"Can you zip me up, Rena? I'm having a hard time reaching for the zipper on this dress", I get up from my seat on the edge of the queen-sized bed and place the warm curling iron on the dresser before walking over to help Zolani with her Grey Halter Top Feather Trim Sequin Evening Gown. "Did your ass get bigger? I could have sworn we were able to zip this dress up last night", I state as I work to get the zipper up on Zolani. I make sure to tug the zipper as hard as possible so it will come apart. Zolani is gasping for air at this point as she leans her body forward trying to suck in her stomach. I can't help but start laughing as I look at our reflection in the mirror. Zolani takes notice of what I am doing and rolls her eyes while snorting her irritation at me. "Girl, this shit is not funny. I spent $5,000 on this dress. I'm wearing this shit tonight". I struggle for several minutes before finally getting the zipper up. I am out of breath at this point but relieved that my girl can get inside of her dress. Zolani twists her body left and right as her hands run down her slim frame as she maneuvers at how good she looks. Her hair is pinned up in a French roll with two strands of curls on each side of her head. She looks absolutely beautiful. She turns to look at me and smiles. "Don't I look like a good friend". I nod in agreement. "Yes. Now help me get into my dress".

Unlike Zolani I do not have any trouble getting into my Strapless Emerald Sweetheart Neckline dress with a slit on the right side of my leg. I immediately began to smile as I took notice of how good I looked. My honey blonde bob is curled to perfection while my eyes are covered with emerald green and black eyeshadow and a pair of false lashes enhance my look. I typically do not wear makeup often being around children all day, but I can't admire how good I look. I look over at Zolani as she leans against my bathroom door frame. "You good girl". Suddenly we hear my doorbell ring. "That must be Kieran. Let me go get the door". Zolani leaves my bedroom to go downstairs to let Kieran inside of my home. While Zolani is gone I look back at myself in the mirror. Is it too soon for me to be dating again? I ask myself as I place clear shimmery lip gloss on my lips to complete my look. Although Kieran has been nothing but a sweetheart to me, I still have my reservations about him. It's hard for me to give another man my heart being that I still think about Eryx from time to time.

I continue to stare at myself in the mirror as I hear footsteps. I shift my head around to see Zolani looking at me with raised eyebrows. "Girl that man is waiting downstairs for you". She then stops in her tracks and takes notice of my hesitation. She then walks over and stands in front of me placing her hands on my shoulders. "You know you don't have to do this. I think it might be too soon". I place my hand against her arm, stopping her from continuing. "No it's not that. I'm just a little nervous that's all.". I was lying but I didn't want Zolani worrying about me anymore. Zolani looks as though she is hesitant to believe me, but sighs. "Okay girl", she then takes hold of my hand and leads me out of the bedroom.

An hour later I am sitting next to Kieran with an emerald mask covering my face. Everyone in attendance is wearing masks being that this is a masquerade ball. Kieran has been talking my ear off since we arrived at the ball, but I have been keeping my answers short. I am not really in the mood to make conversation. Kieran takes notice of my silence takes hold of my hand and kisses it. "Is anything bothering you Verena", I make eye contact with him and smile. "No, if anything I'm tired from the long work day". Kieran places one of his arms around my shoulder. "You work too much. When was the last time you went on vacation". The last time I went on vacation was years ago with Eryx. We were on a tropical island and one of the nights I professed wanting to have a baby. That was a memorable night.

"Too long", I add and lean my head against Kieran's shoulder, closing my eyes for a moment. "If you want I can take you somewhere out of the country", Kieran offers moments later and open my eyes and look at him as if he is joking. "I'm not joking", he says while grinning at me."If you are open to the idea we could tour several countries together". Before I can give my answer, one of the investors of Hemsby Bank taps on the microphone. "Can I get everyone's attention? It is time to start our dating auction. Every woman who has donated tonight please come forward to participate in tonight's auction". Kieran takes hold of my hand and helps me out of my seat. He kisses my cheek. "Of course, you know you are going to be my date right", he then winks before I walk away towards the stage. I take hold of Zolani's hand; her silver sequin matches perfectly with her dress. "Chile why did I sign up for this shit again", Zolani whispers as we stand in line with other women. "It's for charity Zo, stop complaining", I whisper back to her as she stands in front of me.

