Chapter 11 The Jewelry Auction

• A week passed, Christopher and Rosa were becoming more intimate. However, to set her mind at ease, he promised to have a word with Aurora that weekend.
• As planned, Aurora took her kids around the city. They were on their way to the amusement park when Christopher called her.
• He said he would like to see her, and Aurora said okay. He should meet her at the city's amusement park.
• When Aurora arrived there, the boys were ecstatic. There were so many things to make kids jump, play, and be amused by.
• Aurora found a table and sat in a strategic place where she could see her boys playing. She was smiling as she watched them giggle and run around.
• The boys bumped into an older man who was in the company of his wife, Richard and his wife Carol Harrington.
• When they saw the boys, the couple exchanged surprised glances.
• “These kids are twins. But if the other one hadn't been born decades before them, you could almost say the three of them were identical triplets,” Carol whispered.
• They called the boys over, and Carol couldn't help but touch them. The boys were the spitting image of her son Alexander Harrington.
• They could pass for his sons without needing a DNA test. She glanced at her husband, and the old man kept his eyes glued on them.
• "Who are your parents?" Richard asked. These boys looked too much like children from the Harrington family.
• "Our mummy is over there," Lee answered and was about to run away when Richard asked about their father.
• "We don't have a daddy," he replied, then slipped out of the old man's hands and started running after his brother. The old couple stared at each other in silence for a long time.
• "Had Alexander or Lucas been involved with women and didn't know they had children?" Carol asked. The old man looked at Aurora again and secretly took her photos.
• Aurora was bent over, operating her phone when Richard took her pictures, so her face could not be seen.
• He called his bodyguards and asked them to find out who that woman was and who the father of her boys was.
• Just then, Christopher arrived. He gave Aurora a light kiss on her chin and asked about the boys. She pointed them out, and Christopher saw them playing hide and seek with each other.
• "I'm glad you decided to have them. One day, I look forward to having such kids with my woman," Christopher said, turning to look at Aurora.
• "You'll have your own kids as adorable as Tim and Lee Blake," she told him.
• Christopher smiled and said, "I'm on the path to achieving that dream, and that's one of the reasons I came to see you."
• Aurora's eyes brightened, but she didn't know Christopher was already recording their conversation from the moment he turned to face her.
• "Have you found a woman you like? Tell me so I can celebrate with you!"
• Christopher smiled. "You've already seen her. But first, I'd like to ask you a few questions. What do you think about our relationship? Just you and me?"
• Aurora laughed. "We're friends, and nothing more."
• "Fine, that's what I wanted to clarify before I proceed. I've been seeing someone lately. She's worried and wouldn't want to give her whole being to our relationship despite knowing we love each other,” Christopher said.
• Aurora looked at him strangely. "Does she know me? That's absurd. How can any woman not love you because of me? How many women know me just because I'm your friend?"
• "Yes. She's your friend," Christopher told her.
• "Is it Rosa?" Aurora asked, and Christopher nodded.
• Aurora's eyes welled up with tears. "How could you and Rosa think so despicably of me? Do you think I love you, and I'm waiting for you to confess your feelings for me?
• Tell me, Christopher, is it wrong that I respect and appreciate your kindness to me and my kids? Does that give you the false impression that I want you?
• I already told Rosa I don't want a man in my life anymore. What can a man do for me that's better than having these adorable boys?
• Or is it money and fame? Can't I stand and get those things for myself without a man?
• You have offended me, Christopher, but Rosa has bruised my ego. She has trampled upon our friendship, and I will not forgive without being compensated." Aurora was grieved.
• Christopher waited for her to finish speaking so the recording captured everything. He shook his head.
• "Aurora, you're taking this too hard. Actually, Rosa was unsure about her feelings and hence dragged her feet in our relationship. But I'm just trying to make things clearer to her. Talking about compensation, how much do you intend to be given to calm your mood?"
• Aurora burst out laughing, and Christopher joined her. At this point, he paused the recording.
• Aurora said, "I'm happy that the one you bonded with is my friend. I'm sure you both will make a great couple."
• The next day, when Rosa listened to the recordings Christopher gave her, she finally felt at ease. Her doubts were cleared, and no guilty conscience poked at her.
• **
• Two weeks after being in the office, Aurora was invited as the senior designer in the Harrington Group to attend a jewelry auction.
• Aurora thought about how she was going to pick her kids up from school. She called Rosa to take them home while she would stop by and pick them up from her place later that evening.
• Rosa was prompt and went to pick them up.
• Aurora was in the company of Lucas Harrington at the auction when she heard the arrival of Ethan Thompson and his wife, Sara Blake.
• She saw them walk in with their fingers intertwined. They looked like a perfect couple and everyone applauded as they entered.
• Aurora walked over to where the archives were displayed and studied each design closely, wanting to learn something new.
• Sara had hardly settled in when she spotted Aurora in a white peplum blouse over a straight blue skirt, wearing high-heeled open-toe shoes.
• Aurora looked exquisite and professional, with her well-built hips. She seemed uninterested in who came or went; she had just one reason for coming: to see and learn a few things more.
• Ex-soldier Clinton spotted Aurora Blake and walked up to her.
• "Aurora Blake," he called and stood by her side.
• Aurora turned and saw Clinton. She bowed slightly with a smile.
• The old man was pleased and said, "I presume you are looking at the various jewelry designs in the archives?"
• "Absolutely," Aurora replied with a smile.
• "I foresee you becoming one of the best designers in the country within the shortest possible time. I promise to introduce you to my friends and other members of the aristocratic families." Clinton said amiably.
• Aurora was glad, “I would be grateful if given such a rare privilege.”
• That way, Mr. Clinton took Aurora from where she stood and introduced her to his friends.
• "This is the chief designer of the Harrington Group, and she has proven herself competent," he said.
• Lucas saw Aurora in the company of Mr. Clinton and knew this would be a great opportunity for the Harrington Group to get publicity.
• Mr. Clinton took the mic and said, "Everyone, please give me a few minutes to introduce a friend. This is Aurora Blake, the chief designer of the Harrington Group…"
• By the time Mr. Clinton ended his introduction, many people had already taken a liking to her. She received many admiring stares and applause.
• She was given a VIP position and seated right beside Lucas Harrington. He bent and whispered, "My brother will return tomorrow, and I'm sure he'll be eager to meet you."
• Aurora smiled, “I look forward to seeing him return safely. I can’t wait to meet the President.”
• Ethan had lost his composure upon seeing Aurora among the high and classic people. He didn't know she worked with the Harrington Group.
• His eyes and attention wouldn't leave Aurora, and she knew it. She saw him staring at her out of the corner of her eye and wondered why he wouldn't pay attention to his wife, sitting beside him.
• Sara almost exploded. She was so angry and unhappy with Ethan's behavior. How could he concentrate on Aurora and not realize he was at the auction with his wife?
• "Honey, how about you buy me that Italian-designed jewelry?" Sara demanded, trying to shift his attention to her.
• "No..yeah.." Ethan stammered, drawing the attention of people around him. He seemed lost in his thoughts and wasn’t ready for the question his wife was about to ask him.
• Sara felt embarrassed. Had the sudden reappearance of Aurora Blake brought a curse upon her marriage?
• She would have to involve her mother. Someone needed to handle Aurora Blake for her if she wanted to protect her marriage.
• When the auction started, Aurora was among those sitting at the front, observing all the items displayed. The highest bidder would take home the item.
• The bidding continued until it reached the Italian jewelry. Sara tugged at her husband, and Ethan was the first bidder.
• "I'll pay $500,000 for the jewelry," he declared.