Enjoy!
Book Twenty -One: The Auction
Santana placed the gloss on Mercedes' lips and smiled. "Perfect. You are gonna be the one to bid on tonight."
Mercedes gazed at her reflection in the mirror, taking in her soft makeup and delicate lace lingerie. She couldn't believe how innocent she looked, especially with her curled hair cascading over her shoulder. But as she spoke, her resolve wavered.
"I can't do this, Santana," Mercedes protested, shaking her head.
Santana grasped Mercedes' hands in hers, clad in a revealing red bodysuit that left little to the imagination. Her smoky eye makeup and bold red lips gave off an aura of danger. "You have to close your eyes and take a deep breath," Santana urged. "I know it's not ideal, but the money you'll make here can pay for your brother's treatments and free you from that awful boss.
Mercedes shook her head. "But I- how am I supposed to just… What should I do? Close my eyes till it's over? And oh my God what if he's-"
Santana held her hand up. "Don't think like that. Yes some of the people here are creeps, big fat ugly ones, but some are guys who don't have time for relationships for whatever reason and want to have a night of fun. Most likely you are gonna get a CEO who hasn't been laid in a while."
"And what if I do get a monster?" Mercedes said, shivering out of fear..
"Then hit the panic button and someone will be in your room in two seconds flat. It's very safe here, they make sure that everyone is protected. You can do this Mercedes I am sure, but if you don't want to, we can walk right out that door."
Mercedes closed her eyes, as Santana gripped her hands, holding her best friend close. Mercedes began to hum, and Santana joined in. Humming was something that they did when things got tough. It centered Mercedes allowing her to figure out exactly what she was going to do.
Santana smiled. "You can do this, for you, your brother, but you don't have to. Just tell me what you want to do."
Mercedes looked at Santana then back at herself in the mirror. "I am going to see this through."
Santana nodded, squeezing her hand before standing and grabbing two body sprays. "Okay final touch, do you want to go simple with vanilla and brown sugar, or sexy with pure seduction?"
Mercedes looked at the two bottles, one with clear liquid, one was red. She reached for the red and sprayed herself. Before slipping into the heels she picked. "So now what?"
"Now you wait to be called. You are number eight today, the last one to be auctioned off."
"I'm…I'm not first?"
Santana smiled. "Nope, you are what they like to call the last taste. You are the only actual virgin on the panel today so everyone wants you, that's a good thing. That means more money for you."
"How…how did you even come on to all this San?" Mercedes asked softly.
"I was in a situation where I needed money fast and this girl I was seeing suggested it. I've only been auctioned twice and it was for shows. Now I am just here to pay off my new car." She said smiling. "And helping my best friend."
Mercedes reached over and hugged her. "I owe you Santana. I owe you big time for this."
"No you don't. This is what we do." Santana said.
"Yeah it is."
"Number one! We are ready for you." Came out loud from the hall and Mercedes looked at the door, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it was about to burst.
"So it begins."
Sam tugged at the tie around his neck as he looked over to Mike and Will. He really hated being around Schuester, but this was a means to an end. Mike leaned over to Sam as a woman walked out wearing a flower lingerie set. Her hair was pinned up in curls and she looked as if she were a fairy in a garden.
"What about her? She looks cute." Mike said, nudging him.
"I am not going to buy a woman Mike, I am only here for Will, we discussed this." Sam hissed.
Will smiled, clapping his hands together. "Oooo I want!" He raised his paddle to indicate he wanted to bid on the girl. As the bids rose to over $75,000, Will pulled a waitress into his lap, kissing her neck. "Can you get us a bottle of your best whiskey sweetheart, we are celebrating."
She nodded standing up, as Will smacked her ass, watching her walk away. "I swear these women are gonna be the death of me. But what a way to go, right?" Will said laughing.
Mike turned towards him. "So about this contract."
Will shook his head. "I've already signed it, you guys own the building, but no papers until after we enjoy ourselves tonight."
Sam grit his teeth, he really hated this man, but this was business and in business you had to do what you had to do.
"And sold for $87,000. Now let's get on to number two."
Sam sat back as more women came out. The second woman was slightly taller than the first, long blonde hair that fell bone straight down her back. She wore all leather looking kinda like catwoman, all she was missing was the ears. Men went nuts for her, as she seemed like a crowd favorite and went for $143,000.
