Auctioned To My Betrothed

/Penelope’s POV/

I looked around the the place where I and several girls were kept, most of them shaking in fear and dreading the unfortunate situation that would befall them in a few minutes.

We were all dressed in flimsy dresses with different colors illuminating the dark rooms leaving nothing to imagine, my blood ran cold when I heard footsteps coming my way. The other girls wailed loudly and some started having panic attacks when they heard the footsteps drawing closer to them making them remember how close they were to their doom. I looked at all the girls with fear in my heart but I couldn't display it, after all, I was here because of a sacrifice, one that was worth it.

Bulky figures with scars littered all over their body with tattoos covering and swirling all around their bodies filtered into the room we are situated in making me whimper in their presence. We were instructed to stand up and we were arranged in a single line, the fear-stricken ones were at the front wailing while I stayed in the middle with my face blank and emotionless knowing that tears wouldn't solve my problem.

We were led to a room filled with mysterious figures, where the air was thick with intrigue. The opulent venue was dimly lit, casting long shadows that concealed the identities of the attendees. Dressed in sharp suits and adorned with expensive jewellery, the mafia lords exuded an aura of power and danger. As the auction began, their eyes gleamed with a mix of greed and anticipation. The bidding was intense, with each lord vying for the most valuable items, using their vast wealth and influence to outdo one another. Whispers of secret deals and alliances circulated through the room, adding an extra layer of tension to the proceedings.

The atmosphere was electric, with a constant undercurrent of danger. It's a high-stakes affair, where fortunes are made and lost, and the presence of the mafia lords adds an element of danger and excitement that you won't find at any ordinary auction apart from the mafia one that I was present in.

Remind me how I got here again.

On a cold afternoon, after ice skating with my brother to keep my mind off the fact that my mother was in the hospital with her health deteriorating, and the doctors could only do so little for us because we couldn't afford the treatment, my father called us both with a grieved expression all over his face, I thought he was about to tell us about how unfortunate his search for a good job went, but I was not prepared for what I heard from him.

“Penelope Olivia Winston.” He whispered making my heartbeat accelerate because I knew whenever he called my full name, it would not be something pleasant to the ears I’ll be told and I knew I hadn’t offended him enough to warrant scolding, I always avoided being scolded so I do what I’m supposed to do on time knowing my family is treading on a block of thin ice right now.

“Yes, papa,” I answered him with fear in my heart and anticipation of what he was about to say.

“I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry.” He apologized with his face scrunched up and his nose red from crying too hard.

“Papa, what’s wrong? Talk to me. Is mama gone?” I questioned with my heart pounding erratically in my chest and dreading the worst to happen.

“Nope mama is not gone, but I need you to be gone so Mama would stay with us.” He sobbed harder while holding my hands in his slightly wrinkled hands and looking down in embarrassment.

“What do you mean papa? Why are you talking like this? I don’t understand what you’re saying.” I replied with confusion all over my features.

“I know you would hate me after this, but trust me I tried my best not to go down this way, but I can’t lose your mother. I promise I will work so I will find you and get you back, remember that the sacrifice is for the sake of our family.” He vocalized.

“What have you done papa? Why are you talking as if you sold me off?” I questioned hoping that wouldn't be the case.

“Because I did, I failed as a father I know. In your next life, I pray you will never meet such an unfortunate father again. I sold you to the auctioneer so I can raise your mom’s hospital bills.” He confessed, immediately I felt as if I was thrown in a pool of iced water.

“You did what? You sold me off?” I raged.

“I was left with no choice, I’m sorry. You can hate me all for you want but I’m truly sorry and I accept the fact that I’m a shitty father, but I hope you will find a place in your heart to forgive me.” He pleaded the moment I heard his voice again, I detached my hands from his and took five steps backwards, far away from him.

“You did? That’s glad, at least there’s a way to pay Mama’s medical bills.” I muttered while walking away numbly after feeling like

I was going to die.

“Olivia, I'm sorry. I am, I promise I will get you back as soon as I'm able to get a new job.” My father cried weakly and I looked back at him one more time before heading to my room.

