Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 23

Alexander was momentarily stunned by the sudden weight on his lap.

Camila's unexpected gesture had thrown him off balance, stirring a mix-feeling of bewilderment and discomfort within him.

He tried his best to hide his reactions and maintain an air of nonchalance.

Celine and Violet couldn't believe what they were witnessing as well and gaped in disbelief.

Breaking the stunned hush, Violet was the first to speak. "What on earth are you doing?" she queried, her tone registering disbelief.

Camila, who seemed unfazed, turned her head to gaze at Violet with a look of innocent curiosity. "What do you mean, exactly?" she replied, her tone laced with confusion.

Despite her best efforts to conceal it, a hint of amusement threatened to play on her lips as she took in their astounded expressions.

"This is inappropriate, you can't sit on him." Celine stated, her tone conveying her irritation.

Camila merely shrugged nonchalantly. "He's my boyfriend, so I don't see the problem," she replied.

Violet was unrelenting and stepped in once more. "Get up, it's obvious that you're causing him discomfort," she said firmly, her features etched with disapproval.

Camila remained silent, instead turning her attention to Alexander who was valiantly attempting to conceal the redness that was rising to his cheeks.

"Amore mio, (My love) are you feeling uncomfortable?" Camilla asked, placing a tender hand over his chest and bestowing him with a warm, loving smile.

Playing along, Alexander placed his hand on her thigh and returned her smile.

"Not at all," he replied confidently, his trademark smirk spreading across his face as his dimples became prominent.

He brought her hand, which was still resting on his chest, to his lips and tenderly kissed the inside of it.

Violet and Celine, along with the other onlookers in the hall, watched in disbelief as the couple indulged in their display of affection.

"Please, stop this. You're making a scene," Violet spoke up, her voice scolding.

Camilla regarded Violet calmly. "Isn't this what you wanted? We're giving you all the attention you asked for. Why complain about it now?" she argued coolly, her gaze steady on Violet who was now glaring at her.

"Alright, you win," Violet conceded with a defeated sigh and rose from her seat, marching off to find another in the back row.

Camilla basked in her victory as she watched Violet depart and then turned to find Alexander gazing at her intently, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Is she alright? She seems upset," Camilla asked, feigning innocence.

Alexander shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

He cast a quick, covert look towards the back row, where Violet was still shooting daggers at him, before turning his attention back to Camila, his expression filled with adoration.

"She's fine, I'd say," he replied, his tone filled with amusement.

"If you say so," Camila said, her eyes twinkling with playfulness. "I suppose I should take my seat now."

Alexander feigned reluctance as he sighed. "As much as I love holding you...I guess I'll have to agree," he said, his voice filled with mock defeat.

Camila let out a giggle as she gracefully rose from Alexander's lap and took the seat next to him.

Meanwhile, Celine was growing increasingly ill at ease with their show of affection.

Her initial plan of creating a scene with Camilla over Alexander, in hopes of gaining public attention, had fallen flat, leaving her feeling foolish.

Her desperation to be noticed had led her to enlist the help of Violet, but the result was anything but what she had hoped for.

She clenched her jaw in frustration, then rose to her feet and stormed away.

Alexander watched her go, tilting his head in curiosity. "What's gotten into her?"

Camilla simply shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

A man interjected, shaking his head. "You two are already making quite a scene, and the auction hasn't even started yet."

Camila and Alexander both glanced up and spotted the man in black-rimmed glasses beaming at them.

"Uncle Rey!" Alexander exclaimed, delight spreading across his face as he stood up to greet the older man.

Camila followed suit, rising from her seat. "Good evening, sir," she said, offering a polite smile.

"Miss Kings, I'm Reynold Becknard. It's a pleasure to have you here," Reynold replied, his smile growing even warmer as he extended his hand for a shake.

"Please, let's dispense with the formalities," Camila said, graciously accepting his hand. "It's a pleasure to be here."

"Understood." He acknowledged, releasing Camila's hand.

"My sincerest apologies for getting delayed by other guests, I should have made it a priority to come over and say hello earlier." He expressed regretfully, with a slightly sheepish grin.

"No problem at all, uncle. These things happen." Alexander reassured him.

"I-" The man was suddenly interrupted by an incoming call.

"I apologize, I must take this call." He stated.

"Certainly, sir," Alexander replied with a nod before Reynold swiftly answered and stepped aside.

"Your uncle seems like a wonderful person," Camilla observed as she gazed at the older man who had been on the phone.

"He's actually my aunt's husband, but he's truly one of the most generous and warmhearted individuals I've ever met," Alexander stated with a beaming smile.

"Yeah, Hun. Where are you? The auction's about to start?" Reynold asked, his eyebrows furrowed in concern as he listened to his wife on the other end.

"Again?" He exhaled a frustrated sigh.

"It's okay. It's fine. Bye." He hung up the phone and turned towards Alexander and Camilla, offering them a sheepish smile.

"Sorry about that." He said, and both Alexander and Camilla nodded in understanding.

"I'm guessing that was my aunt Clarissa?" Alexander asked, his expression indicating that he was well-acquainted with the situation.

"Yes," Reynold confirmed with a regretful shake of his head.

"So she's not going to make it?" Alexander queried, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice.

"Yes, she has another engagement," Reynold explained, masking his own disappointment with a smile.

Alexander sighed softly to himself, mumbling, "As usual," though the comment went unnoticed by Reynold and Camilla.

"But enough about that. Are you two enjoying yourselves so far?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, absolutely." Camilla smiled. "The venue is stunning and the atmosphere is great."

"I couldn't agree more." Alexander chimed in.

Reynold chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you're having a good time. The night is still young and I'm sure it'll only get better." He said optimistically.

"Gotta head out now, the auction's starting soon. Catch you guys later." Reynold gave a friendly smile before making his exit and Camilla and Alexander sat down back.

The lights in the auction room suddenly dimmed and the crowd hushed as the auctioneer stepped up to the podium on the stage.

He was a tall man with a charismatic presence, dressed in a sharp black suit.

The auctioneer cleared his throat and looked out at the audience, a sea of eager faces lit by the glow of the stage lights.

"Good evening, esteemed guests. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Reynold Becknard Art Gallery's 5th annual art auction." He began, his voice ringing out across the room.

"We have a truly exceptional collection of pieces for you tonight, each one a masterpiece in its own right. So, let's get started, shall we?"

The auctioneer reached for the first piece, a stunning oil painting by a renowned artist.

He held it up for all to see, describing its history and the artist's technique in vivid detail.

The audience was captivated, hanging on his every word.

"And now, let's start the bidding," he said, his voice rising with excitement. "Who will start us off at $10,000?"

The room was silent for a moment, then a hand went up in the back of the room.

"We have a bid, $10,000. Do I hear $20,000?" the auctioneer called out, his gavel poised.

And so the bidding began, a fast-paced back and forth as the price of the painting climbed higher and higher.

The auctioneer expertly kept the energy in the room high, encouraging bidders to make their best offers.

Finally, the gavel came down with a satisfying bang, the painting sold to the highest bidder.

The auctioneer grinned, already moving on to the next piece, ready to start the process all over again.