SOFIA
I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at the invitation email on my laptop like it might vanish if I blinked too hard. The government seal glinted faintly at the top of the screen, and the PDF attachment sat there like a golden ticket.
I had it. I was in.
Tati's voice buzzed through my phone, loud and ecstatic. "Girl, you did it! Daniel actually came through! I thought he'd ghost you after the party."
I smiled, still staring at the screen. "Same. I was ready to write him off. But he surprised me."
"We need to talk outfits." she said. "So, what are you gonna wear? Something jaw-dropping, right?"
"Tati. It's an auction, not a party."
She giggled. "Right. My bad. Something professional then."
"Yup. And I'm thinking of going blonde." I said, casually.
Tati paused. "Blonde? Why?"
"Just wanna switch things up a bit." I said, rubbing my chapped lips. "And… you know, maybe keep things low-key."
"You're safe now, Sof." She said, trying to reassure me. "He doesn't know your real name. He doesn't know where you live, much less that you're planning to attend the auction. You're good."
"Yeah, you're right. But until I secure the land, I'm going as blonde Celeste." I said. "No slip-ups."
"Sure, babe. No harm being extra safe."
I bit my lip, staring at the email again. "Tati…I don't know if I'm just being paranoid… But something about this invite bugs me." I sigh. "And te way Daniel talked on the phone… nothing was off, but it feels off."
Tati sighed. "That's because you've been through a lot, babe. You're paranoid. Trauma does that. Trust me, you're overthinking it."
I wanted to believe her. I needed to believe her. Because, logically, nothing was wrong. Everything about the email, the event, the call, all checked out.
"Yeah, you're right." I said. "I'm just overanalyzing again."
"That's my girl." Tati said brightly. "Now where are we meeting for shopping?"
I laughed.
•••••
Auction day arrived with excited nerves.
I wore a cream Chanel skirt suit, tailored to almost perfection. My blonde wig was sleek, shoulder-length, and paired with oversized black sunglasses. I looked like a woman who had nothing to hide.
I laughed at myself as I waltzed in.
The guards at the entrance were stiff and professional. I handed over my printed invitation and said "Celeste Brown."
They scanned it, checked my fake ID, and nodded. "Welcome, Miss Brown. You may proceed."
Inside, the auction room was moderately big, with vaulted ceilings, velvet chairs, wood flooring. A massive screen displayed maps and coordinates, and people milled around, sipping coffee, and quietly discussing.
I checked my watch. It was 9:32 a.m. I was early, just as planned. I didn't want surprises.
I'd had enough fucked up surprises to last two lifetimes in this book.
As I sat down, an older man struck up conversation with me, complaining about the economy and how Obama's reforms had "ruined the land game." I nodded on agreement politely, hoping to be left alone to my thoughts.
We were still mid-discussion when I felt that piercing, burning sensation, like someone was watching me. My pulse spiked instantly.
Slowly, I turned my head, scanning the room. I caught an older woman staring my way. When she eventually turned away, and the feeling vanished.
Calm down, Sofia. It's just a female admirer.
My hands still trembled, so I exhaled and excused myself from the conversation. I rushed straight to the bathroom.
Inside, I leaned over the sink, gripping the porcelain as I stared at my reflection.
"Get it together" I whispered to myself. "He's not here. He doesn't know you're here."
I splashed cool water on my face and inhaled deeply. Alessio Vitale was hundreds of miles away. I'd erased every trace he could possibly follow: fingerprints, masks, car routes, everything.
I splashed again, dried my face, and adjusted my sunglasses. Then I walked back out, chin high, like I didn't just have a mini panic attack.
Few minutes later, the auction began.
A man in a navy suit and sleeked hair took the podium, introducing the events of the day.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the New York State Private Land Auction. Today's auction will include parcels ranging from half an acre to ten acres. Each listing will include coordinates, zoning status, and development potential. Bidding will begin at the listed base price. All bids are final."
As he spoke, slides appeared on the screen; coordinates, zoning maps, and reserve prices.
Then came my lot. Three acres. Zoned for mixed-use. Located on the outskirts of Texas.
The Base price was $20,000. Sweet!
My chest swelled in anticipation as I leaned forward, heart pounding.
"Starting bid at twenty thousand dollars! Anyone?" the auctioneer announced.
Of course, no one moved. I was going to be so fucking rich!
I raised my paddle eagerly. "Twenty thousand!"
The auctioneer nodded. "Twenty thousand from seat 16. Do I hear twenty-one?"
Silence.
He smiled. "Going once—"
A voice cut through the room. "Twenty thousand and one."
My blood froze. It came from directly behind me.
Deep. Smooth. Lethal. And hauntingly…familiar…
I didn't turn. I couldn't turn. I didn't need to turn around to confirm it. His presence was like a shadow pressing against my spine; heavy, dark and suffocating.
I swallowed hard
I went through three phases in the span of seconds. First was denial. Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was someone else.
Then acceptance. Who was I kidding?
Then fear. God. I was cooked!
Alessio.
He was here.
This man! Here to ruin my life once again.
Clenching my jaw, I raised my paddle again. "Twenty-one thousand!"
His taunting voice followed. "Twenty-one thousand and one."
This mad man was playing me!
The room chuckled. People were amused. But O couldn't blame them. It looked like some sort of flirting game.
Fine. Two can play. I knew I was treading on thin lines here, but I was beyond mad, and fed up.
"Twenty-five thousand!" I snapped, loud enough for everyone to hear. I was heated, and hated it, because this was very unlike me. I was usually calm, but Alessio was pushing me to insanity.
The auctioneer raised his brows, surprised by my jump. But then continued, ready to finalize my bid.
But of course, nothing good lasts forever.
Alessio laughed, then calmly announced. "250,001"
Gasps rippled through the room. The auctioneer froze mid-word.
Did this motherfucker just… add a zero?
Shit. Shit. Shit. I was cooked.
My mouth hung open as the auctioneer repeated the bid, his voice barely masking his shock. "Two hundred fifty thousand and one… going once…"
I couldn't even breathe. Alessio was a mad man.
He was supposed to be gone. Miles away. Forgotten!
But the devil had a way of showing up when you least expected him. When you foolishly believed you were free.