Claudia Woods' Point of View
Nothing was visible when I awoke. Blindfolded, with my hands and feet bound, I was unable to see anything.
One recognizable man spewed, "She's awake, boss."
As I woke up, I recalled slamming with a man and then being surrounded by loan sharks.
Additionally, my mouth was taped shut. I attempted to wriggle in an effort to free my hands from the knotted rope, but to no avail. Slowly, memories from before my blackout returned, and my heart started to pound violently.
The tape covering my mouth has been removed, and the blindfold is no longer on my face. I noticed a lot of tattooed huge dudes with pot bellies. When I consider that one of them can break my neck with only one hand, I start to feel a little afraid.
"Young lady, where's the mortgage you took out?" The elderly gentleman asked, donning a cap and smoking a cigarette.
I didn't say much since I was too anxious to open my mouth. The money I had been saving up to pay was also taken from us. My worst fear is that it will make them even more angry. As I looked down, I bit on my lower lip. If Franco were aware of this, he would definitely help me out. I had been cautiously optimistic before, but now that he's come clean, I have no hope.
I was going to give it to you. Anxious, I guess is the best way to put it.
He responded, "I don't want to prolong this conversation further," and then he pointed something at my head from his jeans.
I felt my hands shaking as I focused on the little circle at its core. Because of my nerves, I had to hold my bladder.
"Return my money, please. There is no more time for games, Claudia."
I closed my eyes and then spoke. "I told you, it was stolen! The m-money was stolen!"
Their big boss appeared to be disappointed. I've seen a number of movies like this where they kill the individual when they can't repay what they owe them. Still, I told myself to calm down and still have faith that someone might save me, but over the past few hours I was here, no one did.
The only person who turns out to be my savior won't come. He turned his back on me and left me all alone… but why the hell am I thinking of him again, by the way?
"You lied to me, Claudia. Would I be correct in assuming you understand the repercussions of your actions?"
After thinking everything over, I nodded knowingly.
Their boss chewed hard. As soon as I lost the cash, I knew what was going to happen. And after everything that took place, I suppose it was inevitable that I would meet my end in this place.
That I can recall, I have never done anything illegal. I kept being a decent kid who is friendly and polite to everyone. The thing that hurts the most is that the Almighty God prohibits me to being joyful. When I squared my shoulders, I saw the unrivaled anger of their boss in my eyes. Obviously, he was checking the weight of some bags that weren't on display.
A man intervened just before their boss was going to fire his gun.
"What do you say, boss, if we auction her off? As you can see, the lady in question is quite attractive. In fact, I am aware of an ongoing auction where we can sell her and perhaps recoup 10 times the amount she borrowed." I bit my bottom lip as a man's exclamation caused me to be amazed.
The head honcho took an apparent interest. "Auction? What auction?"
I was praying to God, confessing my sins, and appealing for forgiveness the instant his gun-wielding hands left the ground.
Unfortunately, I was wrong. Instead of getting killed, I just found myself in a transaction with another group of men while my hands were tied, my mouth was taped, and my eyes were blindfolded. I wanted to flee, but I was vulnerable. I want to oppose them, yet I have no power.
"How much would you like to take that girl?"
"See for yourself."
An new space with black walls and a white ceiling greeted me. That's right, there are four other women in here with me. They are sniffling and blubbering, pleading with whoever is outside to let them in.
Although I had on a shirt, the chill of the atmosphere started to penetrate my flesh. Looking down at my scrawny frame, I noticed that the clothes I was wearing had changed from the day before.
"Where are we?" I inquired of the sobbing teen on the street corner.
"I don't have any idea," she sobbed.
The woman who had been standing opposite the door stepped back as soon as the visitor entered. Five masked men entered, glared at us, and then grabbed our wrists in turn. I attempted to yank my hand away, but the man's grip was too tight.
"Don't touch me!"
He yelled, "Behave yourself or else!"
I felt a slight glistening in the corner of my eyes. When he entered, the man in the tuxedo raised an eyebrow. Until he became distracted by the documents in his hand and told us to get in a line.
