01. Sold Off
“You want to quit?” a woman said lazily as she placed her legs across her desk, her stick of cigarettes burning in between her fingers.
She eyed the young lady in front of her, wearing a brown dress that was too big for her body.
The latter in return nodded, “Yes…ma’am.” Her words came out slowly in deep breaths. Even though her head was bowed, her subtle actions only made her boss uncomfortable.
“Ariel, you don’t have to do this. What’s happening? If you quit, you can’t find a job like this anywhere else. Do you need me to do anything for you? Increase your pay or anything?” the woman asked Ariel seriously.
But it seemed her mind was made up and her lips were sealed.
“Fine.” The boss said, a bit of annoyance showing in her voice.
She brought her legs down, opened her drawer, took out some cash and slammed it against the table.
“Are you sure you want to leave, Ariel?” She stared at her, hoping she would change her mind again. “ You do know the implications of leaving, don't you? If you leave, I won't accept you back. This is your last chance to reconsider your decision.” The woman warned her carefully; her tone was calm but carried tension underneath.
Ariel's chest tightened, and she immediately forgot how to breathe for a second.
She remembered that voice in her head.
“Quit your job in two days. You will be leaving this place after all, so it's useless.”
She nodded, holding back her tears.
“Well then. This is the money. You can leave. Bye.” Her boss sounded rather disappointed and turned her face away, almost like she couldn’t wait for her to leave.
Ariel, with shaky hands, picked the money from the table and bowed her head appreciatively.
“Thank you.”
She walked out thereafter.
They wouldn’t understand her or her choices anyway.
As Ariel walked back home, she gently wiped the tears that slipped out of the corner of her eyes. Every step that brought her closer to that hellish place she called a house only made her want to dig a hole and crawl into it.
Finally, she was standing in front of the house, and her grip on her small purse tightened. She gulped, exhaled heavily before walking to the door.
As she got closer, she could hear the familiar laughter coming from inside, which instantly ceased immediately she pushed the door open.
The pair of eyes landed on her, and Ariel's legs shook, almost leading her to fall to the ground.
“You are here.” An elderly woman with a crazy hairstyle sneered after seeing her. “I thought you were probably going to escape again. Get prepared. Your father will be here with the visitor. He needs you to get ready immediately. He is an Alpha, and he doesn't like it when he is delayed.” Her stepmother, Jackie, blabbered to her before taking her seat happily on the couch.
When Ariel wasn't moving, she twisted her neck to look at her again, but this time, it was as if she had seen something disgusting.
“Well, what are you waiting for? You have finally found a way to make things right, but you are being sluggish here. Get to work, girl, and stop lollygagging!” She half yelled at her, and Ariel hurried to her room.
Yes, she was getting married tonight. She quit her only source of income because she was going to get married.
As she walked to her room, she passed by her stepsister's, but instead of walking away, she paused and decided to eavesdrop on her conversation. She was laughing on the phone with her friend, and her legs were playfully dangling in the air.
“Don’t worry, I will be resuming school with you all…the money? That filthy girl will be sold off in the form of marriage tonight. According to my mother, we will make a huge sum because she is exactly what the Alpha is looking for. I don't care…I heard the Alpha has a mate and a room of concubines, he even runs a s*x club underground, she might end up there…” Her stepsister burst into laughter heartily, mocking the wounds of Ariel once more.
Ariel was shaking with anger. She clenched her fists, and her eyes turned red due to the tears that were threatening to escape.
So this was the real reason. It was not about her father forgiving her, it wasn't about making up for the crime in the past, which she wasn't even sure if she was guilty of it…it was about settling the greedy needs of his wife and other child.
She was getting sold off because of them. Why? Ariel couldn’t hold it any longer and broke down in tears. She covered her mouth with her palm and rushed to her room.
She fell to the ground and cried her heart out. Why didn't she matter to her father at all? Was this how much he dreaded her?
