Sanctuary

Chapter Nineteen - Conditions.

Conditions noun

2. Circumstances affecting the way in which people live or work, especially with regard to safety and their well being.

I just couldn't seem to keep my heart from racing as I stared distantly at the stage. Ambrose's jaw was hanging open in the shape of a curved smile before he slowly began laughing. Meanwhile Anna stood beside him with her fists balled tightly - blue eyes ablaze as she was shaking from anger.

My body was on the verge of shaking as well.

I'd just spent the equivalent of a two Bel Air mansions on a guy that I was struggling to be around without killing. Sure, my plan had been to buy him all along, but not to the point where I would be affected too negatively.

"Well don't cha' stand there, Miss Austin," Vince teased, motioning for me to move forward. "Come on up and claim your prize."

The room began to clap for me as I continued to battle with myself inside my head. If I let Dean see just how rattled I was by this, then he'd never let me hear the end of it. On the other hand, he'd use this to reinforce the idea that I really did "possibly love him" and well that was enough for me to go on.

I moved through the crowd and went up the stairs, giving Anna a smirk while I took my place beside him for pictures.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to announce that we have EXCEEDED our goal of 1 million dollars." Vince said proudly. "Our grand total for tonight, with Miss Austin's incredibly generous bid, is 3.2 million dollars!"

I swallowed hard, nearly cringing hearing just how much I had contributed to that. Dean took note and chuckled.

"Its okay, cupcake, I'd pay three times as much for you if I had to."

"Easy there on the ego, chulo." I spoke through a fake smile so no one else could pick up what I was saying. "I didn't do it for you."

"And who did you it for?"

"So your girlfriend could have that lovely little temper tantrum." I glanced to her as she stomped off the stage and stormed into the hall. Blatantly muttering curse words until she was out of earshot.

"Sure it wasn't because you actually wanted to spend another night with me?"

I glared at him and he smirked, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Your ego is scorching."

"Oh its red hot, baby."

"Well easy there white chocolate, wouldn't want you to melt." I teased, returning my attention back to the people below taking pictures of us. Flash after flash after flash accompanied by look over here, look over there, move closer together and all that mumbo jumbo.

"Let's see a kiss!" A guy yelled out and my eyebrow raised high.

"Why?" I blurted out.

"Well you guys are a couple, right?" A woman asked and I wasn't sure what the answer was to that. On screen I guess we would typically be assumed to be one, but off screen - we were never spotted hanging together. Either way the answer was about to be yes because of his whole love for fucking with my head. But I think deep down, he was aware that he could've easily messed up his whole thing with Anna with that one wrong word.

I looked at him, waiting for the answer and he smirked, putting his hand on my waist and pulling me comfortably into his side.

"We prefer not to label ourselves." He responded coyly. "For now, we're just two people working together due to sharing the same goal." I looked at him impressed, but he continued to look straight ahead, his other hand in his pocket.