Daddy’s Little Pet

ROBERT

“The lady is with me.” I firmly repeated, wrapping my arms around Renee’s waist and drawing her close.

I sized up the man before me, noting his thin frame, dark eyes, and brown hair trimmed short and spiked at one end. He was impeccably dressed, as was everyone else in the room, but something about him stood out. I suddenly became wary of him for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was the determined expression on his face and his straight stance. Or maybe it was how he held his head high, a cheeky grin on his face as he scrutinized me with undisguised attention.

“And you are?” He asked, his attention drawn back to Renee as if anticipating an answer from her. He made no mistake concealing his feelings for her.

I hated it. Hated the way he fucking looked at her, like a predator assessing its prey. It enraged me and made me want to strike him in the face and wipe that arrogant look off. But I restrained myself. I forced myself to remain calm, maintaining a neutral expression even as my fists clenched.

“Who I am should be none of your fucking business, man.” I lowly spat. “But, to be clear, she’s with me. So I’d appreciate it if you could step back and leave us alone.”

Renee’s grasp on my shoulders tightened. She gave me a soft pat as if to tell me not to exaggerate things, but my rage continued to simmer. It irritated me greatly that someone would try to flirt with my girl when she was with me. If anyone should do that, it should be me. Not some random stranger who could see the way I had my arms around her possessively and still dared to act cocky. My fury bubbled.

“All right. All right. I’ll take my leave.” The stranger muttered, dramatically dusting his suit before walking away.

“Woah. That was pretty tense.” Renee rubbed my shoulders again. “You really shouldn’t have.”

“Really?” I gritted my jaw in annoyance. “I’m only tense in situations involving you. Know that.”

“Come on, he was merely trying to be a gentleman earlier. My stomach acted up after I drank a little champagne. He gave me some water and honestly cared about my well-being.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Are you feeling better now?” I shifted my gaze to her, studying her features for signs of any discomfort. I placed a hand on her stomach, patting lightly.

She leaned in and kissed my lips. “I’m fine now, Robert. You don’t need to worry too much.”

“Let’s find our seats. The auction is about to begin.” I suggested, offering my arm, which she graciously accepted as I led her to a reserved table.

As we waited, she nestled into my chest and asked. “So what’s the deal with this auction?”

“It’s a charity auction.” I replied, offering more explanation. “Dedicated to helping children.”

“Children?”

“Yes. Half of the proceeds go to support orphanages in Africa, and the remaining funds benefit a prestigious university where Cade works.”

“Cade is a teacher!” Renee’s eyes widened in amusement as she exclaimed, and I nodded.

“But he’s not just any teacher; he’s a professor. Although he doesn’t teach full-time. There you have it.”

“Wow. I’m surprised.”

“Why’s that?”

“He didn’t strike me as a professor. But I suppose I shouldn’t judge too quickly. I mean, I didn’t expect someone like him to host this event.”

“Huh? What exactly do you mean?”

“I mean, his personality just doesn’t seem to fit the setting. He appears stoic, cold, and calculative. What is he doing here in a room full of such expressive and stunning art?”

Her description made me chuckle. “Cade isn’t stoic or cold, sweetheart. He’s just reserved.”

“Pfft.” Renee scoffed. “I’d call him mysterious, not reserved. He has this expression that makes my skin crawl. But not in a bad way, though. In a curious, I-want-to-know-what’s-going-on-with-you kind of way. I’m intrigued.”

“He can be quite intimidating, that’s true. But he’s also a good man and a dear friend.” My lips thinned. “I don’t keep friends that easily after what happened with Amanda.”

“I know.” Renee quietly muttered.

I continued. “However, Cade is someone I trust. For me, he is the closest thing to a sibling. I’ve known him since I was twenty, and he was just a little boy. I owe him my life and vice versa.”

“You seem to care about him.”

That remark made my spine tingle. If only she knew why.

“Yes. Renee, I do care about him.” My voice sounded a little strained. “More than I can even possibly tell you.”

This was uttered in a hushed tone. I wasn’t sure if she heard it, but she did.

Our gazes locked as her fingers brushed over my jawline. Her brown eyeballs twinkled with gentle understanding. “I get it. I do. That sounds like how I feel about Nicole. She’s much more than just my best friend. She’s almost like a sister to me. My confidante. My everything.”

I held back a chuckle. “Your everything? Now I’m jealous.”

“Oh, please.” She gave me a playful shove. “Do you think I need a label to express how much I adore you? Nicole is everything to me, but you are so much more.”

