The Garden Of Rising Stars

'Today is the day! The day my dreams will finally come true! After being told no, after I was looked down on out of both envy and doubt, the abuse and my efforts will have not been for naught!' For once Alison felt as if she could be certain of her future, unfortunately though things never really seem to go the way we wish them too.

...

So how is it she has managed to have found herself in this situation? Why? After everything she has endured Alison was unable to help feeling her heart breaking. 'What have I done to deserve this?' Time after time her goals and dreams have been ground under the heel of some one, but she would always persevere she never gave up. So why? What was it all for just to find herself in this current situation...

"I'm tired of waiting, take your clothes off now!" This man, no this pig in a suit, was the one to build up all of Alison's hopes. 'I was close to giving up on my goals and just returning to my home town back in Oregon.' It was then  this man appeared, he held an olive branch in front of Alison's face dangling temptation and hope in front of her. Without thinking, without hesitation Alison reached for it without even thinking of the repercussions.  This is neither the beginning nor the end of Alison's story. It could be said it isn't truly her story either. Let us back up a little.

One week earlier.

"Why not just give up already Alison? While I am around you will never become a model. You are lucky to even be a secondary background model."  The girl currently ridiculing Alison is Daphne. As much as Alison would like to disregard her claims, so far unfortunately they have proven true. As you may have surmised, Alison's true dream is to become a model, unfortunately shortly after arriving to the big city, any kind of amateur modeling gigs she had received there was a shadow cast on them by Daphne, a stigma if you will. Alison was always used as a filler, or an on call model. If some one did not show up for a shoot, she would sometimes be called as an emergency replacement.

It was not until later she learned Daphne for some reason had a grudge against her, ever since the first day they met on a set. Alison had been very polite to her, after all she was her senior in the industry and Alison had just moved here to New York, so needless to say she had no friends. At first things seemed to be going so well with Daphne. They  talked and seemed to have a lot in common. But after their first day meeting things took a horrible turn in the other direction. She  received a call to do a Duo shoot with Daphne. Alison was so excited to see her again, after all their first day together went very well. Her excitement was quickly crushed as soon as she arrived for the shoot.

"Daphne it's great to see you again!" This time there was no smile, no small talk to ease the tension. Daphne looked at Alison with cold eyes. As if someone had a beautiful art gallery, their pride, their joy, then someone came in and drew stick figures all over the art and expected you to pay for it.

"It's you..." She sneered. That day while the pair was getting ready Alison felt the need to use the restroom, when she came back it was only to find her dress  had been destroyed. It was ripped to shreds and appeared as if it was stomped on again and again. When the people in charge of the shoot arrived, Daphne was quick and all to willing to direct the blame at Alison,  telling the company sponsoring the shoot and the photographer that It was Alison who had commit such an act, that she was angered it was not a solo set and destroyed the dress in a fit of rage... No one was willing to believe Alison, after all Daphne was an up and coming star who was already becoming quickly established in the industry. Who was Alison? A nobody... Alison cried so hard that night. It felt as if a friend had betrayed her, to make matters worse Alison's reputation was almost destroyed in the industry beyond repair in the blink of an eye. At first for some time no one would use her for their shoots anymore, unwilling to work with someone who could snap and sabotage the project in a moments notice, but some small business's were desperate for a model got Alison's information and reached out to her. Unfortunately though it did very little to assist in repairing her reputation or  making her dreams a reality.

So back to a week ago.

"Daphne, I just don't understand why? What is it I have ever done to you?"

Tsk.

"Nothing, because you could never do anything to me." Daphne said clicking her tongue in irritation. " Now shut up, are you trying to bring me down before the shoot?" At first she looked annoyed, until a wicked grin spread over her face.

"Gilbert sweet heart.. You know how I like to keep my spirits up for the shoots right? Well could you do something about this eye sore over here?" Daphne pleaded with a pouty face as she seductively drew her finger down Gilbert's chest. "If you do I will make it up to you. What do you say?" A smile instantly spread over the man's face. Although the moment Gilbert looked in Alison's direction that smile was already gone, replaced by one of anger.

"Well you heard her! We don't want to upset the star of the show, get lost!" Barked Gilbert.

Alison was barely able to hold in her tears as she ran out of the room. By the time she left the building the weight of her situation had begun to sink in. She was forced to support herself against the wall as the flood gates opened. Tears poured down her face like never before. For the first time in Alison's life she was having second thoughts not just about her decision to come here, but her dream. Was the whole idea as dumb as Daphne and many, many others made it out to be.

"Maybe I should just go home." Alison mumbled in between sniffles when she finally calmed down.

"Excuse me miss. My name is Daniel Burgundy of The Burgundy Brother's scouting agency. Has anyone ever mentioned you have what it takes to be a top class model?"

This was the chance she had been waiting for! He had a business card, a nice office, he presented himself well. It was everything Alison had hoped for! He told her he could get her a gig as the star model within a week! After everything, all this time and effort! Was she just not fortunate enough to meet the right person until now? After their initial meeting there was multiple days he offered to take Alison out for dinner, or other dates but she honestly had no interest in him, granted he was handsome and seemed to be a great guy, the only relationship Alison wished for was a professional one. 

Indeed he gave Alison a call on the sixth day telling her he found the perfect gig to kickstart her career and set her on the right path. While on the phone Alison once again could not contain the tears flowing down her face, this time though they were both tears of joy and hope. There was just one problem though, Alison  made one mistake. She never asked what he would want in return. Like usual, everything has a price.

Present time.

"I'm tired of waiting, take your clothes off now!" He roared yanking on Alison's clothing. On their way Mr. Burgundy dragged Alison into a back alley and demand she take her clothes off.

"Mr. Burgundy what are you talking about?" Alison Shrieked doing her best to cover herself with her arms as if that would stop the way he was eyeing her up and down like a steak dinner.

"I have waited patiently long enough! I invited you out again and again, Now I have what you want, the key to our world! And you have something I want!"

"Mr. Burgundy I never agreed to such a thing!" Alison cried out, tears were streaming down her face. Once again she had become a target, and was facing betrayal.

"Nothing in this world is free! What did you think I was going to put in all this leg work for nothing? That I would do it out of the kindness of my heart? No. The gig is real, and you have no idea how many favors I had to call in to get you this chance!  But I will not take you to it without getting my fee!" Daniel eyed Alison greedily as he declared his real intentions.

'The gig is real? If that's the case...' Temptation was finally beginning to sink in. This was hardly the first offer of this kind Alison had received, but this time it felt as if Daniel was telling the truth.  Alison had tried staying true to her morals and convictions, but they had only brought her misery and sorrow so far.

Alison was at the breaking point when a voice called out like a beacon in the darkness.

"Hey just what the hell are you doing!?"

The two snapped their heads in the direction of the voice.

"He-Help!" Alison screamed as loud as she could praying this man could do something to get  her out of this situation.

Smack!

"Shut your mouth you stupid bitch! I'll let you know when I need your mouth!" Daniel roared as he gave Alison a hard smack across the cheek. "Damnit now you made me damage the goods! If you-

POW!

Through her pain and blurred vision from the tears that were now filling Alison's eyes she caught only a glimpse of a fist smashing into Daniel's face.

This is how Alison met the man that would change her life forever.