The Auction

It had been another long and exhausting week for Erica at the office. Now a Senior partner she was obliged to have input into all the cases that the firm was involved in as well as with the one's to which she was specifically assigned. As she headed for home in her pride and joy sports car all she wanted was to close her front door behind her, kick off her shoes and chill out for the evening.However this particular Friday evening would not allow her that opportunity ; no, she had to go out to a Black Tie charity do being held by one of her firms biggest clients.There was no way that she could get out of it as to fail to attend would absolutely cause offence. The thought of what lay ahead made Erica swear into herself-lots of air kisses with people she either did not know or couldn't stand and endless law firm tittle-tattle which she welcomed about as much as a wasp at a picnic. Arriving home she made herself a quick sandwich and then headed for the bathroom. A while later and she was ready. Erica glanced at herself in the long mirror in the bedroom. She knew she looked good. She was aware of the admiring looks she got from men both inside and outside the office. However since she and Mark had acrimoniously split just over two years earlier Erica had kept her private life just that -private. She had hidden behind the mantra that she was too busy for serious dating but the truth was in fact much closer to home. She didn't want to date anyone because she was in love. The ironic thing was that the object of her affection was someone she hadn't seen in over two years- ever since she had been forced out of Wentworth following the killing of Jacs. The someone who had forced her up against the wall of her office and stuck her tongue almost down her throat and who had then stood staring at her from her office door sliding her tongue across her bottom lip in a way that drove Erica wild inside. Franky Doyle.
The event was being held at one of the City's major hotels. Erica had gotten a taxi as the prospect of getting through the evening without any alcohol to sustain her was an absolute non-starter. She walked into the reception area and was met by one of the many waitresses dressed in crisp white shirts and black trousers. She helped herself to a flute of champagne , thanked the waitress and moved among the large crowd which had already begun to gather. For some inexplicable reason Erica had the feeling that she was being watched. "You're just being paranoid " she told herself "You don't want to be here and now you've got some overweight, sweaty benefactor perving over you". Recognising a colleague from work Erica painted on her best false smile and moved amongst the throng.
Despite her best efforts however the evening started to turn into the nightmare that Erica had feared .All she could think of was how soon she would be able to make her excuses and leave. By now the room was packed with people and with the music playing it made even listening to conversations extremely difficult .People were brushing up against her as they tried to mingle or to reach the open bar for another drink.Erica was in the middle of a conversation with people whose names she couldn't remember on a subject she had no interest in when she felt a hand on her ass."What the f..." she said as she quickly spun around to see who it was. But with the crowd of people all around her she was in no position to start making accusations.She was surrounded by the cream of the city's well to do society and to make a scene would be an error. She was however aware of a dark haired waitress walking away from her and wished she had spotted her a moment earlier as her glass was empty and boy could she do with a drink. She was beginning to feel that the evening could not get any worse when out of the corner of her eye she saw her boss, Gareth, making his way through the guests towards her. She was very fond of him but the sheepish look on his face made Erica realise that what he was about to tell her was not going to be good.
"Hi Gareth. Enjoying your evening ?" Erica asked
"Not particularly" came the reply "And what I've got to ask you is going to make it even more shitty I'm afraid."
"Go on"
"Well the organisers of this shindig want to hold a kind of auction"
"What kind of auction exactly" Erica asked already fearing where this conversation was heading.
"Well to cut to the chase" Gareth replied "One of the rewards if you like that they want to offer in return for peoples generosity is an opportunity to take you out for dinner."
"Absolutely not. For fucks sake I'm not a piece of meat on sale to the highest bidder !"
"Please Erica .It's not like that. This is not some cheap pick-up for somebody.These are all respectable people who may actually want some free legal advice. Please, it's for a good cause......... and yes it will be good for the firm
Erica sighed .She knew she was beaten. The repercussions of her refusing would not be any good for anyone.

