The fact that Caroline is leaving is making me reconsider my decision. This whole thing was Caroline’s idea and it’s hard to imagine being here without her. I follow her back to our room and watch her pack up her clothes.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” she asks.

I shrug my shoulders. I don't really know.

“Why don't you want to?” I ask.

“I don’t really know,” she shrugs as well. “I thought I would. I mean, when she first came out and talked about the auction, it sounded exciting. But now, I don't know. There’s something about it that’s just off. I mean, isn’t it a little odd?”

I nod. “It’s definitely not a normal thing to do.”

“I mean, don't get me wrong, the guys are really attractive. And obviously rich. I just don't think I can make it up there to the podium. And what if he wants me to do something that I don't want to do?”

“Like what?” I ask. I don't mean to be cheeky, but I wasn't aware of anything sexual that Caroline didn’t do. She has had a threesome, she had anal sex, she even went to an orgy. I’m pretty sure that she has done everything there is to do, even tried a little bit of bondage and tying up.

I look at Caroline. She is staring down at the floor and shuffling her feet a little.

“I just can’t do this,” she says. She actually looks terrified. Suddenly, my trepidation about my own decision starts to feel more like anxiety. I’m not nearly as experienced as Caroline and if she’s not doing this, then maybe I shouldn’t be doing this either.

The whole experience reminds me a lot of going to Six Flags when I was thirteen. I went with a good friend of mine and she was all set on riding the biggest rollercoasters. Then she chickened out. I was afraid to go in the first place, and after she refused to go, I was questioning my decision even more. That time in Six Flags, I decided to go along with her. But this time, something is keeping me here. I’m afraid and uncertain, but I can’t make myself go.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” Caroline asks, one last time. She’s holding her bag and Lizbeth is at the door waiting to escort her to the helicopter.

I nod. Lizbeth has a satisfied look on her face and a small little smile. She knows what’s about to happen and she isn’t staying. I give Caroline a brief hug and tell her that I’ll see her soon. I don't actually know how long I’m going to stay on the yacht. Maybe I’ll be back tomorrow, maybe I’ll stay a few days. This whole place is so mysterious, I’m afraid that I’m going to make a wrong move and do something improper at any moment.

When Caroline leaves, my chest seizes up. My hands feel clammy and all blood drains from my face. What have I done? I feel sick to my stomach and sit down on the bed to calm myself. Did I really just stay here all alone? How the hell am I going to get off this yacht if I do want to leave? Is the contract really binding? What if I watch the beginning of the auction and then I want to leave? A million thoughts run through my mind at a speed of a thousand miles per minute. I feel like I’m going to pass out. I lie down on the bed and close my eyes.

A knock at the door wakes me up. I don't know how long I’ve been asleep.

“Come in.”

A girl who was sitting across the room from me walks in. She’s tall and thin and gorgeous and looks just as terrified as I feel. She introduces herself as Olivia.

“I’m sorry to bother you, I’m just trying to find another person who stayed.”

“Really? Did not many people stay?” I ask.

“I don’t think so. I tried a number of rooms before I got to yours and no one responded,” Olivia says.

Wow, that does not make me feel any better.

There’s another knock on the door. Lizbeth comes in and tells us that the auction is starting soon.

“What should we wear?” Olivia asks.

“You can wear what you’re wearing now,” Lizbeth says. “Or you can change into something more provocative. It’s up to you and how you want to present yourself.”

“More provocative?” I ask. I’m already wearing a hip hugging dress and heels.

“Some girls have chosen to wear only a bra and panties and some even go up there naked.”

Oh my God. My heart sinks. What have I done? Bra and panties? Going stark naked in a room full of strangers? Suddenly, I’m coming to the realization that I’m way out of my league. The girls who do this must be made of steel and have the confidence of a rich wealthy man. They must have gorgeous bodies without a single imperfection.

“It’s really up to you,” Lizbeth says, probably sensing my hesitation. “The girls have been successful wearing dresses, pants, and everything in between. You really just want to go up there and be your true self.”

Yeah right, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. When Lizbeth leaves, Olivia turns to me and says that she’s going to strip down to her bra and panties.

“It’s just like a swimsuit and if it fetches a better price, then why not?”

I shake my head.

“No, I can’t do that,” I say. “Aren’t you scared, though?”

“Yes, terrified,” she says, taking off her dress. Her push up bra makes her breasts look amazing. She’s wearing a thin lacy thong on the bottom. Her stomach is flat and almost chiseled.

“You’ve got an amazing body,” I say.

“Thanks, you too,” she says politely.

“Yeah, right,” I say with a shrug. My stomach is not really flat and I’m about five inches shorter than she is. She seems to be all legs while my legs are kind of on the short side.

“If you feel uncomfortable, you should just wear that dress. You look amazing in it.”

I nod. That’s probably what I’m going to do. After giving myself a brief once over in the mirror, I follow Olivia back to the main cabin.