WHOOO! The large crowd of debutantes erupted as I emerged from behind the red satin curtain, the hooting and hollering of older well dressed men feeling equally out of place and just right for their falsely demure appearances. I couldn't help but blush at the sentiments, though I wished they would come from only one man.

  Jack...my eyes scanned the crowd for him as I clacked upon the lengthy horseshoe runway, which made things feels more like New York Fashion Week than a benefit for the arts.

  Unable to find Jack just yet, I focused on my god given strut, which was obviously a projection, a weak effort in confidence boosting, as I bumbled along the runway like an inebriated baby giraffe.

  Remembering my target, Nanamin-san, I searched the crowd, but didn't have to look far, finding him front and center at the end of the runway.

  “And introducing the crown jewel of the evening,” the auctioneer started up, “international supermodel, Stacy Starr!”

  The crowd clapped heartily, whilst lusty men warmed up their paddles to raise exuberantly.

  “Traveling the globe for an dinner with you!” The auctioneer continued, “the bidding starts at 1000 Euro!”

  Paddles raised in rapid succession as the bidding war begin. In moments it was up to 5000 already! I was flattered, especially at the fake intro I'd received, but noticed the stern look of dissatisfaction drawn across the navy kimono wearing Nanamin-san, his close cropped gray hair adding to his hard to please nature, while his paddle remained firmly entrenched within the seat of his lap.

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  I had to do something to gain his favor!

  Moving and shaking in all directions, I tried to imitate what I'd seen on 'Project Runway,' but not well enough, as it only attracted the interest of others, whilst I pouted inwardly.

  Suddenly a hand shot out of the crowd and waved...it was Jack, sitting by a scowling Natalya. He smiled and waved, with a thumbs up...until the auctioneer attributed a 15,000 Euro bid to him, which caused Natalya to yank his arm back down, scolding him, while he smiled all the way at me.

  I laughed as he winked and eased my nerves. At that, my awkward sensibilities found a way to take over, as my heel edged and sent me tumbling. This time, the embarrassment felt worse than death, as everyone gasped and rose from their seats with concern.

  The crowd murmured after a moment of silence, while I faced the ground, willing myself to overcome everything, and look forward again, for me...and for a future with Jack. I had to prove it!

  I pulled myself up shaking away the shame and looked back at a worried Jack, sending him a thumbs up as well. His expression eased, as I shared that same thumbs up with the crowd, who launched into a celebratory uproar as I climbed to my feet and put my strut back on.

  “50,000.” A strained voice chimed in, as I stood front and center, a paddle floated in the air.

  “Sold!” The auctioneer proclaimed, “to the man in the blue kimono.”

  My eyes popped out to see the visage of Nanamin-san maintaining his icy expression, while he lowered his paddle to his lap.

  Whether it was my awkward resurgence, or something else, I'd moved him somehow...and I was proud!

  Beaming, I looked back at Jack, who was clapping with a reassuring grin plastered across his face, and a soured Natalya with arms crossed beside him.

  As I returned my gaze back to Nanamin-san I found him standing up to leave his seat...but what I saw behind him sent a chill down my spine. A man in a black suit adjusted his black glasses with a similarly black pair of gloves. A malevolent smile of bemusement wriggled across his lips as he ran his hand over his bald head. He waved his fingers at me playfully, toyingly.

  The hitman...had found me.