____________________

The worst feeling is feeling unwanted by the person you want the most.
___________________

After taking some photos we made our way towards the museum which was garnished with a blood-red carpet. Xavier had now untangled his hand from my waist and I was clinging to his arm as we walked the stairs which were embedded with blood-red carpet.

The ten feet tall Persian white doors were kept wide open for all the guests.

The table garnished with pearl white table cloth which was vacant yesterday were now all filled people who were busy chatting or drinking Champagne.

The sweet melodies of the piano were playing in the background.

"Mr and Mrs DeAngelis!! " A voice said pulling me back into reality. That voice I recognised clearly as it was the same voice which gave me a lot of headaches. It was Mr Brown an old businessman who continuously tried to sabotage my Australia's project when my father trusted him to help me. I was quite close to suing him but since he was Dad's friend I could not do it.

But then ever since it was announced to the media that I am going to be married to Xavier, I heard no complaints from him.

At least something useful came out of this marriage.

"Mr Brown," Xavier said with a meek grin.

The next ten minutes went in him boasting about how good his company was and how Xavier should partner with him for one of the projects and him mockingly saying that I shouldn't have given Dominic fifty per cent of my shares. but Xavier directly told him no and he told him that he shouldn't disrespect 'his wife' but before I could say anything he just pulled me forward to greet other business partners.

I saw Adrian and Hailee together and I mentally rolled my eyes. I am pretty sure he dragged her here. Before I could have a word with him, Xavier tightened his grip on my waist as he whispered in my ear," Before you run away, first we will have to meet all the business associates then do whatever you want." This is going to be a long night.

After thirty minutes of talking about business and talking about four potential projects, I saw Maddie wearing a silvery-grey floral embroidery corset v neck gown with thin straps showing off her midriff and sheer see-through material covering her torso, white floral patterns were laid out on the bodice trailing down towards the hem of the ballgown.

"Gentlemen, if you both don't mind then I would like to have a word with Aubrey," Maddie said as wrapped her perfectly manicured hands around my right arm causing Xavier to remove his hand from my waist.

"Of course Madeline, I must say the decorations and theme and everything is immaculate and well organised," Mr Robinson, the business associate with who I and Xavier were discussing the project of the Andino brothers.

"Excuse me, Mr Robinson, " I said as Maddie smiled I looked at Xavier but before I could say anything Maddie pulled me away as she hastily walked while flashing a smile towards the guest.

"Okay listen do panic and overreact but I have a dress for you which you are going to wear and you have to wear it at the auction,"

"I HAVE TO WHAT???!!!"I yelled causing the people to turn their heads in my direction. Maddie gave them an apologetic look as she continued dragging me. "Lower your voice, would you? I have designed a dress which would perfectly suit you and that you are going to be one of my models and you can't deny me because you have promised that you would wear my dress at least one event and today is the day.

You are going to wear my design I don't want to hear anything else. On the bright side, if you, The Aubrey Clinton DeAngelis wear it would be sold for a higher bid, I know a certain person who would be ready to pay millions for the dress you would wear."

Maddie rambled as we reached the rooms where all the models were getting ready for the auction . All the models looked stunning and the dew makeup was on point. The model which was going first was standing there and three people were checking her dresses, and giving final touches to her hair and makeup.

Looking at all the gorgeous models I realized that I have to walk in a dress and there might be a slight possibility that I might fuck up.

"Maddie I can't walk like these experienced and trained models. I don't know shit about modelling

"Bree you walk in your five-inch stiletto every day and it's not the first time you are wearing one of my dresses. You just have to walk normally like you do when you entire your office you know with that bitchy face of yours, keep your back straight and chin up, take small steps and walk as you own everything in the room. The makeup artists will do your make up, come on I will show you the dress."

On the mannequin was a gorgeous washed-out lavender colour magical jewelled gown with a sweetheart neckline, the ends of the bustline were connected to a sheer transparent elbow-length piece of fabric, making the sleeves fall down straight which were attached separately. From the bodice the dress cascaded down with lavender-silver sequined floral patterns trailing towards the floor in uttermost beauty, the sheer layered skirt of the dress had a slit going up the right leg towards the thigh. The train of the gown was a light fabric attached to the waist flowing behind.

"It is so magnificent Maddie. Can I buy this," "No" She snapped, "If you want this dress then tell that husband of yours has it to buy, the start bid of it is 5 million." "5 million wow but it is a very pretty dress I can't believe you made this in two months," I said as she proceeded to remove the dress from the mannequin.

"Do you think I would be able to make this dress in two months? Bre it took me two months to sketch this dress, this dress was originally for the second Gala, but I couldn't finish it, I had to go all around the world to get the materials,"

"Mads?" I heard the very familiar voice of my best friend's future husband. He walked into the room in a grey tuxedo.

"Oh hey Mrs DeAngelis," Leo said smirking but just got a glare from me. "Babe, it's time for the speech, let's go,"

"Aubrey wears this and after that, the make-up artist will do your makeup, I will be back after the speech," She said as she hung the dress on the hanger and hanged it on the rack.

