Episode 30

EPISODE THIRTY

“Okay, you have seen all of our models” the emcee said “time to find out who gets to have a special date with them, courtesy of the coordinators, come on back out male model number 1!”

We were all at the backstage, resting and freshening up and waiting for our numbers to be called

“I have to admit, I’m looking forward to who my date’s gonna be” Kevin said while we listened to the audience bidding “and the fact that Haley’s also bidding gets me even more excited”

“Haley can bid?” I asked “I thought the coordinators and the staff members weren’t allowed to join the auction?”

“At first they weren’t allowed but they had a meeting about it and they let them bid” Kevin answered “the more bidders the higher the bid thus more money”

The coordinators are allowed to make a bid? That means Kelsey can also bid.

I looked at Jamie with a slightly teasing expression

Jamie looked back “whatever it is you’re thinking, stop it Nicky” she said “she’s not gonna bid to have a date with me”

I giggled, I know she’s expecting that Kelsey does bid for her but there’s no point in telling her that, she just have to admit to Kelsey what she really feels and I know how hard that is so I won’t meddle…much

“Male model sold to the lady in green for 350 dollars!”

Wow, these ladies are loaded! They must really like that guy

I drank a cup of water before I walked out on stage, even with all this excitement going, I still feel kinda empty, Arden have been gone for only a few hours but I already miss her terribly

“Okay, for the ladies who love other ladies, here’s our 3rd female model! come on out!”

I went on stage and smiled as the audience cheered excitedly

“Bidding starts at 100 dollars!”

The bidding went from 100 to 300 dollars

“300 dollars! Going once! Twice!”

“350!” another voice yelled

“and we have 350!” the emcee yelled back “350 Going once! Twice!” the emcee was gonna call out the highest bidder when

“400!” a voice yelled from the back

I couldn’t really see who said that because the lights were so bright and I could hardly recognize the voice since there are still small talks happening at the audience

“400! Going once! Twice!” the emcee shouted “sold to the lady in a white dress!”

After my turn, I quickly stepped to the backstage and quickly went to Jamie and Kevin

“Did you guys see who bid for me?” I instantly asked them

“No, it’s too bright out there” Jamie answered “it’s kinda impossible to recognize someone”

“Bring out female model number 4!” the emcee called

“ok that’s me” Jamie stood and placed her hand on my shoulder then walked out on stage

I watched all the biddings but my mind was flying elsewhere

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After the show, The coordinator thank all us models for participating and doing a great job. Kelsey then went to the three of us and gave each of us a hug

“Thanks for doing this” she said “we raised more than what we’ve expected”

“You’re welcome” Jamie answered with a smile

“So, when do the dates start?” Kevin interjected

“Right now” Kelsey smiled “we’re actually going to escort all of you to the places where we set up a dinner date for two” she explained “it’s just around the university and it’s a private dinner date”

“Can we change first?” I asked “this suit is a kinda uncomfortable”

“I’m sorry Nicky, you can’t” Kelsey answered ”that’s the purpose of having a second suit so that you guys don’t need to spend money on outfits”

“Okay, everything is set, the models can go to their date places and their dates will follow” said one of the coordinators

The coordinators told us our date places and after a few minutes, all of us were scattered all over the campus

My date place was in the university’s garden, so I went there and when I saw the candle lights from the distance, I quickly approached it

When I came nearer, I saw, in the middle of the wide flower garden, a table for two. The only thing lighting the place was the two candles on the table and a lamp post with a yellow light coming from it, a few feet from the table

I went to the table and saw a bucket of ice with red wine in it, two wine glasses and two menus, beside the menu was a bell

Wow, this actually looks fancy, except what’s with the bell?

I took the menu and read some of it, and the first thing I read was

Creamy linguini with shrimp? strawberry tiramisu? Hmm...sounds delish, guess I’ll have to find out what these taste like once my date gets here

I placed the menu back on the table and waited patiently for my date, a few minutes later, I saw a light coming closer

That must be my date, I hope she’s nice

The light finally came close to the table and I saw a bicycle with a sidecar that was covered in different colored fabric and ribbons

She then walked down.

