CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Before I could respond, I heard heavy footsteps approaching us. I pried away from Lucky’s gaze to see a security guard heading our way. I groaned inwardly, wondering why the guards seemed adept at ruining my time with handsome men. First Justin… and now Lucky. When would I catch a break?
The guard was a fair-skinned individual who towered above us, wearing dark-rimmed glasses and a deep cut line for lips. He looked terrifying. I pressed myself closer to Lucky and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder in an almost possessive manner. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for the auction and Miss Chambers would like Stella to join the line-up.”
A few other girls around the room were also getting escorted out by guards. Others watched on in longing, wishing they were the ones to be paraded on the stage where rich, handsome men could bid on a night with them. I nodded, my heart beating faster than ever.
Lucky was still hesitant to let me go. His eyes narrowed at the guard whose expression seemed to be made of stone. “Now.” He said, his voice hollow and emotionless.
“I won’t let anyone take you home.” Lucky whispered, his warm breath caressing against my ear. “You will be mine.” He whispered, squeezing me tight before finally letting go. I felt incomplete without his arms wrapped around me.
I took one more glance at him before I followed the guard. He led me backstage where Victoria was already waiting, a grin on her lips. “Did you enjoy your time with Mr. Malik?” She asked, running her fingers along my cheeks. “By the flush on your face, I would say you more than enjoyed yourself.” She chuckled, moving around me as if inspecting me.
“Emmanuel.” She called out and a flamboyant-looking man emerged from the curtains, carrying a makeup case in his hand. “Would you mind giving her a little touch up before the auction. I want her to be the grand finale.”
Victoria disappeared and I was left with this strange man who seemed to think he could wear purple corduroy pants with a pink, ruffled shirt. “Oh, my… who applied this makeup, girl? It’s all patchy… this will never do.” He clicked his tongue in disappointment and opened the case, pulling out more makeup than I had ever seen in my life.
He sat me down on the couch and started to take over my face. He seemed to know what he was doing because twenty minutes later, he handed me a mirror and I swear the woman looking back at me wasn’t me. “Wow…”
“I think I deserve more than a wow.” He said, his hand on his hip, pouting at me. “You’re my masterpiece!” I blushed deeply, still looking at my reflection. He had contoured parts of my face, making my cheeks look sharp and dazzling. His choice of color really brought out my eyes. I looked like an entirely different person.
“It’s great…” I said, still unable to express my gratitude properly.
He shook his head, closing his case with a flourish before walking away. Now alone, I could hear girls giggling somewhere nearby. Beyond that were several voices, calling out numbers. It was the auction. $10,000… $11,000…. The bid halted at $11,000 with the auctioneer’s gavel echoing. One lucky – and very wealthy – man was going to go home with a beautiful woman for the night. I fidgeted in my seat, hoping to get at least half as much. It would really help with the bills…
“Are you ready?” Victoria’s voice emerged behind me, but before I could turn around, I felt something soft and silky against my eyes as I was plunged into darkness.
“What are you doing?”
“Relax. Just enjoy the experience.” She whispered, tying off the blindfold and helping me to my feet. With her help, I was led on stage. It was a strange experience with all the hot lights beaming down on me. I stood there, feeling awkward. Occasionally, someone would cough, but otherwise, there was dead silence in the room. I wondered if Lucky was watching me. The thought alone sparked a sense of excitement between my legs.
“And lastly, we have Estella Ryder. She’s a first timer at Breslyn’s, but my friends, she’s not going to disappoint you. She has tremendous potential. We’ll start the bidding at $500,000.” I nearly gasped at Victoria’s words. Did she just say $500,000? Half a million dollars?
All around the room, I could hear men calling out numbers, going higher and higher. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Were these men actually willing to spend that much money on me?
Suddenly, someone called out one million dollars. It felt like you could hear a pin drop in the room. My heart stopped. This had to be a dream. A million dollars? It wasn’t possible…
“A million dollars going once…” Victoria’s voice was higher in pitch as if she too couldn’t believe it. “Going twice…” The room was still quiet. No one dared to break the silence. She slammed the gavel down and I felt a shiver run through my spine. The bidding had ended… at one million dollars.
Someone grabbed me by the elbow and led me off the stage. I had no idea how I managed to walk when my legs felt like they had turned into jelly. In the back, someone took off my blindfold. I blinked in the bright light, seeing Victoria standing there. I could see her lips and they were curved into a radiating smile. “Congratulations, dear.” She said, getting closer. “You’re now a rather wealthy woman.” There was a hint of mystery to her voice that I couldn’t quite figure out as if she was hiding something from me.
“A security guard will take you to your room for the night. There, you will meet your patron. Are you ready, Estella?” She asked, resting a hand on my shoulder.
I found myself nodding even as butterflies formed in my stomach. “Yes.”
I wanted to say more – to ask all the questions I had on the tip of my tongue, but I was still too numb. The questions buzzed around in my head like a swarm of flies. How could someone pay so much money to be with me? Was it Lucky or some other man? What was going to happen to me now?
A guard appeared, whisking me away before I could ask any of them.