Chapter 4: Reality

• Elena’s P.O.V:
• I came out of the washroom to find Risa Alum waiting for me with a bottle of cool sparkling water and my medicines.
• “How mad is the boss?” I asked, accepting the pill and chugging it down with half of the water. I’d had to run to the restroom as soon as I’d finished my first turn on the runway.
• “About 40 percent.” She furrowed her brows, red hair pulled up in a tight knot at the top of her head and a black robe pulled over the royal blue bikini she’d been given encrusted with white gems. “But he’s also 60 percent worried about you.”
• “Great.” I groaned, leaning against the closed bathroom door, still in my red lingerie sans the robe.
• I’d known the CEO of SunKissed, Robert Hugh since I’d first decided to join the modeling industry. He’d given me my first ever gig and from then on he’d been guiding me through my short career, giving me tips on how to stay out of the limelight but still do plenty of great shows. He’d even helped me avoid all the dangerous predators that roam the industry in search of naïve little girls who get easily absorbed in the glitter and pomp of the industry. Robert had been that father figure when I’d missed mine terribly and even now, I knew he’d always have my back no matter what happened.
• “Come on, let’s get dressed and get out of here.” Risa guided me through the hallways and led me safely to the green room where almost everyone was done dressing up and were now enjoying the feast that had been prepared for us backstage.
• Risa and I dressed quickly, her in jeans and a pink sweater and me in a long sleeved black dress that reached my knees and had a jacket to go over it. We were nearly done when a knock sounded from the front door and Robert came in after we’d called out our agreement.
• “Hello girls, lovely show today.” He told us as he entered and gave Risa a hug. “Why don’t you go ahead and enjoy the banquet while Elain and I have a little chat?”
• Risa was already done getting ready but she still locked eyes with me to make sure I was alright or not. But when I gave her a small nod and a smile, she smiled back at me and left the room.
• Robert came over to me and helped me zip up the dress and don the jacket. He was in his late 40’s with salt and pepper hair that he wanted to turn white naturally and an average built. He was tall though, almost six feet five, but he had a kind heart under that strict facade that a lot of people failed to see.
• When I was dressed, he took my hand and sat me down on a couch in front of the mirror and took a seat in front of me. His grey eyes held mine and I knew he’d figured out what was happening to me. “Who do I have to kill for this sweetling?” He asked in a gentle yet steady voice, telling me that he’d back me up no matter the consequences.
• “Nobody.” I told him in a small voice, lowering my gaze to my free hand that was lying on my lap. My eyes were clouding over and no matter how hard I tried; I couldn’t stop myself from shivering.
• He placed two fingers under my chin and gently lifted up my face. “I already know what’s wrong with you, but I’d like to hear it from you sweetling. Tell me.”
• “I’m pregnant.” And that was it, admitting it out loud snapped the razor thin control I had over myself and I broke down crying.
• Robert immediately wrapped me in his arms, comforting me with soothing words and just his presence. And because this was Robert, whom I trusted just as much as I did my parents, I told him everything; from how I met Knight Tyson to how we spent the night together; what happened the next morning, the misunderstanding he had about me and then finding out a month later that I was having Knight’s baby. Robert listened to me carefully, never interrupting but he always had his arms around me, providing me the comfort I needed.
• “Did you tell him?” He asked when my sobs had stilled, still rubbing a hand down my back.
• “No! I don’t want him to know, I don’t want him anywhere near me! He’s a vile, filthy man who slept with me and recorded it just because he thought I had leaked those photos. I don’t want him to think that I got pregnant because I wanted his money.” I sobbed. “Please Robert; promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
• “You don’t have to ask little one, you know I won’t tell anyone. But what are you going to do about the baby? Have you thought it through?” He asked gently.
• “No,” I shook my head, moving out of his embrace and wiping away tears with the back of my hands. “I’m scared Robert. I don’t want to be a mother yet, I’m only twenty three. I not ready for that. But what can I do, Robert? Whenever I think about an abortion…I just can’t do it. I just can’t be that cruel.”
• “I know sweetling, I know.” He patted my head before leaning back in his chair. “Now, I know it’s dangerous for you to stress too much so I’d request you to join in on the banquet…if you can handle the food that is.” He looked concerned at the end.
• I managed to form a smile. “I can, I’ll go with you. Thank you Robert, for everything. Can you do me one huge favor?”
• “Anything sweetling, you just need to ask.” He said sincerely.
• “Can you arrange an art exhibition for me?”