Chapter 1: A Disparate Bid

JIA WIPED THE SWEAT from her brow as she carried another heavy box into the storage room. It had been a long day at the factory where she worked, and her muscles ached with fatigue. But she couldn't stop—not when her father's life depended on it.

She hurried hospital, dreading what she might find. Her father's illness had only worsened in recent months, draining their meager savings on medical bills. Jia did everything she could to earn more money, taking on extra shifts and side jobs. But it was never enough. Please, she thought, let there be good news today.

The sterile hallways were a blur as Jia made her way to her father's room. She found him propped up in the hospital bed, eyes closed. "Papa," she said softly, taking his hand.

Her father opened his eyes slightly. "Don't... worry about me," he rasped. "You have to... live."

Tears streamed down Jia's face. "No, I can't lose you either, Pa," she sobbed, clutching his hand. Her mother had passed away years ago, and her father was all the family she had left. An idea came to her then, one that made her feel ill—but what other choice did she have?

Leaning in, she lowered her voice. "Your doctor will be here later. I think they have a new treatment option."

Her father's weary face lit up at that. "You worked hard for me, my daughter. I am so lucky to have you."

Jia's smile faltered, guilt weighing on her. The truth was, no amount of extra shifts seemed enough. Her father's cancer had drained their savings, and the medical bills now towered over them. The experimental treatment the doctor wished to discuss would likely break them.

As if sensing her distress, her father squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, nak. We'll get through this together."

Just then, the doctor entered. Jia's heart leapt to her throat as he reviewed her father's test results. The cancer was spreading, and options were limited. Then came the words she'd been dreading: the experimental treatment would cost more than they could afford, even with insurance.

Jia felt the world closing in. She couldn't lose her father; he was all she had left. As the doctor spoke of charities and payment plans, an idea took shape in Jia's mind, desperate but her only hope. That night, with trembling hands, she filled out the online application and hit submit. There was no turning back now.

THE AUCTION WAS being held at a lavish hotel downtown. Jia had never felt so out of place in her worn jeans and sweater amongst the wealthy attendees. She spotted men in expensive suits. What was she doing here?

As the auction began, Jia's nerves mounted. Most of the "lots" were material items-artwork, luxury vacations. Then a young woman took the stage, head held high. Jia's stomach churned. She hadn't considered that this would involve selling herself.

At last, it was her turn. Jia walked unsteadily to the podium, eyes downcast. The auctioneer's booming voice echoed in her ears. "Lot 12 is a young girl willing to offer everything, including her time and services, to help a good cause. Perhaps someone here would like to assist?"

The bidding began hesitantly but soon picked up pace. Jia dared to glance at the crowd. Most examine her from head to toe and others talk about her, uncomfortable.

JIA'S POV

"700,000 pesos." At the front of the stage, a man yelled. Even though I can't see his face, I can tell he's old because of the way his voice sounds, I want to be alone and retreat, I want to sink into I'm standing now but I can't, I can't give up, I can't back down, I know papa's life depends on it, what will he do if I back out? What will he do with his surgery? Where else are we going to get a big value? This is really the only way I know, so I'll stick with it, whatever happens.

"1 million pesos." A man in the middle yelled as well, surprisingly.

"1 million pesos? Deal? Is there no one to chase?" A woman asked. I looked around inside the event. I really wanted to sink into where I was standing. I wanted to cover all parts of my body. They didn't know me because I was wearing a mask, but it was still embarrassing.

"5 million pesos." The old man who bid earlier for 700 thousand shouted again. God, is this the last? I don't want to accept that in old age. Why the old man? It's disgusting; it's like my grandfather.

"10 million pesos." The young man near the back shouted; most of people turned around, even me. The amount he tied was surprising. He met my gaze, and I couldn't predict his eyes, whether it was lust, judgment, or empathy.

I can see his red lips, his eyes are the color of chocolate. Damn, it's far away, but I can almost see your whole face.

"Sold to the man in the back for 10 million pesos," the woman who was next to me shouted.

My knees nearly gave way. 10 million would cover the treatment, with some left over for other expenses. As the crowd dispersed, the man who had bought me approached. Up close, I saw he was quite handsome, with no expression on his face.

"My name is Luke. You are mine now," he said in a cold tone without changing his expression.

I bowed my head. "If only I had a choice." A glimmer of hope appeared, a beacon in the tunnel of uncertainty. My father's much-needed treatment lay on the horizon, and in that moment, the weight of responsibility mingled with the promise of salvation.

The auction was over when a woman approached me and asked, "Are you ready, Jia?" She asked politely, I'm a liar if I say "yes" because I'm not really ready, but I'll do everything for my papa.

"Don't be nervous, that's a billionaire CEO. I know that many women fall for him, so I'm surprised that he bid such a huge amount because he can get a woman with just one look. That's why I didn't increase the price earlier because I don't want you to end up with the old man. I know you'll hate it." I don't want to say thank you because everything is still wrong, but this woman's will is good; she was the way for me to have hope that my father will be operated on. The word 'thank you' is not enough to express my gratitude.

