Emylia Wenderston had been involved in arts promotion for a long time, but this was her first own art exhibition gallery. It was open only since two months and it was already a huge success. Obviously, the beau monde of Hollywood had a new foible for the fine arts, but she didn’t want to know the reasons. She loved the fact that everybody was crazy about modern arts.

Today was a day for something new to her, too. Her company ‘’Mesmerizing arts promotions’’ was holding a charity auction. Many charitable organizations had previously asked her company for donations, but Emylia felt that even with donating a huge amount she couldn’t stop world hunger...or solve other global problems. She didn’t think she is selfish not helping them. She wanted to help. But for a cause to which she could relate to and feel that the donations really reach their goal.
This changed when one close friend of Emilia, Trish, came to her and crying told her that she has got an autoimmune disease. It had a strange name, lupus, what Emylia had never heard before.
‘’Research is my only hope’’ Trish had said. And Emylia didn’t to be told twice. If she had a hope to even try to help her friend, then she needed to act fast. She remembered that Trish had mentioned something about a foundation called The Dorough Lupus Foundation which was supporting research on this field. As Emylia had a lot to do in the New York department of her company she let her LA based assistance team to organize the charity event.

To her surprise, everything was perfect in the day of the supposed art auction. The paintings were exhibited at the gallery and as she looked through the auction catalogue she was surprised to discover that her most worthy artist, Jess, had contributed five new artworks from the Lost Acanthus series, one of the best selling of a living artist. She remembered that the highest price for a painting from this series was about 5.00000 $. Jess had said she is going to donate 70% of her income from the auctioned artworks. This will be a huge donation. Maybe it will help to find the cure.

Howie was usually excited to hear about even the tiniest events organized for his charity, but as he heard that ‘’Mesmerizing arts’’ was holding an auction for the benefit of his foundation he was extremely excited.
‘’Nick, did you know that there will be an auction for artworks from the Lost Acanthus series?’’ Howie was talking so fast that it was even difficult to understand.
‘’D, calm down! It seems like you’re in love!! But it’s JUST an auction!’’
‘’But aren’t you also getting excited when something good happens for your charity?’’
‘’Sure, but I don’t act so childish...’’ Nick smirked.
‘’So you just drop me by the gallery, ok?’’
‘’If you tell me were it is sure. But there’s one condition to that-you stop rambling.’’ Nick tried to sound serious, but broke out in laughter.
‘’Yes, sir!’’ Howie said, hardly breathing. It was so rare to see Nick serious for even a short time.

The event was a true VIP-only event. After passing the guest list check Howie could enter the gallery. No one was paying attention to him; everybody was looking at the artworks and discussing the maximum buying price. Usually the events for his foundation were fan events where he was the major attraction. He liked those, but this was really a first time to be almost out of the crowd’s attention. Some people who knew him talked to him and this was it.

He noticed a beautiful girl mingling in the crowd. From afar he saw that she was a petite built but still had an amazing figure. The black dress pants and the red lace top where perfectly showing her body, yes, he really couldn’t let his eyes off of her. I’m going to talk to her later, I need to find this Emylia Wenderston and thank her for this event...
Actually, he didn’t know how Emylia would look like, he had imagined her in her early sixties or something, so he kept looking for an elderly lady giving everyone orders. But he couldn’t find such a person till the auction started.

The auction started very promising. The artworks were sold for high prices, and Howie only sighed as he heard the percentages of the gross which would go to his foundation. This is event is the most successful ever since I started the fundraising. I really owe a lot to this Emylia...if only I could find her.

The last two items were going to be auctioned, but he still hadn’t figured out where this Emylia could be. His eyes were still following the beautiful brunette girl. There’s something about her I just can’t describe. She was talking to the winning bidders and signing the purchase agreements. She was sitting at a glass desk in the corner concentrating on some papers.

