"Everyone, today I have a very special guest with us today. There was someone who failed to pay up what they were due, and as a result, have lost their human rights. Everyone, if you need a 'doll', now is the time to bid."
The announcer's loud voice echoed across the hall. I wanted to block my ears and not hear anymore.
But alas, my denying the reality won't change things for me. I was still stuck in the same nightmarish situation as before.
"Now, before you all get excited and make up your mind, let me show you something even more important—our precious doll's face."
A sudden light shined over my face, and I extended my hand to block it. But it was not enough to hide my face from the people.
Loud gasps filled the hall as everyone suddenly got excited. I heard people yelling over one another as they placed bets to buy me.
But all that sounded like loud chatter to me. My brain refused to compute anything that was happening around me.
"20 million—"
"21 million—"
The bet was getting bigger and bigger, and my dread was increasing. The loud noises made my heart hurt even more.
I had never been treated this roughly in my life, and I wondered if this was going to be my life going forward.
'No way—! I am not going to let this be my end. I will make sure to escape somehow and then find a way to get back at my family—'
"500 million!"
There was a sudden silence around the hall as that ridiculous amount got called out. Even I was shocked at how someone could suddenly decide to spend such a reckless amount.
Even the announcer could not believe what he just heard, and he stuttered as he looked at the person who just made that offer.
"E-Excuse me, but what did you say? Maybe I heard wrong—"
"500 million. Does anyone else want to raise?"
The man asked, and no one dared to speak up. Who would when the sum involved was so ridiculous? There was no way to explain such a transaction.
"A-Alright, got it. The 'doll' has been purchased for 500 million. Going once… twice… and sold."
The announcer finished speaking, and someone grabbed me to pull me backstage. The tight grip on my arm hurt, and I could feel the bruises starting to form.
The man who had been gripping my arm spoke up once more.
"I feel like I should remind you to not treat my doll too roughly. You won't be able to pay the price if you did."
And suddenly, the grip on my arm lightened as the people holding me backed off.
I could feel annoyance rolling off the man holding me. But alas, he had no power to be rough with me.
Once backstage, I was locked in a room from where I was not allowed to leave. I had to wait for my 'master' to come and pick me up.
I stood in the mark, waiting for someone to come and get me. But the longer it took for someone to come, the more hopeless I felt. I just wanted things to be over with.
Unfortunately, there was not much I could do but wait.
After what seemed like a century, someone opened the door. I got ready to attack to try and run, but I got no further than the first person.
The hand that caught my wrist was large and powerful. It could easily snap my wrist in half if the other person wanted to.
But the other person did nothing but look at me. A hand grabbed my face before it was pulled up.
"Let… me… go…"
I forced these words out of my mouth, but unfortunately, my wish to be free did not come true.
"Boss, I am sorry. I don't know what came over her today. She is usually not like this. Usually, she's much calmer and submissive. If you give me some time, then I can correct this…"
The boss who had sold me suddenly acted like a submissive grunt as he tried to reach me. His angry eyes told me that I was in for a harsh time.
But I refused to back down either. And if my behavior got him in trouble, then that was even better.
"You are a feisty one. Your behavior, your zest, it's all overly… familiar. Even your face is similar. But I know that you are not the person I want to see. For now, come with me. That will be the safest option for you."
The man told me as he extended his hand toward me. Now that he had stepped in the light, I could finally see his face.
And it looked familiar to me.
That face had aged a few years and gotten more mature. Gone was the shy man who used to look away from me every time our gazes so much as crossed.
Instead, Damian Black had turned into a dangerous wild animal whose gaze was enough to make anyone shiver.
I could not help but shudder as I looked at that face in front of me. My feet refused to move, and as I stood in front of someone I knew from the past, I wondered where things had gone wrong.
"Hey, boss told you to start moving. Why are you frozen like this—"
The man who took me here tried to get me to move, but Damian kicked the man, making him suddenly fall past me.
I blinked as I looked up at the man, demanding an explanation from him.
But I got none as the man turned around before he gave me a look.
"Whether you want to follow me or not is your own choice. But I would advise not to take too long to follow me. I don't want to hurt you because you remind me of someone, but even I do not have infinite patience to deal with you."
The man told me, and I blinked as I looked at him. He was… serious about giving me a way out, and now, the decision was mine to make.