Chapter 1

Darkness...

Both my eyes were covered with cloth. I didn't know what they would do with this body. I couldn't even feel my tears. The baritones of several people chimed in, some directing, some speaking sternly to me.

"Don't make it worthless, one scratch can ruin everything!" said one of them.

I didn't know what the faces of the people leading me somewhere looked like. My steps were being shown through a long, endless hallway. All the steps stopped, and there was the creak of a door opening.

"Quickly bring her in! They're waiting."

Who was waiting? Why was I feeling so uneasy at his words?

"... what are you going to do to me?" I asked, making sure something might happen.

There was no answer for several minutes until a step approached me, and someone whispered in my ear.

"Didn't I tell you? It's all your father's fault for leaving you in debt and using you as collateral. I need more money than your body, so I'll sell you to a rich man who can pay you what your father owes." That voice was very familiar.

Yes, he was Mr. Brams. A loan shark who was merciless when it came to collecting his money. He didn't hesitate to give high-interest rates to late ones. I don't know what my father thought when he borrowed money from this cruel man.

Since Mr. Brams took me by force, my thoughts have only concerned my safety. How could I not? They seemed to be enjoying themselves so much. I was so scared of them doing things I didn't want them to. What if they wanted to?

However, that thought has disappeared since Mr. Brams told me his intention to take me. Of course, he could get his money back by making me into an item that many wealthy men could offer many rich men could suggest. My feelings were getting increasingly frantic, especially since I had no idea where they were taking me.

 "Wh-what? Sold? Sir, I can work without pay, please don't sell me," I whimpered pleadingly, hoping for some compassion from Mr. Brams.

"What? Work without wages? It's people like you and your father who amuse me. You borrow begrudgingly, but you try to run and hide when due. It's a good thing I'm not a man who's easily fooled. I won't let you go until I get my money back!" said Mr. Brams, annoyed with my plea.

In this state, with my eyes closed, I could feel his annoyance. Mr. Brams had a stern face, his sharp eyes enhancing his cruelty.

Before today, I was planning an escape. I couldn't pay my father's massive debt, and the interest increased daily. Mr. Brams even increased my stake, making me even more suffocated.

This time, it seemed like I had to resign myself to the situation. After all, my life had been ruined from the start.

It all started one year ago, right before my father left for good. He left a message that shocked me. He said that he owed a lot of money to a loan shark. The message also mentioned that I had to pay off all his debts.

I never thought that my father would use me as collateral. Right after my father left, several people came looking for him. At first, I could pay back little by little, until Mr. Brams' patience reached its limit. Here I was, in a place I never knew where I was going.

Last time, Mr. Brams gave me a mini dress and a woman was doing my makeup right before they brought me here. I didn't get to look in the mirror after it was all over because they immediately blindfolded me and took me away.

"Hey! Hurry up and bring her in! Everyone's waiting," Mr. Brams could be heard giving orders to his men.

My hand was pulled away as if I were a pet. Perhaps they had never humanized people like me, especially when what was theirs could not be returned as they wished. Still in the darkness, I could hear the noise they were making-the men-who know?

At first glance, I heard words of praise. Not only that, I could also hear their desire to get me, later.

Am I becoming a spectacle?

"M-Mr. Brams, where am I?" I asked fearfully.

My body was shaking, like I was on a stage. I knew because I stomped my foot several times and felt what I was stepping on. The floor beneath my feet was made of wood. From where I was, I sensed that they were lower than me.

I faintly heard someone walking closer. Then, the noise from the people decreased.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Well, this time it's a beautiful girl who is still virgin. You can see her beautiful curves, can't you? Are you curious about her face?" explained a man, like he was doing a promotion.

Yes, he was offering my body to the men in front. How's this? What are they going to do to me?

Suddenly, the man beside me pulled back the blindfold that had blinded my vision. The light shining on me blurred my idea for a few moments. Until I could see who was now in the large room.

What was this scene? Why were so many unfamiliar faces looking at me lustfully?

The atmosphere felt so oppressive to me. I was like an item being fought over by beauty connoisseurs. My eyes darted, searching for Mr. Brams or anyone I could recognize. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a single person who could help me.

My lips were so stiff that I hesitated to ask for help. Is it possible that they'll make me a slave after this?

Father, what exactly did I do wrong? Why are you sending me such a streak of bad luck?

God, I'm scared. How can I be free if everyone seems to be fighting over me?

Many pairs of lustful eyes covet me, you can see from the look in their eyes that they want me so badly.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? The highest bidder will take her home. Are you ready?" The man in the black vest beside me started to open the price.

One by one, I saw that the men's faces looked like my father's. I'm sure their ages were in the four figures or maybe more. I don't know...

I felt so confused. My tears dried up as I wanted to cry out loud. I heard the numbers they proposed, so many that I wondered if this was the reason my father had used me as collateral for his debt.

Now I know how much my body is worth to those men. It's so sad to know. They hadn't touched me yet, but I felt dirty initially.

I looked around for Mr. Brams, hoping he would be about. Sure enough, Mr. Brams was backstage. He massaged his forehead every time the men mentioned a number for my body. Faintly, I could hear him complaining, albeit softly.

"One million dollar. She should be sold at that price, at least. They're so rich. Why can't they see the good stuff!" said Mr. Brams, who was talking to one of his men.

Unconsciously, I started to cry. My body was shaking, and my legs couldn't support my weight. I almost fell over, but the man beside me said, "Hey, don't lower your head! Quickly raise your head and look at them!"

"S-sorry, sir. I'm scared. I want to go home," I told the man. My voice was choked. It was so scary, like a chain was tightly binding me.

The hope of getting out freely was looking dark. I was sure they wouldn't let me go.

"All right, we'll start at one million, is there anything higher than that? You won't regret it, this girl is still sealed, we can even give you a guarantee. Not only that, she can also be a good slave."

The explanation amused me. Really, they were only thinking of the lust to possess my body. One million is a significant number. It could even pay off my father's debt. However, why is this man still opening the bidding? Were there still some of them who would bid higher?

"Two million!" exclaimed a man sitting not far from the stage.

My eyes rounded. They had a lot of money to offer me such a high price. A lot of money could make my life change. But, unfortunately, it all belongs to Mr. Brams. I'm sure that man won't give me a single sheet after all this.

"Hey, you! Raise your head and smile at them! Don't make them lower their bids!" That guy did look more annoying than Mr. Brams' men.

I looked like a puppet they'd set up. Smile? I even forgot how to do it. In the current tense atmosphere, I'm trying to stay calm, but I can't. Let alone smiling, I couldn't even lift my head and look at them. I was too scared and confused to do so.

I could hear the numbers rising while my body trembled even more at the thought. Money could indeed buy everything, including my helpless body.

"Three million!"

I was scared. Even my heart was racing as if this was the end of my life.

The man's voice beside me returned, and he re-asked those who might want to raise the price.

"The bid stopped at three million. Is there anyone else bidding? If not, I'll knock the last price." His voice trailed off as a man stood up and raised his hand.

"Fifty million dollars!" The man managed to make the whole room rowdy. No one moved after that number was mentioned.

Not only that, I rounded my eyes perfectly when I heard the number he mentioned. Fifty million was a considerable amount. I could buy anything with it. However, was it a fair price for this body of mine?