Auction

Pandora looked at herself in the mirror with a slight sigh, noting her exposed shoulders and fully protruding breasts. She was forced to wear an off-shoulder dress for no apparent reason. Pandora didn't understand what kind of job required her to look like a mature woman.

Thick make-up, even at the behest of her mother, Aquela. The woman who gave her a string of scathing words after Pandora's return from Bristol to Cambridge.

About three hours into the long journey, Pandora should have tidied up the rest of the clothes she had worn during her stay in the dormitory. But Aquela was already waiting at the door with a sour, impatient expression. Pandora hurriedly grabbed the cell phone on the table, stuffing it into the small sling bag strapped to her body.

"Where are we going, Mom?"

Pandora couldn't help but approach. She asked Aquela, who immediately pulled her arm roughly. Pandora's steps almost lost their balance as she was led towards the house.

"Mom, answer me first!"

"We have no choice; you have to work tonight. The wait for you to get an interview call is very long. Our savings and finances are dwindling day by day, while your father's treatment costs a lot of money."

Aquela raised her hand. "Don't argue, Pandora. You've done it many times. Argued with me so many times. Now you have to be a dutiful daughter after your father is sick and useless. I could have left him if you hadn't obeyed."

Pandora winced as she was forcefully pushed into the car. Putting up absolutely no resistance, she could only stare at Aquela's cold face in the driving seat. Chris loved Aquela so much; how could Pandora let her father go back to being a lonely man?

Pandora blinked. Hoping this wasn't something bad. She gripped the car seat tightly. "The job you're giving me, it's not a bad job, is it, Mom?" Pandora asked, followed by her heart beating violently.

"Of course it's not bad."

The lie was too skillful, just like her clever tongue seduced a one-breed man into marriage. The corners of Aquela's lips curled high with a forlorn gaze forward, but the contents of the woman's mind wandered wildly. From this moment on, Pandora would have a fight on her hands. The pleasure her father had always offered her may end up being heartbreaking.

"You are very beautiful. I'm sure no one can resist your charm."

Once the journey began. Pandora was sure that her sanity would be slammed away, leaving only the madness of Aquela, who had never been reasonable to her.

***

From the very beginning, Pandora had anticipated what was about to happen. The tendrils of whispering voices made her chest beat violently. Pandora turned her face in all directions, trying to digest the situation while blindfolded with a black cloth and handcuffed with a cold iron.

She was forced to sit somewhere once all sight was darkened. Out of nowhere, rough fingers occasionally touched her exposed shoulders, as if deliberately looking for an opportunity while Pandora could do.

The spokesperson's opening greeting added to the pounding of the heart. Pandora swallowed and wondered what would happen next.

Offers start at the limit price!

Pandora didn't know that a man in a black suit had raised his hand.

"1.2 million pounds."

Sounded so solid as the first auctioneer.

Pandora's face instantly paled. Is she for sale?

"Two million pounds."

A voice from a different direction increased the amount by 800 thousand pounds. Meanwhile, the spokesperson began to stir up the atmosphere. Creating a competitive spirit in other entrepreneurs.

"15 million pounds."

Pandora could hardly believe the money being offered. What rich man would spend their wealth on buying and selling? Could it be they are men of excess wealth, so they have no way of simply spending the remaining portion.

"30 million pounds. But with the blindfold off and the top off in front of us all."

For a while, there was no response to the final offer. With her body trembling with fear, Pandora hoped that anyone would be willing to offer a price above £30 million without reservation. She couldn't possibly show off the rest of her body, while Aquela's dress of choice was enough to show off perfect curves.

However, until the countdown started, the air was free. No one dared to speak up—in fact, £30 million was the highest amount, and it was won by the man with the tenor voice.

No!

Pandora's lips parted to refuse the man's unreasonable request. Instead of being forced to take off half of her clothes, she noticed the footsteps of several people slowly moving away.

"No way. Let go of me!"

The squeak of a chair caught Pandora's attention. Should she be grateful not to be the woman auctioned off for such a price, but what of the woman chosen for public humiliation?

Not much different from before. Pandora's relief was short-lived as the initial limit bidding resumed. Cheers erupted as the spokesperson mentioned the next lady's benchmark price of £5 million.

"10 million pounds."

The first auctioneer began to bid. Followed by the next, which increased by a factor of two.

Pandora held her breath, hoping she wasn't involved in whatever was going on there.

Trying to turn a deaf ear, Pandora's thinning lips occasionally moved uncomfortably as the same rough touch touched her shoulder. She wanted to be angry, but instead all of Pandora's frustration could only be contained by herself.

"200 million pounds."

Everyone was silent, including Pandora herself. She froze in utter disbelief as the top price echoed freely, silencing the businessmen there. 200 million pounds was an absolute, non-negotiable sale. She wondered who actually sold for a fantastic price.

Surprisingly, Pandora felt the bonds on her hands loosen. Several people suddenly grabbed her and carried her off the stage.

"Where are you taking me?" asked Pandora in a rebellion.

"You've been sold. The man who bought you for 200 million pounds has the full right to do whatever he wants."

Silence at the thought of such a statement. What did the rich man see? How could a young girl like her be paid off so highly?

"I don't want to!" Pandora struggled to loosen the restraints on her hands. She took the opportunity to pull the black cloth over her eyes.

Where is Aquela?

Pandora cast her mesmerizing moss-green eyes over the place. In the right-hand corner, Aquela was seen chatting with some burly men.

"Mom."

Pandora passed by, taking every opportunity to approach her mother.

"I'm not for sale!" said Pandora. Successfully attracting the attention of the people there.

"What did you say, huh?" Aquela gripped Pandora's arm, half-whispering, threatening the girl to obey her orders.

"You must remember your father's health condition. If we don't have money, we won't be able to afford the medicine for him. Do you want your father to die because of heart disease and those damn complications?"

Pandora shook her head faintly. Chris was her most prized possession, and she could work towards his recovery; at least that's what Pandora wanted. But what if the £200 million she had risked her entire life for was being used for nothing by Aquela? Pandora didn't trust the young woman at all.

"I'll work hard, Mom. Please don't sell me," Pandora pleaded.

"You've been auctioned off. They must have prepared the payment in advance, too. I can't and won't return that much money for you."

Aquela gave a small smile to the man who was scrutinizing her face impatiently. "My daughter will come with you after I receive 50 million pounds as collateral."

Pandora's mind strongly resisted, absolutely not going to let that happen. She shook her head hard. "Wait," cut in Pandora, daring to notice the faces peppered with sharp strokes. Her decision was a little crazy, and it had to be done.

"I'll come with you." Pandora said softly, "But on the condition that... all the money you give me can only be used for my father's recovery. And I want it in writing," she continued, looking down. Pandora had no choice, unless Aquela herself was willing to cancel the contract.

"Pandora, you—"

Aquela's words were interrupted by a hand raised high. A nod from one of the big men assured Pandora that he had bought her.

Thankfully, there was no rejection of her simple wish. Pandora didn't have to think anything bad of Chris' recovery at Aquela's hands. She finally walked along to where the wealthy man would take her.