Chapter 3

Eleanor was wearing a sexy black gown. It was tightly fitted to her body, so the curve of her waist was very visible. In addition, Don Constantino had adorned her with jewelry– whether real or fake, it added to her beauty.

Her heart was beating fast when Don Constantino called her, the truth was she had no idea why they were in this place. All the Don had told her was that she would work for him. Work. But what did that mean?

"Hurry up!" he ordered, which she immediately obeyed even though her knees were trembling.

When she was in front of the Don, he pulled her out of the backstage. She was greeted by a spotlight aimed directly at her. It was blinding, but Eleanor could still see the many people in front of the stage, in front of her – mostly old men and seemingly wealthy.

"Our main course for tonight!" Don Constantino announced into the microphone, which further excited the whole place.

She didn't understand. Her mind was confused, but despite the fear, her inherent beauty prevailed. She was like an angel lost in hell.

"For the starting price… five million pesos!" shouted a man next to Don Constantino.

"Ten million!" answered an old man, quickly standing up with his cane.

"Fifteen million!" this time, a fat man shouted, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Why? Why were they shouting such large amounts? Where was all this going?

She turned to Don Constantino, and there she saw his mischievous smile.

'Is he selling me?'

She was suddenly terrified, as if doused with icy water that caused chills throughout her body. She couldn't move and seemed paralyzed with fear. With each price shouted, her anxiety increased even more.

"Twenty million!"

"Twenty-five million!"

That place had become a market, and she was like merchandise being fought over by men hungry for flesh.

"One billion!"

Silence. Everyone was deafened, including Eleanor. All eyes turned to the source of the voice.

On one side, at the very top, was a man wearing a black polo. He slowly descended, his footsteps were the only noise heard throughout the place.

"One Billion?" Don Constanstino asked, his eyes widening and unable to believe what he had heard.

"She's mine!" until he had completely descended and was right in front of Eleanor.

Knight Andrie, one of the wealthiest men in the entire Philippines. He was a billionaire not because of inheritance but pure effort.

He had a fiancée for whom he would find a gift at this auction. But a different gem caught his attention.

As if at first glance, the beautiful maiden immediately captivated his eyes.

Eleanor, on the other hand, couldn't believe it, in front of her was a very handsome man, not old and not looking hungry for flesh either.

"Eleanor Lualhati, a virgin probinsyana, SOLD TO THE BILLIONAIRE!" announced the man with Don Constantino.

She looked at him, he was smiling widely as he walked towards the man in front of her.

"Mr.?" The Don began and gestured as if asking Knight to come up to the stage. But Knight didn't care about the spotlight, all he wanted was to buy the woman.

"No need." Knight whispered, "the contract." he added, so the Don just nodded.

"Let's go here." The Don looked at Eleanor and motioned for her to come with the two of them, which she immediately followed.

BACKSTAGE, the young woman was trembling with fear. At this point, she wanted to run but Don Constantino's bodyguards were watching, their eyes fixed on her as if they were guarding her themselves.

The Don took a folder from the table, and presented it to Knight.

"CONTRACT" that was the name on the outside of the folder.

Knight opened it and read it silently.

"TERM'S AND CONDITIONS"

1. The 'buyer' who bought the 'sex-slave' at the auction shall pay according to his stated price.

2. If the 'sex-slave' does not obey the buyer, she may be punished or killed by the owner itself or by the Dark Auction.

3. If the 'sex-slave' escapes, she and her entire family shall be killed by the owner itself or by the Dark Auction.

Knight was shocked by what he read, this was what the contract contained.

The two signed, Don Constanstino as the seller and Knight as the buyer.

Meanwhile, Don Constantino took the young woman's palm and without warning cut it with a small blade.

The young woman winced in shock and pain. The Don ordered her to thumbmark under the contract using the blood from her wound.

"Don't you ever make the mistake of disobeying and escaping, he will kill you and your whole family." The Don whispered in her ear, causing her tears to fall.

She couldn't believe it, she thought the Don was a good person, that he would really help her.

She thought she was just going there to work but he sold her at an auction, and a billionaire even bought her.

"Don't worry, I'll cover your brother's treatment until he's healed." He whispered again before returning to Knight and saying goodbye.

She couldn't stop crying anymore. Knight was just looking at her. She was feeling mixed emotions, her life was changing so fast.

'Father is right, I'm in danger.'

She wanted to shout and ask for help. Her eyes were full of tears.

"Shhh, it's okay now." She looked at Knight. His gentle face was serious. His eyes were looking at her as if speaking.

Knight took out his handkerchief and wiped the young woman's tears.

"Let's go."

In the young woman's mind was, hopefully the one who bought her was a good person. Hopefully she could beg him not to hurt her or do anything bad to her.

The young woman walked slowly and Knight noticed that, so he immediately took her hand to keep pace with him.

Hand in hand they left that dark place.