5 Chapter 5: The Auction Event

She could practically feel Maddie's impatience rolling off in waves from downstairs. She couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips as she finished her final touches of makeup. Jiaye heard already fixed her hair and was very pleased with Aunt Maggie's designer. She'd ended up driving her to some secluded part of the city and picking out one of her original designs which were coincidentally just her size. She even took her card. She most probably needs her again now that she was married to Maddie, very few clothes in her closet would be deemed okay to him.

An impatient knock sounded through the room.

"I told you to be ready at 7.30 pm Jiaye, it is already 8 pm. What are you still doing? Come on out. Five more minutes and I'm leaving." He shouted through the door and she heard his footsteps recede.

She stood up and went to appreciate this goddess that God clearly took his time on her full-length mirror. She could barely believe it.

She had on a beautiful rose gold floor-length dress, it had a low v-neck that showed off her cleavage beautifully and two thigh-high slits on both sides, Jiaye matched them with her gold 4-inch heels. She curled her hair and it was just admiring how it fell down her back nearly covering the entire back that the dress had left bare. Jiaye had gotten a makeup artist to do her makeup for this event, and she gotta say...she was pretty pleased with the outcome. She took herself in, finally admiring God's masterpiece then decided to go join her lovely impatient husband.

She took her time going down the stairs waiting for Maddie to stop pacing about angrily and look up at her. She smiled victoriously when his eyes finally landed on her and he stopped and stared. She could see him taking in her figure as she made her way down. He fully turned and faced her still staring and standing stock still not saying a word. She was basking in his adoring gaze.

From the corner of her eye, she could see the maids looking at her and exchanging hushed whispers.

"Worth the wait, right?" She said happily immediately when she was on even ground with him.

He cleared his throat suddenly snapping back to reality and settled his hand to her lower back. Her heart rate suddenly picked up and the butterflies were back again. He ushered her gently to the car still without a word.

The chauffeur was waiting dutifully outside and she noticed even him, looked twice at her. She did a little victory dance in her head as she slid softly into the car and watched as Maddie sat much closer than he did the last time we were in a car together.

So even he can't turn down all this sexiness. She was beyond elated.

"See? I didn't need your little secretary after all." She said happily as she leaned closer to him.

"You took more time than was required. We are very late." He muttered stoically and scooted a bit farther.

Her spirits suddenly dropped at his reaction. No compliment at all. But honestly speaking. What did she expect though? Her expectations were too high. Her mouth snapped shut and she moved over to the window on the other side and looked out the window wondering whether it was going to be a long ride.

She sighed and sat back as she pulled out her phone from her purse.

"We're almost there. Pull yourself together. I need you to look at your best tonight." Maddie muttered from where he was busy on his laptop.

"Of course," she muttered between her teeth and forced a smile to her face.

He glanced at her then sighed and rubbed his face exasperated. He shut his laptop then put it aside.

"You look gorgeous."

She blinked, then blinked again. Were her ears deceiving her or did she actually hear him correctly? Before she could even say anything the chauffeur opened the door and they were immediately assaulted by camera flashes.

He stepped out before her then held his hand out for her. Did he mean what he said?

She took his hand and slowly followed him out with the brightest smile on her face, she could master. He rested his hand on her back again welcoming back the pleasant tingles.

He led her into the grand hall occasionally flashing the journalists a smile and a wave, obedient little me following his lead. We walked into the grandiose hall and she was honestly impressed.

It was decorated beautifully and ushers were waiting on us right from the very beginning.

"Welcome to the Charity Gala for Orphans, Mr. and Mrs. Ji." One nerdy looking guy told them as he bowed politely and took our coats.

"I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends and partners. Come." He smiled charmingly at her and led her further in.

She wasn't sure she'd come out of this with her heart still intact. A waiter passed them with a tray of champagne and she was suddenly grateful and take one glass. She tasted it and took a large gulp. She felt his hand tightening on her back and she knew that was the first wrong move of the night. He signaled one towards him and took one for himself.

They first approached an elderly friendly-looking couple that was chatting with a younger couple.

"Mr. Hu, Mrs. Hu," he acknowledged them cordially.

They turned with smiles on their faces; She guesses they immediately recognized his voice.

"Oh! Maddie, dear, how do you do?" Mrs. Hu greeted him enthusiastically pulling his head down to kiss him on both cheeks. She smiled softly at the sight.

