At the auction house

Arianna's POV.

   "Wake up." I heard a voice call out, and I twitched uncomfortably. Hoping that whoever it was wouldn't notice that small movement of mine. Just when I thought the person would give up, I heard the low rumble of laughter, and an annoying voice I wouldn't forget. "We know you're awake princessa. It's no use trying to play dead."

       I decided to play the part I'd chosen to the very end. I slowly opened my eyes and watched the two men standing in front of me guardedly. I recognized the very good-looking one to be one of the kidnappers, Carlos. The other one I'd never seen before, but if he was connected to that Carlos guy, he was nothing good either.

      I averted my eyes from the two and looked around the place that kept me hostage. It was dark and dreary as expected, and I noticed that I wasn't the only one in here. There were other cages apart from mine which held women inside too. 

   I came to a shocking realisation. I wasn't kidnapped for Ransom. I was probably going to be sold. Horror surfaced in my eyes, and I was glad that it was dark in here. I would never give them the satisfaction of seeing me afraid.

  "I'm sure you enjoyed your sleep Princessa," Carlos spoke quickly, and although I couldn't see his face, I knew he was sporting a disgusting grin. I ignored him after giving him a side glance and leaned on the bars of the cage playing dead again. He suddenly went quiet, and I could hear the sound of the cage being unlocked. I could hear my heartbeat speed up with every step he took towards me, and my hands clenched into fists as I tried to suppress my fear.

      He stopped just inches away from me, and the next thing I knew, my hair was gripped in his hand and tugged down harshly. This time I couldn't stifle the scream that escaped my lips. He grinned and pulled it even harder, he seemed to have a thing for pulling on my hair.

He gripped my chin and smiled but his voice sounded cold. " Princessa, you must have realised by now, that in here, you're not daddy's girl. You're just an item to be sold, and I detest disobedience the most. I expect answers to questions I ask."

    I watched him red-eyed and his friend watched the show from outside. Anger got the better of me as I spat at him, fighting the pain I felt from my scalp, and chin. "In your dreams."

   His eyes hardened, and he wiped the spit off his face and dragged me to my feet as he pressed my back against the cage. I looked into his eyes regretting my previous decision almost immediately. "Boss was right. What you need is to learn how to be obedient. Your stupid pride stripped, and trampled upon. Then you'll learn to behave."

    I felt a wave of apprehension wash over me, and I shivered. He clenched my cloth in one hand and pulled it down. I heard a loud ripping sound, and my heart leaped in my chest as I instinctively tried to cover myself with my hands, but discovered that it was chained, and despair came crashing in. I was dressed only in my undies as he looked at me with a sick fire in his eyes. 

"Beautiful" he murmured, as he gave me a once over.

   "Don't you dare Carlos" I warned him trying to move away from his grip. He ignored me and hugged me to himself. Stroking my shoulders and back, tears slipped from my eyes even after willing myself not to cry. His hands didn't cease their movement, and I just stared blankly into space. Just when I had lost all hope, the guy standing on the outside spoke up. "Behave, Carlos. Boss isn't going to like this." 

   Carlos sighed in regret and clicked his tongue. "Such a killjoy." He let go of me and smiled. "Alright, enough playing around. Let's get you ready for tonight." I didn't understand what he meant and just stared into space.

"Take her to Alisa, she'll take care of her."

   The other man nodded and came into the cage. I flinched as he carried me up and threw me over his shoulder. I watched the other women in the cages giving me glances filled with pity, and some longing as well.

    Shortly after we left that place, I was blindfolded and carried in my present state of undress to a place that smelled lovely. The scent of flowers, perfume, and powders assaulted my nose. "Take care of her Alisa, she's on for tonight."

"Sure thing, they won't be able to take their eyes off her." A chirpy voice sounded. I was tossed to the ground and winced in pain.

