Chapter Three
GAbrIELLA-ROSE
I WAS CURRENTLY sitting in Edward's office somewhere on the outskirts of Detroit. I had been picked up this morning by a car and driven to a fancy office building. I was escorted into the building by my driver, and immediately taken to the office. I had already been for my medical last week, so today was just to go through my interview with Edward. I didn’t get time to look at my surroundings as I walked through the corridors and past other busy offices, before being brought into here.
I sat down in one of the brown leather chairs waiting for my interviewer to arrive. I had been told his name was Edward, and he would also be the emcee at the auction, but that was all. Looking around his office, I could tell that the club catered to the elite of Detroit and possibly further afield. The carved dark wooden walls and rows of books behind the ornate wooden desk screamed class.
The door behind me opened, and I immediately got up from my seat. A smooth voice spoke as I turned to look at who had walked in. I assumed this to be Edward; he was tall with salt-and-pepper hair, extremely handsome, and immaculately dressed. I wondered if he had ever made a purchase himself, because I wouldn’t have minded spending a weekend with him. I was quickly pulled from my thoughts as he continued to speak.
“Please take a seat, Miss Quinn. There is no need to stand at attention. My name is Edward, and I will be interviewing you today.”
He held out his hand, which I took, and then sat back down in the chair. Edward picked up a folder from his desk and took a seat to the right of me.
“Now, Miss Quinn…”
“Please call me Gabriella, or Gaby.”
“Well, Gabriella, you will be pleased to know that all of your tests have come back negative and your physical was perfect, so we can continue with the interview.”
I was surprised that they had managed to get the results of the tests so quickly. Then again, I guessed that was what money bought you, and with the fact that the starting bid was five hundred thousand dollars, I would have expected that level of service.
We spent the next hour going through the questions on my questionnaire. I guessed this was to see if I had indeed completed the questions myself or if I had been coerced into doing this – which, of course, I had by Vincent, but they didn’t need to know that. Especially since I was desperate to get into this auction. This was my one chance to escape the prison that he had put me into.
Edward listened carefully as I went through all my answers and made notes as he went along, nodding occasionally, which I took as a good sign.
“Well, that’s the end of my side of the interview. Are there any questions you would like to ask me?”
There was one important question I had, but I didn’t want to seem too eager. So I went with the least important one first.
“I have a couple. What am I expected to wear for the auction?”
Again, Edward nodded, obviously pleased that my first question didn’t involve money.
“We suggest you select the best underwear to show off your body and any assets that you have. I must say that you do have a beautiful curvaceous figure, which I am hoping you will take full advantage of on the stage.”
I smiled sweetly. At least someone thought I looked sexy, unlike my own fiancé.
“How and when will I know if I have been successful in gaining a place in the auction?”
“I am interviewing over the next couple of weeks, so you should know either way by the end of the month, which gives you around three weeks to get yourself ready for the auction, should you be successful. We will send you an email in the same way we sent you the invitation to this interview. That will also contain all the information you need regarding the auction and the weekend, including how you will receive the payment, if that was your next question.”
Edward was obviously used to the questions asked and anticipated the most important one. However, it did save me from asking it myself.
“It was one of my questions. However, I do have one last question. Will I be expected to do anything my purchaser desires?”
His face turned serious. I hoped I hadn’t asked the wrong question and this wouldn’t cause me to forfeit my chance. He took his hand in mine as he spoke.
“Gabriella, my dear, you have given all of your preferences, kinks, and soft and hard limits. These will all be explained to the buyers. If you are asked to do something that is beyond your limits, you do not have to do it, no matter how much the buyer has paid. Every single buyer has to sign a contract to say they will respect the boundaries of whoever they purchase. You will be asked when you return how you were treated, and if you were treated badly, there will be repercussions for the buyer. So, to answer your question, you only have to do what you are comfortable with. Does that make you feel better?”
I nodded my head. I just hoped that if I did get a place, whoever bought me was just as understanding.
“Thank you, Edward. Was there anything else I needed to do today?”
“No, that is everything, my dear. Thank you for coming along. Hopefully, we will be seeing you again soon.”
We both got up from our seats, and I held my hand out for Edward to shake. This time, though, instead of shaking it, he took it and raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss on the top of it.
“Goodbye, Gabriella.”
“Goodbye, Edward, and thank you again for inviting me for an interview.”
“It was my pleasure.”
With that, I left his office and was greeted again by my driver, who escorted me back downstairs to the waiting car. I got into the back of the car and watched as we drove away from the building and back to Vincent’s apartment. I just hoped that wouldn’t be the last time I saw it.
IT HAD BEEN NEARLY three weeks since I had been for my interview for the Club Lust auction. It had become a daily occurrence that Vincent would ask me if I had heard anything. Every day, I had to say that I hadn’t heard a thing. I was starting to lose hope that I would be selected. I remembered what Edward had said, that I would get an email either way.
Vincent had been away for a business meeting for a couple of days, which meant that I could stay at home. I knew he was probably getting high on whatever drugs he could lay his hands on and fucking anything in a short skirt, but if it meant that I had at least a couple of days of peace and quiet then I was pleased. I knew this could have been the perfect time to escape, but where would I have gone. I had no money as of yet, and I was sure that my phone had a tracking app on it, as he always seemed to know where I had been if I went shopping on my own, and it wasn’t because I used his credit card, because I hardly ever did.
I knew I probably only had a couple more hours before Vincent would be home, so I decided that I would make the most of it. I had just had a small meal of pesto pasta and was running myself a nice relaxing bath to soak away my worries for the evening. I poured myself one glass of wine, started some soothing music on my phone, and lit some scented candles. I immersed myself in the hot water and lay there to relax for a while. This was the one time I could truly be myself. Listening to classical music, a glass of chilled chardonnay, and the hot water easing the tension out of my body. Just what I needed before Vincent came home to bring me back to reality.
