"More of Ms. Greene's unconventional, no holds barred journalism is what the world needs right now." A review in a popular blog post reads about her. Silver, an upcoming independent journalist with a considerable reach across social media platforms is hard at work, trying to find that story that would take her to the next level professionally; even though her personal life had fallen a level lower due to yet another heartbreak. Tired of a string of unsuccessful relationships with undeserving, underachieving men, and a very fresh heartbreak story, Silver Greene finally succumbs to her friend's advice to subscribe to an exclusive dating app even though it would cost her about $100 monthly. The app in question, named Sire, caters to the top 1% of rich individuals who want to find a short-term or long-term partner, so she eventually signs up for something short term, hoping to take her mind off romantic commitments for a while, and being an attractive woman, she quickly gets a couple of profiles interested. However, she is drawn to just one of them. A man named Devon Calloway. Devon isn't exactly someone you'd meet everyday. In fact, it's more possible to get attacked by a shark in Times Square than to meet him. He is that mysterious brooding guy in the background, whom you don't take much notice of, until they make you see them. Being born into the Calloway family, Devon has access to unimaginable wealth, and the freedom to get away with just about anything he wants. Because having a career or a source of income is unnecessary, Devon spends his time performing the tasks assigned to him by his family. He too has experienced heartbreak before-at the hands of family even, and lost interest or even the ability to trust anyone, especially women. However, when he visits his old Sire account, and checks the new arrivals, that's when he finds Silver, and there's just something about her Harley Quinn smile that pulls him in. For the first time really, he can't take his eyes off a woman. They quickly connect, agree to meet up and see what happens. And at the dinner table, she's completely sure that she made the right choice. However, after she listens to his terms for a relationship, their first date ends with Silver branding Devon a walking red flag, and leaving him in the parking lot. But after her next date from Sire turns out to be more disappointing, she finds herself calling Devon's phone, while half drunk at the bar. Devon then shows up, and takes her to his home where they have a night for the ages. The next morning, she agrees to his terms but sets some of her own. An agreement that seals her fate with things she would not have anticipated. His background soon comes into play, pulling her into a whirlwind of mystery, intrigue, and power. Can she pull away before it takes her whole? Or would the dangers consume them both?
Chapter 1 LA, USA
LA, USA
"And that's why you should definitely reduce, reuse, and recycle, people. Still your girl, Silver," she blew kisses at the camera. "If you want an independent view on your-"
Her phone chimed from an incoming message, momentarily distracting her from the live stream-
Silver got the feeling that it was an important message but she quickly brushed it away.
"Uhh- I was saying; if you wanna see similar content. A completely independent view on news, research, and investigative journalism-"
Her phone chimed continuously, signaling multiple incoming messages; it drew her attention once more-
"Click the follow button on your screens, thank youu," she waved distractedly, ending the stream with one hand, and reaching for her phone with the other.
She checked her notifications and found media attachments from her boyfriend.
That many messages brought a smile to her face.
"You can't stay a minute without me, baby," she laughed, spinning in her swivel chair as she hit the reply button.
"I told you not to text while Im streaming, loverboy," She texted, added two crying emojis, and sent.
Then went ahead and opened the messages.
***
Vienna, Austria
The auction hall could be passed as an orchestra in itself. Its walls towered above the guests, and the seating was tiered like in a cinema or a stadium; every detail radiating grandeur.
The guests at this auction weren't just the crĆØme de la crĆØme-one was even amongst the absolute pinnacle of society.
The soft murmur of low-voice conversations spread across the room, providing a subtle undercurrent to the auction already in progress.
But then, as if on cue, a hush fell, spreading from end to end in a blink.
Two men appeared through the curtains, one wheeling something covered on a cart onto the stage.
This was what the auctioneers were here for. The reason they had all gathered.
***
LA, USA
"What the f*ck?!" Silver swiped through the pictures, wide-eyed. She brought the phone closer to her face and even zoomed in to be sure.
What was Ritchie's secretary doing on his chest, in her bed? Was this Photoshop?
The next picture had her clock in the background, confirming thoughts she was trying to reject.
This was her room.
This was her apartment, and-
She checked the time on the clock...
This was happening right now.
Silver leaned back, and clutched her chest, gasping for breath; hot tears stung the edges of her eyes.
It felt like all the air had just been knocked out of her system, and she almost choked on inhaling.
There was even a video.
Do. Not. Click. On. That. Video, Silver! Her voice of reason rang in her ears.
But even that voice knew that stopping her was impossible.
She hit play, and the few seconds it took the video to load was like an endless eternity.
***
Vienna, Austria
The announcer stepped forward, his voice steady and clear. "Ladies and gentlemen," he spread his arms.
His thick Italian accent was being translated-in real-time, to several languages in the headsets of the guests.
"From the deepest archives of the greatest artist who ever lived-my fellow countryman, we present a lesser-known, yet undeniably captivating masterpiece-The Asil Anom," the announcer said.
His voice softened in reverence when he mentioned the name, as though he feared to disturb its aura.
"A piece once lost to time, and now... a treasure beyond any comparison."
With a delicate precision, he pulled back the veil...
A soft gasp spread amongst the auctioneers.
The artwork before them was the Mona Lisa.
But this wasn't just the famous painting. This was a life-sized bust.
That enigmatic smile had never looked so real.
Even the room seemed to hold its breath at that moment, every eye transfixed on the sculpture.
Its magnetic aura was undeniable.
Basking in the enchanted looks of the guests before him, the announcer walked back to his pulpit slowly and raised his gavel.
"This auction starts at 800 million U.S. dollars. Any takers?" He asked, smiling brightly.
***
LA, USA
Her boyfriend was sitting blindfolded while his secretary rode him like a horse.
"Who's been your favorite f*ck for the past 6 months?" She asked.
"You, baby," Silver watched her boyfriend reply-while groping the girl's breasts, her right hand covered her open mouth unconsciously, and the tears made dark patches on her gray camo pants.
"Tell me your girl's got nothing on me," the girl moaned.
"F*ck, Silver's got nothing on you baby. Now, bend over," he said, reaching for the blindfold, and she abruptly ended the video.
Silver set her phone down with a calmness that belied the turbulence in her mind, and bent her head over it, tears immediately dropped onto the dark screen in clear patches.
She stayed in that position for a while, taking in the realization of what had just happened.
6 months.
For 6 goddamn months, he'd been sleeping with his secretary?
Two years of her life flashed before her eyes, and yet again, it was all for nothing.
She clasped her hands together, and took a deep breath, feeling her lips tremble. "I'm going to murder the both of them," she muttered, grabbed her phone, and stormed out.
***
Vienna, Austria
Almost everyone raised their paddles.
"820 million!" A lady yelled with a British accent.
"820? Do I hear 840?" The announcer leaned forward.
"850!" A man replied, his accent was hard to place.
"860!" The British woman challenged, looking the man in the eye.
Just as the man was about to speak, a man at the back raised his paddle.
"900 million dollars," he said calmly, and a hush spread across the crowd.
Some of the guests turned around to make out his features but he was in a darkened area, and all they could see was a man standing next to him.
"900 million dollars," the announcer repeated cheerily. "Do I hear 950?"
"One Billion U.S. Dollars," another man replied, closer to the front. His was a Swiss accent.
Other books by Anthonette Ijeh
More