~This is a two part book. This is Eve's story.~

~Eve's Point of View~

I was just getting back from my last class of the semester and I wandered into my apartment to look for something to eat. It was after 9 at night and my roommate Violet was out with her boyfriend. 

I saw a huge pile of mail on the counter and began to pick through it while I waited on my frozen dinner in the microwave. 

It dawned on me that I hadn’t really looked through the mail for probably a month. I just had a flat fee for rent and my dad paid my cell phone bill so I didn’t get much mail, but Violet sure did. Bills, bills, magazines, credit card offers … sure let’s get college kids to screw up their lives right out of the gate! 

I came to a letter from the non-profit that gave me my grant and I ripped it open. My jaw fell at what I read. 

My dad had recently remarried and they were dropping me! Apparently they were counting my step mom’s income and now I no longer qualified. I had received a large grant for college students of single parents, specifically for students whose parents died of cancer. It covered the bulk of my tuition and then I had a scholarship for a chunk of it too. 

My knees gave out and I fell to the floor, re-reading the letter in disbelief. I was half way through my junior year and I was completely dependent on this money. My step-mom made okay money, but not enough to pony up enough for American University level tuition. She had a child of her own in ninth grade and received no child support for him. The only way I could even afford to live in D.C. was by having a roommate.

I immediately called my dad and told him ... and he was just as in shock. This was something nobody thought about but we should have. The whole reason they got married was to get Cynthia and her son on my dad’s insurance since her job didn’t offer it. So in helping them, I’m getting screwed!! 

How the hell could I come up with money for next semester, hell for the next year? 

I had a part-time job at a dollar store, but it was only 25 hours a week, just enough for my living expenses but literally no more. Dad also put a couple hundred a month in my bank account sometimes just because he’s awesome. 

If I didn’t have Violet and her boyfriend to help split costs, there would be no way I’d make it. Her boyfriend lived close by so he wasn’t an official roommate, but he was here so much he helped out here and there.

I decided I needed to clear my head, let loose and just leave this worry for tomorrow. I never really went out, but I was newly 21 and I thought I deserved a night out. I had $48 in my wallet and I thought that should be enough to enjoy myself. 

I called up my friend Kari and she was already going out, so she offered to swing by and pick me up. 

“This club is really upscale though, dig deep in your closet for something hot but not trashy and shave everywhere … cause if you pick someone up he’s going to be older,” she warned. 

I didn’t really want to pick someone up, I just wanted to shake my ass and feel a buzz. 

I had nothing in my closet that would do so I ransacked Violet's and found the perfect thing. I had a crazy amount of long, thick hair and I knew I’d be sweating to death later so I put it up into braided pigtail buns, something a little cute. 

I was just polishing off my lipstick when I saw Kari text that she was outside. I locked up and ran out, ready for whatever might await.

“Girl you look so fucking hot! I am so borrowing that dress sometime! So what’s the deal, you never want to go out,” Kari inquired. 

“Yeah, just had a rough day, found out I’m losing my grant,” I said, defeated. 

Kari gaped, “oh damn girl, that’s awful! Can they even do that like in the middle of the year, I mean damn!” 

“I know, I’m going to call them but it doesn’t look good,” I said. 

“Well we are going to forget about it for tonight! I’m telling you this place … you might just find a sugar daddy,” she said, laughing. 

I threw her a stare, “yeah give up my body for money, like a hooker?” 

“Oh come on, don’t be such a prude. It’s like being a girlfriend without the blah blah and having to meet the family and all that. I mean great sex and you get money, who could refuse,” she said, as if it was obvious.

 “Do you do that? Do you have a sugar daddy,” I asked curiously. 

Kari laughed, “yeah I’ve done it a couple times, I had a serious one last year for a couple months but he moved away. Girl if I can do it, you can. You just kind of … detach yourself at first, but hope the sex is good enough you come to like it. Come on, when was the last time you even got laid??” 

I sighed, “too long, close to a year.” 

“A year?!” Kari looked shocked. “Girl we are getting you hooked up tonight, you need a booty call at bare minimum.” We arrived at the club and there was a massive line to get in, I was definitely not wearing shoes that I could just stand still in for two hours. 

Kari and I hooked arms and she led me straight to the door where the bouncer smiled and opened the rope. Whaaat? “Come here often,” I said, in disbelief. 

“Stick with me girlfriend, I know people,” she winked.

