Thirty Seven

•DEMI•

(POV)

"Ready for the bidding, darlings?" Auntie Yna excitedly great us as she kisses both our cheeks.

Bidding. A Fundraising for every bachelorettes/ bachelors to be auction for a date. The cause will be donated to auntie Yna's choosen charity. For tonight it was for victims of domestic violence. It was an annual thing for auntie Yna after his husband died. They met at a fundraising event too.

"Never been this excited!" Kai said. "I can't wait witnessing this time around"

I shove her with my elbow. She looked at me innocently and smirk "What?"

I racked my brain trying to think of anything i could have say to make her stop and came up with nothing.

She's making fun of me about what happen last year. I told her about a time i had to spend my day to a obnoxious spoiled brat. The college kid was a son of a well-known tycoon. He asked me to accompanying him, making his ex girlfriend jealous at a coffee shop near his university. Oh boy. I wasn't prepared to be humiliated again. The girl cried attacked me spilling her boba tea drink on me. That was a horrible sight. The boba pearls was stuck to my hair down to my white sunday dress. Kai had to get me out of there before i'll end up for sure to jail.

"Ohh. to be young and beautiful" Auntie said with her longing eyes. Seem like she remembers her past.

"You're still young and beautiful auntie" i said

You're still rocking at sixty."

"Thank you dear." Auntie Yna said as she pat her hand at the back of my hand.

"You're great as ever. That's why i always tell Luke that you're perfect to be my daughter-in-law"

I froze while Kai chuckled at my side.

Not again.

"She's perfect for sure auntie" Kai teasing me as i gave her a death stare.

"That would be delightful." Auntie Yna laugh showing her small wrinkles near her eyes.

From the distance. We saw Luke wearing his dashing maroon suit at their grand patio. He was looking for someone when he saw us, he gesture something to her mom.

"Well ladies speaking of Luke, He's looking for me right now. I better go before he drag me there."

"Go, auntie. We'll be fine on our own." I smiled

"Enjoy ladies" Auntie Yna step away from us to cater her other guests.

"How do you feel having 2 mother in law?" Kai whispered.

"Not a word." I hissed

She laugh as she walk towards our table.

" Oh Demi. You're as blind as a bat"

_

•BRIGHT•

(POV)

Flashback

Guy tapped my arm to stop me from standing up.

With a wide toothy grinned he said

"I got this Nong. Just watch and learn."

I raise both eyebrows in doubt as he snap his knuckles as he walk confidently as if he's going to fight in an arena.

Is he out of his mind?

We're suppose to talk to her together.

I gripped the armchair tightly as i watch Guy lean on the counter with his infamous confident grin. His creepy grin and hot headedness always get us in trouble.

We are screwed.

I can't heard watch they are talking but the lady was not amused.

What's taking him so long.

I tapped my foot anxiously  as i watch him talk to the lady. But later, the face of the young lady change as Guy pointed at me and signal to join them.

I fix my cap as i walk towards them with Guy's proud smirk and the young lady's blush face.

"Phi Bright!"

"Shsss! Don't be so loud, kid." Guy hissed.

"You're not even famous" the young lady snorted.

"You little Devil!—

I stump his left shoe that made his shut up. He's visible veins from his forehead is pumping up.

"Hm.. Mia forgive my friend for bothering you.' I whispered. "He's not usually like this"

Guy cough loudly and rolled his eyes out.

" That's alright, P'Bright" Mia said smiling brightly.

"We have a favor to ask–" i asked

"–Anything Phi." She muttered without hesitation.

"But you didn't hear us first"

She look at me with her curious eyes both arm on the counter and answered back.

"I know you'll not be here if it's not important, Phi"

"A smart girl, aye" Guy added with amused look as he elbow in my right arm.

She close her mouth with a venomous glance at Guy that made Guy nervous then back at me and she said

"Well, if it bothers you. You can pay me back with a fan service" she muttered as her playful smirk appears

"Fan service?"

As i raise both my eyebrows

"Yes!"

I bite my lower lip.

This is bad.

I hope she will not asked ridiculous things.

"So...What's the catch?" Guy asked leaning curiously.

"It's between me and P'Bright, old man"

"You little sh*t—

I shoved his rib with my elbow to stop him.

"Phi" i quickly glared at him as a warning

Mia sigh loudly as she fan herself with her hand. then smile widely. She asked me lean in closer from the counter and she whispered something in my ear.

End of flashback

"What did she asked P'Bai?" Win asked munching a crackers.

As i grab the sushi in front of me and muttered.

"To have a karaoke date with her friends with you this friday"

Win drop the fish cracker to his plate.

"W-What?"

–

•DEMI•

(POV)

Standing in a beautiful black beaded halter gown I borrowed from Moi paired with a black & white intricate mask covering half of my face as try covering the open slit from my thigh with my clutch on the makeshift stage in the gazebo where looking down at the guests sitting in their respective tables around the impressive garden lawn of auntie Yna.

Kai who was ahead of me is now happily mingling with her bidder. A guy who look like on his near thirties bid her for almost $5,000.

Ready for nothing.

