I decided that I would. I grabbed the clothes that Loki had brought for me, stuffed them in an empty suitcase, and jacked the thousand dollars Loki had in his wallet then left quickly, without saying goodbye to anyone.
Sure, Allan, Penny, and Kelly will be hurt that I didn’t say bye but I don’t think I could have handled it. I haven’t been able to handle very much lately. I just need to get out of here without looking back.
Once I entered town, I hailed a cab and headed to a hotel. As soon as I was there, I paid the cabbie and hopped out, purchasing a newspaper. Then I booked a hotel room, taking the room key without a word. The person at the front desk hadn’t even bothered to ask my age, which I was grateful for.
In the hotel room, I pulled Mr. Rinehart’s card from my pocket, using the phone to dial his number.
“Hello? This is Harley, how may I help you?”
“Harley, its Terrance…is it possible for me to talk to Mr. Rinehart?”
“Hey Terrance, yeah, one second…” There was a small click as the line was transferred to Mr. Rinehart’s office line.
“Hello Terrance.” Mr. Rinehart picked up the phone.
“If you still want me to model for you, I would be happy to oblige. Loki let me go and I desperately need a job.” I sighed stretching the cord over to the hotel bed so I could flop down onto it.
After I got off the phone with Mr. Rinehart, I pulled out a couple of other modeling cards, calling the numbers. I got a couple more jobs booked then fell asleep.
**Two Years Later**
Eighteen years old and loving it. I’m a world famous model at the top of my game. Nothing can stop me. I am a millionaire and dating the most amazing guy in the world.
My manager, a retired model named Campbell Bennett.
“Hey, stop daydreaming sweetie,” Campbell ruffled my messy hair, placing a kiss on my lips. I savored the sweet taste, tangling my fingers into his hair. “Come on pretty-boy.” He teased tickling my stomach. I grinned at him, taking his hand in my own.
We headed out of his amazing white stucco mansion into the California summer sun. His sleek red Jag was waiting for us in the driveway. I hopped into the passenger seat, waiting eagerly for Campbell to put his laptop case in the backseat so we could head to the runway show.
Two hours later, we pulled into the parking lot, letting a valet take the car around to the back. We headed into the chilly building, making our way to my lavish dressing room. Harley, my make-up artist, was perched on my dresser. He squealed when he saw me, bouncing over to give me a kiss on each cheek. Campbell laughed and went to settle on a furry black couch, opening his laptop case and flipping open his laptop so he could work.
Harley and I picked something out for me to wear then I got changed and let him fix my make-up. I always fix my hair by myself.
Behind the runway, I chatted with a few models. Once out on the runway, I paraded around like I was the king, feeling all eyes on me. Chill bumps rose on my arms and something felt off. My smile faltered suddenly as my eyes scanned the crowd. Standing at the end of the runway was a man whom I haven’t seen or heard from in two years. Campbell was standing next to him, his eyes glued to me.
I shuddered and felt light-headed. A familiar feeling washed over me. My neck felt rubbed raw and I could hear the announcer’s voice ringing in my ears. But there was no one announcing anything. My vision started to tunnel as I stared into the man’s steel gray eyes.
Campbell’s eyes widened as he noticed my state of being.
My knees buckled and I blacked out on stage. Shouts sounded in my ears before all my senses went dead.
What was he doing there?
“Terrance…sweetie, please wake up.” A sweet voice filled my ears.
“Campbell…he…he was here?” I croaked opening my eyes slowly. I was in my dressing room on the couch with the lights dimmed.
“Who was?” He sounded confused.
I didn’t reply. I had never told him about Loki and everything he had done to me. I had never told him about Allan, Penny, Kelly, and my life before he met me. All I did tell him was that my mom is dead and I grew up on the streets and that Mr. Rinehart had seen me and offered me a modeling job. That’s all he knows.
“Terrance, what are you talking about?”
I sat up slowly, holding my pounding head.
“Hi Terrance…” A gravelly voice sounded from my dressing room doorway.
No. He’s not here. He’s not.
“YOU SICK BASTARD!” I screamed lunging off the couch at him. Suddenly I felt dizzy. Just as I started to fall, Loki caught me. I broke down into sobs, allowing him to set me back on the couch.
“I’m sorry. I think all the stress is getting to him. Not to be rude but might I ask who you are?” Campbell apologized casting his gaze briefly on me.
“My name is Loki Marx.” Loki introduced himself offering Campbell his hand.
“GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! LEAVE US ALONE!” I shrieked grabbing Campbell’s hand as he extended it forward to grasp Loki’s.
“Terrance! Get a grip.” Campbell scolded giving me his ‘I’m your manager so you better listen to me’ glare. The muscles in his arm flexed slightly as he reached out to stroke my face. I blushed peeking at Loki. He was watching me with an arrogant leer on his face.
“I’m sorry and I know that it is none of my business but I must know. Did Terrance ever tell you what happened in his past?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Wow…I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“Oh, because you’re pretty calm facing your lover’s owner.” Loki smirked. My breathing elevated to where I was hyperventilating.
“YOU SET ME FREE,” I shouted at him clapping my hands over my mouth. Campbell’s gaze snapped over me. “Why must you cause trouble?”
“I came to fetch you.” Loki flashed me a grin.
Campbell was shocked into silence. His sharp angled jaw was hanging open and he was staring from Loki to me and back again.
“Didn’t you ever wonder who trained his body so well Cowboy?” Loki questioned.
Campbell made a face. No one had called him Cowboy since he quit being a western model.
“We never had sex,” He told Loki. “Now before I call security, I suggest you leave.”
“Don’t worry sweetie. I’ll be back, don’t think I won’t.” Loki purred kissing my cheek. I whimpered and brushed his kiss away.
Campbell stared down at the ground, taking a seat in the chair by my vanity mirror. The lights reflected off his flawlessly tan skin. His gorgeous blue eyes were closed and his amber hair shone healthily.
“You said that you had never had sex with anyone before Terrance.” He muttered picking up a bottle of hair spray. He twirled it in his hands before placing it back on the table. I stood off the couch, feeling somewhat dizzy.
“It wasn’t my choice. I was raped by that man and another. I was humiliated to admit that to you Campbell. You’ve had the perfect life of growing up with a wealthy family who has connections. You were scouted to model when you were fourteen. You’ve had it good. How could I tell you that my mother sold me as a sex slave at sixteen, Loki bought me and raped and violated me, then he and his friend raped me…?” I paused to drag in a few breaths before continuing my hysterical rant. “As well as the fact that my mother remarried to a rich man, a month after she sold me… How could I tell you that?”
Campbell’s jaw had dropped. I pushed it up then turned away from him.
“I’m so sorry Terrance. I’m so, so sorry. I can’t imagine how you must feel.” He stood from my chair and picked me up into his arms, kissing my lips sweetly. I melted against his firm chest. My hands cupped his jaw, keeping his face to mine.
“Campbell, I like you so much it scares me. I can’t go back to Loki. I just can’t.” I began to cry, clinging onto his neck. He rubbed my back soothingly, telling me that he won’t let Loki take me away from him and that he’ll keep me safe.
After a while, I stopped crying and dabbed my eyes with a tissue he handed me. He touched his lips to mine for a brief moment before setting me down on the couch. I burrowed under one of the chenille covers, beckoning Campbell to join me.
“Let’s go home and rest.” He suggested offering me his hand. I took it and allowed him to take me to the car.
Back at home, we went straight upstairs to our room. I curled up under the thick Egyptian cotton sheets, resting my head on a fluffy pillow. Campbell stripped down into his boxers and crawled into bed next to me. He held me close, draping his arm over my waist.