" There, there. It's okay, you're fine now." Alisa said. She picked me up carefully and brought me to sit down. Next, she removed my blindfold and I blinked to adjust to the sudden light. 

"Wow, you're really beautiful." She said, and I smiled at her a little. "Thank you. I'm Arianna." She smiled, "Alisa."

"Don't worry, I'll make you so stunning that they won't be able to take their eyes off you." I smiled wryly at her enthusiasm. Noticing my silence she didn't say another word and tidied me up. She didn't comment on my bruises or injuries.

   An hour later, she smiled and twirled me around. "You look gorgeous. Here, take a look." She led me to a mirror and grinned. I took a step back in shock at my reflection. The girl I saw in the mirror was definitely not Arianna Howard. I was dressed in a white sort of linen that did nothing to hide my nakedness. I was glad that it covered my essential parts at least. And my hair was let down and curled, my makeup was minimal, and covered my bruises.

    "I hope she's ready, Alisa." A voice boomed from the door, and we both turned around startled. It turned out to be the other guy. He stood still for a few seconds as he stared at me and I felt uncomfortable. "Come on. We don't have all the time in the world." 

Alisa held my hand tight as I walked away and mouthed 'Good luck.' I smiled at her. Unsure whether I was trying to reassure her or myself.

    I was once again blindfolded, and thrown across his shoulder as we went somewhere. It was evening time. My blindfold was taken off, and this time around I was put in a golden cage. The other guy didn't say a word and turned around to leave. I just sat inside the cage. I thought about my Nonna. She must have been so worried when I didn't call her back. I couldn't believe that all this was happening to me In just one day.

     I wondered if my parents were looking for me. I put up a strong front in front of all of them, but I was really scared. 'It's alright Arianna.' I chanted in my head.

     

    

     I noticed that someone came over with a black tarp and covered the cage I was in, the darkness further intensified my fear, the fear of the unknown. Shortly after, I could hear noises and shouts of excitement.

     The cage I was in was moving and suddenly came to a stop and my heart did as well. 

"The last item for tonight is very exotic and beautiful, the starting bid is one million euros. 

"What exactly is it?" I heard someone shout.

"Yes, show us what's behind the veil." I could hear such comments being thrown out one after the other, and the auctioneer chuckled. "There is no need to get impatient, remove the tarp."

I blinked my eyes rapidly to adjust to the brightness of the auditorium-like hall and my gaze fell on the people seated there. I realised that I was on the stage and the object of lewd gazes from all corners of the room. I felt naked and exposed to their raving eyes. They watched me like predators eyeing their prey, and my heart sank.

   The auctioneer didn't need to shout any encouraging or Flattering words, because the men behaved like they were on drugs. Throwing money like it had no value. The bid passed ten million and was steadily on the rise. It hit the fifty million mark and kept rising slowly. All of a sudden  a shout came from one of the Private rooms ``100 million." The auctioneer smiled broadly and announced "100 million once. 100 million twice. 100 million sold to bidder number 8."

My eyes watered and I blinked rapidly to stop myself from crying on the stage. The auctioneer announced that the auction had ended and people started to disperse. I was carried off the stage, and I could hear the excited voices of the workers there, and soon I was face to face with the man Carlos and his friends called boss.

    "I knew you'd sell for a good price. Now a word of advice. Be obedient to your new owner. Serve him properly, and don't use your mouth so much, and you might just have a chance to live." He smiled and continued. "It'll be such a shame if you died"

   I snorted softly in my mind and didn't reply to his so-called words of wisdom. Then I saw Carlos. "Time to go princessa." He carried me bridal style and reached to fondle me as he whispered. "It's such a shame you had to leave. I would've shown you a good time."

     I didn't say a word, and just lay there frozen. We soon arrived in front of a car, and he put the blindfold back on me. I was shoved into the car and the car drove off. I couldn't believe that in one day I had been sold, and was now owned by a stranger to do his bidding. I slouched on the chair, and closed my eyes, awaiting the worst.