We made our way to the bar and ordered two drinks and two shots. We took the shots back and moved to a standing table with our drinks. I was feeling warm and swaying a bit when a guy approached, our eyes locked and then he immediately looked at Kari and swept her off to dance. 

Yep! This is why I was in a horrible dry spell, nobody ever really looked at me. Hell I had only ever slept with two guys and both were long term relationships. I don’t know if I could even do a one-night stand. 

I stood at the table, feeling awkward as hell. I was about to go back to the bar for another drink when a woman, of all people, approached me. She was at least in her 40’s but very attractive and dressed very classy. 

“Hey sugar, you here alone,” she said. I gulped and wondered if she was hitting on me, I wasn’t very good at this stuff. 

“Uhm, yeah my friend is here but she…” I stared out at the floor but I didn’t see Kari anywhere. 

“Are you a student,” she asked. “Yep, I’m an international relations major,” I said. “Oh that’s different, so many are running around with majors they’ll never do anything with ... like me I went for philosophy if you can believe it! What a waste,” she finished. 

Okay … this is hella awkward. What do I say here, what do I do?

I was completely puzzled and seriously starting to think this lady was hitting on me, I decided to break away and let her know I wasn’t interested.

“Well it was nice meeting you, I’m going to grab another drink,” I said, picking up my glass. 

“I’m Haven,” she said, putting her hand over my free hand. 

“Oh, yeah sorry, I’m Eve,” I said looking at her. “Eve, what a beautiful name,” she said, now staring at me.

What was happening right now? 

She licked her lips, “do you have a boyfriend, Eve?” Okay now this was really weird … but I didn’t want to be rude. 

“Nope, no boyfriend, just was out for a good time with my friend but I seem to have lost her,” I said looking around again, desperately hoping to see Kari. 

Haven moved closer to me, and got in my ear, “I think you are perfect for what I’m looking for, why don’t you call me tomorrow and we’ll set up an interview?” 

I looked down to see her handing me a business card. 

A waitress came by just at that moment and Haven handed her a $50 bill, “more drinks for these girls, whatever they want. Hope to hear from you sugar, enjoy your night.”  

I looked down at her card and it said it was for a talent agency, was she recruiting models or actors or something? Either way, what the hell? I was not even remotely model or actor material. Why did she care about my major too, nobody cares about a model’s intelligence. How bizarre! 

I was lost in my thoughts staring at the card when the waitress came back. I downed the drink and texted Kari, telling her I was tired and just going to get a cab home. I charged an Uber to my credit card and made my way home. 

I laid in bed looking at her card, and I googled the company name, “Talent Illusion.” 

Weird. 

It brought up a page that looked like it had models, but it was very basic and didn’t have a whole lot on it. They basically wanted you to make an appointment and go from there. 

I thought about it all night, and finally decided it was just odd and shady. I then began researching student loans, I had three weeks until the new semester started.

It was about two and a half months into the new semester, and I remained optimistic that I would be able to be able to afford covering this semester at least. My dad took a chunk out of his savings and so did his wife, surprisingly! We didn't have the closest relationship but I think she felt rather guilty. 

I knew in my bones it still probably wouldn't be enough, I was grasping for as many hours as possible, and even working overtime. There was no way I could keep this pace, working sometimes 50 hours a week and maintaining a full class schedule. 

I was rummaging around a box of odds and ends and came across the card for Talent Illusion. I checked out their website again, and it was exactly the same. 

I decided though, beggars can't be choosers and at this point, I didn't have anything to lose. It was almost spring break and I was about to ask my boss to work even more hours, but the idea of it made me sick.

I called the next morning and they asked if I could come in about 2:00 pm for an interview. I quickly showered and went to work on my hair as it was often times quite an undertaking. I flat ironed it a bit, then added some thick waves. My hair was naturally curly, but I rarely wore it that way. 

I put on a business casual dress and some Mary Jane heels. I wanted to treat it like a job interview, I mean I presumed that’s what it was. I didn’t know if I should have a resume, a head-shot or what but they didn’t say so, I just went empty handed. 

I got to the office, it was on the fourth floor of a large building in downtown D.C. I gave the desk clerk my name and took a seat. The clerk was absolutely gorgeous, if she wasn’t a model she should be. I immediately felt inadequate and out of my league. 

A side door opened and Haven popped out, “Eve! So glad you came, please follow me.” I quickly got up and followed her, questioning everything. 

Was my breath okay? 

Was I sweating too much? 

Did I seem desperate?