When the third woman came out Sam could see Mike's eyes widen. The woman was short with long black curls all over her head. She wore a school girl outfit with a pair of glasses and a book as she walked across the stage.
Mike glanced around as the men bid on her and his fingers itched towards the paddle raising his hand as he placed his bid.
Sam looked at him and Mike shrugged. "When in Rome right? I don't want to do nothing just…for some reason I don't want her with these pervs."
Sam laughed shaking his head, the first legit laugh because he felt the same way, they were pervs for sure.
Sam watched Mike bid again, daring to pay $150,000 when someone tried to counter his other bid.
Mike smiled when he won, giving the woman a sweet nod when she looked his way.
"So how do we…I don't want to say collect but…yeah." Mike said.
Will looked over to him. "Afterwards they will lead us to the room they are in. Don't worry, I am not pissed you won. She's a pretty little thing but I have it on good authority the one I will really want is last."
Sam shook his head as he looked back to the stage. He watched as another woman came out, I mean they were all beautiful. He wouldn't deny that but he had no intention of participating, the way these men looked, the way they leered and hollered at these women, It was disheartening.
"Its almost time." Will said laughing. "I hope she plays nice with the other one I got. I do like it when my toys play together, that's why I usually like two at a time." He laughed. the others he was with laughed as Sam and Mike looked at each other.
Leaning in, Mike sighed. "Okay, one more and then we can leave."
Sam sighed, looking at his watch. "Good, the sooner I'm away from Shueshter the better." He replied as the lights flickered and the room grew eerily quiet.
"We have a treat for you tonight, our last flower for the night is that of one that has never been plucked! Number Eight is a rare breed and that is why the bidding will start at two hundred thousand!"
Will sat up in his seat, much like all of the other men waiting for this unicorn they described. Sam observed, watching the other patrons no longer speaking and their eyes glued to the stage. He looked at Mike who seemed just as confused by the sudden change in atmosphere.
"What's happening?" Sam asked.
Will smirked. "There's a virgin in the bunch."
Mike shook his head in disbelief. "Wait, why would… this doesn't seem right. Do you see how these men are reacting and they haven't even seen whoever the person is."
"A virgin is a virgin, doesn't matter what she looks like- being able to be a first and possibly train her to your liking… she's worth more that the starting amount." Will replied before refocusing his attention to the stage when a shadow slowly crept up the stage.
Mercedes heard her number and immediately began to shake. Her hands were clammy, her breathing was ragged and she was sure she was about to faint.
She took a deep breath. "You can do this. You have to do this." She said to herself before walking out the door and down the hall towards the stage. She stood at the steps waiting for her cue, her throat had gone dry and she could feel hot tears burning in her eyes.
She hated this more and more by the second but the thought of losing her brother pushed her to walk up the stairs and onto the platform. It was quiet, dark and her mind was going a mile a minute. The further she walked the more she wanted to turn and run but she finally reached her marker and waited for the lights to come on and the bidding to officially begin.
The lights came on in a flash and a spotlight shown on her, causing her to wince. She looked around but couldn't make out the faces in the gallery.
"Bidding will now begin." The announcer said and Mercedes felt her breathing stop.
Sam looked at the woman on the stage before looking around seeing paddles going up as the amount rose. He listened, hearing some patrons say how beautiful she was and others detailing the things they wanted to do with her. He could feel bile growing in the depths of his stomach at how graphic some of them were being.
"You look like you're about to barf." Mike said nudging Sam.
Sam shook his head. "We can… we can't let them win."
"Let who win?" Mike questioned.
Will slammed down his glass, whistling. "These idiots think they're going to win her. HA! Watch this." He said before standing. "Seven hundred!" He shouted, earning glares from the other patrons.
Sam grabbed Mike's arm. "I need you to distract him."
"Dude, are you okay? It's just business- she signed up for this."
Will leaned back in his chair, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "I can't wait to chain her to my wall... to exploit every inch of that enticing body for my pleasure. You see, the thrill with innocents is overpowering them first, making them realize who holds the power, and then watching them crumble under your dominance."
The man next to him laughed. "You are a sadist Will, that poor woman doesn't know what she's got coming to her."
"Sadist? No, I am a realist. A true man who will teach her the harsh realities of life. Oh, and that figure of hers... Every inch of her will be mine tonight!" His companions chuckled darkly, exchanging approving glances before his gaze returned to the stage. "I foresee she'll submit willingly once I've molded her into my perfect little plaything."
