Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Dahlia

H oly shit, I’m still reeling over the fact that the auction is real and I’m staring at the email that was waiting for me, on my laptop, after a long night of dancing.

Miss Dahlia,

Thank you for the courage it took for you to send in an inquiry. We would love to have you in our auction. Like with most things, there is paperwork to take care of before we can issue you a formal invitation. Attached is what you’ll need to fill out to proceed in your application process.

Please be sure to answer all questions honestly, as we’ve found that dishonesty causes more issues for everyone involved down the road. As you are local, you’ll need to go to the address below to get a complete physical, including a STD test and pregnancy test.

It is also important to us that you be covered by birth control, so you’ll choose the type of medication you prefer.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns,

A Night to Remember

Clicking on the attachment, I chew on my bottom lip as I begin to answer the questions. The application is long, asking me questions about my sexual history, what my hard and soft limits were, height and weight, and more.

There are so many things I still don't understand about sex, so I find myself having to look up each and every question. This leads to a deep dive of more porn for research purposes than I feel comfortable confessing to. I want to ensure I understand everything as I check the yes or no questions.

Scat play? Is that….?! A simple google search made me want to bleach my eyes as I realize that scat play is definitely a hard limit for me. Continuing through, I shudder as I see anal play as a category.

Closing my eyes, I asked myself if I can have anal sex with anyone after what Gareth did to me.

No. I can’t. If this disqualifies me, then this isn’t meant to be. Opening my eyes, I check it as a hard limit. I also add water sports as a hard limit as well. I don’t know why being someone’s sexual slave makes my eyes widen, but as I research, I say that I can see the appeal.

I think and worry too much. The idea that someone would care for my needs while not pushing me past my hard limits makes me shiver in a good way.

I’m learning a lot of things about myself as I fill out the application form, realizing I’ll make a better sub than a dominant. I’ve been on my own for a lot of years, I want to be cared for, even if it’s just for a weekend.

Once the paperwork is done, I take a deep breath and put my laptop away. The email didn’t say I’d need an appointment, so I’ll go and get my lab work done tomorrow morning, since I’m off.

Frankie is starting up a fucking marathon tonight, making me sigh tiredly.

It’s after three in the morning, because I needed to make so many virtual detours to ensure I understood everything, and I just want to cry with exhaustion. Instead, I shake my head and lay in bed until I can finally drift off to sleep.

Who would have thought Frankie would make such a great lullaby?

The next morning, I’m exhausted as I drag myself through my shower and routine. I want to ensure that I look presentable in case I have an interview soon with the club. It takes forever to get my hair to do what I want it to, but I still manage before bundling up and leaving for my medical appointments.

Thankfully, the lab isn’t busy when I walk in, and they’re able to take me pretty quickly. Needles don’t bother me at all, so I zone out as the blood is taken, I get my first full physical in years, and then I’m finally sent along on my way with birth control.

Even if I’m not selected for some reason, these tests are important.

Gareth could have given me something awful because he refused to use protection. I went to a free clinic once to have a test done, but because I didn’t have proper identification, they wouldn’t take me.

Now, I have fake identification that appears real enough to pass, and the lab didn’t ask me for insurance or anything else I wouldn’t have. This is one of the easiest appointments that I’ve ever had.

I find myself smiling more through my day as I buy myself lunch at a taco food truck that has two dollar tacos. The food is delicious, and it’s the first food I’m eating today. Unfortunately, I don’t eat as often as I should with how much I exercise at the club.

I’m a bit thinner than I should be, and my breasts appear more prominent because of it.

One of the things on the auction application that I wasn’t expecting but should have been, was why I wanted to be a participant in the auction. As I walk back to my apartment building, I think about my answer. I was honest and earnest.

I want to begin a new life for myself, go back to school, and move away from the memories that haunt me.

The words course through my mind over and over, and I ask myself if those sound like the words of anyone other than a sad girl. Life hasn’t treated me well. I know that sounds whiny, but it’s true.

I lost the two good people who were filling my life with joy and light, and in choosing myself, I removed them from life.

The walk to my apartment flew by thankfully. It’s midafternoon now, and there’s no one in sight as I open the door to our shared space. Frankie isn’t fucking anyone, and my other two roommates appear to be working or out getting high.

I don’t much care which it is as long as they don’t bother me. Shutting and locking the front door, I hurry to my bedroom, barricading myself inside. The dash here always makes my heart pound, sure someone is going to grab me.

I’ve managed to begin a cushion of cash to pay for the sexy lingerie I’m going to need to buy for this. It’ll be a splurge, but it’s important that I look presentable and beautiful for this.

Buying lingerie where I usually do it for work isn’t going to cut it.

