The Bidders

After the auction, two men in masks come to collect me for my bidder. They're tall slender bodies, don't fool me. I know for a fact, one is Baba, and the other must be Ota.

"Hello, pretty lady." One of the masked men says, gently pulling me to my feet, and wrapping my arm around his.

"Hello…again. Mystery man." I manage to smile despite my own exhaustion. Baba, you're so chivalrous…I think to myself. I'm humbled by the smallest things he does. The more time I spend with him, the more I'm likely to choose him as my bidder.

He lets out that husky laugh again, sending shivers down my spine. "I must have left an impression, for a pretty lady like you to remember an old man as myself." He says gently.

I look up at him, blushing. His eyes are gentle even behind the mask. He offers me a tender smile, our eyes locked, before the other masked man clears his throat.

"I don't believe we have time for this…whatever this is." The other man states, matter-of-factly. He is equally as gentle, as he wraps my free arm around his, locking elbows. His hands aren't as soft as Baba's, confirming his hands are that of a master painter. His hair is roughly the same length as Baba's but is a beautiful honey blonde. I never was interested in Ota during the game, I don't think that will change now either.

"I'm sorry pretty lady, but we need to blindfold you." Baba says apologetically.

"Do what you must." I sigh.

"She's so obedient already." Ota says with, what I imagine is enthusiasm.

I let out a giggle, as I catch Baba rolling his eyes. He slips from my arm, taking a few steps in front of me. He brushes the hair that had fallen in my face, and tucked the stray strands behind my ear. His soft, warm fingers, brush the remaining strands from my neck, behind my back. He smiles before covering my eyes with a black silk scarf. I feel his body warmth as he approaches closer. His hands, pulling the scarf tight behind my head to tie it in place.

"Don't worry, springtime beauty. You're in good hands." He whispered huskily in my ear.

"I trust you. I trust both of you." I say, confidently, as I feel Baba wrap my arm around his once again.

Barefoot, Baba and Ota guide me through the halls of the Trés Spades. Neither of them offering much to talk about, probably as a directive given by none other than Mr. Ichinomiya. After the short walk through the halls, we enter an elevator. Exiting the elevator, Ota releases my arm, allowing Baba to direct me to a rather comfortable chair.

"Please have a seat, pretty lady."

"Thank you."

In the seat, I strain to sit straight, awaiting my bidders. Although it's not hard, I conceal my joy. The pain from hitting my head is pulsating through my body.

"How long do you suppose she will sit with the blind fold on?" One voice questioned sarcastically.

"Remove your blindfold." A familiar demanding voice commanded.

Obliging, I winced as I lifted my arms to untie the blindfold. Allowing time for my eyes to adjust, I slowly open them, taking in the sight before me. The room is more than extravagant. I remain silent, as I observe my surroundings. If I remember correctly, the room we are currently in is the lounge. Everything about the room is beautifully designed, from the inlaid design on the walls, to the handcrafted coffee and end tables, to the way the staircase spirals to the second floor. From the floors to the ceiling it appears there was no expense spared. Mr. Ichinomiya wanted the best, and certainly obtained it.

My gaze fell upon the five men before me. Eisuke Ichinomiya sat on a red leather couch. One arm stretched over the backrest part of the couch, while the other supported his head at the temple. His face was expressionless. His shirt was loosened more at the top than I had last remembered. He had crossed his legs. His whole appearance drew me in more than I had anticipated. For a second, our eyes met, and we held each other's gaze. Embarrassed, I adverted my gaze to Baba who sat casually over the arm of the couch.

Baba smiled gently at me. Everything about Baba exclaimed comfort. I could tell, if I chose him to be my bidder, he would be the easier route. Looking at him, I couldn't help but smile in return. Behind Baba was another familiar face, Soryu. Looking completely disinterested, Soryu crossed his arms over his chest. He definitely recognized me, and I'm certain there will be a lot of apologizing in the future. Hopefully, one day, he will understand…Maybe.