Mike felt rage growing. "I can buy you five minutes." He said to Sam before they switched seats. "So you think you have the ability to please a woman like that? She's… got a figure that requires more than dominance."
Sam took that cue before getting up and walking over to the auctioneer. He was new to this scene but he knew about putting in private bids from watching countless auctions in his hometown. He approached, grabbing one of his cards from his lapel and quickly scribbling an amount on it. He slid it to the auctioneer before walking away to his seat.
"... I just think you should at least make it worth her wild before ruining sex for her forever." Mike said as Sam sat down.
Will snorted, before down another shot. "She will be begging me after-"
"We have closed the bidding and the winner wishes to remain anonymous. That's it for tonight, please pay out in the back before receiving your flowers."
"What the fuck!" Will shouted. "Who the fuck outbid me?"
Mike shrugged. "This was… something. We expect the paperwork at our office first thing in the morning. Sam.
Sam nodded. "Have a good night Will." He said, grabbing his briefcase and following Mike.
As they walked out of the booth they were sitting in, Sam and Mike made their way to the back.
"I don't know what made me want to bid…or what made you want to do it, but just knowing that at least two women won't be hurt in all this, it makes me feel a little better."
Sam gave a humorless laugh. "Just knowing that Will didn't win what he wanted, made all this worth it. I don't know what you plan on doing with your….flower but I am putting mine back."
"I hope you don't mean taking away your bid, because you know second place will get it if you do that?"
Sam shook his head. "I can't do that…I just mean I will stay in the room for an appropriate time and then leave. I'll call a car service so I don't have to wait for you."
"What makes you think I am not gonna do the same thing as you?"
Sam laughed. "That drool you had on your face when she walked out. You are gonna get into something, I just don't know what. And I really don't want to know."
As they got to the front, Sam and Mike went ahead and paid, grabbing a key card as Sam felt Will's eyes on him. He made sure to make it look like he was supporting Mike, not wanting to tip Will off to anything. Once done, the men were led out back to the other side of the compound.
Sam looked down to the keycard at the number on it. He was in room 213, looking over at Mike's, it seemed he was in 215, so at least if something went down they were nearby. This was all such a surreal feeling, buying women, using them? And what kind of woman would allow herself to be in this situation?
As he made it to the door, Mike looked at him. "See you on the other side. Remember we are in just long enough to make it seem like something is happening.
Sam nodded. "Yeah."
Putting the key card in the door, Sam hesitated before pushing the door open and walking inside.
Mercedes paced the waiting room she was in as Santana walked over to her. "It's okay girl, just breathe."
"I've been bought! I can't do this! How am I supposed to do this?" Mercedes said, physically shaking.
Santana walked over to her and gripped her hands tightly. "Mercedes, look, just breathe. You can do this. I know you can do this. Now if you need help, there are little buttons under a few places in the room. The dresser, light switch and table."
Mercedes nodded as she began to slow her breathing. "Okay." She said breathlessly trying to regain her calmness.
Santana sighed. "There is something else."
"What do you mean something else?" Mercedes asked worriedly.
"The bidder, no one here knows who he is. Honestly, I'm glad the bidder before him didn't get you. I had heard some things, but this guy is a new face around here and he bid quite a lot."
Mercedes stared at her. "What do you mean by quite a lot?"
"The man bid $1.2."
"MILLION?!" Mercedes yelped.
Santana nodded. "And after they take their cut that leaves you with a little over a million dollars. You are the highest bid this place has ever seen."
"What the hell does this man want from me for a million dollars?" Mercedes said fearfully.
"Hopefully just a good time. You are a gorgeous virgin Mercedes, and men are pigs. I am not leaving, I am here, just go to the room, let him enjoy himself and we can leave. The good thing is he knows you are a virgin so he won't expect you to do much."
Mercedes jumped as she heard knocking on the door. Santana explained that once her bidder was in the room he would knock and she would join them.
"It's going to be okay." Santana encouraged. "Just find something on the wall or ceiling to focus on and before you know, it'll be over."
Mercedes nodded. "Oh-okay." She said, rolling her shoulders back and headed through the door that connected the waiting room to her assigned suite.
Seeing a man, she sighed heavily before letting go of Santana's hand and letting him lead her to room 213. This was it, she couldn't leave. And she would be dumb to leave right? A million dollars just to have sex with a total stranger. At least she would pay off all of Carter's medical issues and have money to spare.
Whew...