Chapter 7

          ⚜    Bidding.  ⚜

We were about to step out of the room when Facundo walked in and whispered something in Sarah's ears then they both laughed.

  "Come on, move it!" he ordered and we followed.

  We moved in a line and went straight to another room near the living room where the bid was to take place. From there I could hear some music from the living room, people talking, some laughing while others just shouting.

Someone yelled. "The Formosa brothers are here!"

The music had stopped by now and you could hear almost everything they said.

  "Good to see you, Pablo. I heard you had a fallout with the gringos and lost Lio? Sorry man!"

   "Thanks but business must continue as usual. How's the deal between Columbians and you?"

"Ah! Pablito! You ask too much. Let's relax first and will talk later"

More and more people arrived and you could know since Pablo welcomed them. Hearing their discussion was sickening. I hated them. I regret my decision to go out that night. I should have remained in my hotel room. My life had suddenly turned for the worse.

  The music was back on and I couldn't hear more. Vanessa stood up and was pacing from left to right. I understood her place, she too was nervous like every one of us. My hands were sweaty just at the thought of me being sold.

Sarah walked in to check on us. "Ladies, remember to do as they want!"

We nodded.

I kept thinking of my college days and how when I get back was to graduate and get a job. Of all people out there why did they abduct me and not any other person? Probably I wouldn't wish what I was going through to happen to anyone even on my worst enemy.

After a while, the music stopped and the boss talked. They were discussing their shady business deals."Pablo, I support your idea. This coca business is getting out of hand, man!"

  "What do you think, gringo?"

Wait, did I just hear gringo? But the boss hated gringos?

"A good business might be good but the risk factors might also be high, or even way worse than cocaine business. We could lay low for a while. I got info that there is someone we can trust inside the DEA's office. I was thinking, I could but him to be our eyes and ears. What do you think?"

There was silence for a minute.

  "I agree with you, gringo"

   "Yeah, I hope your guy is trustworthy. Remember what I did to the last two moles who betrayed the circle?" Another voice spoke.

   "He is"

     "I think gringo is right but to be on the safe side, I prefer the new merchandise business!"

There were murmurs until Pablo spoke. "Trafficking pays a lot than coca"

  "No Pablito! I dont want anything to do with that!"

More murmurs filled the room.

  "Relax guys. I have been doing this for a while and I got my payout a few days ago. You all scared? Let's see, Columbians produce coca but they can't sell it anymore. Mexican cartels are killing each other over marijuana and coca. The Spaniards dont give a shit. All they want is a cargo and we all know cargo is hard to ship it there without going unnoticed. Chile and Ecuador both produce pure Bolivian coca which costs as much as gold. So, no. I can't continue selling losses. I need a strategy that's why I called you guys. I dont trust gringos, except you man. You have proven this couple of times. What do you think?"

  "I prefer weapon business instead. It pays a lot. Sell it to militia groups"

  "I agree on gringo. Weapon pays but I am talking about trafficking"

  "No. Am out, Pablo. I can't sell women. I got sisters too!" I dont know the gringo guy but I was happy he wasn't supporting Pablo.

It seemed Pablo was pissed about not getting full support. Deep down I was kinda glad some cared about women.

❇   ❇.   ❇.  ❇

An hour later,  we're all bored sick with their discussion that some of us started dozing off. I felt pressed and  I pressed the button on the door and Facundo took me to to the washrooms.

He stayed outside the main door. When I was washing my hands, I stared at myself in the mirror. I was skinny not that I used to be plump but even my curves were almost gone.

Someone came out of the loos and signalled me to shh(be silent). Slowly covering my mouth with his hand, he pushed me inside the loo. There was something about his Cologne. I was shaking. I feared the worst might happen if I don't try to scream and before I could, he whispered to my ears calmly.  "What is a gorgeous lady like you doing in the lion's den?"

His voice was deep and sexy. It sounded familiar even his cologne but I thought it was just a coincidence.

I couldn't answer as he had covered my mouth.

  "Am gonna count to 3 and slowly remove my hand. Do not scream. I am not the bad guy on the contrary." His voice was reassuring.

Something about his voice though.

  "What are you doing here?"

    "I am here as the boss's merchandise. He brought me here forbidding" Tears were visible in my eyes.

He pulled out a scarf and wiped my tears and spoke. "I see. What is your name?"

  "Chloe"

   "Lovely name Chloe. Am...."

Before the man continued, Facundo interrupted by shouting; "Bitch! What are you doing there? If you dont come out this instance, I will drag you out myself!"

   I turned to leave. "I have to go" and he stopped me. "Wait. Do not tell anyone we talked. I will try everything to stop all these. Just know, I am your number one fan, Chloe"

  "Thank you but I am afraid, I'm on my own. The bidding has already started"

I forgot to ask him what he was doing there. He seemed like a nice guy.

   I heard Facundo footsteps, I went out immediately meeting face to face with him. I got scared that he'll notice something was off. He went on checking the loo I was in. "What the fuck took you so long? No peeing for you next time. Move it!" He shouted.

Facundo pulled me by the hand and pushed me into the room the other girls were. Luckily I fell on one of them.

Everyone asked what had happened and I started crying. I didn't want to narrate the whole toilet thing.

  "Stop crying. Your mascara is coming off and they will punish you if you dont look your best"

It seemed the bidding had started already. I asked what happened while I was gone. "They started fighting amongst themselves, you know. Breaking bottles and glasses and now it seems the bidding has started"

As per Sarah's orders, we walked into the room one after the other as she introduced each one of us by our names. Then we stood in a row in front of them as we waited for the boss's orders.  I saw him, the man I met in the washroom. He looked straight into my eyes and smiled. I felt nervous and my hands were sweaty.

  "As promised, new cargo is here. I am selling them to you my dear friends so you can have a taste of what it feels like in this business"

The men laughed and cheered. Pablo gave his stupid speech. "You can sell a girl many times a day whereas drugs you can only sell it once. It's showtime! Bidding starts now!"

My heart raced faster and I wished the ground would open to swallow me. This was it, my fate. I stared down on the floor not to show tears in my eyes. I was nervous. I gazed straight into the eyes of the evil men and cursed underneath.

Seems tonight I was going to be some cartel's victim.