When Valerie and Brian reached the mall, it took a bit of time for Valerie to adjust to shopping for a much higher nosed audience. First she found herself getting lost in Saks Fifth, much like a kid in a candy store. Luxury brands were now suddenly at her fingertips and Versace, FENTY, and Burberry seemed to be screaming the loudest.

The store even happened to have a couple of Telfar Global bags on hand and that was practically unheard of.

Brian stalked around with her quietly, never too close and never too far. Only when he stepped away for a phone call did Valerie not see him in the corner of her eye.

She was five fingers deep in a hot pink Birkin bag when she heard him clear his throat behind her causing her to glance back at him. He still had his cellphone in hand.

"Mr.Giovanni wants you to choose your engagement ring today as well. No expense should be spared." He told her curtly. Valerie just hummed her acknowledgement. For some reason her heart faltered a bit at that.

I have to choose my own ring, huh?

It was apparent that the fantasy that they'd shared for the last two nights in a row she was being rudely awakened from. It was back to business as usual, literally. This engagement was an arrangement to a marriage that would benefit them both, but love was not in the equation.

Meaning yes, I had to pick my own damn ring.

Valerie was upset with herself for even caring this much because for as far as she was concerned she still loathed Luca in some ways, but the ways were disappearing as fast as a sand castle on an angry beach.

She liked him, definitely, but still felt they had a ways to go if she ever wanted to consider him as a true husband. Why would she do that though?

There were bigger fish to fry.

The Armata was one hell of a fish.

Walking towards the cash register to be checked out, Brian put all the new items she'd add to her closet onto the counter to be scanned. There was a young platinum blonde woman behind the counter. The teal gum she had in her mouth must've been delicious with the way she was chewing it loudly.

When Valerie handed her Luca's black card the girl's eyes lit up like the top star on a Christmas tree, her lavender stiletto nails grasped the card delicately before she flitted over Valerie's appearance and gasped.

"You're Luca Giovanni's new fiancé! Fuck, I would kill to be in your shoes right now." She gushed as she swiped the card.

Valerie laughed nervously as she stuck the card back in her wallet and took her bags graciously when they were handed to her. "Baby, I'd kill to be out of them..." She trailed off leaving the cashier with her jaw hitting the floor.

It was weird being recognized in public like she was some celebrity, but she was on the rise she guessed. Her face was plastered next to Luca's on every magazine front, but not looking the princess she was for all those hours. Of course they had to capture her in the middle of the rubbish left behind after Luca's clash with Jeff. Barefoot and halfway bruised.

The tabloids had dubbed her the "Wild Ride Bride". Somebody who was in for a big storm wedding the "drunken brute" that was Luca Giovanni and to think he had the nerve to be upset with her for stepping in the middle of the fight. At least she was proof he could get somebody to marry him, the gossip columns swore he was doomed to live as a handsome, but very lonesome geezer forever.

Same thing my family thought about me, I suppose.

Her mind flitted back to her family's expression when she finally brought someone home to meet them.

These tabloids definitely weren't family and this was the first of many stamps she'd be branded by now that she was somebody.

Brian had guided her into a jewelry parlor that looked like it needed to be placed inside of a huge bank vault. Glass cases of precious gems with every shape, size, and color shone under the harsh lighting inside the store. In a few seconds an attendant walked up to the two, her green eyes quickly assessing the two.

"Good afternoon, lovelies. How can I be of service to you two? Special occasion? Let me guess! Graduation present, Dad?" She overzealously spoke as she made eye contact with Brian who was unamused by her excitement. He didn't say a word, he just looked at the woman like she was a piece of gum under his shoe.

"No, I'm here to look at engagement rings. He is not my father." Valerie called attention back to her and the curly brunette sales woman blushed deeply, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before blowing out some air from her chubby cheeks.

"My apologies," She squeaked, "My name is Laura and we have a beautiful selection of rings in right now. Follow me." Laura jumped right back into her professionalism although she looked like she could cry from embarrassment.

She led Valerie to a case of rings that were doubly encrusted with gems and looked like they'd make her hand weigh five pounds at least.

"This is our fall collection. They're absolutely gorgeous! What's your choice of diamond cut?" Laura asked as she let herself behind the counter and put on a pair of black velvet gloves, gesturing to the biggest rings subtly.

"I'd love something princess or cushion cut. It doesn't have to be too extravagant, but there's no price range." Valerie expressed, lightly running her fingers over the protective glass that held the rings in. "Beautiful choice, ma'am." Laura agreed as she went around the collection picking rings that fit Valerie's description.