“I forgot to ask, do I need to pack anything? And which day will I be taken away? ” I came back while trying not to break down in front of my brother who looked like he knew what was happening.

“Nope, you don't need to pack anything. You will be provided for wherever you go.” He mumbled while trying his possible best to avert his gaze from me.

“One more question and I will be out of your life. Who did you sell me off to? And I guess I'm being picked up today right?” I questioned hoping that it won't be an unfortunate condition for me.

“I sold you off to an Auctioneer. At this point, I can't deny that I'm not the worst father. I know your mother would not like what I did, but it had to be done.” He stretched out his hands and I looked at the face of the man I called father one more time, but I couldn't bring myself to hate him.

“I don't know, I can't even say who it is. But I have a deal with the Auctioneer that whoever you get auctioned to should be known to him so I would be able to get you back when I get a good job.” He narrated as if that was supposed to make me feel better.

“You don't even know who I am been auctioned to? That's sad.” I commented while going back to my room to think about my new life.

*******Few hours later ***************

“Where is she?” I heard strange voices from the living room and thundering footsteps making me realize that the awaited hour was here.

“Give me some minutes, let me get her out. Please promise that she will be sold off to someone who is gonna treat her well.” my father's familiar voice pleaded.

I didn't want a situation whereby I was going to see his remorseful face again so I braced myself for the worse and put on a nonchalant facade even though I was freaking out.

“I guess I'm the one you're looking for? It's time. Let's go so we will not be late.” I strolled outside gracefully while trying my possible best not to show that I was freaking out in the presence of the burly guys with scars and tattoos swirling over their entire bodies like a second skin.

“Penelope, I'm sorry please forgive me.” my father pleaded again but I didn't look in his direction, I saw my brother and I walked in his direction looking at his brown eyes similar to mine, I saw tears clouded in his orbs but I could not bring myself not to tell him that he shouldn't cry.

“I love you, I promise I will be back for you. Don't ever think I do not love you okay? And you're not the reason I have to go. Some things happen for a reason.” I whispered in his ears while hugging him as if my life depended on it, he clutched my shirt also while begging me not to go.

“I promise I will be a good boy, don't leave me.” Colton cried out making my heart shatter into a million pieces.

“The family reunion is nice, but we don't have all the whole time in the world, we have to get going now.” A husky irritated voice interrupted the moment and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at him.

I walked out of the house and looked back at the place I once called home, I looked at my father crying out the window side but I paid him no attention and entered the black SUV that was packed in front of my house.

“You're up next, you're being called.” the girl at my back tapped me jolting me back to the place where I am currently.

Before I knew it, two guys were dragging me up to the stage, I looked at the hungry mafia lords and the auctioned girls sitting at their feet like their pets but I masked my emotion while praying that I wouldn't get such a wicked buyer, but who am I kidding? They are all birds of the same feathers flocking together.

“You see we have a quiet beautiful lady with fair and smooth skin on the stage, with her body perfectly shaped, so I will call the price now.” The auctioneer said making my blood run cold at the reality which had dawned on me.

“We will be starting at 5 million dollars.” He announced.

“6 million.”

“10 million.”

“15 million dollars.”

“20 million dollars” the last voice called out making me shiver at what I was going to be doing for someone who was willing to pay 20 million dollars on me.

“Anyone want to bid higher? Going for 20 million dollars?” The auctioneer asked while his desperate eyes searched the audience hoping they would bid more than that, but I don't think it's been heard in history that a mafia lord paid more than 20 million dollars in an auction party.

“50 million dollars.” A cold voice proposed making me whip my head in the direction where the voice came from. Nobody talked after, whispers could be heard in all dimensions of the room, but the only person I was focused on was the man strutting my way.

The guys who held me pushed me forward, but they didn’t realize that that was the biggest mistake they ever made, because as fast as lightning, a bullet wheezed past me and got embedded in their shoulder making me shudder in fear.

“Don't put your filthy hands on her.” He warned calmly, but I could point out that he was anything but calm right now.