I was walking through my office when I spotted alice rushing towards the office door . I looked at my watch and saw that she was ten minutes late.

I clicked my tongue. This is not good.

She was not looking where she was going but when she looked up and spot me she quickly looked down avoiding my eyes. And walked past me looking down.

"Alice stop" I said.

I heard her muttering a curse word. I then turned around to see her back was facing me .

"Turn around "

She hesitantly turned around and shifted from one leg to another.

"Look up"

...

"I said LOOK UP " I Shouted. She flinched and slowly looked up .

I nodded "Tsk Tsk Tsk " I tsked and moved towards her.

I then moved my fingers on her face and brought it to my face .

"Hmm. Foundation " I said rubbing my fingers togethers .

"Since when did you started putting makeup alice" I asked and looked at her who was still looking down.

"Uhmm..

"Is it after you went on a date with him huh "

Her head shoot up and she opened her mouth and closed it.

"How low of you alice tsk tsk changing yourself because of a boy . " I said narrowing my eyes she hung her head down at my comment

"Cheap .. i don't want you to wear makeup while coming to my office and being late , now go and take this makeup off.

"No she won't take it "

I turned around to see Zion walking towards me with a somewhat angry look .

"What" I asked when he was near.

"I said she won't take that makeup off " he said narrowing his eyes at me .

"Wha-

"And what she done is not low or cheap is anything but what you are doing "

"You-

"Listen Miss.jones makeup or not you can't or won't judge her for that , it about her character you need to take in account before you do that . And putting makeup for a boy she likes is not something changing herself is one way of her feeling towards him . If a girl is ready to change herself for a boy then she must really like . And it's up to him to show that she is beautiful in her own way"

Shocked I looked at him who was looking at me with brows pulled together. I didn't have anything to say after what he said I was quite unprepared for him to say anything like this.

He shook his head and and turned towards alice.

"You're beautiful with or without makeup " he said to her.

She blushed hard inspite for her blush.

"Than...thank you" she said looking down and slipped away.

He then turned around towards me and shook his head and walked away.

Still standing I looked at his retreating figure after a moment I realized he was right.

.

.

.

.

The following week I tired to talk with him but he subtly ignored me. Well not ignored me but more like he didn't metion or bring that up . I thought of saying something about the incident but I don't how to address it .

And the fact that he became distant is not at all helping. He became more of professional and forgot it and only concentrate on the project and if I asked anything he will answer it so professional as if the event didn't even happen. Unknowingly it made me sad.

I really thought he would be angry and give me disappointed looks and will look down at me but he didn't do any of that . He completely thrown away all that and starting fresh and forgetting all the incident including all the time we spent together.

It stung.

..........

"I will be attending this auction event today arrange some amount for that" I said to mark while going through the files.

"A...Another auction? " mark asks.

I stop going through my files and look up at mark who eyes are widened.

"Yes, is there any problem " I ask folding my arms.

He straighten up and shook his head.

"No no I will arrange it " I nod and go back to check the file.

"How much money should we debit " he ask.

"Around seven hundred thousand dollars " I say dryly.

"That much " the shock wad so much evident in his voice.

"Mr. Ruffalo this is my money i can flaunt however I wish you don't have anything to say in this." I say flipping through my files.

"I-

"You are wasting my time . Out "

After a moment I hear the door closed I then lean back and massage my shoulder. I'm sure I'm gonna get wrinkles sooner than I thought if i keep on shouting at mark

And

Georgia

And

Peter

And

Sarah

Welll...

Everyone .

I shook my head to clear the thoughts this is not the time for thinking about that . Eventhough i succeed in clearing the thought. Zion's words keep ringing in my head how much I wanted to throw it away and wash the angry face I can't do it. And it making me guilty and a smaller part of me want to be sorry for that .

I sigh and call Jennifer she answers the call in third ring.

"Hey what's up "

"Auction event tonight at eight o'clock " I say.

"......( sighs).... got it I will come by six " she says .

"Good " I said and cut the call .

After finishing off some of the work I made my way outside the office . While going out I ordered mark to do all the remaining work and to send all the papers through via email.

After that I got in my car and made my way towards the penthouse to get ready for the event .

When I reached my penthouse my phone buzzed I then took it out and saw that it was a message from paul.

Ofcourse he will be attending the event. Paul took Josh as his custody. When he was working in the factory his parents left him so we gave a job at the factory he was very nice guy . So paul took a favor on him and took under his care .But He didn't want to be adopted so paul didn't push it further but if he wanted it he will do it happily.

After that I went inside my bathroom and took a warm shower and scrub myself and shaved myself. After that I came with a towel wrapped around myself. After that I put in some undergarments and covered myself with a fluffy robe .

Because Jennifer will be there in any minute I don't want to keep on changing the dress.

