Paris, France. Bruno took a sip of his drink, closed his eyes, savoring the burn that slid down his throat, and then opened them to look at the landscape in front of him. "Mr. Hoffmann, here is your newspaper," announced the housekeeper from the attic. Bruno turned to the older woman and took it. "Thank you," he replied. The woman shook her head at the sight of the crystal glass in his hand. "You haven't had breakfast, sir," she said. Bruno pursed his lips. "I'm fine," he replied curtly. The woman disappeared, sensing her boss's bad mood. Bruno sat down in the armchair near the window, placed the glass on the coffee table, and began to read the newspaper. However, he wasn't paying attention. The reports he had received from Christine an hour ago had left him restless. "An assistant?" he snorted, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. He tossed the newspaper onto the other armchair next to him. "A bloody assistant!" Christine was not following his instructions, and now a woman
Björn stood under the shower water, hands open against the tile in front of him, head down, and eyes closed, enjoying the cold water cascading over him. In the distance, he heard his cell phone, indicating a new message. Without flinching, he mentally dismissed it, assuming it wasn't urgent. Oscar, his father, and Bruno had the same approach – if there was something truly important, they would call immediately. But gradually, curiosity gnawed at him until he cursed under his breath, turned off the cold water tap, and wrapped a towel around himself. His wet footprints left a trail on the marble floor as he made his way out. Picking up his cell phone from the nightstand where it had been charging, Björn opened the message. It was from Thomas, his new head of security: "Miss Gray and two other female employees are coming to the club. Shall I go and get them?" Björn read the message again, feeling anger rise within him. He immediately dialed Thomas's number and called him. "What do you
Christine stared at Björn in silence, her emotions on the verge of bursting. "You should go to the auction. Maybe you'll find something that catches your eye," Christine's voice was laced with sarcasm. Björn avoided looking at his cellphone screen, waiting for a message or a call. "No, I've never been interested in auctions. I already have everything I want," Björn replied, glancing at the woman before him. "And I don't need anything else." "This one is very special. But it's your loss," Christine said with a smile, then turned and headed towards one of the rooms where the auction was taking place. Björn tried calling Thomas, but there was no answer. He persisted, not liking the atmosphere of the place. He preferred to drive back to the hotel, finding the club already dark enough. He had enough darkness within himself; he didn't need more. The auctions featured unique fetish items, works of art, unimaginable properties, and more. "Why aren't they answering?" Björn muttered to hims
Ava felt her feet being dragged across the cold floor, her heart fluttered with fear. "What was happening?" Why did she feel limp? Why was everything a blur? She felt foreign hands on her body, she wanted to remove them, to demand that they not touch her, but it was as if she had no will. She opened her eyes slightly, despite heavy eyelids, and managed to see a couple of women laughing among themselves. They noticed the denim jacket she had over her black dress and made fun of her attire. Then, once again, she felt the hands—cold hands. She couldn't bear it any longer and closed her eyes. The voices became distant, mocking laughter filled the air. What were they doing? Was this some kind of initiation by a hotel fan group? Finally, she thought it must be a nightmare, a result of having had too much to drink... then darkness embraced her. A woman entered the room, where Ava lay half-naked and unconscious on a massive bed. The women stood still, heads down, while the woman with black ha
Björn and his security team arrived at the top floor, he didn't imagine what this secret auction was, but he was going to find out. Upon reaching the floor, he found several security teams, he wasn't surprised to see them since those interested in the auctions were wealthy individuals. Björn walked through, making way for a man who could spew fire from his mouth and scorch the walls of the place. Anger coursed through his veins, his steps were firm and intimidating. He arrived at the VIP ROOM, which featured a lion figure with a gold-plated crown on a black background. He stopped in the middle of the corridor. A staff member from the club recognized him. "Mr. Hoffmann, how can I assist you?" the man asked immediately and nervously. It was the first time he had seen Björn at his boss Bruno's private auction. "Where does the 'Gold' auction take place?" the man didn't know how to respond immediately, so when Björn noticed his hesitation, he decided to find out for himself. He evaded th