Further behind him was a man coming down the staircase, smoking a cigarette. Mamoru. Mamoru, in the game, was the detective who worked for Ichinomiya. He seemed lazy, sleeping all the time, but he also seemed to be most affected by his double life. I frowned as I watched him descend the staircase. Maybe if you didn't chain-smoke, you wouldn't be so exhausted all the time.

Distracted by a faint giggle to my right, I turned my observation to Ota. Dressed most informal of the lot of them, Ota changed into a white t-shirt and jeans. A long necklace dangled from his slender neck, as he leaned up against one of the pillars.

"At least we're not the only one's disappointed in Mamo!" Ota chortled, running his fingers through his hands.

Unable to resist a smile, I rolled my eyes. This might be harder than I originally thought, but then again, I've been saying this the whole time I've been here. I stifle a yawn as I glance at my watch. 11:45 p.m. I should have guessed the time, just by the skyline that was made visible through the opened window behind Mr. Ichinomiya. Captivated by the evening scenery, I came to the realization that this was my life now. Soon I would become the maid for one of these five men, and soon I would fall in love.

"Are you not interested in who we are?" A cold voice directed my attention to him.

"I am not sure if it matters." I stated after some thought. "Did you not just purchase me in a black-market auction?"

Eisuke Ichinomiya raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "And what do you know of any black-market auction?" He asked challenging me.

If I hadn't known who he was deep inside, I might have been intimidated by his overwhelming sense of authority. However, as it were, that was not the case tonight. I know deep down inside you Eisuke Ichinomiya, you're a kind and caring man, even if you're a completely arrogant ass to begin with.

"I only know that I was sold to a lucky bidder for twenty million." I stated, surprised with the chill I matched in my own voice.

"Which one of us, do you believe, is that lucky bidder?" He challenged.

Taking a moment, I looked over each of them. I knew exactly who was the lucky bidder. It was always you. It will always be you, Eisuke.

"Too long." My eyes met his as he approached me. "I bought you. Now you belong to me." He said, grabbing me roughly and throwing me over his shoulder.

"H-Hey!" I exclaimed as one of his arms wrapped around my legs, holding them still to his chest.

As I dangled over his broad shoulders, my hair fell around my face shielding it from the other men in the room. I braced myself up against his back, with the palm of my hand. His back was sturdy and surprisingly stronger than I had anticipated. With the other hand, I brushed the hair out of my eyes, behind my head, holding it there so I can see the other men as we headed up the stair case.

"Not fair boss!" Baba pouted from the couch. "You always get the pretty women!"

My heart ached, as we moved further from Baba. He was certainly the sweetest of the five men. I have to make it a mission of mine to befriend him, but only befriend. For now, I need to brace myself for the night ahead with Mr. Ichinomiya.

"Please put me down." I implored quietly.

He turned the corner as we reached the top of the stairs, enabling a breathtaking view of his private area on the second floor. The room was incredible, possibly better than I had originally imagined. Encased in floor to ceiling windows, the room gave a sophisticated impression. On the right were end tables, with crystal lights, giving off a soft white glow. Between the two end tables were two white chairs with cherry wooden legs, accompanied by a cherry wood coffee table, adorned with a bouquet of roses. The farthest wall had a single painting, one of which looked rather expensive. On the left side of the room, was a couch. A sectional that was angled so that the adjoined corner was closest to the window. Bizarre arrangement, I thought. Yet it worked for the room, enabling a small round wooden coffee table to be placed in the center and a square rug to encapsulate the look. The whole room looked almost as if it was untouched, it was impeccably clean.

We passed the kitchen and few other rooms as we entered, what I assumed to be his room. He, more gently than I had anticipated, places me on the massive bed. He walked back to close the door, sparing me a few seconds to take in the room around me.

As it were in the lounge, and the private area on the second floor, Eisuke had a window the full length of the room, from ceiling to floor. Sheesh, Voyeurism much? I smiled inwardly as I saw the curtains drawn all the way back exposing the skyline of Tokyo. The walls were plain, unlike the other rooms. They were a soft, eggshell color, which surprised me. As I continued looking around, everything in his room was this soft, eggshell color, excluding the sheets on his bed and a few of the pillows, of which were a rich purple color. The two coffee tables, a desk, and the night stand were all a dark cherry wood, like many of the other tables the adorned the suite thus far.

