With mixed feelings, Jillian Moore goes to the casting of the new season of "The Super Model" to investigate the case of a missing girl behind the scenes. Before she knows it, she stumbles into a turbulent whirlpool of glamour, ambition and shady dealings. When, to make matters worse, she falls in love and has to shimmy from one lie to the next, her life seems to come completely apart at the seams ...
view moreIt was time for the morning meeting. Walter Abbott, the head of the special investigation team, entered the room and rounded everyone up. The investigators gathered around a group of desks, pulled up a couple of chairs, and the meeting began.
First the current cases were discussed, then Walter made a serious face. »As you may know, casting for the next season of this show 'The Super Model' will take place in the coming days. Last year in Bartonville, a girl mysteriously disappeared and has not been found to this day. The case was put on hold because no concrete evidence could be found anywhere. Now that the new season is starting, and since it's taking place here in Lakeside this time, we've got it on the table. We're to reopen the investigation and try to prevent anything like this from happening again.” Walter Abbott, affectionately known as “Walt” by the investigators, paused for a moment and they looked at him intently. »Although it is only a regional imitation, this model show is the focus of media interest. So of course we can't just storm in there and turn it all upside down, so we're going to have to plant an investigator.' Tom Steward, known for his no-nonsense approach to women, grinned widely. "I volunteer, with pretty models all the time, it's my dream job." Walt smiled at him. "I'll take your word for it, but we need someone to investigate, not someone to flirt with the girls and get distracted." He was serious again. »After much deliberation, I have decided to commission Jillian Moore. I think she is best suited to move inconspicuously in these circles because of her young age. Plus , as a woman, it should be easier for her to connect with the girls and gain their trust.” Jillian Moore, the only female investigator in the men's group, winced. She had only recently been transferred here and was green behind the ears, so to speak. So far she hadn't had a solo mission and she didn't like the boss's suggestion at all. Walt noticed her startled face. "Jill, is that a problem for you?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "No, no, of course not," she murmured hastily. It was difficult enough as it was to assert yourself against your male colleagues. It was still a male-dominated job, and there was no way she was about to back down and look like an idiot. “Okay,” Walt nodded happily, “come straight to my office, I'll go over the details with you. - Okay guys, that's it for today, get to work!' 'Guys,' repeated Jill mentally resignedly, following her boss into the small glass box at the far end of the room. "Sit down!" he invited, perching on the edge of his desk. 'I know you have concerns and I can understand that. But you don't have to worry, it's completely safe to use. We will send you there as a reporter, there will be a number of journalists swarming around there, so you will hardly be noticed. Ask around, try to find out something and keep an eye on the girls. The time has come on Thursday, by then you will receive your press card and we will organize everything that is necessary. And one more thing – no going it alone! If you notice anything or find it odd, let me know immediately.” Jill nodded, not wanting to put herself in unnecessary danger. »Good, then go home now, you have the rest of the day today and tomorrow off so that you can prepare for your assignment in peace. Here is the information about the missing girl. Look through it carefully, you might find something that will help you.” Walt handed her a folder and stood up, indicating that the call was over. "Cheer up, you can do it," he nodded to her in a fatherly manner as she stood up. "Yeah, sure," she said, not sounding entirely convinced, and for the first time since her transfer, wished she'd stayed on patrol. Jill decided to use the free time to gather more information. First, she got the DVD of the previous Super Model season and spent the rest of the day watching the episodes. Of course, she had known beforehand what it was all about, and the media hype had not left her untouched either. But when she looked at the pictures of the bitchy, sometimes hysterical girls, her stomach felt queasy. She didn't like the idea of spending hours in the company of such wacky, post-pubescent semi-teens and cursed Walt for doing this to her. She tried to ignore the models and focus more on the people around her. Most of them would be back again this season and it would be good to get an idea beforehand. Eventually she turned off the TV and was about to go into the kitchen to prepare dinner when her cell phone rang. "Hello, Jill." "Simon," she blurted out in surprise. "I... I just wanted to hear how you are." She sighed. "Thank you, I'm fine." "Actually, I'd like to ask you if you'd like to have dinner with me." "I'm sorry, today is bad," she declined. "Maybe in the next few days?" he asked hopefully. "I don't think I'm very busy right now," she evaded, "I'll call you when I'm free, okay?" "All right," he agreed, and she could hear the disappointment in his voice Listen. 