Yes, yes. In the coat check room.
“Um...sure...” she hesitated. She wondered what he wanted to talk about.
He nodded his head in a sign to follow him. She was about to go with him but didn’t get the chance as Christine made a sudden appearance and greeted her old friend. Seeing as Michael was not getting out of this conversation anytime soon, Angela took advantage of the time to write her bid for Sacha’s piece; one hundred and fifty dollars.
She continued to mingle with the guests, every now and then, shooting a glimpse around the room to look for Michael. He was always engaged in conversation with someone or another. She suddenly wished people at the show would all suddenly disappear and she could have him all to herself. At this rate, she would never get the chance to speak to him again. He finally saw her in the distance and gave her his trademark crooked smile. Could someone ever die of unfulfilled lust, she wondered. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take.
She went to check her bid again. Someone named Albert Walkin had outbid her; three hundred dollars. She felt a little frustration but when she remembered it was all for a good cause, she wrote her bid of three hundred and fifty dollars. Her finances weren’t that great, but this was definitely worth the expense. She set herself a limit of five hundred dollars.
She helped herself to another glass of wine. She spoke with various people including Sacha’s parents. Their pride was quite evident as they spoke of their daughter; to have raised such a kind and giving daughter was their greatest accomplishment. She eyed the room again for Michael who was leaning over to talk with a petite elderly woman.
People, could you all leave him alone already.
She went over to check on her bid once more.
What the heck.
Albert Walkin had just raised his bid to $450. This was crazy; no other piece had fetched near this so far. She figured he mustbe a family member or a friend. She debated bidding again and went for it one last time; five hundred dollars.
She finally saw Michael leaving a conversation. This was her chance. Her curiosity was killing her. She practically sprinted towards him, knocking over some ladies’ pita roll in the process. She instantly kneeled down to help her and apologize. When she got up again, she looked around. The good thing was; no one had seemed to notice her clumsiness, but the bad thing was; Michael was in conversation again.
She made a quick trip to the bathroom. She reapplied her lipstick, staring at her reflection. She touched a strand of dirty blonde hair, remembering the chill Michael had sent through her earlier. It was almost nine o’clock; the final time for bids. She hurried to check on her bid. The tables were busy with people but she managed to squeeze in.
She couldn’t believe what she saw; Albert Walkin had just bided $10,000. It was crazy; maybe it was a typo, he was definitely a family member of some sort, she rationalized. This was great for the show, she realized. Beaming, she turned around to face Michael.
“There you are, finally.”
Finally.
“I’m sorry. Everyone had their hooks into me.”
“Can you believe this? This guy just bid $10,000 on Sacha’s piece.”
He leaned over to look at the sheet.
“Oh yes. I know that guy,” he said with a suspicious laugh.
She looked at him perplexed for a second or two. Looking at his mischievous smile, she got it.
“Albert Walkin is you, isn’t it?”
He nodded, smiling.
“You jerk,” she teased. “How could you? I had my sights on you all night,” she explained.
“I’m sneaky that way,” he joked.
“You love to mess with me, don’t you?”
“I do. I really do,” he said, laughing.
“I really wanted to bid on this.”
“I know. I got it for you.”
She rolled her eyes. “But I wanted to bid on something, myself.”
“You still have five minutes. Go and bid on something for me,” he urged.
