Chapter 1 Sold to a Stranger... or Not

Gabriella's Pov

"How much further till we get there?" I asked, my voice cutting through the silence, barely audible due to the rain falling heavily.

My stepdad, Victor, remained silent. His eyes stayed focused on the road, his jaw tightening, while he checked his watch over and over.

Breathing out, I faced the window, observing the city pass by. My hands were shaking, something that always happened whenever I knew danger was lurking ahead. Like the day my mother passed.

I turned back to him, to the man who I was certain was responsible for her death. "We have been driving for hours. Where are we going?"

Victor chuckled, glancing at me briefly. "Just a little more princess and we'll be there."

I cringed at the word, "princess". Only my father was allowed to call me that. I hated Victor. I hated him for finding his way into my mother's life after my father passed away.. He filled her heart with nothing but sorrow and pain. My mother changed after marrying him, she became distant, rarely smiles and at times she stares at him with fear.

Sitting straight, I felt uneasy. I sensed that something was off, and my mother always advised me to trust my instincts, so I relied on them as if my life depended on it.

The car came to a halt outside a deserted warehouse. I looked at Victor, who was watching me with deepening eyes. "Get out."

I tilted my head, observing the area. The place seemed to have been abandoned for a while.

Thick forest covered the building which made it harder to see.

Sighing, I stepped out of the car, the cold air grazing my skin instantly. My eyes were fixed on the building in front of me which looked more of a mansion, except it had no windows, just concrete walls with a single iron door.

"What is this place?" I curiosity asked, tightening my jacket around my shoulders.

Victor ignored me, grabbing my hand harshly as he led me inside.

The scent of cigars greeted me the moment we entered. My eyes were drawn to the men who looked at me as though I was a me ready to be devoured.

Realization dawned on me, this wasn't just some meeting. This was some sort of transaction.

"Victor!" I screamed, pulling my arm from his hold. "Why did you bring me here? You told me we were out to buy groceries. This doesn't look like a grocery store."

Victor turned to face me, gritting his teeth. "Stop asking unnecessary questions," he warned." I'm just getting rid of unwanted trash." he whispered the last part.

Unwanted trash? What did he mean by that? Before I could reply, Victor's hand gripped my wrist once more. "There was no other choice, my debts had to be paid one way or the other. Just relax and it'll be over soon."

I barely had time to process his words when two men approached me, taking my arm from Victor's hold.

"Just remember that I really did love your mother," he said, covering my eyes with a thick cloth.

"Stop!" I cried out, struggling against the grip of the men, but they wouldn't budge. My heart raced as my feet were pulled across the chilly floor. I couldn't tell where I was being led. I wanted to fight them, but I realized I had no chance of winning against these men.

I listened to voices, many of them, whispering. A chill went down my back as I stood on what felt like a stage.

"We're all set. Let the bidding begin. She's a virgin, untouched, pure."

My heart sank, they were talking about me. No, this couldn't be happening, I was being sold. Victor sold me.

"We start at ten million dollars."

A chorus of murmurs followed.

"Fifteen million," a man called.

"Twenty!"

I struggled, but a firm grip held me in place. My breath comimg in sharp, panicked gasps.

"Twenty-five!" someone else shouted.

Then a voice, smoother, colder, cut through the chaos. "Thirty million."

The room went deathly silent. That voice...It sounded too familiar.

"Going once. Going twice. Sold to the gentleman in the back."

I felt my blood run cold. Whoever he was, he owned me now.

Hands gripped me, forcing me back onto unsteady feet. I was dragged away, the blindfold still in place. My mind raced, fighting back the questions that needed answers. Who was he? What did he want? What kind of man spent thirty million on another person?

"Let go of me!" I screamed, twisting my hands against their hold. "Just please, let me go." I whispered.

No one answered. No one stopped them.

I hardly realized I was being forced into a car until I heard the door bang behind me. My breath caught as I tore off my blindfold, my gaze scanning the surroundings. I felt the world spin the moment it landed on someone I never thought I'd see again.

"Well well, we meet again Bella,"

"Alessio." I whispered, trying hard to remain steady.

A cruel smirk played on his lips. "You remember me?"

Of course I remembered him. How could I ever forget the boy I had once loved. My childhood best friend.

But now, nothing about him looked familiar.

His blond hair was much longer, falling messily over his forehead. His face was sharper, his jawline carved beautifully. His eyes were much colder than I had remembered, lacking the warmth it once had.

Alessio leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "I'll take it as a yes, then."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "What... what are you doing here?"

He let out a humorless laugh. "Saving you? Hardly. Buying you? That's another story."

My blood ran cold. "You....You bid on me?"

He leaned forward, his eyes locking on mine. "Do you think I wanted to? Do you think I spent thirty million because I care?" He scoffed. "Victor put you on that stage to be sold to monsters, Gabriella. The kind who would've broken you beyond repair. I couldn't let that happen. But don't mistake this for kindness. I don't want you, either."

His words stung, but I forced myself to stay strong. I shaked my head slightly. This couldn't be real. It was probably another nightmare I needed to wake up from.

The last thing I remembered was Alessio saying he had to leave for a business meeting with his parents and he'll be back soon. He lied, he never came back and now he had just bought me. Nothing made sense.

"You lied to me. You told me you were coming back to me. You betrayed me," I whispered.

His face softened for a moment, but it quickly disappeared. "Oh, Gabriella," He leaned forward, his breath fanning against my skin. "You betrayed me."

My eyes widened. "I don't understand what you mean by that. "

Alessio gripped my jaw, holding it firmly in place. "You know everything right? "Don't mess around with me."

"I don't understand what you mean."

Alessio let out a forced chuckle. "Your family took everything from me, Bella,"

I stiffened. "My family? What could they have done? I'm sure they had nothing to do with whatever......."

"Oh, but indeed they do," he whispered, cutting me off. "It's about time I return the favor."

The car door locked with a click, startling me. Alessio's hand cradled my face, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You are mine now, Bella," he whispered. "And I'm going to make sure you never forget it.