~Ariel~
"Boys, strip her". I went pale. No! No! This cannot be happening to me.
"No...please d-don't...I beg you please....stop!.." I cried trying to get away from them. But how do I get away when I'm tied to a pillar?.
They untied me and my first instinct was to run but they grabbed me before I could even think of making a move. They ripped off my clothes despite my struggles.
I kept pleading but no one bothered listening to me.
"Fuck, we're rich! Just take a look at her" One of them said, after they stripped me completely. I wrapped my hands around myself trying to cover up my body.
I couldn't help thinking about the dead girls. What do these men want from me?. Am I going to be raped as well?. Is this really how I'm going to die?. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Such beauty! Can we have a taste of her boss? We can't let her go to the auction ground with having a taste of this hot body" The third one spoke and I switched to panic mode.
Auction? What auction? Am I being sold?. Like a commodity?.
"Please don't do this....please... I'm an orphan trying to make a living..." I pleaded in tears while the boss stared intently at me.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. We're all orphans trying to make a living too. It's a win win. Don't be greedy" The second mocked.
"She's tempting, yes! She has an enticing shape, yes! But you know how brutal we are. We might rape her to death before the auction. We can't afford to loose such money" He said and relief washed through me.
"But boss, we can't just let another have his way with this temptress before we do. Fine, we won't have her if you don't want us to but atleast keep her as your personal sex slave" Another suggested while others glared at me.
I shook my head, pleadingly. I prayed deep down he wouldn't accept. I should have just stayed back. Why didn't I hide properly from him?. If I had taken his offer, I would have been better off than now.
"You're right but before that, let's find out how much she's worth" He said and they all seemed to agree.
Why am I so unfortunate, huh?. He ordered them to lock me up and get me dolled up for the auction tonight.
"No....please..." I sobbed as they dragged me away. I prayed for a savior though I knew I had none. But what could I do?.
Nothing! Just hope and wait for a miracle.
*
*
"I won't go up there. I'll scream and tell them what you do" I yelled, banging the door.
Earlier, they had sent three women to dress me up. I was no different from a whore now. I just wanted to get away.
The door opened suddenly and the boss entered. I stepped back, a bit scared. He grabbed me face and I winced in pain.
"Do you wanna die?" He asked and I sniffed a 'no'. He let go, shoving me go the floor. He brought out a gun and my breath hitched.
"If you don't wanna die right now, get moving" He ordered and I got up quickly and walked outside with him, behind me.
My heart pounded heavily as he led me backstage.
".....her lips are intoxicating...."
".....her steps like a prowess..."
"....her body like a flame of burning desire..."
I stopped listening to whatever they were saying. I was busy thinking of how to escape. Should I run?. Can I really do that on stage?. No! Those men would probably grab me and my nightmare will come soon quicker.
I felt the cold metal press against my neck and I swallowed.
"Go on that stage quickly and don't try anything stupid else I'll shoot you, got it?" He threatened and I nodded quickly.
He shoved me forward and I quickly got on stage. The crowd cheered like it was normal. Was this normal?. There's certainly no escaping for me.
"Let the bidding begin" The other guy announced and I rolled my eyes. I hope his sister shares the same fate as I.
"Six hundred..." My heart raced.
"Seven hundred...." I swallowed.
"One thousand..." Someone yelled and I bit my lip anxiously.
"....Three thousand..." Another countered.
".....Six thousand...." I gasp. How are they jumping so high?. I'm doomed!
".... seven thousand....."
".. I'll give you motherfuckers a ten!..." Another countered. I began praying to any God who was willing to listen.
".... fifteen....."
"...twenty....."
"Twenty-five..."
"Thirty thousand..." There was silence. I bit my lip to suppress my tears. Is my fate already sealed for thirty thousand won?.
"Forty...." I felt like laughing at the ridiculousness of the prizes. How could you waste so much for just one plain woman you would dump after sleeping with.
I glanced at the crowd, ignoring the bidding for a moment. They look very sophisticated and rich. That was probably the only reason they could this much without batting an eyelash.
"Fifty thousand!" The price pierced right through my thoughts. The whole place was dead silent. My heart was threatening to jump out of my chest.
"Fifty thousand! Going... anyone else....fifty thousand....." The annoying man on stage spoke.
"Fifty five..." Someone spoke.
"Seventy thousand.." The first man countered again. I traced the audiences' eyes to the bidder.
Hold on....I know this face. It's familiar but I can't remember where exactly I saw it.
"Seventy-five..." Another said and horror sank in.
"Hundred thousand" He said again and silence followed. No one spoke again. I zoned out completely, thinking of where exactly I saw the face. I kept thinking until someone pulled me off stage.
"I hope you're happy now" I spat as he led me outside. He scoffed and continued dragging me.
We got outside and met the bidder. He handed over a briefcase and took me in exchange.
"Who are you?" I asked as he led me away. He didn't reply. He led me to a red Porsche and I gasped as I saw the person leaning against the car.
I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It was really him. He really came!. Happiness washed through me and I ran into his arms without thinking.
You're hugging me too tight" He sighed and I quickly released him.
"Sorry sir" I smiled.
"Stop smiling, I didn't do it for you. I wasn't ready for my mom's nagging".
It doesn't matter why he did it. The most important thing is he came. The cold hit me and I shivered.
"Get in. Don't freeze on me" He said opening the door and I smiled.
"Stop smiling and get in" He groaned and I got in still smiling.
NNow I know where I saw that guy. He is one of Canaan's guards. I looked at him. He was using his phone and sucking his lip childishly.
"Thank you sir" I told him. I didn't expect him to reply so I faced the window.
"Don't get used to it" I heard a quiet reply and smiled.
"I would never dream of it, sir" I chuckled.