Page 6 of Erotic Behavior (Observant Behaviors)
I ran over to the window and looked out to see an all black SUV parked out front with a man in a black suit standing outside of it.
“This is really happening.”
“Yup, sure is.Come on!”
“Wait, what if we forgot something?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know,” I said, walking over to my desk and rifling through the empty drawers.
“There is nothing left here, Raven.Everything is in the storage unit and if we need something, our fancy new men will buy it for us.”
I took a deep breath and nodded my head, letting her pull me from my bedroom and out into the kitchen.There stood one of the most gorgeous women I had ever seen in my life.What was it with the people who worked for this company?First the woman who recruited us, then the man on the video call reviewing the terms of the agreement.Every step of the way, it was like they were passing us on from one model to the next.Where were the real people?
“Hello, Raven.It’s good to see you.I’m Adaline Cain.I will escort you through today’s process and stay with you both up until the auction tonight.Are you ready to go?”
“I think so.”
“Good, then let’s head out.I am a strong believer that on time is late and we have a lot to get done today.”
I looked over at Talia, who’s excitement was leaking out of her pores.It was always crazy to me that we had nearly grown up together and yet we had such different outlooks on life.I was a nervous wreck, questioning every decision and she was ready to jump off a cliff head first in hopes the man of her dreams would be there to catch her.
When we got down to the car, the man who had been standing there held the door open for the three of us.It was a large SUV with blacked-out windows, so you could imagine my surprise when I went to get inside and there was a young man there waiting for us.
“This is Nigel, my assistant.He will be with us today to ensure we meet your every need.”Adaline added once we were all seated.The driver returned to the car, and we took off onto the busy streets of New York.I watched as the bodega I stopped in every week passed by, then the coffee shop we go to on Sunday mornings.This part of the city had been our home for a long time and tears came to my eyes at the thought of not seeing it everyday.I hoped the man who bid on me lived in the city, but there was no guarantee.We each had to agree not only to travel, but relocate if needed.Talia reached for my hand and I gave hers a quick reassuring squeeze.This was the right decision, even if it was a difficult one to make.
It didn’t surprise me when the car pulled up to a private parking garage.But once we entered the building, I couldn’t help but gasp.It was modern, sleek, and bustling with people.I had no idea what to expect, but this certainly wasn’t it.I barely had time to take in the light wood carved lobby podium or the white marble floors under my feet.The signs on the walls stated, “A Forever Match” but that wasn’t what was on the paperwork we filled out.We followed closely behind Adeline and Nigel as I tugged on Talia’s sleeve and pointed at the sign.She looked as confused as I was and shrugged as we entered another elevator.Adeline used a key to access the seventy-fifth floor, which made me even more suspicious about where we were headed.
When the doors opened, we walked down a long corridor with a combination of glass meeting rooms and offices.Nigel opened the door on the right and we went in behind Adeline.
“Where are we exactly?”I finally asked, as we took a seat.
“This is where you will be prepared for tonight,” Adeline said as Nigel placed two booklets down on the table, one in front of me and the other in front of Talia, “Normally we orient each guest individually.However, considering your closeness, I have received approval to handle both of your cases together.”
“Cases?”Talia asked as she opened the first page of the booklet.
“Yes, you have both been assigned a case number.It is on the front page of your information packet.If you turn to page three, you will see the itinerary for today.First, we will take you to the showers and ask to change into robes.From there we have physicals with our in-house physician and you will meet with the gynecologist to discuss birth control options.You will remember from the paperwork you signed that you are legally responsible for protecting yourself from pregnancy unless a written agreement is put in place between you and your future spouse.We’ve never had an ‘accident’ and we won’t break that tradition with the two of you.Do you understand?”
Talia and I nodded.For a normally friendly woman, she had quite an attitude over taking the pill.
“After you have met with both doctors, we will begin preparing you for tonight’s auction.Hair, makeup, manicures and pedicures are all scheduled, as well as time with a stylist.We have both in-person and online bidders in tonight’s auction, so it’s imperative you put your best foot forward.Questions?”
I looked at Talia and she shrugged, “No, no questions.”
“Very good then.I will leave you with Nigel to review the documents I have provided for you.Lunch will be brought in shortly.We expect you to eat a full meal and then we will begin.”
Adeline stood and walked from the room.I looked down at the packet in front of me.Most of it looked like repeat documentation from what we had submitted online.There were a few pages about auction best practices and spousal expectations, but it wasn’t anything too shocking.I knew what I was getting into.I just prayed I wouldn’t be faced with an awful human as a temporary spouse.
“Nigel?”Talia said, interrupting the silence, “What is ‘A Forever Match’?I thought the company we were working with was called ‘Sold to the Highest Bidder’?You know, like an auction house?”
“Um… I...that’s probably something Adeline should explain, not me.”
The name of the company wasn’t something he could explain?That didn’t make any sense.Every red flag known to man was popping up, and I feared we were way too late to back out.I looked at Talia, who for the first time all day had the decency to look concerned.
“We’ll be fine.It’s only temporary,” she whispered to me.
“Right, as long as we don’t get killed in the process.”