Chapter 1 – The Fated Auction Commences

• “$1 MILLION GOING ONCE…” The announcer’s voice was starting to fade in my ears. I bowed my head, hiding my expression with my hair and stared at the ground.
• “Going twice…Thrice…No more bidders? Alright, sold! Item 34 sold to Number 456!”
• So far, so good, I thought. I couldn’t help the smirk that curled up to one side of my mouth. The plan was proceeding smoothly. The men yanked me up and I had to clench my fists behind me to restrain myself from going out of character and flinching away from them. My cuffed wrists were starting to itch and so I quietly thanked God they took it off of me once I got back inside the cell with the other girls. I fixed the skirt of my dirty janitress outfit and sat properly.
• Immediately, one of them came up to me and asked, “Did someone buy you?”
• I slowly nodded.
• “For how much?”
• “$1 million.”
• “Wow, good for you,” she dreamily mumbled as her shoulders slumped. “I was only worth for $300,000. I can’t believe it. I even showed them my boobs!”
• I remained staring blankly at her. “You wanted to be sold?”
• “Duh, of course! Madame told me I’ll live a life of luxury and pleasure if I’m sold in a good price,” she replied, eyes dreamy with the false idea that ‘Madame’ gave her. The girl didn’t know the opposite was waiting for her.
• In this auction, men are gathered to look for a woman-for-sale for one out of two choices; either use them for sheer sexual pleasure – a mistress – or re-sell them with a higher price. The women here are very much objectified, and although it disgusts me to be in this situation, I’ll have to bear it for just a little longer.
• Once the auction finished, the men came rushing in and picked up the bought girls one by one. There were a mix of emotions in the backstage. When my turn came, I quietly followed them out to the farthest door at the back, with my hands still cuffed behind me and my head bowed.
• “My dear, Fallon!” I looked up and saw the gay announcer grinning while nearing me. The men holding me stopped at their tracks. “You’re the luckiest girl tonight! I can’t believe Mr. Rios chose you, and for $1 million!” His eyes sparkled at the thought of the large sum of money.
• I feigned a worried smile. “Do you think he’ll be good to me?”
• “Of course, of course!” He eagerly nodded. “Make sure to not disobey him, darling!”
• I was told to continue walking and he had already left to help the others that were bought too. Before I was completely out, my vision dimmed as they blindfolded me. I chose to trust my other senses and felt as they escorted me inside a vehicle. Judging by the number of breathing inside, I assume there’re at least four other men with me.
• “Is that her?” Someone spoke.
• “Yes, Sir.”
• The door closed beside me and my blindfold was taken off. I gulped when I saw the four massive men in suits around me. Two were on my either sides, a driver, and another on the shotgun seat. They all carry intimidating air, which led me to believe they’re the Boss’s underlings. So, they’re taking me to their hideout. Good.
• Reminding myself of the persona of Fallon, my current identity for this mission where I used my real name, I frantically darted my eyes everywhere and forced my body to shake. This Fallon for this mission is a cowardly, innocent, and gullible woman. I should keep that in mind.
• The environment inside during the travel was suffocating. Every time I would twitch even just a muscle, their sharp senses would always dart on me. The road we were taking was familiar to me, probably because I had planned everything beforehand and already found out their hideout – but I wouldn’t show that I know, of course. Not now that I’m defenseless anyway.
• We entered a vast front yard with a tall circular fountain at the middle of the path and behind is a wide European mansion. This mansion is at the end of an exclusive village and for passersby, this is just like the others – full of wealthy professionals because they’re the only ones that can afford such luxury, where they’re not entirely wrong. But this is Casa Rios, according to the data I gathered. Casa Rios is currently inhabited by Jett Rios, a business tyrant and infamous boss of the Rios Mafia – my target.
• “W-Where are we?” I asked through gritted teeth, feigning a frightened expression.
• “Your new home.”
• I visibly gulped, hiding my smirk by pursing my lips. The real Fallon inside of me is itching for an action-packed mission. Rios Mafia better not disappoint.
• 2 weeks before the Casa Rios infiltration…
• “Here, I got you some cola.” Jaguar placed a canned bottle in front of me, holding his own as he sat at the chair opposite of me. I grinned and accepted it, exhaling after the first sip.
• “Thanks,” I muttered, taking another sip.
• “So, Las Vegas, huh?”
• I nodded. “I’ll start my mission as soon as I arrive there. I have to put up a good act, you know.”
• “Good luck. The Director didn’t disappoint you with another dangerous mission,” he said. “I think he doesn’t expect you to come back alive this one. Prove him wrong.”
• “Of course. I’ll postpone my death until I see another one of those bewildered expressions on his face.” I stood up, tapping his shoulder. “I’ll go first, Leo invited me to go shopping before I leave.”
• He merely nodded. In two weeks, I’ll be diving into one of the world’s most dangerous sea. But first, I’ll need help from my colleague to test the waters. I might just know how I can avoid drowning.