She was in her white dress, her black hair was in a messy bun and she was still wearing a mask, but the mask was covering her upper face, only her lips were seen

She slowly and carefully walked to the table. We now stood in front of each other, I saw her lips curved into a smile and a tear rolling down on her cheek

I smiled, reached my hand and introduced myself, she took my hand and gently squeezed it

My heart sank when I felt her hand, I quickly pulled her and embraced her as tears quickly welled in my eyes

When we parted, we’re both smiling and crying. Arden then removed the mask and I once again saw her face that I thought I wouldn’t see in years

I guided her to the table and we took out seats

She smiled at me “clearly you’re surprised” she teased a bit

“I am, definitely” I answered “does this mean you’re staying?”

Her smiled quickly faded away as she shook her head “You know I can’t stay, at least not right now” she said

I smile sadly, she’s right, she can’t stay here with me for now. maybe one day

I took her hand and gently placed a kiss on it, “then let’s make this date special”

She smiled and nodded slightly

Arden then took the bell and rang it thrice, we then saw a waiter walking towards us.

After telling the waiter who appears every time we rang the bell, our orders. I turned to Arden and smiled

“I finally know what that bell is for” I joked

Arden laughed, a laugh that I grew so accustomed with

While we waited for our food to be served, Arden told me what happened after we left the airport

As she was walking towards her plane, an airport staff suddenly stopped her and asked which flight she was getting into

“When I told him my destination, he quickly apologized and said that they canceled that flight because the plane had a sudden breakdown” she said “when he said that, the first thing I thought about was you so I quickly thanked him and left” she smiled “so here I am now, ain’t I lucky?”

She was then later informed that her flight was re-scheduled to tomorrow at 5 am

“Not luck” I spoke “just fate”

Arden smiled heartily as she held my hand

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After eating, we thought our date was over and was about to leave when music started playing

“♫You’re in my arms and all the world is gone, the music played on for only two…♫”

I turned to Arden and offered my hand “May I have this dance?”

Arden smiled and took my hand, I lead her to the open garden field and we started swaying with the music

“♫So close was waiting, waiting here with you and now forever I know,

All that I want is to hold you So close…♫”

I held Arden closer, she looked at me and our eyes locked with each other as we continued dancing

At the near end of the song, I sang along

“♫We're so close

To reaching that famous happy ending

Almost believing this one's not pretend

Let's go on dreaming for we know we are

So close

So close

And still so far♫”

Arden gently cupped my cheek and captured my lips with hers

Everything fell right into place, like I just found my soul mate…

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After our date, we went straight to my apartment, we were so tired that we didn’t even bother to change our clothes, I just removed my jacket and shoes while Arden just removed her heels and let her hair down

We just fell on my bed and stared at each other, taking in each other’s presence. I moved closer, she then placed her head on my chest and embraced me, I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arms around her

“I’m leaving tomorrow” Arden said with a sad tone

“Yeah…” I spoke softly “can you do me a favor?”

Arden looked up at me “what is it?”

“Don’t leave me in my bed alone” I said “I’d rather see you actually leave then wake up without you here”

Arden intertwined her hand with mine “Okay”

And we slept together, no, we didn’t have sex, we just slept together. Comfortably lying in each other’s embrace and feeling each other’s breathing, and I’m thankful that I shared a moment like that with her

The sun was starting to rise when I felt Arden move. I slowly opened my eyes and saw her sitting on the bed

Arden turned to me and gave me a sad knowing smile before heading towards the bathroom, I sighed and slowly got out of bed

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At the airport

I accompanied Arden inside the airport

“This is really it, isn’t it?” I said as we stand face to face with each other

Arden nodded and slightly smiled

I then took out the photos from our camping trip and handed it to her

“I had Jamie print them out for you” I said “This one is my favorite” I pointed at the photo of the two us eating smores by the bonfire

Arden became teary-eyed and embraced me tightly, I hugged her back and both of us were silent, Our emotions were too big for words but we both know what we feel was genuine and true

We parted and Arden made her way towards her plane

I watched her plane fly off from outside the airport and I sadly waved

We will be together again in the future Arden, I promise…