by Vivien Vale
“Okay—”
“And if you can get in front of this market and if they like you, you could become a sensation. You know, like the kid that went to the dentist and came back high? Remember that? He kept asking about real life or something?”
“Sure—but he was a child and became an actual meme,” I point out. “Are you saying I’m auditioning at Hard Pressed to be a meme? Can companies engineer memes even?”
“First of all, you’re not auditioning. I told them you’d take it. But they are taking you on as a trial run. If you do well, there’s the potential for a regular gig or maybe another viral content nonsense thing.”
“Cheri, I don’t know—”
“What’s the problem exactly? Is it the paycheck or the possibility of a regular paycheck?” Cheri pushes herself to face the screen again and begins typing.
“I was hoping I would get a chance to go out for a role. You know, to act again?”
“This is acting, kiddo,” she says. She faces me and looks me in the eyes for the first time all morning. “The segment is about eating and talking about gross-out foods—worms and crickets and Soylent, monkey brains and lizard eyes. Shit like that. You’ll eat them after being adorably horrified or whatever the director wants.”
“Cheri—” I feel panic starting.
“Sorry, Allie, I have another client coming in. The shoot starts today.”
I hear the ping of an email from the phone tucked in my bag.
“I just forwarded the information.”
I get up and mumble thank you. I make my way out of the building into the parking lot wondering what I did to deserve this life.
Xavier
By the next day, I'm deep into work again, observing what’s transpiring in one of the smaller studios at Hard Pressed. We’re growing fast, and we now have quite a few studios here as we continue to produce a variety of media projects. I built this company from scratch and now it’s a fucking empire. Anybody who’s lucky enough to catch a break here will have a major highlight on their resume.
Part of why I’m down here is I like to know what’s going on in all areas of my company. The other part is I know new models have come in today and I want to check them out for myself.
Not only because I want to have my pick and fuck one lucky winner later tonight, but also because I like to think of it as quality assurance. I want only the best of the best in here.
Naturally, I know what will happen with the girls. I'll have one of them on my arm by nightfall. It’s always the same. Just like it was with Jane the other night. I don’t have to do much—fucking anything, really—to have the flavor of the day, then move on.
But that's beside the point.
What matters is that my company stays on top. I worked fucking hard to get here. I used to be somewhat of a nerd with too much knowledge for my own good. I kept my eye on the prize, though, and was determined to make it big.
And here I am.
I'm the boss, built like a gladiator. All eyes turn toward me as I walk deeper into the studio, making my presence known. I'm used to the attention.
I look over the new recruits and I'm happy with what I see. They're gonna give Hard Pressed a new angle, a fresh edge.
This is a small video shoot, something about food, so it's not essential to the brand but it's still important that all the models look good.
I look for the camera crew to go over the details. What can I say? I'm a control freak and I like it that way.
That's when I see her.
Jesus Christ.
It's Allie fucking Baldwin.
No fucking way.
The girl from my past, the girl whose betrayal motivated me to become even more of a success, is here in my studio?
I'd know her anywhere. She's the girl that broke my heart, the one that got away. She and I have a sordid past but today she’s right here in front of me. She looks even better than I remember.
This girl jaded me when we were younger. She took my virginity, and I supposedly took hers. But afterwards, I found out from this girl named Becky that Allie had an STD and didn't tell me. Luckily, I came out clean but it was a close call. What really hurt about that shit, though, was that she lied to me. Said I was the only guy she’d ever been with. That it was special.
I trusted this girl. Allie and I were friends and I thought we had something real. Sure, it was a high school thing, but that kind of stuff sticks with you. It’s sure as fuck stuck with me. It’s formative, really.
Looking at her now in the middle of all her model friends, just laughing and enjoying life, my cock stirs just like it always did. I feel attracted to her despite myself. I also feel extremely angry.
I've always resented what she did to me and though I never thought I'd see her again, now that she's here in my very own studio, I can't not want her.
I just keep watching her and even though she sees me too, I feel sure she doesn't recognize me, or even remember me if the way she treated me was any indication. I was a nerd in high school.
I've changed a lot, so much that I’m likely unrecognizable. I went from being a nobody with an ingenious mind, to a billionaire somebody.
I've definitely made something of my life. I used all my genius and filtered it in the right ways. I own this company, and it’s a fucking media empire. Allie really lost out when she betrayed me.
I walk up to the videographer and ask him about the new girl. I have to make sure it's her. Although who can mistake that fantastic body?
She was a cheerleader back then and fucking stunning, I guess she's trying to make in the modeling world. I imagine it's not a smooth transition; the competition's tough out here. I just can’t believe that she’s not only in Manhattan, but in my studio.
"Who's the new girl, Mario?" I ask him.
"Which one? We have so many, per your request," he says.
How could he not know who I'm talking about? Allie is obviously the most beautiful of all those models. Her blonde hair is flowing over her shoulders and she has a tight little body that I'd love to pound my cock into.
