The final gavel slammed down, sealing the fate of hundreds of souls in a single echoing sound.
The Fallen Star Auction Hall slowly came alive with movement as masked guests stood, stretching and murmuring among themselves.
Some laughed, others exchanged knowing glances, already imagining the private pleasures waiting for them. Akshat rose from the luxurious VVIP seat, his golden tiger mask still firmly in place. He offered his hand to Manya, helping her stand on slightly numb legs after spending hours perched on his lap.
They stepped a little away from the crowd. Akshat lowered his voice, the cocky Kurana persona slipping off like a heavy coat. "Did I overdo it out there?"
He sounded genuinely worried. "I mean… the licking, the touching, the middle fingers. If you're angry at me, I'm really sorry, Manya. I got carried away trying to sell the whole thing."
Manya adjusted her golden bee mask, cheeks still flushed from the entire performance. She crossed her arms and gave him a long look. "Overdo it? Akshat, you were grinding against me like a ho*ny teenager every time I breathed.
I swear half the hall thought you were going to take me right there on the seat." She poked his chest hard. "And don't even get me started on you licking my cheek like it was candy. I felt like your personal dessert in front of two hundred per*erts."
Akshat rubbed the back of his neck, a tired chuckle escaping him. "Yeah… that part wasn't completely fake. You kept shifting around and my biology betrayed me,I am a man after all. Sorry about the, uh, very obvious reaction the whole night." He paused, voice softening. "But seriously. I hated putting you through that. You're not just some prop to me."
Manya sighed, the anger melting into something more complicated. She bumped her shoulder against his arm. "I know. I'm p*ssed, embarrassed as hell, and… weirdly glad you're still human enough to get that hard in the middle of literal hell."
A small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "Just warn a girl before you start treating her like a lollipop next time, okay? My dignity is filing a complaint."
He let out a genuine laugh, quiet but real. "Noted. Next time I'll only flip off half the room."
_____
A short while later, Akshat and Alexander slipped into the washroom. The moment the door clicked shut, Akshat yanked off the golden tiger mask and dropped it on the marble counter with a heavy clink. He leaned over the sink, scooped up handfuls of cold water, and splashed it across his face repeatedly, rubbing his eyes and jaw as if trying to scrub the night's filth from his skin.
He stared at his reflection, water dripping down his face. "Am I a bad person now, Alexander?" The question came out rough, almost broken. "After what I did to Ravenna in that hotel… torturing her like that. And then acting like the biggest fu*king per*ert in there tonight, buying girls while pretending I wanted to ruin them. I think I've become the monster I'm trying to fight."
Alexander removed his bear mask and set it aside. He crossed his arms, watching his friend carefully. "Yes. You are a bad person for some of the things you've done." The honesty was brutal, but his tone stayed steady. "You crossed lines I couldn't even imagine. But I don't care. I made my choice a long time ago. I'll follow your orders, no matter what."
Akshat gripped the edge of the sink tighter, knuckles turning white. "I felt powerful out there. The way they all looked at me with jealousy and fear… part of me liked it. What the hell does that say about me? I'm supposed to be saving them, not enjoying the role of a sick bastard."
Alexander stepped closer, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "It says you're human. Guilt is good. It keeps you from becoming like them. But don't let it eat you alive. We pulled two hundred and seventeen girls out of that shithole tonight. Focus on that. The rest… we carry it and keep moving."
Akshat nodded slowly, but the weight in his eyes didn't fully disappear. "Yeah… I just hope the girls we saved never find out what I have done get them out."
_____
Manya waited outside near the side exit with Shintae Megami's younger sister. The girl looked exhausted but unharmed. Manya gently pulled her into a more private corner and checked her over carefully — arms, back, thighs, everywhere visible. No deep wounds, no signs of serious assault.
"No one touched you, right?" Manya asked softly, brushing some hair from the girl's face.
The girl shook her head, tears gathering. "They said I was being saved for a special client… turns out that was you people. I got lucky."
Manya hugged her tightly. "You're safe now. Your brother will be so relieved."
_______
They met the auction hall manager in a sleek private office for final payment and arrangements. Akshat had the tiger mask back on, fully Kurana Alexanderia again.
"I will send a Boeing 777 immediately," he declared, voice arrogant and commanding. "Prepare all 215 girls for transport. Comfortable seats, proper clothing, food, medical care — no discomfort whatsoever." His arm stayed wrapped possessively around Manya's waist, fingers stroking her hip slowly. "The remaining two girls will stay with me in my private jet."
The manager bowed deeply, almost reverent. "As you command, Master Kurana. Everything will be handled with the utmost care."
______
Inside Akshat's luxurious private jet, the mood was far quieter. Vanya lay unconscious on the large bed in the private bedroom cabin, a soft blanket covering her. Shintae's sister sat a few seats away, quietly crying with relief as she spoke to her brother on a secure call, whispering how she was finally free.
After some time in the air, Vanya stirred. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened in panic when she saw a man standing near the bed. She gasped sharply and scrambled to pull the blanket all the way up to her chin, trying desperately to hide her half-naked, bruised body.
Then her gaze landed on Manya, who was sitting right beside her on the bed.
"Manya…?" Vanya's voice cracked.
Vanya pulled her into a fierce hug immediately. Vanya broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably in her best friend's arms. She clung to her like a lifeline, words tumbling out between heavy tears, the endless humiliation in the backrooms, the masked men who treated her like a toy, the pain, the degradation, the way they laughed while breaking her spirit.
Only after she cried herself hoarse did she look past Manya and truly see Akshat's face. Recognition hit her hard. Fresh tears welled up as memories flooded back — their university days, his sincere proposal, everything she had thrown away for Harsh.
Akshat stood there silently for a moment, pain flickering across his features. He didn't step closer. "You should sleep now, Vanya. You're not in any state to talk right now."
He turned and quietly left the bedroom cabin, sliding the door shut behind him with a soft click. Outside, he sank into one of the leather seats, staring out into the dark clouds rushing past the window, carrying all of them toward an uncertain future.
End of ch 76
To be continue...
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