8. Elena
Edward’s office is very intimidating. Much darker in appearance than the man he presents himself to be at the diner. When I opened the email about three hours into my shift, I almost fell over. I could’ve sworn that when the doctor found out I was a virgin, he was going to tell Edward.
The examination was the most embarrassing thing I’ve done to date. It could be because I’d never had a pelvic exam before, so it was uncomfortable, to say the least. Before he schooled his features, I saw the surprised look on his face when he found out my secret, not to mention I wasn’t on any form of birth control, which apparently was a requirement of the auction.
The only bright side, seeing how it was only days away, was that my period had just ended a day prior, which put me in the time period that the shot would be effective immediately.
Someone upstairs has to be looking out for me. I’ve never had this much luck drop into my lap with anything. Or maybe the cosmic world really thinks it”s time for me to lose the only thing left pure in my life.
Now I’m just waiting for the man himself to tell me whether I made it or not. The office is all brown. His desk, leather chairs, walls—all the same drab color. The only bright thing in the room is the books lining the shelf behind his desk.
“Hello Elena, thank you for waiting patiently.” I preen at his praise, but I don’t know why. It’s something I’ve oddly always done when a man tells me I’ve done something good. Maybe it’s because my father always told me everything I did was wrong.
“Hi Edward.” I pick at the edge of my apron. Betty let me leave early enough to do this interview. I lied and told her it was a follow-up appointment from my doctor’s visit and she even let me borrow her car. God, I hope she doesn’t have that app that can track where her car is. I’d hate for her to find out I was less than truthful.
He moves around his desk, taking a seat in his captain’s chair. My eyes can’t help but notice the folder he’s holding in his hand.
“I got your test results back, and as I’m sure you’re aware, you’re clean. I did, however, get a very interesting piece of information.”
“You did?” I swallow, as I worry my lip, avoiding any eye contact with him. I know he’s talking about me being a virgin, but unless he states it, I’m not saying a word.
He just looks at me, no emotion whatsoever to give me a clue as to what he’s thinking. If this is the ‘I think I made a bad decision in inviting you’ talk I’m about to get, I may die a little on the inside.
It’s what I get for putting all my eggs in one basket. I should’ve known it was too good to be true. Since when does anything remotely positive happen in my life?
“It came to my attention that you are a virgin. While it does not exclude you from the auction, I just want to make sure it’s how you want to lose it. I know many women still save their purity for marriage. Not that it’s seen often in this day and age. Were you?”
“It’s not something I was saving. I just haven’t had time to worry about it. I’ve been the main provider for my family since I was able to work, which didn’t leave time for dating.”
There, I was honest, and he said it wouldn’t prevent me from participating.
“Why didn’t your parents provide for you? Why did you feel you had to do it?” The way he’s looking into my soul, it’s like he has the answers and just wants me to admit them to myself.
“Well, my dad left when I was young. Our relationship was not the best. My mom has her own, umm, medical issues and blames me for him leaving. So it was work or starve. I chose the first. It’s why when you mentioned this, I responded, even though I know I’m not experienced. The money will be a game changer for me.”
He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me as he taps the folder on the desk.
“Very good. I have some papers here I need you to fill out. Some of the questions are very personal and I ask that you do that here. I’ll review everything and you’ll receive an email from me if you’re selected. It will have all the details you need about the event.” He slides the folder and a pen over to me and I open it, taking my first look.
Name
Email address
Age
Location
Sex (male, female, transgender)
Marital status (single, in a relationship, divorced, married, separated, married-cheating)
Okay, these are simple, nothing too hard. I’m not sure why he thought they would be personal. I click the pen and quickly fill out the answers. I can feel the heat of his stare, but I don’t look up.
Then I see the next question and I let out a squeak.
BDSM orientation (slave, sex-slave, sub, switch, Dom, Domme, sadist, masochist)
Edward clears his throat. “Are you okay, Elena?”
“Oh yeah. Umm, this question, the BDSM one, what if I don’t know?”
“Simply put you don’t know or you are willing to explore. Nothing will happen over the course of the weekend that you do not consent to. If you like, I can give you another paper so you can write down and research the terms if you like.”
