"You want me to be what?"
"Our informant" he repeated.
"You want me to be your informant" I pointed at myself for emphasis Why do I have to be the one to do this? Can't you hire someone for it?"
"I could do that, but it's too risky because I do not know who might betray us or who is connected to him."
"How are you so sure I'm not going to turn on you or I'm not related to him?"
"I have something you want" he crossed his leg, "For the second question, you are not related. I mean, just look at your dad. He keeps moving from one debt to another. If he was related and he knew about it, he would stick to him like a dirty worm."
The second response didn't come as a shock to me, as I was already aware of my dad's greed. His excitement about Cole and my engagement wasn't so much about being happy for me, but rather about having another person to whom he could leech on. The first question was what bothered me, "You have something I want?" I asked.
"Yes," he smiled smugly " I know who your mother is".
"My..mother?" I repeated, just to be sure I heard him correctly.
" Indubitably"
I did not have the time to ponder on how he knew such a word as my heart constricted, not of sadness this time. "You know my mother? Where is she? I want to see her!" I couldn't believe it.
"Hold your horses smart mouth," he chuckled,
" You will only get to see her once you've successfully secured the position and as a gift, I might release her if you provide all the information we need when you get there"
"Why do you have her ?" I asked bothered by the newfound information.
" that's not your business" he spat.
" but she's my mother!" It took a lot of self-control that I was still this calm.
"And my property"
"What do you mean?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
" Listen here, I do not have the time to start exchanging words with you, the decision is all yours, if you agree, we will immediately start the process, but if you don't I'm afraid we will have to use your previous suggestion"
I won't let her go this time, I lost her once I'm not ready to lose her again, " I agree" I said with a sigh escaping my lips.
"Good, we are on the same page now" he uncrossed his legs and then adjusted. " what we want is simple, we are going to plant you in his house, all you need do is not get caught as that would only mean one thing for you," he smiled then continued "a one-way ticket to hell. In that file is all you need to know about him, study it carefully don't forget even the most insignificant thing" he said not turning his gaze from me one bit.
I would not say the death part didn't freak me out, but I was ready to risk it, just for her, after all, I have nothing. "How are you going to plant me there?"
"Auctioning"
"What are you auctioning?"
"You need to start asking the right questions, it's not what we auctioning it's who we're auctioning " he slowly pronounced.
"Me?"
"Yes," he clapped, "you're catching up!"
I ignored his happiness," how is it going to get me there?"
" And I thought we were past the dumb question phase" he sighed dramatically," we are hosting an auction today, it was hard for us to invite him so don't mess it up, he's going to come and when he does he would buy you "
"What makes you so sure he would buy me?"
"He has a thing for green eyes, and yours my dear is emerald" he rested his back on the chair like the plan was already successful.
"Oh"
"So go get ready, we will need you in two hours"
"Okay"
I got up from the chair and opened the door to leave not before hearing " And please work on keeping your mouth shut if you wish to live"
I closed the door not bothering to answer him, Mario was standing outside he led me back to my room as this place was almost like a maze.
I stepped into the room with the file still clenched in my hands," For Mom!" she was the only thing keeping me going.
I sat on my bed reading the file from beginning to end three times in a row and with each new chapter, my heart raced.
Knock knock
Mario walked in and placed a gown and heels on the bed then left. A sign that it was time, I placed my hands on my chest trying to calm myself.
I picked the dress from bed my hands caressing the gorgeous wine-colored sleeveless velvet dress as I put it on, I slowly wore the silver heels and fixed my unkempt blonde hair then went outside.
Mario tied my eyes with a black scarf guarding me to the place where I would be auctioned.
Although my eyes were blindfolded, I could feel the gentle breeze caressing my skin.
When we got to the place, I could tell that there were a lot of people surrounding me, and their amusement was accompanied by laughter.
Mario took off my blindfold and left, my eyes scanned where I was, about 13 different girls of different age ranges lined up in a straight line ahead of me, I had expected to see prostitutes or girls eager to earn more money by being auctioned but that wasn't the case, they looked out of place even with the fancy gown and shoes they wore, some sniffling while the other stared hopelessly. My little finding was interrupted when I heard the auctioneer say, "Without further delay, cause I know some of our pants are already tickling, we shall start with our first item"
One of the goons standing at the front pushed the first girl out of the curtain, where the auctioning was taking place, I then realized that these people were also taken forcefully just like me.
