Chapter 9

Gwen's POV

It was a long drive through town. I saw places I had never seen before. Eventually, as the car continued to move with me in the back seat, the places I was seeing through the window got nicer. Finally, we got to a gate. I saw the man who gave the money to Madam Green roll down his side of the window.

He didn't say anything, but I saw his hand go up and next the gate opened by itself. The car drove into the most beautiful compound I have ever seen. There was a roundabout with flowers and beautiful grass.

"Wow!" That was the word that came out of my mouth, admiring the beautifully lit compound.

The car continued to drive down what I will describe as a mini road. It finally stopped in front of the most magnificent building I have ever seen. I didn't know places like this existed in the City of California. I guess I was living in the crappy side of the city.

I was so distracted by the places that I had forgotten I was a package for delivery, and we have reached my destination of delivery.

A hand grabbed me right after the door to the back seat was opened. The joy that filled me when I felt like I was on an excursion left me, and reality hit me like Madam Green's cigarette smoke.

"Please, please," I began to plead as the man roughly pulled me towards the beautiful building.

Despite all the strength I applied to freeing myself from his grip and also slowing him down, he walked majestically, not at all affected by what I was doing. He pulled me effortlessly like I was a piece of paper he was holding in his hand.

The front door was opened, and he dragged me inside. It had to avoid the beautiful environment, but with reality staring at me in the face, I could only think of saving myself. He dragged me up a long staircase and down a corridor and stopped in front of a door.

"I beg you. I will work to pay off the money," I pleaded, but it was like he couldn't hear me.

He opened the door and threw me inside like I was garbage. My heels, which I had taken off because I was struggling to walk in them, were thrown into the room with me. By the time I got up from the floor and got to the door, it was already locked. I banged on the door, but no response came.

"Please, let me out," I pleaded while banging on the door, but no one replied.

I turned around and looked behind me. There was a huge bed sitting just a distance away from where I was standing. The headboard of the bed was designed with cushions. Behind it was a square tiled wall with three small lights lined up on the ceiling above it. The bed sat on a woollen carpet. Directly opposite the foot of the bed was something built into the wall with fire inside it. Above it was a huge TV screen. There was a seat at the foot of the bed. It was the same length as the foot of the bed, and the wood used for it was no different from the wood used for the bed. On the other side of the room were two doors, both with a thick curtain gathered at the sides and a lace curtain in the middle. Behind it, I could see a balcony. There were two small, comfy seats with a round table in front of the door, close to the wall. The light was a ring with multiple lights standing on it. The place was sparkling, neat, and expensive. I had only seen this in movies. Never for once did I think it existed.

I stood there, close to the locked door, scanning the room. I heard the sound of a door unlocking, and I turned around quickly, focusing my gaze on the door. I took two steps back, staring at the door. I saw the doorknob slowly go down, and the door slowly opened. I took another step back, having a strong feeling, whoever was behind that door was the one about to take my virginity away from me.

The door opened, and a man strode in. I froze in place as I stared at him. He closed the door behind him and stared at me with a frown.

"It's you?" I said, recognising him as the man who had saved me from falling off the swing at the club. "It's me. The dancer from the club. I am the one you saved. Thank you," I said, very sure he was the one, he didn't say a word.

I saw him drawing closer to me, and I remained rooted to my spot, staring at him. He was wearing black trousers and a white long-sleeved shirt. He stopped right in front of me and grabbed me by the neck.

"Mr Ethan Grey, it's me, Gwen White. I was the one who did the solo dance at Girls' Girls Club," I said, holding his wrist with both of my hands.

"Hmmm," he groaned. "Another one of Dad's arrangements?" he said, and I was not sure I understood what that meant.

"Tell me, how much did he pay you to seduce me?" he asked, turning my head both ways.

"Pay?" I repeated the word, wondering what he was talking about.

"Don't play dumb with me, woman," he barked, and I felt my legs elevating from the floor as his grip on my neck got tighter.

"I am sorry," I apologised, trembling as my fears gripped me.

"Sorry for what?" he yelled and lifted me off the floor before letting go.

"Ah!" I cried as I fell to the floor, butt first.

"Women these days, you will do anything for money. Do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into?" he questioned, sounding very angry.

I shook my head while still lying on the floor, supporting my weight on my elbow, terrified of his angry reaction. I wasn't expecting that. He appeared so nice, charming, and very handsome when he saved me from falling at the club. He is still handsome, except he is not nice.

"I was brought here against my will," I said quickly. "I know you paid a huge sum of money because I am a virgin. Please, I am willing to work to pay off that debt. I can't do what you want me to do with you. Please don't tell Madam Green," I said, and quickly got up and went down on my knee.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, and I was now wondering what was going on.

"I am a waitress at the club where you saved me," I said.

"Saved you?" he repeated and bent his knee, coming down to my height. "Saved you from what?" he asked, staring at me with his hazel eyes.

For that moment, he locked gaze with me, and my fears went out the window. His neatly styled jet black hair left a curl on his face, like Superman.

"You still haven't told me how I saved you?" he said, interrupting the moment.

I snapped out of it and lowered my lashes. I sat on my heels and started fidgeting with my hands nervously.

"I was sitting on a swing. They lowered me onto the stage. I had my eyes closed because I am a little scared of heights. I thought I had reached the stage, so I let go of the ropes and fell into your arms," I narrated.

"What did you say your name was again?" he asked.

"Gwen White," I replied, and he reached for my hand.

He stood up and pulled me up with him. Once I was standing, he rested his hand on my shoulder and started walking me to the door. He opened the door and pushed me out of the room, to my surprise. I ran into the wall, as I was not expecting the push. My heels were thrown out next, and the door closed in my face.

"That was weird," I whispered to myself and picked up my heels.

I was glad he didn't make any attempt to touch me. I started walking down the corridor, recalling how I got there when the other guy dragged me in. I found the staircase and started descending it. I was thinking of what to do. If I don't go back to the club, Madam Green will make my life miserable, and if I go back there, what will she do to me? These were the thoughts running through my mind as I descended the staircase.

I was so distracted that I missed a step. My hands started reaching for something to hold on to, but I fell into the hands of another man. His eyes were blue and his hair was blonde.

"Hey, beautiful," he said and smiled.

What is this place? And why is it crawling with very attractive men? I thought as I stared at the man who had rescued me.

He steadied me and offered me his hand.

"I am Elliot Grey, Ethan's younger brother," he introduced with a smile.

Okay, so this one is welcoming. I thought and accepted the handshake. He turned my hand and planted a kiss on the back of my hand to my surprise.

"Elliot, what are you doing with your brother's woman?" I heard another male voice.

I raised my head, and standing just a distance away was an elderly man, but he was very handsome. His eyes were blue too, and his hair was black. He didn't look happy. With him was the man who gave the money to Madam Green.