Valerie just was not feeling it. She was stuck on not getting what she'd dreamed of her whole life, a real love connection for her first wedding. Instead she'll be putting on a facade. She could only imagine how drained she'd feel when it came time to choose a wedding dress.

Laura came back beaming with five ring selections in her hands. Valerie was instantly attracted to a princess cut diamond that had a relatively simple band, it had a line of smaller diamonds set into the band. It was perfect.

"I want this one." Valerie pointed to it and Laura's face dropped.

"This one?" She repeated back to her and Valerie nodded surely. "Problem?"

Laura glanced back down at the ring in question and softly shook her head no. "No ma'am, I just... with no budget restriction I thought you'd go for something bigger... b-bolder."

The sentence reverberated in Valerie's skull. Laura was right. She was the soon-to-be wife of a multi billionaire. There was no need to be simple or modest, and if she had to choose her own ring— she might as well go big because she wasn't going home.

"Bring me your favorite ring then and ring it up. Don't even show me until it's paid for." Valerie told her with no room for hesitancy. Laura looked like she'd been given a million dollar raise, and she'd probably would be if they were paid off of commission in the parlor. There was something brewing in Valerie and she couldn't quite place her finger on it.

Glancing at Brian, she found herself feeling a bit antsy. She wasn't used to ordering people around nor was she used to buying things at whim, but she had to start acting the part she would be playing for a year and for the media to not eat her alive, she had to play it well.

"Was that too much?" She whispered to the security guard, her voice a bit mousy as she looked around the parlor nervously. Laura could be seen wrapping her gift box in Tiffany blue paper.

Brian cracked a bit of a smile, glancing at Valerie for a brief second.

"It was perfect, Miss Stevens. Just perfect."

Breathing a small sigh of relief Valerie felt a little better. If Brian, the man who'd worked with Giovanni's for years, thought she was fairing fine— she'd take his word... for now.

Laura came bounding back to her counter, giddy with excitement as she handed Valerie back the card she used to ring up the engagement ring. "This piece just came in from our Fit For a Princess collection, it's to die for. Do you want to see it now? I already placed it on your bill. It's yours, ma'am." Laura pushed, slightly bouncing with excitement.

Valerie's heart was beating fast for some reason. She looked at the receipt and a ten thousand dollar price tag stared right back at her. She almost felt sick to her stomach.

"Show me." Were the only words she could get out without sounding shaken, and boy did Laura not disappoint.

A huge emerald cut diamond with round diamonds surrounding it shone magnificently in the light. Baguette shaped diamonds were set around the others on each side of the ring, then the band of the ring was white gold and set with even more diamonds.

Laura politely took Valerie's left hand and slid the ring on her finger.

"This ring is fit for a queen. It was made for you."

Valerie could not have disagreed more, but as the ring glinted so beautifully she couldn't help but slowly nod her head in agreement.

If there was a role to play, she was going to play it well.

"Thank you for your help, Laura." Valerie told the still beaming attendant as she lovingly watched the ring on Valerie's finger. "No, thank you." She dreamily replied before her manager cleared her throat behind her making the girl jump in surprise. Valerie just shook her head as she and Brian left the jewelry parlor, making their way back to the car.

"What's next on the agenda, Brian?" Valerie asked as she settled into the backseat and he began to drive. "We must go get Mr.Giovanni, he has a meeting tonight. I, however, don't know if you will be allowed to attend..." Brian revealed, the way he looked at her in the rearview mirror put her on edge.

"Why wouldn't I be able to attend? I'm his fiancé." She pressed, the ring on her finger a big reminder to her that she definitely should be included in whatever the hell he had going on from this point forward.

"Hopefully, he will be able to clear up your questions, miss." Brian effectively ended her questioning, it felt like he was afraid to reveal too much. Brian was not a man of many words, but he sure said a lot with his silence.

When they picked Luca up he looked like he'd had a very hard day at work. His expression was choleric and the air of tension around him was cold. He slid in the car without a word to Valerie or Brian, he simply threw his briefcase in the back of the car as he relentlessly drafted an email on his phone.

"Are you okay?" Valerie couldn't help, but ask even though the answer was clearly no.

Luca said nothing back to her, he continued what he was doing.

That was a big pet peeve for her. She understood he was in a bad mood, but he didn't have to be rude about it.