I nod my head and he reaches into his desk, pulling out a notepad and hands it to me. Hastily, I write down the terms and then move on down the list of questions.
Sexual orientation
Height, weight
Smoker/non-smoker
Measurements (chest, waist, hips)
The questions go on and on and I guess at some, not sure what to put. “Edward, it’s asking for a picture. Do you want me to send it back?”
“That won’t be necessary. Just stand up real quick.” He picks up his phone, snapping one of me. “I’ll upload it for you.”
Sitting back down, I look over my answers before handing the folder back. My hands are shaking so much I almost drop it.
“Elena, I want you to know this isn’t normally how I handle these events. I’ve only ever given out three personal invitations in my life, and you are one of those. I think this auction can change your life, even your perspective on things.” It’s like he’s trying to tell me something, but it’s in a code that I don’t know.
“Then why me?” My eyebrow raises as I look at him curiously.
“All things in good time, caterpillar. For now, we are done. I know you took a break from work to come, so I don’t want to keep you any longer. Be on the lookout for an email.” He winks at the end.
I stand slowly, nodding, before turning and leaving. It’s not until the door closes behind me that I can breathe normally. It’s out of my hands now whether he picks me or not. I’ll still have a roof over my head by the end of the weekend or I’ll be packing, living out of a box somewhere. Maybe I can get my car towed somewhere to live in it. Like one of those parking garages you pay by the day to park in.
On the way back to the diner, I take a few extra minutes to go by the electric company and take care of the bill. With the tips I made yesterday and today, added to the cash I just happened to have on me the day Mama disappeared, I’ll be able to keep the power on.
Mama!
She still hasn’t come back and I’m getting worried. Most children of an alcoholic would see this as a relief and I wish I could, but I can’t. She’s been my responsibility for so long I don’t know what else to do. I don’t have any grandparents. Both sets passed away before I was born.
Mama is the last person I have, and if she’s gone, then I’ll be all alone. I don’t know if I can handle that. Am I truly that bad that no one wants to stick around? Maybe Daddy was right when he screamed all those hateful things about me.
I lift my hand, wiping the tears sliding down my cheek, not wanting Betty to see me crying. She’d have questions, and I don’t want to answer them right now.
Stepping up to the front door, the house is dark and quiet. But there’s still a sliver of hope swarming in the pit of my stomach that Mama’s inside, just asleep. That she’ll wake when she hears me, hugging me tightly as she begs for forgiveness.
I’d give it to her in a heartbeat and beg her to go into treatment.
But when I open the door, she’s not hanging half off the couch, there aren”t any empty bottles or a puddle of vomit on the floor. No, instead the house is just as I left it. Nothing’s been moved.
Where is she? Stepping inside, I shut the door and lock it before sitting down on the couch, trying to soak in any remaining essence of her left on it. Her familiar smell of malty beer fleeting, and it saddens me since it’s all I have left to remind me she was here.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my apron pocket. It’s an email.
Nervously, I click on the icon, seeing it’s from Edward at A Night to Remember Auction.
I take a deep breath, then open it.
Elena,
I am pleased to announce you have been selected to participate in the Night to Remember Auction held on May 10th at Club Lust. A town car will pick you up at the address you supplied and return you back there at the end of the event.
My heart races with excitement as I look at the address. I got in! This means I’m guaranteed money. Looking back down, I finish reading the rest.
You are to ensure that you are free from Friday night until Sunday night at midnight. Once purchased, you, the merchandise, will spend the weekend with the winning bidder. At the end of the weekend, you will be returned to Club Lust and compensated with payment.
You will wear your best lingerie on stage. Hair and makeup will be supplied, courtesy of the club. To keep identities private, you are to choose a name to be called for the weekend.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Lingerie. Fuck, I don’t have anything worthy to stand in front of someone with. What the fuck am I going to do?
My phone dings again, and I see it’s another email.
Elena,
I have picked out an outfit for you and a name. I hope you don’t mind. It will be waiting for you at the club on Friday. Let’s just call it a way to amp up your bid while playing on your virginity. See you then, Virtue.
Edward.
What the hell! Have I entered the twilight zone or something? How did he literally just read my mind?