CHAPTER 1

“See you later Gia.” I waved her goodbye as I got inside the cab. Gia was my coworker and also my best friend. We started being friends when I began working here years ago.

I'm not a rich girl but I'm surviving, my father hates my guts and my sister doesn't care about me.

My mum disappeared one night when I was a kid and we never heard from her again.

I was on my way to meet Tommy, my ex boyfriend. I know it's weird but he has been begging me for the last 4 months to give him a chance, so I decided to go on a date with him.

Tommy didn't support my idea of being celibate so he broke up with me. I remember that day vividly. That day broke me into a million pieces, and I promised myself I wouldn't let myself get hurt like that again.

Even though I loathed him, I still loved him. He said that he didn't care anymore so we should meet. I arrived in front of a club. My brows knitted in confusion. “This is not a restaurant.” I muttered to myself as I looked around.

Why would he bring me to a club? Is he out of his mind? Or am I at the wrong location? I immediately texted him, asking him the name of the place

“Umbrella Inn.” He texted back. It really is the place.

I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled before I walked inside. I was stopped at the entrance by the security. “Your name?”

“Uh Elena Monroe.” He looked at me with some weird look I couldn't explain. He scanned the list in his hand and stepped aside for me to enter. Why would Tommy invite me to a place like this for a date?

The place was crowded when I entered, I got a text. “Take the stairs and come to the VIP lounge.”

I scanned the place and found the stairs. My attire was definitely not club material. I was wearing a gray straight dress that hugged my body, accompanied by a long cashmere coat.

“El,” he said as he hugged me. I hugged him back but broke it off very fast. “I told you Tom, don't call me El.” He threw his hands in surrender and gave me a faint smile.

“My bad, it won't happen again.” He helped me take off my coat and we both sat down as he ordered some drinks.

He looked so dandy in his outfit. Tommy had curly blonde hair, and he had the prettiest eyes I've ever seen.

“You've become even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” He said with a smile and I couldn't help but smile back. “Thank you.”

“Elena, I know I was a jerk to you in the past, I'm sorry. I want to make things right, I want to prove that I can be better, and I don't care if you're celibate, I can deal with it.” He said with a smile as he reached for my hand.

His features softened as he said that and it warmed my heart. Oh fuck, I never got over him, I was just convincing myself that I had but I never did. I still love him, it won't be easy to get over him since he's my first love.

His face moved closer to mine, and just as I was about to kiss him, everything started spinning, and the next thing I saw was darkness.

*******

I woke up in a tiny room with no light, the only source of light was from the window but it was very tiny. I started to panic as I looked around me. Where am i? What happened to Tommy?

I heard the door creak and two huge men with tattoos all over entered and yanked me from the floor. I kicked and squirmed but their hold was firm.

“Who are you people? What do you want from me!” I yelled in desperation. We entered another room which looked like an office. The men pushed me inside and left. There was a man sitting there.

“Who are you people? What have you done with Tommy?” The man laughed at me. He had a scar on his cheek, connecting to his lips, making him resemble the joker but in a scarier way.

“I swear to God if you hurt him—”

“You're such a fool.” He said while rising from his chair and my oh my, he was so tall, almost twice my height. He had a Russian accent too.

“Can't you see what is happening? Think harder. Why are you here, and your beloved Tommy isn't?”

My brows knitted in confusion. He pinched the skin in between his brows. “Tommy sold you to us Malysh.”

“What?” My voice was filled with perplexity. “Your little Tommy, had a gambling problem, he was owing 1 million dollars. So he traded you for it.”

“No, no, no.” I shook my head in disbelief. Tommy would never, he loves me, he wanted a second chance with me. This–is a lie.

“He says you're a virgin. Good, you'll be very pricey.” He's serious, oh my God.

“Wha—what?” I still couldn't process what was happening. Tommy sold me to some Russian guy? So all that was a fucking act? He sold me for a million dollars?

I'm such a fool for believing his foolish facade. “Strip.”

“Excuse me?” What the hell was happening? Am I dreaming? Is this one of my nightmares?

“I'm not a very patient man, Malysh, I have a lot of things to do.” He suddenly pulled out a gun and started fidgeting with it.

My heartbeat raced. I pulled off my clothes, leaving my bra and pantie. “All of them.” My eyes widened at his statement.

“Please—” “Take them off.” He said with more seriousness as his face creased.

I pressed my mouth into a thin line as I took off the last piece of clothing from my body. I tried my best not to burst into tears. “Not bad, put them back on.” At this moment, I felt like digging a hole and jumping into it.

I did what he said. The door opened and two men entered. “Prepare her for the auction tomorrow, we'll sell her to the Russians.” “What?”

I'm getting sold again? What am I? A thing now? How could Tommy do this to me? I couldn't protest as the two strong men dragged me out.