Chapter 1 - Ritual

"I'm so sorry my child. I'm so sorry for not having the power to stop your father from going on with the sale." My mother cried, holding up my face in her hands as she spoke gently to me. 

"What do you mean, ma?" I began to panic, holding my mother's hand. I was confused.

Sale? What sale?

"You need to stay strong. I don't know what's going to happen afterwards but you need to stay strong" My mother said, pulling me into her body

"Mother, can you please explain to me what's going on?" I asked, patting her back. 

"Veronica! Jadelyn! It's time. We don't want to keep the Young Don waiting" My father yelled, pushing my room door open. "You both have 3 minutes to round this off"

I couldn't ask my father what was going on because we really didn't have a good relationship. Our relationship got worse when my elder sister disappeared years back. I once heard that he didn't like me because I wasn't what he was expecting. I don't even know what that means.

"We don't want to make your father angry, my child" My mother said, releasing me from her embrace. "Have this" she said placing a necklace on my neck. 

"Mother why are you acting like I'm dying?" I laughed nervously.

"I can't do this" She said, shaking her head while she placed her right hand over her mouth as she ran away.

"Mother!" I called out to her, running after her

"I can see you're ready" My father said, blocking me.

"Father, why's mother crying a lot today?" I managed to ask between breaths

"You'll soon find out." He smiled. "I finally found a good use for you" 

"Really?" 

"Yes. Let's get going" He said, leading the way to his car. My father had a thing for luxurious lifestyle even when we all knew he couldnt afford it that well. 

Few minutes later, we arrived at a big mansion filled with a lot of body guards scattered everywhere. The interior design screamed "dark". It looked like a devil's chamber. 

Since when did father get involved in all these type of things?

"You're late" A man hissed at my father. 

"I'm sorry. Is the Don here already?" My father asked the big man. 

"He'll be here in 5 minutes." He said before turning to face me. "Get in there, your mates are already standing. Don't break the line" The big man said to me.

"Father.."

"Just do as you're told, Jadelyn. You're 24 not 5, so I bet you understood what he just said" My father snapped at me, making me flinch. It never gets old.

I've never met a man more terrifying than my father. 

I hurriedly entered inside, drawing all attention to me. Initially, the demeanor of the girls were stiff but then I could sense the relief when they saw it was just me. 

"Hello, everyone" I waved but got no response. Some looked at me as if I've grown two heads. 

What's everyone's problem today.

"Fall in place everyone. The Don is here" The big man said to us. I couldn't see my father with him anymore. Where did he go?

I copied their actions by standing straight but looking down. Rumors have it that you dare not look into the eyes of the DON. Rumors also have it that he's the most deadly man after his father and that's why I don't get what I'm doing here.

"Are these the daughters of the debtors?" A deep masculine voice roared, making me shiver and instilling fear in me.

"Yes, Master" Someone replied.

"Nothing to write home about." The same deep masculine voiced man, said again. 

"So what do we do about them, master?" The other person asked. I really wanted to raise my face up but when I turned sideways, everyone was still faced down. 

"Put them up for auction tonight and recover our money back." The so-called master with the deep voice said, making my whole body go rigid. 

Auction? Like sell us off?

Was this what mother was talking about?

"Excuse me, sir?" I spoke out, doing the unthinkable. I could hear gasps from the other girls. 

"You..." 

"Jadelyn Thompson, Sir." I said, cutting him off, ignoring the look of shock plastered on his face as he stared at me.

Strike Two, I know.

"I know you. The daughter of the man who borrows to keep up with his fake life and status" The Don said, folding his arms at me, looking at me with an unreadable facial expression. 

This would be a nice time to appreciate his handsome features but I wasn't mentally fit to do that.

"Please, Sir. I beg that you let me work my ass off to pay off my father's debt. I don't deserve to be sold off to a total stranger. Please, Sir" I pleaded, going down on my knees

"Funny. She thinks she can pay off her father's outrageous debt." He scoffed. "Get Up, Now!" He roared, making me stand up immediately. I was already trembling inside, my chest heaving up and down. 

"I'm sorry, master. Everyone, Out!" The big man said, opening the door.

"No, no, no. I beg you, Sir" I said, going down on my knee. 

"Stand up" The big man said, pulling me up.

"I just got into college and you can't do this to me." I pleaded, struggling to get out of his grip. 

"You don't deserve to be auctioned" The Don finally said, making me stop the struggle. 

"Thank you" I said, cleaning my watery eyes.

"Get her ready for the ritual!" The Don ordered the big man who was currently still holding me.

"The Ritual? That hasn't been done in ages!" The big man exclaimed 

"Are you questioning me?" The Don glared daggers at the Don.

"Not at all." The big man shook his head. "Let's go!" He said, tightening his grip on me.

"Wait!" I said, falling on my knees again, ignoring how tight and painful the big man's grip was, on my skin. "I don't want to go through any ritual! I am the only surviving child of my parents!" I cried

"You can't make two requests. Now, take her!" The Don requested.

"What do you mean?" I held the tip of his trouser. "Where's your conscience? Don't you have sisters?" I cried

"That's enough" The big man bent down and threw me over his shoulder effortlessly.

"Let me go!" I screamed, hitting the man on his back. "I need to see my father! There must be another way out!" I cried loudly.

"Why's she not in the auction department?" A man asked the big man that was carrying me

"She's for the Ritual" 

"Oh no!" The other man exclaimed, making my heart pant more at my cluelessness on what's about to happen to me.

"Get the blades ready. You know the blade usually used for Rituals yeah?" The big man asked, unlocking a door and throwing me on the bed like I weighed nothing.

"Please, beg the Don!" I pleaded, wanting to follow him out.

"See you at the Rituals" He said, shutting the door in my face, leaving me in darkness.

What is a fucking ritual?

What have I done to deserve this?