Page 98 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Stalker

“Jack, who’s that on your arm?” reporters called as Daisy and I walked the red carpet leading into Salazar Nights. I usually only answered them when the woman I was with wanted to be splashed all over the entertainment websites and social media. But now it was my turn. Not that I wanted those things in particular, but I was proud to be seen with Daisy.

And I wanted everyone to know she was mine.

“This is my girlfriend, Daisy,” I said, turning around with her on my arm. She’d never looked lovelier, and we almost hadn’t made it out of the condo after I’d seen her in that dress. Her tits were barely contained, and the slit showed her entire thigh and half her ass. She looked fantastic. So sexy, so beautiful, so classy. And I swear she was the first woman who’d even gone to one of these events with me whose smile was genuine.

The photographers loved it. She smiled and posed for them as many times as they asked, talking and laughing with them as if she knew them.

It was great, and I was so thrilled to have her on my arm.

We slowly made our way inside. Everyone wanted to stop and talk with us. Well, mainly with Daisy. I just stood by, smiled, and answered the occasional question thrown my way.

The party was perfect. It was hands down the best one I’d ever been to. I didn’t feel nervous or anxious with Daisy on my arm. We danced to several songs, including one playing right before I was supposed to go up on stage and give a quick speech revealing the new character forCaveSphere 4.

“Lover,” by Taylor Swift was the song, and I twirled herand dipped her expertly to the surprise and delight of most of the people gathered around the dance floor. When the music faded, Laura’s voice broke through the applause as people clapped for us.

I was riding a high. Was I nervous to give the speech? Yes. But with Daisy by my side, I knew it would be okay. I gave her my arm, and we walked up the stairs together. I held onto her hand as I stood at the lectern and spoke into the microphone.

“I’m going to keep this short and sweet. I know you didn’t come here to hear me talk for a long time. You came here for a party. I want to thank Nico Salazar for the use of this fabulous club. I couldn’t ask for a better place to unveil something big and exciting. Something that’s been a long time in the making.”

The audience got quiet. No one had been expecting a major announcement about the game, but they were about to get it.

I gestured to the guy in charge of broadcasting a slick new slideshow of the new character on a drop-down screen hidden in a wall at the club.

The lights dimmed and soft, dramatic music played in the background as an image of the new character, Flora, appeared on the wall.

“Meet the newest character in theCaveSphereuniverse,” I said.

Applause broke out, but I felt Daisy stiffen at my side. I turned to look at her, and she was frowning in confusion.

“Ladies and gentlemen, meet Flora. She’s the first newmaincharacter introduced to the game since its inception over ten years ago. She’s smart, sexy, skilled at magic and sword fighting, and ready to inspire a new generation ofCaveSphereplayers.”

The slideshow began, showing a video montage I’d made with Flora advancing through some of the basics, advanced levels, and quests inCaveSphere. I waited until the show was on the last screen, where it purposefully froze, to make the lastannouncement.

“I’d like to credit Daisy Tiller, my girlfriend and the inspiration behind Flora, with the idea to add a kick-ass female character toCaveSpherethat would appeal to mass audiences. We especially want to attract the female audience our game has largely ignored until now. So, thank you, Daisy.” I turned, smiling, to look down at her.

She was still stiff as she stood next to me, and the smile was frozen on her face. What I had chalked up to nerves seemed to be more than that. I quickly shot a look at Grandma. I could read the look she gave me instantly. Still, she mouthed, ‘did you tell her?’ to me. I gave a subtle shake of my head, and she closed her eyes briefly, clearly frustrated.

The audience, cheering and clapping, seemed entirely unaware of any potential drama.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” I said, as the video started playing again, and Daisy and I made our way off the stage.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

“Um, yeah.” She bit her lip, then her eyes flicked up to mine. “It’s me. Your new character.”

I nodded, pushing her gently towards a private alcove where we could talk. “Is that a problem?”

She looked conflicted. “No,” she said slowly, “I guess not.”

I wasn’t at all convinced. The look on her face seemed much closer to horrified than flattered. “Talk to me,” I urged, as I held one of her forearms and ran my thumb along her jaw.

“I… well, I just wish you’d warned me first. That’s all.”

I shook my head and looked at the floor. “I should have. I’m sorry. My family told me I needed to, but I was afraid you’d tell me to make her look different or name her something else. And I didn’t want to,” I admitted. “I wanted her to look like you, Daisy.”

“She doesn’t just look like me. Sheisme.” Her eyes were focused on the screen. “How did you do that?”

I shrugged. “It’s complicated. Coding and all that.” I didn’t want to tell her that I had thousands of digital video images of her I’d been able to download into my software. Then I’d haveto explain where I’d gotten the images.