Carcel Evander Dawson

Kalila has been avoiding me, and it's driving me insane. After all she did to me last night? this is how she react?  I've never been this frustrated before.

This morning, I spotted her at their booth, running things like she always does—focused, efficient, and, most of the time, frowning for whatever reason. But the second our eyes met, she hopped like a startled bunny. And I stand there, confused as hell. I knew she saw me, but why is she acting like I'm some kind of disease? She wanted to know my address—how am I supposed to tell her now if she keeps running away like this?

Then, I caught sight of her again, this time sipping coffee with Evara at a corner table. I figured this was my chance, but as soon as I started walking toward them, she grabbed Evara and took off like her life depended on it.

Something's definitely wrong. Kalila has always been full of surprises. I wonder what she's thinking this time. The thought of her running every time I'm near—it's messing with my head. It's irritating, but in a twisted way, I kind of like it. It just makes me want to chase her more, tease her a little. But if she won't talk to me for the whole day, that might be a problem.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I flinch at the sound of Crue's voice whispering in my ear. My mind was so occupied with thoughts of her that I didn't even notice someone coming up behind me. I ignore him completely as he slides into the seat beside me.

"What's with the clothes and the sunglasses?" he asks, tilting his head to get a better look at my face. I sigh, frustrated.

"I just got out of the gym. Thought I'd cool my head off by working up a sweat," I say, crossing my arms as my eyes stay locked on Kalila's booth ahead.

"Who the fuck wears sunglasses to the gym?"

I snap my head toward him. "ME."

"Seriously, what are you doing?" He sounds concerned, and I wonder if I really look so unhinged that even Crue thinks I've lost it.

"Kalila's been avoiding me," I say bluntly. Crue lets out a long, exaggerated sigh.

"As she should."

I glare at him, annoyed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, look at you. You're covered in sweat, wearing those creepy-ass glasses," he says, gesturing at me like I'm some sort of walking disaster. "Honestly, you look like a stalker. Cut the crap."

Yes, I heard him loud and clear, but my eyes couldn't stay focused. Students were gathering around Kalila's booth, their excited chatter growing louder by the second. My curiosity got the better of me—I needed to check it out.

"Stay here. I'll go get changed real quick," I said to Crue, already half-turning to leave. He stared at me, confused, his brow furrowing like he wanted to ask what the hell I was up to, but I didn't give him the chance. I left before he could get a word in.

I sprinted to the gym's locker room, nearly tripping over my own feet in my hurry. Stripping off my sweaty clothes, I jumped into the shower, letting the cold water jolt me awake. A few minutes later, I was throwing on a clean shirt and jeans, my movements rushed. My hair was still damp when I stepped out, but I didn't care. I had to talk to her, even if it was just for two minutes. If I didn't, I might completely lose it. And, truthfully, a part of me wanted to mess with her for avoiding me.

Only Kalila could ignore me like that. It wasn't something I was used to. Honestly, I even wished she could teach my mother to ignore me the same way—it might make my life a little more easy to breath.

When I got back to the bench where Crue and I had been sitting, he was still there, sipping his coffee. I grabbed his shoulder, and he looked up at me, his eyes widening—mortified by what his seeing.

"What the—?" he started, but then he shook his head, exhaling heavily in defeat. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but I hope it's curable."

I couldn't help but laugh at his remark. Little did he know, I don't plan on getting treated. If liking someone makes me look like a crazy person, so be it. They can't make me give a fuck.

Crue rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Instead, he fell into step with me as we walked toward Kalila's booth. The crowd was thicker now, students clustered together, their eyes glued to the paintings and art pieces on display. The buzz of excitement through the roof, everyone murmuring in anticipation, waiting for something big to happen.

We stopped at the very back of the crowd, far enough away to stay unnoticed by Kalila but close enough to see her in action. She was there, moving gracefully from one corner of the booth to the next, her sharp focus making it clear she won't tolerate any bullshit that might happen.

I totally understand where she's coming from, it's the last day of foundation week and I heard this is a very important a project for them. Maybe I'll tone down a little after all this is not the last time I could play with her. However, it seemed like the students are more interested in us than the artwork. I caught a few of them glancing our way, their whispers not as discreet as they probably thought.

"This is the first time I'm embarrassed to be standing next to you," Crue muttered under his breath. His tone was dry, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a grin.

I just shrugged, flashing a casual smile at the people staring. Their expressions shifted, some returning my smile while others whispered even more. Whatever. Let them talk. If anything, it was amusing.

"They're just jealous. I guess pink suits me after all," I said, tugging at my bright pink hoodie that Kalila gave me last night.

With my exaggerated confidence, I stand there with pride, as Crue groaned, shaking his head, he couldn't believe he was stuck with me. I chuckled I couldn't wait to see how Kalila would react seeing me like this.

"Do you have any idea what's happening?" I asked Crue, my voice low as I scanned the crowd ahead of us.

He didn't answer right away, instead he leans over to the students in front of us. Without hesitation, he tapped the girl's shoulder that is sitting in front of us. She turned around, startled, her eyes widening slightly as if she wasn't used to being approached.

"Excuse me, miss. May I ask what's going on?" Crue's smooth, deep voice carried a calm authority that instantly grabbed her attention. The girl stuttered, her cheeks flushing, as if his words had been a bucket of ice-cold water poured over her.

"They're... um... they're having an auction for the art pieces," she replied, her voice polite but slightly unsteady.

Crue smiled at her—a small, effortless curve of his lips—and she couldn't help but smile back, her earlier nervousness melting away.

