Sold To The Mafia Drug 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."