Dear Heart, You Screwed Me(45)

Taking the ticket for my coat, I dropped it into my purse and followed Harlen into a packed-out room. I smiled at the function room name, Rainbow Room.

I loved Rainbows, it was our thing, but ever since Elijah passed, I fell out of love with them a little. It was ours. Not mine.

I rubbed my thumb over the blue ring that sat on my finger, an uneasy ache filled my chest all of a sudden making everything feel heavy.

A small sigh left me.

“You okay?” Harlen stopped, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb as his eyes searched my face.

I nodded. I couldn’t bear to open up and tell him what was hurting.

“Okay,” he smiled, “let’s get a drink.”



I stood with a glass of champagne in my hand, my eyes scanning the room as I watched people flock Harlen. He was a well sought-after actor and very talented by the sounds of it. All we had to do was to get over this event and then he will be on our books for the next five years. And if he wanted to leave, he would have to pay a heavy escape fee. But here is hoping he doesn’t want to leave, unless Adele is a raging bitch and tries to jump his bones.

I wasn’t quite sure why I was here or what Harlen wanted me to do, but he assured me that he would let me know soon. He kept gazing over at me, small smiles pulling at his lips before turning his attention back to whoever was trying to lick his arse. There was something about him. He didn’t openly flirt with me, I didn’t feel like a piece of meat in front of him. I didn’t feel any sort of sexual desires from him, and somehow that made me feel a lot more comfortable around him. I wanted him on my side, I could see him as a friend of mine. A lifelong friend hopefully.

I was pulled from my thoughts when an older woman stood on the stage, mic in hand as she scanned the room.

“Good evening, my beautiful guests,” she said loudly; the room cheered. I just stood, eyes pinned to her before I felt an arm snake round my waist.

“You ready?” Harlen asked.

“Ready for what?” I said, distracted as I listened to the woman natter on.

“For betting on me.”

I snapped my head to the side, “Betting!?”

“Yup, I am being auctioned off… and you need to beat these horny women or no signature,” he smiled; his eyes full of mischief.

“How am I paying? Monopoly money?” I stammered, pressing my hand to my now clammy forehead. I began to panic. “You didn’t think of telling me this before?! I could have sorted something out.”

“Shhh, it’s fine. Just bid, I’ll sort out the rest,” he winked, stepping forward, “and Reese…” he stilled and looked over his shoulder, “good luck, these ladies are ruthless…” he snickered before walking into the crowd.

“So, ladies, get your check books, credit cards and your husband’s wallets…” the room erupted into cackles, “because here is the first of the line-up, the one and only Harlen Laufer. The Charity Chasing Rainbows ambassador and founder. The charity supports the dreams of terminally ill children, making their dreams a reality. Please, make as much noise as you can.” The blonde bombshell clapped her hands together, the room echoing in chants and noise.

I felt my tears prick at the back of my eyes, the burn in my throat evident as I swallowed hard.

Sneaky little one he was.

Harlen took the mic, his eyes moving round the crowded room.

“I just want to thank you all for coming out to another one of my fundraisers, you know this is a cause very close to my heart, after losing my nephew to neuroblastoma cancer two years ago, he will forever be four, forever be my rainbow loving angel. He showed me a strength I didn’t even know was possible, and every day that I am blessed with another morning, I thank him. He was my hero, always was, and always will be. So, get ready to dig deep, don’t be shy…” his eyes found mine before he winked.

I palmed a stray tear away from my cheek. I felt broken.

He dropped the mic, kissing his fingers and holding them up to the sky as he did.

The backdrop of the stage changed to neutral pastel colours with a picture of the most beautiful little boy I had ever seen. I choked, my eyes filling like a tsunami. I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted too. I was distracted when a suited man handed me a paddle with the number one on it. My brows dug deep, then I realised what it was for.

“Okay ladies… let’s start the bid. You get Harlen Laufer to yourself for forty-eight hours… opening bids start at ten thousand dollars!” the woman was back, her excited voice echoed round the room.

Ten Thousand!?

Wow.

I watched as two women fought back and forth with their paddles.

Harlen’s eyes locked with me, widening slightly as they continued.

Twenty thousand, thirty thousand, forty, fifty, sixty.

I knew what I was doing.

“One hundred thousand,” one lady screamed at the top of her lungs.

I felt a spike of adrenaline course though me.

“Two hundred thousand!” I screamed.

Eyes found me, my skin blushing as I felt the attention of the room.

I wanted the ground to swallow me.

“Two hundred thousand! Going once…” the blonde bombshell shouted out.

“Three hundred!” a skinny woman looked down her nose at me.

“Five hundred thousand!” waving my paddle in the air, I saw Harlen smirk at me.