"Fine. Guess not." She irritatedly quipped and turned her body away from him. The New York sky was darkening, it was a little bit passed six thirty in the evening. The buildings looked so pretty at dusk.

"Let me see your ring." Luca suddenly asked, breaking the silence and Valerie chose not to acknowledge him.

She didn't choose the petty life, the petty life chose her.

"Valerie, tonight is not the night." Luca lowly growled. Valerie inwardly scoffed.

Prove it.

The cab of the car was deathly silent. Valerie stayed in her position towards her window, wordlessly watching the buildings as they sped past. She actually closed her eyes for a few seconds, feeling peaceful in her little own way even though she poking a huge angry Italian bear.

Then she felt his hand run slowly down her spine, her back arching inward at the tingly sensation it caused. She still remained quiet.

The slow hand down her back then rested on the nape of her neck for a moment; right before his hand opened and yanked her over to his side of the car and over his lap. Valerie didn't even have time to squeak in surprise it happened so fast and it left her panting as she looked up at him. His hand was still behind her neck, cradling it.

Like nothing had happened, he took her left hand and admired it. He said nothing about the ring. Valerie was pissed. He didn't even acknowledge her presence, but then decides to put his hands on her?

"What the fuck is your problem?!" She disgustedly slapped his hand away from her. Sitting up from his lap and retreating back to her side of the car, but he didn't let her get far.

He grabbed her right hand and held her there. "Don't move away from me." He told her and Valerie laughed humorlessly. "I don't know what the hell happened to you while you were at work, but it has nothing to do with me. Act like you have some fucking sense." She bit out, not even phased by his vice grip on her anymore.

Luca ran his free hand through his hair and sighed deeply. Valerie just looked at him like he was nuts until he finally made eye contact with her, he looked tired now. The day had aged him ten years.

"I have to lead the AAA meeting tonight. Like I told you, when I found a wife, I'd be given full board rights and tonight is the night where I become the head of it all."

"Okay, but you've been going to these meetings for awhile, why are you so nervous now?" Valerie tried her best to wrap her head around the thing causing him to act like a mad man.

"Not nervous at all, it is a big job that I know is my duty to take over and I want to make sure it goes flawlessly."

"So...nervous." Valerie repeated again, this time with a bit of a smile on her face. She scooted back over to Luca and held his face in the palm of her hand, his eyes darkened as they flitted over her face.

"It's okay to be a bit anxious when you're doing new things. How do you like my ring?" She covertly switched the subject so she wouldn't embarrass him further if he really was scared of tonight. His shoulders visibly relaxed as he took her palm from his face and looked over the ring once more, then he looked at her face.

"It fits you." He told her softly, running his thumb over the gemstones. "I'm glad you found something you liked. Tonight you'll be on show for a completely different audience, you must come to this meeting as well— so they know who you are."

Valerie's blood froze. She didn't want to be anywhere near that godforsaken building ever again.

Hydia's bloodshot eyes flashed in her head.

She would ruin the whole night. She would ruin his debut as head of it all.

"I don't think I feel well—"

"You can and you will." Luca stopped her sentence in his tracks. Valerie shrunk back from him.

He pulled her back towards him in one swift movement, smoothing a hand down her hair. "You did amazing the other night, you will do great tonight." Luca softly reassured her, but it wasn't her she was worried about.

One thing was for certain though, there would be no auction tonight.

***

They went home so Valerie could change clothes.

Now she was dressed in a midnight blue gown that clung to her every curve. It was cut deep into her cleavage which made her a bit self conscious, but she knew she looked amazing. She let her neck be bare and paired the dress with silver dangling earrings and a diamond bracelet.

The jewelry parlor definitely should rename themselves after her after today's shopping spree.

Her hair was still straight from the other event, so the curls that were left she brushed out into free flowing waves and side swept her hair so that it'd fall on one shoulder. Her makeup was light, a pink gloss on her lips. Although she felt it in her bones she and Luca were going to fight after tonight, she knew she had a part to play still.

When he saw her coming down the stairs, she felt like a teenager going on prom again. It was the way he looked at her like he'd never seen her before every time she got dressed up. When she reached him, he kissed her temple and placed a hand on the small of her back.

"When you look in the mirror, you should see why I fought so fucking hard to put that ring on your finger." He breathed in her ear making a shiver run down her back. Valerie kissed him sweetly on the mouth, savoring the calm bliss he had for the time being.

