CHAPTER ONE (The Finale)

HELEN

To say that I am excited today is an understatement. My joy burns with roses. I was selected to attend the famous models' Grand Finale organized by Classy Heels Talent, the biggest modeling agency in the country. It's a feat I have worked my whole life to achieve. Seeing myself here under the illumination of all these expensive lights, showcasing my talent before important men like Mr. Philip Anderson, the COO of Triple Friends Group of Companies, and Mr. Rex, the managing director of Off-guard Magazine, is enough reason to be euphoric.

My life has been from hardship to struggling ever since I lost my dad four years ago. I had just concluded high school at that time and gotten admission into college. I was packing up my things that evening to leave the following morning when my phone rang. The doctor told me he got involved in a vital accident.  Whenever I go through the phase of remembering that cold evening in the hospital.  I feel tortured, hated, and ill-fated.

How he suffered on the hospital bed, struggling to breathe with wet eyes that hoarded tons of unshaded tears. I saw pity in those eyes. There were hidden words behind those soundless flickering eyes, words he couldn't utter, words like; ‘I have failed you, Helen. Survive anyhow you can. I can't help. Take care of your mum. Goodbye.’ It felt like walls had crumbled on my body and soul.  I wish I could help.  I said silence and loud prayers, but sadly, my prayers never left the ceiling of the hospital ward. If they did, then why did God not answer?

But that notwithstanding, I didn't let four years of uncertainty weigh me down. I continue thriving through tears and pain to become what my heart has always wanted. A model. Broken angles, stage fright, and hate from my colleagues did not stop me from journeying. Six months ago, I won my school pageant and became the Face of the college. After two months, I met Bobby, a renowned model manager, at a dinner party I was invited. He promised to help me find a place in my modeling career. Bobby kept his promise and introduced me to Mr. Rex, the managing director of Off-guard Magazine. I couldn't hide my excitement when Bobby told me that Mr. Rex had scheduled to meet with me after the grand finale.

Bobby said I should do everything I can to win the contract because my career depends on it. Of course, I will. I don't need to be told, if not for anything, for the sake of my mother's hospital bills. She was booked for surgery a month ago and it cost ten thousand dollars. The doctor said I must make half the payment before proceeding. I can't afford such an amount, even if I work my ass out in the coffee shop I earned to support my studies. This is an opportunity that I must not let slip. I must pay for my mother's surgery. I don't want to lose her like my dad. I want her to be alive and see her grandchildren, my achievements, and a life free from pain and tears, and this is a step on the right path to making it a reality.

There were seven models for the Finale fashion show. I was the third person to perform. Bobby had told me that Mr. Rex would be waiting in his VIP lounge and that I had to meet with him backstage immediately after I finished my show, so he could take me there. I waited for a few minutes backstage after the show, and there was no sight of Bobby. I noticed my makeup was messy, and my dress needed to be fixed, so I went into the dressing room to fix them quickly.

My reflection in the gigantic mirror on the wall, for a minute, took my mind a mile away. I remember the little Helen who was always afraid of the future. Often, I would ask Dad, “Will I ever be a successful model?” He would only chuckle and say, “The world is immature to receive your impact.” Unconsciously, a satisfying smile, filled with egoism, escaped my mouth as that statement finally made sense to me after all these years. Soon I will be the face of off-guard, which will make me become the media's favorite celebrity. “I think the world is mature for me now,” I said between breaths.

Approaching footsteps snapped me out of my reverie,  the footsteps stopped in front of the dressing room and a familiar voice accompanied them. “That must be Bobby,” I whispered to myself. I hurried to go out but ended up tiptoeing towards the door and peeping through the tiny hole in the door to see who he was with. I was very nervous to meet with Mr. Rex.

“Everything is ready, Mr. Rex; I guarantee she'll be in your hotel room as soon as the show ends. You don't need to worry; relax and enjoy a drink.” Bobby remarked, fixing Mr. Rex's folded suit collar. 

Mr. Rex sighed nervously, “I trust you on this, Bobby, I can’t wait to have a taste of that delegate skin.”

