CHAPTER 10 Her Trust

　　Damon's POV

　　Sarah: You said you won't hurt me...

　　Damon: And I meant it. I am going to keep my word.

　　She nods her head sure this time that I am not a threat. But as soon as she does, it seems like all the remaining strength she had left abandons her body at once!

　　The hand she, so protectively is pressing against her chest, falls to her as her eyelids close despite her control. The next thing I know she is about to fall only she doesn’t. Because I catch her, in my arms not thinking about it twice.

　　Damon: Sarah! Shit!?

　　She has fainted! Fainted in my arms, her body naked and vulnerable as it was moments before only she trusted me enough to let her guard down. I can’t betray that trust!?

　　I quickly cover her with my coat, wrapping I around her the best I can without looking at her. I lift her up and carry her out of the room bridal style holding her body as close to me as I possibly can. Thinking that even in her sleep hearing my heartbeat might as well bring her some comfort!

　　Silly, stupid, childish thoughts! But at the moment, I don’t control them!

　　Michael: What happened?

　　Damon: She fainted dad. She needs help.

　　Michael: Alright! I'll call someone to take her and—

　　Damon: No!

　　He looks surprised at my reaction but so am I. My father is a man of honour and I was raised to be one as well. When he says he’s going to call someone to take her, he clearly means a doctor, a nurse, or somebody who’s qualified enough to give her the proper care.

　　Yet the idea that I will leave her in the hands of a stranger, -even a professional at that!- gives me an itch I am not very good at controlling and the last thing any of us needs or wants is for m to lose control. She trusted me enough to let her guard down and give in to her exhaustion. When I don’t know her and for sure I don’t owe her a thing but I would be damned if I broke that trust!

　　Damon: No....I- will take her home. Call a doctor to check on her there. I am not leaving her.

　　My father’s gaze shifts between me and the girl before he nods understanding I won’t debate this one.

　　Michael: As you wish.

　　I look down at her face, so peaceful right now. As if she is simply sleeping and everything that has happened was a bad dream that woke her up momentarily. That girl didn’t want to be on that stage. That girl had a life that someone for an unknown to me reason decided to take from her in exchange for money.

　　Only the reminder of the other bidders, the kind of people they are, and how she could have ended if I didn’t go to the auction make me frown with disgust. I will find out who did this to her. Man, woman, a whole gang, I don’t care! I will find them and end their miserable lives with my own hands!

　　But not now. Not yet. Right now she needs me here. And that’s exactly where I am going to stay.?

　　I am not leaving you, Sarah!

　　***

　　-Meanwhile-

　　Two men who are on different sides of the same coin. Running so different yet so similar lives. Only one’s choices affect the other without them realising they will always in some way be connected. Not because they decided to. But because their fates have been written a long time ago, and once destiny is written in the stars, no human intervention can change it!

　　James Stillman: HOW THE HELL DID YOU ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HAPPEN?

　　Jason Stillman: I FUCKING DIDN'T! I TOLD YOU! I never gave permission for that!?

　　James: YOU MESSED UP JASON! YOU MESSED UP! AND NOW MICHAEL WANTS A MEETING!?

　　AND HE IS FUCKING RIGHT!

　　Jason scoffs running a hand through his hair. They’ve been arguing with his father for some time now and the yelling wasn’t going to stop if Jason didn’t admit his mistake!

　　But then again was it really his mistake?

　　He knew this world like the back of his hand. Or at least, so he thought!

　　Cruelty would be met at any corner. All you had to do was look close enough. He didn’t always approve of the kind of cruelty existing in the world and he definitely didn’t approve of an underaged girl getting sold against her will! Hell!?

　　NO. It wasn’t his fault! He didn’t know she was still a minor and they told him she was there of her own free will! His only mistake was that he never double checked the facts! He should have!

　　Jason: I have to see that girl. I do have to see her.

　　Those are the first words that leave his mouth the moment he stops pacing like a mad man up and down the room. Curiosity got the best of him and he had no intention of hiding it.

　　James: ARE YOU KIDDING ME, BOY?!

　　Jason: I have to know! I am not a monster! They told me she wanted to do that!

　　James: Wanted to do that?! For god's sake! SHE'S BARELY AN ADULT!

　　Jason cursed under his breath. His attempt to defend himself would be pointless. He knew how that looked, and it didn’t look good for him, his father, or his family name. He didn't know what to do or how he got dragged into this mess while he was priding himself on his insightfulness!

　　Jason: First things first...I have to find who brought her there! Then-

　　He finished the thought in his head avoiding his father's gaze. He wanted to see that girl. He wanted to meet her in person.

　　Understand if what was said to her was true or not. Understand why Damon took an interest in her. Was it out of pity or something more? He had to understand...understand if that girl was really worth the amount of money Tenner was willing to bid on her. And there was only one way for him to understand.

　　He HAD to see that girl!