Chapter Three

Bought..

After the incident, Tricia’s family became extremely hungry. There stomach rumbled, and tears filled her mother’s eyes.

Tricias mother who was always so loving and understanding suddenly snapped.

“ You did this to us, you are responsible. Why did you stop him from burning this house?.”

Tricias mother wailed, while holding her shirt tightly. Tricia had gone in to take a bath.

She hid the statue in her back pocket.

“Leave her mother, I have a better option. One that would make us stinking rich in fact it’s an offer.”

The mother abandoned Tricia’s collar, and went closer to her sister.

“But mother, it is not something to be proud. It is actually something disgusting.”

Tricias mother no longer cared about values, they needed food and money, else they would die.

Tricias sister told her family about being invited to an auction, but this was a different..

Girls would strip before rich men who would bid and she was handed over to the highest bidder.

Tricias mother looked at Tricia with scorn she had never seen before.

“You won’t go there my dear, the one who has made our lives miserable will do it.”

Tricias mother took the address from her sister and handed it over to her.

“Are you going to do it, or are you going to maintain your hypocrisy and watch us starve to death.”

Tricia stood there looking at the card in her hand, she nodded and left. This was her fault anyway.

The sky seemed to understand her pain and wept with her, she refused to share an umbrella with a stranger that offered.

Entering into the large hall decorated with guests, and vases she sat in a corner and a number was given to her. “13”.

She hid her face when she saw the same man approach her.

“Why is this man everywhere I go, is that his fiance?”.

Mr Smith paused and stared at the shy girl.

“Remove your hand and look me in the eye when I’m speaking to you.

Look at me number 13.”

Tricias eyes widened, she knew he referred to her but she could not look at him she felt extremely ashamed.

As Mr Smith was about to remove her hand himself his Uncle called.

“Come on Son, it’s time to give your speech.” Mr Smith left with his Uncle his eyes lingering on the girl who hid her face.

The girls were led down the isle one by one the men bought them and took them home.

“What, we are going to be bought by strangers. These old people, I thought it was a one night stand.” Tricia shivered within herself looking for a way to escape.

The huge guards blocked the door.

“Number 13, you’re up.” They called for her.

Rubbing her palm, she wobbled her way forward. The stares filled her breathe with fear.

Mr Smith was to busy with his games and also not interested to look ahead.

“1000$”. A man yelled.

“Is 1000$ not too much for her, I have seen her on the street begging before.”

Tricias tears fell on her palm, it was time for her to strip.

The guards seeing she hesitated went forward to unzip her dress.

“ Why are you so busy come on you’ll miss the best part.” Smiths Uncle took away his phone.

Smith lifted his head slowly, his hair moving to the direction of the wind.

“ 500000$”. Mr Smith raised his hand.

The guards paused, Tricia lifted her head. It was Smith saw who she was.

A worker came up to Mr Smith and tried to remind him that she was the girl who stopped him from burning the entire neighborhood..

“Is that so, 700000$”. Smiths Uncle clenched his fists, why was he spending so much money on her, did he remember his previous life?.

“Sold..” The guard announced with excitement..

Tricia went down to him with her head bowed.

“ You now belong to me…”

As the words left Mr Smiths mouth a bell rang in Tricia’s ears and she experienced Deja Vu.

Tricia saw a prince with the face of Mr Smith speaking to a man she did not see clearly.

“She now belongs to me, you have no right to harm her or hate her.”.

Tricia fainted, Mr Smith caught her just in time. Opening her eyes weakly she called out.

“My Lord.” Tricia passed out..

Mr Smiths Uncle grunted.

After Taking her to the hospital, Mr Smith sat by her bed side holding his chest. He had a terrible desire to cough but held it in.

Coughing was dangerous to him , he always spat out blood.

“Are you alright?.” Tricia finally stirred..

Just then Mr Smith could hold it any longer, he coughed longer than he ever heard.

His handkerchief lost its white colour.

Tricia forced herself up, using her hand to pat his chest.

Mr Smith drank a lot of water..

“Do not tell anyone do you understand?.” Mr Smith warned with blood shot eyes..

He ran to the bathroom panting..

“ Why are you not working?.” He spoke to the medication in his hand and threw it on the floor frustrated.

Composing himself Mr Smith went back to Tricia.

“Why did you call me My Lord earlier.”

Tricia gasped as she recalled the incited.

“You….” She stuttered.

“Why, why, why will I call you a prince , you may look like one but you are not!.”

Mr Smith chuckled. “Well I am good looking, you are forgiven.”

He stood to walk away..

“Hey, hey, hold on.” Tricia jumped on the bed forgetting she was ill.

“You just bought me earlier, and without an explanation you’re leaving. Hey get back here..”

Smith walked as fast as he could trying his best not to run.

Smith paused for a while, he did not know if he was making the right decision but he would train that girl so she and her family would stop begging.

He remembered what his father had taught him, he would keep his father’s legacy alive .

‘To Equip The Poor.’

Mr Smiths Uncle who hid behind the door all this

while stepped into Tricia’s ward..

“Do you remember girl?.” Tricia looked at the old man before her, for some reason she did not like him at all.