Chapter 3

HERA

I looked around Madam Vivian’s office, a huge lump in my throat that threatened to turn into a sob if I didn’t swallow it immediately.

The auction wasn’t over yet. They hadn’t even gotten to number ten before three men decided they wanted my friends and me. And they paid ten million each for us.

I don’t know where Arina and Hestia were at the moment. Huge chances were they had already been then to their new home. And that made me want to cry badly. They are my best friends. And I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye to them. Chances were, we’ll never meet again.

The lump returned, and I forced it down my throat.

My eyes swept over the room and landed on Madam Vivian and a lady I didn’t recognize. They were both standing by the door and speaking in hushed tones. The lady had a glass of wine in her hand. Her sleek, brown hair was in a bun. She was dressed in a blue evening gown that hugged her body. She had this no-nonsense look on her face that made me wonder again who she was. And what she was doing here. I’ve never seen a lady at this auction before. She was the first.

“Five minutes, Vivian,” The lady said harshly as she straightened her spine and gazed at me. “Five minutes.” She stared at me for a second more before walking out of the office.

“Who is she?” I asked immediately she shut the door behind her. Madam Vivian’s expression was a mixture of excitement and exhaustion as she walked to me.

“That’s Adela Dimitris. She…ummm…is related to the person who got you,” she said as she crouched in front of me, tucking a stray strand of my red hair behind my ears.

She used ‘got’ instead of ‘bought’, as if that would make the situation less worse.

“And who is that?” I inquired. I mean, I had the right to know the guy who bought me for ten million dollars, right?

“I think Adela will tell you that herself,” she replied and cleared her throat hurriedly, like she couldn’t wait to change the topic. “Have you signed the papers?”

I turned my head, looking at the court marriage papers which lay on her desk. On one signature side, was the signature and initials of the man who bought me. A.G. On the other side, was just my signature. I didn’t have an initial.

“Yes.” My voice was quiet. Don’t blame me. I was now married to a man I did not know. Worse, there is a ninety percent chance that we would do what married people do tonight, and then, he’d forget about me. He might even toss me out on the streets.

My fears must have shown on my face, because she took my hands in hers and gave an assuring smile. “I promise, he’ll treat you like a queen.”

I forced a smile. Her words were supposed to make me feel better, but it didn’t. Maybe it was because I knew that that wouldn’t happen.

There was a light but firm knock on the door, accompanied by a voice which I suspected was Adelas’. “A minute and half left, Vivian.”

Madam Vivian looked at the door and sighed. For the umpteenth time tonight, I forced that lump back to where it belonged.

“Arina and Hestia. Where are they? Can I at least tell them good bye before I leave?” I asked, hope swirling in my chest.

“I’m sorry, honey-” That hope I had disappeared immediately. “-they’re gone. I’m sorry. But you’ll meet them soon.”

I won’t.

I sighed, blinking. “Well, I guess it’s time for me to go, isn’t it?”

She got up and placed a kiss on my cheek. “You’ll be fine, Hera. I promise,” she answered.

The door flew open and Adela came into view. “Time is over,” she said, addressing Madam Vivian and me. The next part was for me. “Let’s go.” Her voice was soft, but her expression was as cold as ice. She turned around and began walking away with so much elegance that I couldn’t help but ask who she was, and what her background was.

I got up from the chair I was seating in and walked after her, not taking another look back at Vivian.

Tonight, I leave this brothel with no belongings of theirs, except the dress I was wearing, shoes, and hair accessories.

I should be glad I was leaving here after eighteen years, but for some weird reason, I wasn’t.

*

I stared as we drove past the hustle and bustle of New York in a blur. I was currently sitting in a black Maybach with posh red interiors. The driver had this professional scowl on his face. And Adela seemed to have completely forgotten that I was in the car with her as she typed on her phone.

It was better to be forgotten anyway. That way, I could deal with my situation without anyone talking to me and getting me angry.

“Umm…Earth to Hera!” Adela said in a clipped tone, snapping her fingers as she finally turned her head to look at me.

Spoke too soon.

I stared at her, resisting the urge to raise my brows at her.

“Ares says your name is nice,” she said flatly as she kept on typing on her phone. I frowned in confusion.

“Who is Ares?” I asked, finally raising a brow.

Slowly, she raised her head and looked at me, her poker face finally turning into a surprised one. “You don’t know who Ares is? Ares Grey?”

“No,” I replied, shaking my head slightly.

“Girl, do you live under a rock or something?” she shook her head. “Anyway, you’ll get to meet him. So let’s just get this over with. We’re almost at his place. Number one. Ares totally hates noise. He hated to be stared at. His favorite color, is coincidentally the color of your eyes. Green. But he doesn’t know that yet. Ares can be very dominant. I know you already know what that means.”

Damn right! I knew what Dominance meant. A slight shiver ran through my spine.

“You’ll get to meet him soon anyway. And you’ll find out what he likes and what he doesn’t by your self. Just be careful,” she said and placed a hand on my shoulder. It was then I realized the car had come to a halt and we were now in the drive way of a very huge mansion.

Her look softened as she stated at me. And she was even kind enough to give me a smile. That calmed my nerves. “Ares might not say this, but I will. Hera, you’re very beautiful, and sexy. Don’t let any one, even Ares, make you feel less. Okay?”

I nodded slowly, wondering where that was coming from.

Great! Leave my car. He’s waiting.”

“Wh- aren’t you coming in with me?” I asked, my eyes widening while my heart hammered in my chest.

“No. I have other things to do. Now, hurry up,” she said, waving her hand as if she was shooing me away.

I gulped, blinking. “Alright.” I opened the door and stepped out, watching in horror as the Maybach drove out of the gates. I turned to the mansion and looked up. And just by one of t he many windows, I could make out a figure in the dark, holding what might be a glass cup.

I blinked twice, and he was gone.