"Anyone who ventured to make a mistake should expect serious repercussions. I guarantee you won't be able to get more than a few feet away from the stage if you try to flee."
The woman in front of us was shaking and crying in horror, and I'm not foolish enough to not understand what he was saying. Despite having been disciplined, she was popular with the security personnel. She was afraid when it was her turn, so the soldiers hauled her outside as usual despite her protests.
While a man talked into a microphone from backstage, I could hear hundreds of voices chanting outside. I've also recently become aware that the girls I'm with are being escorted outside.
From where we stood in the shadows, we heard the girl who had pleaded with the guards earlier scream and refuse to be sold as she was taken out of the arena by the men. What I saw next frightened me, but after a few minutes, a gunshot rang out and the arena fell silent.
The dread I felt tripled. The man who had previously instructed us reappeared, and he was staring angrily at us.
"If you try to imitate what the girl did, you will meet a violent end. I assure you... When I say anything, it gets done, and I won't stand for any of you to say no to what we need."
Damn.
Now that I'm the next one, I was praying and making wishes to God in the backstage area before the guards dragged me out. They claim he listens to what you have to say, and I believe them because I know I can count on him now that I need a miracle or help.
When they call my name and lead me offstage, they tell me to stand perfectly still in the very middle. I felt my skin crawl at the sight of so many men, all dressed in business attire and clutching their own unique decks of cards. There were plenty of men in the throng who were old enough and too mature for my age, and they all seemed to be eyeing me warily, as if I were a feeble animal.
My initial reaction to the idea of being purchased by a man with a potbelly and a creepy demeanor was to run away. But the thought of it makes me want to back out upon reckoning what happened to the girl before us earlier.
Claudia Woods' Point of ViewMy Vicious OwnerMy bidding started at an eye-popping amount, in contrast to the few girls who have been acquired by these men. It never occurred to me that a regular girl like me would start bidding at $20,000 in an underground blackmarket.Many people started to show their hands while the host was still talking. It started with an old man raising $30,000, and then the folks inside went crazy bidding for the highest possible sum to claim me.The majority of them were elderly people who looked quite awful due to their enormous bellies. I felt like crying and running away from them, but then I remembered what had happened to the girl. "One hundred thousand dollars, thirteen thousand five hundred dollars! Twice the value for the price! $200,000!"The crowd's mood changed from peaceful to hostile. I could see the maniacal lust in everyone's eyes as they fought over me.Once the bidding reached a million, I could only look down in disbelief at the ridiculous
Claudia Woods' Point of View Silly ClaudiaPresent time…I was unable to make sense of his impromptu choice. Due to my confinement in the room, we didn't see each other for several days. He insisted I wouldn't eat unless he said so, but I ignored him and walked downstairs to get some food anyway.Taking a few deep breaths, I glanced out the window from the balcony. Despite being near the shore and the mansion being right next to the soothing sea, it was somehow fascinating. "Miss Claudia," Lisa called my name. She's the only housekeeper here who does the chores often. I veered around and saw her. "Why did you come out of your room? Boss said you can't go out yet without his permission." I rolled my eyes in the ears before tugging the strands of my hair at the back of my ears caused by the wind. "But he's not around." I spat out. Lisa took a deep breath and grabbed my hand. "Let's go back inside your room, Miss Claudia." "It's boring inside!" You can count on it being accurate
Claudia Woods’ Point of View It was too late to run away now that Zamir already strangled his hand on my wrist. Disappointment was seen in his eyes the same as how Zamir’s exasperation drew all over his damn God-looking face. I pursued my lips due to extreme horror. He pulled me a little near him as paparazzis began to flock on our path, capturing our photos together yet my face wasn’t visible to them as Zamir’s enormous body figure was enough to block my face except my body. "Isn't that the famous Zamir Trian Cassano?" I heard one of the reporters yanking. "She's with a lady. She is Zamir's date tonight!" "Prolly his girlfriend? I can't see her face." Girlfriend? My ass! I badly want to push Zamir out of my sight right now but the moment I had that thought, his hands went down to my waist as he gripped on it tight whilst his lips went directly to my ears, whispering on it. "I told you we're being watched, right?" he muttered with a tense voice. "Now, act normal in front of eve
