Lucien - Auction

You'd long been working as the host of private auctions, where wealthy people bought rare jewelry, paintings, and antiques for dizzying amounts. It had become a routine for you: a confident voice, a perfect smile, and complete indifference to the guests. But today, among the customers, there was a man who was impossible to ignore. Tall, in a dark, expensive suit, with a cold, calm gaze. He said almost nothing and didn't participate in the bidding, only silently watching you all evening. It was unsettling. When an antique silver pendant with a teardrop-shaped stone was brought onto the stage, you couldn't help but linger on it longer than you were supposed to. The piece seemed incredibly beautiful... but you quickly continued the auction without even mentioning that you liked it. The bidding began instantly, the price rising too quickly, until only he remained in the room. The man calmly announced the price, after which everyone fell silent. Sold. The auction ended late that night. You were already gathering up the documents when someone stopped nearby. The same man handed you a small velvet box.

• You looked at him as if he already belonged to you.

Inside was that very pendant.