Chapter Three: Caught

Rose’s POV

“You look Fabulous!” Huan exclaimed excitedly, spinning me around to face the mirror on the opposite wall.

I stared at my reflection. Truly, I looked different with my wild hair tamed and styled into a bun sitting at the top of my head. She’d also given me a pedicure and a manicure and I felt different and pampered, but it wasn’t enough to make me lose focus on the reality that she was prepping me to warm her master’s bed.

“Come with me, let me show you to your new bedroom,” she tugged on my arm and I followed her obediently, still at a loss on what to do regarding my current predicament.

Asides from what she's told me and everything I’ve witnessed, there's no evidence that her words were true and admittedly, her story sounded a bit strange. A part of me didn’t want to believe but why would she lie to me? I was unable to find an answer to this question, yet the doubt in my mind didn't ebb. It was still hovering, needing more confirmation.

Wordlessly, Huan led me to the top of the stairs in a direction opposite the room the master had taken me from. We arrived at a door and she turned the handle, opening it to a large well-furnished room with a queen-sized bed sitting pretty in the middle, dressed in white beddings. On the bed was a dress and black lacy panties.

“Those are for you,” she pointed at the clothing items. “Mr. Zhang wasn’t sure of your size but I’m sure when he returns, he’d call for his personal designer to come fit you up and you’ll have more clothes,” she walked to the middle of the room and turned to me, finally releasing my arm. “This will be your bedroom and personal chambers for the duration of your stay. For your added comfort, there’s a walk-in closet, soon to be filled with clothes,” she pointed at the glass door to my right. “And there's the bathroom. For now, my services here are done, but I may be back in the future if the master requests my presence,” smiling warmly, she walked past me to the door. “Don’t think too deeply of your missing memories. They’ll be back as soon as the effect of the sedatives is gone,” and just like that, she exited the room, leaving me all by myself with all of the information she's dumped on me revolving around my head.

I stood in the middle of the room, staring at the dress on the bed. I had no idea of what to do or where to go from there. I needed more confirmation to believe Huan’s words. Maybe I could ask the master? I considered this but on second thoughts, it didn't seem like a wise idea. If it eventually turns out to be true, what grounds do I have to stand against him?

He wouldn’t just let me go as he would have paid a huge sum of money to purchase me at the auction. But what other option do I have? To escape and be patient until the missing parts of my memories come back to me? But what about the Don’s men? They may still be out there searching for me. Or what if they’re all a part of this?

These thoughts assailed my head, and they were beginning to drive me insane but I concluded that I’d rather escape than become a sex tool to a perverted stranger. I didn't have an idea of where I was or what I’d do after escaping but I was sure I’d figure it out along the way.

Led by these thoughts, I walked to the bed and reached for the panties, pulling them on. Thereafter, I grabbed the short black dress but my eyes suddenly landed on an inscription on my left wrist that I’d not seen before. Before now, I had no tattoos so seeing these strange letters and the number, 180, tattooed on my wrist took me by surprise.

My eyes narrowed at it as I raised my wrist for a closer look but I couldn’t decipher their meaning. Believing they must be Chinese letters from their appearance, I knew I had to find out their meaning and there was only one person who could help me, Greta, the housekeeper.

Hastily, I wore the dress and stepped out of the room in time to see her approaching with a tray of food.

“Here’s your breakfast, ma’am,” her words dripped with her heavy Chinese accent and I nodded curtly, a sign of appreciation although I was more focused on knowing the meaning of the inscription on my wrist.

I helped her open the door and she took the tray in, placing it on the vanity table. I followed behind her but right at the moment she was about to leave, I stopped her.

“E-excuse me,” my words came out in a shaky voice but she stopped and turned to look at me. “I… I need your help,” without waiting for a response, I turned my wrist to show her the words.

“What they mean?” she asked and I nodded.

Her neutral expression was replaced by a grimace before her eyes met mine.

“Sold. Number 180,”

I frowned.

“It means Sold,”

My heart dropped as her words confirmed my fear and the reality of my situation. Huan’s words were the truth. The master had bought me at an auction, to be his submissive sex slave.

Greta hurried out of the room before I could question her, as though she was scared to say more. But I didn't need more confirmation. I knew enough already. I wasn't thinking of how I arrived here anymore but how I could escape from this imposed slavery. Don Torelli may still be out there searching for me but I refuse to be a personal hooker to a stranger, no matter how handsome he may be. The thoughts alone filled me with dread and disgust.

I had to escape before he returned from wherever he's gone to. The next minute, I was out of the room and running down the stairs towards the only door I concluded must be the one that led outside and thankfully, it was but to my dismay, a man was standing just outside it, dressed in a black suit.

His eyes landed on mine as soon as I ran out, abruptly making me halt.

“Ma’am?” he called in a questioning tone, while my eyes perused him.

From his posture and the holster attached to his hip, I knew he was a security guard. I looked around and a small frown marred my face. It seemed a bit off to see that he was the only guard around. The compound was large and as such, there should be more but then considering my mission, the lesser the better.

“You’re not meant to leave this premises, ma’am,” he spoke again.

From my expression and posture, he must have read my intentions but I wasn’t about to give up.

“I…I’m sorry…” I stuttered, doubling over with my arms suddenly wrapped around my torso and a pinched expression etched on my face.

“Is anything the matter?” he asked, frowning as he took a step closer and I nodded frantically, before letting out a painful whimper.

“I… I need your help please,” I pretended to gasp for air and I saw the moment he let his guard down, worry taking over. “It's my time of the month a-and the pain of the cramps is unbearable for me. Please I need to get some medications and warm water to relieve the ache, else I’ll have to see a doctor,” I let out another whimper, while squeezing my face tightly and crouching down until I was doubling over on my knees.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry about this but I have to take you inside. Thereafter, I’ll inform the housekeeper to cater to your needs,”

“I… I tried looking for her but she's not in,”

“I’ll find her,” before I could object, he carefully held my arm and pulled me to my feet before gradually leading me into the house. He made me sit on a sofa in the living room and left to call Greta. That was my moment.

As soon as I was alone, I dashed for the door and ran out, towards the gate. But just as I was in the process of figuring out how to open it, it suddenly opened and I jumped back to see Mr. Zhang, standing there, resting on the hood of his car, on a call.

When he sighted me, his demeanor changed, his expression darkening. My heart skipped and as if it was planned, the security guard emerged from inside at that moment.

I knew it was over.