It’s too early to check to see if I’ve been accepted based on what I’ve done, right? Even simply knowing I’m able to go to the interview will help settle my nerves….

“Oh shit!” I squeal as I open an email from the club with the address for my interview.

“Okay, universe. Please let the blessings continue. I need them.”

Dahlia,

I am pleased to announce you have been selected to participate in the Night to Remember Auction held on May tenth at Club Lust. A town car will pick you up at the address you supplied and return you back there at the end of the event.

You are to ensure that you are free from Friday evening until Sunday at midnight. Once purchased, you, the merchandise, will spend the weekend with the winning bidder.

At the end of the weekend you will be returned back to Club Lust and you will be compensated with payment.

You will wear your best lingerie on stage. Hair and makeup will be supplied courtesy of the club. To keep identities private you are to choose a name to be called for the weekend.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

A Night to Remember

I keep waiting for the sky to fall down on me, but things are good. My interview was amazing, and the email I just read means I’m in!

The entire process took about a month. One incredibly anxiety-inducing month. February is about to end, which means the weather will hopefully get warmer soon. I’m pulling on the warm leather gloves I bought myself, because I was worried I was going to get frostbite one day.

Now, I have a warm scarf too, and I’m ready to go shopping for my lingerie set.

I searched the internet for the best places to buy beautiful lingerie, and it recommended Brighton Department stores. The guy who owns them is apparently local, but I only know that, because there was a newspaper article about it that I found while I was researching.

Swallowing hard, I’m standing outside of Frankie’s door because I need to pay him rent. Every month, he collects it from us so he can pay the landlord. I’m always so nervous when I have to see him, since I know what a lowlife he fucking is.

He yanks open the door before I can knock, where he stands and glares at me.

I know he wishes he was taller so he could appear more intimidating, but some people aren’t blessed with height in their genes. They’re also not blessed with big cocks either. From what I remember, Frankie was a bit limp while I sucked him off.

“Well? What are you standing there for? Are you here to tell me you can’t pay rent? Is your pussy so tight you think that it can absolve you?—”

Tired of his bullshit, I shove my hand in his face.

“No, I have it right here,” I say softly, giving him the money. “I’m never late.”

I will never give this man my back, so I back away quickly once Frankie has the money.

“Oh come on, baby,” he says with a smirk. “I’m sure I could give you a five percent discount for a fuck.”

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Not responding, I simply leave the apartment, because I’m more concerned about vomit leaving me if I open my mouth. I would never touch Frankie’s cock again willingly. No thank you.

The nearest department store is across town, but thankfully I can take the bus there. I need to change routes twice, hyper fixating on where I am at all times to make sure I don’t get lost.

Since I don’t have a phone, I mapped out the way online before committing it to memory. I’m terrified I’m going to get lost.

Needless to say, I breathe a sigh of relief once I get off the bus and see the Brighton department store in front of me. There are a lot of cameras in this area of town, which makes me twitchy.

I’ve done a really good job of living in an area where people don’t care enough to protect their stuff. It’s the reason the front door is often off the hinges, I sometimes sleep in the closet, where I feel more secure near the safe, when my roommates throw a party, and my stuff is stolen routinely.

I’ll put up with all of this if it means I won’t be found by Gareth. Goosebumps rise over my skin that have nothing to do with the cold weather, and lift my hood over my curly hair.

Walking quickly, I walk through the revolving doors, recoiling when a security guard motions to a sign that asks everyone to make sure their face is not covered when entering.

Shit, shit, shit. It’s too late to retreat, so I drop my hood and say a prayer that I won’t be found. The guard nods to me with a smile for doing as he asks, while my hands shake as I lift the hood to hide again.

The damage may be done already, but it’s my security blanket. I feel too exposed without at least trying.

Moving quickly, I locate the lingerie section on the third floor. There are so many different options, and I debate if I want to wear a bra and panty set, a teddy, or something on the edgier side. Wandering over the displays, I frown as I agonize.

“Can I help you?” someone asks. Turning I see that she works here, and I decide to put myself out of my misery.

“Yes,” I say, giving her a small smile. “I have a special date, and want to make sure I make an impression. I’m thinking of something that says ‘confident and sexy,’ while still being comfortable. Does that even exist?”

The woman in front of me is in her forties, and gazes at me critically.

“I need to see a bit more of you before I can help,” she admits. “Maybe we can start with your head?”

Grinning because she’s right. I’m very bundled up, I drop the hood back and unbutton my coat. I’m wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater with boots, which seems to be a staple for me.

Style is swapped for not freezing to death, the clothes whatever I was able to find at the thrift store.

“I have some ideas,” the woman says with a nod. “I’ll be right back.”

Fifteen minutes pass and I’m beginning to worry that she forgot about me. Am I having a Pretty Woman moment? I didn’t think she was judging me, but I’ve been wrong before.

