CANVAS OF DEATH

That very night, the first fall of snow, two private planes landed at different airports boarded the most powerful and wealthiest people on the entire globe. The world was raining fluffy silver snowflakes. It acts like an angel, fluttering down from the sky with such grace and elegance, and softly lands on the earth. The snow-covered people seem to have come to an elegant and quiet realm, and come to a crystal-clear fairytale world. The scent of snow gives a cool and soothing comfort. It sprinkled beauty everywhere.

When Trevor, Sumire, and Yelena arrived at the airport, stepped out into a winter wonderland. Suddenly, the cold air stung her cheeks so Sumire pulled her scarf up closer to her face. From the distance was a silver limousine parked to take them to the hotel. Like a gentleman, Trevor holds the maiden's hand as he supports her sashayed down the plane they boarded. He even covered the maiden with his jacket to ease her shivering body from the cold.

Sumire felt so peaceful to be walking in such a magical place. Together, the three of them sauntered into the car waiting for them, and went to the hotel so that she could get dressed and go to the special event they will attend.

She was dressed in one of the VIP rooms and received VIP treatment. With the help of Yelena's assistants and professional makeup artists, she was done in just a short period of time. Yelena was the first one to come out from the dressing room. Looking like a hot villain in her fitted stylish backless dress that length up to her thighs, above-the-knee boots, and her hair was coiffed in a high ponytail. She had a pair of artistic gloves that matched her black winter cloak.

After a short minute of waiting, a fair beauty descended the stair with pure elegance and grace. Trevor who was in the lobby stared at her in starstruck awe.

When Sumire finally descended into the hotel lobby, people immediately give way as she walked toward the stunned Trevor. Everyone was bedazzled, holding their breath and all eyes stared at her otherwordly beauty in front of them. Holding the red mask, she had fiery makeup on with burning crimson red lips. She looks seductress, so mysterious and sultry with her siren eyes.

"Who is she?"

"She looks so hot!"

"I've never seen such beauty in my entire existence. Is she a goddess?"

"Lovely is such an understatement for the perfection that is her."

Mesmerize, the buzz of whispers reigning the place, praising Sumire's effortless beauty. The maiden's lip formed into a smirk at what she heard.

When Sumire finally came and stand breathtakingly in front of him, Trevor was hypnotized by the maiden's alluring beauty. The man awkwardly smiled.

"I can't believe my eyes that you can look prettier than ever." Trevor's compliment made Sumire burst into sweet chuckles.

"I personally picked that dress." Yelena, standing on his side whispers meaningfully to him but Trevor just ignores her. The young man's eyes were just focused on Sumire.

"Thank you. You look dashing in your white suit too." Sumire genuinely praised him and Trevor flashed a smile. He then reached for her hand.

"Shall we??" Trevor said that Sumire nodded quickly in agreement. She placed her hand on his open hand and let him support her towards the limousine.

Yelena was tailing them along with some bodyguards and they all headed to the Viccini Auction House. After an hour, they arrived at the place and a crowd of businessmen, politicians, and elites greeted them. They all dressed elegantly, oozing an aura of wealth.

The male chauffeur in a white suit opened Yelena's limousine and from there emerged the most beautiful woman of the winter night. From not far from the entrance, a pair of emerald-green eyes were locked, staring intently at a certain person. Eyes darkened, burn in cold and possessiveness darted at Trevor's hand snake on the maiden's waist. A striking beauty with sleek raven wavy hair was cascading down beautifully, wearing the red, high-slit dress, the lava gown, owing to its distinct fiery red to dark red color. Its body-fitting, bareback design features a side cutout and a high slit that defines her curves and highlighted Sumire's legs. She's on fire! With a fluffy snow-white faux fur on her enwrapped shoulder and red heels, the countless crystal embellishments allowed her to become a blazing phoenix rise above everyone.

"What an extraordinary beauty!"

"I'm a fan now!"

"I want her to be my girl tonight."

"Man, she's the woman of my dream!"

The place was filled with murmurs and admiration as their eyes dawned on the beauty sashayed inside the luxurious lobby. She's a head turner! Sumire walked with Trevor towards the imperial hall and held the same beguiling aura where the guests gathered. All men and women are faltered by her beauty.

Flocks of bachelors, old rich men came, surrounds the maiden, and impress her with their looks and displaying wealth but all of them got rejected. The horde of assassins, pretending to be normal visitors were just chatting normally with anyone but their attention was on the lady in fiery red. Under the mask, their eyes burn in lust to kill.

Sumire's hand clung to Trevor's masculine arm as they walked together on the red carpet and were about to enter the main hall when suddenly an unfamiliar handsome man greeted them. Standing six-zero-foot, the man looks so hot in his white business tuxedo. He had an angelic aura around him like he was walking divine in the place. He smiled at Trevor.

"Whoah, this is the first time I've seen you here." The stranger greeted Trevor who was smiling from ear to ear. He was handsome from the depth of his sage green eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. Trevor was about to answer when the man turned his gaze to Sumire.

"Who is this stunning lady with you?" The man continued as his angelic smile widened even more, very sweet and calming voice which is very soothing and satisfying to listen to. He had a gentle aura around him. "Is she your girlfriend?" The man added making Sumire shyly chuckle.

"No. We're colleagues." Trevor replied. He then turned to Sumire and introduced the unfamiliar man to her.

"Dieu." Trevor introduces the man who reaches out for her hand. Sumire accepted it and smiled beguilingly.

