Chapter Text
—My Plants. My garden. My botanical garden—Rio repeats to herself over and over again to remember why the hell she is in this dilemma.
It all started with the government (how strange) specifically with the new ruler, who came up with the great idea of cutting the garden budget, because it was inconceivable for the idiot with the orange head that so many thousands of dollars would be spent on "some plants". Rio, with her serenity and sweet voice (ha!) requested an appointment with him, to reach an agreement, but as expected, they didn't come to one and let's say that the story ends with a call to security and her precious garden put up for sale.
Sending the orange ruler to hell, Vidal met with her team of advisors to determine if she could buy the botanical garden. After looking through her financials, they discover that it was possible to buy it, but she had to invest all the heritage she had left of her parents, and even then, she was still missing more than half a million dollars.
You see, Rio Vidal is the only daughter of the late José and Rosa Vidal, co-founders of the botanical garden and former owners of the largest fertilizer company in North America. Rio is an enigma in the circle of the oldest and most influential families in StartCity, due to her sense of humor and sarcasm, those power weapons has excluded her from some rich people, but that has not prevented her from becoming a great businesswoman. At the young age of twenty nine she has expanded her parents' empire internationally. Not only is she intelligent, but she also has such a beauty that any man or woman who crosses her path is instantly in love with her, a lethal weapon that Rio has master, helping her to close deals on more than one occasion.
Lilia Calderu, her parents' best friend, her godmother and her faithful accountant, proposed that their company auction off a dinner with her at the most exclusive and sought-after event of the year, where only millionaires and multimillionaires attended; and it just so happened that it would be in 3 days. Every year an auction is held between the influential and wealthy of StartCity, buying art, trinkets and rarely the occasion, auctioning off a dinner with someone of interest, and is just her damn luck, this year it was going to be her. Rio has only attended this event once, as she hates superficial and hypocritical people, and all of them are on the guest list, except for a few people, like the Luthor-Danvers, the Swan-Mills and the Mason-Amnell marriage, but everyone else are vultures and they can shove their money up their asses for all she cares.
There is also one person who is excluded on the vultures list, and she knows this person could help her if only Rio would answer her phone. The CEO of the best software company in the country, the one and only Agatha Harkness. Unfortunatly their relationship is in troubled waters at this very moment, to ask her ex-girlfriend (?), fuckbody (?).. her something, that amount of money it's unthinkable. She wouldn't ask Harkness for a dollar, much less her help, even if she was in her dead bed.
So that's the dilemma and the reason why she found herself right now, backstage, waiting for her turn to go up on that damn stage to be auction off. Maybe her pride is wound and her dignity in tatters, but she is going to save her garden, even if it's the last thing she in going to do. Over her dead body, they would demolish her Eden.
—Rio, it's almost your turn. Ready babydoll? —hears Lilia's voice, feeling her hands in her body, fixing her bow on the sexy red dress she is wearing. Tonight, she must bring the large guns and this drees is the perfect weapon, cause her bare back and her abdomen are on display, and even her right leg is in the open air. Money is going to fly more faster than Drogon to burn the iron throne (Daenerys deserve better)
—Lilia, this better work —Rio threatens.
—It will work, doll, you will see. With that back, those legs and that face... Mami! we wil make money faster than the guys in The Casa de Papel —claps happily— Besides, there's Harkness and Thanos out there —the old lady bursts out laughing at Rio's panicked face.
"Mierda (Shit)" Rio thinks.
Agatha hates with passion Thanos and the feeling is mutual. Those two are like water and oil.
Thanos has been after Vidal's bones for the last five years, trying to win her heart and soul. The muscular man has probably even planned the wedding already and maybe he already have the engagement ring, as he has hinted at marriage on more than one occasion, to which Rio, using her wild and persuasive words, has always gotten away without accepting or rejecting these "proposals."
Thanos is so sure that Rio will soon be his woman, but what he never foresaw in his plans was the arrival of Agatha Harkness into the brunette's life. Without proposing it, Harkness stole Rio's heart, but being Agatha "I don't have feelings" Harkness, she only proposed to be fuckbodies.
Rio, in love at first sight with the brunette, accepted, believing that with time the CEO would change her mind, but after more than two years, many hours of passion and arguments, Rio was losing her patience. The tensions culminated seven days ago when, during a passionate encounter, Rio decided to tell Harkness she loved her, causing everything to go to hell. A panicked Agatha left her apartment faster than Flash, and no words were needed to understand that Agatha was only interested in her body, not her heart. Reason why, for five days now, she hasn't answered her phone, much less the dozens of messages on her cell phone. For all she cares Agatha can go visit the fucking Titanic and lay with them forever. She dosen't give a shit.