It was surreal arriving back at that rundown apartment building as a guest and not a half rate spy. She wondered where Mr.Patterson was here and if he'd recognize her. Even if he did, it didn't matter. Now she outranked him.

Like she remembered, there were no other women guests in site. Just about seventy men in business attire all bustling about and being sat at large circular tables with eggshell white table cloths.

The stares she was getting made her want to burst into flames of fury. Every one of them were scum bags to her because she knew just what they'd participate in and she was very sure not one of them were planning to send the girl they chose back to her home country like Luca did with Hydia.

I would gut them all.

Valerie seethed in her head.

Luca guided her to their table, close to the front of the room of course, right in front of the podium he'd be speaking at.

"I have to go speak to a few of my colleagues. How are you feeling?" Luca asked as he pulled out Valerie's chair for her to sit and slowly pushed her up to the table. Valerie assured him she was fine as she looked around the room and he went off to do business.

That's when she saw the girls of the night, all coming out with the same attire the others had the first night she'd been here. Old rags for clothing and dirty bare feet. They held shining gold trays with red and white wine, dispersing into the sea of men like waitresses. Valerie was so sick at the sight.

She didn't have time to be disgusted for long because the seats across from her were taken by the infamous couple, Jeffrey and Margaret.

Tonight Margaret was dressed in a beautiful jade gown that did wonders for her complexion and bronzed hair. Every time Valerie saw her she hated how mean the woman was because she loved her a pretty girl to be friends with, but Margaret? She'd proven she was as nice as a pitbull with rabies.

"You look lovely tonight, Valerie." Margaret greeted her softly, calling for a glass of wine from one of the girls and it was immediately given to her.

Jeffrey donned a navy suit almost the same shade as Valerie's dress, he looked already a bit inebriated. "Good evening, I hope you enjoy the festivities. First time, yeah?" He asked her, his voice a bit nasally from the bandaged holding his nose together. Valerie just nodded and Margaret grinned.

"I remember my first night as hostess, I was so nervous, but I'm sure Luca has prepped you marvelously." Margaret went on to say and Valerie tilted her head in confusion. It seemed like Margaret's smile got bigger as well.

"Prepped me for what, praytell?" Valerie inquired, a stone finding its way into her stomach.

"It's tradition in the AAA that the wife of the head of the board heads the auction. Tonight you'll be serving up the pretty little delicacies for the slaughter." She evilly beamed, brimming with excitement it seemed.

"I... I don't think I will be doing that." Valerie told her a bit shakily, as she wiped her clammy hands on the cool silk of her gown. Now she felt like she needed a glass of wine or two to keep from running away from the whole event.

"Oh, but you have to or Luca cannot serve as chair. It'll be quite the disgrace..." Margaret told her in a hushed tone, her eyes dancing with amusement as she took a long swig of her wine. Her husband laughed as she did so, nodding his head in agreement.

"Yeah, toots. Tonight is definitely your night to be the ringmaster of this fucked circus." Jeffrey cackled, taking Margaret's wine and sipping it himself. She glared at him when she did so, but he paid her no mind.

Just as Valerie was gearing to deny it once more, Luca came and took his seat beside her. Margaret went from fuming to flirty in all of one tenth of a second. "Oh, Luca— I was just wishing Valerie well on tonight's auction. First time jitters for the little one." She gushed. Luca's jaw began to tick.

He looked at Valerie and Valerie glared at him, "Yes, what ever is she talking about, dear?" A harshness dripping from her tone.

Luca turned back to Margaret, "She won't be doing that tonight, she's not ready." He put simply.

Jeffrey raised a brow, "What do you mean she's not ready? It's tradition and the way we operate things around here."

Margaret looked between the two with a sick giddiness, probably loving the tension.

Luca was unfazed by the challenge in Jeffrey's voice. "Traditions change all the time, Jeff. I'm the head of the board, correct?" He asked the heavyset man who was increasingly reddening.

"Yes, but—"

"Then we have no problem." Luca finished the conversation.

Valerie suddenly had an idea though. Regardless, someone was going to send those girls off to do only God knows what and she could be the thing that saves someone's life. She was gonna be the one who saves someone's life, and that means she had to get in the fray.

"I can do it, Luca." Valerie piped suddenly, Luca's head swiftly turning her way. He put his hand on her thigh almost like he was telling her to back down, but Valerie kept talking.