“Well, that’s only if your bait is enticing enough. I have only known her for four months, and I can tell she isn’t like other models in our agency. It would be wise if you doubled the price when negotiating with her. She might fall for that.” Bobby added as he tickled his long nails on Mr. Rex's face.

Rex frowned and stepped backward as Bobby’s feminine gesture made him feel uncomfortable. “Well, she can’t reject me or my offer, from what I heard, she needs the contract to sort out some bills. She is in school and her mother is in a hospital bed battling hemorrhoids. Isn’t it obvious that her future solely depends on me?” His words were full of pride and confidence.

“You’re right, her story is very touching, she told me about it. But don’t you think it'd be a little inhumane to poke her from that angle?” Bobby said compassionately.

“All I care about now is to have her in my bed tonight, and I honestly don’t care whatever means I will have to use to achieve that.”

Rex is a cruel man. I have heard rumors about him, some people say he doesn’t care about anyone except himself. That he uses his position, as the managing director of Off-guard Magazine, to abuse any young model that’s attractive to him. I thought it will not happen to me since I am going to him through a renowned manager like Bobby. Not knowing that they are working for a common goal. 

“Regardless, Rex, do as I said, I know better as her manager. Meanwhile, my PA will give you my details. Please wire the twenty thousand dollars, my arrangement fee. You can only see her when I see the alert.” 

“Give yourself a break, Bobby, I am doing you a favor here. Signing The face of the Off-guard Magazine contract has never been a walk in the park for any modeling company. There are many companies even bigger than yours that have been applying for years yet can’t get one. So I am here using my position to give you without stress. You should be more grateful, Bobby. Think about the respect you will earn in your agency after striking this deal and the huge sum of money that will be at your disposal. I am only asking you for one favor. Let me have Helen even for a night, and watch your dream come through. I desperately need her.” Rex emphasizes. 

Bobby let out a smirk from the corner of his mouth. I’m sure he knew Rex to be a cunning, selfish man. Bobby must be the same, why won't he be clever, after all his years of experience? Dealing with people like Rex won't be a new thing.

“There is no way I can agree to help you have Helen without getting a fair amount from you, Rex. Decide fast.”

A hot tear escaped my eyes on hearing that from Bobby. The only person I trust so well to leave my plight to.  It's now crystal clear that both of them are selfish and self-centered.

Rex wants to help him become one of the top managers in the industry but with me as the prize, and on the other hand, Bobby wants to help him make it easier and more fame and a fat bank account as his prize.

It's certain that if he persuades me to sleep with Mr. Rex and sign the contract with Off-guard, he would gain more popularity and recommendation in our company and the industry at large.

“Your price is fair yet not enough. I will arrange for her to meet with you, but you know I can’t make her go down with you. I can only try.” Of course, he has to try. If he wants to become richer, he must try, if he must be in the mouth of top companies’ CEOs, he must try.

“I have done many shitty things for you without profit even before becoming the manager of Elite Modeling Agency. Now you want me to compromise? No, Rex, the alert or never. Think fast, Rex, the clock is ticking,” Bobby whispered into his ear before laughing sarcastically and sauntering away. Although he needed to achieve all those, he must act with pride. 

Like he often says in one of his favorite mantras,  “To earn a fatter share in a bargain, one must act professional and not desperate.”

“Fucking fem boy! What man would catwalk like a woman,” Rex said to himself as he watched him roll his hips away.

“Fine! I'll order a transfer.” he nibbled as he gulped down the last liquid of red wine in his glass. 

I stood inside the dressing room speechless, my feet became cold, and I felt a violent buzzing in my head. Part of me wants to hit Bobby so hard. If someone else, but not Bobby, played the betraying Judas role, it might have hit me differently. 

I trusted him, every part of me believed he was genuine and incapable of such. I continued peeping and waited for Mr. Rex to leave, so I could go out, I have to run as far as I could. 

They must not find me.

The more I waited, the more the pounding in my head intensified, this time, affecting my vision. Could it be that Bobby had drugged the drink he gave to me before my performance? When it was my turn to perform, Bobby gave me a glass filled with wine. The smell wasn’t offensive, and the taste was not different from the normal wine.

I have to leave this place as soon as possible. Before my feet and strength fail me.

 Rex had stepped a few steps away when, damn, my phone rang.