Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A large, handsome man. That’s what I’m seeing right now, standing in front of me, leaving me stunned after bumping into his massive frame. Is he one of the bodyguards of the man who bought me for fifteen million?

From what I’ve seen, that rich man truly has the means to spend lavishly, even on a woman with no experience like me. This house looks like a palace, and earlier, I couldn’t figure out where to escape. When I finally found the gate, a group of men arrived, and this guy was one of those I saw in the garage.

I snapped out of it when his gaze swept over me. I blinked rapidly, resisting the urge to wrap my robe tighter around myself.

“Are you lost?” he asked in a deep voice. Deep, but not like it came from the depths of the earth.

His voice was beautiful, as striking as his appearance.

“If you’re lost, I can lead you the way—back to your room, Sabiana.”

A chill ran down my spine when my name slipped from his lips. It’s infuriating to think that I’m in a place I don’t recognize, guarded, and trapped, yet I’m still feeling this way. Usually, when someone says my name, it’s unpleasant—most often, my father wo was always angry. But this man said my name differently.

“M-Mister...” I stammered, and his brows immediately arched.

I instinctively held his arm, which he glanced at briefly before locking his eyes back to my face, “Please, I just want to leave this place. You can understand what I am saying, right?” I asked nervously.

He nodded and shifted his gaze back to my face.

“Where would you go?” he asked seriously. “To your father who sold you?”

I froze on the spot, letting go of his arm, feeling both ashamed, and felt pity for myself. The auction was over. I was sold. Why was I begging this man to help me escape when his boss was the one who bought me? How stupid of me?

“You’re lucky you ended up in that club,” he said. “If you go back home, your father might sell you to a different club, and someone else will buy you. You’re beautiful and young, so I’m sure many would be interested. Fifteen million isn’t a small amount. What if, at the next auction, they only value you at a hundred thousand? What kind of person would buy you for that amount? A stinky old poor man?”

“Regardless of how much I was sold for, all men who buy women are the same—they’re all perverts and wicked beings! They’re black-hearted!” I snapped angrily, hoping the message would reach his boss.

He was probably the right-hand man of that pervert. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew him from somewhere. I couldn’t recall exactly, though. Have I met him before? No, that was impossible. We’re poor; I’d never have the chance to face someone like him.

He didn’t answer but kept staring at me.

"If you’re done with your sentiments, I think it’s time for us to go inside. You probably haven’t eaten yet, and you haven’t changed your clothes either," he said.

He lowered his arms. "Follow me."

I had no choice but to sigh. There was no way I could escape from here.

I followed him, and shoulders slumped. As we walked, my eyes were glued to the figure of the man ahead of me. The way he walked was different, as if he owned the world. His back was broad, and his posture and strides exuded confidence and arrogance. It was like he had something to boast about. In short, he was all man, and I had never seen anyone like him—not even the men who brought me here.

"What do you want to do first, Sabiana?" he asked without looking back.

What does he mean? My lips parted, but I couldn’t respond.

"W-What do I want to do first? It depends on the boss—whatever he wants to do first," I stammered.

He turned to me, his gaze raking over me. I couldn’t help but meet his eyes.

"I mean, do you want to eat first or freshen up?" he clarified, and I felt my face flush. My mind had gone to a completely different place.

Men who lusted after women only thought about using them the moment they acquired them.

"Eat first," I replied.

As much as I wanted to act tough, I couldn’t resist the hunger. Even though my life had taken this turn, I refused to die—not when I had promised my siblings I would come back for them. I just hoped Papa was feeding them.

We passed through several hallways, and as I kept following him, I realized we were back inside the house. Anxiety crept into my chest again—what if the man who owned me was already here and we ran into him?

"Young master!" exclaimed an older woman who appeared by the wall.

It was the same woman I had hidden from earlier, and she called the man with me , young master. Young master. That meant he was the old master’s son. My God. I wanted to shut my eyes tightly.

"Y-You’ve found her already, sir."

"She wasn’t that hard to find," the man replied. "Is the table ready? She said she wanted to eat before freshening up. Assist her, Helen."

"Yes, young master. Won’t you be joining us?"

"I already had dinner with Nix and Dad."

Dad? My entire body went on high alert. He had dinner with his dad. That must be the old master. Where was that man?

"All right, sir. Afterward, I’ll escort Ma’am to her room."

The man nodded and left me with the older servant, who I guessed was the housekeeper.

The woman looked at me while my eyes followed the so-called young master. That man wasn’t just a right-hand man. He was the boss.

"Don’t try to run away again, Ma’am. This house is full of security, and even if you reach the gate, you won’t be able to leave since it doesn’t open easily. Let’s head to the dining room so you can eat. By the way, I’m Helen," she said.

Helen immediately turned and walked with her back straight. I followed silently, unsure of what awaited me in this house.