I finished my glass of wine and, feeling completely relaxed, got out of the bath and dressed in a comfy suit. I walked into the living room, sat down on the couch, and switched on the TV waiting for Vincent to come home. As I sat there watching the latest episode of Dead Ringers on Amazon, I heard a notification on my phone. I unlocked the screen and opened up the email notification that was showing. I held my breath as I read the subject line.
“A Night to Remember” Auction at Club Lust.
I hesitated, frightened to open the email to find out my fate. I took a deep breath, pressed on the email to open it, and started to read.
Dear Miss Quinn,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your application and for attending an interview at my office for our “A Night to Remember” auction at Club Lust. As you can imagine, we had a vast number of applicants, and with only sixteen spots, it was very difficult to make the decision.
I was too frightened to read on, the thought of my one chance of escaping ebbing away. I knew I needed to continue, though. I had to know either way so I could tell Vincent. I just didn’t know what his reaction would be if I didn’t get in. I took another breath and continued to read.
When making a decision we have had to take a lot of things into account, including the diversity of the merchandise we are offering for sale. With that being said, I would like to congratulate you on securing an invitation to attend the next sale on Friday, May tenth.
Please find attached all the information you will require for the night and we look forward to seeing you at Club Lust.
Sincerely,
Edward
I was trying to hold back the tears as I read the email. I had been given a place in the auction. Finally, I had a chance, something to hope for in my life. I sat there for a moment just holding my phone in my hand, rereading the email over again, just to make sure I had read it correctly.
It said the same thing every time. I had secured a place in the auction.
I heard the front door open, which meant my peace was now shattered. However, at least I had good news for Vincent, and a few more weeks of being left alone. I heard him throw his keys onto the side table as he walked in. Hopefully that meant he was both sober and clean of drugs. He walked into the front room and looked at me sitting there. For once he actually seemed quite happy to be home and to see me.
“Hello, Ella. Have you missed me?”
Like a hole in the head, I thought. But I wasn’t going to antagonize him if I could help it.
“It’s been very quiet without you around, I have to admit. Would you like a drink?”
I got up from my seat and headed over to the drink cabinet, ready to get him a glass of his favorite whiskey before he stopped me in my tracks.
“I’ll just have a coffee, if you wouldn’t mind making me one.”
Who was this guy who had walked into the apartment? It certainly wasn’t the man who had left a couple of days ago. I stepped away from the drink cabinet and headed toward the kitchen.
“If that’s what you want, Vincent. Take a seat, and then I can fill you in with my news.”
I didn’t give him a chance to ask me what my news was before I walked out of the room. I made him a coffee just how I knew he liked it and walked back into the living room to find him sitting in his favorite chair, his tie removed and the top button of his shirt undone. I had to admit he looked shattered, and I was afraid to ask how his trip had gone. I knew that I had to ask, though, as he would expect it.
I placed his coffee down on the table, switched off the TV, and spoke. “So, how was your trip?”
He picked up his coffee and let out a big sigh. “Exhausting. But we got the new contract, which was all that mattered.”
I was surprised that this had indeed been a business trip and not just a reason for him to get laid. He’d probably done that as well, but as long as he was getting it elsewhere, he was leaving me alone. I watched as he took a sip of his coffee. He closed his eyes and a smile came over his face as he tasted it. I knew I always made a good coffee, and so did he, which was one reason why he would always ask me to make it.
“That’s a perfect coffee, and just what I needed. Thank you.”
Again I couldn’t believe the man who was sitting in front of me. He hardly ever said thank you to me for anything. This was the man I had fallen in love with. Sweet, caring, polite. This was not the man Vincent had become. If he carried on like this, he could probably have convinced me to stay…but only probably. I had to remember all the things he had done to me over the past five years, not this nice gentleman sitting in front of me. He placed his cup back down and then looked toward me.
“So, what’s your news?”
I had been so lost in my thoughts about him that I had completely forgotten about the news I had for him. I smiled before I spoke.
“Well, I received an email today about the ‘Night to Remember’ Auction.”
I could almost see the point where his ears pricked up like a dog being called by its owner. He moved forward in his seat toward me.
“What did it say?”
I took a slow breath, enjoying torturing him before I gave him my reply. I wouldn’t wait too long because I didn’t want to anger him, but for a few seconds, I was in full control of this relationship.
“I got a place at the next auction on Friday, May tenth.”
I watched as what I had just told him sank in. For a moment, he didn’t show any reaction, and then his face just completely lit up.
“Are you sure? You have a place? That’s brilliant news! The five hundred grand will certainly get me out of some shit.”
And there we go.
Back to the man I knew and hated. All he was worried about was the money. He couldn’t have cared less about what happened to me over the weekend, just what he could get out of it. Again, though, I had to keep up the pretense that I was doing this all for him.
“I can show you the email if you would like, but I have read it several times myself to check, and it definitely says I have been given a place at the auction.”
He literally jumped from his seat and flung his arms around me. “This is the best news I’ve had all day.”
Quickly realizing what he had done, he stepped away, sat back down, and picked up his coffee as if he hadn’t just hugged me. Deciding I would make life easier for him, I stood up from my chair.
“I have a few things to read through, and it’s getting a little late. Would you like me to get you anything else before I head to bed?”
He was looking down at his phone and messaging someone, as he spoke without even looking up at me. “No. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I walked out of the living room and into my bedroom. The first hurdle of escaping him was complete. All I had to do now was work out how I could stay away from him forever.