Chapter 12 - Treasured Gem

     “Stop moving so much, Miss Kramer!” The makeup artist that was assigned to me chastises, “Miss Scarlett will have my hide if I have you go out there looking like Bozo the Clown!”

     A nervous giggle slips from my lips as I try to stay still. I have been nothing but a bundle of nervous energy since I walked through the door. Baldy, as I like to call him, the ever-present guard outside, radioed that I had arrived, and no sooner had I stepped in the door, I was being whisked away for hair and makeup. The more time that ticked by, the more nervous I got. 

     “I am really sorry.” I try to apologize to the man with a makeup brush in his hand, who is glaring down at me. All he does is roll his eyes and continues to work on my eyes.

     I am not used to being pampered, or wearing a lot of makeup, but Scarlett says that we need to be able to stand out under the bright lights of the stage. She says that the prettier the treasures look, the more the buyers will pay. I guess that makes sense. Apparently, catfishing is accepted here. I mean, under all the layers of makeup, these men will find average-looking women. I think it would be best to go out on stage with our natural look. At least the buyers will know what they are buying. 

     “Thirty minutes, sweet Aria!” Scarlett comes waltzing into the room with a bottle of champaign and two glass flutes. Pouring the bubbly into one of the flutes and handing it to me, she smiles, “This is the best way to calm your nerves.” She then pours a second for herself.

     “Maybe I shouldn’t drink it. I should keep a clear head.” I try to set my glass down but Scarlett tsks me and moves my hand towards my face.

     “I promise you, darling, you are going to want to have at least one glass before going out there. It can be very intimidating your first time.” She waits until I take a sip before settling back against the vanity in front of me.

     Her words finally hit me, and I glance up at her, “My first time? You don’t think I will keep coming back, do you?” My eyes widen when she gives me a look that says that I’ll be back. “This is only a one-time deal for me. I only have one hymen, so no, I will not be back.”

     Scarlett chuckles, “We shall see, sweet Aria.”

     The woman downs the rest of her drink and sways her hips as she makes her way toward the door, “I want to see your cute little ass out behind the curtains, ready to go in fifteen minutes.” She calls out over her shoulder before shutting the door to my room.

~~~~~~~~

     I am practically panting as I make my way backstage. I did not realize just how revealing the two strips of material that I am to wear really are. The purple material was already in my room when I got to the auction house. Picking it up, I realized that it is a lot softer than the brown burlap-looking material that she had given me the first time. This stuff is more like silk and looks way sexier.

     After putting the ‘costume’ on, I realize just how revealing it actually is. The top doesn’t quite cover the girls, which means lots of under boob being displayed, and I’m quite sure my ass cheeks are hanging out of the back. I don’t even want to see how much of my lady bits are showing. I fought to try and get a little more coverage, but in the end it was useless. I gave up and rushed to get into position before Scarlett came looking for me.

     Just as I make it to my placement, I watch as a young blonde girl walks through the curtain toward the stage. Her head is held high as she sways her hips seductively. I know that I am next up for the auction block; I’m also the last for the evening, the Gem, as Scarlett informed me earlier. The Auctioneer’s voice can be heard as she points out the ‘treasure’s’ attributes, and what the buyer’s money will be paying for. I hear the bidding start at fifty thousand just as Scarlett comes to stand beside me.

     “This is Julie’s third time here at the auction house.” She nods to the girl on stage. “She is twenty-one, and like you, also sold her virginity in the beginning. Her last auction brought her two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and I can assume that she will bring in about the same amount tonight.” 

     I know she is trying to make a point by telling me this, but she’s wrong. This will be the only time that I will sell myself. I’m swallowing my pride this time, but I will not make a living this way. It’s not who I am. I don’t mind working for a living, but every once in a while, adjustments need to be made in order to keep going. This is my adjustment.

     Loud applause brings me back to the present as the bidding ends and the Auctioneer confirms the final bid to be two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. My heart begins to race with the realization that my name will be called at any moment. Another flute of champagne is waved in front of my face by Scarlett, and I don’t hesitate this time. Taking the glass from her slim fingers, I down the contents all at once.

     I smell her perfume right before I feel her lips grazing my ear, “Don’t be nervous, sweet Aria, they are going to love you.” Her hand caresses my barely covered backside just as the woman’s voice says my name. Scarlett gives me a little push to get me going and surprisingly, my legs carry me out to the middle of the stage without buckling from under me. 

“Aria is our treasured gem for this evening. She is a twenty-four-year-old beauty who would like to sell her most precious treasure...her virginity!” The Auctioneer is silent for a moment and all I can hear is rustling as the audience moves around in their seats. I can’t see a thing due to the lights, thank God. It makes it a little easier to deal with being up here. “Aria,” the voice calls out to me, “Please turn around slowly, so this wonderful audience can see how beautiful you are.”

     I can feel the start of sweat beads forming on my skin as I slowly turn around. Once I’ve made a complete circle, I place my hands on my hips and bend my right knee just a little, like Scarlett taught me. I continue to stand there as the woman’s voice drones on about my own attributes. All too soon, the bidding begins, and as agreed, the starting bid is one million dollars. Gasps are heard at the amount, but it must not matter to some as the Auctioneer raises the bid. 

“One and a half million! Do I hear two million?” The jump in the price almost makes me choke as I stand there listening.  “Ah, we have two million! Do we have two and a quarter?” I can hear amusement in her voice, “Oh, we have a competition going on here, I see. May the best man win!” She chuckles.

     I feel like I could pass out at any time if this doesn’t end soon.

     “We have two and a half over here!” the woman calls out.

     Unexpectedly I hear a man’s voice call out, “Three million dollars!”

     More gasps from all around the room.

     “Three million dollars, going once...going twice... sold to this gentleman for three million dollars!” The Auctioneer waits until the room settles down before announcing the end of the auction. “Aria, you may go and prepare yourself to leave with your new Master.”

     I cringe at the word she uses. Scarlett explained to me that we are to refer to our buyers as Master unless they tell us otherwise. Hurrying off the stage, I quickly make my way back to my room to grab my belongings. I was told that I am allowed to bring them with me, but that my temporary Master will hold on to it for the duration of my time with them. 

     A knock at my door tells me that my buyer is ready to take me home. Taking a few deep breaths, I pick up my jacket and purse before opening my door. When I open the door, one of the security guards is standing there to escort me. There is a little waiting room that we are taken to while we wait for the buyer to finish up the transaction. I’m not waiting long before I hear a knock at the door. Very slowly, I open the door and come face to face with not one, but two awfully familiar faces.

     “Well, hello again, beautiful.”