Prologue

 “Five billion dollars going once,”

 “Five billion dollars going twice,”

 “Five billion dollars going thrice,”

“Sold!”

***

It was cold... the air feels as if it is sipping deep inside my skin. I wonder why it feels like this. I tried to move but, in my luck, I was chained for the reason that I am not sure of. My hands… it is tied from the back. My knees are bending as it feels the coldness of the ground I am sitting on.

Where am I? Why am I here?

I didn't find any answer about my question. 

Somehow, pair of hands then touches me. It grabs me without even thinking whether I would be hurt or not. It seems like that person didn't care about any of it.

“Hmm!!“

Ahh!

I shouted, surprised on how the blinds was suddenly removed from my eyes.

The crowd keeps cheering. It became louder and louder as it echoed in my ears. It was like they saw some good thing. I was overwhelmed by the light that is why I narrowed my eyes just to adjust my vision and there… I saw how a thick pole welcomed me together with countless numbers of people cheering from afar. There are many of them.

” Woooaahhh “

” Wahhhhhhh “

” I want her! “

” So gorgeous!!“

” Damn that was crazy “

” Just the first part yet it is like this? “

” Wonderful, I will be bidding for her “

I can't tell where I should look, countless eyes are staring at me as if they wanted to engulf me whole. The way they look, I hate it. I don't know where I should land my sight but the only thing, I know is that… I am trapped inside a cage that is a hundred times bigger than the cage they use to trap a bird.

My eyes wide open in realization.  My clothes are different to the one I am wearing when I came with Aunt Estrella. This dress is thinner than the thinnest cloth I ever had in the house! If my grandmother would see me looking like this, surely… she wouldn't like this! My skin is visible as if this cloth is made up of net or sort. Luckily the one around my chest down to my legs are slightly thicker but the way I am dressed up, it makes me sick out of humiliation. 

I closed my eyes trying to calm myself as I tried to cover this chest of mine but failed. 

”My, my, no need to be so energetic.  As the first item of our real evening's event, let's start our bid at the price of ten million dollars “

Another sound of the crowd cheering was heard. 

What a large sum of money. Even father didn't have a chance holding a money that is tenth of that value she had said. I look down. 

Am I really being sold?

” Number one hundred fifty, twenty-five million dollars! “

” Stealed by number sixty-five for twenty-six million dollars! “

Why are they even bidding such a large sum of money? Just to… Buy me? How…  how did it even come to this?

” One hundred million dollars for number eighty-nine! “

They bid and bid for who knows how long it has been.  As time passed by, the bid became larger and larger until it hit a billion dollars. 

Why are they even wasting money just like that?

I was mad at the thoughts of how that kind of money was tossed like a piece of coin. If… only I have that kind of money... then surely… grandma…

Hah…

Everyone is cheering. Everyone is leaving that kind of tone. They are all excited. They are all energetic and looking forward to the one who will eventually own me. It is as if the one they are buying is some limited-edition item of a known company. Hah… So, there are really people with this kind of attitude. Selling people without their consent… Isn't it illegal?

I didn't mind hearing their words and cheers as what happened to me really hasn't sink in on my mind yet. I would rather believe that it is some kind of a dream where I can still eventually wake up!

” Five billion dollars “

Everyone was left silent. The cheering and the loud shout that was making my ear hurt for so long suddenly became as quiet as a night time in the middle of the sea.

I was taken aback when I heard that bid. Is he insane? That kind of money? Is he trying to throw his fortune just like that?!

 “F-Five billion dollars going once!”

Even the woman that was speaking and leading that bidding got startled after hearing his bid. From ten million dollars to five billion dollars. 

This… is… insane.

 “Five billion dollars going twice”

No one even dared to steal that bid. Are they really going to let him buy me like some kind of a thing? 

 “Five billion dollars going trice,”

“Sold! “

And I never know that with that one word, my life would change.

“Is this her? Well, I can say that she looks much prettier close up”

I was still inside this cage. Not knowing how I would react, I remained silent. Doing something that is against their wants would surely do me no good. 

Once I saw Aunt Estrella, I will surely ask about what this thing is. Why am I here… Everything doesn't really make sense. This is not what we talked about! Who would have even thought that it would end up just like this?

The sound of the chain was heard as I knew that the person that came is opening this big cage, I am placed in. 

“Can you get her out of that thing? I already sent the money, did I? “

“Yes sir, we are deeply thankful for your purchase. The document is already scheduled to be sent to you this evening.  Regarding the one you bought; you have all the means to do what you wanted to do about it”

In the corner of my eyes, I saw how the man with a somewhat muscular built lean to see me clearly. He is not thin for a guy yet he is also not that fat or muscular.  He is someone in between. Just like a model in fashion magazines. So, he is the one who bought me huh…

“You, what is your name?”

He asked politely but aggressively. I had no choice but to answer him.

“Lea, my name is Lea”

“Lea…”

He mumbled as he stretched his hand to touch my chin. Even if I am not blind folded and can now speak freely, my hands are still tied. Even if I tried to move, I surely can't do any changes. 

“What a beautiful name. Now, don't let me down… be the most beautiful bride you can ever be”

And the only thing I can see was his smiling face with a hint of smirk before fog suddenly appeared out of nowhere. And so, my eyes finally close as my whole consciousness falls in the depth of darkness.