Chapter 14

When we arrive at a venue where I shall be present.

They invited Martin to become an investor in the upcoming company. He brought me along to teach me more about business strategies and how to fool high-ranking individuals.

“Ana.”

I took a deep breath and swallowed. Even though I've learned from other sources, it’s still different in real life. It’s no longer a game, since this is where I can show whether I’ve learned anything in my few months of training.

Martin asked, “Are you okay?” I nodded and tried a grin at him.

Do I look okay? Even though I’ve planned off time, I’m still worried.

“Don’t worry, this is your first mission; you must win the hearts of high-ranking people for the company you will establish,” he said as he took my hand. I took a deep breath as I glanced at our hand.

“I know, but it’s different when you’re in front of well-known individuals here; it’s intimidating, but I can handle it,” I said. He smirked and flicked onto my forehead, making me giggle.

“You’re with me, so don’t be afraid; let’s go; they’re waiting for us.”

I nodded, and Alexis opened the door for us, but before we got out of the car, Martin handed me something a little.

“What is this?” I asked. He just smirked and moved closer to me, but I backed away, wondering what he was going to do. But all I noticed was the little thing in my ear.

“Hello? Martin? Have you arrived yet?!”

My eyes widened as I stared at Martin, and I held my ears as I heard Paris’s voice. They were talking too much.

(“Ana is the one you’re talking to!”)

(“Shut up, Lucas! Your breath stinks!”)

(“Yours stinks!”)

(“Hush! The auction is about to begin!”)

Martin took a deep breath, and I turned to face him. What is going on? What kind of auction? Gosh. Because I wasn’t born wealthy, I’m still in a state of confusion about events like this.

I need to show them I can keep up with everyone.

Martin said, “Get ready. Your first mission is about to begin.” We got out of the car together after I nodded and took a deep breath.

Martin stood beside me and extended his arm, so I grinned and anchored on his arm.

“Don Martin, Lady Ana.”

Martin nodded to one of his staff members and handed me a mask that had just covered my eyes.

“You should wear this,” he whispered, and I agreed, since I knew it wasn’t the moment for anyone to see my face.

“Are you ready to enter our world?”

I smirked at him as I looked up at him. “I’m ready, Don Martin.”

He smirked and pushed open the massive door. I was almost astounded by the event’s elegance.

“These are illegals’ events, where they call it an auction for whatever you want to buy that they'll sell,” Martin whispered, and I nodded. “Many business executives/women or politicians will attend this event; haven't you been told everything?”

I nodded again and looked around at the area, at the fact that just no one beats them in anything, whether it’s clothes or money.

*** FLASHBACK

“Don’t be nervous when you’re at an event with important people, and avoid stuttering when you speak to them.”

I gave Paris a nod.

“All the high-ranking people at the event they flaunt their clothes or wealth, so you should do the same. Don’t let them beat you. Be the star of the night so that they all follow you.”

I nodded because I couldn’t say anything because she knew what to do in such situations. Everyone knows the Paris family as well.

“The first thing you do is find out all of their backgrounds, even the stinkers they hide, so you can use it when they betray you.”

She is correct. There is no fairness in this world, since everyone is self-sufficient.

“There are many adults at the event who prefer the young women.”

She smirked and showed me the dress, which was so thin that the beauty of it almost made my soul fall. I shook my head at her, unable to bear wearing this. Paris snorted and returned it to my closet.

“When you know what others want to happen to the people you talk to, play the ace against them. The stench they shouldn’t be leaking.”

I grinned and nodded again.

“Just ride their trip to win their hearts.”

I sighed because I was driven to back out just as I was ready to do it.

“Many will envy you in this world, and others may slander you because they would rather not be outclassed.”

She is right. Nobody wants to be defeated.

“Can I do it all? I’m not used to this kind of life,” I asked. Because it’s true that I don’t fit in with these people.

Paris smirked. “That’s why you practice, so you can get used to life like this; you’ll have to face the people who ruined your life again, so you have to be brave and fight when you do.” she grabbed my shoulder and forced me to look in the mirror. “They killed you because you were weak, and do you want them to kill you again?”

I came to a halt and clenched my hands as I looked in the mirror at myself.

“That will never happen again,” I stated. Paris smirked.

“So you must follow everything we tell you…”

*** End FLASHBACK

I recall what Paris said, and she was correct because of this event, in which many people boast about or show off about their wealth.

“Ana?”

My hand on Martin tightened as I blinked. “I’m fine.” I said. He smiled as he stroked my hand.

“Annyeong hwejangnim…”

Two Korean elders who approached us welcomed Martin. I also picked up something from their language.

Martin welcomed them coldly. “Annyeong.”

They smiled but they turned to me. “Who’s with you?”

I rolled my eyes as they spoke English. TSK.

“She’s my date for tonight.” said Martin. I just smiled at the two elders as if they knew who I was.

“Why is she wearing the mask?” asked an elderly man.

I just let Martin speak to them.

“It’s none of your damn business, old man.”

Martin’s response to the two adults surprised them, but they just laughed, knowing it was a fake.

***

“You can tell if someone is a fake by their actions, their speech, and their laugh and smiles; don’t be fooled by their laughter because you won’t have any allies here because they are all your enemies.”

***

I can see they’re annoyed with Martin based on their behavior, especially when Martin responded with a warning, but they just act as if they don’t care.

I grinned. I hate fakes. They’re far too blatant.

“Let’s go.”

I nodded to Martin, and we went directly to the table with no one else. Everyone is staring at me and talking about me. I may have confused them with my masked appearance but I ignored them and just left them be.