‘’Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find Emylia Wenderston?’’ Howie asked shyly, not wanting to make a bad first impression.
‘’Well, you don’t have to search anymore...I am Emylia Wenderston’’ she looked up and the first thing she noticed were his beautiful brown eyes.
‘’Wow...I thought you must be older...’’ Howie mentally kicked himself for being so blunt.
‘’A lot of people think that it takes decades to build an art empire...I was just really lucky with that...With whom I have the honor to speak? ’’ She smiled standing up.
‘’How could I forget to introduce myself? I am Howard Dorough, the founder of the Lupus charity...’’
‘’It’s so wonderful to meet you. I hope you are content with the results of the auction...’’ she looked right into his eyes. He’s cute...but with my luck in men he’s probably married and living happily ever after...
‘’Even more than that... It’s truly amazing! We could...’’ he had not a chance to finish the sentence because her phone rang.
‘’Oh, I’m sorry, but I have to answer this call...’’
‘’Go ahead, I’ll wait...’’

She moved away to the corner and picked up. Yes, she had to pick up. Jess would never accept her excuses. And you have to serve your best earning artist, right?
‘’Hi...so you want to know how the auction went?’’ Emylia asked.
‘’No...I want to know if he came!!!’’ Jess was squeaking so loudly that it seemed to Emylia that her phone could explode.
‘’Who came?’’ Emylia was confused.
‘’Hello? I can’t imagine Howie didn’t come...he always so treasures those events...’’ Jess sighed heavily.
‘’I still can’t figure out about whom you are speaking.’’
‘’About Howard Dwayne Dorough, have I to spell it? He’s the founder of this charity...’’
‘’Oh, this guy! Actually, I was speaking with him when you called...’’
‘’I hope he didn’t walk away...’’
‘’No, he said he’d wait...’’
‘’Aww...that’s soo cute! Go girl!’’ Jess cheered.
‘’But there’s nothing going on...’’
‘’Well, not right now...but you never know...’’ Emylia heard Jess’ dreamy rambling.
‘’Jess!’’
‘’Oh honey, I’ll better hang up and let you go on with the hot guy. But I promise to do the artwork for your wedding invitations, ok?’’ In the second Emylia wanted to say that Jess is going crazy the call was cancelled. Those crazy artists! But I think it won’t hurt to talk to him!

From his perspective Howie had a good view to Emylia. He couldn’t hear what she was saying, yet it must have been something that made her think. Well, I hope she still wants to talk to me...


Closing the phone Emylia watched him from afar. Well, Jess is right. He is hot...but isn’t looking at him reminding me how single I am? Damn it!
Either way, she plastered a smile on her face and returned to him.
‘’I’m back and now you can finish your interrupted sentence...’’ she said while paying attention to his looks.
‘’To discuss more about the auction and just to have a nice evening we could go out to dinner...I have a reserved table at Ivy’s...’’ it took a lot of bravery to say that. Usually he was shy to even talk to girls he liked, but putting together his bravery and performance experience he dared this. And now...only time will tell...
First, she was confused. It has been a long time since someone wanted to spend a nice evening with her? It was always only business dinners, mainly with other promoters, who happened to be mostly elderly ladies. So, girl, don’t skip this chance! Will it be better to sit alone home and drown in self pity? No, I gonna take this chance.
‘’Well, that was quite unexpected, but...’’ she searched for words to accept the offer better.
‘’If that sounded offensive or unacceptable, I’m so sorry...’’ You messed it!
‘’I just wanted to say it is good idea. You could tell me more about the foundation and so on. The auction has ended, but we hadn’t the chance to talk about it...so let’s go? We can take my car...or...’’
‘’I didn’t take my car tonight. So sure, let’s take your car.’’ He said, taking one more look at her body. His eyes were fixed at her red lace top, which seemed revealing yet it didn’t show as much skin as Howie would’ve wished. He was so sunk into drooling that he almost forgot that they had to go to her car.