While drying my hair the the door bell ringed I then got up and opened the door to see Jennifer standing with a big bag and her makeup equipment.

I then let her inside to my bedroom she then kept all the things in the table and arranged it properly.

"Shall we " she asked.

"Yes"

•••••

"Here done "

I then opened my eyes to see myself she did a good job she kept it neutral bronze look with a winged eyeliner and with a warm blush and light nude color to my lipstick.

"Good" I said she then went to do my hair . After a few minutes she finally done with my hair she put a low bun which was nice.

"Okay now for the dress " she said . I rotated in my chair to see her opening the bag and revealing a black long satin frock.

"Nice" I commented and got up .

After that I changed into that dress and came out to see Jennifer taking pictures of me .

"Stop it " I said while looking at the mirror.

"I can't help it you look beautiful " she said and continued to take the pictures.

I just shook my head and grabbed my clutch.

"I will be going I will you later " I said and went out.

I then went towards my car and settled in since my driver is not available I have to drive there . Paul said that josh will come and drive me but he already went so that he wont be able to come.

I sighed and started the car after driving for one hour I finally arrived at the event. A valet driver opened my door and let me through the area.

When I stepped into the hall it was very big with wood floor and golden chandelier hanging from the top and some pictures hanging here and there . There were around white tables arranged for the members to sit down.

When I stepped into hall and roamed my eyes when eyes met with Mr. Irvine at the same time he also saw me .

"Miss.jones " he said in recognition.

I nodded and made my way towards him when I neared him I saw Zion is also there wearing a grey suit with matching tie and beside him was Madeleine wearing a fitting bodice light blue knee length dress with a deep V -neck and a thigh high slit.

"Good evening Mr. Irvine " I said "Good Mr. Zion and Madeleine "

Zion then turned his towards me and gave me a slight nod in acknowledgement . He then went back talking with Madeleine.

"I'm suprised you are interested in this Miss.jones " Mr. Irvine aaked.

Well you are not the only one with money.

"It's just for my company no personal interest " I said.

He nodded my eyes averted to Madeleine who is still talking to Zion. He looked amazing in his flitted grey suit and hair gelled back perfectly.

This remains of how I gave him that shirt I can't believe I gave him a shirt when he obviously looks this fitted.

"JONE" A voice called . I then turned around to see josh coming towards me.

"Hey I was going to call you " he said once he was near and gave me hug which I returned it .

"You look beautiful jone" he said once he pulled away from me and looked at my dress and my face.

I nodded and turned to the front to see Mr.Irvine looking slightly confused. Zion didn't bother to turn around. Then we heard a voice saying that the auction is gonna start.

"I take my leave have a good evening Mr. Irvine " I said .

"You too Miss.jones " he said.

I turned my head towards Zion

"And you too Mr. Zion " I said he then turned his head and nodded. I repeated this to Madeleine who gave me a bright fake / tight smile.

"Shall we go " Josh asked I nodded and went to sit down in one of the chair.

When I sat down my eyes automatically went towards Zion there he was sitting like he was posing for a magazine every girls eyes were on him checking him out I don't blame them though he indeed was a very good sight. But he didn't see that because he was busy talking to Madeleine. I can't help the feeling of sadness appearing to me .

Eventhough he didn't go all bad and fully avoided me but he made it professional and didn't care about what happened and just acknowledged me as mere acquaintance.

This is exactly what I wanted not talking anything other than business and being fully professional but I just hoped we didn't in more of a nicer way .

I gave one glance towards him and turned away .

The auction then started many art supply by popular artists were keep on selling . I didn't take anything since what I wanted didn't come and nothing appealed to me .

I can feel eyes on me but when I turned around nobody was watching. Well who would look me .

''Okay the next thing is a small jewel glass teddy bear this one is going for..

My interest gained and I looked at the bear it was very small but cute . And I gonna take this no matter what . I then straighten up and sat alternated.

"You are gonna get this right " Josh asked beside me .

I turned towards him "Yes" I said and before I could turn away I saw Mr. Irvine looking at my direction. I gave him a nod and turned back .

"Starting two hundred dollars " the host said.

Well starting bid itself high.

"Five hundred dollars " I said.

"Seven hundred dollars "

"Eight hundred "

"Ten grand "

"Twenty grand" a guy in front of me said.

I smirked "twenty five grand "

He turned back and gave me a smug smile "thirty five hundred "

There was silence and the host smile widened.

"Thirty five hundred for this Mr. Beck-

"Fifty five grand "

Guess who said. Me obviously

He turned back and gave me a look .

"Sixty-

"Seventy-

I'm not leaving it .

"Seventy thousand anyone want to bid " the host asked .

