Chapter 8

     

        ⚜  Sold.  ⚜

  I wished for a miracle to happen. I had always hidden the sorrows I felt in studying and now, not even a book could help me at the moment. The bidding started and like we were told earlier by Sarah, Pablo introduced the first lady, Vanessa, who then stepped forward from the rest of us as Pablo continued advertising her.

  He began audibly. "This pretty brunette is Vanessa. She's very fragile but has a lot to offer. With her big butt, I bet no refund. Let the game begin..."

I heard one of the cartels ask. "How old is she?"

Paolo replied. "Old enough to satisfy you.."  and soon the room was filled with laughter.

"Hahaha. I bid at 1000$ " another man said.

"1700$", said the previous man.

The auction went on until someone offered at 2500$.

"2500$ going once, twice, and sold to Hermosa brothers"

The auction proceeded and when it was Becky's turn Pablo spoke. "I am saving this one for myself"

Unfortunately, Becky's fate was decided.

"Mmmm. Pablito my man! That's a hot piece you got there. Sell her to me" some man said.

Pablo brushed him off saying, "Not for sale and that's not up for discussion. Let's continue, next is..."

The cartel seemed to be enjoying the bidding as most of them purchased some girls. Almost all were auctioned except three including myself.

Then it was my turn to step forward, which I did with my head still down. Pablo moved toward me and introduced me. "This blonde is a feisty one. Beautiful and intelligent too" He pulled me by the hair forcing me to face upwards and went on. "I can bet for a fact she's very fresh. Do any of you want fresh meat? More fresh than ever?"

One shouted. "I bid at 2500 $" he looked ugly and I was hoping Pablo wouldn't sell me to him.

Paolo wasn't pleased. "Too low man. Anyone with a higher bid? She's a gringo and from her details, I see she is a smart ass!"

"Smartass?  How will that help us Pablito?" another said.

"Are you stupid or what? This here is a bonus, my man! Moreover, I heard nerds know it all. I would go for her"

I was silent while they treated me like a product. Bargaining, arguing and negotiating on my life.

"4000$ I must admit she's one of a kind!", another spat.

They laughed.

"Good, good. Behold, that's what we call pure genius! She's cute, nice complexion, a nerd and is pure. So my bidding should start at 5000$" announced Pablo.

"7000$," another said.

"10,000$ but only if I take her purity right here in front of everyone" I was chanting slowly 'please no. Please no'

"Are you crazy man? Women should be treated well" another said.

"For all, I know these are not women but merchandize. So why would I do that? and besides, I would have bid a lot of money on her I am her master at that"

" Shut up guys. No one has bought her yet. Bidding continues. Gringo, what say you considering she's a gringo too?"

I looked towards him with pleading eyes. He seemed tense by the question almost like he didn't want to be here.

"Am out. I told you that I don't do women business", gringo said.

So the gringo or what they called him was the same man I met in the washrooms. I always got nervous around strangers but with the gringo it felt different. I guess I should have stuck to my normalness of not talking to strangers.

Paolo went on. "You chickened out man! I am starting to think otherwise of you."

The gringo stood up and took a step near Pablo. He seemed furious. It was then I noticed his height, he was tall and the scent of his cologne filled the air. He stared at me with those grey eyes almost like he was talking through me.

  "Stop it guys! Let's get the business finished so we can all head out" Another guy spoke.

The bidding was back to normal. "12000$ for the gringa and the girl next to her"

Pablo was angry. "No Nacho! That's not how it works. One cargo at a time!"

The guy Nacho wasn't pleased. "Arg! She is a plain Jane! I dont think she knows how to dress or use makeup. She might be pretty but what else can she offer my customers in my club?"

That was an insult to my face. Yes, I am a nerd but certainly not a plain Jane.

The gringo clenched his knuckles. "That's bullshit, man!"

"What's your fucking problem, gringo?Why don't you place your bid then?

He scoffed. " 50,000$ for the lady" and I gave a faint smile.

Pablo clapped his hands while grinning. "That's what I am talking about man! You know, I was starting to think you are not into pussies but you've proven me wrong"

"50,000$ going once...going twice....."

It was only a matter of microseconds before my fate was decided.

Nacho yelled.  "60000$ my final offer and I have her today"

I looked at gringo who was staring right at me. I was hoping he would bid against the man.

Pablo spoke. "60000$ going once....going twice...60000$ and sold to Nacho!"

The gringo took his seat as his eyes were still locked with mine and I looked away.

I thought my eyes were deceiving me. The man I was sold to, Nacho, was the head of some Mexican cartel. He looked in his mid-forties and had long dark hair and some visible tattoos. He looked scary. He walked towards me and started touching my hair with his fingers and leaned closer and was about to kiss me on the lips when I turned and the kiss landed on my cheek. Seeing that, he forced a kiss once more but this time I bit his lips. I didn't want my first kiss to be with a stranger.

Nacho laughed hard and spat. "You fucking bitch! How dare you bite me? I will teach you a lesson right now!"

I saw the gringo stand and clenching his fists.

Nacho walked to a table and threw all glasses, bottles and everything else that was on top. Angrily, he grabbed my hand and pushed me on top of the table forcing me to lay on my back. I froze not knowing what to do. All the other cartels were silent, ready to watch the drama. Nacho removed his pants and was left with boxers on and forcefully yanked down my panties. By then tears flooded my eyes and I was shaking. He quickly forced himself on me and before he could go any farther, the gringo threw him off me.

