Until We Met Again ( Rowan and Johnson )
Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Karla was deeply engrossed in her thoughts, so she didn’t notice that Blake had been staring at her the whole time.

As the auction bids soared higher and higher, Karla, feeling like the sole “pauper” in the room, couldn’t help but sigh, “Jealousy’s got me looking all green. This place is swarming with the filthy rich.”

The middle–aged man next to her overheard and chuckled, “Miss, you’re far too modest. That watch on your wrist doesn’t exactly scream ‘bargain bin.”

“Huh?” Karla glanced at her watch following his gaze. It was a gift from Rowan. Was it really that valuable?

With polite curiosity, the man inquired, “Miss, might I take a closer look at your watch? I’m a bit of a collector, quite the aficionado in appraising timepieces.”

“Sure thing,” Karla said generously, slipping off the watch and handing it over.

The man donned a pair of white gloves with meticulous care. He examined the piece thoughtfully, his expression turning peculiar. “This piece is clearly from the 70s, yet it looks brand new. Quite curious.”

“Do

you recognize this watch?” Karla asked.

The man nodded, “Of course, it’s a PATEK PHILIPPE. Spotted it right away. Yours is a custom piece. The older it is, the more valuable it becomes. There was one from a similar era auctioned off recently for over ten million.”

He muttered to himself, a little baffled, “I can’t be mistaken, this is vintage. How can it look so pristine?”

Karla was flabbergasted. She had heard of the brand’s watches. They ranged from hundreds of thousands to a million. A custom piece like hers? The price was

unimaginable.

Rowan, how could you throw your money around like that!

Karla was in agony over the money. For someone who balked at wearing a watch over a hundred bucks, this was astronomical.

Not wanting the expert to pry any further, Karla quickly reclaimed her watch and as she strapped it back on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she herself had just become more ‘expensive.‘

Blake, of course, had overheard their entire conversation.

From Karla’s reaction, it was clear the watch was a gift, and an expensive one at that. Who could have given it to her? Likely a suitor?

14.09

Once the auction ended, Karla followed Blake out. Curious, she asked about the painting. Blake explained that items won at the auction were delivered by the organizers to 8

location specified by the buyer.

“And where will this painting be sent?” Karla asked candidly, not sensing any impropriety

in her question

Blake was equally straightforward, “To my grandpa Nicholas hands.”

Sure enough, Karla had guessed it. Others might not understand why Nicholas wanted that painting, but Karla knew all too well, it was because of Joana.

“Ms. Karla, how about we replace somewhere to sit and chat? Or maybe head straight to dinner?” Blake glanced at his watch. It was just past seven, the perfect time for an evening meal.

Karla waved him off, “Dinner’s a no–go. Maybe some other time. We can chat right here” They were standing in a plaza, and their respective cars were parked outside. Karla planned to finish her piece and then leave.

“Fair enough. Speak your mind,” Blake said, not pressing her for a sit–down.

Karla carefully phrased her request, trying to persuade Blake to agree to take her to see Nicholas, “You wonder what I could possibly have to discuss with your grandpa Nicholas. Well, you’ll understand once we meet. Of course, that’s if he agrees to have you there to

listen.”

“Ms. Karla, you talk as if you know my grandpa Nicholas well,” Blake teased, well aware such familiarity was impossible.

Karla didn’t want to beat around the bush. Straight to the point, she asked. “Cut to the chase. Will you help me?”

“Ms. Karla, I’ll be honest with you. My grandpa Nicholas is in a private medical clinic. He’s old, clinging to life with medication, bedridden. Ever since he retired, he’s not seen a single outsider,” Blake shared, not wanting to deceive her.