The whole hall burst into murmurs, scorn on everyone's lips as Gerald shook in his pants. He grabbed the device from the host's hand, glaring at him.
"You are messing with me, right?" He seethed.
"You are mistaken, Mr. Gerald." The host stepped forward, to at least calm him down, but then he flipped.
The device flew out of his hands, shattering on the floor.
"Do you see what you have done?" Gerald raged. "You have damaged it!"
"No, I didn't do that." The host pinched his temples, chest heaving. He never thought Gerald would be so fussy because his card declined.
However, he still had to appeal to the guests.
"I apologize, I will get another device immediately. This one must have been faulty."
"No." Gerald refused, gritting his teeth. "Nothing is worth spending my money on here! I am off—"
"You can't leave," Nate spoke up, catching up with Gerald before he got off the stage. The next second, he flipped Gerald over, staring down at him.
"We had a deal, remember?" His lips curled, with a sly smile. "It's either you pay 5 million dollars here and now, or you get down on your knees."
Again, murmurings started, as they started to point fingers at Gerald.
"Don't tell me he doesn't have any money?" They chuckled, their eyes going dark with mockery.
"You know, Gerald hasn't really come off as wealthy to me. He has always been following after Rick."
Those words reached Gerald's ears, and he felt chills down his spine. He wasn't rich at all, as they say. He had only been riding on the waves of Rick and this bank card with him, which only had 3 million dollars in it.
It was money he had conned and stolen from several people on campus. He thought he could make a name for himself, by getting the necklace for Nyx but Nate had raised the bid to 5 million dollars!
No matter how he thought about it, he felt he had fallen into a trap.
"You…" He pointed at Nate again. "You let me up here to humiliate me, right?"
However, Nate shrugged, "You claimed you wanted the necklace too. Shouldn't you live up to your words?"
"But…" Gerald shook his head, his hand clutching the card. "You fucking raised the bid to 5 million dollars, you should be the one paying for that!"
Nate tilted his head, while he wiggled his eyebrows taunting Gerald, "Are you backing out?"
"Are you saying the famous Gerald, Rick's best friend doesn't have 5 million dollars? Oh, gosh, you are going to put everyone to shame."
"Yes…" Whispers ensued in the hall again.
"I am sure Rick is going to break his bones if he doesn't get that necklace."
"Oh, poor Gerald."
He felt his world sinking, as a heavy boulder rested on his chest. He couldn't stop looking at Nate's taunting gaze, and his hands itched to wipe them off. He had witnessed the pathetic boy he beat up, bring down Rick and he couldn't risk starting a fight.
Rick had told him to stay back and win back their honor but he had destroyed it instead. Now, he couldn't pull out of what he started.
"Bring out a device for him…" Nate urged.
They hurriedly brought a brand new one out, and the host assured it was tested and worked properly.
And then the hall went silent again, all eyes glued to Gerald as he raised his shaky hands, swiping the card on the machine.
His heart sank when the dreaded word echoed again, "Declined!"
"Booooo!!!"
"He doesn't have any money!"
"I wonder how Rick was able to put up with him."
Gerald's body shook, his fists clenched as hot blood flooded his veins. He was embarrassed, feeling his back caving in but he caught the wide grin on Nate's face for a second.
"You bastard!" He lunged at Nate, his teeth bared to attack.
However, Nate dodged at the nick of time, sending him tumbling to the floor. The sound of his collision bounced off the walls and the next second, they all burst into a peal of mocking laughter.
"Can I try?" Nate stepped forward, a slight smile on his face.
The host took a double-take at him, still skeptical. After all, he had heard Nate was a poor student, however, the self-acclaimed rich student couldn't even pay for the necklace.
"Sure." The host agreed. "But if this turns out to be a joke, then you would have to clean this whole place for the night."
Nate went quiet, his calm face taken as defeat and fear. They all raised their phones, ready to take pictures and videos of this humiliating moment.
"Don't worry, Nate! Your goddess, Nyx would stay with you all night."
"Oh, I forgot! Nyx is allergic to dust!" Another student laughed, covering her mouth with a cute gesture. "I guess your newfound relationship might not last then."
Her words ignited laughter in the hall, but Nate ignored them all, stepping forward to swipe the card.
The next second, the rowdy hall echoed, with the most unexpected words.
"Transaction successful!"
Immediately, the whole place went silent, eyes bulging with shock.
Nate had just paid 5 million dollars for the emerald necklace!
"I can't believe this…" A girl almost collapsed in her chair, her eyes misty. She had high hopes he would be kicked off the stage and it would be her chance to get it.
Even the host stared at Nate, his lips twitching, realizing he had shot himself in the foot. But he quickly regained himself.
"Mr. Nate…" He bowed. "It's an honor to have you here."
"Quick! Bring out the necklace! We shouldn't keep him waiting."
A row of beautifully dressed ladies stepped out, all present to show off the beauty of the emerald necklace. It glistened under the bright lights and a lot of girls present swooned in delight.
At the same time, Nyx had stepped out of the private room, her misty eyes now set on Nate. As she walked to the stage, she glowed, receiving envious stares from girls and even a few boys had to take a double check at her.
Gently, Nate took the necklace and adorned her beautiful slim neck with its radiance.
"It's beautiful..." She whispered, feeling the stone resting on my chest.
The side of his lips raised, his eyes swimming with pride. As long as Nyx continued to be his woman, he would adorn her with expensive gifts.
She saved his life, she deserved the world.
But then, she stepped up, embracing him on stage and her voice slithered into his ears.
"Tonight…" She swallowed as heat bloomed in her chest. "… I want to feel all of you."
Her voice was soothing, with a hint of seduction, as her boobs rubbed on his chest, "Don't hold back."