"Okay .I'll do it . But on the condition that the meal is lunch and not dinner. That way if its somebody loathsome I can use the excuse that I have to go back to work .Or better still you could phone me and I could say that you need me back at once"
"Deal" Gareth replied "And thanks Erica . I owe you"
The auction as it was consisted of twelve lots.Things like a spa day or the use of a top of the range sports car were the sort of other rewards so to speak on offer. Erica was to be the third "reward" to be auctioned and by the time that it arrived she had taken refuge behind one of the two large ornamental pillars at the back of the room . Beyond the two pillars were the fire emergency doors so Erica knew there was little chance of anyone coming upon her unexpectantly. As she stood with her back to the pillar She could hear her name being mentioned and the auctioneer starting the bidding at AUS100. Gradually the amount rose until it had reached AUS280.
"I have 280 dollars on my right" Erica heard. "Do I hear 300"
"Yes , thank you Sir. I now have 300 dollars to my left."
Erica was staggered to think that anyone would want to pay 300 dollars just to sit and watch her eat a Caesar Salad and drink a glass of sparkling water . "Still, it is for a good cause" she kept having to remind herself. From the sound of the auctioneer her ordeal was almost over.
"Any advance on 300 dollars? No? So, going once, going twice......."
He never got a chance to finish as seemingly out of nowhere came
"500 dollars"
There was a collective gasp of surprise from the guests followed by the sound of nervous laughter. Erica had been just about to come out from behind the pillar when the final bid arrived. She was stopped dead in her tracks not so much by the amount but by the bidder; for although she could not see their face Erica knew exactly whose voice it was.A voice she had not heard since she walked out of Wentworth just over two years earlier. She was suddenly aware of the auctioneer speaking
"Blimey that is one heck of a bid. You must really want to meet Miss Davidson.I'm sorry I didn't catch your name .Miss?"
"Doyle. Franky Doyle"
"Well Miss Doyle. As nobody has topped your very generous bid I congratulate and thank you"
With that he banged his gavel and moved onto the next lot. Erica was now standing again with her boss.
"What the fuck Erica " said Gareth "I had no idea the bidding would go so high. Do you know this Doyle person?"
"Yeah" Erica replied. "She was one of my inmates at Wentworth "Even as she was speaking Erica was aware of a dark head of hair moving through the crowd towards her.
"Listen Erica " Gareth was saying "If she is looking for you in order to extract any sort of revenge let me know and I'll have her thrown out of here"
But Erica had stopped listening .Franky was now in her sights and the whole situation took on a surreal feel. It was like a moment in the movies where the two leading characters finally meet and all the rest of the surrounding cast just melt into the background as if they didn't exist. Their eyes locked on one another. Franky still had that mischievious grin and her tongue played with her bottom lip. She moved towards Erica as if in slow motion until she was within touching distance.Erica's stomach was doing more somersaults than an Olympic gymnast and she was praying that she would be able to hold herself together. She leaned back against the pillar as her legs had turned to jelly and was grateful for any support she could get.
"Hi Erica " Franky seemed to purr "Long time no see"
"Hello Franky.You're looking well.I'd heard you had got released. What on earth are you doing here."
"I've got a part-time job waitressing for the catering company who are running this swanky affair.The rest of my time is spent at Uni studying for my Law Exams. You never know I might be in your shoes one day and you might be grabbing me by the ass!"
Before a stunned but amused Erica could reply a non -comprehending Gareth asked.
"I believe you and Erica have met before Miss Doyle.How long is it since the two of you were together so to speak?"
"Two years,three months and six days " Franky replied at once....."but who's counting!"
Erica took a swift intake of breadth when she realised how much Franky had obviously been thinking about her. She was startled back into the here and now when she realised that Franky was talking to her
"Earth to Erica "
"Sorry. Miles away. What were you saying?"
"I was saying to Gareth that the last time we spoke was in your office and I made an accusation about your outside of work life to which you got very irate but to which I'm still waiting for an answer."
