Chapter One - Chances
Ms. Bishop gestured me to the brown leather chair in front of the desk as we entered the office. I awed at the view. I didn’t remember what floor we were on but the views of the city from up here were beautiful. I didn’t get much of a chance to explore the city since I’ve been here and during the time off that I actually had, I spent it sleeping or running errands. “How beautiful..”
“Mam’ please have a seat.”
“Oh, right.” Ms. Bishop sat down at her desk typing something on her macbook, barley even giving me a glance. Guess I wasn’t much to look at?
Great, now I’m not pretty enough. Surly no couple is going to want their baby coming out ugly.
I slumped in my chair with that thought. I was rapidly losing my confidence every second Ms. Bishop continued to ignore me and type annoyingly.
“Briar Rose is it?”
“Yes.” I said, straightening myself up.
She closed her macbook and took out one sheet of paper, a black glossy pen and laid it in front of me. “Today is your lucky day.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone wants you. Wants your eggs to be exact.”
Was she serious?! “How is that-what?” Has the universe finally answered my prayer!? Is this is the break I’ve been hoping for!?
“Someone has reviewed your application and thought you were the perfect candidate. In front of you is the contract. ” She continued. “You will find the details of your contract on part three. Part five is the lump sum you’ll be receiving once the contract is over. ”
My eyes quickly scrolled to part five and the dollar amount that I was looking at made me almost fall out of my chair. “One million dollars!?”
“Yes mam.” Ms. Bishop said dryly. “Please take a moment to read over the contract and fill free to ask me any questions.”
I shook my head. “No questions needed. One million dollars! I’m signing this baby!”
Ms. Bishop arched and eyebrow and handed me the pen. “Just initial right here.” She pointed. I signed that bitch so fast I almost burned through the contract. She grabbed the contract with her manicured nails and told me she would be right back. I could barley contain myself in the chair. One million dollars! My family would be set for life! we could use that money to open up a local family restaurant! oh my gosh! the look on my fathers face when he sees his dream come true will be priceless. My mother will never have to work again and I could go back to school. We would have enough to pay off expenses for citizenship and I could go to Harvard and-
“-Briar Rose Alacarza.” Ms. Bishop entered with two tall men in black suites by her side. “Your contract starts now.”
“Okay...What do I-”
“-as stated in your contract, all will be provided for you and more. These man behind me are ready to escort you to your destination.”
“And where would that be?” Was I meeting the recipient? Was that even allowed? I’m pretty sure when I applied I checked off the no contact rule.
“The manor at Black Water Bay of course.” She looked at me like I was stupid and I sure felt stupid.
“Oh yea-of course.” I gulped. I reached for my bag and she held her hand up.
“Like I said, your necessities will be provided at the manor. ”
“If I don’t have my bag how I will I get home?” I didn’t like where this was going. Both of the men in black took a cautious step forward. I felt chills go down my spine and my stomach felt uneasy. “May I take another look at that contract?”
“Sure but it would make no difference. The contract is sealed.”
I could feel the sweat of my brow dipping and my hands felt clammy. Something in my gut told me to run. To run as fast as I could and never look back.
“Mam’ are you feeling alright?”
“I-I think I’m going to be sick..” I tumbled over, holding myself on the chair. My vision became blurry and both of the men leaned in forward to help but then my eyes closed shut and darkness engulfed my thoughts.
~
My head was pounding like someone just hit me with a hammer. I pushed myself up and noticed that I was lying on a big bed with red satin sheets. “What the hell is this?” I took in my surroundings. This room was bigger than I had ever seen, looking both extravagant yet old worldly with old century paintings, flower patterned wallpaper and a small french style lounge area. What really got me was the beautiful golden fire place that was placed in the middle of the living room.
I scooted myself off this big bed and walked up the fire place that had a tall mirror on top of it. “Oh my gosh! I look like shit!” My hair was in a jumbled mess and my mascara was running down my cheeks. My thoughts came flooding in to my last memory. I was at the interview and I was about to be taken away....
Oh my gosh!!! How could I be so stupid! Why didn’t read the contract! Oh my gosh! What’s going to happen to me!
I noticed that I was wearing the same suite I went into the interview with. “At least I’m wearing the same clothes..”so they haven’t defiled me yet.
Someone knocked on the door once and slid a letter underneath the door. “Hello!?” I twisted the door knob but as I suspected, it was locked. I really should be freaking out right about now. I looked at the letter a their was a seal with a wolf insignia on it. I opened it to read the words:
Dear Red Maiden,
Please join us in the dinning hall in 1 hour. In the closet you will find all that is needed for your stay. Please put on the required uniform and make yourself presentable.
Your presence is required.
- The Black Water Bay Manor
“Black water bay manor?...” I neatly folder the letter and set it down on the on top of the fire place as I made my way to the walk in closet. I gasped at what I saw. I saw clothes alright but they were all “RED!?”
My heart was beating at a thousand times per minute. What kind of place is this!? “Help!!! Help!!!” I screamed. I banged on the door but to no avail. I made my way to the window. I saw people walking outside but as I pounded my fist onto the glass window, they merely looked up for a second with a confused expression and continued on their way. I looked for anything that I could grab and possibly break the window. “The clock!” A small clock sat on top of the fire place. When I grabbed it, it was heavier than I thought but it should be able to break this window no problem.
I was shocked to find that I hardly made a crack in the window. “They proofed this whole damn room!”
“Okay, don’t panic, don’t panic!” Oh I was panicking alright! “I’ve been kidnapped. I’ve been bloody kidnapped!!” My thoughts immediately went to human trafficking. I’ve heard horror stories but never thought I would find myself in a similar position. I was trapped and I didn’t know what to do.
After 30 mins of bawling my eyes out, I didn’t have anymore tears left to cry. My room was big enough for any royal princess but to me, I feel enclosed like I was in a small cell tortured by the color red. The clock that I tried to use to break free chimed at 6:30. The sun was nearly setting and they wanted me downstairs in an hour...
..that’s 30 minutes for now.
My only way out now is to do what they say and hopefully I can find an escape. Somehow I gathered enough courage to pull myself up and dress in the required crayon red uniform. It was a elegant formal uniform that resembled business attire. Something you can wear to the office and meet up for dinner afterwards. It was cute but certainly not the 90′s pop/punk style I usually go for.
The clock chimed again, 7 on the dot. I took a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror. I was able to clean up my make up with a facial wipe that was provided in the bathroom and I brushed my hair a bit. “I’ll play there game but as soon as I see an escape, I’m taking it.”
The door clicked and creaked open.
“I’m getting the fuck outta here.”
