Hope’s Highest Bidders

6. Nikki

6

NIKKI

I pull at the hem of my pink lace teddy. I’ve been shaved, plucked, exfoliated, and examined. I guess I should have known that they would have to prove my virginity claim, but I had no idea the extent they would go through to get us ready for tonight’s auction.

I came thinking that I’d maybe wear a nice skirt and blouse, so I was surprised when they pulled out a clothing rack full of see-through negligees for all the women to wear. The owner of the auction house, Coco St. James, has been hustling around backstage with all of us and putting out fires left and right. She’s no-nonsense and straight to the point. Whatever orders she barks out, there are people all around her to do whatever she asks.

She doesn’t have time for second thoughts or minds changing, and she has no qualms telling anyone that will listen. I just watched her convince a girl that was crying and wanted to back out that she needed to follow through and her life was about to change forever. Heck, by the time Coco finished her little pep talk, I was even starting to believe what she was saying.

I can’t blame the girl for having second thoughts, though. This is definitely an intense situation to put ourselves in. First of all, we’re in the middle of nowhere. Literally in the middle of nowhere. I was told a driver would be at my house to pick me up at six a.m. this morning. I was not prepared for the short car drive and then to be transported here via helicopter. I’m petrified of flying, I discovered this morning, and I’ve been sick half the day because of it.

I look around the room and try to figure out the stories behind the women that are here. It’s either I keep my mind occupied or start thinking about everything that can go wrong.

These women all have different reasons for being here, but they’re all here willingly. I’ve talked to a few of them, and the confessions came easily enough. One is here because she needs the money to pay for school, another woman is doing it so her niece can have an operation. The stories go on and on, and when it’s my turn, I almost feel like a fool when I tell them that I’m here hoping that my ex-fiancé bids on me. Man, saying that out loud it makes me seem desperate, and I can tell from the pitying looks I’m getting that they think I’m a fool.

Damn, and maybe they are right.

Coco walks to the edge of the room and claps her hands together. Everyone stops talking and looks toward her. She doesn’t smile as she announces, “All right, ladies. Everyone get ready. The auction is about to start.”

If possible, the room gets even quieter, and everyone starts to form a line. Coco gives us all one last meaningful look as if to say Don’t even think about backing out now and then walks out through the opening of the curtains. We can hear Coco announce the beginning of the auction, but from where I’m standing, it’s as if she’s speaking to an empty audience. There’s absolutely no sound, not a peep, besides her.

I tug at the butt of my panties and try to cover my cheek, but it’s a lost cause because this outfit I’m wearing doesn’t hide a thing, especially since I’ve gained a little over thirty pounds since Ethan last saw me. Heck, if he does show up, he may take one glance at me and run the other direction.

The auction is underway, and I am a basket of nerves. I’m still not sure if Ethan is going to be here or not. I know this is crazy and over the top, but I had to do something. I couldn’t stand by any longer while he threw away our happiness.

I look around the room, and the remaining virgins are standing around waiting to be called. Some are nervous, but it’s obvious that some are excited. Security is busy, and I sneak toward the curtains to peek through. There’s a woman lit up on stage. She’s eating this up, and her confidence is obviously soaring because she’s smiling to the crowd and strutting back and forth on the stage. Coco is standing behind a podium that has a sign with the auction’s name on it. She introduces virgin number one and tells a little about her.

I glance out to the crowd, but I can’t see a thing. It’s almost pitch black, and my nerves start to skyrocket. What if Ethan doesn’t show up? What if another man bids on me and I have to marry him instead? I signed a paper and committed to this, and if I back out now, I’d owe Coco lots of money. I take in her stern expression as the bidding ends at four million dollars, and it’s obvious that she’s shrewd when it comes to money. I can’t imagine that she’s going to just let me leave on my own.

The next girl gets called, and I go and stand back in line. I can’t seem to stop fidgeting and worrying about everything that can go wrong.

“Are you okay?” the young woman behind me asks.

She’s looking at me with real concern on her face, and it’s probably because I look as if I’m going to pass out. I take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

She grabs on to my hand and squeezes it. “My momma always told me that everything happens for a reason. There’s a reason you’re here today, and by the end of it, and whatever happens out there, well, there’s a reason for it.”

I automatically think about Ethan. I know he’s my soul mate and who I’m meant to marry. I just hope he comes to his senses because whether he’s ready or not, I’m about to go out there and meet my fate. “Why are you doing this?” I can’t help but ask her. She didn’t say anything when we were all talking earlier.

She reaches into the bodice of her negligee and lifts both her breasts. She looks down and examines herself to make sure they look perky. “Oh honey, I’m just here for the money.”

I give her a smile and nod. For just one split second, I’m about to judge her for admitting she’s only doing this for the money, but I want to kick myself when the thought enters my head. We’ve all had different journeys, and I have no idea what she’s been through. Just like she doesn’t know what I’ve been through.

She pats me on the shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

I grab on to her hand and squeeze it. “I know. Everything happens for a reason, right?”

She chuckles. “That’s right.”

I turn back around and realize that I’m next in line. In just a few minutes, I’m going to walk through the curtain, and my life is going to be completely different. It’s out of my hands now.

A security guy looks through the curtain. “Virgin number seven.”

I pull my shoulders back and start walking to my future. All I can do is hope it’s the future I’ve been desperately dreaming of.