Chapter 3 : The Encounter

Raya's POV

Did someone just buy my virginity for a million dollars!

            I could not believe it. I was not sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. I was happy that at least my mother, stepbrother, and stepfather were free of debt now and did not have to worry about being evicted from the house. But at the same time, my heart broke at the thought of my father. I had made a vow to him that I will remain pure for my husband. I even wore the chastity ring. I looked down at the ring finger with a thin silver ring having a delicate bow engraved with the words “True love waits”

            “I am sorry Papa. I could not keep my promise to you”

            Oh, how his heart would break if he could see me now like this. My cheeks were wet with tears.

“Raya” A voice called out. I was waiting with the other girls in the room whose virginity has been auctioned off already. All afraid of what was to come. I walked to the door.

“A million dollars. It must have been the highest bid that I have come across. One lucky girl aren’t you?” the burly man who had taken me from my house commented.

I decided it was wise to keep my mouth shut and not say anything. How was it lucky to be held in an unknown place against my wishes and be sold off to a stranger to sleep with him? What would he do to me? How old was was he? Would he hurt me? I had no idea where he was going to take me or if I would ever be allowed to see my family again. My heart hammered against my chest erratically.

“Here put this on” he handed me a white fur coat. I could hear the girls gasp and whisper behind my back.

I took the coat from him and slid into it. The warmth of the coat made me close my eyes in gratitude. I had been shivering. I buttoned up the coat and tucked my hands inside the coat pocket to warm myself. The coat was long enough to reach beyond my knees.

“Follow me” he ordered.

I did not look back. I had not made any friends with the girls who were standing in the room and rightfully so. Every one of them was too scared to say anything. Each probably trying to find comfort in silence, knowing only too well that if anyone spoke and tried to comfort one then we all would be a crying mess. These men didn’t want to see us crying. They had warned us. They wanted us to be our seductive best or put on no expression at all. Crying was not allowed.

I tried to keep up with his long strides without falling. I did not have any experience walking in heels. Let alone try to run in stilettos. He was walking too fast.

“Please slow down a little” I squeaked.

“Be quick. I haven’t got all day” he barked.

I tried to run and at that moment my leg landed at the wrong angle and my heels titled to the side. I lost my balance. I braced myself for a violent fall and flailed my arms wildly trying to hold on to something to break my fall. My hands managed to hold onto someone. I put all my weight on the person and it seemed that the person was also trying to help me. Strong hands supported my back and swung me. I felt like I was flying. I caught a glimpse of the person supporting me. My breath hitched. I blinked. It was as if everything was happening in slow motion.

He was shockingly handsome. Striking electric blue eyes. Thick dark brown eyebrows and lashes so long and beautiful to the envy of every girl. A long nose, smooth skin, a hint of stubble, and a strong jawline with high cheekbones. He helped me stand without breaking eye contact. I was in his trance and could not even mumble a thank you. I kept staring at him as if he were a unicorn.

“Mr. Barlow, I was just looking for you. Where do you want me to leave her? Should I leave her in the car or will you escort her?” the burly man spoke to my savior.

“I will escort her from here. Thank you, Jack” he nodded at the burly man.

“As you wish Mr. Barlow” Jack gave a quick nod to Mr. Barlow and left me with him.

What did it mean? Did it mean that Mr.Barlow had purchased my virginity? Was he the one who I was going to sleep with? My heart did a happy little jig at the thought. But soon it was clouded by other dark thoughts. What if he had only purchased me for someone else? I could not be sure and I sure as hell was not going to ask him if he was going to sleep with me or if he had purchased my virginity for someone else. Yet a girl can only hope. A girl like me who was in no position to pick and choose. A girl like me who was going to lose her virginity to someone she had not fallen in love with.

            Suddenly I became aware of the fact that I was holding on to him. I let go of his hands. He has a mischievous smile on his face. A smile I wanted to return but I was too engrossed in my thoughts. He started walking ahead without saying a word to me and I walked behind him. What would he be thinking about me? What would anyone think about the girl who was selling her virginity? In his eyes, I was nothing else but a prostitute. A desperate one at that to be starting so young. Probably that was the fate that awaited me. Would I be allowed to go back to my home? To lead a normal life or would I be sucked into this world forever?

My head was bursting with all the questions buzzing in my head. I needed some coffee or my head would split. The moment I thought about coffee my stomach growled loudly reminding me that it needed more than coffee. The handsome stranger stopped in his tracks and turned around. I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t notice him stop. His hands caught me from running into him. I felt my face flush.