"And who might this beautiful young lady be?" she said sweetly as she smiled warmly at her.

She immediately smiled back warming at her affection.

"This is my wife, Jiaye Ji. Jiaye, darling, these are my grandfather's dearest friends, Peter Hu, and Mary Hu." He looked at her affectionately as he pushed her forward. Mrs. Hu immediately pulled her towards herself and gave her a big hug.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Hu," she muttered politely in her ear.

She pulled me back and looked deep in her eyes, "No need for such formality darling, we're a family now." She stepped back and let her husband gave her a brief handshake.

"You got yourself quite the catch, my boy." He muttered as he patted Maddie's shoulder.

"Then you must let me show off my wife to everyone then." He said as he chuckled softly and squeezed her shoulder. He ushered her away before anyone could say anything more. She finished the rest of the champagne and abandoned the glass on some table they passed. She looked over at Maddie and it seemed like he hadn't even touched his. Back then when he called her name made unwanted feelings attack her and she knew immediately she needs more liquor in.

She took another flute from a different passing waitress and flashed him a smile.

"Careful." Was all Maddie said as she took another one.

"Don't worry, honey." She gave him her biggest smile and continued, "I can hold my liquor pretty well, no need to worry yourself."

"Jayson, my wife Jiaye." He said immediately as he gave some tall blonde guy in a white tuxedo a hearty handshake.

"Jiaye meet, Jayson." She looked at him puzzled at the lack of any formalities.

He gave her a forced smile and she's sure someone in the north pole would feel the hostility that was coming off him in waves towards her. What the hell had she done to this guy?! She knew better than to create a scene so she just smiled sweetly and held out her hand as she said, "Pleasure to meet you."

He took it a bit stiffly and turned his attention to Maddie. "a word, please." He turned and walked away.

Maddie kissed my forehead softly and quickly muttered, "I won't be long." He slowly followed him and soon they were both out of my sight.

She decided to walk around a bit and see the rest of the hall.

"The auction will begin in the next ten minutes." An announcement sounded through the hall. There was going to be an auction? Shortly after she felt her phone vibrating and she went and took a seat at an empty table.

She pulled out her phone and saw it was a message from Maddie.

If you see anything let me know. She scoffed and typed in a quick reply.

Ain't she the luckiest in here today? She put it back in her purse and continued surveying the crowd.

"And what's a beautiful lady like you doing all alone here?" She looked up to see who the owner of the voice was and they clashed with a pair of deep blue eyes.

"Does that line often work for you?"

His grin grew wider and he took a seat opposite her. "you'd be surprised." He replied smoothly. Xian Li, a pleasure to meet you." He took her hand and placed a light kiss.

"Jiaye Ji. Pleasure is all mine."

His eyes widened in recognition. "I thought I'd spotted a rock on your hands."

I laughed a bit. "you thought right."

"Well, well, well…so you finally managed to tame the beast huh? Leaves more for this tiger," he did a semblance of a roar and puffed his muscles.

She laughed heartily, "A-ha I'm sure you got women queued to get into your bed."

"It is hard to keep them out when I look like this." He wiped a fake tear from his eye.

He grabbed two champagnes from a passing tray and handed her one.

"A guy who knows what I like. I like you already." She said giving him a nod of approval. He grinned and took a sip of his drink.

"So, where's the mister?" he asked after a while.

She shrugged from behind her glass. "Probably somewhere talking about business as usual." She added nonchalantly.

He smiled at her understandingly and suddenly took his phone from his pocket. "I have to take this, sorry." He muttered apologetically and walked away.

After looking around while sipping on her champagne, she decided to continue with her tour.

"Mrs. Ji?" a soft voice sounded from behind her. She turned and saw the sweetest looking pregnant redhead.

"Yes?"

"You look so beautiful!" she said looking at her adoringly.

"Thank you so much. You also have a beautiful glow going on. I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm Maggie, the one responsible for all this."

"Nice to meet you. The beautiful event you have going on here. You've probably heard that a lot though." she added chuckling. This was pulling on longer than she thought it would. She was running out of things to say.

"I have, but thanks. it's good to know I've pleased many." She looked at her for a moment then suddenly said, "I know we've just met but could you please do me a favor?"

She chuckled nervously, knowing there wasn't much she could probably do for her.

"It's not much," she added quickly noticing her nervousness. "I was just discussing with my team, and we came up with a pretty good idea if you'd just hear me out?"