An Amazing Catch!

An Amazing Catch

“Attention, guys!”

Sarah stepped onto the stage, asking for the microphone from the auctioneer.

Her appearance on stage caused some of the guests to fall silent.

Sarah smiled at the waiting audience. “We have a special extrasession for tonight’s auction.” She paused for a moment, making them impatient. “Miss Gwen Nelson and Miss Nora Williams have kindly offered to participate.”

Whispers were heard among the guests.

The unexpected announcement was exciting and surprising, making them curious.

Sarah cleared her throat. “The two ladies will have a full-day date with the highest bidder.” The whispers grew louder, while the men began to smile widely at the prospect of participating and winning the auction.

“Well, well, apparently the men got ready right away.” Sarah joked. “Of course, who wouldn’t want to win a date with these two generous beauties? It’s all for charity, guys. So, let's start!”

Nora stood not far from the stage, while Gwen had gone up first to start the offering.

She looked full of confidence, in contrast to the very nervous Nora.

Next to her, Zack stood, trying to be encouraging and promising to win the auction for Nora.

She just nodded, but was actually not comforted at all because the prospect of dating Zack was also annoying.

The auction continued. For a date with Gwen, the bidders were overwhelming. Eventually a banker won the auction with a bid of $30,000.

Gwen came down from the stage with a satisfied face.

“Lucky me. The winner is handsome.”

She whispered to Nora and winked, before approaching the winner.

Now it was Nora’s turn to take the stage. She stood in the center, smiling sweetly as always.

Trying to shake off her nerves. This was the community she knew.

She was part of it, so she shouldn’t be worried.

Some men started bidding, including Zack who always bid higher than the others.

Everyone thought Zack would win with a bid of 30,000. Suddenly, Leon stepped forward and bid higher.

“$40,000,” he said.

What Leon did surprised Nora. Why was he bidding?

Nora fidgeted where she stood, though her smile was still perfect.

‘He’s crazy, isn’t he? Why did he join in?’ She glanced at Leon. Their eyes met, and Nora saw the seriousness on his face.

“$50,000,” Zack replied confidently.

‘Wow…’ Nora couldn’t help but be impressed by his persistence.

Leon’s lips formed a subtle smirk that soon vanished before anyone noticed the change in his expression, except Nora. “$60.000.”

Zack began to look uneasy, while people began to enjoy the fierce battle. “$70.000.”

Leon shrugged and replied calmly. “$100.000.”

The auctioneer turned to Zack, as did the guests.

They were waiting for Zack’s reaction. However, he shook his head languidly.

Realizing his defeat. “I’m not more than that,” he muttered irritably.

“Sold to the man over there!” The auctioneer immediately announced Leon as the winner.

Everyone applauded loudly, as if they had witnessed a very entertaining show.

In disbelief, Nora stepped down from the stage.

She wondered, why would Leon spend that much money for a date?

Leon approached Nora. “Well, Miss Williams. I look forward to our one-day date after winning the auction.”

Nora’s cheeks flushed as she nodded. “Yes, of course, Mr. Carusso. You’re the winner. Just arrange the day and give mea call. Now, let me join my friends.”

Nora hastily escapedfrom Leon’s unpredictable gaze. She won, but he didn’t look happy. Strange man, she thought.

Gwen was waiting for her. She greeted Nora with a happysmile. “Gosh, that was the most intense bidding I’ve ever witnessed at an auction. Good job, Nora. You could make Leon Carusso write a check for a hundred thousand dollars!”

Gwen shrugged, gesturing in the opposite direction.

Nora turned around and saw Leon writing something on a piece of paper that he handed to Sarah.

That must be the check. One hundred thousand dollars for a one-day date with him.

Nora still couldn’t figure it out.

Zack approached her with a sluggish face. “I must apologize for not being able to win the auction,” he said.

There was such disappointment in his voice that Nora felt a little sorry for him. “I don’t want you to date that stranger. But I couldn't outbid him...”

“He’s not a stranger,” Gwen said. “We know who he is, and he's also Sarah Lansing’s nephew. There’s nothing dangerous about him. I think Nora is very lucky to be dating Leon Carusso.”

Zack frowned at that. However, Gwen was right. Leon Carusso was an amazing catch, considering her goal of getting a rich man tonight.

Nora was only annoyed that she had already made a bad first impression.

The night was getting late, the party was almost over. Leonardo diCaprio that Gwen had been eyeing had long gone home.