"Thank you so much, miss! I know what I'm doing is wrong, but this is what's good for my papa." Now I don't have the courage to face anyone.

It's just embarrassing to think that, at my age, I got into something like this. What will people say? No. Life is just too short. What matters most right now is my father's health, so I should stop thinking about what people may say.

"I understand you too, Jia. I hope your dad's surgery will be successful and he will continue to recover. Be ready, okay? I hope you won't have any regrets after this.".

If I have any regrets, it is because I did nothing for my father. If I have any regrets, it's that I passed up an opportunity that could have healed him. I know it's immoral, but it's the only way I know: I have to hold the knife for the sake of my father. I couldn't forgive myself for failing to aid him when something horrible occurred to him.

MY MOUTH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING; even if I wanted to, it stayed silent. He approached me and sat down next to me. I took a step back in shock, which shocked him as well. Why? He looks at my entire face, from my eyes to my lips. I admit that he is attractive, but I shouldn't be tempted. But what can I do? He paid me a large amount of money. Nothing will happen, even when I beg.

He was about to touch my mask when I suddenly pulled back. He was surprised again by my attitude. What is surprising about that?

"Why?" huh? What 'why'? I just shook my head and bent down. He tried to touch my mask again, and he also tried to take it off, but I held his hand. "Can you not take it off?" I don't want to admit it, but I'm really ashamed. My body is shaking and cold; I can't explain the various feelings. What happened to me? I want to beg.

When my body was completely weak, he finally removed my mask. I saw him staring at me for a long time.

I bent down and tried to hide my face. He grabbed my chin again and forced me to raise my face to make sure he could look properly. He bit his lower lip. It looks like he can't believe that he saw me. What's wrong with my face? Am I ugly? Was he disappointed to see my face?

"Are you ready?" he asked, and as I'd expected, nothing came out of my mouth. He slowly laid me down and kissed me on the lips. It felt so good. Is this the feeling of being kissed? He stopped kissing when I kissed back.

He furrowed his brow and kissed me again. This time I slowly came to my senses, as if I were floating because of the great feeling. His hand started to travel from my leg to my chest.

He slowly raised his hand inside my inner ear until it reached my back. He found the lock of my bra, and he immediately took it off and slowly rubbed my breast. I must admit that I enjoyed what he did, but I couldn't forget what would happen after this. I moaned, and for the first time, he heard my voice. He continued what he was doing, and I really couldn't help but moan again and again.

He looked at me, and as if he were surprised by what he saw, I was biting my lip, and my eyes were wet. I quickly wiped my tears and tried to smile. Why did I cry?

Suddenly, he felt pity.

"Why are you crying? Don't you like it?" He couldn't stop asking. I know he was surprised because I joined the auction, but this is my reaction.

"I am a liar if I say I wanted it." I can't help myself; I really don't want it. He seemed surprised; I don't know if I should say everything.

"Then why did you join the auction?" I would like to answer, but I don't know where to start. "Why did you join the auction? If you don't like it, why are you here? Are you trying to play games with me?" Is it anger?

"Haha, well played, miss! But you don't have the right to back off; I paid for you, and you must accept the consequences!" I wanted to tell the truth, but it was as if someone stopped me from speaking, so I swallowed my own tongue.

"I have an important matter; go fix yourself." I felt like a horn was pulled out upon hearing this. I also somehow felt better because of what he said.

I HESITATED AS Luke's stern declaration hung in the air. The weight of his words pressed down on me, and the reality of me predicament sank in. I was now, in essence, owned by this enigmatic billionaire.

Luke's expression remained impassive as he led me away from the auction venue. The opulent mansion corridor felt alien, a stark contrast to my humble existence. As we entered a luxurious mansion, my eyes darted around nervously, absorbing the extravagance that surrounded me.

"You will stay here," Luke stated coldly, gesturing towards the expansive house. I nodded silently, suppressing the whirlwind of emotions within me. I wondered about the man who had just spent ten million pesos to acquire me. What were his intentions?

After 2 days, I adapted to my new life under Luke's roof. The initial discomfort gave way to a peculiar routine. Luke's demeanor was consistently detached; his interactions with me were limited to necessary exchanges. He seemed more preoccupied with his business affairs than his unexpected acquisition.

On that next evening, as I prepared dinner in the kitchen, Luke entered. His eyes briefly met mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing between us. My curiosity grew, but I dared not question the man who held the key to my father's salvation.

In the quiet moments that followed, I found myself observing Luke from a distance. His stoic exterior hinted at a complexity I couldn't unravel. I wonder if he is also hiding secrets or pain.

The following day, I grappled with conflicting emotions. The guilt of sacrificing my autonomy battled against my gratitude for the potential lifeline Luke provided for my father. I questioned my own resilience and the lengths that I could go to in that situation for my dad.

In the days that followed, My routine continued within the confines of Luke's world. The walls around me seemed to close in, and the line between gratitude and captivity blurred. As I grappled with conflicting emotions, a growing realization dawned: the journey I had embarked on held more twists and turns than I could have imagined.