Chapter 42: Meeting Her Owner

*Valeria*

My footsteps sounded loud as we walked down the hallway.

Or wait. Was that my heart?

Ugh, did it really matter? I was on my way to meet the man who had purchased me nearly a week ago. Our first meeting in fact…

This meeting could change my entire life, and I wasn't ignorant of that fact. Which was why my heart still pounded, even as we came to a stop in front of the large door. The two guards who had walked me here swung the door open and stepped inside, bowing to the man who sat behind the deep wood desk.

"Here she is, as you requested, sir," the first said, still in his bow.

"Very well," the man said and looked up.

I was surprised to see that he was not wearing a deep hood and mask today. There was probably no reason for him to hide his identity while in his own home.

And I had to admit, as much as I didn't want to, that he was a handsome man. His face was strong and proportional, but he didn't look kind either. His look was very serious.

"You may go," he told the