"Long black hair, smooth porcelain skin, a slender beauty, Gentleman and women, here we have one of the finest slaves you will ever see in the city of Toquanto!! "
No wonder I had never heard of or seen this place before as Toquanto was two cities away from my father's house in Sicily.
Just before I was called in, Lucas came to meet me, he gave me a number written on a small paper which I hid inside my bra, before he left he warned, "When he finally gives you a phone be wise on what you save the number as and do not forget to do the necessary hence you will not like the consequences" with that he left singing a song that had 'roses are red' in it.
It was my turn finally, I wasn't pushed like the other girls probably because of Lucas. Immediately I entered, the blinding bright light disturbed my vision for some seconds before my eyes could adapt, the place was extremely packed with different men and women dressed elegantly but their souls were filled with dirt.
Whistles and Lust could be heard from different men, but this rowdy environment became suddenly quiet when a sturdy physique walked in, the clicking sound coming from the heels of his shoe could be heard due to the extreme quietness of the room. The room temperature seemed to have dropped as shivers enveloped people's skin even mine.
'He is here' I whispered to myself looking straight at him as he took his seat in the first row our eyes holding each other for far too long.
It was my turn," Long blonde hair that is as soft as feathers, smooth flawless porcelain skin, cherry lips, a graceful figure with alluring curves, and last but not the least, a beauty so captivating it could bring nations to their knees.!!!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, She is not only a priceless beauty but also a 21-year-old Virgin, ready to be ruined "
"Wait what" I turned to look at the auctioneer fear gripping me, ' this wasn't the agreement, he didn't mention me having to sleep with anybody!' My head exploded with different thoughts as my eyes met Lucas in the audience, the stern look he gave me made me almost scurry away, and his message was clear, "Don't fuck up my plans".
"We are starting with 10,000 Crowns " The auctioneer went on, ignoring me.
All I could do was bite my lips as I prayed that I get bought by him, as that was a better option than all the old lusty men that filled up the place.
"10,000 Crowns" An old man raised his placard, I could see his pot belly even though he was in the last row. I closed my eyes tightly and prayed.
"20,000 Crowns"
"100,000 Crowns" Realizing that none was coming from his side, I opened my eyes to look at Lucas who also seemed bothered.
"500,000 Crowns"
"700,000 Crowns" A voice came from the direction I was hoping it would, but when I looked at whose placard was raised, it wasn't the handsome demon but a skinny-looking man, who appeared to be around my father's age. Feeling disappointed as no one else raised their placard, I finally gave up. With a heavy heart, I stared at the ground, realizing it was over.
"Going once "
"Going twice"
"Going.."
" 1,000 Crowns" I looked up my eyes connecting with him, he paid! He paid!!! My heart leaped with joy while the crowd was immediately silenced and no one dared to speak anything at all.
"Sold to Mr Xavier, " The auctioneer said, disappointment written all over his face, I could not be bothered that I was bought with a mere 1,000 Crown which was not even the starting price, as long as it was him and not those old lechers.
He got up from his chair and threw the 1,000 Crown on the stage then said, "Bring her to my car" his voice was so silky it almost made me forget that no one here could look him in the eyes properly.
Immediately he left the room whispers erupted.
Lucas met us on our way out, "Good job, although I didn't earn much from you today but the future is brighter" he tapped my shoulders and then walked away.
Mario led me out of the hall and immediately I was welcomed by the cool breeze, shivering a little.
We walked to the black Maybach while Mario opened the door for me and closed it back. At this close range I could not help but admire him, he felt so ethereal that I couldn't believe my own eyes. He had a deep blue iris with some spark of gold, it reminded me of the sun reflecting on the ocean. I was stunned by his striking silver hair, which I discovered from the file that it was his natural hair color. His flawless jawline and nose were perfect.
I had never seen a man so beautiful, I tried to keep myself from drooling. ' I don't mind staying with him' That single thought crossed my mind.
Someone so elegant like an angel, that can have any girl or boy by just snapping his fingers shouldn't be like those old desperate geezers.
But the next instant, Xavier opened his mouth all my hopes vanished.
"Take off your dress" his once silky voice now sounded cold.