"Ladies and gentlemen," the MC announced, his voice slightly strained. "I understand it's a shock for everyone, but she deserves better. Can we have another round of applause?"
The audience clapped, hesitant at first, then more spirited, as he forced a polite smile.
"And now," he continued, "let the event officially begin."
The evening unfolded in a blur of luxury. Paintings by renowned artists, ancient relics of forgotten empires, and modern jewellery that gleamed under the chandelier lights were paraded before eager eyes.
Bidders raised their paddles with confidence, some walking away triumphant amid soft murmurs of admiration, while others, defeated and humiliated, slipped out quietly.
But amid all the excitement, one detail unsettled the room: neither of the two high tables had made a single bid.
Kiara sat composed, her attention buried in her phone, as the brothers at the other table conversed in low tones, seemingly detached from the glittering chaos around them.
"Are they just going to sit there? Why aren't they taking part?" One person asked. No one really knew the real reason they were there. Talk about it.
Fionn himself didn't know; He had only blindly followed his brothers. He would have left the place, but what kept him around was only Kiara's presence.
"What do you think she's doing?" Ethan asked the guy whose eyes hadn't for a moment left Kiara.
"I don't know; maybe she's playing a game. But she's definitely bored. I wish she'd let me keep her company."
Fionn frowned in frustration, but there was nothing he could do. However much he wanted to, she didn't want him there, and he didn't want to force himself on her.
Damn, he sat back. He wasn't even interested in the damn fucking auction. "Why are we even here? We haven't taken part in any bidding."
"We are here for one reason. To get the famous teapot back to Mom." Ethan explained. Even with the mention of Mom, nothing interested him.
In the first place, he was never interested in doing anything for her, and always made it known to his brothers. But they always kept on involving him.
"I'm not interested in doing anything for that woman." He muttered.
"Hey, watch your mouth; she's your mother." Tom's voice rose in anger. His fists clenched as he gritted his teeth in sheer rage. He looked like he was about to tear Fionn into pieces.
"There's no need for fighting in public; if you desire, wait after we leave this place," Silas said, his arms crossed.
Thank goodness he intervened; I wasn't ready for a fight yet. Fionn sighed.
"And Fionn, that's not how you should address her. Keep in mind she's your mother. Our mother."
The tension between the brothers lingered for a moment but eventually dissolved. They got back to their peaceful chat like nothing had happened.
"And now the last item for the night." The auctioneer announced, which piqued the brother's interest.
"The famous porcelain teapot all the way from China dating back hundreds of years to the Tang Dynasty. It is believed to have held tea for the famous Li Yuan. At a starting price of a hundred thousand euros, name your price, and it could be yours."
Kiara looked at the shimmering emerald green teapot. It was a beauty like no other, an artefact worth keeping. Only if she wasn't getting it for her mother, she desired to keep it to herself. She put up her auction paddle, "a hundred thousand. I'll take it."
"A hundred thousand going once." The auctioneer cried out.
"So she's here for the pot as well," Tom muttered, then looked at Fionn with a diabolical look. "I promise, I won't go easy on her."
"Going twice. It looks like the pot is going to the Miracles."
"A hundred and fifty," Tom called out, putting his paddle up.
"Joining the race are the Clarksons. A hundred and fifty going once." The auctioneer said.
Hell no, the brothers were here for the pot as well. It wasn't going to be an easy battle. Kiara knew they had the money, but it depended on how willing they were to give it up for just a mere teapot.
She was assertively willing to spend up to ten million. It wasn't her money, it was her mom's.
"Do whatever it takes, you shouldn't come back without the pot."
Those had been her words after she handed Kiara a card worth ten million. So why not? Why hold back? She had to take the pot back to her mother.
Unless the brothers were willing to spend beyond ten million for the porcelain freaking teapot, Kiara was sure she was going back home with it.
"A hundred and fifty going twice."
Kiara put up her paddle once more. "Two hundred thousand."
The auctioning continued with both Tom and Kiara not giving up the chase. At this point, no other person took part in the bidding except the two.
As the bidding surpassed five hundred thousand, Silas and Ethan exchanged worried glances. Tom was going all in.
When it came to anything to do with their mom, he never hesitated. Silas leaned in, his voice low.
"Tom, she's someone we don't want to piss off. If she's willing to go over a million, perhaps it's time to concede. She's probably not giving up. We can't lose her for some stupid teapot."
"Five hundred thousand going once." The auctioneer called out.
"One million euros." The room fell silent. She'd taken it to the next level by doubling the price.
"I think it's time. Tom, we are not here to prove anything." Silas whispered.
But Tom's competitive fire burned bright. He bid again, pushing the price to 1.1 million euros.
Kiara's eyes flickered, but she didn't flinch. She had to see how far the brothers could go, and made another bid, pushing the price to 1.3 million.
"1.3 million going once."
"Tom," Silas called, keeping his low tone. "This is not the only way to get the pot. Fallout." He said. Tom didn't look like giving up yet. He was determined to get the pot back to his Mom.
"1.5 mil..." Before he could finish the bid, Silas interrupted. "We are out."
Tom's hands curled into fists, and he turned his sharp gaze, landing on Silas. "What have you done?" He asked with red from anger.
"I'm sorry, Tom. I promise I'll get the pot some other way." Silas said.
"How?" Tom snapped, his voice rising and attracting the attention of others. Oh my God, they were really fighting.
"The teapot sold to the Miracles for 1.3 million euros." The auctioneer announced.
-------
The event ended, people left, but a few stayed around. Kiara was among the few; surprisingly, the brothers also kept around. Kiara had to finalise the payment and delivery details, which is why she stayed. It was quite unclear why the brothers did.
"We'll have it delivered to the Miracles Residency." The MC from earlier said after Kiara was done with everything. "Alright, thank you very much," she said.
She turned to walk out of the place, but stopped in her tracks. She watched in confusion as her gaze locked with the brothers, each having a different expression.
But what caught her attention was Tom's; he looked like he was about to swallow her alive.
Why, why had she gotten herself in the way of the brothers? She turned away completely ignoring them as she walked towards the door.
Her heart almost ruptured when footsteps sounded behind her. The brothers were following her. She tried to walk faster, but her heels made all efforts futile.
In no time, Tom, who seemed so invested in the pot, had caught up with her. He stood blocking the way out. Kiara turned to make use of the space on his side, but before she could, he grabbed her, pinning Kiara against the wall beside the doorway.
She trembled as her back hit the wall, her breath catching in her throat. Tom loomed over her, tall and intense, his shadow swallowing the light around them. Kiara's eyes flickered in fear from his clenched jaws to the fire in his stare.