Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Rachel

After spending a pleasant day at Shirley's house, my best friend and the only one who stood by my side after the sudden loss of my heiress status, she convinced me to go to a newly opened nightclub in Seattle, which wasn't too difficult.

"I met the owner of the place," Shirley explained. "He's a hottie and very wealthy."

"What's his name?" I became highly interested now.

"Arthur Rodrigues. You don't know him," she quickly clarified. "He's Brazilian and has been here for a short time. Don't get too excited though, because he always has a girl by his side, even though he claims she's not important."

Shirley explained more about the place while we got ready, and when we arrived at the club, I concluded that she was right. The girl's name was Bruna, and she never left the guy's side. So, it was better to stick to my plan of auctioning off my virginity.

A few hours later, my thoughts were clouded. I could barely think clearly about anything. I didn't even know who the guy I was talking to right now was, even though he was handsome and interesting.

I decided to go to the bathroom, to try to clear my mind. In other words, to escape from that disturbing stranger who could ruin all my life plans. He wasn't a wealthy man willing to marry and support a trophy wife like I intend to be.

"Do you need any help?"

I looked at the person next to me in front of the mirror and realized it was Arthur Rodrigues' girl.

"Bruna, right?" I asked, and even I noticed how slurred and different my voice sounded.

"That's right," she confirmed, getting closer to me and suggesting shortly after, "Would you like to spend some time with me in Arthur's office? Maybe you'll feel better."

At that moment, Shirley entered the bathroom and was looking for me.

"You're here!" she said, pulling me away from Bruna. "Let's go back to the bar. The guy is really into you, girl."

I wasn't in a condition to refuse anything at that moment, but Bruna tried to stop us.

"I think it's better if she doesn't go back to the bar, Shirley. She doesn't seem to be doing well."

"You don't know anything, girl!" I noticed that Shirley spoke in an extremely rude manner now. "Let's go, Rachel!"

We went back to the bar, and once again, the man was there. Handsome and triggered something so insane within me that even though I couldn't think rationally at that moment, I had the true conviction that he would be a big problem in my life. I can't fall in love. I can't!

"I... need to... go," I spoke hesitantly, my voice slurred.

"Can we meet again?" he suggested, his smile melting me on every level.

"You're not in my... plans... baby."

"You know, I think I've found the love of my life," he said, his face just inches away from mine. "You're beautiful, Rachel."

And he kissed me... After that kiss, it was impossible to maintain sanity. I let go of all my reservations.

Sarah

Rachel was missing all day, and I ended up doing the entire move to our new address by myself. We couldn't bring furniture, only our personal belongings, but there was a lot to gather, both mine and my sister's, and it was quite difficult.

I rented a simple apartment in a popular neighborhood, but I knew we couldn't stay there for long if we didn't manage to find a job soon. I'm fearful about what my sister intends to do and hoping she gives up on this madness.

I was worried because the last time I heard from her was on Sunday night when she sent a message saying she would hang out with her friend Shirley to try and forget about our problems a little, so she wouldn't be able to help me with the move.

When Rachel finally showed up the next day, my concern only grew because she brought an additional problem into our lives. It was something really serious, and it shook my emotional stability, something that not even the recent "poverty" had achieved.

"What do you mean you lost your virginity yesterday, Rachel?!" I almost shouted, feeling entirely out of control.

She slumped onto the uncomfortable living room couch, running her hand through her hair in a gesture of despair.

"I don't know how this happened!" She spoke with the same intensity. "I was at the club with Shirley, and I admit I had drunk a lot. But..."

"But..."

"I woke up at some guy's apartment, don't even know who he is... don't even know his name... all I know is that I was naked, and he was too... Everything is so confusing."

Rachel was feeling bad, but she had been irresponsible and reckless, more than ever in her life.

"Let me make sure I understand..." I tried to stay calm and summarize what she told me. "You drank, went to some guy's house, and slept with him. You don't know who he is, and you don't remember what happened."

"That's right," Rachel confirmed. "I called Shirley, but she also drank a lot and doesn't remember much about yesterday."

"And where is she?"

"She's at home."

As I had already suspected, only Rachel ended up getting hurt in this whole story.

"Now what, Sarah?" Rachel asked dejectedly. "What do I do? I have to fulfill my part of the auction. I can't just say I'm no longer a virgin."

I sighed with relief. For my peace of mind, there's nothing else to be done in this case.

"Sometimes, things happen for our own," I argued positively. "I didn't agree with this idea, and now it's resolved. No virginity, no auction. Done."

Rachel seemed even more distressed, and I understood that there was more to the story. Frustrated with the madness in our lives, I braced myself to hear what was coming.

"I borrowed money from a loan shark and bought an apartment for us."

"I can't believe it! How did you manage to do something like that in just two days, Rachel?"

Rachel told me that she had been looking for apartments ever since she registered on the auction app and easily obtained the money for the purchase because the apartment was great and had an excellent price.

"Now we're in an even worse situation!"

"You need to help me."