I'll Give You One!
1011 Words
LEO POV
"Starting our night, we begin with Micaela, a 21-year-old virgin from Brazil. She’s a blonde with striking green eyes. Bidding starts at $50,000," Meral announced.
"$55,000," someone shouted from the back of the room.
"Anyone else?" Meral asked. No one answered.
"Sold to the gentleman at table nine," Meral announced.
"Our next girl is Lamia, 23 years old, a redhead with honey-colored eyes, a virgin from Bahian. Let’s start the bidding at $80,000," Meral declared.
"$82,000," the man at the next table yelled.
"None of them caught your eye?" Maurizio inquired. Leo simply nodded while taking another gulp of his whiskey.
As the night passed, several women were presented, but none piqued his interest. Leo unbuttoned his tuxedo and leaned back in his seat, feeling frustrated. The women did not choose to be here. They were compelled. Human trafficking was rampant in Istanbul. Leo was on the verge of quitting, and the disapproving expression on his dad’s face was overwhelming.
Just as he was about to stand, the spotlight brightened and a familiar romantic song started playing.
"Now we're going to introduce our Diamond of the night," Meral announced, prompting all the gentlemen to adjust themselves in their seats in anticipation.
"Gabrielle, a twenty-year-old from Denver, weighing sixty-five kilograms, and standing at 163 cm. She has white skin, bluish-black hair, and blue eyes. She is also a virgin," Meral introduced.
"Her starting bid is $150,000," Meral said, and all the gentlemen in the audience began to speak.
"$170,000," the first man shouted.
"$200,000," the second man shouted.
"$275,000," the third man shouted.
Gabrielle's appearance conveyed a plea for help as she was adorned in a striking long red gown that accentuated her figure. Despite her predicament, she was stunning.
The bid for Gabrielle came in at $750,000.
Then Leo raised his sign and screamed, "One million dollars."
After he spoke, all eyes turned towards him, including his dad’s.
"Anyone else would like to cover the gentleman's offer?" Meral asked, noticing the silence among the group.
"I’ll count one, I’ll count two..." Meral stated.
"150 million dollars," the man next to Leo screamed while looking deeply into his eyes.
"Anyone else?" Meral inquired once more.
"250 million dollars," Leo shouted, causing everyone to shake their heads.
"Are you out of your mind?" Maurizio exclaimed in disbelief.
"Anyone else?" Meral inquired.
"I’ll count one, I’ll count two, I’ll count three," Meral began counting, finalizing the deal with the gentleman seated at table number five.
"What the f*ck did you do? Look at the price you paid for the woman," Maurizio exclaimed, extremely shocked.
"I desire the finest, Dad," Leo responded.
They were escorted to the buyers’ room, and they proceeded with the payment. Carlos, their driver, accompanied Gabrielle to the hotel while Leo settled the bill and ensured she was safely checked into the reserved room. Leo asked two security guards to stand watch at the door to ensure her safety.
The following morning, Leo walked into the room to find Gabrielle resting on the bed.
"Be prepared, we will be heading to Italy in an hour," Leo informed her casually, throwing away a bag of clothes that Carlos had bought.
"I’m not going anywhere," Gabrielle was adamant.
"I’ll give you two options. You can walk using your own legs," Leo offered.
"And the second option?" she inquired.
"You’ll be dragged. I’ll be back in fifty minutes," he mentioned before slamming the door.
Less than forty-five minutes later, his phone buzzed. It was Carlos informing him that he and his dad were in the car already. Leo entered the elevator and headed directly to the car, where everyone inside remained quiet.
They pulled over at the airstrip, and Gabrielle started to refuse to board the plane. Leo was already losing his patience with her.
"Look here, if it weren’t for me, you'd be lost in some sketchy place. So, shut up and get on the plane," Leo yelled at her. She spat on his face.
He let out a deep sigh and pulled his handkerchief from the pocket of his jacket. "Carlos, make sure to tie her up," Leo instructed him.
"What do you mean tie me up?" Gabrielle asked.
"You'll be tied up until you behave like a decent woman," Leo said.
Leo stepped out of the car upon hearing her screams, proceeded upstairs, and settled into his seat at the back of the private jet. Carlos placed her in the front seat, fastened her seatbelt, and took a seat beside her.
The flight was peaceful. Leo heard Gabrielle cry a couple of times, but she went without making a fuss.
The plane landed in Rome, and Carlos set her free. Leo's dad hopped into a car with his driver. Gabrielle and Leo traveled with Carlos. While heading back to Florence, she dozed off in the car, and he found himself studying her features. Leo couldn’t figure out what piqued his interest in her.
As they pulled up in front of their house, Leo's mom was already standing outside, eagerly waiting for them. They got out of the car and made their way up the stairs.
"Lorenzo, my boy, I'm glad you came back early," Letizia said, embracing him.
"Mom, this is Gabrielle," Leo introduced, and his mom shot Gabrielle a disapproving glance.
"Wasn't there a better one? Maybe taller and blonde?" Letizia asked straightforwardly.
"It's a displeasure to meet you too," Gabrielle responded with disdain before Leo could speak.
"You must respect me. You're inside my house," Letizia exclaimed with frustration.
"Not by my will," Gabrielle declared.
"That’s enough. Carlos, please take Gabrielle to her room immediately," Leo interjected.
"You are always dissatisfied with everything, Letizia," Maurizio mentioned.
"Lorenzo, son, make the right choice, as you will be spending the rest of your life with this woman," his mom advised.
"Mom, I’ve decided that it will be her. I only want a fake marriage. I intend to dedicate myself to the Mafia," Leo responded.
"That woman is not the right wife for you," Letizia said, disagreeing with his decision.
- Writer