She faced the couple across from them and smiled. "He doesn't think I can handle it, but I assure you I can. After all, it's tradition." She emphasized with a hugely fake smile. Luca's nostrils flared with anger. His eyes would've burned her into ash if they could have. He had no idea what she was doing and she knew he wouldn't cause a scene in front of a room full of his colleagues.

At least not on his first night as head of this huge association.

Jeffrey looked immensely pleased while Margaret sat with her arms folded childishly while she watched their wordless exchange.

Before Luca could say anything, a man approached their table and whispered something in Luca's ear. Luca nodded before rising from the table, spearing Valerie with one last look that told her he was definitely ready to beat her ass before leaving.

Valerie sighed dreamily, "Isn't he so lovely?" She asked the couple before getting a glass of white wine herself.

Luca waked onto the podium and stood behind the lectern that waited for him, his demeanor cool and intimidating as always for the public.

"Good evening, gentlemen." He addressed the crowd.

"Good evening." The men chorused back. It was oddly sexy how he could command a room with men almost as powerful as he was.

Oh, if he wasn't such a dickhead.

"I am Luca Giovanni, Romano's son. I will be your new head chairman. I am who you will refer to if any problem arises that involves the association and your time with us. Anything else less pertinent, please see Jeffrey," He paused to nod at Jefferey, "my vice chairman or any lower ranking chairperson. Now let's welcome our new members. Please stand." He finished, beginning to clap as men in the crowd began to proudly stand from their seats.

It amazed Valerie how excited these men were to be here. Smiles from ear to ear. These were men she'd only seen on TV and now she was sitting right amongst, engaged to the richest one in the room.

"Congratulations to you, gentlemen. We have all been where you once stood, on the brink of greatness." Luca spoke as if he was giving a presidential address. Valerie had never heard him speak this long to public, it was interesting watching just what he was in the professional world. She knew he was nothing to be played with, but now as she watched him charming a crowd of hardened businessmen... she couldn't imagine him being anything less than a shark.

He was a god amongst men.

Romano was definitely right to be overly proud of his boy.

"The American Affluence Assurance Association has been around since 1933, the end of the Great Depression, where men like us decided to take our own destinies into our own hands and not the mercy of the stock market, which we all know first hand is very fragile."

The room softly laughed with Luca as he paused, his posture straightening as he rose from his laughter. Valerie glanced at Margaret and the woman was almost drooling at the mouth. Valerie looked at her fiancé again, and she completely understood why— the man was fucking fine.

He wore a perfectly tailored stone gray suit, it had a slight metallic quality to it making it reflect slightly in the soft lighting of the room. He also donned a midnight blue button down that matched Valerie's dress and it was open until the third button, a thin silver chain on full show because of it.

"We are a brotherhood of likeminded individuals who know what it means to lose, but God knows how much we love to win. Being apart of us is a privilege few can earn, but once you're here... you've made it to paradise. Welcome to wealth, brothers." Luca produced a glass of wine from somewhere and held it up for a toast, the whole room followed.

Valerie refused.

The room drank together and then began to clap for their leader. Luca gave them a dashing smile, and Valerie swore she felt her uterus jump.

"Now, we will have a couple remarks from some of our members on how they're doing since joining us. Please give them a warm welcome." Luca said before beginning a warm clap, the room began to clap again as another man came on stage.

Luca didn't even sit down when he arrived at the table, he swiftly pulled Valerie's chair out from the table which she knew was her cue to get up. Taking her hand with no warning, he began to walk them out of the main room and into the hallway. Opening a random door and pushing her into a closet with him.

Valerie softly coughed as the dust in the room settled and turned on a light that dimly lit the room.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You don't know the first thing about heading an auction, Valerie. Tonight is not a night to try your hand at things." He harshly boomed.

Valerie rolled her eyes, "You dragged me here after I told you I didn't want to go. I here there's a part I'm supposed to play, I'm gonna play it." She told him with her tone dripping with attitude.

He didn't hesitate to grab her by her throat, the slight pressure making her weak in the knees as she was forced to look up at him. The way he looked down at her making her want to jump his bones right then and there.

"You just can't help yourself can you?" Luca asked as he ran nose up the side of her neck, his breath fanning over her chest warming her in all the right ways.

"W-what?" Valerie asked breathily, causing him to darkly chuckle. He shook his head when he locked eyes with her again.

"Don't embarrass me." He told her, his tone left no room for discussion. She knew how important tonight was for him, and she had no plans to tear the place down.

Valerie softly nodded in his grasp. "Sir, yes sir." She playfully whispered against his lips.

