Chapter 2 Marriage Alliance

"You're staying in your room all day today! No going anywhere!"

Ugh, I managed to sneak out but still got caught. The bodyguards said they followed a trail of water to find me. I swear they're the Sherlock Holmes of New York. It's all because of that idiot in the bathtub who nearly got me killed. After all that trouble I still got dragged back.

Now I'm lying in bed, bored to death.

I roll off the bed, wanting to go out for a walk. The bodyguards on either side of the door immediately block it shoulder to shoulder. "Miss, your mother ordered you to stay home today and not go anywhere."

"I just want to go buy a Starbucks."

"Contact the butler, he'll bring it to you."

So annoying! I flop back onto the bed.

Charlotta calls.

"Babe Mia the auction is starting!" As the second daughter of the James family, she's also attending the charity dinner today.

"I know, I know."

"Why are you so impatient? This is about your future husband, a hugely important event! Don't you want to know who he'll be?"

"I don't want to. Marrying someone without love would be more painful than death."

Yes, a perfect woman like me deserves an equally perfect man. I've always fantasized about a prince charming coming into my life. He must be handsome, dashing, charming, capable of anything, bullets bouncing off him - in short, completely perfect. When we meet, a shooting star streaks across the night sky. The city is quiet, and we kiss atop a Ferris wheel. At sunrise he proposes in a hot air balloon over Turkey, the dawn lighting up our faces pink. In a wooden bird's nest in a Norwegian forest we carve our wish to be together forever. That's the love I want, pure and beautiful.

Not like this, auctioning off my happiness in front of a bunch of strangers I've never met!

"I protest!"

"Protest denied!"

After countless unsuccessful attempts to oppose my parents, I had no choice but to run away from home. Of course, this was a failed escape, and it ended with me being caught and brought back.

"Babe Mia, your necklace is the next item up for auction!" There was undeniable excitement in Charlotta's voice.

"The Thompson family has brought a necklace today, named Hummingbird Heartbeat. It was a gift from Mia's grandfather when she was born. The intertwined necklace is composed of 100 transparent diamonds. At the center is a 51-carat unheated blue sapphire from Kashmir, rich in royal blue color and of high purity. This is the Thompson family's heirloom. Their presence at our charity dinner tonight shows the significance Mr. and Mrs. Thompson place on this auction. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson also hope that the destined person will cherish their beloved daughter's treasure."

The auctioneer paused, "The starting bid is $2 million dollars."

This is a gift from my grandfather when I was born. Bringing such a valuable jewel to a charity auction, everyone must understand that the Thompson family is not simply auctioning off jewelry, but seeking a wealthy and sincere husband for their daughter.

"Here it comes! Here it comes!" Charlotta's voice jumped an octave.

"$3 million dollars, Mr. Koch bids $3 million dollars," the auctioneer excitedly announced the first bid.

"This Mr. Koch is a big shot in the industrial world, and he's only 35, young and promising. It's just... it seems like he's bald," Charlotta's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Are you sure he's 35 and not 55?" I said impatiently. Although I seem indifferent to the auction results on the surface, after all, it's about a marriage partner, so I'm a bit nervous.

"$5 million dollars, Mr. Walton bids $5 million dollars."

"Good news, Mia, this Mr. Walton has hair. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Just... when he smiles, he looks like Voldemort."

"What?"

"$7 million, Mr. Beckett has bid $7 million."

"The Becketts are here too? And you're not going to believe this, but their guy is handsome. Broad shoulders, slender waist, long legs, just like a model, looks like a 23-year-old Leonardo."

"Oh?" My eyes lit up.

"No, wait, this is the son of the bidder! You're going to be his stepmother!"

"What!" My vision darkened, "No way, I need to start planning an escape now!"

"$20 million!" The auctioneer shouted in an almost breaking voice, "This gentleman has bid $20 million!"

"Did I hear that right, Mia? Someone bid $20 million, but the market price for this necklace is just $6 million!"

My heart skipped a beat, "Who is it?"

At that moment, the air froze. There was no sound from the other end of the phone.

I looked at my phone screen, it automatically shut off because it ran out of battery!

What!

I jumped out of bed to charge it.