Erica could feel herself start to blush. She knew exactly what Franky was getting at ; that when she was at home letting Mark fuck her she was wishing it was Franky.
"Really" teased Gareth "Well I think that maybe Miss Doyle is deserving of an answer having been so generous with her cash."
In that moment Erica realised that this was it. Her reply would make Franky realise the depth of the feelings that she had for her.She looked directly into Franky's eyes and somehow knew that she felt the same way.
"Well Gareth without going into what we discussed that day I'm delighted to say Franky that you were absolutely right."
A huge smile appeared on Franky's face.
"Well now that's sorted" said Gareth "I think I'll leave you two ladies to catch up and go and find myself a glass of this very average champagne"
With that he moved away leaving Franky and Erica alone.All of the other guests were still absorbed in the rest of the auction so nobody was watching as Franky suddenly grabbed Erica by the arm and led her back behind the pillar.
"Well" said Franky "Now we've cleared up that debate ,what are we going to do about it?"
Erica realised that she had been manoeuvred so that she was again standing with her back to the pillar out of sight of everyone else and that Franky was staring directly at her from only a matter of inches away.
"Franky" she began to say
"What? came the reply
"This is not the time and absolutely not the place for this discussion"
"Why not? Haven't I pledged good money for the privilege" Franky whispered into her ear moving if it was at all possible even closer.She reached out and lifted Erica's chin."I'm going to kiss you Erica whether you like it or not.You want it and I want it so let's stop fucking around." With that she moved forward and aggressively put her lip's on Erica's. There was a moment of opposition from Erica but as soon as she felt Franky's lips on hers all barriers came crashing down. She opened her mouth and soon Franky's tongue was frantically exploring every corner. Erica managed to break free , suddenly aware that on the other side of the pillar was the great and the good of the city's legal fraternity.
"Franky"
"What"
"This is great but we need to stop"
"You think this is great? Let's see how this floats your boat!"
Erica gasped as she realised that Franky's hand had found the slit on the left hand side of her evening gown .She was able to feel expert fingers slowly move up her thigh until they found her red hot centre.
"Fuck Erica . You're so wet"
"Please Franky . Not here"
"But you want me to, don't you?"
"You know I do"
Erica could feel Franky's fingers back on the fabric of her thong.She felt her chin being held so that they were looking directly into each others lust filled eyes. Suddenly she didn't care.She was about to be fucked only yards from the cream of the city's legal world by a member of the waitressing staff. She closed her eyes and waited for the moment of exhilaration to wash over her when suddenly she heard her name being called.
Franky pulled her hand away in a flash as Gareth reappeared on the scene.
"Everything all right Erica ? You look a bit flushed"
"No, I'm fine . Just got real rush of heat there a few moments ago. What's up?"
"Just one of the organisers would like to meet you and say thanks"
"Maybe I'm the one should be thanking them " Erica said without really realising that she had done so out loud. As she was speaking Erica noticed Franky standing directly behind Gareth putting two fingers very seductively into her mouth. She had to use all her self control from bursting out laughing.
"Okay Gareth .I'll be with you in a mo.Just want to make arrangements with Franky for meeting up for dinner"
"Thought it was lunch you said"
"No. Dinner will be fine, won't it Franky"
"You bet" Franky grinned "I'm especially looking forward to dessert!"
With that Franky picked up a tray of empty glasses and started to head back to the kitchen when a final thought occured to her
"Oh Erica . There is just one other thing"
"What?"
"Can you lend me AUS500 .I'm totally skint at the moment and I need to pay for the pleasure of your company!"
Erica burst out laughing."Franky Doyle. Whatever am I going to do with you?"
"Well I can certainly give you some ideas " said Franky giving Erica the look that melted her on the spot. Shall we start trying them out tomorrow night about 8?"
"It's a date" With that Erica moved back into her working world a huge smile on her face.