Meeting Mr. Mogul(67)

"Excuse me, Miss. Mr. Maxwell is calling you to his table," she said with little confidence.

"What does he want?" I asked almost angrily from the sound of his name. It had become a reflex reaction.

"He only told me to call you, ma'am," she replied softly, taken aback my expression.

I studied her for a second and felt guilty for reacting rudely. I gave  her a small smile as an apology. I looked for Maggie and made a quick  report over the headset, telling her I was going over to William's table  by his request. She gave me a nod in reply.   





 

When I reached William's table, I internally cringed looking at the  people who were seated at his table. If he was going to make a scene  here, I don't know how I'm going to recover from it.

"Andy, good you're finally here," Alexandra greeted me and gestured me to come closer to their table.

"Is there something you need from me, Ms. Maxwell?" I asked softly, a  little puzzled to know that she used her brother's name to call for me.

"Yes, can you cover for one of the contestants tonight?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"No. She can't. You know she has work to do," William answered before I  could open my mouth. I quickly glanced at his direction and then back to  her again.

"It's only for a while, Maggie can handle things," Alexandra said as she  turned towards her brother. "Are you scared that someone might buy her  off?" she added after studying her brother's unwavering expression.

"What are we talking about, Ms. Maxwell?" I asked softly. I'm glad it was low enough that only she could hear.

"One of the contestants for tonight's date auction can't attend. I want  you to cover for it, if you don't mind," she replied, turning towards me  with a light expression.

Then it hit me. She was asking me about being a candidate for one of the  main event tonight. The date auction. Ten girls volunteered themselves  to be auctioned off for one date. I can't believe something like that  was for real. I thought it only happened in movies.

"Wait, you want me to replace one of the girls for the … " I asked, but trailed off as someone interrupted.

"You don't have to do it," William said, finally addressing me.

I raised one of my eyebrows after those words left his mouth. "I'll do  it, Ms. Maxwell. It would be my pleasure," I replied with more volume to  make my resolve clear.

"Good. After dinner, you know where to go," she stated with a nod and gave me an encouraging smile.

"Okay. I need go back to my post if you don't have any more concerns.  Have a good evening," I said with a brief nod and retreated from the  table as I watched William's eyes grew wide in understanding to what I  just said.

I felt relieved that he didn't stand up from the table and followed me.  He had been doing a lot of those embarrassing things lately. It was like  he had nothing to lose. While I waited for the much-awaited event that  I'm going to be participating, I made a few and quick glances at  William's table. He seemed to have lost his enthusiasm for the event and  I have an idea why.

I made a quick turn around the venue and passed by the small bar area on  opposite end of the stage to say hi to Jack, who was bartending.

"How's your night? You look lovely, by the way," he asked after I give him a stiff greeting.

"It's going well, I think. And, the dress is borrowed. So, this  loveliness is only a one-night thing," I replied with a chuckle. "Can I  get a glass of something alcoholic please?"

"Sure. Do you want your favorite?" he asked as he grabbed the nearest glass from him.

"Yes, please."

"Tell me. Why did you agree to do the auction thing?" William suddenly  slipped on the stool beside me, making me jump in surprise.

"What the … ? How the hell did you get here so fast?" I asked in shock and  confusion as I looked back at the table he sat from the last time I've  checked.

"Don't sidetrack me and just answer the question," he replied wearily and gestured to the other bartender for a drink.

"Well, she said she need some help, and I'm free," I replied nonchalantly like the question was an obvious one.

William snorted at my reply and turned towards me after the bartender  gave him a glass of whiskey or ice tea, I wouldn't know the difference.  "Oh please, I know you're only doing it to annoy the hell out of me."

"Excuse me."

"You were about to reject her offer, but when you saw my face, you change your mind. It was written all over your face, Andy."

"And, you believe whatever you see … "

"You know I'll bid if you stand there tonight."   





 

Before I could give him any comment or reply, Jack appeared in front of  us with my drink in hand. He gave William a quick once over before  handing me my drink. He didn't linger as another guest approached the  bar.

"So …  what is it?" he asked after I took a small sip on my glass.

"What is what?" I countered in refined innocent.

"Do you really want me to make another scene tonight? I could get another date from you when I win that bid."

"Or maybe, someone would outbid you," I offered in the same tone and  quickly got down the high stool chair as I left William by himself.

When it's time for the date auction, I'm starting to regret agreeing to  it. It hadn't crossed my mind that I would be standing in front a lot of  people like an object with people bid on me. At least there was one  person who would bid for me. The idea didn't dwell on my nerves.

"Andy, you're here. Can I talk to you?" Alexandra suddenly appeared outside the door by the waiting room for the volunteer.

I turned towards her in surprise and made my way towards her. "Ms.  Maxwell. Is there something you need?" I asked out of courtesy.

"No, I just want to talk to you for a while," she replied with a small  smile. "We can talk at the veranda on the other wing," she added as she  gestured for me to follow her.

I was about to interrupt and refuse since the auction was about to start  but stopped as she continued to walk away. I followed silently behind  her as I gave Maggie a quick call, telling her that I'll be gone for a  second.

When we reached the veranda she mentioned, I didn't realize it was the  same veranda we had lunch a few days ago. She didn't look back at me as  she sat down on the farthest chair. As she finally settled down, she  looked up and gestured towards me it seat on the chair on her left. I  followed and sat down.

There was a short and definite silence before I finally spoke. "What is it do you want to talk about, Ms. Maxwell?"

She looked at me and smiled. "Nothing. I only called you here so that you'll miss the auction."

"What? But, didn't you ask me to … "

"Maggie had that one covered. I only asked you just to get a reaction out of William," she admitted without embarrassment.

I couldn't believe she used me again. "Why would you do that?"

She smirked at my question, unaffected by my reaction. "That's because my brother is stubborn."

"Ms. Maxwell, I'm so sorry if I'm going to be direct; but, why are you doing all of this? The bet? Now this? I don't get it."

"I want to see my brother admit his feelings," she replied softly, like  this answer was opening a different side of her, a softer, vulnerable  side. "I think you know what I mean here."

"Actually, I don't. William isn't someone to hide his emotions. I think,  from the moment we met, he had been very verbal about it."

"I see …  So, it's just us who he doesn't say anything about … " she trailed off in understanding.

"Ms. Maxwell, I think you should talk to William about it. If you want  him to tell you something, you can just tell him to spit it out. It  worked out well for me," I suggested with a grin, remembering a few of  our quarrels.

"Thank you for that advice," she nodded and gave me a small smile.

"No problem," I gave her a curt nod and stood up from my seat. "I think I  should go back since Maggie is taking my place, who would be taking  over hers," I made a quick retreat and gave her a short wave before  heading back to the venue.

Before turning away from her, I saw her gave me an encouraging smile. I  didn't spare her another glance since I had to get back to work. If my  calculations were right, it was already Maggie's turn on the stage. But  as I make my way back, I was halted in the lobby when I saw William  standing by the reception desk, breathless for some reason. He was  asking something to the receptionist. When the man didn't know the  answer to his question, he slammed a fist on the table between them. The  receptionist flinched at the sound.

"Hey! Don't throw a tantrum at other people just because they don't know  a damn thing you just ask from … " I exclaimed in annoyance as I marched  towards him. William turned towards me in surprise and quickly pulled me  towards him in a bear hug, stopping me mid-rant.   





 

"Thank goodness you backed down from that bloody auction," he stated in  relief, his warm breath caressing my cheek as he kept me in his embrace.