Chapter 2 ( WORTH IT)

"Is she ready?"

One of the men asked.

"Yes," Emily said, straightening up, though I was still hugging her waist.

"Let go now, sweetie."

I obeyed and slowly released her.

She handed me my stuffed rabbit.

"Don't forget your rabbit friend."

I nodded and hugged it tightly, sobbing.

One of the men stepped forward and blindfolded me, then sealed my mouth with tape.

I couldn't see anymore.

Suddenly, I felt two huge hands lift me up and carried me away.

Just like that, I was taken away from the only family I had ever known-Emily and her son.

The car ride was long and silent but I didn't sleep.

I couldn't.

I just hugged my stuffed rabbit as tightly as I could, crying silently.

When the car finally stopped, they removed the blindfold. It was late in the night but what I saw Infront of me looked like another world.

A beautiful massive estate with rows of identical white mansions. Each behind stone gates, with many shiny cars parked outside.

They led me inside one of the mansions and took me to a luxurious room.

Pink walls. Pink curtains and a big giant bed covered with a bed sheet designed cartoon cartoon characters.

There were giant teddy bears,toys and shelves lined with brand-new Barbies and Bratz dolls.

Those men told me to rest and left the room.

I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, still clutching my stuffed rabbit until I fell asleep.

---

The next morning, someone knocked on the door.

I immediately hugged my rabbit like it was a form of protection.

A woman in a black maid uniform walked in with a tray of food.The most delicious-looking food I had ever seen in my life. My mouth watered instantly.

She placed the tray on a table in the corner, where a pink, princess-like chair stood.

"Your breakfast is served, take a bath,brush and eat," she said dryly, then left the room.

I didn't move.

I just stared at the food, swallowing hungrily but too afraid to touch it.

Minutes later, the woman returned and saw the food untouched.

She looked offended.

"You have to eat, or you'll be punished," she said coldly.

Immediately, I walked to the bathroom,she followed and helped with my bath time then watched me brush my teeth.

Afterwards, I ate the food while she watched. Once I was full, she carried the tray away.

About an hour later, two other women dressed in the same uniform entered and began dressing me up.

White stockings, black shoes, a pink dress, and combed my hair before putting it up to a ponytail.

"Such long golden hair, she looks like a doll."

The first maid said and pinned a bow at the back of my ponytail.

"Poor thing. Where are her parents?"

The second added.

"Enough with the gossip-do you want to be killed?"

The first maid whispered.

Without saying a word to me, they left the room.

Once again,I was all by myself, alone.

I sat on my bed, looking around the large room. It was far bigger than my old one, which only made it more terrifying.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

I jumped to my feet, startled.

A man stepped in-I recognized him instantly as the one who had shouted five million.

He was followed by another unfamiliar man, he was wearing a large glistening ring and a black coat draped over his shoulders.

His eyes found me and he paused on the spot.

I looked down nervously.

"She's a rare beauty".

I heard him say.

"I knew you'd like her, Lord Vince," the first man said proudly. "Young and innocent... beautiful blue eyes, rare golden lashes, hair like spun gold. Skin pale as snow. She looks like a fairy. I paid five million."

Lord Vince walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, his eyes locked on me.

"Worth it," he said, and exhaled the smoke.

I coughed loudly because of the smoke and looked up at him.

He patted his thigh.

"Come here, kitten."

I didn't want to. I was scared.

But Emily had told me to obey-so they'd treat me nicely.

I slowly sat on his leg, eyes fixed on the floor.

He reached up and stroked my long hair.

"She'll need training," he said to the other man.

Then he leaned in and whispered into my ears.

"Call me Daddy."

I felt an uncomfortable shills.

My voice came out tiny and trembling.

"Da... Daddy."

He laughed.

"Haha! Good kitten. Tell me, what name were you given?"

"ARIA".