"But I wanna listen to the speech too," I said pouting.

"It will be displayed on the TV here, you can see it from there," She said as she linked her arm with Leo's.

"Okay," I said. "Shall we go Miss Lewis? "
Leo said" Yes we shall Mr Sterling,"

"You guys make me want to puke get out of here," I said.

I am so glad Leo didn't make the mistake of proposing Maddie today that idiot had the plan of proposing her in front of the media sand thousands of people. I lectured him for thirty minutes telling him that it was the worst proposal idea he had ever thought of. Maddie hates too much media attention but that idiot loves it after all he is a actor.

I turned on the TV and I saw Leo and Maddie walking downstairs, Leo was holding Maddie hand as they both walked downstairs. The flashes and the clicks of the media was seen and heard.

"Good Evening everyone. First I would appreciate each person for taking time and attend this Gala it means the world to us," Leo said.

"Three years ago we started our Caring heart organization in order to help cancer patients all across the globe. This organization has a special place in our heart is we are able to run it smoothly because of the support and help offered by each one of you present here today helped us achieved our mission of helping two thousand people, thank you so much for making this possible," Leo said and the audience broke into applause along with me as I had a proud grin on my face

"This year, like every other year, we have organised an auction of my dresses and it will be sold to the highest bidder, every cent made would be donated to our Caring hearts organisation and to 50 different Caner related Organizations across the globe," Maddie continued.

"Th auction will start in thirty minutes so I suggest everyone take a seat and enjoy the event,"

I finally changed into the gorgeous dress which fit like clung perfectly to my body. The makeup artists and hairstylists came and did their magic. After five minutes Maddie came in with a grin.

"The speech was good." "I know, you look gorgeous as always but that dress looks amazing on you," She said and squealed loudly causing the stylists to chuckle. " I will check on the other models, you are going last."

After ten minutes the auction had begun. I was watching it as I had nothing better to do at the moment. The first three dresses were sold for 500k each. One of the dresses was sold to Adrian Martini for 1 million dollars.

I was going last with the most expensive dress which had diamonds fixed on its neckline.

Finally, after another half an hour I was done, the make-up wasn't caked but the eyeshadow was quite bold. I stared at my reflection in aw my hair was let open and curled from down and to top of it of there was a small diamond circlet which didn't stand out like a crown but looked perfect with my dress.

"Oh my god, you look so pretty, Aubrey!!! Come on, you are up in five," She said as she reached out her hand for me. The crystal-covered pointy-toe pumps of Jimmy Cho which I was wearing from the start itself looked suitable with the dress.

"The starting bidding price itself is 5 Million because this dress has real diamonds and pearls. Remember my tips don't be scared and don't panic thinking you are going to trip because of the long train, you will be fine. " She said as we reached the area from where the models were going. The last model was already on the runway and the bidding prices for the dress had begun. The dress was sold for 2 million dollars.

"Aubrey you are up in Three," I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes. I am going to plan Maddie's funereal after this...

"Two" I am definitely going to trip,

"And" Come on Aubrey all those etiquette trainings you had to take in your childhood use them!!

one.." I exhaled loudly as I walked towards the runway, keeping my back straight and making sure that I apply just the pressure in the front of the heels so that I do not trip.

My heels clicked on the soft carpet as I walked. After taking a few steps I had a clear view of the audience. I could feel all the eyes on me and on the glamorous dress which I wore.

I could see mixed emotions in the audience, some women were awwing at seeing the dress, some who personally don't like me were glaring at me because I looked beautiful. Some men who were always after my money were looking at me like I was some piece of meat.

"And this is the last dress designed with fifty 2 carats diamonds, the starting bidding price is five million." The announcer said and fifteen cards were raised.

"We have seven tables with the card raised." The announcer said as she took a look around. Four out of the seven were businessmen whom I absolutely loathed, the rest three were actresses. My eyes unknowingly glanced at Xavier to see him already looking at me, yet he hadn't raised his card.

"I request all the bidders to now raise their cards with the price." I didn't hesitate to look at the price like the other models who were staring at the floor.

"10 million dollars is the highest price selling in one," I looked at that smirking bastard, Ryan Rodgreguiez who was a Spanish billionaire four years older than me and was after me for the past years.

"Two," The announcer paused as she looked at another raised card that had a higher price.

"We have 12 million dollars as the highest price now selling in one," It was Evaline Watson, one of the famous actresses right now in the entertainment industry.

"Oh, we have 15 million dollars as the highest price now selling in one,"

"50 Million Dollars"

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thank you for 19k!!!!

I can't believe that this book is almost going to hit 20k!!!!

I am so so sorry for not updating for so so so long a month...

I was scared to update as I thought that this chapter didn't make any sense and I didn't want to publish something like that.

And the reason why I updated today

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AUDRINA WILSON !!!!

You are the best!! Today I am able to write this book only because you introduced me to it so thank you so so much for that!!

Comment down below if you liked the chapter or not.

Until then,

Stay Tuned!!!!!!