The Mafia Devil Who Bought My Freedom

Ten-thousand dollars?? I thought I heard misheard. Then I realized the man in the front row had just placed a bid on me.I looked around the ballroom expecting someone to laugh and say that it was just a stupid joke. The chandeliers above cast golden light across the marble floor with waiters moving between tables carrying champagne. The city's wealthiest, powerful, influential people were gathered here tonight. And someone had just placed a bid on my life. “Ten thousand,” the man repeated lazily. A few of the guests chuckled. I turned slowly toward the stage where my step-father Alejandro Moreno stood with a microphone on his hand and a fainted smile. The banner behind read Moreno Foundation Charity Gala. Charity!!? “Do we have fifteen?” he asked the crowd again. My voice came out very thin “what are you doing?” he ignored me like I never existed. “Fifteen thousand for a private dinner with our beautiful Lia Moreno,” he carried on smoothly. The lie drifted through the room like expensive perfume because it's so obvious everyone knew it wasn't just a dinner. The woman at the front seat whispered something to her husband's ear and they both laughed. Then another man raised his paddle. “Fifteen” The room hummed with quiet amusement. I stepped closer to the microphone. “This isn't funny.” My step-father lowered the mic and leaned toward me, still smiling for the crowd. “smile he muttered under his breath. “I'm leaving" I said but his hands were already closed on my waist before I could move. “You will stay exactly where you are”. The sharp pain shot through up to my arm.”You can't sell me” “Relax” he said softly “You should be grateful I'm doing this for you. Just look at all these powerful and wealthy men willing to spend money on you” I tried to pull free but his grip tightened. “Twenty thousand.” someone called from the back, immediately an applause broke out. The room smelled like expensive cologne and wine. Every face looking up at me seemed to be entertained but at the same time curious like I was something placed in a display glass. I felt my heart was too heavy to breathe properly. “Twenty five” another voice said. My step-father lifted the microphone again “Wonderful generosity tonight” he said. “Remember every dollar goes to charity.” I laughed because the sound surprised me. Charity?? Just last week he told me they couldn't afford my tuition fees anymore, now this?”. “Thirty thousand.” The numbers floated through the room. I had stopped fighting. If I make any scene he would punish me later like he always does. so I just stood there like a decoration, my face moved across the room until it stopped. A man sat alone near the back of the ballroom. Black suit with no tie. He wasn't smiling like the others and he wasn't even looking at the stage anymore. His gaze were fixed on me. He was looking directly at me but something about his expression made the back of my neck prickle. He looked too calm as if the noise weren't a disturbance to him. “Fourty thousand,” another bidder announced. My step-father’s excitement grew. “Fiurty thousand! Incredible. Do we have….” “Two million.” His voice wasn't loud but the room went silent anyways and had every head turned. The man at the back of the ballroom stood up slowly. My step-father blinked. “I'm sorry did you say….” “Twi million” the man repeated but his eyes never left me. No one laughed this time but few people whispered nervously. My step-father tried to recover first from his sharpened greedy smile. “Sir just to clarify, this is a dinner date” “I know exactly what you are selling.” Those words sound cold and nonchalant. My step-father hesitated, even though he seemed unsure. “Two million” he repeated carefully. “Is there anyone willing to go higher?” but no one moved. The man slipped his hands into his pockets like he had been waiting. My step-father tapped the microphone. “Going once” my heart almost stopped working. “Going twice” the man took a step forward and for the first time I saw his face clearly. Sharp features, dark eyes, handsome face that could make your heart skip. My step-father lifted the gavel. “Sold.” The sound echoes through the ballroom and the applause started again bjt hesitant at first. I didn't clap, I just stared at the stranger walking toward the stage. He stopped a few feet away from me. Up close he looked even more dangerous. My step-father extended his hands eagerly. “Sir, that was incredibly generous…” The man ignored him. He reached into his briefcase and placed a document on the table. “Transfer the contract”. he said. My step-father frowned.” Contract?” “The one you forced her to sign.” my heart skipped. My step-father laughed nervously. ”you misunderstand” “No I don't”. The man put a pen on the table. “Sign the release”. And for the first time in so many years I have known my step-father, he looked so uneasy. “You are overstepping.” The man finally looked at him. It was only for a second but something in that look made my step-father quiet. “Two million dollars,” the man said. “You wanted money. Now you have it. He nodded toward me. “She leaves with me” The room suddenly became cold and I found my voice. “I'm not going anywhere with you”. The man turned back at me, his eyes were darker than I thought. “Relax.” He said calmly. I didn't buy you.” He pushed the contract toward my step-father again. “ I bought your freedom.” Then he looked back at me and said quietly. “ But now we need to talk”.