Despite all my aggression towards her, I still want to fuck her into oblivion, just to make her understand what she's missing. I want to make her the one that leaves with me tonight. I want to fuck her. Then I want to walk away and make her the one who lost out.
She can have me for a night or two but that’s all. I’m just not that way with women. I won’t let myself get involved beyond that. Especially not with Allie.
In fact, she should be honored I even want to go to bed with her. After what she did, she doesn't deserve a second glance from me. But she's so gorgeous I just can't resist taking one more taste of her.
The photographer looks over his notes to find out her name.
"Um, the blonde one, let's see, her name is Allie. She’s an up-and-coming model and it doesn't look like she's done anything significant. She works for the agency called The Galaxy."
She works for The Galaxy. That's an agency I've never heard of which, means it must not be that important. I know all the big players in town and that company's definitely not on my list.
It makes me think that she's a struggling model. She's an unknown. And I actually wonder how she's able to afford to live in New York City without proper representation.
My eyes are on her and her eyes are on mine. There’s an almost tangible connection energizing the air between us. The difference is, I know who she is and she obviously doesn't remember me.
I'm gonna make her pay for that.
I tell the photographer, "I want you to make sure you're tough on her today. I want to see how she does under pressure."
He nods his head as I walk away. I want to make Allie suffer. I don't know what this sudden urge is to see her in pain, but it's consuming me.
I have a vision of her at prom, directly after we slept together. I changed schools but decided to at least attend the end-of-the-year prom. And it was there I thought about giving Allie a second chance, only to see
her all over the quarterback. Right after she and I had sex, she was flaunting her love for this other guy. I wonder if he knew about her STD?
The fact that she would go around sleeping with so many guys and not tell them about her disease, well it speaks volumes about her character. I judged her all wrong back then, having no idea what kind of person she really is. But now that she's here, I have a new opportunity to make her pay. I'm gonna teach her a lesson, show her you can't get away with treating people so carelessly. Tossing them away, just like she did with me.
I turn and stalk out of the studio with conflicted feelings. I'm not normally one for revenge; this aggression towards Allie is uncommon. I'm not sure what to do with it. I know I need to punish her, I'm just not sure how.
I'm need to formulate a plan.
I leave her to the video shoot. It's an insignificant one. I don't even know how she got booked with this company considering her agency is unknown. I'm gonna have to talk to my vetting staff.
I feel anxious, adrenaline coursing through my veins, because even though I want to torment Allie, I also have this irrepressible desire for her. I guess I've never fully gotten over the cheerleader that almost damaged my life forever. And who taught me her own lesson—to harden my heart.
She was incredible back then and she seems to be now, but what most people don't realize is that Allie isn’t what she seems. To do what she's done to me, well it means she has not one scrap of dignity or integrity, and that's something she just can't get away with.
I decide right then that I'm gonna turn her life upside down, just like she did to mine.
As I walk from the studio to the elevator that goes up to my penthouse apartment, I can only think about Allie.
Fuck, she's taken over my mind already.
What gives me some small satisfaction is knowing that I've made it in the world and she hasn't.
I'm at the top and she's at the bottom. My, how the tables have turned. She used to be the charismatic cheerleader that had the world at her fingertips. Unlimited potential. And me? I was the lovelorn teenager who was obsessed with her. The token nerd. I had the brilliant mind, she had the brilliant body.
Now, I tower over her in every sense. I smile to myself. I’m about to have a hell of good time getting to know this Allie and making her beg for me.
Allie
Finally, I can breathe. I've just finished the shoot with Hard Pressed . It was definitely not as bad as I thought it would be.
I love modeling and being on camera. It's during those moments that I realize I'm in the right career, even if things have been hard. Because even though I signed with a bad agent, I still have a love for the profession and that's what propels me forward. Keeps me pursuing dreams that the less passionate would have given up long ago.
This is finally a quality, high-paying job, and I'm grateful for the work. I only wish I could be doing this sort of thing every single day.
Back in a little dressing room, I take down my hair and gather my things together.
It's no easy work being a model. I guess I've learned that the hard way. Jobs for me are hard to come by and yet I know I deserve better. If only there was a way to make a name for myself.
In high school, my talents always came easily to me. I never had to work very hard at being popular, or being a cheerleader. But now, in the real world, as I try to make my dreams come true, I'm starting to see that it's a lot harder than it appears.
I look in the mirror. My makeup is applied perfectly, as they had a professional do it, so I think I'm in a keep it on for the day even if it is a little much. I take off my outfit, though, and fit my slim body into an oversized T-shirt and some black leggings.
I was kind of dreading today and I don't know why. Hard Pressed is a great place to work and I'm wondering if maybe there's a more permanent position for me here like my agent suggested.