"Sumire." the maiden briefly introduces herself.

"Such an honor to meet a goddess like you," he then brought Sumire's hand to his lips. And soft lips gently landed on her hand. Dieu's similarly colored eyes wearing a sly smile darted on Mort from the distance who had been looking at them ever since. Mort stood there in his expensive black tuxedo. His tux was exquisitely cut and a perfect match for his cold and mysterious manners. His pair of pools of death were emotionless narrow squint beneath his black half mask defining his masculine prominent pointed nose. He oozes a menacing aura and it indicates his presence but the maiden failed to notice Mort’s presence in the place.

"Sweet talker." Sumire blurted laughingly and Dieu just smiled making Mort's aura darken even more. People surrounding him gradually retreated in fear.

"Lots of bees flock around your muse. But don't worry, you're the biggest bee." Laurel laughingly said and Mort's jaw clenched didn't escape her sight. Klauss, who was standing beside her, turned to her and frowned.

"Who are you calling the biggest bee?" Klauss asked as Laurel just rolled her eyes at him and continued to chew the bubble gum she had in her mouth.

"You don't like the term bee then let's use Apis mellifera," Laurel replied bitchily and ignored Klauss at once.

"If I were you, Boss, I would shed tears." Leroy who dared to tease the Boss, chuckled next to Mort. A dark gaze dawned on him and the young man shrank back to his feet.

"You want to shed tears of blood right now?" Mort said in a cold tone without a trace of any emotion on his face making Leroy gulp hard one after another. And his twin, Lyric, was going to joke but stopped after hearing the death's tone in his voice.

Mischa just shook her head and looked back and forth to her older brothers now exchanging loathe glances. She knew at one look, that they will be rivals at one girl.

"Don't worry, brother. I got your back." Mischa said and patted Mort's massive arm and went to Dieu's place, her second older brother.

After Mischa left their place, Mort immediately turned around and went inside where the auction would be held. Even before Mischa reached Dieu's place, Trevor and Sumire preceded inside. Yelena can no longer be found in the place. Dieu was left standing in the middle of the crowd when his younger sister approached him.

"Hello, brother."

.............

Men wear their signature plain black mask that only covers their eyes and women wear their embellish golden half-mask with intricate design to hide their identity. Garrulous speeches and chatterings from the horde of businessmen quickly filled the auction house. Trevor and Sumire walk among them can't help but astonish to see the simple yet elegant black handrail, art galleries hanging on the wall of red and the golden baluster artistically drawn on the spiral stair is truly admirable.

When Trevor and Sumire finally entered wearing their masks covering their identities, the maiden was astounded at the new look of Vicinni House. The place became more mysterious and bold looking in its blood red and gold color predominating the entire interior design. Mort was sitting on the second floor of the glassed wall in a theatrical stadium. His intense gaze dawned upon the maiden wearing a fiery red half mask on with delicate embellishments sashayed below oozing mystery and seduction. Sumire slowly descended like a Goddess as she clung to Trevor's shoulder and help her sit down.

They all arrive at the auction hall where they were given an auction catalog by the auction house personnel at the entrance. Other bidders also entered to fill the unoccupied seats and wore their masks. Greetings and chattering filled and lingers the air. A few minutes later, the place suddenly became quiet and the surrounding light dimmed. From the stage, two pairs walk, wearing masks carrying wireless microphones.

A tanned man in a black suit with a black half mask on smiled mischievously and a woman seductively dressed in glittering gold with a golden mask entered the stage. After their short introduction, a flash of light pointed to where all the items to be sold were arranged and placed on a golden pedestal.

The man in half black mask which enhanced his captivating cavernous golden eyes continued and proceeded as the woman with him sashayed on the displayed items on the stage with her 6-inch killer heels.

"...these are the items you see in the catalog." The woman in gold introduces the expensive items on the market.

"The Curse Crown. It was the crown from the legend that was known as cursed and has been passed down from the Royal family for 13 centuries. "

The golden-eyed auctioneer preceded to the next items on the list.

"Next on the list, the Aztec Coin...."

The auctioneer continued.

"The rarest purple Human eyeball."

"The infamous hand of Jack the Reaper."

"The heart of the Ocean Necklace."

"The infamous Pirate's skull of J.S"

"The Handwritten piano sheet music from the famous pianist, Mozart."

"The rare breed of white Panther with its glowing green eyes."

After the auctioneer introduces the items, the golden-eyed man smirks meaningfully at Mort sitting majestically in his seat from above emanating dark auras around whose eyes lock at the lone beauty in the room sitting next to Trevor.

"Ladies and gents, I present to you the first item for tonight...." the auctioneer stop half midway to thrill the audience and his eyes drifted at the maiden in lava gown. He flash a playful smile and made the auction hall silent, with their hearts thudding soundly can be heard. "The five paintings from the famous painter, Death..."

A bolt of light dramatically pointed at the pedestal in the middle. The curtains open and reveal the paintings. The crowd wowed as their eyes cruised and scrutinize the intricate form of tenebrism art.

When the tanned guy with golden eyes finally reveals Death's priceless art, Sumire wasted no time and raises her placard. So eager to get the painting for herself. 'That painting will be mine,' she smirks at the back of her mind, her pair of midnight eyes locking on the exquisite dark art.

"Starting bid. Half billion." The auctioneer priced the first item.

"I bid 1 Billion."