"Eighty grand dollars " Mr. Beck said with a smirk

"Okay eighty thousand-

"One thousand dollars "

The hall went quite for a minute "

"One thousand dollars from the Miss.jones anyone want to bid that "

"Two hundred dollars "

All the people turned their head towards Zion who is looking at the front not even sparing a glance to the people.

"Oh wow two hundred from Mr.Irvine anyone want to bid that "

"Three "

Now all the head turned towards me.

"Jone leave it " josh said from beside. Well I would keave but the auction started getting fired up after this.

"Four "

"Five"

"Seven"

"Twenty"

Silence

"Thirty "

"Forty"

I was getting agitated this has to stop I'm gonna put this to a end.

"One hundred thousand dollars "

The hall went silent and everyone spared a glance at me.

"One hundred from Miss.jones " the host said "anyone want to bid that"

Everyone shook their head and turned around . Probably saving it for something nice .

"Two hundred thousand "

Guess who said that.

Zion!

I groaned is he wanting to really buy that or he just wanted to bid higher than.

"Two hundred dollars from Mr.Irvine Irvine " the host exclaimed loudly.

"Jone leave it atleast the amount is big eventhough-

"Seven hundred thousand "

Josh face palmed himself while every head turned towards me and thier was a pin drop silence which was broken by the host hammering .

I smirked in satisfaction.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After the auction was finished i went outside not wanting to have a talk or anything, i hate being with humans let alone talk .

The owner was sad that I didn't talk with them . I don't want the purpose in that i came to flaunt some money and it was done after that nothing concerns me.

While going outside I saw Mr. Irvine standing and talking to someone. When he saw me he stopped and turned towards me.

"Nice auction Miss.jones " he congratulated.

"Thank you Mr. Irvine " I said . From the corner of my eyes I saw Madeleine rolling her eyes and Zion was talking to someone of his age who had a dark brown hair and he was tall built.

"Miss.jones meet Mr. Merrick " mr. Irvine said and introduced me to man who was the same age as him .

''Hello Mr. Merrick It's nice to meet you" I said and shook his hands.

Merrick the name vaguely seems familiar. After a moment only it clicked to me that he Merrick are well know for handling chain of hotel across the country. They are also one of the richest in the country.

"Big bid you had " Mr. Merrick said .

"Yes Mr. Merrick I kinda wanted it " I said.

"I assume you like bears" he chuckled.

"Very much " I replied. I can see Mr. Irvine eyes on me the whole time.

"I see ... Miss.jones meet my son Cameron " Mr. Merrick said at the sound of his name Cameron turned his head from Zion . While Zion turned and started talking to Madeleine.

I sighed and looked at Cameron.

"Hello Mr. Cameron it's nice to meet you " I said and shook his hand.

"It's nice to meet you Miss.jones " he said .

"Miss.jones is handling a textile company called Lilly jones. Who is now suppling for us " Mr. Irvine said.

"Oh really " Mr. Merrick said.

"Yes Mr. Merrick " I said.

"I then think we can also give you a deal since the Irvine having a contract with you "

I internally made a fist pump in my mind.

"You can Mr. Merrick and you wont be disappointed " I said with confidence.

"Excellent .. oh and I would like you to visit our newest hotel this coming Saturday" Mr. Merrick said

"I would love that " I said .

"So I will see you Saturday then and you too Austin " he said.

"I won't miss it Michael " he gave Mr. Merrick a friendly pat on the back.

He laughed "Okay I will be leaving then" he said . "We will see on Saturday Austin " they shook their hands and made made his way towards his car along with his son Cameron.

Now there was only me, Mr. Irvine , Madeleine and Zion.

"Zion can we go " Madeleine asked with a sweet smile on her face.

"Yeah " he replied I then opened my mouth to say goodbye and part my way . But I heard josh voice coming.

"Hey sorry for the late " he said slightly breathless.

"Nope problem I was just talking to Mr. Irvine '' I said .

His eyes widened and turned towards him.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Irvine " he said and shook his hand.

"And you Mr. Zion" he said Zion then turned towards him and shook his hand.

"Madeleine " introduced herself and shook his hand.

If the formalities will take this long I would have done it inside this is getting colder and colder and my sleeveless dress is absolutely doing nothing.

Josh then glanced at me and noticed my rubbing hands.

"Are you cold " he asked already taking his coat off. Before I could say anything he placed it on my shoulders.

"We will leave ? " he asked . I nodded and looked at the front. I was surprised that Zion was looking at me for the first time since I arrived and did not look away. I was captivated how his eyes looked.

"It's nice meeting you Mr. Irvine, we will meet on Saturday Goodnight Mr.Irvine " I said to him.

"Goodnight Miss.jones and josh" he said .

I then turned around and walked towards my car . I turned back to see Zion looking down his perfect hair was slightly falling down creating a shadow on his face . He then suddenly looked up I quickly turned away and moved towards my car.

_________________________________________

MADELEINE DRESS