Priska ignored Indra’s explanation about the lottery and why she had been chosen as the grand prize. If she wanted, she could use the winnings from the first round as she pleased—but, of course, terms and conditions applied.
She left the table and stood before Aldo, who didn’t look the least bit guilty for deceiving her. Without hesitation, Priska grabbed a glass of water from the table—whose it was, she didn’t know—and threw it straight at Aldo’s pale face.
Naturally, Aldo was furious. But Priska didn’t care—she was far angrier. She had been trapped in an absurd situation, suddenly burdened with a debt to pay. The pain and heartbreak she felt weren’t nearly enough to be avenged by a mere splash of water.
Aldo’s wet face was met with a round of applause from the four other men—who, in Priska’s eyes, were just as insane. Aldo removed his glasses and wiped his drenched face, a smirk playing on his lips as he reached for a napkin from the table.
“You can still smile like that after ruining someone’s life?” Priska asked bitterly, though she wasn’t expecting an answer.
“Pris, you’re so naive and foolish,” Aldo scoffed. “Now tell me… did I ever force you to sign anything? No, right?” He shrugged, still busy wiping his glasses.
“I’ll report you all to the police! You’ll be thrown in jail!” Priska shouted.
She dared to challenge them. But none of them seemed the least bit afraid. Her words were dismissed as nothing more than an empty threat. Instead, they scoffed and chuckled, as if the law didn’t apply to them at all.
“What evidence do you have? Can you even afford the legal fees?” Aldo asked as he put his glasses back on. He rose from his seat, stepping toward Priska.
“The police won’t believe you,” Tomi added before clearing his throat with a cough.
Now standing right in front of her, Aldo reached out and gripped Priska’s jaw, holding it firmly. “Your report will be nothing more than a dog’s bark,” he said coldly.
His gaze was menacing, and Priska loathed the sight of his face. She wanted nothing more than to kill this man who had so cruelly toyed with her life just for the sake of a bet. Rich young men, bored with their endless luxuries, using someone’s poverty as their entertainment—this was beyond unfair.
Priska tried to slap Aldo, but he caught her wrist with ease. Before she could react, both of her hands were restrained. Suddenly, darkness engulfed her vision—a long black cloth had been tied over her eyes. She screamed, struggling desperately for help, but no one came. Her mouth was taped shut, her hands bound. This was fraud, kidnapping, and in just moments, it would become something far worse. Panic and regret filled her. She had trusted Aldo too easily, and now, she was utterly helpless, trapped in this nightmare with these five monstrous men.
“Priska, listen to me. If you had just obeyed from the start… you wouldn’t be hurting like this,” Indra’s voice came from behind her.
It must have been him who blindfolded her. The other men, whose names Priska barely remembered, started making comments—words that hinted at their impatience, eager to see who would win tonight’s sick lottery. Priska’s mind raced with terrifying thoughts. What would happen to her? It was semester break, no one would come looking for her. What if the people at the orphanage searched for her? She was certain she wouldn’t be returning there tonight.
Priska found herself seated on Indra’s lap, an unbearably uncomfortable position. He took every opportunity to steal touches—pressing kisses to her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her neck—while her front was pressed against the edge of the table, his chair scooted slightly forward.
“Ndra, you’re insane! You haven’t even won yet, but you’re already enjoying yourself,” Tomi grumbled at Indra’s position.
“My gut tells me… I’m winning tonight,” Indra replied, his breath warm against Priska’s ear.
He leaned against her shoulder, one arm wrapped around her waist. “Ask for anything, and I’ll give it to you,” he whispered, his voice low, meant only for her.
Priska was blindfolded and gagged, but she could still hear Aldo and Rey whispering to each other, discussing how easily Priska had surrendered to mere flirtation and sweet words. Hearing Aldo’s cruel words shattered her heart. So it had all been an act? How could such a vile human exist in this world?
***
She had no idea what time it was. Midnight, maybe? There was no clock in the room, and her phone had been confiscated by Indra. She realized her hands were now free. She was dressed in silk pajamas—something Indra had insisted she wear after forcing her to take a shower and change.
Yes, Indra had won the lottery. He had brought Priska to his house, given her a room to stay in. She still remembered the disappointed groans from the others, while Indra had been beyond pleased with his victory. It made Priska feel worthless. But after all this time, Indra hadn’t returned to the room. Priska had tried turning the doorknob over and over, but it was locked. She was trapped.
All she could do was cry, helpless. Terrified that Indra would return and violate her. She wanted to go home—she missed everyone at the orphanage. She was exhausted, her heart shattered. She sat on the freezing floor, wearing nothing but thin pajamas, feeling utterly exposed.
Her breath hitched when she heard the door unlocking. Quickly, she leapt onto the bed, wrapped herself in the blanket, and pretended to be asleep. Footsteps approached the bed. Priska clenched the blanket tighter, her body stiff with fear.
Indra sat in the chair beside the bed. He snapped his fingers, startling Priska so badly she almost opened her eyes. But she forced herself to stay still, though she was on the verge of screaming. Indra’s hand brushed over her hair, then rested on her cheek, stroking it gently.
“I know you’re not asleep… You’re actually pretty, but I don’t enjoy playing with virgins. I have more important things to do,” Indra murmured.
His footsteps moved away from the bed. Priska heard the door close once more. When she finally opened her eyes, tears streamed down her face again.
“Bastard,” she whispered.
She couldn’t bear this any longer. She was powerless, completely at the mercy of these cruel men she had only met a night ago. Her body trembled with uncontrollable sobs.
She would never, ever forgive Aldo for toying with her life. If her instincts were right, each of these five men, who had smirked at her with such lust tonight, would soon have their turn to treat her like nothing more than a prize to be won. They called it a lottery—whoever won got the money and Priska. She cried herself to sleep, mourning the cruel fate she had never seen coming.
When morning came, her eyes fluttered open, heavy with exhaustion. Sunlight streamed in from the glass window on her right. The room was stifling, the air thick with heat from the sun. She was drenched in sweat, wrapped in a thick blanket.
The air conditioning must have been turned off overnight, forcing her to suffer in the sweltering warmth. But what shocked her most was the sight before her. Indra sat in the chair by the bed, arms crossed, staring at her intently. His expression was unreadable, his eyes dark and piercing.