Wanted: A mafia story

Jasmine's P.o.v

My eyes fluttered open and my gaze met with the familiar sight of our small, cluttered apartment. The peeling paint and worn furniture seemed to close in around me, a constant reminder of our struggles. I rubbed the sleep off my eyes and tossed off the thin blanket. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, and my feet dangled in the air.

The cold floorboards creaked beneath my weight as I stood up, stretching my tired muscles. Working two shifts a day ain't no joke! I shuffled to the kitchen, my eyes scanning the empty shelves. There was nothing to eat, no food to prepare for the day. I opened the fridge, and the hollow interior stared back at me like an empty promise.

Luckily, the bread I had brought home from my last shift would be doing justice to that as I remember bringing some.

With a sigh, I closed the fridge door and leaned against the counter. This is my life now, our life- a constant struggle to make ends meet, to put food on the table, and to keep a good roof over my head. Life was sure really good before my father's demise, but the sound of my mother's labored breathing at the hospital the last time is a harsh reminder of my now responsibility- a responsibility I would stop at nothing to carry.

My mother had been diagnosed with a terminal heart- disease for months and her condition keeps getting worse by the day. The doctor's words echoed in my head and then it dawned on me how little a time I have left to save my mother or risk her being dead. A situation I don't ever think I can accept – losing the only remaining family I have left.

As I head back to my room, I stumbled upon the magazine Rachel gave me last night and couldn't help, but reach for it. Rachel is my best friend and co-worker at the confectionary store where I work. I had told her about my plight one time and after everything, she introduced me to a magazine with an upcoming auction event.

Although the auction takes place every month ending and I had gone the last time, but changed my mind even before reaching the venue.

I swallowed the lump in my throat at the thought of what Rachel had told me. "There's no way I'm doing that" I said to myself. "It's disgusting. I'm not a commodity."

As I read through the magazine, I couldn't help but fix my eyes on the price before me. The figures danced on the page, taunting me with their simplicity.

$200,000

And that is even on an average. It is a really staggering amount, the exact amount I need for my mother's surgery. But it came with a steep price- my innocence.

I felt a wave of disgust wash over me. How could I even consider such thing? But thinking of my dying mother at the hospital, I knew I had no choice. Moreover, the medical bills just keeps piling up, and I had exhausted all other options. I had sold everything of value, taken out loans, and even begged for help from some few friends. I even had to work two shifts per day most days of the week.

But it wasn't enough.

With cold hands, I looked at the page once again, and I felt a sense of resignation all over me.

Unsure of what to do, I reach for my phone. I held it, dialed the agent's number from the magazine and paused.

I shed tears at the thought of my father, life was very easy and good prior to his demise and I and my mother never lacked anything. He died in a car crash according to my mother and everything just seemed to happen so fast, but I was very young to understand that.

I took a deep breath with my eyes closed and it took for the knock on the door to open them. I reach for it and wasn't surprise to see what I saw.

"Hello, Mr. Pedro." I let out an awkward smile, knowing what he is here for.

"You promised to pay up today, Jasmine. The day is almost over and I haven't received a single call or message from you." Mr. Pedro yelled at my face making me fidget a little.

I gained composure and finally managed to speak. "I know Mr. Pedro and I am really sorry. I just..."

"No more excuses. You either evacuate the apartment in seven days or pay up." He interrupted and screamed at my face before finally leaving.

I slammed the door and reach straight for my phone. Without any further hesitation, I called the agent's number showing my interest. My body went numb as I hung up the phone knowing I had made a decision that would change my life forever.

I had only few hours left to get to the venue or miss the chance forever. I read the address sent to me on where the auction will take place and in a matter of seconds, I began to prepare for it.

I stood in front of the mirror as I finished dressing up and couldn't help, but feel sorry for my poor self. As the night wore on, I summon the courage to leave my apartment and face what is ahead of me.

*************************

The flickering streetlights cast eerie shadows on the walls as I walk through the dimly lit alley that leads to my destination. It was as if they were warning me to turn back, but my desperation had driven me to this forsaken place, where the city's darkest secrets lurked.

I inhaled deeply, steeling myself as I step into the unknown, the worn heels of my shoes clicking on the wet pavement. The air reeked of decay and broken dreams, a stark reminder of the sacrifices I am about to make.

My eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light, revealing a non-descript door with a small sign that read: "The Red Diamond Club."

Rumors had circulated about this mysterious club, where the wealthy and powerful indulge in their most sinister desires. I had never imagined that I'd set foot in such a place, but life had a way of crushing dreams and leaving only desperation in its wake.

I pushed open the door and slipped into the shadows, leaving my innocence and old life behind.

As I stepped inside, a robust figure came to receive me. His eyes scanned me from head to toe and I could tell he's the agent I had spoken to earlier on. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his presence exuding an aura of wealth.

"Welcome, Jasmine," he said, his voice dripped with satisfaction. "I've been expecting you. Please, come in."

He took me to a room and there were others girls like me who had come for the auction. "A gynecologist will be coming soon to check you and confirm your purity. Do yourself the favour of leaving now if you know you are not qualified."

Two girls left and we were taken into a confidential room, very neat and all shiny, typical of a clinic. After we had been checked by the doctor, we were told to return to the unit we left from and await the agent. Everyone got busy with their phone and those who weren't were busy chit chatting with each other. I brought out my phone and saw a message from Rachel already: "Stay safe, xoxo. Can't wait to see you soon".

I had informed her about my interest in the auction before coming and couldn't help but giggle. I swipe up my phone and the pic of me and my mother popped up.

"You are so beautiful. What's your name?" a girl with blond hair and hazel eyes said to me interrupting me and I believe she's here for the auction as well. I put my phone inside my purse.

"Oh, thank you. So are you. I'm Jasmine and you?" I responded with a smile.

She blushed at my reply. "I'm Stella. Nice to meet you, Jasmine."

We exchanged pleasantries. "You to Stella."

Stella left for the rest room and the agent appeared forth with some other men.

"OK, ladies. It's about time."

Each one of us was assigned to each man who will be taking us to our auction ground. The agent himself was my guardian and with every pace we took further away from the unit we had been in, the atmosphere reeked of sin.

I kept swallowing hard as I followed him deeper into the club. The air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke and expensive perfume. I felt a sense of unease as we navigated through the crowded room, the patrons' eyes lingering on me like predators sizing up their prey with majority of them focusing on my butt.

We stopped in front of a luxurious velvet curtain, which the agent pulled aside to reveal a private room. The space was dimly lit, with a single spotlight shining down a small, ornate box in the center of the room.

"This is the auction room," the man explained, his voice low and gravelly. "Here, you'll meet the bidders. Remember, Jasmine, you're in control. You set the price, and you choose the winner."

I feel my stomach churn as I gaze at the box, and my mind raced with the implications of what I am about to do. I had never imagined that my desperation would lead me down this path, but I have made up my mind.