Chapter One

MELISSA'S POV

"Hey, it's your turn. Come on, outside."

That word made nervousness, flow in my veins. Right here, my freedom was going to be gone, forever. I walked up to the stage, and stood, fiddling with my hands, and my hands were shaking.

In the crowd, there were ordinary people, and Mafia Lords. Mafia Lords ruled the people, because they were feared, and they had more power, and influence.

"Now, we start our bidding from 1 million dollars." The auctioneer announced.

Then it dawned on me, what was really happening. I was really going to be sold to anyone who had the highest amount to bid. Why would I be sold, like I am some commodity? Fear gripped me, seeing the stares and glares, around me.

I clinged to my gown, which was rippled, and a bit transparent. Then the atmosphere changed. The crowd seemed excited.

"$2 million." I heard a woman, announce.

"$5 million." A man shouted.

"$5.5 million." Another, said.

I gasped in fear. My eyes were certainly giving out how scared I was, to be auctioned. Sweats broke out from every part of my body, and I could barely look into the eyes of anyone. It seemed my fear, excited everyone.

"50" I heard a cold voice.

Silence reigned as everyone's head, turned in the direction of the voice. It was Mafia Lord Vincenzo.

"S…sir, you mean $50 million?" The auctioneer asked, looking shocked.

"$50 million." Lord Vincenzo responded.

The crowd exclaimed in amusement. And I was shocked. I had never imagined that anyone would bid for a woman, with an amount that high.

"Anyone else?" The auctioneer asked, in discomfort, scared that the Mafia Lord could burst out in anger, asking why he was still calling bids again.

There was silence. No one spoke out. There was no one who would dare bid higher than Mafia Lord Vincenzo. He was the ultimate leader, and the most feared, out of all the Mafia Lords.

"Going once, Going twice. Sold! The winner of this bid, is Mafia Lord Vincenzo!" The auctioneer, announced.

Right there, I was sold out to my worst nightmare, Mafia Lord Vincenzo. My world, turned dark, and fear gripped me. Why did I have to be so unlucky? His right hand man, Kavon, who was known to be fierce, came over to take me away. I stared at the auctioneer as I was led, out. He had sent me to a dark world, where I didn't know what would become of me.

I was driven to Lord Vincenzo's mansion, and was led to a room.

"This is your room. If you act rash, you will have yourself to blame for it. And change into any of the clothes in the wardrobe. When the boss is around, he will see you." He said, then went out of the room.

Just as people had said, he was uptight, scary, stern, and always stared, with no expression on his face. I dreaded seeing Lord Vincenzo, more. The thought of him, calling me out, made me shiver. And I hoped that I would never have to see him. I looked around the room, it was small, but manageable.

Then I sighed. "Father." I said, with tears in my eyes.

~

I heard a knock on my door, and it was hard for me to gulp down my saliva.

"Who's there?" I managed to ask.

"It's me, Cecilia."

I felt relief, fill my heart, and my tensed bones, were relieved as well. Then I stood up to open the door.

"Good evening. First and foremost, I will advise you, never to lock your door. Lord Vincenzo hates it when you do that, in his mansion. He likes to come in, and go out, whenever."

"Oh, I see. Th…thank you." I muttered.

"By the way, I am Cecilia. I am a maid, in this mansion, and I am here to tell you that dinner is served." She informed, with a slight smile.

I felt relieved a bit, seeing someone who could smile, in the mansion, and I didn't feel alone, seeing the potential of a friend, in her. I followed her to the dining table, and sat down, unable to eat.

"Lord Vincenzo doesn't like when one wastes food. You can't do as you like, here. So, it's best if you eat up, so you do not get on his nerves, so soon." She said.

I nodded my head, and dipped the spoon into the soup. I had no appetite, but then, with one taste of the soup, I wanted to keep eating, and I felt better, while eating.

"One more tip. I'll advise that you take a look around the mansion, before you are told, who you are, and what purpose you will be serving, in this mansion. If you are going to be a maid like I am, you won't have that freedom to lurk around. So, take advantage of Lord Vincenzo's absence, right now. Bye, I have to go." Cecilia said, then left.

I wished she wouldn't leave. Her presence made me feel better, and relieved, and now that she was gone, I was filled with fear. The mansion was quiet, and a single pin could be heard if it fell.

After I managed to eat up the food, I walked around the quiet mansion as Celilia had advised me to. There was a pool, a large TV, in the sitting room, and a room which seemed like it was used for meetings. I was truly in a billionaire's mansion, and every thing in here, spelt huge money.

I got to a part of the mansion, and looked down at the stairs. It probably led to the basement, and I didn't need to go there. Just as I turned to move, I tripped, and my phone fell down the stairs. I quickly ran downstairs to take it, before anyone would find out that I had been gone for too long.

I picked up my phone, but then, I heard muffled sounds, coming from the basement, so out of curiosity, I opened the door, and to my shock, I saw a lady, tied up. She was covered in blood. I gasped, in fear, and then I walked towards her.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

But she made muffled sounds, and I reached out my hand, slowly, to remove the gag in her mouth, and she gasped for breath, after I removed it. Then I waited until she calmed down.

After she caught her breath, she chuckled, staring at me, from head to toe.

"I guess you are new." She scoffed.

"Yes. I am."

"You look too innocent. Why would Vincenzo want you?"

I wondered who she was to him, for her to call him by his name, but I could not ask her.

"Ahh…I see. He probably wants to use you to execute his plan, perfectly."

"What… what do you mean?"

"He is planning a war, against the other Mafia Lords, and that is a rough game, my dear. And you will lose your life, because you aren't tough enough." She smirked.