Chapter 5

(Angela's POV)

I sat tensely in the chair as Agnes prepared her tattoo equipment, ready to brand my skin with Richard's name.

I hadn't imagined this day would come.

*How did I end up like this?*

In just one day, one night, I was sold off to my elder sister's boyfriend.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but Agnes didn't say a word.

She was focused on her job, determined to avoid any mistake, as if her life depended on it.

"You don't have to cry. Master Richard has never allowed anyone to wear his brand before," Agnes said, her gaze fixed on my chest.

I winced as the cold instruments pierced my skin, etching Richard Henshaw's name onto my beautiful, fair skin.

Once Agnes was done, she smiled and stepped away.

"Take a look," she said, gesturing to the mirror in the brightly lit room.

As I gazed at my reflection, I was stunned to see Richard's name written in an italic font on my chest.

"Don't you love it? Do you want to add anything?" Agnes asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"No, I'm fine," I replied coldly, though my voice was laced with pain.

"You don't have to pretend. Master Richard wants you, as no other woman in Top Hills City has bared their master's name so boldly. You should consider yourself lucky," Agnes said as she cleaned her tools and packed her bag to leave the room.

I didn't reply. I had no words for her, and I certainly didn't feel like thanking her.

I had never had a tattoo before, and now I had to wear a brand, and on my chest, no less. Right at the top of my breasts, just above my cleavage.

A knock resonated on the door, and it opened to reveal Richard, his expression cold.

He wore a white top and black trousers, having removed his coat.

"I'm done, Master Richard," Agnes said with a smile. Richard glanced at me, his cold expression confirming that Agnes had branded me properly.

Taking a step closer, Richard replied, "You did a good job, Agnes. Good to see you branded her well. See Derek. He will settle your payment and escort you back safely."

"Alright, Master Richard. Thank you," Agnes bowed and immediately left the room.

I lowered my face, overwhelmed by the depth of this mess.

"What are you thinking about, little kitten?" Richard asked, strolling away from the door to approach me.

"Thinking about your parents?" he asked, but I didn't bother to look at him.

"Speak when I talk to you," Richard ordered sternly, standing in front of me.

He was the son of the mafia lord. How dare I disobey him, knowing that he didn't love me?

"Why did you purchase me? What do you want from me? Please, let me go. I promise to pay you back the money once I graduate and start working," I begged, looking at Richard's handsome face.

"Hahaha!" He laughed coldly and peered at me.

"What kind of job do you think you'll get that will allow you to pay me back? Do you plan to sell that beautiful body of yours to any man to raise the money?" he asked, trailing a finger down my right arm.

I felt the coldness of his touch on my skin, making my skin crawl.

"No. Not now, but maybe in the coming years, I will be able to pay you back. Or I will speak with my father. Please, let me call him," I begged, tears welling up in my blue eyes.

"Fine. Go on and call your father. Let me see what he can do to help you," Richard said, fishing out his phone and handing it to me.

My hands trembled as I accepted his iPhone.

"I can really call my parents?" I asked him with disbelief.

Richard smiled, leaned against the dressing table, and replied, "Yes. Let me see how they can pay me back, since you don't seem to understand that your duty is to serve me now."

Richard had a bored look on his face, and I immediately clicked on the call log to contact my father.

My hands trembled as I quickly typed my father's contact and heard the call ringing.

"Hello, Father," I said as soon as he answered.

"Angela, what's wrong? What happened? Your mother has been trying to reach you all day. Where are you now, and who told you to leave home?" My father asked, his voice loud and filled with anger.

"Dad, Isabella took me to Richard's party, and she sold me off tonight."

"What? How dare Isabella do this! Are you sure? Where are you? Who owns the phone you're using? Who bought you?" Dad demanded. Richard came forward and took the phone from my ear.

"Please, let me speak with my father," I begged, and Richard smiled.

"Hello, Mr. Moraga," Richard said in an icy voice.

"Yes. Who is this?" My father asked. Richard replied, "Richard Henshaw. Your daughter belongs to me now."

"No, Master Richard. You cannot do this. Angela is not for sale. She is innocent. She didn't willingly offer herself to be sold to the dark realm. Please let my daughter go. I will pay you off. Don't touch her," My father pleaded.

Meanwhile, I was stunned that my father knew about the dark realm auction.

"You know the rules, Mr. Moraga. I already bought your daughter, and I don't need a refund. If I hadn't purchased her tonight, another mafia lord could have, and you wouldn't be asking for negotiation right now. You should blame it on your first daughter, Isabella," Richard said, and I sat on the chair, looking at him with disbelief.

*Did Richard know that my sister was taking me to the dark realm to be sold?*

*Did he plan with my elder sister to have me kidnapped and taken to the dark realm to be sold to him?*

"Don't listen to him, Dad! Richard planned it with Isabella! He was looking at me at his party, and Isabella took me there against my will. Call the police, Dad. I cannot be locked up here!" I screamed, believing that my father would hear me, even though Richard was the one holding the phone.

Richard laughed and said, "Mr. Moraga, I would appreciate it if you called the police. But you know the rules. Even the dark realm has the government barking. I will only return your daughter to you when I'm tired of having her around, when I am done with her."

"No, Master Richard. Please… Angela is innocent. She is not like Isabella. Let us have an exchange. Isabella loves you, and I am aware of that. Isn't she your girlfriend?" My father asked nervously.

I wondered why my father was afraid of Richard. Was it because Richard's father is the number one mafia boss in this city?

"I don't have anything to say to you, and what I choose to do with your second daughter is my business. As for Isabella," Richard hesitated, looking at my face.

"I never wanted her. I just wanted to use her to chase other young women away and to prevent my father from arranging a marriage for me. So, I will stick with my relationship with Angela until I find a wife."

"What?" I looked at Richard's face with disbelief.