Post by Miss Mae on Jan 10, 2021 23:00:29 GMT -5
Some time ago…
“I’m not sure I believe you.”
He flipped through the Polaroids, placing them one by one on the table. His eyes glanced upwards, finding the indecision in her delicate eyes, and the apprehension in her quivering voice, oddly arousing.
“You can trust me, Esmé.”
“You can trust me, Esmé.”
The portraits of the 8x10’s hung on the walls, staring down at her. A dozen pairs of eyes hid secrets. Harbored no judgements. They all told their own stories. She could imagine each one of those young women sitting in the same chair she was seated in now, all hoping for that big break.
Some were motivated by fame.
Some were motivated by fortune.
Some just didnt’ know any better.
“How do you want to be known?”
“What do you mean?”
“When people say the name Esmé, how do you want people to remember you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about that.”
“What brought you to the States?”
“I guess I just wanted to discover who I really am”
“I can help you do that.”
He flipped one of the photos around and pushed it towards her.
“This is the money shot.”
She pulled the photo closer to her, running her finger along the curve of her red lips. She remembered feeling so insecure as she layed in front of his lens, her nearly naked body vulnerable and exposed. She remembered her heart pounding in her chest, the butterflies tickling her innards. But she looked at her expression, as the confidence exuded from her eyes. And she never felt more beautiful.
“Thank you. I love it.”
Hook.
Line.
Reel her in.
His voice growled.
“This is what I need you to do now.”
Fear is palpable.
It drives you to do the unthinkable. The uncharacteristic. It challenges you to defy the odds, to prove everyone wrong. You want to believe in anything, or anyone; but most importantly, you want to believe in yourself.
I can think back to several pivotal moments in my life where I felt that fear festering inside of me. I remember exactly where I was sitting on that flight when I said goodbye to my family - the end of the life I knew, and the beginning of the life I dreamed of. But I was scared of the unknown. I had my luggage, and a loaded credit card, and nothing else.
Arriving in the North East without a friendly face.
Without a direction.
Until I found one.
I had to make my own destiny.
I had to pave my own path.
It wasn’t given to me. It wasn’t what I envisioned, or what I had planned. It was an opportunity I gravitated towards, and reached for.
But it wasn’t what you’d expect.
It never is, really.
I know fear.
I’ve been molded by fear.
I overcome fear.
I’ve been… victimized.
But I grew from it. I learned from it. I’ve excelled in spite of it.
And that’s what bothers you the most, isn’t it Spayde? The fact that I looked fear in the eyes, and I was emboldened. You wanted to hurt me. You wanted to humiliate me.
You failed.
I’m going to look fear in the eyes again on Monday Night.
With my Cruiserweight Championship on the line.
But I might have a special surprise waiting for you, Spayde.
Something you won’t see coming.
Stay tuned.
“What did he make you do, Mae?”
She shut her eyes in embarrassment and shame, unable to voice the truth.
“Nothing. I just took some photos.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m fine, okay?”
Ben Markey, her superior, was unsure. She had confided in him for a reason, and he could tell she was holding things back.
“I care about you. And I’m worried about you.”
“I’m not going to see him again.”
“There are bad people in this world, Mae. It’s fucking terrifying.”
One month ago…
Ben Markey had just finished his shift.
He looked in his rearview mirror, and the headlights grew brighter as the vehicle sped up behind him.
Suddenly, it was four vehicles.
Surrounding him on all sides.
He had never been more scared in his life.