Page 38 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

“The Madam has plenty of money. She does what she does because it’s her calling. Not only did it help make her independently wealthy, but she also helps people out of difficult situations by offering them an alternative life. One that has financial security and, ultimately, freedom from whatever life they are leaving behind.”

I nodded, imagining what I was going to do with all that money. I didn’t give a shit about myself. I’d lived on the streets, worked the shittiest jobs in the world, and had survived things that most people couldn’t even imagine. What I wanted was to save my mother, brother, and, most important, my baby sister. The three of them were still stuck under the thumb of the Devil himself and his demon spawn. I just hoped I wasn’t too late.

Jade brought me over to a woman who immediately started fiddling with my hair. “How long has it been since you’ve had it cut, sugar?” the woman asked as she chewed noisily around a wad of green gum that smelled like sour apples. My mouth watered as I hadn’t had anything to eat yet that day.

“Um, professionally? I honestly can’t remember. I chopped about six inches off last year because it was getting in my way.”

“Mmm-hmm. Well that explains it.” The woman smacked her gum as she held up the varying lengths of my hair. “Don’t you worry, sugar. I’m going to fix you right up and you’ll be good as new!”

“Cool,” I said, not knowing how I should act.

Over the next several hours, the candidates received face and hair treatments that transformed us into beautiful prospective brides and grooms. I was happy to see a couple men in the mix. One big Black guy named Memphis cracked jokes and kept everyone laughing and having a good time. I’d have been surprised if he didn’t score himself a willing bidder. And then ofcourse there was Summer who literally spewed sunshine from her mouth every time she spoke. The woman was that happy. I didn’t think I’d ever met someone who seemed so perfectly content in their own skin.

Julianne, the redheaded goddaughter, seemed bored, her face plastered to her phone the entire time, not interested in making conversation with anyone. I didn’t care either way. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to make a lot of money so I could get my family out of a horrible situation, even if my mother had forsaken me years ago. I still loved her and wanted her happy and most important, safe.

Once I’d put on the black lingerie my stylist had instructed me to wear, Madam Alana approached my privacy screen.

“Maia, I have picked out a dress that I feel best displays all your physical assets,” she claimed.

I peeked around the screen and cringed at the tiny dress. “It’s a mini-dress,” I grumbled.

“Chéri, you are petite. One does not put a floor-length gown on a woman who is five foot three. The fabric would swallow you whole. Try this and we’ll discuss,” she tutted.

I snatched the dress from her fingers and slipped the damn thing over my head. The silky black fabric slid delicately over my curves, the hem falling to mid-thigh in a flirty ruffle. The halter style immediately pushed my boobs up to highlight my cleavage but showed very little.

“Snap, snap, my dear. We are preparing to leave,” she called out.

I came around the screen and Madam Alana openly stared. She walked around me slowly and silently, one of her fingers curled under her chin.

“Magnifique!” she gasped.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face or the heat that flooded my cheeks “You think so?”

Madam Alana placed two fingers under my chin and forced me to look up into her eyes. “He won’t know what hit him,” she said and then winked.

“He?” I asked. “You have someone in mind for me?” I breathed, desperate for any detail of what I’d be up against.

She shrugged one delicate shoulder. “That I’ll never tell,” she murmured, then handed me a pair of shiny black stilettos and walked to the front of the room. I grabbed my thrifted Doc Martens just in case and followed the Madam.

She smiled.

And for the first time I felt a bit excited.

“All right, my friends. It’s showtime!”

Episode 15

Godmother Knows Best

JULIANNE

“Memphis Taylor, this is your final opportunity to walk out that door—no questions asked.” Alana put a handheld recorder in front of the footballer.

Throughout the day, most of the candidates had opened up to each another, sharing bits and pieces of their lives. Memphis was an athlete who’d lost it all after an injury on the field. While Alana spoke with him, I checked him out. He looked dashing in the bespoke suit Alana had chosen for him. He was also massive, confident in his mannerisms, and very attractive. I was sure some debutante would snatch him up that evening.

“I understand,” Memphis stated clearly, dipping his head toward the device.

“Are you willingly entering into The Marriage Auction? Do you agree to marry whoever offers the highest bid for your hand in an arranged marriage?” Alana continued. “The rules have been explained and you’ve signed the contract. Now I want your verbal agreement that this is what you want, that you understand what you have committed to, and that you are not being coerced in any way. Please confirm your name and your agreement.”

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