They entered a large room, with dim lighting. There were only seven tables, each with a small lamp. Six men were sitting at the tables, avoiding eye contact due to the lack of light. The last table was unoccupied and located near the center. Nicoletta gestured for him to take a seat. Björn was surprised when she placed a mini tablet on the table and leaned forward, revealing her cleavage. "The procedure has changed now. You will press the red button, and the details of the auction will appear on the screen behind those curtains," Nicoletta explained. Björn looked up and saw a TV hanging near the black curtains, displaying seven lines with numbers marked as "zeros." "The button is used to raise the bid, and your bid will be marked on number seven, which is you." "He's got quite a few zeros," Björn muttered. "Any doubts?" Nicoletta asked, and Björn shook his head. "Okay," Nicoletta said as the dim light disappeared. "See you in a little while. Good luck, Hoffmann..." And she disappea
Ava felt the dry branches crunching under her feet as she tried to get as far away from the man as possible. Her mother had warned her many times not to trust people from outside, but she had immersed herself in her work as a tour guide in the town. However, there was something about him that had captivated her. Perhaps it was the way he treated her during that month, enchanting her with his stories during their hikes, the gentle brush of his fingers when he helped her set up her camping tent, or his dazzling smile. He was simply the first man who had caught her attention and made her daydream. But that night, everything changed. They had organized a hike before leaving town, and Alice's group had joined them. When she least expected it, he led her down a path they shouldn't have taken. He covered her mouth, pinning her against the thick trunk of a tree. Her eyes widened with surprise and confusion. "What was he doing?" She stared intently at his pale face and imposing figure, keepin
Björn felt his heart pounding hard as he closed the door. He had lied, hadn't lied, used to not because he knew that lies had short legs, and sooner or later, he would come across the truth. He had experienced it years ago. He was about to go back into the room and tell her what had happened. It didn't matter if he would get in trouble with lawsuits and the police. That was the last thing he cared about right now. A knock on the door made him stop. "Come in," he said. The door opened, and Thomas appeared with a laundry bag. "Sir, the laundry," Björn glanced fleetingly in the bedroom door and removed his hand from the knob, then turned to Thomas. "Thank you," Björn said softly, taking the bag, and Thomas noticed that something seemed off. "Is everything all right, sir?" Thomas asked, noticing Björn's demeanor. "Miss Gray has woken up," Björn replied, his brow furrowed. "Does she know what happened?" Thomas ventured to ask. Björn remained silent for a couple of seconds before answe
Ava typed a goodnight message to her family, and reported that she didn't yet know if she would be able to go into town for the holidays, but she would do her best.Then she lay down after a long warm bath, put on her pajamas, and just as she was about to fall asleep, there was a knock at her door. She opened her eyes and lay still, perhaps imagining she had heard a noise. But no.- Ava, are you asleep? -she heard one of her housemates, got up and went straight to open the door. When she opened it, she looked a little... alert.- What's wrong? -Ava asked.-Your former housemate, Yany, is looking for you. -Ava went to look for her, Yany was in the living room and looked very worried.- What's wrong? -Ava was already getting worried, Yany stood up and looked pale.-It's Alice, I can't find her anywhere. -Ava was surprised.- Have you already called her cell phone? -Yany nodded.-She has never missed her shift, and I think that if
Björn adjusted one of the dumbbells on his wrist, with his thumb he caressed the letter "B", they were the first ones his mother had given him before she disappeared years ago. He thought he had lost them in one of his trips, which had even infuriated and destroyed almost the entire room of that hotel room. He shook his head slowly at the memory of that scene.-Old times, Björn. -He muttered as he left his room.They knocked on the door of their suite, announcing that they could enter. Thomas looked out to inform her that the car was waiting at the front entrance of the hotel. -Let's go. -He reached for his formal suit jacket along with his coat and then they were off. On the short drive to the club, he thought quite a bit about Ava, about how she had gotten yesterday. - Is Ava in her room? -Björn asked when the car stopped in front of the place.-Yes, sir. The area is guarded by the assigned security team.-Well, I don't want any surprises
Ava was lying on the large couch in the living room of Björn's office, Thomas had picked her up and carried her inside.-She blanched. -Björn heard Thomas say. -He was talking on the phone and..." Then she stopped her words, frowned and looked at Björn: "He talked to someone. Even with the receiver to her ear, she was pale, then she started mumbling something, and that's when I approached her.Björn tensed.-It was Bruno who called. He must have said something to her to put her like this," he said silently, trying to decipher the connection to his brother. - Why isn't the doctor here? She hasn't woken up. -Ava began to stir in her place, the two men in front of her turned their gazes to her.-No, no, no, no, -Ava began to gasp in fright, tears began to fall down her pale cheeks. - NO!" the scream was loud, determined and there was no hint of fear in that word, Björn felt his body bristle as he heard her, she opened her eyes and tr