"Enough! What do you think you are doing? That is so loco!"

"Why do you meddle in my business, gringo? She's mine and I can do as I please. Who are you to question or stop me?"

Nacho was so furious that he started pushing the gringo. The gringo seemed not interested in fighting but Nacho still insisted. Next thing I know they were pointing guns at each other. All their men too were holding guns against each other. Pablo tried to come between the two groups and he has pushed aside. I couldn't believe I was in the middle of cartel fights. I picked my panties and quickly put them on and slowly ran to where the other ladies were. Sarah told us to leave the room as things were about to get messy.

"I have never seen the gringo so mad before. What could have possibly happened?" Sarah asked on our way out.

I stuttered. "Na-ch-o. He..."

Becky spoke. "Nacho bought Chloe and forced himself on her in front of everyone but luckily the gringo stopped him on time"

  "Same old Nacho! The fucker always playing dirty even in business. Am not the best person to say this but I am glad you are okay Chloe. Please dont leave the room until I say so"

✳               ✳               ✳           ✳

I was glad I got saved in a nick of time and also was worried too about what Nacho might do next. After two hours, Sarah came and asked us to follow her to the bidding room. My feet were too heavy to lift. My heart raced faster than ever as if I was on death row.

  "Faster ladies" Sarah ordered.

Back in the room, broken bottles were scattered everywhere. Nacho and the gringo were sitting on opposite sides. Both looked raged. Nacho's hand bled. The gringo didn't have any bruises.

Pablo began. "Let's finish bidding. Only 2 girls left"

"5000$ for both of them" Nacho offered and Pablo gladly agreed.

Pablo ended the meeting and soon we were leaving.

Nacho signalled me to follow him. A tiny part of me felt good that I wasn't alone because now there were 3 of us, Sandra, Elena and I.

As I was leaving, I looked back and waved towards the other ladies who probably would be leaving too with their masters. I saw the gringo flash a smile before he got on his car and sped off.

✳.               ✳.                  ✳.             ✳. 

We drove off in a black jeep. Nacho didn't utter a word throughout the journey. He kept staring at me and smiling. After a long drive, we arrived at a big bungalow. Some men holding guns came to greet Nacho.

"Palacios, help offload the merchandise!" Nacho ordered.

"Sure boss and the women?"

"You idiot! Those are the merchandise. Find Thomas right away after you get them out!"

We were taken to one of the rooms and left there. Later we were fed, at least the meal was good, then Nacho called for us.

"You should rest but tomorrow you will have to get busy. From now on call me boss. Palacios will show you around and Thomas will be in charge if anything you need, clothes, make up you name it."

"Okay boss," we said in unison.

Nacho was grinning. "Good. Thomas!"

I looked at the person Nacho left in charge and guess who it was? The strange man I met back at the hotel. How did he even get here? He stared at me and smiled. "Seems Nacho lost his taste nowadays. How could he leave his mistresses behind for some cheap hoes!"

I looked at him with rage that if I had a gun I would shoot him instantly.

Noticing my anger he came closer to me and spoke sarcastically. "If only you gave me a chance then things would have been different. See where your pride has brought you to?"

  "Chance? Pride? What are you talking about?"

  "And now she can talk? All this time, I thought you were dumb"

Elena spoke. "Wait, how does he know you?"

  "I know all of you in detail. Let's just say I do my homework well. As for you, blondie is pure luck."

  I shouted while poking his chest. "What Luck?"

He held my hand. "Enough bitch, stop! You refused me and all I had to do was add one to the other. The day I saw you back at Pablo's unconscious in his office, I felt happy that nature paid me. I suggested that he sells you. No offence but trafficking is the new gold"

  "You are evil. Just cause a girl doesn't talk to you,  you make her life miserable?"

"Not, either way, if you would have accepted me you would still be here. This business, I started it long ago before Pablo. My brother knows well about my business now that he has seen it has profits and let's say it is a family affair"

I was shocked at his words and was about to speak when Elena said. "Your brother?"

"Yes! Nacho is my big brother and we parky own the hotel you were in"

Sobs wracked through my body but Elena patted me on the back and comforted me. "Take it easy. We are here now, crying won't solve anything"

  "She is right. I had to convince Nacho to but you that way I can make you suffer for ignoring me, bitch!"

"Now move it!" He ordered.

We followed him as he introduced us to our 'co-workers'. All of them were ladies, the way they were dressed you could say the bungalow was a brothel.

"Hey sexy, want some soup?" A red-haired curvy woman spoke. She was in bra and panties only.

"Maybe later babe. I have to show these hoes around"

There goes out the new name.

  She winked. "I'll be waiting for you, daddy" and I almost puked.

Thomas left us in the hands of Palacios who later showed us a place to sleep. The room had two-decker beds which we thought were ours, only for some two ladies to claim them as their own. Those women had a Mexican accent.

One of them spoke. "Freshers sleep on the floor"

"No. Palacios said it is our beds" Sandra whined.

"Did you say something bitch? Get on the floor now if you don't want any problems around here!"

With that, we called it a day. Back to square one sleeping on the cold floor and being bullied by some bitches who reminded me of college.