Lost (Beautiful Beast I)

Chapter-5

~He set fire to the world around him and never let a flame touch her~

Leia

I've always imagined how I will look wearing rich gowns that wrap your petite frame like second skin.

Having no relations (since father never mentioned any before) and no many friends with us, I never got a chance to visit functions and parties where people wear suits and gowns with Rolex and makeup to adorn themselves. Marie was never able to convince me to go her family parties or clubs with her friends, so imagination and tv was all I got.

In all my imaginations, I looked comfortable with my hair high up in a bun with curls at the sides, the soft silky cloth hugging me perfectly as I stood under the party lights, but never I imagined myself wearing a red gown and hiding under a huge table in a random room of a prostitute club. And the gown I got from the closet is nothing like I imagined it to be. It's tight, uncomfortable, revealing and long. And not to forget my hair, which is totally fit for any bird to lay its eggs.

As soon as Rob handed me over to the yellow haired lady, she started to dress me up like a child who dresses up her favorite doll. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even cry because she tied me up to a chair and kept a pistol on the table in front me and threatened to put a bullet in my head if I tried anything.

The room was big and around twenty girls were present. They all looked like call girls, which I later confirmed when they started to dress up on their own and talked about auction wherein which they'll be the highest bid. Fear ran through my veins when I listened to them. They spoke about auction where girls were sold, not things. The yellow head lady forced me to wear a black lingerie and clipped a tag on my shoulder before presenting me on a stage with the others.

The auction took place in the backyard. People were everywhere and it looked like a party. Wearing nothing but two pieces, I felt ashamed, degraded. The men sitting in auction were looking at us all with furious lust and I felt so disgusted.

I could have run, run wherever my legs took me, but I knew that there's no chance I could do that in an open area in front of so many people. 

The rest of the men and women who were not in the auction were indulged in drinks, talks and laughter. They didn't even look at this side, maybe because they got used to it or they never really cared. 

As soon as the auction started, my mind was totally out of state. 5 million dollars, 10 million dollars, 12 million dollars, it went on and on for each girl and finally came to me.

I had to try so hard to stop my cries and fall deaf to all the talks and bidding and form a plan in my head to escape this place. When I was finally sold, they took me back to the same room with the rest of the girls to dress up. The girls were jumping in joy and I had to try my hardest not to give them a disgusting look.

The yellow head lady left us in the room to dress up and that's the time I sneaked out and ran into a random room. Seeing a closet in the room, I ripped open and took the most least revealing gown and put it on. It is sleeveless with a long slit at the right and a cleavage. It looked least reveling compared to the others in the closet but to me it's just not.

When I heard the guards running around, I quickly hid under the table. I don't how long it's been here, but the loud footsteps and shouting outside doesn't seem to cease.

My mind is in total chaos and I could hear my own heart beating so fast. I waited for a very long time under the table on my hands and knees. I know they would've tightened the security by now and the man with the bowler hat who came to house with his guards and Dad would be s**t pissed by now. When I finally heard no noise outside, I came out rubbing my elbows and knees. I kept my ear to the door to listen and there was silence. Unlocking the door slowly and softly I peeked out to see a clear hallway with not a single soul loitering around.

As soon as I stepped out, I took a ran towards the same way Rob brought me. Joining the crowded club where people are dancing and drinking, I didn't dare to look back as I walked to the main entrance. The two guards at the entrance were not present and that made me speed up.

The moment I reached the main door, I sighed in relief to see the main gate. I'm free once I get out of that gate.

People were busy talking and didn't mind me passing by and I hoped none of them recognised me from the stage display. I could see, feel my freedom outside those huge gate and I kept walking. Two guards came into view and a man with his back facing me. I could hear the man screaming at the guards, I slowed down but stood rooted to my spot when the man turned around.

It's Rob.

I didn't have time to think, my feet took me towards a random direction before he could see me. I ran till the gate disappeared from my view and I was left panting. I quickly scanned the area to see it's an open parking lot.

What do I do? I took deep breaths trying to formulate a way but I found nothing. I can't get caught to them and escaping this place is not so easy; I was lucky enough to reach this far. With Rob shouting at the guards and they all knowing that I've escaped, it must have alerted them. It's just a matter of time till they come here to search. 

Footfalls and laughter of a woman and man made me hide behind one of the cars. I quickly recognised the lady when she came in view, she was one of the girls in the auction. I can't hear what he's talking but her fake laugh to everything he said is evident. I watched them til they got into a luxury car and took off towards the main gate.

The same thing would have happened to me now if I didn't escape. I don't know who has bought me but whoever it is, is not a good man and I'm not an item to by bought.

'What are you doing?'

The sudden voice made me jump out of bones and turn around to the source. My heart was beating in my ribcage and my stomach was churning in discomfort. 

A man stood there with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone. His scrunched eyebrows found its release as soon as his eyes laid on me. He looked at me surprised and I feared he might've recognised me from the auction. 

My eyes traveled from his intoxicating dark eyes to his neat suit and his black shinny shoes.

'I believe you've not answered my question yet' his voice was deep and calm this time.

My eyes went to his. He didn't look anywhere else but my eyes. The light made his dark eyes shine and they looked beautiful. I processed his question before replying carefully.

'I-I seem to forget my way' I said.

He stood still with his eyes boring into mine.

His jet black hair is resting neatly on his head and the rise and fall of his chest being the only movements didn't go unnoticed by me.  

'I'll show you the way' Was his reply after a while.

Before I could think, I spoke — no, blabbered.

'I came here with my boyfriend to the club but I didn't seem to find him so I decided to come here and check for his car where he parked earlier but it's gone, which only means he has left me' I took a breathe when I was done.

He raised a single eyebrow at me, as if he found this as an ridiculous excuse.