Who could my future husband in name be? Honestly, if he's handsome, I could barely live with him. If our values clash too much, I'll just move to the Sahara desert. If he's a controlling freak, I'll buy a one-way ticket to Mars from NASA!

Finally, the phone screen lit up again.

A message from Charlotta appeared in the notification bar.

"It's the Millers! It's the son of Mr. Miller!" Charlotta exclaimed.

I couldn't help but hold my breath.

The Miller family only publicly acknowledged one male heir, if I remembered correctly.

I quickly scanned all the media news. Yes, it was him.

Locus Gray!

"The Miller family said they wouldn't attend this auction, didn't they?" I asked.

"Yes, they did, but for some reason, they said yesterday that they would send a representative today. Locus Gray is the dream lover of all the daughters of high society families! Babe Mia, you hit the jackpot!" Charlotta sent me a voice message.

A figure from my childhood flashed in my mind. I was only 15, still in middle school. He was already 23, wearing a well-tailored gray suit, sharing his experiences leading the family's medical business at our school. My male peers were like monkeys from a circus, noisy and restless. Locus's calm gaze and straight posture made my young heart flutter. I secretly vowed, "When I grow up, I'll marry someone like him!"

Just like people who have seen the ocean no longer care about a small pond, I stopped paying attention to the "monkeys" around me. At least I didn't want to date them; it was a waste of my time. I'd rather go shopping and watch movies with my girlfriends than waste time on boring men. Now, I'm 22. Locus, at 30, might be even more charming as a mature man!

Just moments ago, I was doing everything I could to escape this arranged marriage, but now I'm suddenly a bit excited. Maybe he will be gentle, pat my head softly, peel shrimp for me. When he looks at me, his deep green eyes would sparkle, reflecting my beautiful, happy face. Every night, we would take a bath together, snuggle up in bed, and then he would spoon me as we drift off to sleep.

Why am I suddenly looking forward to this?

Fickleness, thy name is woman

"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Mia has stayed at home all day as per your instructions."

My parents arrived, their faces filled with joy. It was clear that they were very pleased with this potential marriage alliance.

"The one who won the bid for the necklace is the heir of the Miller family, you've heard, haven't you?"

"Yep," I obediently nodded. My heart was racing, yet I maintained a neutral expression on my face. After all, I was the one who had tried every possible means to escape this arranged marriage. I couldn't afford to lose face and be the butt of the joke for my parents.

"The Miller family's medical corporation is very powerful, and our family is in investment. There will be many opportunities for collaboration in the future. Mia, you can't behave as willful and unruly with Mr. Miller as you do with us. You have to consider the bigger picture. If we were to fall out with them, the impact on our family could lead to consequences we might not be able to bear."

"I understand, dad," I nodded.

In my heart, I thought differently. If there's mutual affection, naturally it will last. But if there isn't, even if the King of Heaven came, I would run. However, I have a lot of confidence in Locus. After all, I still remember our encounter from when we were children; it's hard to forget. I heard that Mr. Miller is very strict with his children's education. It can't be wrong.

"Here's his number. You can contact him on WhatsApp first. The engagement banquet is in a week, both families will arrange for you to meet then."

"Alright, dad," I replied, unusually obedient.

My mother looked at me, her expression saying, "My good daughter, finally getting married."

After my parents left, I opened my phone, entered the number, and searched for the WhatsApp account. The profile picture was an Afghan Hound, standing tall and proud, as if it was about to participate in a beauty pageant. Even the dog was so elegant!

I carefully sent a "Hi," followed by a blushing face emoji.

"Hi Mia. I think we both remember the scene of our last meeting."

What? Does Locus remember me? Among all the beautiful and rich ladies, he noticed me and remembered me! No wonder he suddenly attended the auction! So all these years, Locus has always been thinking of me.

I coughed a couple of times to calm myself and stop my wild thoughts.

"Yes," I replied. "I remember your emerald green eyes. They are beautiful." Please forgive me, this is the most romantic elementary school love letter I could write.

"Thank you. Get some rest early, Mia. Goodnight."

"Nighty night," I used what I thought was the cutest expression I could.

I turned off the light and lay in bed. The lights from the city reflected on the glass like colorful amber. The sound of car engines occasionally passed by outside the window.

The phrase "marriage partner" floated in my mind, and I fell asleep.