Chapter 4 The Charity Event

Three days later it was the charity show and did her stars turn favorable to her? Because Crystalline is selected as one of the contestants.

Dressed in a flawless dark brown party dress that matched the color of her eyes Crystalline looked stunning as a fallen Angel. She stepped into the dias as the eighth contestant to do the ramp walk.

The guests whistled and cheered for her. Crystalline looked around the large crowd with fearful eyes and paddled onto the stage in those six-inch matching high heels.

Innocence with pristineness was evident in her character, like the beautiful sky covered with the brightness of the blue moon. She looked like an unblemished maiden as she fidgeted with her svelte fingers and introduced herself.

The guests looked at her with curiosity as she presented herself differently from the other usual contestants. And among them is the handsome billionaire, young and hot, the most sought-after bachelor in the United States, Abraham Rochester.

"Ms Crystalline Collins is our last contestant. The bidding starts at five thousand dollars." One of the anchors introduced.

Crystal looked around the crowd of tailor-made business suits and wrinkle-free elegant gowns of the wealthy. It was the first time she was stepping into the world of the class-rich. "Ten thousand dollars" A man called from the throng of the affluent.

Crystalline searched around the classy hall terrified when finally her eyes stopped at a bald and gray beard with a huge belly almost that of a nine-month pregnant woman.

Her heart skipped a beat bringing an involuntary gulp. 'Was this the man she was going to date for the night?'

Another person called, "fifty thousand dollars."

"Crystalline Collins - a big applause for her. She seems to raise the temperature of the guests here like the mercury climbing up in a thermometer." The host congratulates her.

Crystal looked at the man who bid for her. He is a middle-aged man who was not even half her height. "A dwarf?" She couldn't stop but said it aloud. Was he her date? "Oh my God!" Thankfully the people gawking at her like their feast for the night couldn't hear her.

Abraham made a conceited smirk. He was observing her top to toe. Billions did not come his way simply. He can read people by their mannerisms and the movement of their eyes. "The girl is unconditionally petrified. Let her breathe an air of relief." He spoke to his assistant seated beside him in a narcissistic ascribe.

The host continued. "Fifty thousand dollars one ....Is Crystalline Collins going to date Mr Ibrahim Rehman? Fifty thousand dollars initiated for a second time."

"One million dollars." Abraham's assistant spoke for him.

"Wow, one million dollars?" The host asked dumbfounded.

Crystalline's eyes are highlighted like saucers. Her legs shivered in anxiety and her eyes welled with tears. She blinked continuously to control them. To what situation had she landed herself in?

"Crystalline Collins, did you do some magic on the dignitaries assembled here? So far you are the contestant who holds the highest bid." The middle-aged host and anchor smacked her cherry-red lips and said.

The lecher in the eyes of the young men staring at her only increased with the price. For a moment there was silence.

Crystal looked at the old man who bid her for one million. 'Was he the person she was going to dine out with today? What sort of a man could he be? I never dated anyone before. All my youth was lost working and filling the four stomachs in my family. Stupid me! I should have at least asked Sasha what dating is.' - She thought, pitying herself.

Just then another man shouted, bringing her out of her reverie, "Two million dollars." Crystal thought she was going to have a heart attack. The host stared at her flabbergasted.

Many men's jaws dropped to the floor. They saw Crystal as an unachievable and most precious object but the lust in their eyes did not die.

Crystal fisted her dress tightly in her hands. When was this show going to end? She was slowly feeling claustrophobic. Crystal pep talked herself drawing heavy breaths in and out. Whispers were heard from everywhere.

Abraham snickered. He was having a lot of fun watching the scariness in the young girl's eyes. None of her behavioral testimonials went unnoticed by his optics. He was a businessman with laser eyes of horoscopic excellence.

"Two million dollars for the first time...is there anyone? I hear gossip here and there. Two million dollars for the second time..."

Abraham rolled his forefinger to increase the bid amount in a discreet gesture to his aged assistant. The old guy stood and announced. "Five million dollars."

And that's it! There was pin-drop silence. Crystal stood there like a precious ornament in the showpiece. She did not understand whether she should feel proud or hate herself for getting bid for a price she could only see to date on paper.

Many men walked away with envy as soon as they heard the figure and the remaining who were still seated were eyeing her with jealousy like a tasty meal they couldn't have.

A soft quiver left out of her throat. She hated her destiny. Why was God testing her so much? After carrying out the bidding procedure the host announced she was sold out. The ridiculous charade was finally over and the tears she controlled all this while betraying her flowing in endless streams.

The man who bid for her reached the stage handing the five million check to the host. Crystal knew if she stood there for one more second her legs would give up. Just when she was about to walk out off the stage, the host announced "Crystalline Collins goes on a date for the evening with Abraham Rochester."

'That name....that name' her kernel thudded. She read about the man in many places but couldn't recollect where.

"A big applause to Mr Rochester for being the highest bidder. He is such a kind-hearted Angel to donate such a huge amount to the American Cancer Institute." The host kept singing praising hymns of him.

Crystal had a rough day. She was feeling very sleepy. She only wished the drama would end soon. And at the end, her prayers were heard. "Now Mr Rochester, who is also our chief guest, will hand over the cheque of 2.5 million dollars to Ms Crystalline Collins."

Crystalline turned around anticipating the man who earlier reached the host and spoke something softly to her but instead much to her surprise, a tall and lean, young and a very handsome Venus stood up from the pool of dignitaries and walked forward with a leopard-like grace.

His nomad-blue eyes twinkled in cockiness as he looked at her and walked towards the stage with a tiger-like tread in triumph.

Crystal felt something shake inside her. 'So the man who spoke to the host was only his assistant. He is the guy she was going to date for the night. Did she have the luck of a draw to dine with this Apollo?

Adrenaline pumped up to her throat. Unusual for a businessman, he was extremely manly with a model-like look and a Samson physique that could make any girl feel wet between her legs.

His mariner-blue eyes darted constantly at her in a gleam of arrogance and the vigor of youth. Lacquered and enameled by the sun, he radiated energy and brio on his tan skin.

Just what does he think of her? Suddenly the thought became very important to her.

She was drawn to his mesmerizing presence. Her curiosity ignites a flame of desire that burns brighter than any tale she has ever read. His orbs were soft, Irish eyes and swam with joy. They shone brightly like two sapphires dipped in milky pools.

Crystalline was attracted by the way he glided with an athletic grace without skipping a beat while reaching her. He seemed molded from a different cast as he had an androgynous look uncommon to most people.

Crystal released the breath she did not know she was holding. As luck would have it, she considered herself the most fortunate soul in the universe. Her heart danced in merry-making. She greeted him and took the cheque with gratitude.

Crystal only required two million dollars for the surgery but she got 2.5 million. Taking out her mobile from her purse, she went behind the stage with insurmountable joy and called her stepmother in a cheerful tone to share the good news with her but the next moment soon after the call was received her face turned bloodless like she saw a ghost.