'Again. He left me again. It's his tendency, you see. He seems to...forget things' the lie flowed easily out of my mouth.

This time a side of his mouth twitched and his eyes twinkled. The little action made him look handsome.

'So what are you going to do?' he asked casually, slipping his phone into the pocket before folding his arms in front. The impact making the muscles of his arms to bulge out of his suit.

'I don't know. My purse is in his car, and I don't know what to do' I replied.

He started to walk forward without saying anything. My breath hitched up to my throat as he took each step forward and stopped until there was a decent distance between us.

He stretched his hand out.

'Nicholas'

I reached out my sweating palm and he took it. His hand was warm and big.

'Rose' I replied. I don't find it right to tell my real name to him.

When he let my hand go, I instantly found myself missing the warmth.

His eyes moved from mine to his watch on his wrist.

'Its going to be one. With no phone, no money, a lonely girl loitering on the roads is not safe' he said.

'I —

'I'll drop you off to your place. Follow me' Without waiting for my reply, he turned around and walked towards his black sleek car. I contemplated the situation; he could be a killer, he could be worst than that but I had to take a risk if I need to escape this place. I followed him.

Slipping into the passenger seat, I was instantly met with his cologne in the car. I felt him closer next to me. His huge body fit the driver seat perfectly while I looked sunken in the passenger seat. Without wasting time, he started the engine and took off to the main gate. My heart was beating out of my chest when I saw the guards at the gate. A big part of me thinks they are going to stop every car and check for me but miracles happen. The guards opened the gate wide enough and let us pass.

I felt relief wash through me as soon as we stepped out.

I felt him chuckle next to me.

'What?' I asked.

'Nothing. Tell me where to go'

The first place that came to my mind was Marie's but since we were out of the gates, I thought off it. I'll make up a reason and get down here.

I was about to speak but the car came to the side of the lonely road and stopped. He killed the engine and turned his head to me.

My eyes were wide open, watching his every move and I felt my adrenaline rushing.

'I'm not going to hurt you, relax. I just want to talk' he said.

And I did relax, surprisingly.

'Back there, I came to meet the owner of the club, Stark' he said.

The name reminded me of the man with a bowler hat.

'He was in the backyard,' he continued 'One side of the backyard was normal with people drinking and enjoying their party, while the other side had an auction' he gave me a knowing look.

My breath hitched and I already know what he's going to say.

'You don't know anything about that now, do you? You were busy with your boyfriend in the club' He said softly.

I nodded my head desperately. He ran his hand through his thick locks before removing his seat belt and placing his arm on my head rest, moving close to me.

'Well, I saw a woman on that stage, Rose. She was wearing a black lingerie, her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were strained with dry tears. Why does she look exactly like you. Now by any chance, you don't have a twin now, do you? Or you did and your boyfriend took her instead?' he chuckled without any humor and terror ran through my veins.

'Nicholas' Was all I was able to say. He closed his eyes and released a sigh.

I shifted in my seat, moving closer to my door. When he opened his eyes, I saw a kind of emotion swirling in them, I couldn't decipher.

'Say my name again, Rose' His voice was husky and an involuntary shock hit between my legs, making my grasp in surprise. For the first time his eyes traveled away from eyes and landed between my legs. He closed his eyes again.

My hand is incredibly closer to the door handle and he hasn't notice nor he'll, due to the mild street light evading the dark car which is clearly not enough.

'Say my name again, Rose' His velvet voice turned hard. His eyes are still closed.

My hand worked with the handle, slowly. When the door opened without any noise, I was about to push it wide when a hand clutched my wrist, making me snap my head towards his direction. He was just an inch away from me. Just an inch.

He opened his eyes slowly and this time they held a hint of anger.  

'You heard me' He stressed on each word softly, making sure I understood the seriousness. The cologne was mild and I could feel his warmth radiating through me though there's an inch of gap between us.

'Nicholas' My voice was a mere whisper. His stern eyes were still on me but the grip on my wrist tightened. The hold was strong and warm.

'Let me go, please' I said. I even feared to breathe as it may break the dead silence between us.

He released my wrist and shut the door. His hand went to my side and pulled the seat belt before locking it in his place, all the while his eyes never tearing away from mine.

I want to look away, I really do, but his eyes, those dark eyes are like...like gravity.

He moved away from me, tearing his eyes from and settling in his seat before starting the engine and taking off.

I didn't find my voice to speak, I just sat processing everything that happened. By the time, I made my mind and heart, he killed the engine and got out of the car. I followed his motion and saw myself standing in front of a mansion. That's it! He's going to lock me up here forever for his sick satisfaction. Without waiting for me, he walked towards the mansion. After punching some codes at the side of the door, clever to hide me from seeing it, he opened the door and walked into darkness.

He switched on the lights and soon the area was lit.

A huge chandelier hung in the center above and, couches, TV and bookshelves were situated in the den with a small fire place. Photos on walls, white curtains to the huge windows. The entire place is clean that I can see my reflection on the white granite floor.

My eyes fell upon Nicholas who was watching me intensely. When he caught me looking back at him, he averted his eyes and walked to the staircase. I followed him closely.

When we reached the upper floor, he stopped in front a room and opened the door for me to get in. I hesitated before getting in.

'You can stay the night. We'll talk tomorrow, you don't have to fear being here' He said and walked away. I watched him get into a room and lock himself. 

The room is bigger than the one I had at my home. The bed is big enough to fit three people and there is a huge curtain covering the a glass window, probably. There is one door at the corner of the room which I assume is the bathroom.

I walked towards the curtain and pushed them aside. Opening the huge glass door, I stepped out to the chilly air.

They was a coffee table and couches and I sat in one them. Pulling my legs on top and wrapping my hands around, I thought about everything that happened today, how in just few hours, my whole life took a drastic turn.