A painting of a phoenix was first put for sale on the stage as the auctioneer began calling for bids. As the auction went on, things got heated between the bidders to win over a piece of art.

Tobias was extremely disappointed when someone else brought his mermaid painting at a much higher price than him, where Dad was satisfied with a picture of Mother Teresa.

And when the canvas of that blood rose got on the stage, I really wanted to bid for it. But well, my pockets weren’t full enough to do that. I could easily ask from Dad, but if I wanted to help someone, I wanted to do it with something that I owned. So, I decided to just pay them a little amount that I could afford in check later.

“And who wants to hold onto this gorgeous velvety rose over here?” the auctioneer asked. “The bid starts with five thousand dollars!”

“Ten thousand dollars!” a man yelled out from the crowd.

“Ten thousand dollars! Anyone else wants to take it home with a higher price?” queried the bid caller.

“Fifteen thousand dollars!” a woman shouted.

“Fifteen thousand! Anyone else? Fifteen thousand dollars! Going once! Going—”

“Seventeen thousand dollars!” the previous man cried out.

“Excellent! Seventeen thousand!” Everyone started murmuring about the outrageous price for only a mere picture of a rose. Even I was surprised. That man must’ve liked it a lot. Though it was a masterpiece. “Going once, going twice, and so—”

“One million!” a voice spoke over the babbles of the crowd from somewhere behind us. Everyone went quiet, gasps of shock echoed around as everyone glanced back to see the insane person wasting a million dollars on a simple painting.

I turned around, and there he was. At the last row, sitting with an utmost ease, not caring that he just spent a load of money after a mere canvas.

Was he crazy?

Even the auctioneer watched him with bafflement. “A-are you sure, Mr. Valencian?”

He stood and glanced down at his watch. “Get it ready.” Sending one last look my way, he went to sign the check his secretary handed him as every pair of eyes ogled him with awe and disbelief.

Once the auction was over, we met him outside. Dad was proud he donated so much for those kids, while Tobias also appreciated him with a still sullen mood. When they left, Ace and I were alone again.

He watched me as I eyed the beautiful canvas lying on the backseat of his car.

“I didn’t know you were interested in art that much,” I said. “Why this one, though? There were a lot of paintings out there from famous artists who’d have been worth the money.” I didn’t know he’d do it just out of kindness.

“But those weren’t what I wanted. I wanted it—” he pointed to the painting, “—so I got it.”