5. SOLD

AUBREY

Finally, it was the D-day for Trent's concert. Purity jumped from place to place, chattering about the show and my heart felt like it would bust from watching her. I was glad that I was able to make her this happy.

I knew just how much Purity loved listening to his music so this was a huge thing for her. As the hours flew by, I got her ready and we made our way to the venue for the concert. We waited in a long line eagerly waiting until it was finally our turn. "Tickets please," the man said.

"For three," I said, handing our tickets to him as he granted us entry. I made sure that Purity and I were holding hands. As we took our front row seats. The place was rowdy and bustling with energy.

Purity was so excited, this was going to be her very first concert. When the place was fully occupied, the beat dropped, signaling the start of the concert

The neon lights flashed as fog began to gush out of the fog machines, giving the stage an ethereal visual. The crowd went wild with cheers and whistles as the anticipated Trents arrival.

Finally he walked out from backstage, dressed in ripped denim jeans and a sleek black jacket, embodying the pop star persona. "Make some noise, Aurora springs!" He said.

They screamed in response. The speakers throbbed as the beats began to play. He picked the mic and within seconds started to showcase his vocal prowess. The crowd sang along as she performed on stage. Denise and Purity seemed to be having the thing of their lives that that alone made me feel happy.

Purity stood on her chair, lip syncing as she swayed to the rhythm of his song. Trent suddenly looked our way. "Hey, little girl what's your name?" He asked as he jumped down from the stage, pointing the mic towards her.

"Purity," she replied.

"Well Purity, I love your energy, would you like to come on stage?"

My eyes widened as I turned to look at Purity, she nodded and practically leaped at him. He caught her and took her on stage. "I want to sing one of your songs for my mommy," she said, causing everyone to 'aww' as the camera panned towards Denise and I, then back to them.

She started singing, this one was undoubtedly one of her favorites. The crowd sang along until she was done. Ripples of clapping erupted from the audience. "You have such a beautiful voice you young star," he said, making people cheer on even more.

Trent picked her up, bringing her back to me. He planted a small kiss on her head as he returned, slipping out his business card and handing it over to me. He put the mic aside and whispered into my ears, "Wait for me at wing B, I wanna see you."

He turned around and returned to the stage. My daughter looked so happy, it was like she was daydreaming. He performed a couple of more songs before the concert was finally over.

As we shuffled our feet making our exit, I nudged Denise. "You can't tell me that wasn't worth it," I whispered.

"I mean, I knew you would have men at their throats tonight with how gorgeous you look, but Trent?! Totally worth it!" She squealed, clapping her hands together dramatically. I squealed too, then with one look at my worn out child, I went to rub her hair and said,

"Hey, take Purity home would ya? She looks tired, I'll go wait for Trent at wing B."

She nodded, carrying the half sleepy girl away.

I made my way backstage, and a bouncer stopped me by the entrance. "Do you have any business back there?"

"Trent said I should meet him at wing B, I'm the mother of the girl that performed…"

"Oh, go right in then."

I let out a breath I never knew I was holding then swiveled my head around until I found the place labeled wing B and I went to stand there.

I watched as the production team shuffled about, moving their equipment. I craned my neck, trying to see if I could locate Trent myself, but then a familiar figure fell into my line of vision.

It was Mr. Frost.

I blinked repeatedly to be sure my eyes weren't deceiving me, what the hell was he doing in Aurora springs? He was talking to a small group of people before he broke off, walking away.

I knew I shouldn't, but I was curious. I didn't realize when my feet began to carry towards him like a silent stalker. He paused in front of a room which was labeled 'restricted area' adjusting his suit before walking in.

I swallowed, staring at the slightly ajar door. I slowly opened the door, my heart thrashing against my chest as I slipped in. It led to a poorly lit hallway that most likely led somewhere else. After talking a few steps in, I paused, maybe Trent was already waiting for me at wing B, I thought.

I should go back, whatever Cole is doing here is not my business, I thought to myself. Just as I was about to turn around, I crashed into a solid frame. I flinched, startled by the sudden presence behind me. "I'm sorry," I muttered, keeping my head low as I tried to reach the door.

Suddenly he grabbed my arm, yanking me backwards. In a swift motion he pressed a handkerchief against my nose. I struggled, trying my best to fend him off but he was much stronger.

In a matter of minutes, my vision blurred and the room started spinning. My eyelids grew heavy and I slipped into an unconscious state, seeing nothing but black.

A sharp sting on my cheek brought me back to consciousness, but it took a harder one on the same cheek to get me fully awake.

An involuntary scream ripped out of my chest at the sight in front of me, but it was inaudible due to the gag tied to cover my mouth. The entire place was filled with so many elegantly dressed people, there were gold tables and chairs wherever I looked, and I was on the stage, staring down at them in the hall.

"She is our next item… we literally saved the best for last." The guy with spiky hair and brown teeth spoke into the microphone, pulling me out of my thoughts, his eyes transfixed on my chest.

I wondered why, but then a gust of cool wind attacked my body and my neck snapped downwards right away. Another scream left my throat, but once again, it wasn’t heard because of the gag.

I was practically naked in front of everyone, in a small, transparent, black lace bra that my breasts were spilling out of, and a matching black lace thong.

Tears filled my eyes and I clapped my palms together in a pleading gesture to everyone, but they just laughed. Most of them, actually.

"… she is the kind of meat every man wants in their bed. When I first laid my eyes on her, I had to blink more than once. She isn't the best we have had, but she is ethereal—"

"Ten thousand."

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Was this an auction? Was I getting bought right now or what?

The second person confirmed my thoughts, "Twenty."

No! No, no, no… Purity, God damn it…

I wanted to thrash about, try to run or something, but I was chained tightly to a slim pole behind me. I looked around for help, but I could see no one that I could turn to.

Just when I thought that it was the end, my eyes locked with… Cole's!

Oh my God, did he remember who I was?

I looked straight at him with pleading eyes and he held my gaze too. He was sitting beside Trent, I just noticed. And Trent was also bidding strongly.

He had a smirk on, telling Cole some stuff as they watched me with complete opposite expressions.

Then all of a sudden, an older, ruthless looking man made a bid of 150,000 dollars, I slumped against the pole, sniffing violently as fatter tears poured down my cheeks.

Purity, oh my God, what would become of my child if something happened to me after this? I grew up without parents and I promised that she would, but I failed her… I failed my daughter…

"Going… And…"

"Three hundred thousand." I heard a familiar voice thunder and my neck almost broke from the force it snapped up with. My eyes locked with Cole’s.

"And just like that, Frost takes the girl!"

A round of applause filled the room and Cole's eyes screamed possession already. Me? I was super relieved and grateful. But for what? How did I know that it was not the beginning of something worse?