Sold To The Mafia Lord

Elena Ricci could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she paced the narrow alley behind the café. She had just come off her shift, her apron still tied around her waist, her hands trembling as she clutched the phone to her ear. The sun had set hours ago, leaving the streets of Milan bathed in shadows, but she barely noticed. All she could think about was the call she'd received from the hospital earlier that day.

Her mother's condition had worsened. The doctors were clear-without an experimental treatment, which cost more than Elena could ever hope to make, her mother didn't stand a chance.

"I can't lose her, Clara," Elena whispered into the phone, her voice cracking. "She's all I have."

On the other end of the line, Clara's silence stretched uncomfortably long. Elena's best friend had always been her confidante, but now, even she seemed at a loss for words. The silence weighed heavy until Clara finally spoke.

"I might know a way to get the money... but, Elena, it's not what you think. It's... extreme."

Elena stopped pacing, her breath catching. "What do you mean?"

Clara hesitated again, and the sound of her breathing through the phone felt louder, ominous. "There's an auction," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not the normal kind. It's private. Exclusive. The kind where people like us don't get invited. They... they bid on people, Elena."

Elena's grip tightened on the phone. "What are you talking about? Bid on people? Like-"

"Yes," Clara cut her off. "Exactly like that. You auction yourself off. For money. The kind of money you need."

A sick feeling twisted in Elena's stomach. She turned, leaning against the cold brick wall of the alley, staring up at the sky as if some answer might be hidden in the clouds. The idea was absurd. Selling herself? Becoming someone's property?

"No," she muttered. "There's no way. I can't..."

"Elena," Clara's voice softened, but it was firm. "I know it sounds crazy. But these men... they're rich. Powerful. They don't play by the same rules. I heard about it from someone who knows a girl who did it. She got paid enough to disappear. And maybe... maybe this is your way out. For you and your mom."

The thought clawed at Elena's mind, wrapping around her like a vice. She had been scraping by, working two jobs, and it still wasn't enough. The medical bills piled up every day. There were no other options. But could she really sell herself like some piece of property? Become a possession to some man she'd never met?

Her voice was barely audible when she finally spoke. "How... how does it work?"

Clara's answer was immediate. "I can take you to the place. It's tomorrow night. It's all very discreet. If you agree, you'll sign a contract. You get the money up front. After that... it's up to the highest bidder. You belong to them."

Elena's throat tightened. The word belong echoed in her mind, making her feel both nauseous and desperate. She imagined her mother lying in that hospital bed, the life slowly slipping away from her. And then she imagined herself, just another faceless woman trapped in the world of men who saw them as nothing but possessions.

She swallowed hard. "I... I need to think about it."

"I understand," Clara replied, her voice softening further. "But don't take too long. If you don't do something soon..."

The implication hung in the air, thick and unbearable. Elena ended the call without saying goodbye and stood in the alley, trying to gather her thoughts. She couldn't breathe. The night felt suffocating, and the narrow walls around her seemed to close in.

She ran a shaky hand through her hair, feeling the weight of her decision crushing her. Her mother was dying. What kind of daughter would she be if she didn't do everything in her power to save her? Even if that meant crossing lines she never thought she'd cross?

As she stepped out of the alley and began the short walk to her tiny apartment, her mind was already made up. Tomorrow, she would go to the auction.

The next evening, Elena stood in front of a large mirror, her reflection almost unrecognizable. Clara had helped her prepare, choosing a sleek black dress that hugged her curves and made her look like she belonged in the world she was about to enter. Her dark hair had been styled into loose waves that cascaded down her back, and her lips were painted a deep red-a color she had never worn before.

"You look incredible," Clara said, standing behind her, eyes scanning her appearance. "They're going to lose their minds when they see you."

Elena swallowed, staring at her reflection. She didn't feel like herself. The woman in the mirror looked confident, alluring, but inside, Elena was crumbling.

"I feel sick," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't know if I can do this."

Clara's hand landed on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "You don't have a choice. Just remember why you're doing it. Your mother needs you. After tonight, you'll have the money, and you can walk away from all of this."

Elena nodded, though her hands still shook as she applied the final touches to her makeup. The weight of the night ahead pressed down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. This wasn't her. She wasn't cut out for this.

But as Clara had said, she didn't have a choice.

When they arrived at the venue, Elena's breath hitched in her throat. The building was a lavish estate on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by high walls and guarded gates. Men in tailored suits stood at the entrance, their eyes cold and assessing as they checked Clara's invitation and let them pass through the iron gates.

The inside was even more overwhelming. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and soft music filled the air, setting a tone of elegance that felt at odds with the dark reality of what was about to happen. Elena clung to Clara's arm, her heart racing as they were led through the grand hall into a smaller, dimly lit room filled with people. Men, mostly. Wealthy men in suits, their expressions hard, their eyes predatory.

"Elena," Clara whispered, squeezing her hand. "Stay calm. You'll be okay."

Elena nodded, but her palms were slick with sweat. Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the faces of the men who would soon be bidding on her. Each one made her stomach turn.

Her throat was dry as a man in a tuxedo approached them. He was tall, with silver hair and an air of authority that made Elena immediately uneasy.

"You must be Elena," he said, his voice smooth but cold. "Welcome. You'll be up soon. Follow me."

Elena's heart raced as she followed him down a hallway to a private room. The auction was happening behind closed doors, out of sight of most of the guests. Clara gave her one last reassuring look before the man led her away, disappearing into the crowd.

Inside the room, Elena stood on a small platform under a spotlight. Her knees wobbled as the door shut behind her. She could hear murmurs from the other side of the room, but she couldn't see anyone in the darkness. All she could feel was the heat of the light on her skin and the pounding of her heart in her ears.

"This is Elena Ricci," a voice announced from the shadows. "The bidding starts now."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the first bid came in. A low murmur, almost inaudible.

"Five hundred thousand euros," a man's voice echoed from the darkness.

Elena's breath hitched. Five hundred thousand? The number made her head spin. But before she could fully process it, another voice cut through the air.

"One million."

Her heart raced. The numbers kept climbing, men's voices calling out bids as if she were nothing more than an object to be bought and sold. It felt surreal, like she was floating outside of her body, watching it all happen to someone else.

Then, the room went silent. The final bid had been placed.

"Five million euros," the auctioneer said, his voice firm. "Sold."

Elena couldn't breathe. Five million. It was more than she had ever imagined, more than enough to save her mother. But the victory felt hollow as the reality of her situation crashed down on her. She had just been bought.

"Please follow me," the man with the silver hair said, stepping into the light.

Numbly, Elena followed him through another set of doors, her body moving on autopilot. She barely registered the luxurious surroundings as they walked down a long corridor, until they stopped at a pair of heavy wooden doors. The man knocked once, then pushed them open.

Inside was a large, dark room, dimly lit by a single lamp on a mahogany desk. A figure sat behind the desk, his back to the door, the outline of his broad shoulders visible in the shadows.

"The buyer will see you now," the man said, before stepping back and closing the door behind her.

Elena stood frozen at the entrance, her hands clenched into fists. Her throat was tight, and her legs felt like they might give out beneath her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

The man behind the desk shifted, then slowly stood, turning to face her. When his eyes locked onto hers, Elena's breath caught in her throat.

He was tall, impossibly tall, with a commanding presence that filled the room. Dark hair fell just above his collar, and his chiseled jaw was set in an expression of cool detachment. But it was his eyes that held her captive-ice-blue, piercing, and utterly emotionless. He studied her for a moment, as if assessing every inch of her, before taking a slow step forward.