Chapter 3 Risky Madness

Sarah

After trying in every way to convince Rachel to give up this crazy idea, I finally gave in, because I would rather be by her side in this insanity and try to bring some sense to the most important person in my life.

"I want you to explain to me how this auction works."

At that moment, I thought the best thing to do was to follow the saying "If you can't beat them, join them."

"Shirley's friend participated, as I told you. After I register, I will be up for auction for twenty-four hours and after that period, whoever has offered the highest bid will be the winner and will take the extraordinary prize, this being my virginity."

"I am shocked to see how calmly you talk about this."

I was truly surprised by my sister's determination to lose her virginity to a stranger, for money, just to try to maintain a lifestyle that no longer belonged to us and she didn't want to accept this reality.

And although I agreed with Rachel's crazy idea, I honestly didn't believe it would come true. I spent all Saturday looking for a place for us to live since had been informed that we needed to move out on Monday, without any additional deadline.

The situation was difficult, but we were lucky enough to still have some money in our bank accounts, so we would not be completely homeless, at least not immediately. However, the amount was minimal and it was crucial to find a source of income as soon as possible, although my sister didn't seem to care about that.

Rachel was confident in selling herself on the auction app, something I considered extremely absurd and even the existence of such a possibility made me horrified, but she didn't realize how crazy it all was.

Three years have passed since we lost our mother. Guilhermina Mitchell was twelve years older than our father and had died at the age of sixty-four due to complications from an unsuccessful cosmetic procedure. Now our father had also passed away, leaving us alone.

Although I disagreed when Rachel spoke ill of him, as he had always been a great father, I had to admit that my sister was somewhat right in saying that Patrick Mitchell had been very irresponsible in leaving us in a difficult situation, after always providing us with the best that money could offer. Now we were penniless.

I was unloading our suitcases with the help of the mansion's staff, after finally finding a small affordable apartment, when Rachel entered the luxurious foyer of the mansion where we still lived, with a radiant smile on her face.

"I got two million dollars!" she exclaimed, elated.

I was about to jump for joy too, but then I remembered what she had offered to do and connected the dots, realizing that the amount must refer to the auction where she had put herself up for sale.

"Are you through with this absurd idea?"

"Nothing will stop me from getting those dollars, Sarah. Nothing!"

Saying that with unwavering conviction, she looked at the suitcases at the foot of the grand staircase leading to the upper floor of our home, and the scene seemed to affect Rachel, as she was soon overcome by convulsive sobs, making it clear how broken she was, just like I felt.

"We've lost everything, Sarah!" she began to speak between sobs. "How can we become so poor all of a sudden? I can't accept... I can't..."

I hugged her and tried to soothe her crying, letting my tears flow freely down my face.

We stood there, comforting each other, as we had always done since we were little. When Rachel seemed a little calmer, she released herself from my arms and looked at me with tear-filled eyes, conveying all the sadness that was crashing down on her.

"I need to get out. I can't bear to stay here and watch our things being thrown away."

Through the same door she had entered just a few minutes ago, she then left again, leaving me there to handle everything alone. I lamented our fate but got to work. No one else would do it for us.

Rachel

After spending a pleasant day at Shirley's house, my best friend and the only one who stood by my side after the sudden loss of my heiress status, she convinced me to go to a newly opened nightclub in Seattle, which wasn't too difficult.

"I met the owner of the place," Shirley explained. "He's a hottie and very wealthy."

"What's his name?" I became highly interested now.

"Arthur Rodrigues. You don't know him," she quickly clarified. "He's Brazilian and has been here for a short time. Don't get too excited though, because he always has a girl by his side, even though he claims she's not important."

Shirley explained more about the place while we got ready, and when we arrived at the club, I concluded that she was right. The girl's name was Bruna, and she never left the guy's side. So, it was better to stick to my plan of auctioning off my virginity.

A few hours later, my thoughts were clouded. I could barely think clearly about anything. I didn't even know who the guy I was talking to right now was, even though he was handsome and interesting.

I decided to go to the bathroom, to try to clear my mind. In other words, to escape from that disturbing stranger who could ruin all my life plans. He wasn't a wealthy man willing to marry and support a trophy wife like I intend to be.

"Do you need any help?"

I looked at the person next to me in front of the mirror and realized it was Arthur Rodrigues' girl.

"Bruna, right?" I asked, and even I noticed how slurred and different my voice sounded.

"That's right," she confirmed, getting closer to me and suggesting shortly after, "Would you like to spend some time with me in Arthur's office? Maybe you'll feel better."

At that moment, Shirley entered the bathroom and was looking for me.

"You're here!" she said, pulling me away from Bruna. "Let's go back to the bar. The guy is really into you, girl."

I wasn't in a condition to refuse anything at that moment, but Bruna tried to stop us.

"I think it's better if she doesn't go back to the bar, Shirley. She doesn't seem to be doing well."

"You don't know anything, girl!" I noticed that Shirley spoke in an extremely rude manner now. "Let's go, Rachel!"

We went back to the bar, and once again, the man was there. Handsome and triggered something so insane within me that even though I couldn't think rationally at that moment, I had the true conviction that he would be a big problem in my life. I can't fall in love. I can't!

"I... need to... go," I spoke hesitantly, my voice slurred.

"Can we meet again?" he suggested, his smile melting me on every level.

"You're not in my... plans... baby."

"You know, I think I've found the love of my life," he said, his face just inches away from mine. "You're beautiful, Rachel."

And he kissed me... After that kiss, it was impossible to maintain sanity. I let go of all my reservations.