Sliding off the bed, I put the cookies to the side on the nightstand.My appetite’s gone and I doubt it will come back tonight.When I think of what I'll have to do to get answers, I feel sick.
As the help’s daughter, I used to hear things.Secrets and plights. I've heard of women selling themselves for sex.That’s what it’s going to look like when I stand on that stage and auction myself.
When I was talking to Helen, I sounded like a woman who was excited to sign her body up for a risqué event.Women who do those events live for the money and the thrill of the dark fantasy of being owned.I’m nothing of the sort. Not even close, and that's not why I'm doing it.
Eight months ago, I decided I wanted to change my life.Being shot and nearly dying can make a person reflect.When I took a look at my life, I didn't like what I saw.I saw myself as a person who was co-dependent on others, and a shadow of what I was meant to be.
Moving into this apartment was the first step to getting my life on track.The other step was tackling the biggest thorn in my heart--the loss of my parents.
I realized I couldn't move forward until I revisited the past and got answers for their deaths.
Giacomo D'Agostino took me in to live with his family after my parents died.He did his best to find my parents' killer.His attempts were, however, to no avail.Of course, it would have been difficult looking for a dark-haired man I didn't know the name of and just going by the description of his tattoo.That was all I had.
My description came with the omission of my first encounter with that man.I'd simply explained that he'd been at the house before and I recognized the tattoo.Those details were hardly anything to investigate with, and of course, when you live in Stormy Creek, nobody sees anything they're not supposed to.
This auction is my way of trying a different tactic.
I believe Jacques may know or have information on the man my father worked for.The same man who sent those men to kill my parents and me.
Because questions like that aren't the sort I can simply ask without the worry of repercussions, my plan is to get close to Jacques with the hope he will tell me.That auction is how you get close to a man like him.
He’s a billionaire playboy who wants sex, and when it’s over it’s over.But something like the auction is a hook for those like him with dark fantasies.The thought of owning me for thirty days will keep him interested.
That thirty days would give me time and ground him in L.A. because he’s always traveling.With the meetings for his contract wrapping up within a week or so, I wouldn’t see him as much as I do now.
Over the last few days, I’ve asked myself if there wasn’t a better way or something different I could do with Jacques’ interest in me.The only sure answer I kept coming up with was taking part in the auction and making sure he wins me.
It’s the kind of plan that only a desperate person like me would think of.