009. Between luxury and fear

Amelia followed Inmaculada, walking a few steps behind her, just as she had seen the women of Suryavanti do with their husbands. The sense of humiliation washed over her as she thought of having to do the same with Jason, her supposed buyer. She decided that practicing with Inmaculada might help her prepare for what was coming. She watched every detail of Inmaculada's walk, attempting to mimic her posture and the cadence of her steps.

Inmaculada, sensing Amelia's presence behind her, turned and raised an eyebrow at her.

"What are you doing?" she asked with curiosity, though her tone carried a hint of impatience.

Amelia lifted her gaze, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I'm trying to practice the way I should walk when I'm with Jason. Am I doing it wrong? Does it bother you?" Her words came out with a mix of nervousness and hope for approval.

Inmaculada observed Amelia for a few seconds, evaluating her response and posture. The determination in Amelia's eyes made her smile slightly.

"You were doing it right, but don't do it. I'm not sure if Jason likes that tradition. I certainly find it very backward between equals," she said, her voice taking on a softer tone.

Amelia frowned, trying to understand.

"Am I your equal?" she asked, her words carrying a desire for comprehension and validation.

The two women locked eyes, a silent battle of wills. Amelia awaited a clear answer, while Inmaculada pondered the best way to handle the situation.

"No, you're not, but on this occasion, I'd like to see you walk by my side," Inmaculada finally replied, with a smile that was meant to be reassuring.

Amelia nodded, her expression reflecting a mixture of acceptance and confusion. She positioned herself alongside Inmaculada, walking together until they reached the mansion's door, followed by the imposing bodyguards.

At the entrance, two luxury cars awaited: a BMW and a Jaguar. Without a word, both headed for the navy-blue Jaguar, while the bodyguards settled into the matching BMW.

The car's interior was filled with luxury, with leather seats and a soft scent of newness. Amelia felt small amidst so much opulence. She turned to Inmaculada, her eyes reflecting a growing fear.

"Should I be afraid?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper betraying her anguish.

Inmaculada looked up from her smartphone and offered a sympathetic smile.

"You should be terrified. That will make you cautious, and with him, even I feel some fear. Don't think the worst he can do to you is beat you or kill you."

Inmaculada's words echoed in Amelia's mind like a sentence. Did she just say kill her? Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief and terror. Noticing her reaction, Inmaculada attempted to reassure her with a softer tone.

"Relax, I don't remember him being particularly cruel."

Amelia remained silent, staring out the window. The landscape slid past her eyes, but her mind was far away, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and fears. Suddenly, she recognized the surroundings. From the window, she could see the entire bay of Lantia and the town below, which must be Bravura. Her heart raced as she realized how close she was to her parents' house. Nostalgia hit her hard, but she quickly remembered her new reality.

"Is there a problem?" Inmaculada asked without looking up from her smartphone.

Amelia sighed, her voice heavy with sadness and resignation.

"I won't see my family again even though I'm just a few kilometers away. If Jason likes me, I can never go back to being a man, and if he doesn't like me, I'll be sold to a trafficking network," she said, not taking her eyes off the window.

For the first time, Inmaculada looked up from her smartphone and regarded Amelia with a mix of compassion and firmness.

"You never know. Maybe, even as a woman, one day you can present yourself to your parents, or maybe Jason simply decides to let you go, and I return you to your old sex, or maybe, if he doesn't choose you for some unforeseen reason, I'll give you another chance. The future is not written, and everything can change," she said, trying to offer a glimmer of hope.

Amelia nodded slowly, trying to find solace in Inmaculada's words. The uncertainty of her future tormented her, but she knew she had to stay calm and hopeful. As the car drove on, she mentally prepared for what lay ahead, aware that each step brought her closer to an unknown and feared destiny.

They remained silent for a while, both immersed in their thoughts. Suddenly, Amelia heard her smartphone vibrate inside her purse. With little else to do, she rummaged for it and pulled it out. It was a WhatsApp message. She opened it and saw the sender was the person sitting beside her. The message read:

"I forgot to tell you. Don't be surprised by anything you hear at dinner, and, of course, don't reveal anything to anyone about that dinner."

Amelia looked at Inmaculada, puzzled, but her expression remained impassive. She didn't seem like the kind of woman to joke around. Sighing, she replied via WhatsApp:

"OK, see, hear, learn, and keep quiet."

A few seconds later, a smile appeared on Inmaculada's lips. After typing on her smartphone, Amelia received a response:

"Good girl. Everything will be fine."

Amelia put the phone back in her purse, feeling slightly more at ease but also more intrigued. What kind of conversations would take place at that dinner? What secrets lay behind those doors? Uncertainty accompanied her for the rest of the ride as the city's lights began to appear on the horizon, marking the start of a night that promised to be unforgettable.

The car continued its journey, taking Amelia towards an unknown destination, as she mentally prepared to face the challenges that awaited her. Each passing moment, she felt a mix of fear and determination growing within her. She knew she had to be ready for anything and that, no matter what happened, she would have to maintain her composure and strength.

After half an hour on the road, the car finally arrived at a house in the middle of nowhere, or at least that's what it seemed. In reality, it was an ultra-exclusive restaurant overlooking the bay of Lantia. The two bodyguards from the BMW quickly got out and opened the doors of the Jaguar, allowing Inmaculada and Amelia to step out.

"Stay out here," Inmaculada ordered without further explanation, advancing toward the restaurant entrance with Amelia following closely behind.

The restaurant's interior was a surprising contrast to its seemingly modest exterior. The walls were adorned with elegant wooden panels, and the soft glow of chandeliers created an atmosphere of understated luxury. The receptionist, a middle-aged man with a professional smile, looked surprised to see them.

