"Filipina? Sir, I have a beautiful Filipina girl right now, if you're interested in seeing her. She was supposed to go to one of our clubs. But I'm happy to summon her right now if you'd like to see her," Mrs. Gutieres quickly offered.

Tanaga doubted his decision ever to contact this agency.

Growing irritated, Tanaga said, "She was meant to work in a club? What makes you think I would be interested in her, then?" Mrs. Gutieres was nearly in tears. She needed him to choose one of her girls. All the expenses she had incurred bringing them all here. If he walks away, the syndicate will kill me, she thought to herself.

Desperate, she said, "But this girl is pure! I was going to sell her to the highest bidder. She is tall, and she has good genes. She's pretty in her own way, and smart. A college graduate with honors!" Mrs. Gutieres was trying her best to interest him. "Please, sir. Just see her."

"Alright," Tanaga finally agreed. "This is your last chance. If she isn't what I'm looking for, I'll expect to be compensated for my time until you find what I asked you for."

Mrs. Gutieres nodded in agreement, breathing a sigh of relief.

She quickly sent for Ashley. After a few minutes, the employee returned and whispered something to Mrs. Gutieres. Her eyes grew wide at what she was hearing. She asked Tanaga to excuse her for a moment and left the room.

Waiting, Tanaga grew impatient and lost interest. He stood to leave. He moved towards the door, but it opened before he reached it. Mrs. Gutieres stood with a girl who was being guarded by two men. He could see that this girl was here by force. Growing angry, he shook his head.

"I'm not interested in anyone who is here unwillingly." The woman that carries my heir must be willing to do anything. That includes leaving the child when the time comes, he thought to himself. He moved toward the door to go.

"Boss, please!" Mrs. Gutieres pleaded, "I only need a moment with her. I a.s.sure you, she'll be willing. I haven't yet had a chance to explain what's happening to her." Tanaga tried to get a good look at the girl standing behind Mrs. Gutieres. Something inside him was prodding him as if whispering, "look at her!"

Growing annoyed and impatient, Tanaga said, "Move aside so I can see her."

As Mrs. Gutieres stepped out of the way, Tanaga's eyes grew wide. He knew this face, and it was the very face that had kept him up all night.

Stunned for a moment, he quickly put on his poker face. He knew how evil these people could be. Ashley was blindfolded, with her ears plugged, utterly unaware of what was happening. He knew he had to play this smart if he was going to help her.

Scheming, he pretended he wasn't interested and began to walk out. "Wait! What's wrong? I a.s.sure you, she is a virgin! Aren't you interested in her?"

"She's alright," Tanaga said, "but as I said, I don't want someone who's being forced."

"Please," Mrs. Gutieres begged, "just let me speak with her for a moment. She'll agree. I can convince her," or I will die trying, she thought to herself.

Tanaga walked closer to Ashley, inhaling the scent that had enchanted him when they first met. Ashley, sensing someone close to her, s.h.i.+vered in fear. She became frantic and tried to pull away from the guards. She didn't know the person in front of her would be her savior from this nightmare.

"Give me a moment with her, Sir. Let me take her to the other room and explain things to her. You'll see, she'll cooperate. Please have a seat." Mrs. Gutieres was willing to do whatever it took. Her life depended on this.

Tanaga gave a curt nod and went back to his seat. Mrs. Gutieres quickly pulled Ashley into the other room. Once inside, she removed Ashley's blindfold and earplugs. "If you want to live and see your family alive again, you will listen and nod to every word I say. You play along, do you understand?"

Helpless and defeated, Ashley nodded.