CHAPTER 4

"What's taking you so long?" he snapped as he slammed the door open again. He looked at me like I was a petulant child he needed to reprimand.

I raised an eyebrow at him. This time, I was already fully clothed and had just finished fixing myself. I even put on a bit of make-up since I saw some on the vanity.

"Follow me. I need to discuss something," he ordered.

I did as I was asked, walking behind him while looking around. If I was already in awe of the room I woke up in, my jaw literally dropped at the sight outside. It was no doubt a penthouse unit. Even though the interior design is minimalist, the whole place still screams luxury and wealth!

I can't believe I stepped foot in a place like this. I kept looking around but couldn't help but get distracted by his physique. I wanted to whistle when I took a good look from his broad shoulders down to his firm butt. He indeed works out to be able to maintain this kind of body.

"Ouch," I whimpered when my forehead hit his shoulder when he suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me.

"Didn't you hear me?" he asked. His voice had a tinge of annoyance to it.

"Uh," I mumbled. Did he say something? I wanted to smack my head! Was I too focused on ogling him that I didn't even notice? He should blame his ass.

"Never mind," he sighed. "Hurry up. I don't have all day."

We walked past the living area and went through a sleek wooden door to get into an office. 

One side of the wall is made of glass, boasting a breathtaking view of the cityscape below. The sun just coming up from the horizon made it look so captivating. I gaped at it like an idiot.

Our rooms back in the ring had no windows we could look out of. It's been so long since I'd seen the outside world. I already forgot how beautiful it was.

I could do this all day, just sitting here and staring at this view for hours! 

Until I was brought back to reality when I heard somebody clearing his throat, I turned to see... well, the man sitting on his leather chair behind a modern-looking desk.

"So... What am I doing here?" I couldn't help but ask, knowing he didn't want anything to do with me.

"I just bought you," he pushed some papers towards me.

"Excuse me?!" I frowned.

"This is our contract and marriage certificate. Sign these so that I can have my lawyers process them as soon as possible. " He spoke clearly, but his voice sounded gibberish to my ears. What was he saying?

"You bought me?" I asked. The term just brought a bitter taste to my mouth, but I had to ask.

"I bought you from the ring," he shrugged like it was that simple.

"For how long?" Is it for a couple of days? A week? Maybe for a month? What was the contract for? And wait. Did he mention a marriage certificate?

"I bought you. End of the deal," he stood up and walked towards me. I took a harsh breath intake when he stopped right in front of me. I stepped back, only to be stopped by the cold table behind me.

He lowered his head a little to level with mine. I could feel his warm breath against my cheek, and I had to muster all the strength I had left, not to close my eyes.

"It means you are now mine," he whispered, making me shiver. My hands grabbed the edge of the table behind me to support my weight as my knees weakened. My head spun as his suave scent attacked my senses. I can feel his warmth even through the layers of fabric between us.

God. I suddenly want to jump the man!

Damn it. Why does he have this kind of effect on me?!

I gulped while gathering my wits.

"You can't do that," my voice came out weaker than I intended to. The ring doesn't let any woman come out of the syndicate alive. At least, that's how I have seen it for the past few years.

"I just did," he stated before pulling away from me. I bit my bottom lip to suppress my protest. I wanted him to stay where he was, but this was for the better. At least I could think clearer without him invading my personal space.

I watched as he walked back to his seat while thinking about it.

Was it really possible? Did Hirushi let me go just like that? I suddenly remembered the greedy look on her face the last time I saw her.

She told me I was her lucky charm. My jaw clenched when I realized something. I looked around the office again. There is no doubt that this man in front of me is loaded. I wonder how much he paid for me. How much did I cost this time around?

Did my value appreciate? I'm sure Hiroshi wouldn't give me up for a few thousand dollars. For years, I had been one of the most sought-after whores in the ring. I brought in more money than I can probably count! Certainly, she wouldn't let me go just like that. Unless this man offered her a deal, she couldn't pass up.

"How much?" I coldly asked.

He looked me straight in the eyes and then shrugged.

"It doesn't matter," he said casually.

I smirked bitterly as memories I had long buried inside my core rushed to the surface. I shook my head to chase them away. This is not the time to walk down memory lane.

"Why did you buy me, then?" I asked. He clearly didn't have the slightest interest in me. He had already proved that every time we had our past encounters. What did he want me for? Is he going to gift me to another man?

"Don't ask too many questions," he snapped. He slammed a pen on top of the papers he handed me earlier.

"Just sign these. You can read them, of course," he stated.

I did. I mean, I tried to read, but it was just too complicated for the few hanging cells inside my brain to understand. It was too long and had far too much jargon that I couldn't decipher. I sighed defeatedly after a while.

"Where will I sign?" I asked confusedly. I still can't get over the fact that I was sold again, just like some cheap merchandise. Bitter bile rose from my throat, but I gulped it down forcefully. I won't let this affect me like it did before.

"Here," he pointed at the lower part of the page with a blank line. My hand froze when I saw the name written under it. I stared at it.

Yvonne Hechtman.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, pulling me out of a deep thought.

"No," I shook my head, my voice cold as ice.

I signed wherever he pointed. My whole system switched into auto-pilot mode. I couldn't wait for this to be over. I just want to go back into whatever hole I could crawl into.

Yvonne Hechtman. It's been such a long time since I heard that name that I had already forgotten about it. About that young, innocent little girl who didn't know anything about the evils of the world. The girl who had her hopes high up...

Yvonne Hechtman. That is my real name. Ava is just a pseudonym I used in the ring. Every woman there usually uses one.

I chuckled bitterly as I let my body collapse on the bed back in the room. I can't believe how it's happening all over again. A stubborn tear slipped from the corner of my eyes as I stared at the ceiling. I harshly wiped it with my arm, but they just kept coming out. My eyes stung from the hot liquid coming out of them. My heart squeezed at this unfamiliar pain. It's been so long since I last felt it.

I thought I had already been numb after everything. Turns out I'm not...

I was fourteen. Fourteen!

That was when my so-called mother decided to sell me to the devil. She willingly handed me over to the ring in exchange for a few thousand bucks. Three thousand bucks! She sold me for such a cheap price!

The bitter memory made me cry even more. I had to bite my lip so hard to suppress my sobs. Recruiters scammed almost all the women to be there. Perhaps I was the only one sold there by my family.

And all for what? So that she could support her addiction, to have money for drugs. Sadly, that was what I was worth for her.

I sniffed as the tears kept coming. It's like a dam that's been closed for decades. Now that the floodgates were opened, there is no stopping it...