"No, well, most of them don't," Callistus corrected, looking at Ivan. "You see, reptiles are mostly oviparous."

"Go on," Ivan encouraged. "You sound almost like my old friend."

"But there are also viviparous and ovoviviparous reptiles," Callistus continued. "In those cases, the babies develop inside the mother's body and are born alive. Sometimes, our world feels unreal, if you get what I mean."

Ivan smiled, genuinely interested as he listened to Callistus. They had already reached their destination, but Ivan didn't want Callistus to stop talking. He found himself captivated by every detail Callistus shared.

"Bro, you're here!" Danish called out as he saw Ivan outside the door.

"Sorry if I was late, final rounds of checking for tomorrow," Ivan replied.

Callistus didn't stand next to them because he didn't want to interrupt. Ivan noticed and called him over. "Don't be shy, Callistus. Stand next to us."

Callistus' heart beat fast as he walked over to Ivan and Danish. He wasn't sure if he was more afraid of interrupting them or if it was because Ivan encouraged him to stand closer.

"I mostly think it's because of Iv-" Callistus' thought was interrupted by someone calling him. It was Star.

He walked over to them, admiring the venue.

"I agree," Isabell said, hugging Mia. "Our designer is the best!"

Callistus looked confused. "Designer?" he asked.

Isabell nodded in response. "Mia designed this place for them," she said. "The entire company, the venue. Every inch of it."

Mia rolled her eyes. To her, designing the venue was a small gesture of gratitude for her friends in higher positions, whom she had been close to for years. After taking one last look around, they all decided to head home to prepare for tomorrow's big day.

"I recommended this job for a reason, bud," Mia said. "We thought it was time for you to reconnect with your old friends." The others nodded in agreement.

Callistus, however, was confused. "Reconnect with my old friends?" he thought. "Who would there be?"

—

On the day of the auction, excitement filled the air. The event was set to run from 6 to 9 PM, a short but intense three-hour affair. Callistus was busy getting ready, making sure everything was perfect for this important occasion.

He wore an old suit, knowing many people would be dressed similarly. He looked in the mirror, feeling it was good enough, but realised he was missing a tie. He fumbled with the tie he held, unsure how to put it on, before deciding to just keep it in his pocket.

As time ticked by, Callistus waited downstairs in his apartment. Mia, Danish, and Isabell had said one of them would pick him up, but as the minutes passed, he grew concerned they might have forgotten. Frustrated, he was about to call a cab when a Mercedes pulled up in front of him.

The door opened to reveal Ivan.

"Get in, Callistus," Ivan said in a gentle tone.

Callistus climbed into the back seat next to Ivan, feeling a mix of nervousness and curiosity. "I didn't expect you to pick me up," he said, surprised.

Ivan smiled reassuringly. "They're at the venue, all busy with other things, so I thought I'd come myself."

Callistus felt a wave of relief. Ivan's kind and considerate nature made him feel more at ease.

As they drove to the auction venue, Ivan explained a bit about the event. "This auction is one of our smaller ones, but it's still important. We have some rare and valuable items up for bid, so it's going to be exciting."

Callistus listened intently, feeling more relaxed with Ivan's calming words. Ivan looked up and down at Callistus before noticing the missing tie.

"Where's your tie?" Ivan asked.

Callistus pulled out the crumpled cloth from his pocket. "Here."

Ivan straightened the cloth before draping it over Callistus's neck. Callistus instinctively backed away, which Ivan noticed. "Come closer," Ivan said gently, pulling Callistus back towards him. "How am I supposed to help you tie it from over there?" he added with a small smile.

Callistus reluctantly moved closer, looking down. Ivan lifted Callistus's chin. "You really are something," Ivan said softly, focusing on the tie. 

Callistus's heart raced as Ivan's hands skillfully tied the knot. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of embarrassment and something else he couldn't quite place. As Ivan worked, Callistus couldn't help but stare at him, mesmerised.

"Do I look that handsome to you?" Ivan teased as he finished.

Callistus stuttered, "Wait— I can explain—" his face reddening.

Ivan smirked and said, "I understand."

Feeling embarrassed, Callistus lowered his head to hide his blush, but Ivan gently lifted his chin, their faces close.

Before things could go further, the driver interrupted, "We're here."

The venue was alive with activity when they arrived. Elegant decorations and sophisticated lighting set a grand and exclusive atmosphere. As they stepped out of the car, Callistus took a deep breath, a mix of excitement and nerves washing over him.

Ivan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Remember, stay calm. You'll do great."

Callistus smiled, grateful for the reassurance. They walked in together, ready to join the others and start the event.

—

When the clock struck three, everyone found their seats. The venue buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Ivan, along with the other high-ranking executives, took the stage to give a speech celebrating Everlasting Chase Estate Auctions' sixth anniversary.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ivan began, his voice confident, "welcome to Everlasting Chase Estate Auctions. Today, we mark our sixth year of redefining the auction industry. Thanks to our dedicated team and loyal clients, we have reached incredible milestones."

He continued, highlighting the company's achievements and expressing gratitude to everyone involved. As he concluded his speech, he made sure to catch Callistus's eye, giving him a reassuring smile before stepping down from the podium.

After a short break, Star, the auctioneer, took the lead. Her long blue glittery dress, catching people's attention. She stepped onto the stage with a bright smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. Let's get started with our first item."

She unveiled a stunning diamond choker, adorned with intricate patterns along the edges and an eight-carat emerald in the centre. With the venue, a huge screen behind Star showed a live view of it. 

"This exquisite piece starts at $110,000," Star announced.