They do a variety of media. And I think with such a big company, there might be a place for me to stand out.
I walk out through the hallway and run into a couple of producers.
"You did really good today, Allie," one producer says.
"Yeah, we like you a lot," another one says. "I think you might have potential here for more gigs. We'd love to see you again, and we'll contact your agent."
When they're gone, I allow myself to feel just elated. If I didn't have such a crummy agent, I'd be even more excited. If these producers do contact me for more work, I just certainly hope Cheri does her job and gets back to me. What I’d really love is to be able to sign directly with Hard Pressed and avoid Cheri altogether.
Some of the other actors and the crew are milling about, and I join them.
"Hey Allie," one actor says. "You did really good today. I think the shoot will be a huge success."
"Yeah, same to you. I never knew that Hard Pressed was such a cool company."
One of the other girls smiles at me. "I've been doing work for them for two years, and it's always an absolute joy to work here. I think you should come on board as a permanent member of the team, Allie, you'd love it."
Inside, I'm beaming. She doesn't even know how much I love hearing that. My time in the modeling world has been strained, to say the very least. Because I have such a terrible agent, I just can't score the kind of high-quality jobs I know I'm worth.
"Well, you guys," I say, "I'm actually hoping for a more permanent position here. I have an awful agent and I'm trying to avoid her at all costs."
"Are you bound to her by a contract?" the actress asks me.
"Yes, I am. Do you think it will be a problem?" I ask.
One of the crewmembers says, "It can cause a lot of problems. I've seen models come and go but whenever they break a contract with their agent, well, it turns out bad. An agent can sue you for breach of contract and any number of things to ruin your life."
His words rattle me. I knew it might be hard to get around my contract, but I didn't realize it would be such an imposition. How am I supposed to get ahead in my career when I'm bound to this terrible agent who doesn't seem to care about me at all?
I'm losing precious time. Right now, I should be at the height of my career. I should be getting job offers left and right. Instead, I find myself scrambling for even a little bit of good work.
"Well, I have to find a way around it. I wish I'd known she was a terrible agent before I signed."
"That's what they all say," the crewmember says. "Just be careful, Allie, because you can really get into trouble."
I appreciate his concern but I’m suddenly committed to the fact that I have to get out of this contract if it means I could have a chance at something permanent with Hard Pressed . Because I can’t rely on Cheri for that.
We continue to chat and to exchange stories. I love being surrounded by other people in the business. They can offer up really good advice and their success is inspiring.
Even the crewmembers seem to know more about what goes on around here than the management. Being on the scene of a real working set is so motivating.
"Hey, Allie," one of the actors says. "How'd you get into this business anyway?"
"Me? Well let's see, I was scouted, I guess you could say, by my agency. They saw me in high school and said I have the perfect form to be a model. I signed with them blindly, not even thinking to investigate their reputation. My agent was so smooth, and she seemed like she was telling the truth. Unfortunately, she doesn't get me as many gigs as I need."
It's the same old sob story I think everyone's already heard a million times over. I was a naïve girl anxious to get into the industry with the first person who approached me. I should've done a background check on my agent before I signed a contract with her. I should've known my worth and applied to some of the bigger agencies in town that have a better reputation.
But hindsight is everything. Now that I've learned my lesson, I just have to figure out what to do next.
Xavier
It’s incredible. Almost inspiring. I'm watch
ing Allie from across the room, and she's become the focal point of the entire cast and crew. Everyone seems to love her. She's as charismatic as she’s ever been.
Halfway up to my penthouse, I stopped the elevator and came back down, needing to put my new plan into immediate action.
Seeing her here in the middle of the group, getting along with everyone so effortlessly, reminds me of high school and the way she used to be popular back then. She's never had to work hard for a single fucking thing in her life, unlike me.
I feel so jaded by her and so deceived, and yet looking at her now, I find myself having salacious thoughts. It’s like my brain and my cock aren’t communicating. Even though I know her soul is ugly, her body's fucking hot.
She's wearing nothing but a baggy t-shirt and black pants that define her slim frame. Even in that, she makes me hard.
And there's nothing I appreciate more than a beautiful woman. I guess you could say I'm a womanizer, but I couldn’t fucking care less.
I've come such a far way, down such a long road, to build this empire. I deserve all the riches at the top, including the hottest women.
Unlike Allie, I always had to struggle for friends and for affection. I was the nerd in high school who possessed a genius intellect but had a lack of friends. Seeing Allie interact with my cast and my crew this way brings up those feelings of resentment.
I want her to struggle. I want her to know how I felt being at the bottom of the totem pole. A part of me wants to punish her.
I stride over to where she's talking to her newfound friends. They all start to whisper as I come towards them.
Being the CEO and the billionaire boss of this whole operation, well, it affords me a certain amount of presence. Everyone knows when I walk into a room. I write their paychecks. And at this point, I’m quickly becoming famous in this town.