He wondered which car would be hers; he thought that it would be the nice little Bentley parked nearby. But she passed it and headed straight to a dark red...Dodge Viper.
‘’I would’ve never thought you drive a Viper. I thought you would drive something more lovely.’’
‘’Isn’t the viper lovely? What kind of car did you expect I’d drive?’’ She said while buckling her seatbelt.
‘’Well, it is. You just seem kinda a more romantic nature...i thought you’d drive a Bentley or something like this...’’
So he thinks I’m lovely? Then why does everybody say that I’m like a blood pumping viper?
‘’Interesting thought...can I put on a CD while we drive?’’
‘’Whatever you like...’’ he said wondering what she’d pick.
She looked through the CD collection and stopped by the ‘’Millennium’’ album. She glanced at the cover and back to Howie in the passenger’s seat and her jaw dropped.
‘’Are you from the Backstreet boys?’’ She asked, her voice was almost not audible.

He watched her expression and saw that she had lost her strong confidence. Now she seemed like a little girl- so needing to be protected.
‘’Yes, I am...does that scare you?’’ he tried to sound calming.

‘’No, I’m not really scared...I...I just never thought I would ever meet a backstreet boy...’’ she said and blushed. ‘’And how couldn’t I recognize you?’’ Because I was always drooling over Nick’s pictures...but Howie’s also cute. Extremely cute!!

‘’Maybe I’m not the most popular of the boys...’’he smiled and took the CD from her hands. But I hope this won’t cause you to reject my invitation...’’ he said quietly.
‘’No, it doesn’t...but wouldn’t your wife be angry that you spend the evening with me? I don’t want to affect your life...I just...’’ she stuttered.
‘’I’m not married; I even don’t have a girlfriend...since two years I’m completely single. Yes, you affect my life, but only positively. I guess even the fans would like to know that sometimes someone agrees to go out with me...’’ he smiled at her so sincerely that she just wanted to smile back. ‘’And now when this is clear, can we go?’’ he asked and inserted the CD in the CD in the player.

She started the engine and concentrated her gaze to road. Not for a second she looked at him in the passenger seat. I was wrong. He IS single. That still makes everything so difficult. And his voice...he sounds so wonderful.
He watched her every move with the steering wheel, she led the car gracefully through the crazy LA traffic. I should try to ask her if she’s taken. If I get to that point... But for now, he enjoyed even the fact that he was going out. Sure, it wasn’t a date as he would’ve wished, but anyways, he had the chance to be around her now.

Emylia hoped that the drive to Ivy’s would last longer, that she would not have to talk to him. She looked forward to the evening in the restaurant with mixed emotions. On the one hand, she will spend the evening with a great guy, on the other, she was always afraid to start new relationships. What am I thinking here even about the word ‘’relationship’’? That’s something that never works for me. Right now I only have one evening...and that could turn out good. Or? I have to see...

Stopping at Ivy’s and giving the car to the valet parking employee meant she had no way back. She felt her hands shaking lightly; there was that excitement she had felt back in high school going to a date with her crush. Calm down, this is not a date. Even if he is a super good looking pop star...and I can’t let my eyes off of him...

Howie saw her confusion so out of impulse took her hand. He felt a tremble run up and down her skin and he had to confess to himself that he liked the feel of her soft skin. She looked up at him and saw him smiling at her. She knew that the right thing to do would be to let him go, but she felt so calm while being around him.
‘’Can we go in now?’’ she asked, knowing that they couldn’t stand here forever.

‘’Yes, let’s go...’’ he loved how confused she looked, but still he just knew that standing here this way could just make him go crazy. Her lips seem so inviting...I wish I could just kiss her...but I can’t...


Their table was in the back of the restaurant, covered away from curious eyes.
Directly facing him she could sink in the feel how perfect he looked. The beige linen suit matched his tan.I’m getting too drooly.

