Chapter 3: The Odd Guy Part 2

“Take me. Just let her go.” I said to the man with the black suit.

“Who?” Opal reacted.

“Fine!” He grabbed me by my elbow since my hands were tied and then throw me at the stage.

“Ouch.” What the heck! I was hurt back then.

I swear if I could get my hands free, I’ll torture that scoundrel!

“She’s the first auctioned material. As you can see, she’s really beautiful. The bidding starts with ₱100,000.00!” Beautiful? Me? It’s just because Ken worked so hard to make me this beautiful just for this mission! Didn’t I tell you? Ken’s a make-up artist. And on the top of that, a very talented one!

Nevermind that! What a bid! ₱100,000.00? I could buy so many stuff bears with that amount of money!

“₱200,000.00!”

“₱400,000.00!”

“₱550,000.00!”

What the heck!

“₱700,000.00!”

“₱880,000.00!”

Tss, I’ll be a slave if I got auctioned!

It was then that my whole body started trembling.

I was really scared. I really couldn’t look at the audience, because I’m too scared.

“₱1,000,000.00!”

“Whoa! The highest bid is one million! Any other bid?”

“₱1,500,000.00!”

“The bidding is still going!”

How come these guys have so much money! Is this an auction for royals?

“We found the cure for Hashimaru!” I could hear Jen and others from the telepin.

“Opal’s with us now.” Nee-chee and Ken exclaimed. 

“Nitsuji, let’s get Ace out of there now!” Shy insisted.

“Wait! Our mission’s just infiltrating and saving the client’s daughter. If we cause a ruckus, we won’t get away!” Nitsuji butted in. 

“So are you planning on letting Ace be sold to those dorks?!” Shy and Nitsuji started to fight.

“You two, stop fighting!” Nee-chee got in between them.

“I’LL DO IT! I’LL DEMOLISH THIS DAMN ROTTING CLUB!” Jen furiously insisted.

“Are you out of your mind, Jen? We’re disobeying orders!” Nitsuji said.

“₱7,700,000.00!”

“Waaa—!” Shy was very worried. 

“We don’t have a choice!” Jen said. 

“We’ll help Jen, Nitsuji!” Ken agreed.

“Whoa, would you please calm down?” Jairo butted in.

“What did you say? Our friend’s going to be sold to a real freak, and you’re telling us to calm down?!” Ken was also angry. 

“I mean, Shinsui’s still there. You don’t have to worry about Ace.” Jairo said.

“Oh right! He’s—!” Nee-chee was cut off because...

“10 BILLION!” Someone bid again. 

“WHAAAAAAAAAA—!” We were all astounded!

10 billion? Who in the world would bid with such an unmatched number?

It was then that I looked up in front of me.

“T... Ten... B, b, billion?” The man with the black suit was also shocked.

Waaa, it’s Shinsui...

How come he’s...

“10 billion! Sold!” They officially handed me to Shinsui. 

“Oh? I was looking at you all the time, yet you didn’t even bother lifting your head up. I was in front of you, know that? Haha!” Shinsui explained while laughing.

I was totally shocked!

“Hey! You already sold her to me, so would you mind getting the chains off her hands?” Shinsui ordered. 

“Ah yes, sir.” The staffs untied me. 

I was totally dumbstruck! Crap!

“Hey, Ace? Are you alright?” Shinsui asked.

Actually, that time I was REALLY shocked and frozen! I couldn’t think of anything until he shoved me.

“Ace!” He called me. 

“H... H... How did you... I mean, that 10 billion thing?” I was stuttering. 

“Ah? That? Did you really think I have something like that? Of course, I’m lying! Hahaha.” Yeah, he did laugh that time.

But part of me asked...

He was lying?

“Really? Then it’s okay. I’ll return the favor someday for saving me.” I said.

“Eh? I look forward to that.” He smiled.

What’s with this odd guy? He’s creeping me out.

Though I still wanted to ask him, I managed not to say anything. I wonder why it feels like this. But every time I question myself about him, I couldn’t really give a proper answer. Why does it feel like I don’t need to know anything about this man for me to know him?

***

When we got outside, everyone flocked at us. 

“Are you guys okay?” Nitsuji asked.

“Yep, we’re fine!” Shinsui replied.

“Ace, did they hurt you? Are you okay?” Ken and Jen came to ask me.

I wasn’t able to speak due to the shock.

But...

“Thank God you’re safe!” Shy threw a hug on me. Then, Ken and Jen hugged me too.

“You made us worried!” Jen said.

“Don’t go throwing your life for things like this!” Ken said.

“Haha! Say that to Jen too, Kenny!” Shy exclaimed.

“What’s up with that, Shaila?” Jen asked with a poker face.

Hmmmm?

I wonder why I am so blessed.

I have wonderful best friends who care and accept me for who I am.

I may not the perfect person in the world, but I love and loved back by the people I care for. I am loved regardless of my mistakes and my struggles.

I wanted to cry.

I was filled with regrets, but...

I couldn’t rewrite the past, but I know I want to protect them.

This time... will I be able to protect those people I love?

I don’t want to experience...

“He died.”

... that pain again.