding. She looked ecstatic when the man claimed his prize on the stage. Amelia had never seen her this happy. She was glad for her friend.

But now, the moment of truth.

It was her turn next. Then, the anxiety was back as her nerves went on haywire. It was not the auction that had her on edge. It was the man who would be bidding for her.

“Let us call on our next volunteer, Ms. Amelia Stewart.” It was her cue to enter the stage. She followed the light until she stood beside the item that she would present.

Then, the host announced the details of the painting up for auction. It would be the art that the winner would be taking home. But as a bonus, whoever would win the prize would also get to have dinner with the one presenting it. That would be her for this particular piece.

She did not doubt that many would be interested in the beautiful, valuable treasure. It was, after all, an invaluable worth of art. But would the winner be interested in having dinner with her because she was no priceless masterpiece?