My face grew warm. I smiled at her words and pulled her in for a quick kiss. “I guess you have me beat on that score.”

We broke apart moments later as the auction began. As the auctioneer announced the arrival of the art pieces on stage, we watched silently, admiring each work on exhibit. They were stunning.

Some featured paintings and some sculptures, but each was unique and gorgeous.

After a while, the auctioneer spoke, his words emanating from the hidden speakers and bouncing off the hall.

“This year…” He paused. “For the first time, we’re starting with the new paintings. Ten exhibition pieces will be featured, and they are all signed by the artists and our host for the evening, Master Cade Stone. Nonetheless, I should point to you that only nine of these exhibition pieces will be on display because the last is an exclusive order made by an anonymous client.”

He pointed to a covered picture behind him, and a round of applause filled the air, followed by enthusiastic chatter among the guests.

A knowing smile graced my lips. Renee gave me a sidelong glance but said nothing.

The auctioneer began again, announcing the first piece’s opening bid. And the game started. Bids were called from different corners of the hall, and echoes of “going once, going twice” filled the air. Some offers were outrageously high, while others were ridiculously cheap.

Renee, on the other hand, sat silent, watching and listening, occasionally asking questions or making random comments on some of the pieces.

“Any painting or sculpture catch your fancy yet?” I inquired, whispering in her ear.

She shook her head. “Many of them actually, but the prices are too expensive and…”

“And?” I prodded.

“You shouldn’t bother.”

My lips curved into a smirk. “Oh, my sweet, sweet girl.” I teased, brushing my fingers through the strands of hair resting on her forehead. “Even after all this time, my money is still a concern for you?”

“It’s not.” She assured swiftly, frowning and looking away for a moment. But I knew better.

“I knew we’d have this discussion. Now I’m glad I followed my intuition and commissioned the art piece for you.”

She looked up. “What art piece?”

“The art piece purchased by someone anonymous That was me.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“What?” She blinked her mascara-tinted lashes at me, her face flushed with surprise. “Robert.”

“Yes, sweetheart.” I smirked but didn’t say anything at first.

Then she burst out, hands covering her mouth and muttering a series of words under her breath that I couldn’t quite make out.

“You-”

Her next sentence was cut short by the auctioneer calling her name.

“I believe your attention is needed.” I muttered just as the auctioneer spoke again.

“Miss Renee Micheal.” He repeated. “Would you care to read out your card number?”

The hall lights dipped dramatically, and the spotlight fell on her. Everyone in the room fell silent for a few seconds, their searching gazes on her.

Renee’s expression changed swiftly from confusion to dread, anxiety, and fear. She despised being in the spotlight. Hated being singled out for a specific cause and taking center stage, especially in a crowd full of strangers.

“Relax.” Reassuringly, I rubbed her back. “We must have missed an announcement, but I believe he’s talking about the card Cade gave you earlier.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she reached inside her clutch purse for the small square-shaped card.

“Number 20.”

The auctioneer’s eyes widened as she read the number, and he exclaimed, “Congratulations, Miss Micheal, you won tonight’s most coveted item! An original Turner Oil watercolor by Pablo Picasso, as well as an open invitation to Master Stone’s Artistic Inspiration show, which the Museum of Modern Art hosts once a year. Ten thousand dollars have been placed in escrow for your acceptance to this show. Other information will be provided to you later. Congratulations once more!”

Gasps rippled around the room, followed by deafening loud applause, and Renee raised a trembling arm. She waved shyly at everyone.

A smile spread across my face. I owed Cade one. He’d won my girlfriend over by giving her a costly gift. She wouldn’t see him as the same anymore, not after such spectacular proof of his generosity.

I leaned in closer as the noise calmed down, and the auctioneer announced the last of the exhibits for tonight. “Looks like tonight’s your night, love.”

“It certainly is.” She breathed out, a shy grin on her face. “I can’t believe Cade referred to this as a small thank-you gift. Ten thousand dollars? Oh, my gosh.”

“I told you. He’s a good man and very generous, too.”

“Where is he? We ought to go-”

“Home.” I finished for her. “Now.”

“What? No! I want to thank your friend for the gift. Are you suggesting we skip the rest of the event? There’s still so much to do. Like dancing, dining, and drinking.”

“I’ll convey your appreciation to Cade, and as for the rest of the party, let them enjoy themselves.” I smiled at her. “You and I have a lot waiting for us at the cabin.”

“A whole lot?” She repeated the words after me, and I nodded, standing up.

“Yes. So come on.” I extended my hand, which she gratefully accepted. “Let’s go home.”