Kissed By The Baddest Bidder • jelena

Prologue

Amidst the enthusiastic chatter of the crowd, a bright spotlight shines down upon Aracely. She's locked inside a gigantic birdcage that's set right in the center of a stage while the masked audience stares at her.

"And now for the last item up for bid, our grand finale!" The auctioneer said through the microphone, his voice loud and echoing through the space. "A young, healthy woman! Keep her as your slave, keep her as a toy... do whatever you please with her... it's truly up to you!"

The auctioneer looked back at Aracely, seeing her in shock and terror as she sat inside the birdcage, the sight making his face soften and feel sorry for her. He turned back around to face the audience and forces a smile. "And now we'll start the bidding. I have 500,000 dollars from number 5. 1 million dollars from number 30! 1.2 million from number 24!"

One by one, the masked bidders hold up their cards in the circular arena. Aracely sat dumbfounded inside the cage, not believing that she's been put up for auction. It's hard to believe it was just a normal day at work until a little while ago.

How in the world did this happen?

12 hours earlier

"Good morning!" Aracely swings open the door to the locker room like she always does. She works as a maid at a hotel in NYC owned by the McCann Group, which is a large company that owns banks and trading companies.

     "Morning, Cheli!" Indya greets Aracely with a smile, calling her by her nickname. They're both the same age and really close, they confide in each other about anything. "The VIP Convention starts today! I'm so excited!" She squeals in excitement.

     "I bet you'll be busy since you work on the casino floor," Aracely sighs and pouts her bottom lip as she opens up her locker and takes out her uniform. "Since I'm in charge of the regular guest rooms, I doubt today will be any different for me."

     Aracely works at hotel Tres Spades, America's first legal casino and hotel, which was built as long as she could remember.

     "I wish I could work at the IVC, too." Aracely says and Indya turns to look at her with a chuckle.

"That's the goal of everyone who works here." Indya sighs blissfully as she picks at her nails.

"I've been dreaming about it ever since I saw the party on tv." Aracely says.

"Movie stars, top athletes... super famous people from all over the world come to this party! I applied here not thinking I'd get hired, so I thought I was dreaming when I did!"

"Me too!" Aracely says and they both giggle.

"Omg what if some rich, famous guy falls in love with me at first sight?!" Indya gasps and squeals.

     "Haha, keep dreaming." Aracely says not only to her best friend, but also to herself. Our VIP guests are important but I have to work hard for our regular guests too, she thought. It was no doubt that Aracely was a great employee.

     IVC, the International VIP Convention. Tres Spades's largest event is approaching, attracting tons of international publicity. It's busier and even more tense than usual.

     Aracely and Indya leave the locker room once they were done changing into their uniforms for work. They head over to the hotel lobby, where a crowd of reporters and onlookers have gathered. People that's been on tv start appearing one after the other.