Chapter 2

• "Can you tighten it, Eva?" I say, holding my breath.
• "Already done, Mag."
• I exhale and look at my reflection in the mirror.
• I was wearing a black lace corset that made my ample bosom almost burst out. The bottom part was a small panty that would be hidden by a black miniskirt. My shaved legs were covered with black stockings. On my feet, heels of the same color. My long black hair was pulled up into a loose high bun, but some strands fell on the sides of my face. The makeup was angelic, because that's what those men liked. Women with angelic faces.
• "You look amazing," Eva says, running her hands over my shoulders.
• "Thank you."
• "I hope tonight the man who comes up with you is a gentleman."
• "They always are."
• "But also handsome, caring. Someone who is amazed by your beauty and wants to take you away from here."
• I furrow my brow and stare at her.
• "What are you talking about?"
• "I want you to leave this life, Mag. Come on, you're twenty years old. And I know you have a lot of money saved."
• "Eva, there's no life for me outside of this. I feel good here with you and Astrid. But if someday I feel like leaving, you'll come with me."
• "Oh, that's not what I want."
• "But that's what I'll do."
• Eva's phone beeps. She quickly looks at it.
• "Time to go downstairs," she says and hugs me. "Good luck, darling."
• "Thank you!"
• I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror one last time before leaving the room.
• The loud music immediately stops, and Astrid's voice fills the air.
• "Good evening, gentlemen! Welcome to another auction night at Lux!"
• I stand at the top of the staircase, where I have a great view of the main hall. Astrid is on a stage, holding a microphone and a piece of paper. Next to her is a tall stool, where I would sit. In front of her, there are about twenty chairs, and only one is empty.
• "And to kick off our evening, I'll start with the most coveted girl in this place. She's sweet, kind, caring, and very, very beautiful. Here comes Lilith, our angelic girl."
• The lights almost blind me, but I put on my best smile and start descending the stairs after that brief repetitive speech.
• I am the center of attention. The entire hall has stopped what they were doing to watch me walk towards the stage. One of the security guards offers me his hand to help me up on the stage. I thank him with a smile and go to the stool. Before sitting down, I look at all the men participating in the auction and smile at them.
• "Applause for Lilith."
• Everyone does as Astrid asks, and I sit on the tall stool, crossing my legs.
• "Lilith is British, twenty years old, and nothing intimidates her. It's forbidden to hit her, but if you want to be spanked, it's up to you."
• I scan the room and lock eyes with a man who was at the bar. He was leaning against the counter, holding a glass, and looking directly at me.
• "Let's start the bidding at five thousand."
• A man sitting in one of the chairs raises his placard. Astrid increases the amount.
• I observe the man from the bar standing up and walking closer to where we are.
• "Thirty thousand."
• I widen my eyes and look at the middle-aged man who had raised the placard for that amount.
• "Anyone going higher?"
• The man who was previously at the bar takes the empty seat. He was handsome, with a stubble that added to his mysterious demeanor. He was looking directly at me, smiling slightly.
• "Anyone?" Astrid asks.
• I couldn't stop staring at that man. Internally, I was begging him to make a higher bid. I would even be willing to refund the money just to sleep with him.
• "So..."
• "Sixty thousand!" he declares.
• Everyone turns to observe the man who made that outrageous bid for sex.
• As for me, I couldn't hide my satisfied smile and was jumping for joy inside.
• "Is there anyone willing to offer more than sixty thousand?" Astrid questions, but there are no responses. "Then sold to..." she quickly looks at the paper. "Sold to Mr. Gavin Ferri."
• I couldn't believe what had just happened.
• "Lilith, dear, accompany Mr. Ferri to the room," Astrid says.
• I look at Astrid, and she gives me a questioning look, asking if everything is okay.
• "Of course," I reply.
• The security guard offers me his hand once again, and I slowly descend the stairs.
• Ferri, holding a glass of whiskey, smiles as I approach him.
• "Good evening, sir," I say in a soft voice. "Please, follow me."
• I extend my hand to him. Gavin finishes his drink, placing the glass on a tray held by a passing waiter. Only then does he take my hand, allowing me to lead him to the second floor.
• I'm slightly nervous, something that has never happened before. Perhaps it's because this is the first time I'm genuinely interested in a client.
• My hand starts to sweat, and I feel slightly embarrassed. After all, we're holding hands.
• Once we enter my room, I release his hand and run my hands over the corset.
• "Make yourself comfortable," I say.
• I close the door and lock it. I turn to face him as he observes my room.
• "Would you like a drink? I can-"
• "No," he interrupts.
• His voice is deep and firm.
• "What is your name?" he asks, speaking so quickly that it's hard to understand.
• "Lilith," I reply.
• "Your real name," he insists.
• I try not to be shaken and repeat:
• "Lilith!"
• Gavin raises his eyebrows quickly and lets out a sarcastic laugh.
• "I'll pretend that you're not lying," he says.
• "Did you come here to talk or to have sex? I assure you, I can make you speechless very easily."
• He laughs.
• "Okay."