(sure, baby girl)
"Shut up mind" Rio curses herself
Anyway, forgetting Harkness is her new New Year's resolution, and she is going to achieve it even if she has to turn her heart into a black, emotionless stone.
—How the hell did she know I was going to be here? —questions Lilia. Agatha knows she hates these kinds of events and would never expect to find Rio there.
—Don't even look at me. God knows how your woman found out. But one thing is for sure, we will see a fight tonight, and by the end of the night, we'll have more than half a million in our hands —Lilia says, clapping like a circus seal.
—Gods, what have I gotten myself into? —Rio murmured, clutching her head.
Before panic could set in or Lilia could say a word, the event's hostesses interrupted them.
—Miss Vidal, it's your turn. Come with me please. —the girl tells her, lighting the stairs
—Mami, break a leg! —giving her a hug, Lilia goes to her seat and waits for the show of the year. There will surely be blood and she will be in the front row accompanied with the best whiskey these events has to offer.
—Here we go —murmurs as she climbs the stairs, entering the stage.
Putting on the fakest of smiles, Rio heads to meet Stan Lee, the host of this circus. Taking her hand, he gives her a reassuring smile as he leads her to the podium. But have no effect on the brunette, as she knows it's only a matter of minutes before World War III breaks out, between Agatha"the pain in the ass of the love of her life" Harkness and Thanos "I won't take no for an answer” Richarson.
—Ladies and gentlemen, our last auction of the evening —Lee begins his speech— As all of you know, the botanical garden is about to be demolished due to our governor's decision. However, the garden's CEO, Miss Rio Vidal, has proposed a purchase. She wishes to have a shareholder and as proof of that business, the person who will take Miss Vidal to dinner will be able to discuss the deal, making them the second-largest shareholder of the most beautiful garden in the United States —Lee pauses, as murmurs and occasional applause fill the air.
After a few seconds, Lee turns to Rio, nodding his head, wordlessly expressing that the auction is about to begin. Turning to the audience, he begins the last auction of the evening.
—That said, we begin the auction. Is anyone bidding $300,000 dollars?
—$300,000 bucks for a botanical garden?! —someone in the audience shouts in disbelief. While most are millionaires, only a few people in their right mind would spend that amount of money on plants.
Rio, having heard, turns her menacing gaze toward the person. However, being on stage and fortunately for them, the lights don’t allow her pulverize them. She wants to make it clear to this jackass, that not even their miserable life compares to her precious plants.
But not everyone thinks that way, as in front of the stage, two tables back, stands Thanos Richardson, self-centered millionaire and owner of the best security company in the USA. Since Rio stepped on stage, he has instructed his team to take out the cash briefcases, ready to use them. This is his chance to win Rio over, making her his wife, once and for all.
Thanos raises his paddle, accepting the amount, smiling at Rio. Rio looks at him indifferently, but inside, she's screaming in frustration, as she doesn't even want to go outside with the muscle-bound puppet.
"Do it for the plants. Do it for the plants" Rio repeats the reason in her head, trying to convince her feet to stay put. If she doesn’t, she is going to run away like a maniac from the damned event.
—Mr. Thanos is accepting $300,000. Do I hear $400,000? —Lee asks.
—$400,000 dollars. —the voice of Kahlan Mason-Amnell, the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, the famous Lady of Justice is heard. Making contact with the crystalline eyes thanks her with a look of gratitude. There are very few people Rio admires, but Kahlan Mason-Amnell is one hell of a woman. She is charming, gorgeous and intelligent beyond compere. If she didn't love Agatha like she does, she would conquer Kahlan, but let’s be real, her blonde wife, Cara Mason-Amnell, is batshit crazy and she is capable of killing, God knows where the body of Ricky Boy is.
Before Lee can say a word, someone imposes themselves.
—$500,000 dollars! —the powerful voice of Agatha Harkness, owner of the best software company in the United States, is heard.
"Damn it!" Rio shouts internally. It's a thousand times better than Agatha is her “date” to the dinner, but she's not willing to talk to her yet; her bruised ego (and heart) won't allow it.
