Four hours later, we still had two outfits left.I was drained, never imagining it would take so long.Mom was pleased with the results, and Andrea seemed satisfied too.My feet throbbed from the heels.
“You're doing fantastic; you're a natural,” Andrea said, leaning in to show me some shots on the camera.“Just a little more, and we'll be done.You can do this!”He squeezed my arm, encouragingly.
I took a deep breath, pushed through the discomfort, and we managed to finish within the hour.I changed back into my regular clothes, and the three of us gathered around the computer to review the photos.
“We have a deadline; we need to pick at least ten images for each outfit,” my mom informed Andrea, who nodded in agreement.
“You did wonderfully, Luna,” my mom said with a smile, though Andrea gave me a curious glance.She scrolled through the images for a while before standing up.
“I have to head out now.I need to deliver all these outfits to Stefan in Rome today; I'll call your dad to pick you up,” she said, grabbing her bag.
“I can drive her home.We can look at the photos together; maybe she can help me choose some favorites,” Andrea suggested with a friendly smile, looking between us.
“What do you think?”Mom asked.Honestly, I was torn; I was tired but also curious about the photos.
“I think I can stay a little longer.I really want to see the pictures,” I replied softly.
“Great, see you later.Andrea, please help me load the clothes,” she said, then paused as if remembering something important.“You won't believe what I found,” she said to Andrea, beaming.“The doll you gave Luna for her sixth birthday.It's broken, but I couldn't bring myself to throw it away.Do you remember?”she asked nostalgically.
Andrea smiled, replying, “Of course I remember; how could I forget?”Then he turned to me, and an unsettling shiver ran down my spine.They both left the room, leaving me alone at the computer.An inexplicable sense of dread washed over me, and I struggled to breathe.It was just a gift from a family friend we'd known for years—nothing strange about it—but the feeling lingered.
Trying to distract myself, I began scrolling through the photos and was stunned by the transformation.I looked so different—confident, free of insecurities.I wondered if that was the person I could become.I realized I could be anyone I wanted and wear whatever I desired.
Moments later, Andrea entered the office, a bottle of juice in hand, and offered it to me.
“Here, have this.You haven't eaten all day and barely had any water.A bit of sweet juice will perk you up.”I accepted it eagerly, my thirst undeniable, and my stomach made its discomfort known.Andrea settled beside me as I resumed scrolling.
“Let's do it this way: if we both agree on a photo, we keep it; if one of us says no, we'll reconsider, and if we both decline, it gets tossed, what do you think?”His smile was warm, and I nodded in agreement.
While we continued with our plan, fatigue began to wash over me.I longed for sleep, my muscles feeling overly relaxed.Yet, it was a pleasant sensation, as if nothing could trouble me.A smile crept onto my face without my intention, and Andrea watched me intently.
“Are you alright?”he inquired.
“Yeah, just exhausted.Please help me get home.”
“We still have countless photos to go through,” he noted.
“I know, but my eyelids feel heavy, and I can't fight it.Being a model is exhausting,” I said with a smile, reveling in the strange weariness enveloping me.Then, Andrea gently placed his hand on my knee, applying a soft, rhythmic pressure.“What are you doing?”I protested, moving his hand away, though my muscles felt weak.His expression darkened; I should have felt fear, but I didn't.My emotions felt muted, and all I sensed was a sense of well-being.
“Shhh… it's alright,” he murmured, returning his hand to my knee and leaning in to kiss my cheek, then my neck.The sensation was pleasant, devoid of any negative feelings.I tried to push him away, but it was futile; I lacked the strength.Attempting to stand, I collapsed to the floor.
“What was in the juice?”I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Nothing, you're just tired.I'll take care of you.Everything will be fine,” he reassured me as he reached down to lift me from the ground.I wanted to scream or cry, but I felt numb, unable to comprehend what was happening.I fought against him again, attempting to shove him away, but his grip was too strong, and I tumbled once more to the floor.
Andrea positioned himself over me, and I tried to slap him, but my hands felt pliable and ineffective.
“Stop, please!I'll tell my parents!”I managed to stammer, my tongue feeling equally sluggish.
“No, you won't.You've never done that.You're such a sweet little girl,” he replied, pinning my hand to the floor while his lips roamed my face, neck, and chest.I pushed back, but I was far too weak.
“Please, stop…” I begged, my voice trembling.
“I will, soon.Just relax, and you'll enjoy it too.You're a little naughty thing.How many times I've wanted to have you.Oh, you can't even imagine,” he said slowly.I wanted to cry, but there were no tears, and I couldn't conjure any feelings.I tried to crawl away, slowly approaching the office door, hoping someone outside would see me, but I couldn't.He stopped me.
“You drugged me!I'll tell everyone; I'll go to the police!”I threatened, but he didn't relent.He held both of my hands in his while his other hand roamed my body.My gaze fixated on his hand, tracing the scar that marred it.Then I raised my eyes to the wall clock in the studio, its face distant and blurry through my haze.
His heavy breathing loomed over me, and I rebelled inside, even though I couldn't see any movement of my body.I felt my pants slipping down, his belt unbuckling, and the zipper giving way.And then… I screamed silently in my mind, cried out, fought back, and imagined I was safe, but my body betrayed me, refusing to obey.