Björn adjusted his tie in front of the mirror, it was a perfect knot, he smiled at the reflection of himself, then, turned around to grab the jacket that was on the bed, moments later he left the suite to head to the office. He had felt uneasy at not hearing from Ava, he thought maybe she was upset about Christine. Then he had his mother's, the next auction, Bruno investigating Ava and Christine with her engagement statement.-Sir, I am informed that Miss Gray has not arrived at the rendezvous point. -Björn turned around before he reached his desk, then frowned.- What? -he looked at the clock and realized it was seven o'clock, Ava was always ten minutes earlier already in the office. Björn took a breath and let it out slowly, he didn't imagine anything wrong, it was just a delay. -I'm going to call... -He said, already feeling uneasy."It's only ten minutes, Björn."-Good morning, Mr. Hoffmann. -Ava announced as she entered the office
Amelia was sitting on the terrace sipping her cup of coffee that she usually had at that time of night, she looked at her branded watch, then averted her gaze to the lights of a car approaching her property, she imagined it would be Björn. There was a knock at the door and she ushered him in.-Mrs. Miller, Mr. Hoffmann has arrived.-I guess he's my son and not his father. -She muttered to herself, unheard by the security man. -When he arrives, send him in and don't let anyone interrupt us unless it's something more important.-Yes, ma'am. -the man left the office, Amelia took a sip from her coffee cup, then a couple of minutes later, Björn came in, she noticed a change in his face, he looked more relaxed, "And how could he not be when his sex life has been activated?" she thought.-Good evening, mother. -Björn saw the woman sitting on the terrace with the doors open and watched him from there.-Good night, Bj. By the way," he shook h
Ava had been lost in her own thoughts without realizing that Björn had arrived at the office, she let out a sigh that made her snap out of it, looked up and saw him.- What did he say to you, Christine?" asked Björn, crossing his arms. He was still furious inside, but he didn't care about the others, but about Ava.-He informed me of the announcement of his...-Ava wrinkled her brow, -commitment.Björn walked over to her and sat back on his heels, took her hand and stroked her knuckles gently.-You know what will happen, ignore Christine.-When she sets her mind to it, she's kind of.....-Toxic. -He completed the sentence for her. -I've known her for years and quite well.- Did you have a thing with her? -Ava was curious.-Yes. But it was a passing thing. She wanted something official and I didn't.-And now that there is something official between the two of them, she shouts it from the rooftops.-Bu
Ava pushed the elevator button to bring it down.-Oh, I had a setback. -Then she looked back at the numbers.- What setback?" asked Christine, Ava turned her face and smiled again.-A personal setback.-I hope it's the first and last time that happens, now that Sussan is not here because of you, I can't be diverting calls to reception. Do you understand?" the sound of the elevator bell rang, the doors opened and the two of them entered.-Yes, it won't happen again. -Ava replied as the doors closed in front of ther. Her gaze was fixed on the elevator numbers.-I hope so," Christine looked at her in profile. -By the way, since you didn't arrive at your work station at your scheduled time, you didn't read the announcement I sent out earlier in the day. -Ava tried to control the anger that was running under her skin, she knew she would rub it in about her engagement to Björn, but what Christine didn't know was that this marriage was not wha
Ava paced back and forth thinking about what Björn's mother would be saying to her. How had desire-driven them? She asked herself that question over and over again. The door to the room opened, and Björn appeared.- Are you ready? -she nodded quickly.- ¿The Mrs. Miller?"Björn noticed her concern.-My mother is fine, don't worry," he paused, casting a fleeting glance at the clock. -I'll change, and we'll go. -Ava nodded. He moved closer until he was facing her, leaned toward her ear, and whispered: "Did you like the panties?She gasped. The warmth of Björn's body pierced her warmly.-Yes, thank you. -she said a little, shaken, then bit her lower lip, "Why did he turn me on with just one question?" she mentally asked herself.-Good," he smiled without her seeing him, straightened up, and left her to get dressed. -Breath, Ava," she whispered to herself as she disappeared into the closet.Fifteen minutes later,
Amelia Miller went into her room and checked that everything was intact as she left it last time, she threw her bag on the bed and walked over to the panoramic window, she had always liked spaces with natural light, the pool was always basic in any place she came to stay and that was her favorite.There was a knock at the door. Without turning around, she gave the order that she could come in, she was expecting her head of security, Albert. But it was Björn.-Mother. -She heard her son's voice behind her back.- Are you decent now? -she asked, and when she didn't hear Björn, she folded her arms and turned to him with a frown on her face. -Wow, you've been quiet. -Strange of him, since he always had something to say in his defense.-I am for the first time, -he paused, as if he couldn't find the exact word to describe it. -Apprehensive. -he confessed.Amelia raised her eyebrows in surprise.-Well," she didn't know what else to