Her blue eyes connect with her brown eyes, telling her wordlessly that they'll have the conversation that Rio has been ignoring, whether she likes it or not. Furthermore, Rio notices that Agatha is barely controlling and suppressing her possessive and jealous side. Harkness knows Thanos desires her, and the CEO will fight the bald man to the bitter end. Over her dead body, fucking Thanos is going to take her woman, her future wife and mother of her children to dinner.
—Miss Harkness offers half a million dollars. Did I hear $600,000? —Lee says.
Thanos is not an idiot, he silently watched the exchange of glances between the crazy Harkness and his sweetheart, making his blood boil at the thought of Agatha taking Rio away from him once again. He knows perfectly well that the pair had an affair, however, judging by Rio's face, he senses that Harkness must have done something to make Rio cut her off. This time, he won't let Agatha take his future wife from him, not her or anyone else.
Taking a calming sip, Thanos stands up, causing all eyes to focus on him, for besides being a millionaire, he's a nearly two-meter-tall giant.
—Two million dollars. —declares calmly.
Loud exclamations are heard from all sides of the auditorium; no one can believe he's spending a two millions on some damn plants.
—These rich people —mutters Stan Lee. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a white silk handkerchief and gently wipes it across his forehead, wiping away the small beads of sweat. Putting his handkerchief back, he takes a deep breath before bringing the microphone to his mouth, needing the strength to survive this final auction, as the fight is just starting.
Rio closes her eyes, squeezing them slightly and resigning herself to a dinner with Thanos, as that's the amount of money she needs to pay for the botanical garden. However, before Lee can count the numbers and declare him the winner, a voice interrupts the room.
—Four million dollars —comes the authoritative voice of Lena Luthor-Danvers. The brunette usually come to these events because she has no other choice, but she won't let the egocentric and sexist Thanos make a woman suffer, much less if that woman is Rio Vidal. While she's only engaged in conversation with the Vidal heiress a few times, Lena has admirable respect for how she's handled her parents' death and carried their legacy to the top. Besides, her wife, Kara, would never forgive her for not intervening and would make her sleep on the couch until Rao knows when.
Stan Lee once again brings the microphone to his mouth to declare the L-Corp CEO the winner, but before he can utter a word, Harkness's possessive voice is heard once more.
—Seven million dollars! —she rises from her seat, glaring at Thanos.
God knows whose brilliant idea it was to put them face to face, just a few feet apart. If this doesn't end soon, not only will egos be bruised, but blood will be spilled.
—Carajo! (Fuck!) —Rio shouts in a low voice, but no one pays attention, as the audience's applause has grown louder every time someone say a larger amount, drowning out the sound of her exclamations.
—Holy shit! —Lilia screams while drowning in laughter, enjoying this front-row show like never before.
Lee brings the microphone to his mouth, starting to count.
—Seven million dollars from Harkness. At one, two...—as expected, the poor man doesn't finish the sentence. Again.
—Ten million dollars! — Thanos declares loudly, looking menacingly at Harkness.
—Fuck! —Rio shouts, knowing that Agatha isn't going to let her go with Thanos, and this duel has only fucking begun.
Stan Lee, wanting to end the duel to the death between the two CEOs quickly intervenes.
—Ten million from Thanos. At one, at…—interrupted.
—Twelve million —Regina Swan-Mills raises her voice. No one knows exactly where her fortune comes from, but as the governor of Maine, no one has dared to question her. Much less her wife, the state Sheriff, Emma Swan-Mills, twice honored by the president for her heroic actions towards the citizens.
Rio, looking into the almost identical brown eyes with her own, nods, thanking her for her contribution. Regina smiles weakly and nods, also wanting this duel between the self-centered CEOs to end.
—Twelve million from The Madam Mayor, at on...—Cut off. "Maybe is time to draw comics" he ponders.
—Seventeen millions. —Agatha says, raising her drink in a salute to Thanos.
Unable to control it, Rio lets out a strangled gasp. She knows Agatha has money, but damn, seventeen million for dinner with her is too much, especially knowing that her heart belongs to that idiot "I don't believe in love" Harkness.
Thanos, turning to look at Harkness, wonders if it's worth spending 20 million on Rio when he knows her heart will never belong to him. After a few seconds of pondering, he decides to give in, but only to make Harkness's life miserable…
—Twenty-five million dollars.
He raises his drink, returning the gesture to Agatha, while she gives him a death glare. If her eyes were bullets, he'd be beyond cold.
"HELL NO!" Rio screams in her mind; she really doesn't want to go to a damn dinner with the bald man.
With the applause and shouts of the audience, it seems that this time Lee will give Thanos the victory, but what they don't know is that Agatha Harkness never loses, much less when the love of her life is at stake.