Nora’s head started throbbing from drinking too much.

She sat at the bar with Gwen and their influencer friends.

Nora, who was still reeling from the fact that she was going on a date with Leon Carusso, repeatedly asked for her glass to be refilled until a hand suddenly pushed her glass aside just as she was about to reach for it.

“You’re drunk.”

Once again, Leon Carusso stood beside her.

Nora blinked in surprise, feeling embarrassed and annoyed at being surprised by Leon’s sudden appearance.

“What do you mean? I... I’m fine.”

Leon raised his eyebrows.

“Of course you’re not,” he said flatly, pointing at the nearly empty glass he had just shifted.

Not far from them, Gwen watched the scene with a small smile.

Nora looked around, her leg was trembling, noticing the attention of Gwen and some of their friends.

“I can take care of myself.” Her voice faltered slightly.

Leon shook his head. “You’d better go home. I’ll drop youoff.”

“What? No. No need.”

“Come on, Nora. You won’t even be able

to find your house keys in that state.”

“My house keys are in my bag,” she snapped.

Leon sighed. He put his arm around Nora’s shoulders and pulled her gently from her chair.

Nora staggered, but Leon's Arm supported her.

“Miss Nelson, I’ll take her home.” Leon said to Gwen as he realized she had been watching them.

“Sure. You should take her home. Nora likes to be a little absent-minded when she’s drunk.” Gwen gave a small grin.

“I’m not.” Nora argued.

Leon didn’t give Nora a chance to continue her nonsense.

He led Nora out of the grand hall.

Upon exiting the place, Nora glanced at Leon and caught a glimpse of worry on his originally expressionless face.

Although still confused by Leon's sudden attention, she didn't deny his calming presence at that moment.

As they reached the parking lot, he asked, "Which one is your car?"

"I didn't bring a car."

In fact, her car broke down at the auto repair shop. It was a troublesome old car and she should replace it soon.

Nora relied on taxis or rental cars when it came to traveling for work or meeting with colleagues.

She couldn't possibly show her old car to the world.

Even if she had to be evicted from her rented apartment, it couldn't be the place where she and Mojo spent the night because the air conditioner was broken.

"I took a taxi to come here. Why?" she snapped when Leon didn't react. "Doesn't your car ever break down?"

Leon, who was still silent, took Nora by the hand and led her to a shiny black Mercedes Benz that was parked elegantly in the VIP parking lot.

“Oh, wow! Nora exclaimed to herself. Even as her mind was muddled by alcohol, Nora knew it was the latest Mercedes Benz S-Class.

One of the most elegant and classy cars she had ever dreamed of.

"Get in." Leon already opened the front passenger side door for her.

Nora complied and Leon helped her. He bent down to make sure she was sitting comfortably and wearing her seatbelt.

He was about to close the door when Nora suddenly grabbed his sleeve and asked, "Why are you driving me home?"

Leon sighed, returning the gaze from Nora's blue eyes. "Because you're my date tomorrow. And I don't want my$100,000 date ruined because my date was so drunk that she couldn't get up."

Leon's words made Nora feel like her chest just filled with heavy rocks.

"Besides," he added, "I won't let you miss our date tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow. Unless you have another appointment beforehand?"

Nora shrugged. Still capable of showing her usual sell-out attitude. "I have to look at my schedule first."

"Fine." Leon looked amused, then he closed the door and walked to the driver's side, started the engine and the car finally pulled out of the parking lot.

Nora leaned back in her chair, feeling both grateful and embarrassed by Leon’s attention, ‘ah, gosh…’

She arrived safely at her apartment. Her head was still throbbing but it was better than before.

By now she had changed into her favorite pair of saggy pajamas and was lying on her back on the bed.

Mojo curled up in his basket in the corner of the room.

The cat had meowed happily to welcome her home.

She remembered her ride home in Leon’s car and felt grateful that she wasn’t too drunk to remember to give Leon her fake address.

Leon dropped her off in front of the luxurious Central Park South apartment complex and Nora managed to convince him that she could walk on her own without his help.

After making sure Leon’s car was gone, Nora returned to the streets and hailed a cab, to take her to her apartment.

“What a tiresome lie, you know, Mojo,” she called out to the purring cat. “I need to get it over with before I get caught as soon as I can snag a rich guy. Is Leon Carusso the one? “

Nora covered her face with a pillow. Remembering her interaction with Leon throughout the night. ‘What a confusing start…’