"Mrs. Montalbán, we weren't expecting you tonight. But if necessary, we'll find you a table. How many will you be?" he asked, trying to hide his surprise.

Inmaculada sighed with impatience, her patience visibly wearing thin.

"The reservation was made by someone else. It should be under Mr. Xiting's name," she said firmly.

The receptionist quickly checked the reservation list, his eyes lighting up as he found the name.

"Oh, yes, on the second floor, the Terral Lounge. Allow me to escort you," he offered kindly.

"No need. I know it perfectly. Has Mr. Xiting arrived?" Inmaculada cut him off, her tone making it clear she didn't want to waste any more time.

"Yes, he arrived a few minutes ago. You may go up; he's expecting you," the receptionist confirmed, making a slight bow.

Amelia watched as the boss entered without giving a response. Despite her nerves, she gave a slight nod to the receptionist before following. The stairs to the second floor were wide, with a red carpet that muffled their steps, creating a sensation of walking on clouds.

Inmaculada knew exactly where they were heading, but upon reaching the door to the Terral Lounge, she stopped. Amelia noticed the tension in her companion's shoulders and read the plaque beside the door: "Terral Lounge."

"Aren't we going in?" Amelia asked, impatient with Inmaculada's indecision.

Inmaculada took a deep breath, her chest expanding with the inhalation, and then exhaled slowly, releasing all the air. Finally, she turned the handle and opened the door.

The Terral Lounge was even more impressive than the rest of the restaurant. With walls adorned with tapestries and a large mahogany table at its center, the place exuded opulence. The view through the windows was spectacular, showing the bay of Lantia in all its nighttime splendor.

In the center of the room, a tall and handsome man stood up upon seeing them enter. Amelia recognized him from the photo: Jason Xiting. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, and his presence filled the room with a mix of authority and calm.

"Inmaculada, Amelia, welcome," he said in a soft but firm voice, walking towards them. His eyes fixed on Amelia, evaluating her with an intense but polite gaze.

Amelia felt a shiver run down her spine. She made a slight nod, remembering Inmaculada's words. Jason extended a hand towards Inmaculada, who shook it with a tense smile.

"Jason, thank you for receiving us," Inmaculada said, in a tone that tried to sound relaxed.

Jason nodded and then turned his attention to Amelia.

"Amelia, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person," he said, taking her hand with a softness that contrasted with the firmness of his grip. Amelia felt her heart race.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Xiting," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Jason gestured towards the table.

"Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss," he said, guiding them to their seats.

As they sat, Amelia couldn't stop wondering what kind of conversation would unfold that night and how it would affect her future. Thoughts and emotions swirled in her mind, but she reminded herself to stay calm and observe, just as Inmaculada had advised.

Jason filled Amelia and Inmaculada's champagne glasses. It was a Luxor Pure Gold 24K Brut, a name that didn't mean much to Amelia, but Inmaculada immediately recognized its exclusivity.

"Did you really have to receive us with this champagne? There are better champagnes that are cheaper. This one is only expensive because of the gold flakes," Inmaculada commented, observing the golden bubbles in her glass with a mix of resignation and appreciation.

For her part, Amelia stared in fascination at the gold flakes floating in the champagne, marveling at their shine and elegance. Jason smiled at her reaction.

"Would you expect me to receive my girlfriend and her mentor with common champagne? By the way, the master sends his regards," Jason said, raising his glass. The mention of the "master" caused Inmaculada to tremble slightly, almost imperceptibly, but undeniably.

"He sends me his regards?" Inmaculada asked, raising her glass as well, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and apprehension.

At that moment, a waiter entered with plates of snails, carefully placing them in front of each of them. Amelia looked at them with some disgust. She had never dared to try these mollusks, and the idea of eating them was frankly repulsive.

"Don't worry, Amelia," Jason said, noticing her reaction. "Snails are an acquired delicacy, but if you don't like them, there are many other things you can try tonight."

The waiter discreetly left, and Jason turned to Inmaculada again with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Yes, the master isn't very pleased with your five years of absence. If you go to him before the summer ends, he promises not to be harsh with you."

Inmaculada's face reflected growing panic, a fear that deepened with each of Jason's words. The idea of facing her former master terrified her.

"Thank you for mediating, Jason. I'll do everything I can to go," she said, her voice breaking slightly at the end.

Amelia watched the scene, her heart pounding. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of relationship Inmaculada and her master had and why he was so feared. She felt like a puppet in a play whose lines she didn't yet fully understand. The tension in the room was palpable, and Amelia knew that every word, every movement, had the potential to change her destiny.

"Relax, the master isn't that bad. He'll just ask you to humble yourself and settle for a few lashes. But yes, he wants you to bring him a few of those worms. He wasn't pleased that you took them all," Jason commented with a smile that Amelia couldn't quite decipher whether it was meant for Inmaculada or her.

Despite the opulence and luxury of the surroundings, Amelia couldn't ignore the growing fear within her. The night was just beginning, and she already felt as if she were on the edge of an abyss. Jason seemed kind and courteous, but there was a hardness in his eyes that she couldn't ignore. How could someone so young and seemingly charming wield such overwhelming power?

While Inmaculada tried to compose herself, Amelia took a sip of her champagne, letting the bubbles caress her tongue. The champagne's fragrance was intoxicating, but the bitterness of the situation made it hard to enjoy.

"Let's enjoy this dinner," Jason said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Amelia, I hope tonight gives you a clearer vision of what our future could be."

Amelia nodded, forcing a smile. The prospect of that future remained hazy and frightening, but she knew she had to remain strong. Dinner continued, and with each course served, she delved deeper into a world she was just beginning to comprehend.