"We have a winner!" the auctioneer says triumphantly.
There's a hushed silence over the room as the staggering amount of money hangs in the air.
The auctioneer continues, "We have a record high tonight. No one has ever been bought for $3 billion, and yet it's happened. We set a new record."
I look towards the onstage model to determine what to do. She guides my way off the stage and out of the lights. I'm happy to be in the shadows once again. Being on stage like that, at the center of everyone's attention, is not my forte.
My entire body's shaking and my emotions are running wild as I realize what's just happened.
Anders comes up to me and happily says, "Good job, sis. I knew you could do it. You set a record high. With this money, we can save our business, our home, everything."
I look at him and wonder yet again how he could've done this to me. What kind of brother would ever sell off his sister like this? Even if it is for $3 billion. I don't care about the money I don't care about anything. Hot tears threaten to stream down my face as I realize what's just happened and what I'm in for.
My virginity was up for auction tonight. My most treasured asset is going away and it's all thanks to my stupid brother.
I look at him with hate in my eyes. Suddenly I wonder how I can ever stick by him and be such a good sister when he treats me like this.
Just when I'm thinking of giving him a piece of my mind, three masked men approach me. They look similar in build and stature. The only thing that's different is the color of their eyes. One has brown eyes and he seems wild. Another has green eyes and he's focusing intently on my body.
And the third one has blue eyes and he's the one that says, "You were beautiful up there. We're excited to get to know you and I assure you it'll be worth it."
The words slide off his tongue like velvet. He's a talker for sure. Charming, good-looking, everything a girl should want.
I feel like a prostitute standing in my lingerie in front of three men who I find so attractive. That's what I am, isn't it? I just sold my body for money. There's no other way around it. I've officially become a hooker, an expensive one, but a hooker all the same.
"Thank you," I say, suddenly feeling shy.
These men are gonna know me like no other has. They're gonna take my virginity and I’m afraid of that. But, at the same time, as I look into their mysterious faces, something about the prospect excites me.
These guys are, at least, good-looking.
If only I could see behind the mask...
Another guy, the one with green eyes, takes my hand and kisses it before saying, "It's okay. We're gonna give you a good time, and a night of great adventure."
And then he slips me a business card that has his name and number on it.
"Make sure you call me. Don't make us come looking for you."
His touch and sultry voice send a shiver down my spine. Butterflies fill my stomach and I wonder why. These guys are hot, but that doesn't erase the fact that money is being exchanged between us.
Without another word, the guys depart. I watch them go and count my blessings.
My brother's excited. He loves to be surrounded by people with money and influence.
"Did you see those guys?" he says. "At least you got them bidding on you, instead of that other one. They saved you from that guy. You should be grateful."
I turn on him feeling furious. "You think I should feel grateful? You put me in this position. Don't you understand I've been saving my virginity for my entire life? To be with the person that I love?"
"Come on, Aurora. Have a little gratitude. We're billionaires now. Besides, why are you blaming me? You're doing this to save our company. You should have some family pride."
I hate my brother in this instant but I can't tell him so. I hate him…but I love him. I know that he's only acting this way because he's sick, so very sick with addiction. If it wasn't for him gambling away our entire fortune, I wouldn't be in this position.
Yes, the guys were hot. But what does that matter? They're gonna ravage my body and then leave me to deal with the consequences. I will never forgive my brother for this.
And when I meet the man that I love, the man that I'm meant to be with, how am I gonna explain all of this?
Anders is right about one thing though...the guys did save me from the hands of that billionaire who bought up all the other girls. I see him perusing his recent purchases right now. He's overweight, old, and cocky.