Chapter 6

A shorter man in an identical black suit to the one worn by the man carrying me opens a back door on the car while a third black suited man opens the door on the opposite side. I'm placed into the seat and I stare out at the wretched people walking to and fro like a person isnt being treated like swine over here. My tears are once again dried up and I can see black streaks down my face in the reflection of the tinted window.

The black suit who carried me on his shoulder only moments ago bows to this new master of mine who then turns and walks around to the other side of the car, settling into the seat beside me. The door closes and the car begins to drive. I can feel his eyes on me but I have no more energy left to fight. There's no will left in my weakened, starved body. I dare not look back at him.

Instead, I watch the road, trying to take my mind elsewhere. The trees are so green, sky so blue. The fields turn into rolling hills, and then, there are buildings all around, more buildings than I'd ever imagined there could be in one place. These buildings are as tall as mountains! The windows are sleek and shiny. Some of them even appear to be made completely of glass! How do those fragile things not fall over and shatter in the wind?

As the sun sinks lower into the sky, the buildings light up with brilliantly colored lights. The lights come together to form words like "massage parlor", "hospital", "market", and "restaurant". I've read about some of these things. Not everyone grows food. They buy it at places like markets and they cook it in their homes. And sometimes, people eat at a stranger's table! I know it's hard to believe but it's true.

In the city, you can walk into a total stranger's building, ask them to make you some food, and they will feed you as long as you give them money! That person's building is called a 'restaurant'. It's wild but that must be how men with no wife or daughters eat. That makes me wonder... Does this man have a mother? Is there a wife, or maybe a daughter that cooks for him? From the brief looks I got of his face, he doesn't seem old enough to have a daughter able to cook. How does he eat?

I allow myself to take my eyes off of the fascinating scenery outside and glance downward toward the side of the car where he is sitting. Snug fitting, navy blue slacks come into view. On his knee rests a large hand with long, slim fingers. The third finger is fitted with a gold ring holding a big green stone in the center. There seems to be a design carved into it. A snake and a lion, maybe? Who would choose a ring like that? Snakes and lions aren't even similar animals.

Suddenly he covers the ring with his other hand and he speaks. " You're a curious one, aren't you?"

Startled by his sudden breaking of the silence that has gone on for so long, I'm too scared to reply, so I try to turn back to the window but his hand shoots out, grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look directly at his face.

"You will answer me when I speak to you or there will be consequences! Do you understand me?", he demands, slightly raising his voice as I start shaking.

"I'm s-s-sorry! I-I'm scared! I-I-" I manage to stutter before he cuts me off.

"Good. You very well should be.", he says, back in his cold tone. "Do you know who I am?"

"N-no", I reply.

"Interesting. You must have lived under a rock without television or newspapers.", he says. "No matter. My name is Zion. Zion Velucia. I'm the CEO of the biggest technology company in the world. Cell phones, washers, televisions, computers, everything that requires a circuit board, it comes from my company. But you will refer to me as 'Master' and nothing else."

Shell foams? Clumpooders? What is he talking about? Why would someone want a cricket board? Everything he just spouted off is so over my head it's almost unreal. But that's beside the point right now. He's waiting for my reply.

"Y-y-yes Master."

"Mmmhmm" he hums, no hint of emotion or humanity in his gaze. "What do you do?"

"I-I...", I start.

Does he want to know what I'm good at? Am I going to be working in his home? Well, I guess that depends. I could do a lot of things. Judging by what the brute at the auction house said, I'm not being purchased by someone with good intentions. I'd better be smart about my answers.

"I cook! A-and I c-clean. And I can milk a cow and feed animals. I'm good for farm work."

I barely finish speaking when he pulls me onto his lap. All I can do is shut my mouth to keep myself from screaming while I stare into his steely grey eyes. Though my heart is pounding, there is no escape.

"I only have horses and they're cared for by the stable attendants. Besides, you are not here to do farm work." he says as he puts his thumb on my bottom lip.

”I can cook the best biscuits this side of the Euroan River!", I blurt out before he gets a chance to tell me something I don't want to hear. "I can do kitchen work.  I promise you I will not disappoint you."

I can't say that I fully understand the concept of a woman's virtue but I do know that I only have one and I don't want to give it away to someone I don't love. And I definitely don't want someone to steal it! The only thing on my mind is holding onto it by any means necessary.

He seems to be entertaining the idea and asks, "How old are you?

"I'm 17."

He furrows his brows. "And when is your birthday?"

"July 12th."

Turning to look out the window, he seems to be lost in thought.

"I'm not thrilled with you being so young but since you'll be of age in less than two months, I'll ignore your age. What is your name?", he asks as he looks at me one again.

"Euroah."

"Euroah what?", he groans, leaning in closer to my face and forcing me to lay back until I'm resting my head on his window.

"Euroah Minari."

His strong hand grabs me by the shoulder and lays me even further down. I flinch as I feel his breath against my lips. The indecency of his hands on my bare skin while I'm wearing such litttle clothing makes me so on edge but I'm well aware that I'm powerless in this situation.

"You are to address me as Master. Your name is?"

"My name is Euroah, Master!”