'Have a nice evening then.' 'Thank you, you too.' She hung up the phone with a touch of guilt. She had no intention of meeting him again, and actually it would have been better to give him a clean slate. But she didn't have the heart to do it, especially for her mother's sake. She kept nagging Jill about wanting grandchildren and that it wasn't "normal" that at twenty-six Jill was still unmarried. For weeks she raved to her about what a decent, nice man Simon was and that he would be the ideal son-in-law. Finally, a week ago, Jill couldn't take it anymore and arranged to meet him for the sake of peace. Even after the appetizer, Jill knew that Simon wasn't the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. The evening had been an ordeal, at least for Jill. Simon talked almost exclusively about himself and his company, so dry and boring that Jill had trouble staying awake. The rest of the time he painted at great length how he imagined marriage and what he expected of his future wife. It didn't take long for Jill to realize that she was definitely not the woman he was describing. When he asked her on parting if they would see each other again, she replied with a vague "Maybe." She didn't want to hurt him and hoped he would have noticed that they weren't a match at all. But apparently he didn't see it that way, and neither did her mother, because she was the only one who could have given him Jill's cell phone number. "I'm way too good-natured," she thought, shaking her head as she grabbed a sandwich and then carried her plate into the living room. She flipped through the television programs for a while, eating her sandwich, and about an hour later she was in bed.Jill's heart began to pound. Did she really hear that right? Was he really serious? Or was he making fun of her to get back at her for the arrest and everything else? She looked at him doubtfully, expecting to see a mocking smile. But his face was serious and there was so much tenderness and longing in his eyes that it hit her deep in the heart. All her feelings for him swept over her like a tidal wave, and she wanted to throw herself into his arms. But there were still the things she'd done behind his back that she couldn't possibly hide from him. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Craig, I have something to confess to you and after that you won't value me," she said softly. “I… I was snooping around on your laptop the night I was waiting for you in your room. I did it because of my assignment, but I don't want to make that excuse. You gave me your key and trusted me and I betrayed your trust. Also, I overheard a phone call from you in Aspen, at least part
Jill had Tom record her statement and then drove home in a trance. She was barely able to think straight, too many things were running through her head. Thank God Mrs. Atkins appeared to be busy or not at home, and she reached her flat unseen. Completely distraught, she collapsed onto the couch and sat motionless, thinking about what Walter had told her. So Craig was innocent, fortunately. She was immensely relieved, the thought that he might be involved in this sordid business had hurt her a lot. Still, a bitter aftertaste lingered, she thought of his face when he turned back at the door to the hall last night. He'd been hurt, hurt that she'd thought he'd worked things out with Harriet. She would probably have been just as disappointed if she had been in his place, but what else was she supposed to believe? It had all fitted together too well, and Harriet's phrase about Craig holding her had seemed so unequivocal. Jill still couldn't unders
Jill had heard enough. She quietly walked away from the door and walked towards the locker room. Thoughts raced in her head. Harriet, Joel, Ewan, Mick and also Craig were all involved. They had made promises to the girls to force them to take these nude photos. And apparently the floor was getting too hot for them now, at least Harriet probably had the intention of getting out of the dust right after the show. "I have to call Walter immediately," she thought in a panic, "It's guaranteed to be the same with Lucy Hollister." She was about to take her cell phone out of her pocket when the door to the locker room opened and Mandy stuck her head out. 'Ah, there you are,' she smiled when she saw Jill, 'come on, Ewan wants to put on the make-up.' At the same time, Harriet came hurrying down the aisle behind her. 'Come on,' she called, 'get ready, we've got no time to lose.' 'Damn,' Jill swore to herself, wanting to grab Harriet and drag her hair to the s
