Chapter 279
Aria’s POV
I was dying of curiosity about where Aiden planned to take me. This was the first time he’d ever suggested taking me out somewhere just for fun.
Before we left, I’d asked him about our destination, but he just gave me that mysterious smile of his and said, “You’ll find out soon enough p>
I didn’t press further, but my anticipation built with every mile we drove. Twenty minutes later, the car rolled to a stop. I unbuckled my seatbelt and followed Aiden out of the vehicle.
My eyebrows shot up when I realized we were at an auction house. “Why are we at an auction?” I asked, surprise evident in my voice.
Aiden’s warm hand enveloped mine as he guided me through the entrance. “There’s a jewelry auction tonight,” he explained, his deep voice casual as if buying expensive jewelry was something people did on random weeknights.
I nodded, still confused. “Ohh, okay p>
It wasn’t until we took our seats that I understood his intention. He handed me the catalog of items being auctioned and placed a bidding paddle in my hand.
“See if there’s anything you like,” he murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Whatever catches your eye, we’ll bid on it p>
I felt my cheeks flush. “I don’t need more jewelry, Aiden p>
He turned to look at me, his gaze intense enough to make my heart skip. “Several valuable pieces are being offered tonight. You gave me a gift, and I believe in reciprocity, Aria p>
I flipped through the catalog, and damn, he wasn’t kidding. The pieces were stunning—and priced accordingly. Their value was precisely why I hesitated to bid.
As the auction began, I leaned toward him, my body naturally gravitating to his. “But you always bring me gifts when you travel,” I whispered, my lips nearly brushing his cheek.
God, he smelled incredible—that blend of expensive cologne and something uniquely him that always made my pulse quicken. I was close enough to feel the heat radiating from his skin.
Aiden’s eyebrow arched slightly as he squeezed my hand. “Consider this me buying accessories for my wife, then p>
“But I started to protest, my eyes widening at the prices being called out.
This wasn’t some charity auction-these were serious collectors’ items. The current piece, a bracelet, proved my point perfectly.
The bracelet had been designed by Rolla, a legendary jewelry designer, just before her death thirty years ago. Only 77 were ever made, symbolizing double luck. When first released, it cost $300,000. After Rolla’s death, the value skyrocketed. One had recently sold for over a million in the States. Tonight’s bidding started at $1.2 million, with $100,000 increments.
I’d never considered myself poor until this moment. Flipping through that catalog where every piece cost hundreds of thousands-if not millions-suddenly made me feel like my bank account was laughably inadequate.
When Aiden said I could bid on whatever I wanted, my stomach knotted. These pieces were so expensive I’d be afraid to wear them out of the house.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing my hesitation.
I bit my lip, glancing at him. “It’s too expensive p>
Aiden just smiled, completely unfazed. “It’s not. I can afford it.” He nodded toward the front. “Do you like that bracelet p>
I shook my head quickly. “I honestly don’t. It’s not my style.” The truth was, my taste didn’t always align with high fashion, and the designer-focused bracelet just didn’t appeal to me.
“Noted,” he replied simply, making no move to bid. His lips curved into a smile. “There are better pieces coming up p>
The bracelet was quickly purchased by a fashionably dressed woman, confirming my suspicion that my taste didn’t always match current trends.
It’s impossible for a woman to be completely uninterested in jewelry, and though I knew diamonds were basically a marketing ploy to separate people from their money, I couldn’t help being mesmerized by their sparkle.
But appreciation didn’t mean I needed to own everything I admired.
The diamond necklace currently being auctioned caught my eye immediately. The design was delicate and feminine, almost girlish in its elegance.
Its price tag, however, was anything but delicate. The bidding started at $1.5 million; and I watched paddles shoot up around the room like mushrooms after rain: clutched my own paddle tighter terrified bmight impulsively raise it in a moment of weakness.
Aiden noticed my white-knuckle grip and the way my index finger nervously tapped against the paddle. His eyes crinkled slightly. “Do you like this necklace p>
I pressed my lips together. “It’s beautiful,” I admitted. No point lying when it was clearly written all over my face.
“Then we’ll bid on it,” he said decisively.
I’d known he would say that. My hand shot out to grip his wrist. “It’s so expensive p>
The bidding had already reached $2 million, and it would take at least $3 million to secure it.
“Are you worried I can’t afford it?” Aiden asked, his eyebrow arching in that way that made my stomach flip.
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Not exactly. It’s just… I’d be terrified of losing it if I ever wore it out p>
“If it gets lost, it gets lost. We’ll buy something else.” He smoothly extracted the paddle from my grip and raised it, immediately adding another $100,000 to the price.
I couldn’t find a counterargument. To Aiden, a few million dollars wasn’t significant money. And as his wife, I supposed I did need some valuable pieces for certain occasions.
With this rationalization, my resistance faded. Besides, I’d spotted even more expensive items later in the catalog. If we bought this necklace, I’d have a reasonable excuse to stop him from bidding on those.
Clever thinking, Aria!
What I hadn’t counted on was how many others wanted this necklace too. As the bidding continued, I recognized a familiar face among the remaining bidders Elena Pierce.
The price had climbed to $3.3 million, and the competition had narrowed to just Aiden and Elena. She clearly hadn’t expected
someone to continue bidding
this
price point. She turned around, spotted us, and her expression shifted subtly.
When Aiden raised his paddle again, Elena lowered her eyes and didn’t counter.
Just like that, the necklace was ours for $3.4 million.
Next came a set of emerald earrings
and a matching necklace. They were absolutely stunning, but the price was equally breathtaking. I managed to talk Aiden out of bidding by
adtaged
claiming the style wouldn’t suit me. Then came a pink diamond necklace
with a starting bid of $3 million.
When Aiden showed interest again, I wrapped my arms around his and pressed close. “Seriously, enough! If you buy me all these amazing pieces now, what will you bring back as souvenirs when you travel p>
That argument finally worked.
By the end of the auction, I’d acquired one diamond necklace—the only one I’d genuinely loved. As Aiden handled the payment, I spotted Elena Pierce approaching us in her designer heels.
Since our last encounter when I’d refused to accommodate her, Elena had kept a low profile. I hadn’t expected to run into her tonight.
I wasn’t naive enough to think her approach was coincidental. Instinctively, I slipped
my arm through Aiden’s and whispered in his ear before she reached us: “Looks like Ms. Pierce is coming to talk to you p>