Chapter 1: Sold Like a Commodity

"You can’t be serious," I hissed, my knuckles white as they dug into the edge of the dining table. 

The wood made creaking sounds under the pressure, but I didn’t care. My parents sat across from me, their eyes fixed on mine.  

My father looked at me and cleared his throat, trembling. "Ava… it was the only way to save us."  

“The only way to save us? Are you actually being serious right now? The only way to save us? By selling me off like livestock? To the Invanto mafia of all people?” I laughed, but it was sharp and bitter. 

"…Ava, we had no choice, the family company was on the edge of bankruptcy, We couldn't afford to let our years of hard work crumble." my mother whispered, tears streaming down her face. She looked older than she had that morning, her cheeks hollow and her hands shaking on her lap.  

"No choice?" I slammed my hands on the table, standing so rudely my chair toppled over. "You had a choice, and you chose this! You chose me over the family’s company, you chose your only child to save yourself! You chose to ruin my life to fix your mess!"  

My father opened his mouth to respond, but I didn’t wait to hear whatever pathetic excuse he had lined up. I turned and stormed out of the room.

The second I reached my bedroom, I slammed the door shut and locked it. My breath came in slow gasps, and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.  

How could they do this to me? I understood the importance of the family business, but I couldn't fathom being sold off to save it.

I couldn’t stay here. Not even another second.  

I quickly picked up my phone searching for what to do next and saw my opened window.

I ran to the window, yanking it open with my shaky hands. The cool fresh breeze slapped against my face, but I barely noticed. My room was on the second floor, but the lattice trellis running down the side of the house might hold.  

Might.  

Without thinking too much about it, I swung one leg over the windowsill, then the other. My fingers gripped the lattice tightly as I tested its weight. It creaked but held. So far, so good.  

Halfway down, the trellis shifted causing my stomach to drop due to a feeling of panic. I crawled for a better grip, but it was too late. The lattice gave way, and I fell.  

A sharp and quick cry escaped my lips as the ground rushed up to meet me, I covered my face hoping to hit the ground soon but never came. Instead, I found myself in thin air cradled in a pair of strong arms.  

Blinking, I looked up, only to meet the darkest eyes I’d ever seen. 

They seemed so dark that I could see my reflection in it.

The man holding me had a face that was chiseled and defined, with a strong jawline and perfectly styled dark hair. 

It felt as if he were the most perfect creation on Earth.

His grip was firm, yet strangely gentle as if he knew exactly how to hold me. 

"Well, this is inconvenient," he drawled, his voice deep and fueled with amusement.  

"Who the hell…" I said snapping back to reality….

“Put me down…” I yelled trying to push away from him, but his grip tightened.  

"Calm down angry bird…The names Jayden Invanto," he said simply. "Your new… owner."  

My stomach churned. "Owner?"  

"Oh my bad, did they not explain that part?" His lips curved into a smirk that made me want to punch him.  

"You’re a member of the Invanto mafia family, I can never be sold to you not to talk of being yours," I spat.  

"And you’re as perceptive as they said, I love it tho," he replied smoothly.  

The fact he answered me calmly and chilled made me want to twist his nose till it breaks.

"Let me go," I demanded, struggling against his hold.  

"Not likely."  

"Do you seriously think I’m just going to go with you? Like some obedient little doll?" My voice rose. "You can shove your mafia nonsense and—"  

Before I could finish, the cold press of metal kissed my neck. My breath hitched as I froze.  

Jayden’s smirk deepened. "I’ll have to give it to you, You’re brave for a weak and tiny woman. But brave doesn’t keep you alive in my world."  

I glared at him, my chest heavy. "I’m not weak! And you’ll see that!” I gulped hard.

“Go ahead. Shoot me. Prove what a coward you are."  

He tilted his head, almost as if he were amused by the challenge. "Amazing! I love this! This little confidence of yours…”

“…Well your life isn’t yours anymore. Get used to it."  He pulled the gun away and grabbed my wrist instead, dragging me toward a sleek black car parked at the curb. I twisted and fought, but his grip was like iron.  

"Let me go you coward!" I screamed, digging my heels into the ground. “I won’t go with you, you can’t just take me away from my home and family, I’m not your slave!”

"Same family who sold you off? Pheff! Save your breath," he said coolly, yanking the car door open.  

I looked back toward the house, hoping for some intervention. My parents stood in the doorway, their faces pale and stricken. My mother’s lips trembled as she mouthed something I couldn’t hear.  

"Do as he says," my father said hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the roar of the engine as Jayden shoved me into the car.  

The door slammed shut, locking me into a future I wanted no part of. As the car sped away, the only thing louder than the engine was the sound of my trust shattering. “How could they? How?? They didn’t even attempt to save me!” These were the only questions I asked myself as I watched my house disappear into thin air.