I released a nervous sighed and smile awkwardly.

Looking down at the few people who has the heart to bid for me. I didn't expecting much this time around.

Last year i was bid for $3500 by the obnoxious spoiled brat. Still i was relieved someone bid for me. I'm lucky Luke was wasted that night and didn't got the change to embarrass me. He usually my only bidder out of pity & we just spend our day to visit a animal shelter and eat ice cream to end the day.

"Now we have Demi Marie Oh, known as Meimei Oh the modern artist, Ladies and gentlemen, let's start for 2000" Matt said who was in charge of conducting the auction.

"2000 from the guy in a maroon suit" Matt said as he recognized Luke.

Luke smirk at me and mouthed "the usual, Dee"

I shook my head in disbelieve.

"2,500 anyone—?" Matt announced

"–5000"

I tensed up. A familiar stern voice said.

My eyes seem to know where he was sitting. He is wearing a expensive looking black suit next to Win's family. He looks irritated for some reason. As our gaze met briefly his eyes soften.

The corner of my mouth turned up a little and my heart skips a beat.

Why his here?

"Okay,5000 for the Mr. Vachirawit wearing in the black suit everyone" Matt said as his eyes wide in disbelief as he saw Bright.

People seem to be surprised why the famous duo is here tonight and joining the bidding.  I can see some of the guests are whispering.

"7000" Luke answered back looking smug and wink at me.

My throat turn dry as i stand still.

They must be kidding me. I know this for a charity cause. But they are wasting thousands here.

Returning my gaze at Bright who sighed  then looked at Luke who is shook his head in disbelieved. I can see him getting stiff.

"7000 for the man at maroon." Matt continue "8000?"

Kai raise her hand smiling mischievouly.

"8000 the lady in red gown." Matt' said gesture with the hand towards her.

I rolled my eyes.

Of course Kai will take part.

"9000 from the guy in blue" Matt said into the microphone pointed at a man in his 50's.

Matt looked at me with smile

"Wonderful. Miss Oh is highly in demand. "

He look back at the guest again

"How about 9500 people?"

Feeling a weird burn in the pit of my stomach as i watch them. This attention too much for me. I step back a little that made the skirt open slightly.

I think i want to pee.

Luke raise his hand again and said " 10,000"

"10,000 for the guy maroon again"  Matt announced

Bright clench his jaw and shook his head in disbelieved, Win whispered something near his ears that made him narrowed his eyes.

"12000" Bright bid

I flinched and look at Bright to stop him from bidding but he's too focus.

Matt chuckled waved at Bright direction. "Okay, this is getting intense. 12,000 for Mr Vachirawit again"

I drop my hands to my side. Keeping my eyes to them.

"12,500 for the guy in maroon." Matt shake his head smiling from behind the stand. "You're in a roll, cous."

I feel my shoulder tense and my armpits wet as i give him warning and mouthed Luke

"stop this nonsense"

This moment i knew this is getting out of hand.

Is this a ego thing?

He laugh and look at Bright with a smirk while Bright look back at Luke with clench fist. I can see Win with his mischievous smile, shaking his head lightly next to him.

"15000" Bright said confidently.

I watched him returning my gaze, lips pressed into a thin line.

Wait,What? No.

I saw Kai walking towards Luke and whisper something in his ear. He nodded and sighed.

I can't decipher on how they waste a large amount of money for someone like me. Last year, it didn't went this far. This is too much. They are bidding for $15000.

This got to stop. Please. Please

As my heart thumped against my chest.

"Going once for Mr. Vachirawit" Matt continue.

I saw Luke stopped as he lean back. "Enjoy" he mouthed at me.

"Going twice" Matt continue as he watch the guest for any objection.

This is insane.

He smile broadly and said

"Sold to the very determined Mr Vachirawit in black suit"

The guest applause and saw a glimpse of Auntie Yna surprise face in the crowd.

The whirling emotion i felt standing there finally over. The overwhelmed feeling is still there.

Win shake Bright's shoulder enthusiastically that made him smirk a little. With a disapproving gaze my arms crossed i look at Bright's direction.

_

He fix his suit, Plastered smile on his face as he walk towards my direction. I can feel the attention of everyone in the crowd. I walk down from the few step to meet him.

We walk towards few people or no one can see us.

"I hope you won't be disappointed for bidding such a ridiculous amount, Vichirawit" i said as pinched his puffy cheek"

He laugh and put his arm around the back of my waist while his eyes on me. I can feel my face is turning red.

"Come on babe. It's worth it"

He whispered  "You look beautiful by the way"

Oh God!

We heard a loud cough. Luke together with Kai approach us.

Bright snorted as i bite my lower lip for getting embarrass.

"I can't believed my eyes." Kai said "Bright Vachirawit gracing us his presence."

Bright chuckled "It was a surprise for her. I think it was a success"

"Success indeed" Kai teased.

As i rolled my eyes and Kai look at me with her lopsided grin, mouthed me "lovebirds"

"No hard feeling, Bro." Luke tap Bright shoulder.

"It's for a cause"

"Non taken" Bright smirk as he move me closer to him. And my heart skips a beat.

__