Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
She doesn’t have time for second thoughts or minds changing, and she has no qualms telling anyone that will listen. I just watched her convince a girl that was crying and wanted to back out that she needed to follow through and her life was about to change forever. Heck, by the time Coco finished her little pep talk, I was even starting to believe what she was saying.
I can’t blame the girl for having second thoughts, though. This is definitely an intense situation to put ourselves in. First of all, we’re in the middle of nowhere. Literally in the middle of nowhere. I was told a driver would be at my house to pick me up at six a.m. this morning. I was not prepared for the short car drive and then to be transported here via helicopter. I’m petrified of flying, I discovered this morning, and I’ve been sick half the day because of it.
I look around the room and try to figure out the stories behind the women that are here. It’s either I keep my mind occupied or start thinking about everything that can go wrong.
These women all have different reasons for being here, but they’re all here willingly. I’ve talked to a few of them, and the confessions came easily enough. One is here because she needs the money to pay for school, another woman is doing it so her niece can have an operation. The stories go on and on, and when it’s my turn, I almost feel like a fool when I tell them that I’m here hoping that my ex-fiancé bids on me. Man, saying that out loud it makes me seem desperate, and I can tell from the pitying looks I’m getting that they think I’m a fool.
Damn, and maybe they are right.
Coco walks to the edge of the room and claps her hands together. Everyone stops talking and looks toward her. She doesn’t smile as she announces, “All right, ladies. Everyone get ready. The auction is about to start.”
If possible, the room gets even quieter, and everyone starts to form a line. Coco gives us all one last meaningful look as if to say Don’t even think about backing out now and then walks out through the opening of the curtains. We can hear Coco announce the beginning of the auction, but from where I’m standing, it’s as if she’s speaking to an empty audience. There’s absolutely no sound, not a peep, besides her.
I tug at the butt of my panties and try to cover my cheek, but it’s a lost cause because this outfit I’m wearing doesn’t hide a thing, especially since I’ve gained a little over thirty pounds since Ethan last saw me. Heck, if he does show up, he may take one glance at me and run the other direction.
The auction is underway, and I am a basket of nerves. I’m still not sure if Ethan is going to be here or not. I know this is crazy and over the top, but I had to do something. I couldn’t stand by any longer while he threw away our happiness.
I look around the room, and the remaining virgins are standing around waiting to be called. Some are nervous, but it’s obvious that some are excited. Security is busy, and I sneak toward the curtains to peek through. There’s a woman lit up on stage. She’s eating this up, and her confidence is obviously soaring because she’s smiling to the crowd and strutting back and forth on the stage. Coco is standing behind a podium that has a sign with the auction’s name on it. She introduces virgin number one and tells a little about her.
I glance out to the crowd, but I can’t see a thing. It’s almost pitch black, and my nerves start to skyrocket. What if Ethan doesn’t show up? What if another man bids on me and I have to marry him instead? I signed a paper and committed to this, and if I back out now, I’d owe Coco lots of money. I take in her stern expression as the bidding ends at four million dollars, and it’s obvious that she’s shrewd when it comes to money. I can’t imagine that she’s going to just let me leave on my own.
The next girl gets called, and I go and stand back in line. I can’t seem to stop fidgeting and worrying about everything that can go wrong.
“Are you okay?” the young woman behind me asks.
She’s looking at me with real concern on her face, and it’s probably because I look as if I’m going to pass out. I take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
She grabs on to my hand and squeezes it. “My momma always told me that everything happens for a reason. There’s a reason you’re here today, and by the end of it, and whatever happens out there, well, there’s a reason for it.”