Easy there, you don’t want him thinking that he needs to claim your virginity right here.

“Did I just hear your stomach growl?” he asked me.

Oh, God! The embarrassment. I blushed even deeper. I am sure my face must look like a cherry tomato now.

“I am sorry. It’s just that it has been quite long since I had anything to eat and it’s so cold here that I am feeling hungrier than usual” I managed.

“Well let us get you something to eat then. What would you like to eat?” he asked me.

“Cake” I blurted.

“Cake? That’s a little odd. But I am sure we can accommodate that request” he added.

We had reached a silver-grey Bentley and the door was held open by a man dressed in a white driver’s uniform. I looked back at Mr. Barlow and he motioned for me to sit inside. I slid inside the car grateful for the warmth and to be able to rest my legs. These heels were killing my feet. The handsome stranger sat next to me and told the driver to take us to a restaurant whose name I had never heard before. Mr. Barlow did not bother making small talk and I was too nervous to say anything. I looked outside the car’s window at the sights of the city outside. I had never been to this city before. I did not even recognize where we were. By the looks of it, this looked like a popular city as I could see lots of people out and about even though I could see that it was 10 PM on Mr. Barlow’s wristwatch. In the suburban town where I lived with my parents, everyone would be indoors by 8 PM. Not a soul would be found loitering around after dark.

The lights, shops, and the stylish way the people dressed here were so different. So glamourous. I wondered what it felt like to be one of those people. Dressed in stylish clothes, hanging out with friends, drinking, partying, or just having fun without a care in the world about money. These people probably didn’t know the pain of poverty. The pain of being told by your parents what a burden you were to them or how they struggled to feed your good for nothing, ungrateful mouth. I sigh and look away from the window. Mr. Barlow was probably one of them. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. who else would spend a million dollars just to sleep with someone? Someone they had never met before just because she is a virgin. People who have too much money and don’t know how to spend it, that’s who.

The car stopped in front of a posh-looking restaurant. I was suddenly nervous. Mr. Barlow alighted from the car and I swallowed. People wearing expensive-looking suits were chatting with the doorman about their reservation or greeting someone they knew. The driver opened the car door where I sat and held out a hand for me to alight. I held his and got down from the car. I smiled at him and muttered a thank you. I took a deep breath and walked towards Mr. Barlow. He held out his elbow for me to grasp. I looked up at his eyes and the familiar electric eyes comforted me. I realized that he was the only person I knew here. I slid my hand inside his elbow and rested it on his biceps.

The inside of the restaurant was breathtaking. A magnificent chandelier hung right in the middle with warm light emanating from it. We were quickly chaperoned to a table and warm sofas. Mr. Barlow sat across the table. A waiter arriver in a black suit to take our order.

“Get us the best cake you have Giuseppe,” Mr. Barlow said.

The waiter seemed surprised and raised his eyebrows “Straight to dessert, Sir?”

“It’s what the young lady wants. Get me a bottle of my usual Cabernet and Arancini balls and stuffed mushrooms. Well done steak for the main course”

“Very well Sir,” said the waiter and departed with a nod and a smile.

I didn’t understand the order he placed but everything sounded delicious.

“Do you love cake so much? Beautiful girl” Mr. Barlow asked me.

Something stirred inside me when he called me beautiful. Was I feeling proud or happy? I was never treated to any kind words by my mother or my stepfather. I was only called good for nothing and constantly reminded that I was a burden to them. My father passed away when I was 14 years old and after that, my life had become miserable. I had hoped that my mother marrying Dylan when I was 15 would make it at least a little better but she had grown even more distant from me after getting married to him.

“Well, actually today is my birthday. So I felt like having some cake” I said sheepishly.

He laughed at my innocent admission “Of course it does. It calls for a celebration. How old are you today?”

“I turn eighteen today,” I said.

His eyebrows shot up and he looked like he was genuinely shocked “Well, I thought you would be 21 at least or I wouldn’t have ordered the wine”

His eyes seemed distant suddenly. The admission that I was eighteen seemed to affect him. What happened? Was he shocked? Didn’t he know how old I was when he placed a bid on me? Perhaps he didn’t know. It was hard to read his face. The smile disappeared from his face creases formed on his otherwise smooth forehead. How old was he? His face was so smooth that I couldn't guess. Maybe he was 24. I wouldn’t know unless I asked him.