“I am so sorry,” the woman gushes, walking toward me with her hands full. “You’re so gorgeous, my mind went wild. You can wear so many different styles and wow whoever you’re dressing up for!”

Suitably and happily surprised, I grin as I thank her, walking into the dressing room with the options as she leaves for a moment. I look around, trying to decide what I’m going to try on first.

Slowly, I start to try things on, losing myself to the pretty fabrics and how they fit.

“I feel so badly that I spaced, please show me anything that you’re not absolutely sure about. I closed this section of the dressing rooms so you have complete privacy,” the woman says, coming back.

I hold back a squeak of surprise, because my nerves are shot.

“Ah, thank you, but that wasn’t necessary,” I say, looking at myself as I twirl around in an outfit. It's baby pink, and I wrinkle my nose at it. “Although, I will say that this pink is not my shade.”

“Seriously, hand over whatever doesn’t work,” the woman gushes. “You’re saving me from straightening a display case someone just destroyed.”

Chuckling, I change into something else, giving the saleswoman the pieces I don’t like. I dress in next to nothing for work, yet somehow now I’m shy. Maybe it’s these fluorescent lights? No one looks good underneath these.

The sixth outfit is a black teddy with a deep bust that somehow has enough lift underneath my breasts to make them look amazing. The back is made up of stretchy straps, leaving nothing to the imagination, while the front consists of gorgeous black lace.

“I think this is the one,” I murmur. The saleswoman encourages me to step out, and has me turn at all angles to look at the outfit.

“Whatever you want it for, you’ll definitely slay,” she says with a grin. “How do you feel?”

“Less nervous,” I say truthfully. “It’s so beautiful, it helps me feel it too.”

Clapping excitedly, she nods. “Then this is the one,” she says.

My lips smile widely as I agree. Moving to change, I close the fitting room door behind me to remove the outfit. I’m excited this is the last thing I need outside of maybe a Brazilian wax a few days before the event.

There are few things I’ll spring for, but this is one of them. Once I’m dressed with my purse securely over my head underneath my coat, I open the door to find someone to ring me up.

Surprisingly, the saleswoman is still outside, and she escorts me to an open register.

Quickly and efficiently, she rings me up, and I force myself not to wince when I hand her three hundred dollars. Fuck me, that hurt, especially after just paying rent. I swear, Frankie overcharges me for the hovel we live in, but I have to remind myself that it’s better than living on the streets.

Taking my bag with my lingerie, I thank her and walk out of the store with my hood over my head. I make a stop to eat before I head home, feeling tired after the long bus ride. My roommates are having a fucking party when I get home, my heart hammering as I hope no one as been in my room.

“Hey,” Frankie says, sounding high, his pupils blown as his hand wraps around my throat. Shoving me into the wall, he snarls at me. “You think you’re too good to get fucked up with us?”

“No,” I say loudly, over the music. “My work has a no drug policy.”

I’m lying out my ass, because I don’t think Percy has any such agreement. Her dancers all seem to be clean and clear headed, and I’ve never seen any of them act sloppy. Frankie hiccups before he yells at someone.

My roommates are on top of me a second later, and I drop my lingerie bag as I attempt to fight them off. One of their hands pulls my hair, while the other pulls open my coat, zeroing in on my purse. I brought a lot of my cash with me because I didn’t know how much I would need.

Regardless, I guard my purse closely, since I don’t know if they somehow opened my safe, and the door to my bedroom is open. Stranger things have happened, after all.

“Give it to me, you whore!” Frankie screams, backhanding me. Wilting, I stop fighting because I need my face to be able to work. Hot tears slide down my cheeks as they wrestle the money out of my purse, as I swallow back a sob.

“There’s only three hundred dollars,” my roommate says robotically.

“I just paid Frankie for rent,” I rasp, pulling away and grabbing my shopping bag before bolting. I whisper up a prayer of thanks as my door slams closes, shoving the chair they left underneath it. Turning on the light, my eyes bounce around the room, searching for things that are wrong.

My mattress is cut up, the stuffing pulled out of it for spite. Moving closer to my closet, I find that they cut up all the clothes that wouldn’t fit in my safe. My lingerie for work is hidden away inside of it, something I did before I left, because I had a weird feeling.

Frankie can get really weird when he has to pay for rent. Hopefully he paid it before he went on a bender or we’re all fucked.

I’m broke after my shopping trip, and I don’t work again until two nights from now. The bastards took my food money so they could snort it up their noses.

I fucking hate it here.

Dropping to the floor, I sigh defeatedly. The auction is one month before my twentieth birthday. Being able to get the fuck out of Detroit and start over again will be the perfect birthday present to myself.

I just need to make sure I make it.