Chapter 2

Argh 

Come on!

I cracked my eyes open, blinking profusely trying to adjust my blurry eyesight. The first thing I registered were the thick metal bars that surrounded me by every corner. Although it seemed like a long time had passed, I was aware it had only been a couple of hours due to the pulsing pain in my head. 

What happened?

My whole body erupted in fear and panic. I couldn't remember how I got here. The last thing I remembered was begging our boss in his office…then people came in there…and then…someone injecting me.

“...and sold to Mr. Sanchez for $3 million” I heard someone say from the other side of the thick curtain right in front of me.

What's this?

An auction?

The was drawn and was blinded by the harsh glare of the spotlight pointed directly at me. I bit down the scream that was about to come out of me, I felt the terror swimming in my bloodstream.

I could hardly see anything except from a few men sitting in the front line of seats. Their faces were shadowed in the darkness, all I could hear were their whispers and chuckles. My hands were shaking uncontrollably and made their way to my neck, the exact spot I was injected. I then realized what was happening.

Please let this not be what I think it is.

I was on a stage that I knew. I was a commodity, an item to be sold to the highest bidder.

My panic and thoughts were cut off when a sharp and authoritative voice echoed through the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are down to the last flavor of the night. We've got a special treat for you tonight, a young lady with a…history. And with that, the bidding begins”.

Panic washed over me, my voice caught in my throat, my eyes were wide and a choked sob escaped my lips. I scrambled back against the cage bars, my was a trembling mess.

“We've been told she's quite the…entertainer. She can put on a show, don't you think?” The auctioneer’s voice dripped with a sickly sweetness while his gaze was like a viper’s, cold and drained.

“$200,000” 

With that the bidding started. I desperately scanned the room looking for an escape but all I saw was their expressions, a mixture of amusement and lust.

The bidding went on for a while, the amount going higher by each bidder. The amount echoed in my head, was I worth that much?

Their gazes which were on me felt like a physical burden tormenting me. A tear slipped out my eye.

Suddenly, a voice boomed out, a deep, commanding voice, “$20 million”

What?

20 million dollars 

The room was silent, the bidders letting out frustrated sighs. The auctioneer's with a creepy smile yelled, “Sold! To Mr. Castelli”

My eyes lost focus as it became blurry with tears. I was sold…I was now apparently his possession.

The spotlight was removed from me and I was left with a blurry vision of the audience. I noticed a man standing up from his seat before approaching the stage. He moved with grace, his aura exuding an icy control that left me breathless. His gaze fell upon me, his piercing eyes oddly familiar.

With a small wave of his hand, two men rushed to the cage which made me scramble in fear before they unlocked it.

I felt like an animal at an exhibition.

They brought me out of the cage, despite my weak struggles. I was dropped in front of him like a sack of hay which resulted in him giving them a cold glare. They turned to leave urgently after bowing at him.

“Let's go, doll. I believe we have much to discuss” he said.

We did?

He just turned and began to move in the direction of the entrance without waiting for an answer. A burly man appeared beside me and nudged me to stand up and move.

My feet felt numb as I stood up. I started walking in the same direction, each step made my heart beat faster.

We got outside and I was dumbfounded with the number of cars that were lined up in a single line in front of me.

My eyes searched for him but he must have entered one of the cars already. I turned to look at the guy that was still behind me. He pointed at the car directly before me…my mouth slightly dropped open in disbelief.

It was a Cadillac Escalade, for sure.

Cars were my forte, I couldn't help knowing one or two things about them.

I bit my lips as I entered into the car carefully, ensuring I didn't leave a scratch. He wasn't here. I was now back to wondering what was actually going on…what was I?

A sex slave

A maid…I don't think a maid would be bought for 20 million dollars

Would I be sold again?

The fear that had dissipated began to resurface. I was so lost in thoughts that I was foolish enough to not take note of any landmark.

My door was opened and the same guard appeared and nudged his head forward.

Was he mute?

I gripped onto my sleeve as I made my way into the massive mansion before me. Inside was way much grand. I couldn't stop myself from awning.

I was led to an office on the 2nd floor, the staircase alone made me feel small. I got to the office, the door was so dominating, I could only wonder who was on the other side of it. The person would be the judge of my future.

My trembling hands rose and knocked, then I silently counted to 3 before cracking the door open.

I gulped hard before fully entering and it was him…Mr Castelli…the man who bought me.

The office had a lot of space and was well-lit. Bookshelves lined the walls, containing thick volumes, and a large, commanding desk in the middle of the space was surrounded by expensive-looking pens and carefully organized documents.

“Lena, you came!” He said as if he was expecting otherwise. He was relaxed behind his desk with a laptop open in front of….

Wait! How did he know my name?

His expression was calm, his jaw set in a solid line, yet his eyes revealed a mocking delight. 

“Sit!”

He gestured toward one of the soft velvet chairs positioned in front of his desk. His voice was cool at the same time indifferent. I sat down, my body was stiff and my hands were clasped tightly on my laps.

“Lena Lynx Grey” he said as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed upon me which made me squirm. “Twenty three years old. You live with your parents in a cramped house in the poorer part of town. You're a barista in the day time and a stripper in night, and you're a skilled performer. You're also a pretty good liar. You've been stealing from your parents for months, hiding it from them. You believe you know more than anyone else.

His calm expression was in sharp contrast to the harshness of his words. They were cold, calculated accusations, each one a blow worse than that of my parents. He was right to some extent, I did take money from my parents because technically it was my money but I guess he didn't know that.

“How did you…How do you know all this?" I spoke, my voice trembling so much that I could barely hear my own words. 

The edge of his mouth curled slightly with a trace of humor as he reclined. "Let us just say I have got my ways. Don't you want to know…how I know that you were on the run…”

He paused, his eyes locked onto mine. I experienced chills running down my spine.