"C-Can I ask a question?" I thought to say to Helen.

"Apologies, Ma’am, but I can’t answer your questions. We’re not allowed to disclose any information here. Perhaps you can ask the master directly if you want to know something."

I didn’t feel insulted by the woman’s response. I could see that she was very formal in dealing with her employer. And honestly, helpers don’t have the right to speak out of turn. I’m also a housemaid, although just part-time, so I understand the rules and boundaries we need to follow.

"I just wanted to ask who owns the house. Is it the young master or his father? That’s all," I replied politely.

"Oh, it’s the young master. He’s the only one living here. Don isn’t around."

My eyes widened. That meant the man who bought me was the one I’d spoken to earlier. The very man I now belonged to. I swallowed hard.

He was intimidating to look at because of his size, but he wasn’t unattractive. When he spoke, there was authority in his voice, though it wasn’t overwhelmingly frightening. He hadn’t introduced himself to me. He didn’t even respond when I accused him of being evil.

He was handsome. No, extremely handsome. Not your average good looks—this young master was beyond striking. Was it some sort of bonus that the man who spent 15 million on me was not only young but also attractive? Still, I couldn’t accept it. I wouldn’t gain anything from this situation. My father benefited from everything, and I didn’t even know if my twin siblings would share in the proceeds.

Silently, I followed until we reached the dining room. It felt like an endless walk.

I glanced around as Manang Helen opened the door. A long table greeted me, with enough chairs to accommodate, I think more than twenty people. The lighting inside was bright, just like the hallways we passed through, where the bulbs lit up as we approached and automatically turned off when we moved away.

"Please enjoy your meal, Ma’am. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell any of us. There are only five of us working here. I’m the head housekeeper. Then there’s Dessa, Janis, Mayline, and Arlene. We each have our own tasks, but if you need help, we’ll prioritize you."

"I’ll be fine. I’m also a housemaid," I replied as she pulled out a chair for me.

Manang Helen seemed momentarily taken aback by my response, but I ignored it. She looked like she wanted to ask something but chose to remain silent.

"The young master specifically instructed us to take good care of you and assist you. We’re not allowed to neglect you. Even during your dressing time, someone must be present. That’s his rule."

I looked at the older woman. Did she mean they were going to serve me here? But why? Their boss had bought me to use me. It’s puzzling why a man like him would need to purchase a woman. Surely, beautiful women were vying for the young master’s attention. I couldn’t believe he didn’t already have someone, or that he would run out of options for a bed warmer.

Manang Helen began placing various delicious-looking dishes in front of me. I stared at the plates, unsure where to start. Not to sound dramatic, but I couldn’t help thinking of my siblings. I wondered if they had eaten by now while I sat here with a spread that included roasted pork leg, ham, fresh spring rolls, and more. There were even huge shrimp and crab claws.

"Try this, Ma’am. It’s from a king crab raised specifically for its claws. They regrow, like plants," Helen offered with a smile.

She placed a large, shell-free claw on my plate. I’d heard about that before, that crab claws grow back and don’t require killing the animal. Just the claws were enough.

"You’re not allergic to these, are you?"

"For poor people like us, allergies don’t exist, Manang Helen. Even if we had them, we wouldn’t notice," I replied, making her smile slightly.

"You’re right."

"I used to get rashes and facial swelling when I ate crab as a kid, but over time, it stopped happening," I added, hoping to ease my nerves a little, even though I knew it was futile.

I was in someone else’s home. I was owned by a wealthy man. What if, later tonight, he decided to do whatever he wanted to me? With his size and demeanor, if he chose to abuse my body, it might very well be the end of me.

A wave of sadness washed over me again. I might have tolerated this if I knew for sure that my siblings were eating well thanks to my father selling me. But with the way he was, he was probably gambling it all away, wasting the money earned from selling his own daughter.

"Manang Helen, this isn’t the end for me, right?" I asked her absentmindedly.

"T-The end?"

"I mean, no one’s going to kill me here, right?" This time, I looked up at her, but she couldn’t answer my question.

"No one will harm you here, Sabiana," a voice from behind us said.

I turned quickly. It was the man who bought me. He had a knack for appearing out of nowhere, like a ghost.

He was dressed differently now, looking freshly showered. I could smell his soap, and his slightly thick hair was still damp.

"Don’t frighten yourself. Put your mind at ease because no one will hurt you here."

"Are you saying that because you’re the man who bought me?" I asked him boldly.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, making me swallow hard. He then turned to Manang Helen. "Where’s Janis?"

"She’s working, young master. I’ll call her."

"I’ll do it," he replied and walked away.

Every word and movement of him screamed power. He doesn't seem arrogant, but his demeanor exudes unshakable authority. It is as if he owned a world ai barely know.