“Martin, you’re here!”

A woman approached Martin and kissed him on the lips, my eyes widened. Whoa...

“Why are you here, Natasha?”

I stared at Natasha. Her every move was similar to Chloe.

“Because you’re here.”

“I told you to put a stop to this nonsense.”

“Because you never came back to my condo.”

So, she’s half Korean and half Filipino.

W-wait… What? What is Martin doing in her condo? Is she Martin’s ex-girlfriend?

“Martin, I miss you; did you miss—”

“Enough.”

“What? As if you don’t seem to enjoy it!”

Am I in the middle of a fight between lovers? Seriously?

(“This bitch. Deal with her, Ana! Don’t let her beat you! You’re more beautiful than that Korean girl.”)

When I heard Paris’s voice, I held my ear again.

“Pfft.” I put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. They came to a halt and looked at me.

“And who is this b*tch?” asked Natasha, when I noticed she’s staring at me.

I lifted my brows in response to her question. Me? B*tch? If she doesn’t shut up, I’m going to turn into a b*tch.

Martin approached me and drew me closer to him, which surprised me, but I didn’t make it obvious because it would jeopardize our plans.

Martin smirked and said to her, “She’s my girlfriend, so leave us alone,” and his arm tightened around me, so I smiled and moved closer to Martin, leaning my head on his shoulder.

“What? No way!” she yelled, drawing everyone’s attention to us.

She seemed to be preparing to create a scene.

I pressed my lips to Martin’s ear. “Get her out of here, or I might lose control and punch her,” I whispered to Martin, smiling at him. The displeased smile.

He nodded to me before turning to Natasha.

“If you don't leave us alone, Natasha,” Martin said, “I’ll drag you out in front of us.”

Natasha widened her eyes and glared at us before storming off in front of us. I moved away from Martin and gave him a death glare that lifted his brows.

“What? What did I do?” he asked. I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes.

“I’m almost ready to speak.” I said.

He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. “My apologies; I didn’t know she was here.”

I shook my head and looked at him once more. I’m not certain why, but I want to strangle Martin. TSK.

“You know what? Why don’t you just go back to her condo and let me do my mission here? It looks like your weapon is waiting.” I peered down at his pants, as if something had raised.

His eyes widened, and he covered his pants. “Damn it! Don’t look!” he grumbled as he stood up, and I chuckled because he was so nervous.

“Oh, you’re going to let out what you want? Is your weapon no longer able to handle her watermelon?” I smirked as I crossed my arms and sat back in my chair.

He scowled at me, but he said nothing, and just walked away. I chuckled. He’s adorable when his ears become red, which I just saw, he, he-he.

Many people approached me to greet me while I waited for Martin, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. I only know basic Hangul, but when the words are straight, I can’t understand them.

The attendees at the gathering are also frustrating me, and I’m looking for Martin, but he’s still not here, and I don’t know where he went.

Martin, where are you?!?

I’m worried since they asked me not to say anything. Damn it! I glanced across at Natasha’s seat, but she wasn’t there either, so I bit my lower lip and smiled at those in front of me.

They seem to make each other happy first. Martin, you’re a jerk!

(“Ana, relax, and remember not to speak unless necessary.”)

(“Damn it! So many people are coming to her!”)

(“Paris, go see Ana first because Martin isn't here yet.”)

(“But Martin said, don’t leave from my place.”)

When they started talking about Paris, I again covered my ears.

I looked around and noticed Paris on the second floor chatting to a man I didn’t know. She turned around and nodded at me, so I took a deep breath and smiled at others who approached me.

“Hey, you!”

I came to a halt and looked at Natasha. She doesn’t appear to be with Martin. So, where is San Alfonso’s wealthiest ‘Don’? Why hasn’t he returned yet?

“Martin is mine!”

I cocked my brow at her. Isn’t she finished yet? And when did she become the owner of Martin?

“And you, you’re nothing but a toy for him!”

I pointed to myself because it took me back to what she said. Me? Martin’s toy? My fist clenched.

What gives her the right to speak to me in that manner? But thanks to this event, I can’t act right now since our plan will end up ruined.

“Why aren’t you talking? Are you mute?”

I’m remaining silent, even though I want to slap her because she’s making such a fuss.

Martin, where are you?!?

“Why are you wearing a mask? Maybe you’re too ugly, right?!? That’s why Martin is ashamed to show your face.”

As Natasha attempted to remove my mask, my eyes widened. I couldn’t get away from her, since she was so determined to take off my mask. She was ready to remove my mask again when someone grabbed her wrist, making both of us stunned.

“M-Martin…”

Martin had also come, so I clutched my chest and bit my lower lip.

“I've told you enough.” he let go of her wrist, and Natasha just took a step back.

“B-but, this b*tch—” she couldn't finish what she was about to say when Martin poured wine on her, so we were all stunned.

“You don’t know how to listen, and you’re really trying to embarrass yourself here,” said Martin. Natasha couldn’t say anything, since she was still stunned by what Martin had done to her. “I told you to leave us alone,” he said again, “but you didn’t listen.”

“M-Martin…”

“Get out of my sight.”

Natasha turned away from us, with tears in her eyes because people were gossiping about her.

“Are you okay?” asked Martin. I nodded. “My apologies for taking so long; I was talking to someone else.” I just smiled at him, and he sat next to me.

Martin and I never spoke again because he seemed to be in a terrible mood because of what Natasha had done.

All the lights went out, leaving only the one on the stage. The auction appears to be set to begin. I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair.

“Be ready, the auction is about to begin…”