Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Sarah

I felt used.

That was the best word to describe how I felt after finding out that the man I had given myself to had made it clear that he bid two million dollars knowing exactly who he was bidding for, and for that reason alone, he went ahead.

He didn't desire anyone else, and he wouldn't accept a substitute in my place, which was exactly the role I played in that whole setup. Even so, he went to great lengths just to humiliate me, confirming that he was never truly interested in me. I am sad and my heart hurts.

That's how Kael Graham found me and promised that we would return to the pier.

I took my phone out of the small bag on my shoulder and saw several missed calls and unread messages, but I didn't bother to check who they were from.

I didn't have friends; it had always been just Rachel and me, and my parents were no longer with us. Since I didn't want to talk to my sister at that moment, I only checked the time: 1:30 a.m., and put the phone back in my bag. A few minutes later, the same young woman who had greeted me that night was back and asked me to follow her again, which I did with great pleasure this time.

I just wanted to lie down and forget that night ever happened because asking to be in what I considered my room was asking for too much. I didn't have a room or a home or anything I could call my own. I didn't even know what would happen now that the bastard Kael Graham claimed he wouldn't pay the agreed amount since it wasn't Rachel with him that night.

I couldn't even claim my rights because how could I go to a lawyer and tell them the crazy story of a virginity auction? No possibility of doing such a thing.

"You should stay here," the young woman informed me. "When we arrive at the marina, someone will accompany you to the yacht's exit."

One final blow. But I shouldn't be surprised; after all, it was just business, and poorly done at that.

It happened exactly as she warned me, but when the "someone" came to escort me to the yacht's exit, I was impressed. It didn't seem like just any employee; they had an aristocratic bearing and were elegantly dressed, much like Kael himself, in an impeccably tailored suit. I could say without a doubt, having sufficient knowledge of high fashion, that it was an expensive suit, and only someone of importance could afford to wear it.

"Good evening, Sarah," he greeted me politely. "I will accompany you home."

I raised an eyebrow upon receiving the information.

"Good evening..."

"Apologies," he spoke, genuinely embarrassed. "I didn't introduce myself. I'm Ryan, Kael's assistant."

I shook the hand he extended, feeling the gentleness of his smooth skin, which contrasted strongly with Kael's roughness.

A shiver of excitement ran through me as I merely recalled his hands on my body, his body pressed against mine, and his powerful movements against me. I imagined I must have blushed at the untimely memory.

Ryan smiled subtly but said nothing, and I quickly let go of his hand as if by doing so, the memories would vanish instantly, just like his hand had retreated.

"I believe you must know very well who I am," I stated because it was true.

"Yes," he didn't bother denying it, "but I'm not here to comment on Kael's business. I will simply ensure you arrive home safely because that's what he wants."

I raised my eyebrow again. I couldn't reconcile the man concerned about my well-being that Ryan described with the man who had been with me all night.

"It may not seem like it, but Kael isn't as bad as you imagine."

"That's your claim," I replied with irony, raising my palms in a gesture of disbelief.

He smiled at my response but didn't insist on proving his point.

"Shall we go?" he simply said.

"Sure," I agreed.

He gestured for me to go ahead, and I complied with his request while he placed one of his hands on my back. We walked toward the staircase that led to the lower deck and the boarding plank.

There was no one around at that hour, but for some strange reason, I felt no fear being in Ryan's company, and I didn't believe he was a bad person. Of course, I was taking a significant risk by trusting a man I had just met, who, to make matters worse, was a direct employee of the arrogant jerk who had spoken dreadful things to me just an hour ago and made it clear that I wasn't a good enough woman for him to spend his precious money on.

Soon, we were leaving the marina, and without me needing to give any directions, he was driving straight to my new address, where the apartment that Rachel and I had rented less than fifteen days ago was located.

When he parked the car in front of the small, run-down building where I was living, I was left speechless. How did he know about it?

"In due time, you will discover that knowing where you live is the least of your concerns, Sarah," he said, and I was sure my eyes widened in surprise at his cryptic words.

"I'm quite worried," I admitted honestly.

"Believe me, the worst is already behind you," he said with a smile that held no joy.

"Is that supposed to console me?"

"It's a consolation, trust me."

Kael

As I expected, Ryan made a point to confront me once again about my vile actions, as he defined them. I didn't withhold what actually happened in the cabin and who was truly on that yacht with us that night because as soon as he saw me enter the room, he realized that something hadn't gone according to my wishes.

I also didn't see the need to pretend anything for my assistant since I didn't owe him any explanations, so I divulged the entire situation and how it had spiraled out of my control.

Ryan said he would ensure Sarah arrived safely at her home, and I simply nodded in agreement. Even if it had been Rachel, I would still expect the same course of action from Ryan, but the fact that it was Sarah made my assistant even more upset—I was certain of that.

I went to the bar in the corner of the luxurious living room of the yacht and poured myself a double shot of whiskey, which I downed in one long, burning gulp.

I didn't wait for Ryan's return because I already knew how lengthy his lecture about my actions would be and how he ended up affecting someone who, in the end, was entirely innocent, at least when it came to the accusations I attributed to her sister.

"Do you still need me, sir?" the young and beautiful maid asked, and only then did I notice her presence.