A lost love

21

Barry was sitting in the auction house with his dad. He actually found that he enjoyed it, and was always intrigued to see how far people would go for something that they wanted. Huge amounts of money changed hands in a blink of an eye and nobody batted an eyelid. He hadn't seen anything that he liked yet, and would make him part with huge amounts of money but he was on the lookout

"Next up we have this beautiful painting. Please dig deep and let's raise a huge amount for this charity that we're here for"

Barry sat up as he saw the painting. It was the painting. His and Caitlins. It was theirs, and he wouldn't let anyone else have it. He would pay whatever he had to, to secure it. Barry started bidding on it, but noticed that to the right side of him, there was another man who kept outbidding him.  Barry kept upping his bid, he had to win that painting. But that man was not backing down and kept outbidding him. Finally Barry gave up. He wanted that painting but he couldn't go and spend too much money. He wasn't like his dad. He didn't just throw money at things. He went up and congratulated the man who had just purchased the painting 

"Congratulations"

"Thank you. It's a present for my daughter. I just hope that she likes it"

"I hope so too. I mean, how can you not like it?"

The old man's mobile rang, startling them both

"Excuse me. Yes it's me. Yes I have it. Yes I'm on my way"

The old man put his phone away 

"I have to go. Can't keep her waiting"

"Do you want some help carrying it into your car?"

"No. I'll be fine. My son in law is waiting by the car"

Barry watched the old man go. He scratched his head. Something felt off. Alarm bells were ringing in his head. Something wasn't right. But what?

Barry was sitting with his dad, having some tea

"So you lost it?"

"I know. I really wanted it, but I'm not like you dad. I don't throw money at every problem hoping that it will go away"

"Barry"

"It's true dad. Didn't you try and bribe Caitlin away from me? Even when you knew her real identity, you were still so mean to her. But dad she's senior to us. Imagine what she could do to us"

"She'll do nothing. She was a common girl a while ago. I doubt that she knows much about us"

"No dad. My Caitlin is not like that. She is very smart. Just because she hasn't done anything yet, doesn't mean that she won't"

"She won't hurt us, because of you"

"No dad. Everything is different now. She has changed from the girl I knew. Because of you and your taunts, she's changed. She doesn't love me anymore. She can do whatever she wishers. It's her right, and if she does that, we'll be in trouble"

Just then, Barry heard the door open and someone walk in. Barry gasped as he saw who it was. It was the old man from earlier

"Who are you? How dare you come into the palace like this? Leave now before I get the gaurds to escort you out"

"I don't think that you want to do that"

"Why not? What could you possibly say or do to make me fear you and to do what you want?"

"Dad leaves him alone. So tell me what do you want sir?"

"I don't want anything sir. My madam is coming soon, and I have to get everything ready for her arrival soon. Now if you will excuse me?"

The old man leapt pass Barry and ran upstairs 

"Dad, who is this old man? And who is his madam that he keeps mentioning?"

"I have no idea, but I'm going to get some answers. Gaurds, bring that old man down here now"

The gaurds ran upstairs 

"Now we wait"

They returned empty handed 

"Well?"

"Sorry your highness. We don't have the authority"

"What do you mean? I'm the king. You can't not listen to me"

"We've just got our new orders that we don't take orders from you"

"This is ridiculous. If not me, then who do you take orders from? Come on I'm waiting. Who?"

"ME!"

Duff, duff, duff. Who is it? As always, feedback appreciated