Chapter 6: Claustrophobic Room

[Erin]

My chest tightened as my heart dropped. Figuratively speaking. I believe my lungs are not functioning properly at this time as well, as it is refusing to pump enough air through my system that I will collapse any time at this moment.

Akim gently pushes me forward. But I can’t move, my feet feel as if they are glued to the ground. My mouth feels as parched as the Sahara, and I'm literally shaking my wits off with fear.

“Come on, sweet cake, move forward,” Akim whispered right above my ear.

My gaze scanned the wide space confines of his study. It was even bigger than the house that my father and I stayed in. However, being in this situation, it couldn’t feel more claustrophobic for me. The brown wooden pattern floor was immaculately polished, with no specks of dust on it, and it reflected the ceiling and the low chandelier suspended above it. The soft glow from the light bulbs embossed above lends a subtle touch of yellowish hues to the room.

The man Akim referred to as his boss walked straight to his mahogany red desk and leaned against it, his arms crossed, while his gaze fixed on me like a laser beam.

Even from a few feet away, I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me, which caused the tiny hairs on the back of my neck to stand up.

“I can’t. I’m scared.” My voice came out almost inaudible. Akim sighed behind me before he stepped inside with a strode. He captured my wrists and pulled me.

My injured knee instantly protested, eliciting a painful yelp tearing from my throat. My left foot tripped over my right foot, and I almost hit my face on the floor. Akim yanks me so suddenly that I thought my arms would be dislocated from my shoulders. I know it was all because of his reflexes, but it was already too late for me to hit my injured knee on the floor.

Pain blasted through my body, and my head pounded excruciatingly as I held back the urge to scream out loud. In the middle of my silent cry, my mouth hung open and the corners of my eyes watered.

“I never use the good, but it had been damaged already. Would you like to explain Akim why the item is wounded?” The man across the room spoke with a low and threatening voice.

I stilled. As I look down at my knees, the blood coursing through my veins becomes ice cold. The blood that was dripping from my knee had accumulated on the floor. I forced myself to stand, grasping Akim’s sleeves, and stood straight, cowering from the imposing presence that pervaded the entire room. I could feel my face contorted with fraught. I couldn’t even look forward. Afraid that if I do so, a single bullet might meet the space between my eyes.

This is what Akim had been telling me a while ago.

If the boss doesn't want me, then this is where my life will come to an end. I won’t be seeing the sun rises again.

My heart pounded against my chest as I listened to the heavy footfalls coming straight in my direction, until I saw a pair of brown leather shoes halted in front of me.

“This isn’t what I expected when I saw her on the live stream, Akim.” He said, plunging both his hands on the pocket of his pants. I could hear the losing restrain of his tone and would snap any minute.

I swallowed hard. I was trying to calm my nerves and keep my body from trembling as I stood so close to the man who holds my life in his hands.

His words sunk into my head. Akim was filming the auction. He saw everything while we were being showcased. He picked me out of a hat. It was not Akim who made the decision. He was simply doing what this man asked him to do, and nothing more.

“Sorry, boss. During the showcase, I didn't notice that she was injured. Her knee had been tampered with an adhesive in order to conceal the wound. I only found out about it when we were on our way here.” Akim lowered his head. Through the corner of my eyes, I saw him pursing his lips.

He was a huge man, and seeing him conceding to someone is quite unbelievable to look at. I was dwarfed by both of them, to be honest. I felt like an elf who had gotten lost in a land of giants.

Not just giants, more like a kingdom of giant lions waiting to feast on my cadaverous carcass.

The man in front of me takes a sharp, deep breath, as if he were trying to keep his temper under control.

“Call the master auctioneer.” I could hear the perilous undertone in his voice as he spoke, despite the fact that he said it in a cold and calm manner.

Without having a second to pass, Akim took out his phone and dialed. I thought he would stay while he makes his call, but to my dismay, he did not. He then walked out of the room, leaving me alone with the king of the lions.

I keep my head low, my chin touching with my chest. The silence was deafening enough that I could hear the rapid beat of my heart reverberating around the four corners of his study.

I could also feel the intense gaze burning on my head, but I didn't dare move or even breathe in the wrong direction. I'm not even sure what I'm going to do. I am terrified.

Not a moment longer, I heard the door open once more and Akim walk through. I couldn’t be even more thankful for the heavens above that he was back. To put it mildly, I feel more at ease with him than I do with this dreadful man who never fails to make my blood run cold.

However, what he said next almost made me snapped the silver linings left in me.

“They said you can kill her and get a refund if you aren’t satisfied with the purchase.”

My eyes went wide, whipping my head to where Akim stood. Unconsciously, my tears started to flow without even noticing it as I bewilderedly stared at his stoic face.

He wasn’t looking at me. He was only looking at the man in front of me without any kind of emotion. As if he wasn’t the Akim that tended to my wounds earlier, the one who scooped me up when I couldn’t walk and put this coat around me to keep me warm.

I know I wasn’t supposed to expect things that would turn out nicely. In fact, I had anticipated this predicament. It’s either I would die today or live another day. Akim told me that. But it hurts. It feels like he betrayed me unknowingly.

My attention was drawn to the drawing footsteps that came too close to my comfort zone, followed by a large hand clasping a clump of my hair in its grip. Yanking my head forcedly backwards, so hard that I thought my neck would break, tearing a loud gasp coming from my throat as I stared at the menacing mossy green eyes.

My tears were streaming down my face nonstop. My eyes were wide with terror as the man took a gun from out of nowhere, pointing the cold metal against my temple, unlatching the safety pin.

“Please…,” I pleaded, closing my eyes.

The searing on my scalp became numb. My hammering heart escalated up to the millionth time to the point where I was convinced it would fracture my ribs. My breath became shallow, preparing for the bullet to pass through my brain.

This is it.

To say the least. I pray that in the afterlife—if there is. I would see my mother again.

“Lock her up in the guest room.”