Howie noticed that she was concentrating on him and was really pleased about the fact. ad my share of looking at her in the car...and now I can continue... Could this mean she’s interested? I certainly am...
He saw how she hid behind the menu, pretending to study it preciously...it was so unusual for him to see that. Mostly all the girls with whom he had gone out where whether bragging how wonderful they are or spilling so much sugary syrup about how they love him. But this girl...she did none of those things. She was rich and popular enough to impress everyone, but she didn’t use it. He knew that the Viper she drove was close to 200,000$ in price, because Nick had a similar one. Not being a gold digger is another plus to her. But what am I thinking about unessential things.

When they had ordered, a silence made of confusion started.
‘’What was the reason you did the auction for my charity? There are always reasons. I guess you did not because you’re madly in love with me...’’ he chuckled.
‘’I had a major reason...my best friend Trish told me that she has Lupus. Right now she feels good, but no one can say for sure for how long this could be...maybe, maybe she has only 10 more years of life left. I just can’t live with knowing this. I feel so helpless for not having the might to help her.’’ She sniffed, trying to hold tears back.

‘’I know how it feels. I already lost my sister to Lupus. That’s why I made this foundation...to lessen the helplessness. With every cent raised we can help the people affected by it. Every new day in research could bring the cure...’’ he patted her hand trying to comfort her.
‘’But I haven’t done anything for it...I...I’’ she couldn’t speak anymore, she could even hardly breathe.
‘’You did a lot more as you think...this evenings donations are the biggest we ever received.’’
‘’There will be over 1.5 million...at least.’’ She estimated.

‘’Now I have to think of something to reward you...the foundation usually gives a thank you to everybody who donates. But your amount is huge. For bigger donations we usually think up something special. Like, for a 50, 000 $ donation I’ll go on a date.’’
‘’So you will be sooo fed up with me...I’m boring...’’she said and unwillingly releasing her hand from his. ish I could hold on longer....
‘’No...I wonder if you’re single or not. It would be no surprise that such a wonderful girl is taken.’’
‘’Well, I’m single...surprise, surprise?’’
‘’Umm...that’s great...so I can work out what I owe you.’’ He smiled at her so lucidly she just couldn’t resist smiling back.
‘’You don’t owe me anything...’’

The waiter came with their orders. While the dishes were placed on the table she used the time to escape his gaze, to forget how the touch of his hand felt on her skin.
‘’I think I just have to ask you this...would you like to meet me again, even taking in account the fact that I don’t owe you anything...’’ he said, his voice becoming quieter.

‘’Did you ask for a date? Or something like this? I just can’t believe that you would want to ask me out.’’ She shook her head in disbelief.
‘’So you don’t like me?’’ he said sadly, in a way that touched her heart. He looked down to his plate, trying to hide his embarrassment. what ideas did I get? I’m not the type girls would fall instantly.

‘’It was not meant that way. I just thought...a handsome and successful man would never want to go out with me....I don’t fit in the standard.’’
‘’Why is that?’’
‘’Look at me, I’m 5’1’....models can be 5’11’’...I’m too short.’’
‘’That’s not right...you’re just beautiful...and I don’t care how tall you are...I’m not the tallest guy myself either.’’
‘’To me, you seem really tall...but the height never mattered to me. And you’re just the most handsome guy I’ve ever gone out...’’
Howie blushed for a little. ‘’You didn’t notice how that P. Diddy stared at you while the auction...’’ he said, teasing her a bit.
‘’He was staring at the Lost Acanthus linoleum print, not me.’’ She laughed off his comment.
‘’So I can count myself lucky that you accepted my invitation...and the question is- would you like to see me in future?’’

She was happy yet also a bit terrified from this offer. He wants to see me again...He is so attractive...but should I try? ‘’Look, it is so difficult to answer...I...I...would really like to see you...if you want.’’ She looked away again, too shy to look directly at him. Was that a right choice? To want to see him?