CHAPTER 3
1839 Words
“You want me to be what?”
“Our informant,” he repeated.
“You want me to be your informant?” I pointed at myself for emphasis. “Why do I have to be the one to do this? Can’t you hire someone for it?”
“I could,” he said calmly, “but it’s too risky. I don’t know who might betray us—or who might be connected to him.”
“How are you so sure I won’t turn on you? Or that I’m not related to him?”
“I have something you want.” He crossed one leg over the other. “As for your second question,you’re not related. I mean, just look at your dad. The man keeps moving from one debt to another. If they were related and he knew it, he’d cling to him like a dirty worm.”
The second response didn’t shock me. I was fully aware of my father’s greed. His excitement over Cole and my engagement wasn’t because he was happy for me rather it was because he saw another person to leech off. But the first part bothered me.
“You have something I want?” I asked, raising a brow curiously.
“Yes.” He smiled smugly. “I know your mother.”
“My… mother?” I repeated, making sure I heard him right.
“Indubitably.”
His words made my chest tighten not with sadness this time. “You know my mother? Where is she? I want to see her!” I couldn’t believe it.
“Hold your horses, smart mouth,” he chuckled. “You’ll only get to see her once you’ve successfully secured the position. And as a gift, I might release her if you provide all the information we need when you get there.”
“Why do you have her?” I asked, unsettled by this newfound information.
“That’s none of your business,” he spat.
“But she’s my mother!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. It took everything in me not to completely lose it.
“And my property.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion.
“Listen here,” he said sharply, leaning forward. “I don’t have time to exchange words with you. The decision is yours. If you agree, we’ll start the process immediately. But if you don’t… I’m afraid we’ll have to use your previous suggestion.”
I wouldn’t let her go this time and it’s either that or prostitution.
“I agree,” I said finally, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.
“Good. We’re on the same page now.” He uncrossed his legs and adjusted in his chair. “What we want is simple. We’re going to place you in his house. All you need to do is not get caught, because that would mean one thing for you, a one-way ticket to hell.” He smiled, then continued, “That file contains everything you need to know. Study it carefully. Don’t forget even the most insignificant detail.”
I wouldn’t say the death part didn’t scare me, but I was ready to risk it to meet her, she owed me an explanation. Besides, I had nothing left to lose again.
“How am I supposed to meet him?”
“Auctioning.”
“What are you auctioning?”
He smirked. “You need to start asking the right questions. It’s not what we’re auctioning, it’s who we’re auctioning.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” He clapped his hands. “You’re catching up!”
I ignored his smugness. “How is that supposed to get me there?”
“And I thought we were past the dumb question phase,” he sighed dramatically. “We’re hosting an auction today. It took a lot to get him to attend, so don’t mess it up. He’ll come and when he does, he’ll buy you.”
“What makes you so sure he’ll buy me?”
“He has a thing for green eyes. And yours, my dear, are emerald.” He leaned back in his chair like the plan was already a success.
“Oh.”
“So, go get ready. We’ll need you in two hours.”
“Okay.”
I got up and opened the door to leave, but not before hearing, “And please, work on keeping your mouth shut if you wish to live.”
I closed the door without responding. Mario was standing outside, waiting. He led me back to my room. This place was like a maze.
I stepped into the room with the file still clenched tightly in my hands. “For Mom,” I whispered. She was the only thing keeping me going.
I sat on the bed, reading the file from beginning to end, three times in a row. With each new page, my heart raced faster.
Knock, knock.
Mario walked in, placing a gown and a pair of heels on the bed before leaving. It was a sign. It was time.
I placed my hand over my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
I picked up the dress, my fingers brushing over the soft velvet fabric. It was a gorgeous wine-colored, sleeveless gown. I slipped it on, then carefully put on the silver heels and fixed my unkempt blonde hair before stepping outside.
Mario tied a black scarf over my eyes and guided me to wherever the auction was being held.
Even though I was blindfolded, I could feel the gentle breeze caressing my skin.
When we arrived, I could tell from the murmurs and laughter that there were many people around.
Mario removed my blindfold and left. My eyes darted around the room. About thirteen girls of different ages stood in a line ahead of me. I had expected prostitutes or eager girls looking for money, but that wasn’t the case. They looked lost. Some cried softly, others staring blankly into space.
