Olivia POV's

I can't see anything …

Both my eyes are covered with a cloth. I have no idea what they plan to do with my body. I can't even feel my own tears. The baritone voices of several people overlap; some are giving directions, while others speak sternly to me.

"Don't make it worthless, one scratch can ruin everything!" one of them says.

I don't know what the faces of the people guiding me somewhere look like. My steps are led, as if walking through an endless corridor. Finally, all movement stops, and I hear the creak of a door opening.

"Quick, bring her in! They're already waiting."

Who is waiting? Why do I feel so anxious hearing those words?

"Si-sir, what are you going to do to me?" I ask, trying to confirm what might happen.

There is no answer for a few minutes until someone steps closer and whispers directly into my ear.

"Didn't I tell you? This is all your father's fault for leaving debts and using you as collateral. I need my money more than your body, so I will sell you to the rich who can pay your father's debt." The voice is all too familiar.

Yes, it's Mr. Bryan. A ruthless loan shark who shows no mercy when collecting his money. He even imposes high-interest rates on those who are late. I don't know what my father was thinking when he borrowed money from this cruel man.

Since Mr. Bryan forcefully took me, my mind has been preoccupied with my own safety. How could it not? They seem to relish the beauty of my body. I am so scared that they will do things to me that I do not want. What if they really do intend to?

However, those thoughts vanish now that Mr. Bryan has told me his intentions. Of course, he could get his money back by offering me to many wealthy men like an item for sale. My feelings grow more turbulent, especially since I don't know where they are taking me.

"W-what? Sell me? S-sir, I can work without pay, please don't sell me," I plead desperately, hoping for some compassion in Mr. Bryan.

"What? Work without pay? People like you and your father make me laugh. You beg when you borrow, but when the due date arrives, you try to run and hide. Luckily, I am not a man easily fooled. I will not let you go until my money is returned!" Mr. Bryan reveals, sounding annoyed with my plea.

In this situation, with my eyes covered, I can feel his irritation. Mr. Bryan has a stern face, his sharp eyes enhancing his cruelty.

Before today, I had planned an escape. I couldn't pay my father's enormous debt, especially with the interest that kept increasing daily. Mr. Bryan even raised the interest, making me feel even more strangled.

This time, it seems I must resign myself to the situation. After all, my life has been ruined from the start.

Everything began a year ago, right before my father passed away. He left a message that shocked me. Father said he owed a lot of money to a loan shark. In that message, he also mentioned that I had to pay off all his debts.

I never imagined that father would use me as his collateral. Right after his death, some people came looking for him. Initially, I managed to pay little by little until Mr. Bryan' patience wore thin. Here I am now, in a place I do not recognize.

Last time, Mr. Bryan gave me a mini dress, and a woman did my makeup right before they brought me here. I didn't have a chance to look in the mirror after it was all done because they immediately blindfolded me and took me away.

"Hey! Quickly bring her in! Everyone has been waiting," orders Mr. Bryan to his henchmen.

My hand is pulled forcefully, as if I am a pet. Maybe they never see people like me as human, especially when their possessions cannot return according to their wishes. Still in darkness, I can hear the noise they make—men—whoever they are.

I hear snippets of praise. Not only that, I can also hear their desires for me.

Am I some kind of spectacle?

"Mr. Bryan, w-where am I?" I ask fearfully.

My body trembles; I feel like I'm on a stage. I know this because I stomped my feet a few times and felt what I was standing on. The floor beneath me is made of wood; from my place, I sense they are in a lower position than I am.

Faintly, I hear someone walking closer. Then, the noise from the people diminishes.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Well, this time, we have a beautiful girl who is still untouched. You can see her beautiful curves, can't you? Are you curious about her face?" explains a man, as if promoting something.

Yes, he is offering my body to the men out there. What is this? What will they do to me?

Suddenly, the man beside me pulls off the blindfold that has been blinding me. The light shining on me makes my vision blurry for a moment. Until I can clearly see who is in this large room.

What is this scene? Why are there so many unfamiliar faces staring at me with lust?

The atmosphere feels so oppressive, I feel like an item being fought over by beauty admirers. My eyes roam, looking for Mr. Bryan or anyone I might recognize. Unfortunately, I can't find a single person who can help me.

My lips feel stiff; I am hesitant to ask for help. Is it possible they will make me a slave after this?

Father, what did I do wrong? Why did you send misfortune to me in succession?

God, I am scared. How can I be free if everyone seems to be fighting over me?

Many pairs of lustful eyes desire me, evident from the way they look at me.

"So beautiful, isn't she? The highest bidder will take her home. Are you ready?" The man in the black vest beside me starts the bidding.

One by one, I see the faces of those men looking like my father. I am sure they are in their forties or maybe older. I don't know…

I feel so confused, my tears feel dry as I want to cry out loud. I hear the amounts they bid, so much that I think, is this why father used me as collateral for his debt?

Now I know the price of my body in the eyes of those men. It's so sad to know. They haven't even touched me, yet I already feel filthy.

I search for Mr. Bryan, hoping he is around. Sure enough, he is behind the stage. He is massaging his temples every time those men mention an amount for my body. Faintly, I can hear his complaints, though softly.

"A hundred thousand dollars, at least she should sell for that price. They are very rich, why can't they see good merchandise?!" Mr. Bryan complains to one of his henchmen.

Without realizing it, I start to cry. My body trembles; my legs feel like they can no longer support my weight. I almost fall, but the man beside me says, "Hey, don't lower your head! Raise your head and look at them!"

"S-sorry, Sir. I am scared, I want to go home," I say to the man. My voice chokes; this is as frightening as chains binding me tightly.

The hope of getting out freely seems bleak. I am sure they will not release me.

"Alright, we will start at one million, is there anyone who will bid higher? You will not regret it, this girl is truly untouched, and we can guarantee it. Not only that, she can also be a good slave."

The explanation makes me feel sick, really they only think of their desires to own my body. One million is a big number; it could pay off my father's debt. But why is this man still opening the bids? Are there still those who will bid higher?

"Two million!" shouts a man sitting not far from the stage.

My eyes widen; they have so much money to bid me at such a high price. A lot of money could change my life. But unfortunately, all of it belongs to Mr. Bryan. I am sure he will not give me a single penny after all this is over.

"Hey, you! Raise your head and smile at them! Don't make them lower the bid!" This man looks more annoying than Mr. Bryan' henchmen.

I look like a doll they control. Smile? I even forgot how to do it. In the tense atmosphere, I try to remain calm, but I always fail. Let alone smiling, I can't even lift my head and look at them. I am too scared and confused, making it difficult to do so.

I see them getting restless after that. I can hear the numbers going up, while my body trembles more hearing it. Money indeed can buy everything, including my helpless body.

"Three million!"

I am terrified; my heart beats rapidly, as if this is the end of my life.

The man beside me speaks again, asking them if anyone wants to bid higher.

"The bid stops at three million. Is there anyone else? If not, I will close the final bid." His voice halts as a man stands up and raises his hand.

"Fifty million dollars." The man successfully makes the entire room uproarious. No one dares to move after that number is mentioned.

Not only them, but I also widen my eyes perfectly upon hearing the amount. Fifty million is an enormous figure. I could buy anything with all that. But, is that the right price for my body?