Page 29 of XX Love Affair
“Keep your clothes on, please,” Elena said. “We don’t do casting couches in this company, even if you’re literally sitting on my couch. We only do that for video themes.”
“It’s not the director on the other side of the interview, trust me, I’m aware.”
Petra patted both hands against the back of the couch. “Speaking of, aren’t we filming a bunch of those in the rental office next week?”
“Yes, which is much too soon to negotiate a contract and get this young lady started. But back to Ms. Pierce,” Elena said, referring to Helena, “our main concern is how this might affect your future. Please think long and hard about whether you want to film for this company before accepting a contract. I’m not going to tell you whether you can stomach the work itself or not. If that was the only matter, I’d trust what you say. Yet I’m not in the business of ruining our actors’ futures. You come to us because we take good care of you on the employee end, and we want the best fresh talent out there. I’d rather we take you on than the frat house that’s down the road.” She must have referred to another adult film company that Helena had considered applying to until she read some of the reviews from former models. Now that would be a real casting couch situation. Helena wanted more security than that. At least in the clubs, there were bouncers and hostesses she could go to if things got out of hand.
Honestly, if these two women would let her do what she did best…
She shook hands with everyone before Petra showed her back down to the lobby. As they rode the elevator, the talent liaison said, “Elena means well. She’s got that classic Eastern European RBF.”
“I’m not bothered by her at all.” The numbers ticked down. Since this was Elena’s private executive elevator, there was no worry that they would stop to pick up someone else. “I don’t appreciate people treating me with kid gloves.”
“Do you want some of my unsolicited advice? You know, from an old crone in her late twenties?” Petra stepped between Helena and the elevator door. She was shorter than Helena, but her confidence and the slight swell of her ego meant she didn’t struggle to meet Helena’s size. “Cut back on the bitchy attitude when in meetings. Save it for the camera. Customers love it, but executives don’t. Take it from me. The best way to navigate this industry is knowing what you’re worth, yes, but also having some humility. Everyone who gets naked in front of our cameras is taken care of to the best of our ability, but you have to work with us. Prove to Elena that you’re mature enough to make such a big decision, and she’ll let you follow your porny dreams.”
“Is this coming from the former sex worker?” Helena snapped.
“Look, kid, I slept with a lot of ugly goobers who only affirmed I prefer pussy. But it was what I had to do to get by. You don’t. You’ve got that scholarship waiting for you, and universities will 100% pull the rug out from under you if they think you’re tarnishing their image. Throw women’s sports into the mix? Seriously. We’re not going to give you enough to pay for any college out of pocket.”
They reached the lobby. The elevator doors opened. Helena stepped past Petra and entered the fray of workers coming and going as if she had every right to be there.
“Leave my destiny up to me,” she said in parting.
She tried not to let it get to her as she grabbed a taxi to her hotel. What had originally been a promising interview with the Elena Zelenko had only added to the chip on Helena’s shoulder. What did Petra know about her? What did Elena? Neither of those women knew two things about Helena Pierce, a young woman who had left what was planned for her behind.
She was the master of her fate. The arbiter of her consummate design.
If she wanted to fuck people on camera, she damn well would.
She entered the humble lobby of her three-star hotel, intending to bypass the woman sitting by the window and heading straight to her room. Except the woman caught her eye, and Helena made the mistake of looking over her shoulder.
No fucking way…
“Helena.” An older woman with sandy hair, plain jeans, and a Target sweater stood up in a hurry, as if Helena would race away and never be seen again. “Please. Only a few minutes. I swear I’m not here to bother you.”
She hesitated, but only because her former soccer coach Brynn Morgan was one of the last people Helena expected to see out in New England, let alone this bland, non-touristy city that only had a river to boost its views. Lots of hot people, though. Her coach may count as one of those if Brynn had ever been Helena’s type.
She kinda was, but that was beside the point.
“You’re in town for that conference, right?”
Brynn nodded, relieved. “So, you got my message.”
“Sorry that I’m not in the mood to reconnect with the people I left in the dust on purpose.” Even so, Helena reluctantly walked over to the small sitting area by a fake plant and a window overlooking the drive-up. Already, an airport van idled before the door. “My mom doesn’t know you’re here, does she?”
“I’ve barely talked to your mother since I was a teacher.”
“So, you quit?”
Helena sat in the chair across from Brynn, who reclaimed her seat. The woman who was once Helena’s history teacher and varsity soccer coach pushed her hair behind her ears and made a show of placing her phone in the bottom of her sweater pocket.
“Yes,” she choked out. “I’m back in school myself. WSU, Seattle. Studying physical therapy. Career change.”
Helena shrugged. “Suits you, I guess. So, what’s the conference?”
Brynn sighed. “It’s like a combination of physical and occupational therapy thing. All the latest news and practices. Usually, students aren’t sent with the professors, but I was an exception because of my age and experience. I’m heading back to Seattle tomorrow. Thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing.”
“How did you even know I was here?”