Chapter 3

ELEANOR

After navigating several twists and turns along the dimly lit hallway, we finally reached Mr. Armando's doorstep—a black door, elegantly adorned with a golden handle. I could feel my heart palpitate rapidly as we stood right in front of it.

It was one of the several private rooms which I learnt from my stay here that Mr Paulo rented for overly expensive prices to the richest set of men that visited here.

The intimidating guard assigned to escort me opened the door and gestured for me to enter. Then he bowed his head and swiftly closed the door behind me, leaving me with my unfathomable new master.

I stepped in with each footstep more deliberate than the last and was welcomed by the husky aroma of the expensive perfume that occupied the entire room.

The elegantly marble-clad walls were softly illuminated by a dim blue light bulb, casting a gentle glow throughout the room. Majestic chandeliers burning with scented candles were set on a table next to the throne-like couch where Mr. Armando sat waiting.

He looked a lot more intimidating than the last time I saw him out there in the hall, and his stare felt as though he was already mentally undressing me.

"Perché sei così lontano, mia cara? You should come closer" he said with an uncanny smile as his hands beckoned that I walk forward.

I was paralyzed and unable to move my legs, overwhelmed by a gripping fear that held me in place as if the ground beneath had suddenly become quicksand.

"That was not a request dear," he said, his villainous smile slowly fading into a frown. "When I call, you come immediately, you don't hesitate. Now come!"

The echo of his voice shook me and I began to slowly walk towards him, his facial expression took a turn into a smirk as I advanced towards him.

"Good, good, yes. Now stop there," he said, sending my footsteps to an immediate halt. "Now get naked for me." He ordered.

What?! No way he expected me to just undress myself like I was not a person with choices and emotions. No way I was going to do that.

"Sorry?" I asked, still a bit unsure of what I heard because there was no way he just said what I think he did.

"What's the matter Micina? You did not hear me? Are you deaf or something?" He asked, the smirk that previously hung on his face fading away.

"I'm sorry sir but I can't and won't do that," I said, trying my best to sound bolder than I was.

"Oh really?..." He chuckled in a way that transmitted signals of terror throughout my entire body.

"Why won't you? You have to tell me" he asked in a low tone.

"It seems you have forgotten so quickly that I own you now bitch!" He suddenly erupted, "I own you now! I tell you when to stand! I tell you when to sit! I fucking tell you even when to breathe! Do you get that?!" He yelled as he held me to my throat, slowly suffocating the air out of my lungs.

Was he going to kill me?

The room began to spin around me as I struggled for air, but that didn’t seem to bother him. His grip only tightened with every passing second.

“P—Please, let go,” I gasped, barely able to force the words out.

"I said, did you get that?!" He yelled, still closing my air pipes.

"Y—Yes, please let go" I managed to squeeze out.

Just as I felt I was on the verge of my last breath, he finally released me, and I collapsed to the floor, gasping desperately, inhaling as if my lungs had been starved of air.

A second more of suffocation and this man would've actually killed me right here.

Oh God how am I going to live with a man like this?

He hasn't even taken me to his house yet and he has already attempted my life just because I refused to undress myself for him.

"Pathetic," He scoffed as he stared from above me.

"Five minutes. It's all I give you" he said as he was about to exit the room.

"Five minutes?" I asked, confused and still rubbing my throat while I kept gasping for breath.

"Do not tempt me Bambina. You must be a slow thinker because why the hell do you ask a lot of stupid questions?!" He fumed.

"All you have is five minutes to meet me in my car outside. Do not keep me waiting." His stern voice echoed in the entire room, giving orders as he slammed the lounge door shut behind him.

It's official; Paulo just sold me off into the hands of a mad man. Can I really survive him?

* * * * * * *

The hall was still packed with activity as I left the lounge, the auction was still on and several of us had been sold tonight. My heart raced as I tried to keep up the pace with Armando because I didn't want to be choked near to death again.

I picked up my things immediately and followed behind Mr. Armando as soon as I was able to pack my stuff together.

All I had to my name were a few dresses, some toiletries, and a bit of makeup. I was broke, having spent everything I earned on my sister's treatment. The elegant dresses I wore during the auctions—before I was finally sold—were given to me by Paulo to make me look attractive to the men bidding on me, which he took back the moment I was sold tonight.

As I quickly maneuvered through the hallway, I heard someone yell my name. "Eleanor! Eleanor!" I kept hearing it, but couldn't pinpoint the source until I paused and looked around.

It was Lucy—the only person I could refer to as 'my friend' around here.

Seeing that I was about to take my leave, she ran towards me and gave me a hug. "It'll all be fine Eleanor," she whispered into my ears, as though the she had seen the anxiety in my soul written all over my face.

If only she had witnessed what my owner had just done to me a few minutes ago.

"Eleanor, this is Mr. Cristian, my new owner," she said, referring to the man who stood behind her. "And Mr. Cristian, this is my best friend Eleanor."

"Hi," he said in a deep but calm tone as he stretched his hand for a handshake.

Oh God, I don’t have time for this. Talking to Lucy had calmed me down and even though I wanted to stay a little longer, I had already overstayed my time. Mr. Armando was going to kill me. I need to get out of here fast.

"Good evening sir," I stammered.

"Please, call me Cristian," he said.

His tone seemed human. He didn't seem as rude, controlling and ill-mannered as the rest of the men that usually came here. What was a man like him doing here?

No wonder Lucy had could tell me that everything would be alright—her owner wasn't like the rest of the men that were in this room. If only she knew what mine was like.

"You're the girl that was bought by Mr. Armando right?"

"Y—Yes sir," I found myself stammering again. Oh God why was I doing that?

Cristian just laughed at the sight, flushing a wave of embarrassment over me.

"Well, Mr. Armando—" he paused, "...all I can say is that you should be careful with him and also do your best not to annoy him, I've heard he's a really dangerous man."

Cristian's words sent my heart racing. I wasn’t sure if it was from what had just happened between Mr. Armando and I in the lounge or the looming danger I now sensed.

From the onset when I first laid eyes on Mr. Armando, I had a gut feeling he was dangerous but Cristian’s words confirmed my fears which made me even more terrified.

It wasn't too long before the guard that had been assigned to escort me to Mr. Armando's car came pushing and shoving through the crowd.

"Mr. Armando has been sitting waiting for you, he asks that you come now," he ordered. It seems my life is all about taking orders now.

I hurriedly said my goodbyes to Lucy and Cristian before rushing after the guard, who led me to where Mr. Armando’s car was parked. The black limousine stood out, and from its sleek design alone, you could tell it was worth millions.

I knew they said he was dangerous, intimidating, and rich, but I didn't expect it to be filthy rich.

Who was Mr. Armando my new owner?