"Did you put out any art piece for the auction too?" he asked, turning to me with an arched brow. His tone was casual, but I knew he was fishing for information, trying to figure out why we were even here.

"What art?" I shot back, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "I can't exactly cut my hands off and put them on display."

His lips twitched, probably out of annoyance, but I barely noticed. My focus had shifted to the stage. Kalila went to the back of the booth, and I thought I'd see her on stage, but I guess not. I realized they had changed their main event, completely scratching that ridiculous swiping game from their plans.

Probably because they realized how much unnecessary attention it had been drawing—or perhaps it's better to say it had caught Ciel's unwanted attention. That seemed far more likely. It was a smart move, though, considering Ciel might've been planning to ruin everything again, just like last time.

Not that they need to worry too much. I've already warned Ciel to stay out of this. But knowing her, she wouldn't back off just because I told her to. She was the kind of person who thrived on drama like this.

I didn't need confirmation to know she'd already added Kalila to her mental hit list. But as long as I'm around, any threat she made would remain empty—a weapon with no blade.

Honestly, I hoped she'd fucked around  It'd give me the excuse I needed to dissolve this engagement earlier than expected. The thought alone made me smirk. Mom would freak out but it wouldn't matter, two more weeks and the project is over, by then everything would work out just like I wanted too.

Evara suddenly stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone. "Everybody, thank you for participating in our auction. Without further ado, let's begin with our first item!" Her voice echoed clearly across the room, and the scattered murmur of conversations quickly quieted down.

The first item was brought out—a painting, framed elegantly, with bold strokes of color that seemed to tell a story only the artist could truly explain. Evara gestured toward it, giving the audience a moment to take in the piece.

"This first item is titled 'Ethereal Escape.' A beautiful blend of acrylic and oil paints, it was created by Akira Amor" she announced, her voice smooth yet firm. "We'll start the bidding at $100. Do I hear $100?"

The room stirred as someone near the front raised a small paddle with the number 8 printed on it.

"$100," Evara confirmed with a sharp nod, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Do I hear $150?"

A hand shot up in the middle rows, and she pointed to the bidder. "I have $150! Do I hear $200?"

The rhythm of the auction was hypnotic. Paddle after paddle went up, each bid called out with escalating numbers. Evara kept the energy alive, her pacing and tone rising as the bidding heated up.

"$250? Going once, going twice—"

"Three hundred!" came a voice from the back. The crowd turned to see the source, murmurs rippling through the room.

Evara smiled, unfazed by the growing tension in the audience. "We have $300! Will anyone go for $350?"

I watched the process with quiet fascination, It was like in a real auction it was amazing how they pulled of this idea in a short amount of time. Their booth was just taken down and they comeback with such well organized event. I'm glad I instructed the admins to build a bigger booth than before.

Finally, the hammer fell with a resounding thud.

"Sold! For $400 to bidder number 12!" Evara declared, her voice triumphant as applause broke out across the room.

The winning bidder looked smug, while a few others exchanged disappointed glances. The painting was carefully removed from the stage, and the next item was already being prepared.

As the auction went on, I noticed Crue settling into the atmosphere, his curiosity getting the better of him. To my surprise, he raised his numbered card a few times, his excuse being, 'I just want to see how it works.' Amateur.

We stayed for a while, waiting until the final auction.

"For today's last set piece, we have Orion."

The name struck me instantly. My jaw tightened, and my interest sharpened as Evara continued.

"This piece is by Kalila Hart," she announced.

A slow smirk crept across my face. Of course, it was hers. It felt like the universe was working overtime to push her into my path, handing me yet another opportunity to inch closer to her.

I didn't know Kalila made ceramics, it always delighted me to discover new sides of her every time. The ceramic piece on display was... intriguing. Three mugs stacked in a nesting arrangement, each one painted with a night sky theme—stars, the moon, and clouds. At the bottom was a dark blue bowl. It had her fingerprints all over it—it was very Kalila piece of art.

I leaned back in my seat, my lips twitching into a grin and anticipation and I knew right then and there That's mine.

Without hesitation, I raised my number.

"$1,000" I declared, my voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

Evara's face was a masterpiece of annoyance. Her sharp glare practically screamed, What the hell are you doing? I stayed unfazed, keeping my gaze locked on the piece.

The room quieted until someone in the very front raised his number.

"$1,500" came a calm voice.

I couldn't see his face, but I didn't need to. Because if it's a money game, I know no one can beat me at it.

I chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "Cute."

Raising my card again, I didn't bother hesitating. "$2,000."

He countered immediately. "$2,500."

I smirked. The guy had guts, I'd give him that. But unfortunately this will end right now.

"$5,000," I said firmly, my voice echoing through the room.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. All eyes turned to me. I didn't flinch, didn't blink. I wanted the piece so bad I don't even care if it's worth a million.

Evara scanned the crowd, her expression one of reluctant disbelief. "Well, will anyone go higher than that?" she asked, her tone practically begging someone to save her from the inevitable.

Silence. The other guy didn't even twitch. Smart move.

"Sold! For $5,000 to the highest bidder in today's auction. Congratulations," she said, her tone dripping with bitterness.

I leaned back, a smug smile tugging at the corner of my lips as I caught Evara's death glare. I held her gaze, letting her irritation wash over me like a victory lap.

"To all the winning bidders, you may claim your art pieces at the back of our booth. Thank you so much for participating, and have a good day," she announced, her voice forced into fake cheerfulness.

Now, its time to see Kalila.