FOUR

Kiera’s POV

We were assembled behind a stage, and shortly after, the four Madams came in with a box. Each of us was handed a set of lingerie and a pair of heels, as we stood in a straight line.

“Put them on quickly,” Madam Naomi instructed.

My hands quaked as I nervously removed the pajamas, and donned the lingerie. It was a bra and pant set. The lace-like material made it very transparent and anyone could clearly see our intimate areas.

The Madams nodded in satisfaction as they observed us.

“Tonight, some of you will get new masters, but that’s not the end. You have a 2-month probation period. Your masters can do whatever they choose to do with you. If after 2 months, they're pleased with you, then you become their permanent property. If not, you will be returned here, and your lives will be 10 times worse.”

Madam Naomi's words sent a chill down my spine.

“For the sake of the new girls, I’m gonna say this again. You have a maximum of one month to get a new master, if not, El Diablo’s face would be the last thing you ever see. So when you get on that stage, exhibit your feminine charms. Be as sexy as you can, and don’t hold back. Your lives depend on this.”

At this point, all I could do is to accept my harsh reality. I had no urge to fight it, and neither did I have the strength to shed any more tears.

“You!” Madam Naomi pointed at me.

 “You go first.”

Dread washed over me, as a sinking feeling gripped my heart, beads of sweat gathering on my forehead.  Uncertainty clouded my mind, unsure of what to do when I get on the stage. Choking down the huge lump that sat in my throat, I took a step forward.

“Follow him,” she pointed to one of the guards, and I trailed behind obediently.

My head was lowered as I climbed onto the stage, my heart pounding in my chest as I lifted my head to see a room filled with masked-suited men. I wanted to run off the stage, but I was well aware of the consequences that would follow.

As my eyes scanned the room, the day’s event flashed before my eyes. The heartbreak of seeing my boyfriend getting married to my stepsister, the humiliation I faced at Royal City Hall, the robbery, and finally this.

A pool of tears formed in my eyes, but I only dared to let them drop.

“Save me, oh lord,” I mouthed, as the stage light shone on me.

From the opposite wing of the stage, El Diablo emerged. His steps were precise as he closed the distance between us.

“Tonight, I welcome you, my distinguished gentlemen, to our lair of pleasure. Take your time to absorb the beauty of the creatures that would be presented to you, and make your choices.”

I stood before these men like a piece of item, waiting to be picked off the market.

“The starting price for this breathtaking damsel is $20 million. Let the bidding begin,” he said, laughing hysterically.

“$25 million,” the first man raised his hand.

$27 million, came from the next. One after the other, the men placed their numbers on my head, and finally, a voice came through.

“$60 million!”

My eyes suddenly flashed toward him. He wasn’t part of the initial bidders, how’s he suddenly interested in me?

A devilish smile formed on El Diablo’s face, “$60 million… Can I get $65? Anyone?” After a moment’s pause, he sealed the deal.

“$60 million, sold.”

Narrowing my eyes on him, my new master stood up and was escorted to a private room, where the payment transaction was likely to take place.

I didn’t know if I should count myself lucky or curse the day, and as I was being led through the backstage where the rest of the girls were waiting, my eyes fell on Emerald, and I nodded, signaling her that I had gotten a new master.

A smile formed on her face as she mouthed, “Take care.”

I was handed over to Madam Leah, who ushered me into a compact, closet-like room, permeated with a vanilla scent and containing a vanity stocked with cosmetic items, along with an abundance of sexy dresses on the hangers.

 “You should count yourself lucky. Life here is terrifying,” she said, and I nodded.

She examined me critically before reaching for one of the dresses on the hangers, “Wear this.”

Leaving the lingerie on, I slipped into the red mini V-neck dress that fell below my bust line, and the expression on her face said it all.

“You’re ravishing. I wonder how you got yourself involved with a man like El Diablo.”

I remained silent as she led me to the vanity where she did my makeup and held my hair up in a messy ponytail that emphasized my facial features and for the first time in my life, I felt truly beautiful.

“Your master would be very lucky to have you. I hope you never return here. This is no place for someone like yo—.”

Without warning, the door swung open and two bodyguards entered. Before I knew it, they threw a black sac on my face, making it impossible for me to see anything.

They lifted me from my seat and took me away. From that moment on, I heard nothing but the sound of footsteps. 

I heard a door creak and a few walks later, I felt myself being shoved into a car and I braced myself for the unknown, my heart thumping in fear.

As the car drove away, I tried to imagine what my new master would be like, and goosebumps spread through my body.

After roughly an hour's drive, the car came to a standstill, and as the door opened, someone grabbed me by the wrist and extracted me, leading me to God knows where.

The next sound I heard was the clicking sound of the door, and suddenly I felt myself being lifted off the floor. The person's movements suggested they were climbing the stairs.

After a few cautious steps, I was abruptly lowered, and I felt my wrist tighten once again. The metallic click of another door echoed in the silence, and we moved forward a few more paces before coming to a sudden stop, my heart hammering in my chest.

“You can take the sac off now,” a masculine voice commanded.

I was slow and concise, as I grabbed the tip of the sac, pulling it off my face.

The moment my eyes opened, I was met with the sight of the most handsome man, yet as I narrowed my eyes and looked closely at him, I felt a sense of familiarity.

Then, I remembered him.