"See, even an ugly duck could look like a swan with these things." Abi's throat closed on a hard swallow as she looked at herself in the window glass. The dress was too tight even for her thin frame. Her breasts were falling out of it like melons.
And it was too short too. If she would sit, her dress would fall apart and show. Her face burnt. "You should have put on more makeup to hide the wounds." she had painted enough of that powder and reddened her lips.
She found herself degraded just by standing there in this way. No one would believe that she was innocent if she would leave the house like this.
And he was a respectable warmer with a gentle personality. He looked no less than a pimp. She hurled the box away and faced him.
"Where are we going?" he raised a brow, surprised by her question. Did it matter where they went? All she could see was the ceiling. Or they might do it on walls. Men these days enjoy that quick deal. "I do not want to go to a private place. What if they outdone us? What if they used me and did not pay you?" she added with a shudder, "i have seen it happening many times."
Her father paused, looking worried. He did not trust Abi. but what she had to gain with this lie. He stared hard at her as if trying to gauge a reaction from her.
"You do not trust me." Her heart was pounding in her throat. If he did not fall for her lie, she would be doomed. Go to a bar and meet him. Lord Bruke. Her hands clutched the dress tightly. That was her last chance to save her and her mother. "If you are confident enough.." she shrugged, "I am going to lose anyway. Why would it matter to me? " She took a step forward. It felt like lead but she did.
The gamble of her life. She was not prepared for it. But she had no choice.
"Oh Abigail, you are a fool through and through." Her father's high laugh sent a chill down her spine. She could not get caught. Was he listening to their conversation when she was alone in the room? "No matter where you spread your legs, if you think you would be able to outrun me, you are a fool." she caught her relief in her heart before she showed it on her face and looked behind toward the room where her mother was sleeping.
"We both know that I would never leave her alone. I have nowhere to run as long as she is here." but that did not mean she could not bring help. But she kept that thought to herself. Her father finally seemed convinced and nodded.
"Hmm, he had asked me to deliver you in the factory. He had said he and his friends were waiting for you there." her nails dug deep into her skin. He and his friends. Just how many were there? And did he not feel an ounce of guilt while giving his one and only daughter to men.
She was not asking for a loving and caring father but she could dream of a less cruel one!
"But i will send a word that you will only be available at the bar. The place was cheap and full of people. I know a few of them. They will help if I offer a share." The smirk on his face burnt her soul. How proud and joyous he looked after selling her.
But for the grace of god, he had chosen the bar. The bar!
"We should hurry then. Come." he placed his hand on her waist. Her skin prickled. It felt like reptiles were clawing on it. The itchy feeling that should only come with the touch of a stranger was clawing her.
"Your waist is worth that coin. Who knows how popular you will be, Abigail. When you earn well, I will treat you better. You will not sleep hungry again and have many of these dresses. That day.." he looked at her with a smug smile on her face. How her hands itched to punch him to remove that smile off his face, "you will thank me for forcing you today." never! She would never give herself. That man's name is Bruke! Oh if he would not be there, she would find a chance to kill this bastard father of hers and run away with her mother.
She was sure his death would be blamed on the thugs in the bar. They often have street brawls when one fails to pay their debt. She would cry like she was hurt and then sell everything she had. Bruke or no Bruke, she was going to have a better life.
She was surprised to see that two other men were standing outside. They tilted their head and looked at her with a grinning face. Their eyes raked on her body as if they were disrobing her with their eyes. And the way they licked their lips left her skin crawling.
She struggled under the grip of her father but he only tightened it.
"It is too late to run away. You are going with us." and before she could struggle further they came and held her by her hands, ready to drag her all the way to the bar. Her defense kicked in and she was ready to kick one of them between his legs but she stopped on time.
"You do not need to do that. I will come with you as long as you give me a part of the income to save my daughter." the man laughed, as if she was a fool. Their eyes met hers and her father informed her, "have you ever seen a sheep asking to share the wool she was robbed with, Abigail? You are a fool through and through."