Luca smirked, "Save that for tonight."

His free hand pushed them closer together as he gripped her ass before capturing her mouth in a hard kiss, instantly making Valerie melt against him. She was absolute putty in his hands, her hands flying into his hair as she held the back of his head to hers. She just couldn't get close enough.

Their hard panting was the only the sound that could be heard in the tight closet as Luca's tongue dove into Valerie's mouth, coaxing a moan from deep within her as he claimed her mouth as his. He lightly spanked her when he pulled away, looking very satisfied with the now thoroughly mussed and kiss swollen Valerie.

Valerie felt her lips tingling and she just knew she looked like she'd gotten railed within an inch of her life.

That was probably the whole point.

"You're the embarrassing one." She griped as she tried to smooth her hair and put her dress straps back in place. Luca laughed and helped her right herself before letting her step out in the hallway first.

"Yeah, yeah, save it for the wedding, babygirl." He admonished as she put his hand on the small of her back as they walked back into the main room where everyone else was.

"...everything I have, I owe it to this association and the great men that run it. I will back the AAA til I die. Thank you all so much for this opportunity." A bald man with circular glasses that made him look like a cartoon librarian was finishing up when Valerie took her seat again.

When she looked at Jeffrey and Margret, Jeffrey looked like he wanted to burst into laughter at the sight of her and Margaret's look could kill.

Oh, I definitely look like he just rearranged my spine.

Valerie downed the rest of her wine and Luca's too as he took the stage again.

"Now, to close our night, for the first time of many, my fiancé will come and introduce what you have been so patiently waiting for." Luca told the room which sent them into a frenzy of hoots and hollers. Valerie wanted to puke.

Without another word, she and Luca switched places as she took the podium and stood behind the lectern, lowering the mic a bit as she cleared her throat to speak.

"Good evening, everyo—"

"Good evening." The room greeted back without missing a beat. Valerie was thrown off for a second, but recovered with a smile. She looked down at Luca and he was smiling right back at her.

Boy, did he have a big storm coming.

Valerie thought as she swallowed.

"My name is Valerie Stevens, I am the fiancé of Luca Giovanni— your new head chairman, and I will be the one over tonight's festivities. Can all of the girls come on stage please?" Valerie stuck to her script for the time being. Once again, girls of every size, shape, and color came on stage and the room began to buzz with excitement.

All Valerie could do was think of Hydia and her dirt blackened feet the night of the first auction. Tears pricked her eyes.

"Tonight, there will be no auction." Valerie informed the room. The buzzing instantly stopped.

"We will be sending each and every one of these girls back home. Instead, the money you were so eagerly waiting to blow tonight on a human being's life will be going into a scholarship fund for one of you."

Angry murmurs began to spike the air, Valerie dared not to look down at Luca.

"Excuse me, I'm still talking." Valerie scathingly disciplined the room of irritated men.

Silence again.

"You all are very intelligent businessmen. Membership to this great association proves that. Why would you blow your hard fought cash on a human body whom you've taken by force and you will never get that money back, when you can put it back into this association who has sworn to help you when tough times come. The money that comes from tonight's bids will be put into a scholarship fund for one lucky man if we as an association deem him worthy— it could be any of you."

The crowd of men were intently listening now and Valerie knew she had them. One thing about men was if they weren't hypnotized by pussy, the sound of money to be made sounded just a bit sweeter.

"With that being said, let's start tonight's bidding. Who's willing to put at least one thousand dollars into AAA's first Best Man Award?" Valerie asked the now humming crowd. The men were definitely intrigued, but now someone had to take the leap of faith.

"One thousand dollars. Done." One older man from the very back of the room raised his hand in the air. He nodded at Valerie and she grinned back at him. She was so thankful for his help.

The next thing she knew, hands were darting up all over the room, pledging more and more money towards the fund. She looked at the girls who were still lined up on stage and some of them had began to cry tears of joy as they realized they were not the ones being bid on anymore.

Scribbling down the amounts being yelled out and getting the names of the men, Valerie glanced down at Luca. He sat there with his arms crossed, definitely scrutinizing every breath she took. His expression was unreadable.

Valerie took the risk of smiling at him regardless as she raised her lips to the microphone again with men still shouting dollar amounts.

"That's the spirit, boys. Traditions change all the time."

***

(a//n: y'all should know the drill by na. finished at 6:13 am. no sleep, just vibes. ight, bi!)