Chapter 5

Amelia still gaped around like a lost sheep. She couldn’t decipher what was going on, neither could she tell why he had given her sixty seconds to decide.

“Three, two, one…”, Alexander’s countdown jolted her back to reality.

“I will stay here”, Amelia blurted out with a puzzled look.

At least, staying in such a mansion, with other ladies and a perfect breakfast, was better than living with an old man who wouldn’t stop smiling at her. Those were her thoughts and deep down, she hoped that she was correct.

“But, why am I staying here? Why do I have to make a choice?” Amelia cried out in frustration.

They ignored her and that only made her feel worse.

“I would have her. Sorry, I broke my promise to you”, Alexander said to the other man, who quickly covered up the look of displeasure in his eyes.

“Honestly! I thought I had the little bitch to myself. I couldn’t wait to devour her once I returned home. Right until she escaped”, Bobby scoffed, while Amelia stayed rooted to the spot.

It sounded like a dream; a nightmare. Two men were making a bargain for her and one called her a “bitch”.

Finally, Bobby turned to Amelia.

“I couldn’t come after you last night. The moment I knew you ran to him, I knew that you were still in my hands”, the old man said and broke into mild laughter.

“Too bad you chose Alexander”.

Amelia was choking on her breath. Her lips were parted as though she wanted to make an utterance, but the words never came off her mouth. Her eyes brimmed with hot tears and her body shivered in shock.

She had thought she found a savior, but that was wrong. He was no savior…

Now she understood why the men chasing after her retreated the moment she entered the Rolls-Royce. It was a different link to the same destination.

“How much did her father owe me again?” Alexander asked Bobby, who seemed to be calculating in his head.

“A million dollars”, he replied.

“She also had an exquisite birthday party and a beautiful, expensive dress”, Alexander said and turned to Amelia.

“I hope you know how much you owe me now”.

Amelia was there, standing like an antique that was up for bidding.

Alexander turned his head to look at her. He focused his gaze on her face and went down to her waist. He stopped there the moment he saw how snatched and endowed she was.

“You are charming”, Alexander complimented and winked at Amelia.

Amelia shivered again. The men were currently talking about who would take her, and yet, she was standing there and getting butterflies in her stomach from a mere wink by Alexander.

“I really wanted this one. But it’s fine. She is all yours!” Bobby finally raised his hands in defeat.

“Yes! She is all mine”, Alexander responded and shot a flirty stare at Amelia, who quickly folded her hands to her chest.

Amelia staggered until her back hit the hard surface of the wall.

She wanted to believe that she did not witness what she just did. However, with every minute, it dawned on her that she was sold to the young billionaire standing before her, whom she thought was her savior.

“Here, we don’t call our names. We refer to ourselves with our number. Just like you, you are eleven because you are the eleventh girl to join us here”, Alexander noted as he paced around the hall.

Amelia looked at the ten girls whose head were lowered to the floor. They looked well. They appeared well-dressed, robust and radiant. It was clear that they were being taken care of. However, that didn’t stop the fact that they were slaves to their master.

Just like what Amelia has become…

“You must come down for breakfast every morning. There would be a hectic punishment if you fail to do so”, Alexander continued, sending sharp stares across to Amelia.

“When it’s your turn for the bedroom. You must get dressed and meet me in my chambers. Failure to do so would result in a hectic punishment”, Alexander went further.

Amelia lifted her head at that point.

“Turn for the bedroom?” She inquired, searching his eyes for answers.

“Yes, time for the bedroom”, Alexander replied nonchalantly.

“Everyone here was either bought or taken as collateral for a failed business. However, you all are on the same level and must respect each other”, Alexander informed.

“Finally, I’m your master, and you must do as I say and how I have ordered. Is that understood?” He questioned and they all nodded, except Amelia.

“This is bull shit!” Amelia suddenly scoffed and exclaimed.

Indeed, she considered it one. She had heard of young girls who got sold off as a payment to their parent's underlying debts. However, she never imagined that she would be a character in such a story.

“I’m not an item or antique. You can’t order me around as though I’m a slave”, Amelia cried out, with hot tears welling up in her eyes.

“You are a slave. My slave!” Alexander thundered as he took slow and dangerous steps towards her.

Other girls watched them with surprise. No one ever dared challenging what Alexander had said or ordered.

“I can’t be your slave! I’m just a girl who have no real parents or family. You won’t cut me off from my life. You are only a loser who thinks he has the world at his fingers!” Amelia said and threw a spit across to his face.

She was done being quiet and naive. According to her, a closed mouth would never provide solutions. This enraged her and blew her out of her shell.

Alexander was marveled as he looked at the first girl to be aggressive and rebellious. Every other lady who he had brought to the mansion remained quiet and accepted every of his utterance. And now, a young girl of eighteen was becoming a thorn in his flesh?

“Did you spit on me?” Alexander asked Amelia, who rolled her eyes at him while breathing heavily.

His eyes were bloodshot and his fists were clenched in rage. Her pulled her on the neck until she coughed consistently.

“I would kill you if you dare insult me again!” Alexander roared and pushed her until she hit her back on the hard wall.

He hated being aggressive. However, he would never take a “no” for an answer.

Finally, he swirled around to look at the other ladies, who were seemingly frightened.

“Eleven would be in my bedroom for tonight!” He divulged.

Amelia gasped and caressed her back that were aching already.

Alexander shifted his gaze to a lady who seemed to be the eldest in their midst.

“One, get eleven ready for tonight. She shouldn’t be late, or you would both be punished”, Alexander stormed out of the hall, leaving the eleven ladies who couldn’t move an inch from where they stood.