Claudia Woods’ Point of View Zamir ordered me to stay inside the room where he had gotten me into. He was outside and talking with a man. I bet it was his right-hand man as it is different in the way he speaks with others especially when I could hear the two conversing as the door was slightly opened. “Are you sure you’re going to take that girl here, boss?” The man’s voice was kinda worried about my existence. Zamir, on the other hand, spoke. “I have no choice, Lorenzo. It’s the best way to restrain her from running away. Mind you, Claudia seemed a little persistent.” Of course, as I should! People like them are dangerous and no one will stay from their tight grip especially when these people are not ordinary citizens. I won't be staying here for a long time anyway! He might have caught me running away earlier but in my next move, no one will ever notice me leaving! I just hope that he has these idiot men who's going to look after me while I am here. They are really going to
Claudia Woods’ Point of View My breathing was hitching the moment he held my hand. I hate dark surroundings as it makes my skin shiver and my whole damn persona tremble. I was pushed towards the wall for the second time around. Zamir’s forehead were imprinted against mine whilst his hand was on the wall, touching it. In front of us was the enormous mirror which became the way why I could see our reflection in front. The gun was on top of my head whilst his hands were also on it. His body figure is near and mind you, even for just an inch he moves, my heart was thumping fast and my body was itching for more. I held his chest and pushed him a little. However, this alluring man held my wrist until the head of the gun is now on my head. “Jesus!” I muttered whilst my voice was shaking. Zamir pursued his lips and spoke. “Why are you so damn fucking hard-headed, Claudia? Huh?” he whispered sternly. The way he stares at me screams mixed emotions. It was consist of passion, scorching gl
Claudia Woods’ Point of View I woke up not having a single bruise in my hands. The memories from last night nearly fell off my mind the moment I opened my eyes and began reckoning things that happened yesterday. Upon glancing at my surroundings, I knew from the very start I slept inside his room again yet seeing the other side of the bed empty made me bit my lower lip. He’s not present as he used to. Well… maybe he went out to work as expected? Lorenzo said that he’s a busy person and it’s just right to assume he’s already at work. However, upon thinking that he’s in a business industry, a sudden thought comes to my mind. I went down seeing familiar men standing like robots again. There they are, being some sort of an AI when in fact, they are people themselves. Seeing how firm they stood made me sneer. If I were their boss, I wouldn't let my men be treated this way. I will make them comfortable around but sadly, I wasn't their big boss. Holding the small cup I had with me since y
Claudia Woods' Point of View I went back inside the dining area right after they ate. I patiently waited for them to finish and seeing how they peek with each other and nodded their heads, I knew they somehow liked it. When I went back inside the kitchen, I saw Lisa's shocked face. She was glancing at the pan where the pasta was and seeing me coming inside with plates in my hand shocked me even more. "Did you let the men outside e-eat the remaining pasta, Miss Claudia?" I grinned. "Yes! I found a way not to waste a single food, Lisa!" I said with a huge smile. Instead of being happy, Lisa's face showed a problematic expression. It is when she held her head and massaged it slowly whilst whining toward me. The smile on my face vanished before I pouted. She seemed not happy with what I've done! "The guards outside have a schedule they are strictly following. If Señor Zamir finds out about this, he will get mad for sure!" That man would get mad? Then go, try me! Basic ethics has b
Claudia Woods' Point of View There was no denying the fact that Zamir had me completely besotted. Even if it is difficult for me to confess it, my heart is able to sense a familiar presence deep within my shattered heart. While I was waiting outside for Lisa, I chewed the lower part of my lip. His kisses are things that have become a tattoo in my head, and for some reason, up until this very moment, I am still moist. If his guys didn't knock on his door, the earlier kiss would have continued without being broken. The unexpected action taken by them infuriated me while also making me agitated and excited at the same time. The very idea that he was occupied in his office and didn't want anyone to interrupt him makes me feel like a complete and utter failure. How I wish I could have just burst in and asked him to do it with me again without having to knock on the door first! As soon as I was unable to push the abrupt notion to the back of my mind, lengthy lips with a pouty appearance