My quiet observation was interrupted when the auctioneer’s voice boomed, “Without further delay, because I know some of your pants are already tickling. We shall start with our first item!”
One of the goons pushed the first girl onto the stage.
“Long black hair, smooth porcelain skin, ladies and gentlemen, here we have one of the finest slaves you’ll ever see in the city of Toquanto!”
No wonder I’d never heard of or seen this place before. Toquanto was two cities away from my father’s house in Sicily.
Just before I was called in, Lucas came up to me. He handed me a small paper with a number written on it, which I hid inside my bra.
Before leaving, he warned, “If you forget to do what’s necessary, you’ll hate the consequences.” Then he walked off, humming something that sounded like roses are red.
Finally, it was my turn. Unlike the others, I wasn’t shoved onto the stage, probably because of Lucas.
As I stepped into the blinding light, my eyes stung for a moment before adjusting. The place was packed with men and women dressed elegantly, but their souls were filthy.
Whistles and lustful cheers filled the air. But the noise vanished the moment a sturdy figure walked in. The sharp clicking of his shoes echoed through the silent room.
The temperature seemed to drop. Shivers ran down everyone’s skin including mine.
He’s here, I whispered to myself, locking eyes with him as he took a seat in the front row. We held each other’s gaze for far too long.
The auctioneer spoke again, “Long blonde hair as soft as feathers, smooth flawless porcelain skin, cherry lips, a graceful figure with alluring curves and last but not least, a beauty so captivating it could bring nations to their knees!”
He paused for effect, grinning wickedly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, she’s not only a priceless beauty but also a twenty-one-year-old virgin, ready to be ruined!”
“Wait, what?” I turned to the auctioneer, panic flooding my chest. This wasn’t the agreement.
My head swirled with thoughts until I spotted Lucas in the crowd. His cold, stern gaze made me freeze. The message was clear: Don’t mess up my plans.
“We’re starting at ten thousand crowns!” the auctioneer shouted, ignoring me completely.
I bit my lip, silently praying that he would buy me. It was the only outcome I could live with.
“Ten thousand crowns!” an old man called from the back row. I could see his potbelly from here. I shut my eyes tightly and prayed harder.
“Twenty thousand crowns!”
“Hundred thousand crowns!”
I opened my eyes, glancing at Lucas, who now looked irritated at the fact that none was coming from our target.
“Five hundred thousand crowns!”
“Seven hundred thousand crowns!”
The voice came from the direction I’d hoped for but when I looked, it wasn’t him. It was a skinny man, about my father’s age.
Disappointment washed over me as no one else raised their placards. My heart sank. It was over.
“Going once…”
“Going twice…”
“Going—”
“One thousand crowns.”
My eyes shot up. It was him.
He paid.
He paid!
My heart leapt with relief and disbelief. The room fell silent, no one dared to say a word.
“Sold to Mr. Xavier,” the auctioneer announced bitterly.
I didn’t care that it was only one thousand crowns not even close to the starting price. It didn’t matter. It was him, not those old, lecherous men.
Xavier stood, his movements calm and confident. He tossed the one thousand crowns onto the stage.
“Bring her to my car.”
His voice was silky smooth, so mesmerizing that for a second, I almost forgot that no one here could meet his eyes without trembling.
The moment he left, the whispers erupted.
Lucas appeared again, smirking. “Good job. I didn’t earn much from you tonight, but the future looks promising.” He patted my shoulder before walking away.
Mario led me outside, where the cool breeze greeted me. I shivered slightly.
We walked to a sleek black Maybach. Mario opened the door for me and shut it once I got in.
Up close, I couldn’t help but stare at him. Xavier. He looked unreal. His deep blue irises held a spark of gold, like sunlight on the ocean. His silver hair was natural, just as the file said. His flawless jawline, sharp nose, the way his aura commanded silence…
I had never seen a man so breathtaking. I don’t mind staying with him, a thought slipped through before I could stop it.
Someone this elegant, this angelic,he couldn’t possibly be like those old, desperate geezers.
But then Xavier opened his mouth, all my hopes shattered.
“Take off your dress,” he said, his once silky voice now cold as ice.
- Writer