Jill and Craig spent the night in front of the fireplace, hugging, stroking, making love. In contrast to his otherwise rather irrepressible and demanding nature, he was very careful and tender. For all his passion, he was careful not to hurt her injuries unnecessarily, and she enjoyed having him so close and feeling him. After a quick shower, they went to breakfast the next morning and then immediately disappeared back into his bungalow. As before, they snuggled up in front of the fireplace, watched a few of the pay movies on offer, slept and made love in between. Something had changed. Although they hardly spoke to each other, instead dedicating themselves extensively to their lovemaking, they were as close as they had ever been. It was almost as if their bodies were speaking a language far more intense and clear than words could ever have been. In Craig's arms, Jill forgot everything. Forgotten were Grace, Lindsay, Mick, Joel and everything that had to do w
Jill stood staring at Craig. His face was serious and she realized there would be no point in arguing. Also, she didn't have the strength for an argument, so she nodded. "All right." Mandy came back at the same moment. She handed Jill a jogging suit, t-shirt, socks and underwear. "I hope that's okay?" she asked, before adding apologetically, "And sorry, I just took your key out of your jacket pocket." " It's okay ." , and then help you get dressed,” Mandy offered. Jill nodded and they went into the bedroom together. After removing the robe, she slipped into her underwear and Mandy rubbed the rubbing alcohol on her. Then she spread some of the ointment on individual areas that were already beginning to turn bluish. "Thanks," Jill murmured as she pulled on the shirt and sweatpants with Mandy's help. "You really got lucky," Mandy said softly. “You'd best lie down and rest. I'll tell Harriet over dinner that you're afraid
On Thursday morning, after breakfast, an indescribable rush broke out in the villa. Everyone was packing, suitcases and bags were lying around everywhere, and everyone was scurrying around excitedly, anxious not to forget anything. Jill and Mandy were also clearing out their closets, and while Mandy was chattering away happily, Jill was trying to figure out how to approach Joel about a private photo shoot. So far, no suitable opportunity had arisen, and she couldn't just walk into his room and say, "Hey, here I am, wouldn't you like to take some nude pictures of me?" Around noon, while they were waiting for the bus, the first was due to appear in half an hour, a favorable moment seemed to have come. Jill was sitting in the living room and noticed that Joel was sitting alone on the patio sorting his photo supplies. The girls were scattered all over the house, and there was no sign of Harriet or the rest of the crew, so Jill sauntered outside and sat next to him.
Jill slept deeply and dreamlessly. Despite the shock, she fell asleep very quickly and woke up on Monday morning feeling fine except for the painful lump on the back of her head.Despite this, Mandy insisted that she stay in bed."Signs of a concussion can come with a considerable delay, so you'll lie down and call in if anything happens," she said firmly. "I promised Craig I'd watch over you, and I don't want to get in trouble with him."Sighing, Jill gave in, and after Mandy left, she closed her eyes and dozed for a little longer.Eventually, there was a knock on the door, and to her soft "yes," Craig walked in, holding a tray of toast, coffee, and orange juice."Room service," he smiled, "I thought I'd spoil you a bit."He put the tray on the bedside table and sat down on the bed with her."How are you?" he asked, searching her face."Well, I could uproot trees.""Never mind, stay in bed," he said sternly. 'I spoke to
Stunned, Jill stared at the picture that presented itself to her down there. Craig held Grace in his arms, lovingly stroking her hair over and over again. It looked very intimate, and a wave of jealousy and pain swept through Jill's guts like red-hot lava.Had she been so wrong about him? She had counted on her relationship with him never going beyond this show, knowing that there had been and would be other women in his life. But she never thought that she wasn't the only one he was having fun with here in the mansion.It looked like he wasn't any better than Mick, who also tried everything to get close to the girls.'Men like him don't let themselves be put on a leash...' Harriet's words flashed through her mind again. She wondered if it was really possible that he'd been double-tracking all along. He'd had plenty of opportunities, they'd been together a lot, but not always, and she had no idea what he'd been up to the rest of the time.She rememb
"By the way, Craig apologized to me earlier," Mandy reported half an hour later while jogging. "That's why it took a little longer, we talked.""Excuse me?" Jill asked blankly. "For what?""Well, that last time he snapped at me when I came into the room during your argument." And what… what else did he say?”Mandy smiled. "He said I should thank you and tell you he'd talk to you about anything else when I got a chance, and you'd know."Jill almost tripped over her own feet. "What?" she blurted out angrily, "That brazen, impertinent fellow.""Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Mandy admonished as Cloe turned to them curiously."Whatever he's imagining in his arrogant mind, he better forget it," Jill hissed. 'He's not going to think I'm going to get involved with him anymore.''Tell me, did you promise him anything in exchange for his help?''Of course not. I have no idea what
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