I already knew that Kieran was going to bid the highest on me so I wasn't worried about another guy bidding on me. Several minutes passed and many bids were made with women getting dates with their mystery men. Zolani is up next as the male presenter helps her on stage. I stand on the edge of the stairwell, watching to see how many men will bid on my friend. "Okay, we have the lovely Zolani Montgomery here. She works as a Nurse Manager for the Ashbourne Children's Clinic. Her favorite hobbies are cooking gourmet food, spending time with her best friend, and painting. Let's start the bid".

"$10,000", I hear a man scream out from the audience. My eyes shift across the room to see a tall, slim guy wearing a mahogany-colored suit with his hands in his pocket staring at Zolani. "$15,000", another man says on the other side of the room. "$25,000", the man in the mahogany suit yells out. The guy in a dark grey suit comes forward with $40,000", and everyone in the ballroom begins to praise and clap. "$40,000 going once, twice". Suddenly the guy in the mahogany suit yells $200,000". Everyone in the room gasps, surprised at the offer. "$200,000 going once, twice, sold to the gentlemen in the mahogany suit". Zolani looks over at me and frowns. I smile back with my thumbs up, motioning for her that it was okay. Zolani shakes her head as the guy who bidded on her walks to the edge of the stage and helps her down the steps. He whispers something in her ear and places his hand around her waist, quickly taking hold of her hand and leading her out of the ballroom. I hope whoever treats my friend right, Now it is my turn. The male presenter looks over at me and smiles. "We have here the lovely Dr. Verena Ashborne. She is a pediatrician and owns her children's clinic, the Ashbourne Clinic located inside of the Fountain View Children's Hospital. She is a philanthropist and donates money to various charities here in town. Let's start the bidding". "$50,000", Kieran yells out as he stands at the edge of the stage near me. "$100,000", I hear a gentleman with a baritone voice say standing near the middle of the dancefloor. Kieran waves the guy off as if his offer doesn't stand a chance. $300,000". Kieran then smiles back at me. Suddenly the other gentleman who is wearing a dark emerald green suit that matches perfectly with my dress comes forward. $1,000,000".

My eyes widen and my mouth is jarred open. I glance over at Kieran and a frown covers his face. He doesn't say anything but his fists clench his hand as he glares over at the gentleman who just bid $1,00,000 on me. $1,000,000 going once, twice, sold". Everyone begins clapping as the gentleman in the emerald suit and mask tasks holds my hand, and plants a soft, chaste kiss on top of my knuckles before leading me down the steps. I feel electricity flow down my body as the gentleman places his hand around my waist and we slowly stride out of the ballroom. My heart suddenly begins to race and we walk further out of the ballroom. Once we made it out of the ballroom, I noticed the height difference between me and the man. He towers over me and looks down at me before he takes hold of my hand and leads me out of the hotel. "Are you going to tell me who you are?"I ask as the black SUV pulls up in front of the hotel. The man doesn't answer my question but takes hold of my hand while opening the door. He picks me up and places me on the seat, I shift my head around to see Zolani sitting near my estranged husband's best friend, Arsenio.

"What the fuck are you doing here", I scream. Arsenio leans back in his seat and smirks at me, before his eyes traveling to the person getting inside of the vehicle. I shift my head around to see my estranged husband, Eryx staring back at me. "Surprise, sweetheart. Did you miss me?". Before I scream, Eryx presses his chest against mine and kisses me. I close my eyes as his tongue slides into my mouth. This has to be a bad dream. My eyes flutter open and see that Eryx is staring down at me with love in his eyes. "This is not a dream, Cherie. I am here and I am bringing you back home".