Chapter 2. Favor

Luna's POV

After I read the card, I threw it away. He was kind enough to help me out and give me a chance to get out of that auction hell. However, I'm scared that perhaps he was like that insane debt collector.

They will make you think they're nice and want to help you, but later on, they will get more— including your whole life and body.

I kicked the rock once more, and it rolled. My stomach growled as I took a deep breath.

'It would have been nice if I had some money left from what I owed to the debt collector.'

Wait...

I quickly rummaged through the jacket, hoping to find money, but I found nothing. Something shone on the coat just as I was about to give up.

As I looked, the light had gone out. I took off my jacket to get a better look at it. I waited three minutes for it to light up again, but nothing happened. I would have worn the coat again if I had just not heard a ring. I paused to listen more. Slowly, my ear followed the sound, which came from the jacket's secret pocket.

It shone brightly, a red light. However, I couldn't figure out how to open the secret pocket.

After minutes of trying hard to open it, I tore the fabric where the glow was. I grabbed the item right away and discovered a small chip.

I kept a close eye on it. After it stopped flashing, I noticed something that resembled a dot button. The sudden sound almost made my heart jump out of my heart. The chip is tiny, but the sound almost deafens me. I pressed the dot button, and someone immediately spoke to that chip.

"Are you planning on sleeping somewhere?" I'm unsure if the question is directed at the guard who owns the jacket or me. When I didn't respond, the chip's voice spoke again, "You. The woman at the auction. Why don't you respond?"

"Why? Why bother me now that I thought I could do whatever I wanted?" Even though he couldn't see, I rolled my eyes. "You should not have sent me here, made me enjoy myself outside, and then abruptly made me your servant. It's as if after I crave freedom, you suddenly said it was a joke."

"Don't worry, I'm just wondering if you have a roof on your head or food that you can eat. I can help you if you want." The man's voice lacked any hint of deception. He didn't laugh either because his voice remained bored and chilly.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I don't want to doubt, but I don't know him. I also couldn't find a reason for him to help me. If he still wanted me to be his slave, shouldn't he have taken me with him in the first place?

I'm confused!

"I'm not interested, and could you please stop calling me? I can take care of myself!"

I answered him immediately because I didn't want to repeat what had happened to me with them showing 'help.' Just in case, this man may have done worse than the debt collector who brought me to the auction.

After I yelled at him with that thing, I threw the chip straight away while the cold breeze blew in my direction.

Before strolling again, I put on the jacket and slid my hands into the pocket.

Because of the many buildings where the guard and driver dropped me off, I couldn't find an alley to sleep in. I didn't want to return to my old sleeping quarters. It's all addicts and dr*g users; despite my distress, I'm not ready to use that. I was also concerned that they would later rape me. It's a different era now; even if you're best friends, they can still hurt you.

People passed by on their way home from work, whereas I had just sat down. I stared at the air and thought I was like a rabbit running away from a lion.

I want to fall asleep in this waiting chair and let the lonely evening take my soul. This isn't the kind of tiredness that can be remedied with a few hours of rest or sleep. I'm like a tired corpse hoping for the truck to crush into me.

But what exactly am I afraid of? In the end, I can't help but swallow my sadness, and even if I tell the wind, the only thing it can respond with is a cold hug that appears to be a sad embrace.

I looked up to prevent my tears from falling when the building lit up, and a large screen appeared. Even the building's mirrors are already made into screens. It's different now. It's just interesting to see how the city develops.

An announcer appeared on the screen, holding a piece of paper as a script.

"It's been two years since the heinous arson in the Everdeen’s family's home happened. Even the couple did not survive. What do we think happened to the sole heiress? Where could be Smith's heiress now?"

The announcer said a lot more, but the photo series left me speechless.

Those are my auction photos. I watched the people who watched, passed by, cracked jokes, and their laughter echoed in my head as if I were disgusting. I could even hear two pretty girls in front of me.

"She is beautiful! However, many men have already touched her in this case!"

"It's different when you're not used to hard work. You'll do anything to get up from a poor life," another woman replied and chuckled.

'That's not true!'

'There is no way that I would do that...'

My chest clenched at what they said. I felt my personality was so filthy. When the news ended, the next man to show up on the screen was a man holding a construction helmet.

The man who helped me with the auction! AGAIN!

They also showed his name.

Adonis Salander.

After that video, the screen died—the name of the building where the TV screen had been before flashed.

"T. D Multinational Group."

That was the name of the building and the name of the corporation on the card that was given to me. Before I made my decision, I inhaled and exhaled, and without any second thought, I dashed toward the building.