Two

Chapter Two

Aryn

I slammed my apartment door shut behind me, the sound echoing through the small space. My chest heaved as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. I didn’t even bother to take off my shoes or jacket as I sank to the floor, burying my face in my hands.

Lily, my best friend and roommate, popped her head out of the kitchen, her brows furrowing as she took in my disheveled state. “Oh no. What happened? Did Brandon—”

“He cheated on me,” I sobbed, my voice muffled. “With his *cousin*. In his bed. I saw everything, Lily!”

Her gasp echoed through the room as she darted toward me, kneeling at my side and pulling me into a tight hug. “That slimy son of a bitch,” she muttered, stroking my hair. “I never liked him. Not once. He had bad taste in clothes, Aryn. Never date a man with poor taste in clothes."

I let out a watery laugh, shaking my head. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I did,” she said, pulling back to look me in the eye. “But you were so smitten, I didn’t want to burst your bubble. I just prayed you’d see the truth before he hurt you. Guess I prayed too late.”

She stood, pulling me up with her. “Come on. We’re not wallowing in this mess. Ice cream. Oreos. Now.”

Within minutes, we were curled up on the couch, a pint of double chocolate ice cream between us, topped with crushed Oreos. I sniffled, taking a big bite as Lily glared at the television, though it wasn’t even on.

“He doesn’t deserve your tears,” she said firmly, her spoon clinking against the bowl. “But I hope you gave him hell.”

“I called him a lying piece of soggy toast,” I admitted, feeling both proud and ridiculous.

Lily’s laugh burst out loud and bright, filling the room. “That’s my girl!”

I almost managed a smile, but then I remembered. “Oh no! My purse! The one you got me for my birthday—it’s still at his apartment.”

“Ugh,” Lily groaned, rubbing her temples. “That stupid purse. Fine. Call him and get it back. No way are we leaving it with that lowlife.”

I hesitated, but Lily handed me my phone with a pointed look. Taking a deep breath, I dialed Brandon’s number.

“What do you want?” His voice was cold, clipped.

“My things. I left my purse at your place,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Come and get it,” he said flatly.

“No,” I shot back. “You bring it to me. Meet me at the coffee shop on Third.”

After a pause, he agreed, then hung up without another word.

Lily grabbed her coat. “We’re going together. No way I’m letting you face him alone.”

We arrived at the coffee shop twenty minutes later, the chill of the night air biting at our skin. The streets were unusually quiet, and Brandon was nowhere to be seen.

“This is sketchy,” Lily muttered, glancing around.

“Just a little longer,” I said, hugging myself for warmth.

Suddenly, a van screeched to a halt beside us. Before I could react, a hand clamped over my mouth, and I was yanked backward. Lily screamed, throwing herself at the man grabbing me, but another figure appeared, dragging her away.

“Lily!” I tried to scream, but the sound was muffled.

The last thing I saw was her terrified face before everything went black.

---

I woke to a dimly lit room, the cold floor pressing against my back. My head throbbed, and my mouth was dry. Slowly, I sat up, taking in my surroundings.

The room was bare, with several other women scattered around, all looking equally confused and terrified.

“Where are we?” I whispered to a girl sitting nearby.

She shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. “I don’t know. They just... grabbed us.”

Before I could ask more, a door creaked open, and a woman stepped in. She was tall and imposing, dressed in all black with a sharp, no-nonsense expression.

“Get up,” she barked. “You’re to be prepared.”

None of us moved at first, frozen in shock and fear. The woman clapped her hands sharply. “Now!”

We scrambled to our feet as more people entered, dragging us out one by one. I was shoved into a smaller room where two women stripped me and forced me into a bathtub.

The water was cold, and I shivered as they scrubbed me roughly. My protests went ignored, and soon they yanked me out, drying me off and thrusting a thin, green, lacy dress into my hands.

“Put it on,” one of them ordered.

The dress barely covered anything, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. I hugged my arms around myself, trying to maintain some of my dignity.

"Why am I here? How did I get here? Where am I?"

The other woman scoffed, "You are here because you were sold to settle a debt darling and once here, you never go back out. "

Before I could process what was happening, I was pushed through another door and onto a stage.

Blinding lights hit me, and I squinted against them, my heart pounding in my chest.

A voice boomed through the air, smooth and practiced. “Next, we have a rare gem. A red haired bitch. She sure has the fire in her veins as on her hair. I am sure you would have a lovely time fucking the fiery spirit. Feast your eyes, gentlemen.”

My blood ran cold as I realized what was happening. I was being auctioned.