Page 14 of XX Love Affair
“You do understand that even with a stage name, your face will still be posted on the internet? There is always the possibility that someone will recognize you, including future employers.”
Helena shrugged. “I’m guessing you’re telling me that because you have to. Lots of fresh high school grads from the cornfields looking to get laid on camera.”
Petra chuckled. “I’m no stranger to doing what you gotta do to get by, including sleeping with people you would never be attracted to in ‘real life.’ But I never had to put my whole face and body out there. So, I like to make sure women know what they’re getting into. Lots of models enjoy their time with our company, but there is a risk to employability and relationships within your family. It’s an important consideration.”
“Since the adult film industry churns through older teens like me, you’ve gotta stay on top of it. I’ll be a MILF this time next year.”
“Only if you want to play that role so early.”
Helena sipped her drink, allowing the ice to crunch between her teeth. “I’d put the lesbian stuff at the top of the list. I do like sleeping with women.”
“You and everyone else sign up for that. Even the straight models.”
“I’m not straight. I don’t know what I am, exactly, but I know my way around the clit.”
Petra was not scandalized by that kind of talk. Of course she isn’t. She had outed herself as having been around the block a time or two. Helena didn’t know Petra’s whole story, nor did she want to. She merely needed the recruiter to know that she wasn’t as naïve as Mackenzie from Nebraska, who had only been with her high school boyfriend and already had her nudes shared with the whole school.
“I like age gap stuff,” she then said. “I’ve always been primarily attracted to partners a lot older than me. Guess you could say I have a healthy history of finding the most desperate sugar wallets all over this country.”
Petra’s eyes widened. “You’re like… nineteen. Uh, I mean, that narrows it down a bit.”
“I’m a pretty convincing actress. Give me your worst, and for my first coupled video, I’ll pretend I’m a virgin.”
“I think I’ve got a good idea now.” Petra wrote something down in her folder. “Of course, when I pass this on to the woman in charge, she’ll make the final decision, but if you’re going to be around town for a few months…”
“I’ll have to take a closer look at the contract before I sign anything,” Helena said, “but I put in an inquiry for a reason. This sort of thing appeals to me. I’m not necessarily an exhibitionist, but I like… attention. Of a certain kind.”
“I understand your wavelength, no problem.”
Petra didn’t hang around much longer, claiming she had an online meeting back at Electric Star’s head office. When Helena was left alone with her drink and napkins, she leaned back into the iron chair, breathing in the fresh winter air on a crisp, sunny day.
The sunlight inched toward her. She pulled out a small tube of sunscreen and applied it to her right side before it was fully exposed. Part of it was lifelong training after spending so much time out on a field, but Helena didn’t want to prematurely wrinkle her skin if she could help it. Not in a quest to defer cancer, but because she knew the worth of her youth.
Electric Star wouldn’t acknowledge her if she were twenty-five, after all. They might ignore her if she were twenty-three. Twenty-one? Depended on if she could pass as a convincing eighteen-year-old.
It was the same no matter where Helena went. Her value was in her youth, and until she had to face growing older, it was time to make the most of what she had. No regrets.
She turned her phone camera to selfie mode and touched up the sunscreen on her face. When she slightly cocked the phone to get a better look at her hairline, she realized a familiar mien had been sitting behind her the whole time.
Hello there…
Delia brunched with another woman. Based on their casual body language, they were friends, nothing more. The way she’s going out of her way to not look in my direction… Delia had probably seen Helena and was actively ignoring her. Wasn’t that kind of hot on its own? Still playing hard to get?
The friend picked up her purse and departed. To the bathroom? Back to work? Didn’t matter to Helena, who only needed a few minutes to work her magic.
“Oh, Lord.” Delia jerked back when Helena sat across from her. “You saw me.”
“So, does that mean you weren’t following me on purpose?”
“I was not following you at all.”
Delia busied her mouth with a mostly empty mimosa but didn’t tell Helena to get out. I have a chance, then? Of course she did. One thing Helena enjoyed about women was how they weren’t opposed to a second round with a known quantity. Helena had proven herself. Now was her chance to strike.
For something good. Something great.
Her future in New England was right here, in a red blouse and black pants.
“That’s what you look like with clothes on, huh?”