Chapter 3
Rena's POV.
Night fall…
Roland and I arrived at an island and he led me to an exclusive auction house. Apparently, where he wanted to bring me, the reason he was acting so weird earlier, was this auction house.
He explained that he didn't want to tell me about it because I wouldn't want to accompany him, which was why he acted detached to pique my interest.
As for our party, he said it was after the auction. His grandmother's birthday was fast approaching and he wanted us to get her a memorable gift.
Roland wasn't wrong. Big gatherings with wealthy people always unsettled me, so I don't go with him. But this time, I couldn't be angry because he did it for his grandma, and my interest at heart.
As we entered the hall, the atmosphere buzzed with high-society men and women, their designer attire and jewelry gleamed under the crystal chandeliers, though my outfit wasn't lacking in the sea of luxury.
I could even boast of being the best dressed, and most beautiful woman in the room. Roland made sure of that.
As we navigated through the crowd, Roland held my hand, introducing me to everyone with a smile.
"This is my gem, the treasure I picked and polished. A priceless piece," he said boastfully, making me blush.
Every pair of eyes shifted to me, checking me out with unmasked lust.
"Indeed, she's one of a kind."
"She's an extremely rare gem you've got there, Roland, my boy. Good job. You never disappoint," An obese man with messy hair and lazy aptitude spoke, patting Roland on the shoulder.
I felt disgusted and I couldn't stay there anymore, but couldn't leave my man. Glancing around, I suddenly realized the caliber of men in the room. They all had dark auras around them, as if I'd stepped into the underworld.
Every man walked with two guards. Many had bald heads, tattoos, and were excessively strong.
I may not have encountered members from mafia organizations before, but from reading and watching TV, I could tell this was a mafia gathering. The discovery sent a shockwave through me and my grip on Roland tightened.
However, he seemed oblivious to my fears. He was too engrossed in making connections and exchanging pleasantries with the other elite guests. And when he found his best friend, Soni, I became a backdrop.
I was soon left alone and abandoned by my boyfriend who was now focusing on discussing business with Soni.
Soni, with a nonchalant air around her, had never put me in her eyes. She's told Roland a few times that I wasn't worth his time, not caring if I was there. She made it clear she didn't like me, and I also tried to stay away from her. And now was one of those times.
Although I was alone, those lustrous gazes accompanied me. I could even see some disgusting men licking their lips as they watched me.
Feeling overwhelmed, I excused myself to use the restroom, seeking refuge from the suffocating attention. The auction hadn't started yet, but I already felt like a prize on display.
Inside the safety of the ladies room, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. Roland's "gem" was dressed to impress, but beneath the elegant facade, I felt useless, sad, and angry.
My mind suddenly drifted back to the contract. I had scrutinized it before signing it. There was nothing wrong with it. There were only two clauses.
The first clause stated that I'd sleep with Roland's potential business partner for a night. And the second clause, however, brought me immense relief. It stated that my mother would start receiving medical treatment tomorrow.
That thought alone made my apprehensions fade away. Although I couldn't believe that my boyfriend would make me sleep with another man, and it made me really disappointed. .
However, he made me understand that he was desperate to get the contract. His other brothers were also vying for the same contract. So, when the man told him he could only get the contract if he let me share his bed, Roland couldn't say no.
I clenched my fist. Once my mom gets better, I'm breaking up with Roland and leaving the country. He has sold me to get a contract, who would say that he won't sell me again in the future?
As I stepped out of the ladies' room, I collided with another woman, almost knocking her off her feet. It was an accident but she didn't see it that way.
"What the fuck, are you blind, bitch?!"
"I'm sorry, it was an accident," I apologized.
"Fuck you and your clumsy self!" she hissed, but as she walked past, she rammed her shoulder against mine, making my step falter.
I lost my balance, but before I could react, my feet slipped from beneath me, making me shrill. As I hovered the floor, almost hitting the ground, I felt a pair of strong arms encircle my waist, steadying me.
Dazed, I lifted my gaze to thank my savior. My eyes met the piercing stare of a mature man in his early forties. His rugged features, chiseled jawline, and silver-flecked hair exuded an air of authority and confidence.
Time seemed to freeze as our eyes locked. I felt a flutter in my chest, surprised by the intensity of his gaze. His firm grip remained around my waist, holding me upright.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his deep voice rumbling with a gentle vibration that resonated through my entire being.
I swallowed hard, feeling my heart drum wildly in response. His words were laced with genuine concern, but it was the sound of his voice that truly unsettled me, in a good way.
It was deep, too deep with a vibration that made me want to keep hearing him speak.
I nodded silently, still entranced by his commanding presence. My gaze remained locked on his, spellbound by the intensity of his eyes and the handsomeness I'd never seen before. .
"Y-yes, thank you," I stuttered finally, my words tumbled out awkwardly, but he smiled kindly, softening his expression as he steadied me.
"Why are you alone? This is not a place to walk around unattended."
"I…" my voice came out in a whisper. I felt embarrassed and cleared my throat, soliciting another smile from him, making me blush.
I couldn't understand the feeling I was harboring for a man twice my age, old enough to be my father. Although he's in his forties - so he looked, I was just twenty-two.
"Head back and stay around your people." With that he passed a hand over my head and patted it like I was a child!
The gesture caused my heart to race wildly against my chest, that even when he walked away, I was still standing there, staring at his back in a daze.
His confident stride ate up the distance. One hand casually tucked into his pocket, the gesture exuding an air of nonchalant, sophistication, and power. A dark aura shrouded him like a cloak. It made my hair stand on ends.
My savior reeked of pure evil and death. Still, I was drawn to him, a feeling I've never had before in my life.