Grabbing the tablecloth in her hands, she pulls it towards her body, not giving a damn about the utensils, plates, and glasses breaking on the floor. Grabbing the chair, she places it at the edge of the table and taking a push from it, she climbs onto the table, standing up and taking a breath into her lungs, she roars
— FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS!
Absolute silence
For a few seconds, no one moves a single muscle, everyone shocked by what they've just heard.
Until Lilia's laughter breaks the silence, causing everyone to shout, clap, and even whistle, throwing the etiquette of the event to hell, unable to believe such a spectacle.
Lee, tired of being interrupted and wanting to finish the damn dinner, announces the winner without caring if anyone else interrupts.
This shit show is over now.
—Last offer of Fifty million. At one, at two…—he unconsciously pauses to see if Thanos will make an offer, but the bald guy just raises his glass and accepts his defeat… for now— and three. SOLD! Agatha Harkness come and collect your date!
No one in the audience remains seated. For the first time in history, everyone is standing, applauding this spectacle, which will be remembered until the end of time.
Agatha jumps down from the table, straightens the jacket of her purple suit, and begins walking toward the stage steps, to go up to meet Rio.
—You are fucking crazy! —Rio tells her when they are face to face and being photographed from all sides.
—Fucking crazy in love, darling. Because the thing is, I love you, Rio Vidal —grasping her cheeks, she brings her closer to her face— No one will have you, much less that bald idiot. You are mine alone and in the near future, you will be Rio Harkness-Vidal —Agatha says possessively.
Rio eyes clouds with tears at the finally declaration. She gives her a loving smile, the smile many thought they would never see from the Vidal heiress.
—Are you aware that tomorrow we'll be on the front page of the gossip magazine? —Rio questions, placing her hands on the waist of Agatha's suit. If before were many flashes of the photographers, now all mobile devices in the audience are out, undoubtedly taking video of the bizarre and chaotic moment of the night.
—Why the fuck should I care? I lost you once because I was an insecure jerk, but I assure you, I learned my lesson my love —and not giving a shit about the audience, she finally joins her possessive lips with Rio's, giving her a kiss worthy of a damn Oscar.
Whistles, applause, laughter (Lilia), and clearing throats (Lee) can be heard all around them, but they don’t give a shit.
It's not until Stan Lee, subtly touching both on the arm, indicates that it's time to leave the stage they break the kiss.
Agatha, give her a short but loving kiss to Rio, takes her hand and interlacing their fingers. Turning slightly, makes eye contact with Thanos and dignifiedly sticks out her tongue at him. Telling him with her eyes "She's mine". The bald man only laughs, for he may be obsessed with Rio, but he knows that Vidal’s heart belongs to Harkness. For now, the victory is Agatha's.
—It only took fifty million and an obsessed bald man for you to tell me you love me —Rio says, still unable to believe what happened a few minutes ago on stage.
Now in the darkness and privacy offered by the backstage and without the eyes of the audience, Agatha gazes into the brown eyes of the love of her life.
Gently cupping her cheeks and making eye contact, she drops all armor from her eyes, exposing her soul in them for the first time ever.
—My love, fifty million, is nothing to me. If I have to, I will give my fortune, my company, everything material, to save you. I prefer to lose everything than you —she exclaims seriously while tears fill both their eyes— I love you Rio Vidal, as I have never loved any human being, and I will not let anyone take you away from me. Even an eternity is not enough time for me —Agatha concludes with tears overflowing from her blue eyes.
Rio can only smile and lean in close to kiss her lips slowly. She knows Agatha's heart is hers forever.
—I love you, Agatha Harkness-Vidal.
—Soon, my love. Very soon —Agatha concludes, taking Rio's hand and leaving finally the event.
Sometimes it's necessary to take a leap of faith to achieve victory. Rio not only left with the money to buy her garden, but also with a heart she thought was lost, and not only that, but she have also now an almost a fiancée and an upcoming wedding. In the end, Lilia was right, and for the first time in her life, Rio is so glad she was wrong.
Life throws us tests that force us to go through, whether we want it or not. Sometimes the outcome is positive, often negative, but what matters is that we prove to ourselves that we are stronger than we think.
Take small leaps of faith and never forget your roots, as they will be the light in the darkness if you lose your path.
Remember, be brave to fight, be humble to listen and be kind to others and yourself, as no one is exempt to make mistakes.
Remember, tomorrow is not promise.
Good luck my friend.