As I was about to turn my attention to the other side of the room, Eisuke walked toward me, slowly taking his blazer off. Embarrassed, I adverted my eyes, in an attempt to hide the emotions playing on my face. Much to my disappointment, Eisuke redirected my gaze to meet his, as he tenderly grasped my chin between his slender fingers.

"You're my property now." He said, nonchalantly. "How do you expect to repay me."

Unable to avoid his penetrable eyes, something deep inside decides to play along with this little game he's playing. I won't back down to you Eisuke! I curse inwardly.

"I still don't believe that we've been formally introduced." I smile pleasantly.

"I don't think this is the time for formalities."

"What is it a time for?" I questioned. Knowing the answer this would prompt, I brace myself.

With an almost inaudible growl, Eisuke, stands releasing me from his grasp. Instead, in mere seconds he's hovering over my body, causing me to fall back on the bed. His cologne fills my senses, heating the blood in my body. I was able to maintain what was left of my reserve up until this point. The closer he got, the more my blood boiled, racing up to my cheeks. Unable to bare it anymore, I closed my eyes. Not in fear, but in anticipation of the unavoidable. Damn it Eisuke! After all this time, now I finally understand why the main character always closed her eyes! I yelled frustrated at my own incompetence. Just as I felt the weight of his body leave me…

"Get up." He demanded.

Silently, I obliged, readjusting my dress. "Get out." He said, but not before turning to the other room, opening the sliding doors and disappearing behind them.

What the fuck was that? I questioned to myself. That was not at all how the game went. Wasn't he looking for his sister? Isn't he supposed to accost me in some form or another? Aren't I supposed to freak out on him?

Completely at a lost, I make my way out of his room and down to the lounge area where the other four members have now preoccupied themselves with other things. I tip-toed across the foyer to the door, where I thought I was going to make it out unnoticed, until I heard a familiar voice.

"Pretty Lady, leaving so soon?" Baba asked.

"Y-Yes." I replied shyly.

I could feel his eyes surveying my body, as I stood there, barefoot in the foyer. I crossed my arms over my chest, in an unconsciously defensive move, which prompted him to escort me to the elevator.

"How about I walk you home?" He offered gently.

"N-no, it's alright. I can manage on my own." I replied.

"I'll take her back." Soryu said calmly from behind Baba before he could even respond to my rejection.

Unable to deny the steely gaze of Soryu, I simply nodded my head in agreement. Soryu stepped around Baba, gently grabbing my arm with his long fingers, and pulled me in to the elevator.

"I'll see you tomorrow, pretty lady!" Baba exclaimed as the elevator doors shut.

After a few moments of silence, Soryu cleared his throat. "You're not going to say a single word to anyone about what transpired tonight."

Unable to talk, I nodded in agreement.

"You're not going to mention this to anyone because I know where you live. I know where your family lives. I will destroy every semblance of a life, you think or thought you could have. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes." I stammer.

When the elevator reaches the ground level, Soryu hands me a bag, taking me by surprise. Looking in the bag, I see he has retrieved my shoes I threw off while evading him, and had also recovered my purse that I had somehow lost in the shuffle.

"Thank you," I whisper, before exiting the elevator, slipping into the heels I had worn before, and hanging my purse over my shoulder. I straighten out my hair as I exit the elevator. Without looking back, I walk purposefully through the foyer of the Trés Spades hotel, and out into the fresh summer night. I hadn't realized how I had been holding my breath until the moment I exited the hotel and made my way to my apartment.

Home sweet home. I commented sarcastically to myself, as I locked the apartment door behind me. Exhausted, I kicked off my shoes, and flopped down on the bed. Unable to muster enough energy to change into my pajamas, I plugged my now dead phone into its charger, and proceeded to curl up under the blankets of my bed.

Alone.