Daniella didn't know what else to do. All eyes were on her as if she committed a crime. Everyone was looking forward to see her pay.
"It's like she can't afford it." She heard on girl whispering to her friend.
"But why will she mention an amount she couldn't afford. She should pay up quickly." She heard the friend reply. Soon, the room began to heat up.
"I'm waiting for you, Miss Daniella. How will you pay?" The host asked. At this point, he was loosing his patience.
"I'm sorry sir, Just a minute." She answered and quickly tested Desmond. "Please help me out and pay. This is so embarrassing. All eyes are on me."
She sent the text and looked at his direction. Desmond got the notification and opened the message. He frowned and looked back at Daniella. He shook his head and began to type.
Immediately, Daniella got a massage. She opened it and felt flabbergasted. Desmond texted that she should find a way and sort it out by herself, that It's non of his business.
"Miss Daniella. You are taking our time. Are you making the payment or not?" The host asked.
Daniella stood up confidently and walked up to the stage to pay. Looking at how she was walking, one would think that she has more than what it takes to pay.
Desmond was surprised as well. He knew that Daniella doesn't have that kind of money. What is she coming to do? To embarrass herself more?
Anabel's eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched Daniella fumble with her purse. She was curious to see what she was up to.
Daniella brought out her card and gave it to the young lady who was with the POS terminal. The young lady swiped the card but it wasn't successful.
"Its not going through, ma'am. Maybe you should try with another credit card."
"That's my only card and it's working. Try it again." Daniella said and the woman tried it again, but it wasn't successful.
"Maybe you should use another way. Like......making a transfer." The young lady suggested.
"I have a problem with my bank app." Daniella replied.
At this point, Anabel couldn't take it anymore. "Oh, poor Daniella. You can't afford to pay for your winnings?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "How...embarrassing."
Daniella's face reddened as she tried to defend herself. "It's not that I can't afford it, it's just that my card isn't working. Maybe the machine have a problem." Daniella said and Anabel laughed. "Oh, sure, that's what they all say. 'My card isn't working.' How utterly...predictable."
The auctioneer cleared his throat, trying to intervene. "Daniella, can you please try another card or payment method since it's not working?"
"This is the only way. Your machine must be faulty."
"Stop blabbing, Daniella. I mean, seriously, Daniella, if you can't even afford to pay for your winnings, why bother bidding in the first place? Did you think you would just magically come up with the money? Or were you hoping someone would take pity on you and foot the bill? Oh! I forgot your fiance is here. I wonder why he doesn't want to help you."
"That doesn't change the fact that I won. You are just jealous." Daniella said and Anabel laughed. "Yeah, a winner who can't pay. You are like a joke. A bad joke. You are not even ashamed of yourself. You know, Daniella, it's quite a spectacle to win an auction you can't afford."
"It's just a technical issue." Daniella said.
"Oh yeah, I believe you, Daniella. But perhaps next time you should come prepared with a backup plan. Or better yet, learn to stay within your limits and stop rubbing shoulders with someone who is not on your league. I'm sure you don't have any money in that card." Anabel said and the crowd began to murmur. "Better beg your finace to help you foot the bill. Or is he now broke?" Her words hit Desmond right on the chest. He wanted to stand up and clear the bill but he couldn't. The bracelet doesn't worth the money. It would be a waste of money.
As this point, the auctioneer finally lost his patience. "Daniella, since you couldn't pay up, I'm afraid but you are banned from participating in any future auctions. You will also pay a penalty fee for failing to pay."