9. A sacrifice

"Booravo, Gerald... Booravo!!" Akira's energetic voice rang out as Gerald and Tony returned, hoisting Elena over their shoulders.

They dropped her onto the table. Her eyes widened as she scanned the warehouse—packed with men staring at her, and boxes of condoms scattered everywhere. One guy was even making a balloon animal out of a condom, clearly bored.

Her heart pounded as Akira sauntered over to examine her face.

"GERALD!" he suddenly shouted, spinning around to face the group. "Honestly, how can you tie up such a beautiful woman? Where's your gentlemanship? Didn't you tell her we came in peace?"

Gerald growled. "Our peace sign (condoms) made her even more terrified and motivated to flee, sir," he said calmly.

Akira hissed, turning back to Elena. "So sorry, sweetheart. These rowdy assholes don't know how to treat a lady." He pulled a small knife from the slots in his boots and began cutting the rope from her hands.

At first, Elena had planned to bolt the moment she got the chance. But now, realizing this wasn't just two guys—this was an entire faction—she reminded herself of her quest: to cause war between two opposing factions. So she had to stick around to study this faction first!

When the rope finally fell, she didn't run. Instead, she stretched her arms, walked straight to Tony who had tied her up at the hospital, and slapped him across the face with a sharp huff.

"That's not how you carry a lady!" she snapped, then made her way toward Akira, realizing he was likely the boss.

"A strong, brave lady… my boys really brought home a rare gem," Akira said, eyeing her head to toe.

Her petite body, the hidden curves under her tunic dress— all made something inside him twitch.

Even worse, she still had that soft, youthful skin—he could tell just by looking at her. His mind already started playing scenes of all the dirty things she could do to her.

In this world which was turned into a survival battlefield, at least having pleasure would make it bearable.

Clearing his throat, he sat beside her.

"So, what's your name, beautiful?" he asked, twirling his mustache like it made him cooler.

"It's Elena," she replied, gaze dropping. "You said you came in peace, right?"

Akira nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Then… that means you and your men won't force yourselves on me. Right?"

"I promise we won't."

She let out a quiet sigh of relief. "I heard you took most of the valuable items and medications from the central hospital. Do you happen to have insulin for Type 2 diabetes?"

Akira stood. "You suffer from diabetes?"

She shook her head. "No. My… mother does."

His brow lifted. So she had a mother, huh? More women.

He grinned. "I have lots of whatever you need. I'll give them to you, no worries!"

Elena's eyes lit up—but that hope was crushed by his next words.

"Only if you bring your mother to live here. I'll make her my wife. In return, she'll get all the medications she needs. Even my protection in this dangerous world!"

Her stomach turned. There was no way she could bring Shin's mother here to be used like that. How could she even explain this to her—or to Shin? Unthinkable.

She looked down, clenching her fists. "I'm… sorry. I can't do that."

Akira raised a brow. "Huh? Why not?"

"I just… can't."

"Well… too bad. No wife, no meds. Simple." He turned. "GERALD!"

"I'm right here, sir," Gerald flinched.

"Bring me some tea, my boy!"

Elena watched Gerald disappear into another room. The warehouse had electricity, a stockpile of food, and private rooms. The main hall was filled with beds—hospital-grade beds lined up across the floor.

The scent of tea drifted through the air, and her stomach growled reminding her just how hungry she was.

Thinking of the struggle back at their hideout made her heart ache. These men lived in luxury by comparison.

Gerald returned, offering a saucer and cup of tea to Akira.

"Here, boss."

"Thanks, my boy!" Akira said, sipping it dramatically like it was liquid gold.

Elena's stomach grumbled again.

"You look hungry, miss!" Akira noted before shouting, "GERALD!"

"I'm still here, sir," Gerald muttered, only a few feet away, flinching, and now honestly tired of being called every second.

"Bring some food for the young lady!"

Groaning under his breath, Gerald trudged off and soon returned with a plate of leftover rice and beef stew.

Elena's eyes widened slightly. Beef? That meant they had fridges and fresh meat too.

She accepted the food gratefully, tossed the chopsticks aside, and began devouring it with her bare hands.

Akira watched with a smirk. "You know… you could have food like this every day if you bring your mother here."

She ignored him, grabbed a bottle of water from the table, and downed it. Then she pushed the plate away, leaving some rice.

She wasn't full. But she needed to save it—for Shin and Suzune.

"All you need is a wife, right?" she asked, glancing up.

"Hmm… I suppose that's what me and my boys want," Akira replied.

Elena sighed. This wasn't a decision she would ever make under normal circumstances. But for insulin—for the only mother figure she had left...

Another breath. A long one.

"I'll be your wife."

Akira nearly choked on his tea. "Really?"

"Yeah. But only if you promise to give me insulin. And food. For my mom. Also… I won't be sleeping here at night. If you need me, I'll come early in the morning. That's non-negotiable."

There was no turning back from this.

Sacrificing her body to save someone she had grown to love… it didn't sound so bad anymore.

"That's a lot of conditions, young lady," Akira sighed. "But… well, it can't be helped. Give me your phone number. If I need you, I'll call. And don't worry—I won't be calling in the middle of the night."

"I don't have a phone."

Before his name could be called again, Gerald dashed into a room and returned with a smartphone, handing it to Elena.

"I like that you think fast, my boy!" Akira praised, patting Gerald on the back before turning to Elena, giving her the phone. "So, to seal the deal, how about we head to my room."

Elena's breath hitched. Her fingers trembled. Sweat beaded on her palms.

But there was no backing out now.

"Fine," she muttered.

Grinning like he'd just won a diamond, Akira grabbed her hand and led her toward his room.

TBC