Chapter 4
Rena's POV.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I joined the crowd, scanning the room for Roland. But he was nowhere to be found. I took the chance to look around for my mysterious savior, but he had vanished too.
Feeling a bit disappointed, I decided to hang around until Roland returned, but after a while, he didn't show up. I tried to call him but realized there was no network.
I'd returned to the limelight. Those lustful eyes were on me again, making my skin crawl. Using network as an excuse, I slipped out of the auction room and made my way to the balcony, craving fresh air, and also network. I needed to call Roland, and also message doctor Mark on WhatsApp so I could see my mom on video call.
Holding my phone up, I began to search. By the time I realized where I was, I'd walked into darkness, the auction was now a far distance away and the light from the building couldn't penetrate this area.
I was standing by the shore, a ship sitting ahead. I sighed. It seemed I couldn't get a network. 'Then, I should return. Roland will panic if he doesn't see me at the auction.' I mused and turned to leave.
Just then, I heard faint groans and moans drifting through the air, coming from the ship. Accompanying the groans and moans was the sound of flesh slapping flesh.
My instincts told me to leave, but then I heard whispers. Soft, urgent words exchanged between voices I was familiar with.
That was Roland and Soni!
I froze. Were they having sex, or was it my imagination? Curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped closer, straining to listen.
The whispers grew louder, more intense, and so was their banging. I gasped, feeling confused and heartbroken. Roland was cheating on me with his best friend?!
Just as I wanted to run out of there, Soni's voice stopped me in my tracks.
"When will you be done with her?" she hissed, her tone venomous. "I've tolerated her sharing my man with me for a year. I can't tolerate her for another day, Roland."
Following his heavy breathing, Roland replied. "Don't worry, the plan is in motion. You won't see her again after tonight."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I was the subject of their conversation. I wanted to leave, I needed to run as soon as possible…
The banging stopped and I heard Soni ask. "Did she sign the contract?"
"She did," Roland replied. "The foolish girl didn't know that the contract she signed was fake," he chuckled.
"How so? How come she didn't feel something was fishy?"
My heart froze as I listened.
"I scanned the signed contract, altered the digital version, and printed a new copy with additional clauses. So, worry not, my love. Your dad won't know what you're into."
"That's better," Soni said. "We don't want a repeat of last time's troubles. That idiot killed herself, and we couldn't fulfill our end of the deal," she continued. "If it happens again, our clients might lose faith and stop patronizing us. It would spell trouble for us."
Roland laughed harder. "Our clients liked Rena better. You should have seen them drooling over her. And the fool was blushing when I called her my gem."
"Isn't she your gem? She's about to make you millions."
My heart shattered into a million pieces. I clenched my chest, as if trying to hold together the fragments of my shattered world.
I covered my mouth with my free hand, muffling a sob that threatened to escape my throat. The truth I just discovered was crushing me and I couldn't breath.
They were planning to sell me. My own boyfriend wants to sell me! a wave of horror coursed through my veins.
Suddenly, my mom's warning echoed in my head. She warned me against a playboy like Roland, but I thought I knew him better.
Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled backward, driven by a desperate need to escape the darkness that had consumed my life. But I stopped, my feet rooted to my spot.
I didn't know why I couldn't move. Maybe because I was too devastated to find my way out of there. Maybe because I knew I couldn't escape this island. Maybe because I wanted to know the extent of Roland's betrayal… or maybe I wanted to know if I have a tiny chance of survival in this isolated Island.
"How well did you teach her? Hope she won't be useless in bed?" Soni asked. I could hear the rustling of fabric.
"You don't want to know," he replied. "I taught her well. She's the best product I've ever made. Just this evening, I tested her on endurance, how she could take a man without stimulation, and her body adjusted in mere seconds. She's a complete high-breed whore, and I'm certain whoever gets her tonight will have no reasons to complain."
"The better she is, the more money we fetch. Nice," Soni concurred. "As for her mother, I've sent someone to get rid of her mother. Now, the coast is clear. No one will look for her."
My heart exploded with stabbing pains. I'd heard enough. I couldn't bear to stay there a moment longer. My mom! I suddenly felt my legs.
Turning around, I dashed in the opposite direction, towards a boat that was tied. However, before I could go halfway through, a voice yelled out behind me, "Who's there?!"
I didn't dare look back. Holding my red sparkling gown up, I kicked off my heels and sprinted on the sand, toward the ship. It was my only hope for escape.
My heart thundered in my chest, pounding out a frantic rhythm. I could feel their footsteps closing in. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw a swarm of men hot on my heels.
"Chase her! Catch her!" Roland's thunderous voice echoed through the air, spurring them on.
