The Party

"You don't deserve to be at this party," Pablo said. "If it weren't for the fact that you clean, cook, and do my homework, I'd have already suggested selling you. You're not good for much else, honestly."

I stayed quiet. I wouldn't cry. I'd been hearing the same things since I was a child, and I'd gotten used to being seen that way. Even I saw myself that way — a girl who couldn't do anything right.

"You know what occurred to me today?" he said. "I'm going to go through with it. Sell your virginity."

I lifted my gaze. He stepped closer with a grin and touched my cheek.

"Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll get money out of it, and besides — what do you need it for? You'll never be free of us."

He laughed and walked away. I dropped to the floor, holding back the urge to cry. I'd known this day would come. I wouldn't even have a say over my own body.

I pulled myself together and went downstairs before someone came looking for me. Straight to the kitchen. I started arranging the trays for serving.

"Don't let me catch you eating," Estela said. "This food isn't for you. You don't deserve it."

"Yes, ma'am."

She grabbed my hair and yanked, forcing me to look at her.

"Tonight, unfortunately, I'm your mother. Show some respect, brat."

"Yes, Mom."

She let go and went to the living room.

Adrian Ferraro

I'm twenty-eight years old. I'm in the business — the boss of this territory. Crossing me is like stepping into a tornado. I level everything in my path. I've got a problem: I need a wife or I don't inherit my uncle's fortune. But I don't want just anyone. I want someone beautiful, well-mannered, obedient. I doubt I'll find that.

Tonight I have a meeting at the Acosta residence. They're a well-known family — not exactly wealthy, but they own a textile company. I'm their silent partner. So here I am.

I stepped out of the car. Acosta was at the front door, greeting everyone.

"Welcome," Norberto said. "I hope you enjoy the dinner."

"Thank you."

I walked in, greeted the other guests, and sat down on one of the couches. That's when I noticed a beautiful girl approaching — well-dressed, tending to the guests — until she stopped in front of me with the tray. I took something out of courtesy.

"Thank you."

She smiled. A faded smile, you might call it. Then she moved on to serve the others. Acosta sat beside me. She headed to the kitchen, her brother following behind.

Ambar

I walked into the kitchen and started setting up the next round. Pablo appeared beside me.

"I talked to my friends," he said. "Tonight you lose your virginity. Mom and Dad will be out. The winner gets to come to your room. Wait for him looking your best. Not that it matters much, but I think this'll be the only time anyone actually pays attention to you."

He laughed. A voice pulled him away — our father's.

"Go introduce yourself to my associates, Pablo," Norberto said. "Your future depends on it."

"Sure, Dad."

He walked off. Norberto picked up a glass of wine and handed it to me.

"Taste it. I want to make sure it's good."

"Dad, you know I don't drink."

"Do you want me to ruin that face of yours while we have guests?"

I took the glass, had a sip, and immediately chased it with water. He tasted it himself.

"Delicious. You wouldn't know — almost forgot, you're not from this world. Bring out the next round."

He walked away. I went out with the tray and caught their conversation.

Narrator

While Ambar served the next round, the men talked.

"Mr. Ferraro," Norberto said, "how's business been?"

"Is it true you have to get married to inherit your uncle's estate?" one of the men asked.

"That's right," Adrian said.

"Seems unfair," another man said. "He had no heirs — why not just leave it to you outright?"

"Wanted to make sure Adrian produced an heir of his own," the first man said.

They laughed.

"You have plenty of women of good standing to choose from," Norberto said. "Any of them would be happy to marry you."

"Speaking of business," Adrian said, "when are you going to pay what you owe me?"

"This is a celebration," Norberto said. "We'll discuss that another day."

"Sweetheart, sit down next to your brother," Estela said.

Ambar sat down. Pablo leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"How about a two-for-one deal? The pairs are tied so far."

He laughed. Ambar lowered her head and trembled, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, trying to hold it together and not let it show. Adrian noticed — and made a decision.

"Let's make a deal, Norberto," Adrian said.

"I'm listening."

"Give me your daughter, and I'll forgive your debt."

Pablo choked on his drink. Estela smiled. Ambar trembled harder. A wedding? Leaving with a stranger? Could that possibly be worse than staying with her family?

"My daughter is worth a great deal," Norberto said. "She's a virgin."

Ambar's face flushed. Having her father announce that in front of everyone, as if she weren't even in the room — she hated it.

"Your debt is substantial too, Norberto," Adrian said. "I won't be giving you any more money. Your daughter for your debt. Nothing more."

"Let me discuss it with the family," Norberto said.

Adrian nodded. The evening continued until every guest had left. Ambar sat in the same spot, frozen, not having moved a muscle. The three of them sat across from her.

"And here I was planning to auction her off," Pablo said.

"Cancel that," Norberto said. "Having Adrian forgive our debt is already a windfall. Besides, could we really ask more for her?"

"He's right — she's not worth that much," Estela said. "But maybe we could squeeze out a little extra, or at least try."

"Have her prove to him she's a virgin and willing to do whatever he wants," Pablo said.

"Ambar," Norberto said.

Ambar looked up.

"You won't be sleeping tonight," Norberto said. "You'll clean everything — floors, windows, furniture, dishes. You'll have breakfast ready for us. You won't eat — you're not allowed. Tomorrow morning, after you've set breakfast out, you'll make yourself up as best you can. Attractive, not trashy — but enough to tempt him. You'll go to his office. I want you to seduce him, to entice him. I want money on top of the deal. And if you don't pull it off, Pablo will auction you — and not just once. Every weekend. So choose: one man forever, or a different one every day."

"I hope you clean up well tomorrow," Estela said.

"If you don't get it done tomorrow," Pablo said, "the winner of the auction comes in the afternoon."

The three of them stood and left Ambar alone. The lights in their bedrooms went out, and Ambar broke down. She cried with rage, with anger. She was about to lose her dignity — the one thing they hadn't taken from her yet. They wouldn't even let her choose who she married. Without a word, she began to clean before one of them came downstairs to scold her.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***