BET YOU

“We are here,” Drake remarked, leading her into the biggest room in the mansion. Unfortunately, Luna couldn’t notice that though. “I’ll show you around,” he smiled softly, offering his hand to her.

For a moment, it felt strange for him to offer a hand. ‘Does he know my weakness?’ she thought, and a series of quivers ran under her skin. She couldn’t even imagine what would happen if someone discovered that she was blind.

“I’ll walk by myself. Thank you,” Luna hesitated. She really didn’t want to get caught in her act.

Drake sighed and took her hand by surprise. Slowly and at a gentle pace, he moved around the room, letting her take her time to adjust. He didn’t mind her touching the things since they were hers now. But he definitely minded her living in the same room as Carson.

“Here is the bathroom. Careful with the steps.” Drake seemed overly cautious about all the spots she might miss. Again and again, his actions and words made her wonder if he knew, but then again, one answer always silenced her thoughts.

‘If he did know, I’d be dead by now.’

“It’s slippery; I think Carson just took a shower. I’ll call the maids to clean it up real quick,” Drake chuckled. It seemed like he was enjoying spending his time with her.

“Can I ask you something?” she dared to speak, finally giving in to the curiosity that had been eating away at her.

“Sure. What is it?” Drake replied, trying hard not to make her scared with his cold, heavy voice. He tried to sound cheerful, but it only made him sound awkward.

“Uhm…” Unsure, she proceeded, “Why did he buy me?” she asked, nibbling her lips with her teeth.

“What do you mean?” Drake hesitated, unsure what she exactly wanted to know. But for once, he wasn’t going to tell her the whole truth — Carson would kill him if he did.

She sighed, “I have been living in the auction house for too long. Many girls who are sold end up in sexual slavery or human trafficking. I think I’ve been here for hours now, but you’re only making me rest since morning.” She let it out at once, trying to suppress her fears and anxiety.

“Wh…What?” Drake was taken aback by her question. ‘Who on earth buys someone to sell them further?’ he thought. ‘Those old hags must have lost their minds.’ He stared at Luna and her nervous self for a minute. Slowly approaching her, he held her shoulder. “It’s nothing like that. You’re not a slave or an item to be sold here. Did you really think the Boss spent three million just to sell you to someone else?”

“I… I…” Luna found some reason in his answer, but she wasn’t fully convinced. It felt like there was more to the story.

“Don’t worry. As long as I have known him, he won’t sell you or treat you as a sex slave. My concerns are something else,” he said with a tight smile, gently patting her head.

“What are your concerns?” Luna asked, directly staring into his eyes. His smile fell, and his heart started racing. All he could think was nothing now.

‘Fuck! She’s so damn pretty!’ his mind repeated.

“Sir?!” After a few minutes of no response, she tried to snap him out of his trance, shaking his hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah…Yeah… Uhm… Right,” he stammered, furrowing his brows, trying to remember what had just happened. His mind felt like it had malfunctioned — something that had never happened to him before.

“Let’s go back. You must be hungry. I almost forgot. I’ll send dinner over. For a week, everything you need will be here on time. Alright?” Drake asked for her confirmation, only to get another question from her.

“What about after a week?” she asked with those pouty lips that made him daydream again.

“Sir?!” she caught him again.

“Yeah.. right.. Uhm, call me Drake. It’s weird to hear ‘Sir,’” he said before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him.

He walked down the hall, his face flushed red, only to find Carson standing there, eyeing him up and down.

“Oh, fuck!” Drake cursed, startled by Carson. His hand instinctively rested on his chest.

“What are you on about?” Carson narrowed his eyes, sensing something fishy.

“Nothing. Uhm… Nothing,” Drake chuckled, awkwardly.

Carson narrowed his eyes further. “I think my heartbeat is acting up too,” Drake mumbled, his face showing genuine confusion.

Carson’s eyes suddenly widened. He stepped closer, placing his hand on Drake’s chest. Drake was too stunned to push him away.

The same bodyguards were on duty outside Carson’s room. They just entered and froze, witnessing Carson and Drake in what appeared to be another intimate moment.

“It is,” Carson whispered, staring into Drake’s eyes.

“I told you,” Drake whispered back, placing his hand on Carson’s hand, still on his chest.

“See, I told you they’re a thing,” the bodyguard from earlier smirked, as if he had won a lottery.

“I really hoped they weren’t,” the other bodyguard, who had denied it earlier, frowned. The first one’s smirk grew even wider as he extended his hand, demanding something from the frowning one.

“Fine. You win,” the frowning one grumbled, taking out a thousand bucks and slapping it into his palm. “I’m never gonna bet with you again.”

“Stop whining like a child,” the other bodyguard mocked, rolling his eyes as he started counting the money.