Chapter 7

When the elevator doors opened, Daphne was standing by Alexander tapping her foot impatiently. Although Alexander also looked extremely displeased he did a much better job hiding it. Especially when  he saw Evelyn the smile of a wolf in sheep's clothing spread across his face.

"Eve, darling it is good to see you again!"

"Alexander, I was unaware you were the one representing this child."

"As I am sure you are aware, I came here after discussing a possible collaboration between some of our models with Tanner. Although I must say, I am quite disappointed with our welcoming. First a receptionist that seems completely incompetent and rude, then some dumb Irish bastard, insulted not only me but poor Daphne without cause." Alexander heaved a clearly exaggerated sigh and threw his arms out. " Now I am beginning to wonder if I should be seeking out another  agency to work with."

Evelyn listened to Alexander's long drawn out performance. Who does this clown think he is? Does he think this is my first day on the job? Collaboration my butt,  he would be the only one benefiting from a deal with us. Usually if the money is right I would consider such a thing. But...

"Oh what might that Crazy Irish man said that has caused such doubt?"

"Well for starters he called sweet Daphne a whore, and said at this time The Garden had no intentions of working with us.  Honestly he was such a rude man, I hope you fired him."

"Well allow me to assist you in you dilemma, my answer is no."

...

"Excuse me?" Both Alexander and Daphne's  mouth dropped open eye's wide. 

"It would seem our people are just completely incompatible. Not only did you have a problem with Sierra, who by the way is the best receptionist there is, and treats people how they treat her. Also Collen, which I can see him being a pain, but all around a man who sees the best in anyone when it is there to be seen. But it would seem Daphne here has a problem with one of our own models." A cold smile was on Evelyn's face as she stared down the self important Agent. Sure he was successful, sure he was rich. But to Evelyn, to The Garden, he was nothing but shady car salesman in her eyes.

"W-Wha, W-Wait.. What do you mean, Daphne has never even met any of your models before! Is this some sort of joke? Because I'm not laughing!"

"Wait why is she with you!?" As if noticing for the first time Daphne raised a shaking finger pointing it at Alison.

Alison lost all courage and looked down at the floor.

"This is your doing! You bitch!" Daphne shrieked at Alison,

Slap! 

Evelyn gave Daphne a firm slap across the face. " Such possibility wasted on such a personality." 

"How dare you! I am-" Daphne began but was rewarded with another slap for her effort.

"You are what!? Let me tell you now so we are perfectly clear. You are nothing. Alexander is nothing! I don't care which rich family either of you come from, what business you or your parents are a part of. All of you are nothing! If you wish to go to war with The Garden either of you be my guest. You,  your career, and your families will all be ruined  just for the headache you cause me. Push us far enough and we will plant you in a real garden... Six feet under it." Growled Evelyn. "You come here now!" she directed her finger at Alison and signaled for her to stand by her side.

"Uh umm.."

"I will not ask you again. This is for both you and her." 

Alison's eyes were darting all over the room, screaming for help. When they stopped on a certain someone. Collen stood about twenty feet away leaning against a wall with his legs and arms crossed smiling. He did not say anything but he gave her a small nod towards Evelyn with his head.

Alison hesitantly drew closer to  Evelyn now terrified of the woman before her. The heart warming smile was no longer present. Now she just felt cold anger, and frankly is scared her. 

"I want you to slap her."

"What!?" Both Daphne and Alison echoed in unison

"W-Wait Eve you can't do this!"

"Alexander if you take another step or say another word I will have that big Samoan over there break your leg." 

Alexander made and audible squeak before quickly closing his mouth and looking away.

"Wait Ms. E-"

Evelyn leaned into Alison and whispered to her. " This is for your own good. You need to break out of this shell and get angry. This girl abused you both verbally and physically in the past, she did everything she could to destroy your chances of a career. Is that ok? Rhetorical question, the answer is no. It's time you learn to stick up for yourself." She grabbed Alison's shoulders and moved her in front of Daphne. "Now slap her."

Daphne's eyes met Alison's and for the first time ever, when Daphne looked into Alison's eyes they were filled with fear. For once Alison was the one with the power. Daphne  was completely pale and shaking like she had just taken a dip in ice water. 

"I-I- I can't do it." Tears began streaming down Alison's cheek. 'This girl is just to soft for her own good.' Thought Evelyn. "You are going to encounter people like her again and again in this business, It is time you stick up for yourself. Now either you slap her or I punch her and break her nose."

Alison and Daphne both looked at Evelyn stunned and horrified. A broken nose may not be much in the regular world but for a model, if the bones do not set correctly , or some other form of complication should arise, it could be game over for their career.

Daphne quickly turned to Alison pleading with her.

"Please Alison do it!"

"I-I-"

"You have to do it! I've done so many horrible things to you! I have slapped you, I destroyed your dress during that shoot! I said countless mean things both to your face and behind your back! You have to slap me!"

"AAAAAH!"

SLAP!

"Oh god..." Alison surprised herself, not only had she slapped Daphne like she was instructed, but she put all her strength into it. Everyone present was stunned. Even Evelyn eyed her with approval. 'I did not think the girl had it in her.'

"Again."

"What!?" 

"One for verbally assaulting you, one for physically and one for attempting to ruin your chance at a career."

Alison could not believe how cruel Evelyn was being. She seemed so approachable before.

As if reading her mind Evelyn leaned in. "Please. Trust me when I say this, If you do not stand up for yourself the owner will learn of it and he will step in. This is far less severe I promise you." Evelyn was facing Alison so only she could only see her face. She was trying her best to give her a reassuring smile.

Alison closed her eyes cringing. 'I never have hit someone before today.' She thought to herself. Alison had always been taught be kind to others. Unfortunately though, some people will never leave you alone until you stand up for yourself. She opened her eye with resolve in her heart. 

SLAP!

SLAP!

After a moment she let out a huge sigh.

"Feels like a great weight off your shoulders does it not?" Evelyn smiled.

"I- I am so sorry... I was Jealous.." Alison raised her head her eyes wide. It was Daphne who had just mumbled that.

"After our first shoot, I heard the photographers and sponsors talking about you. Saying how beautiful you were, how you were going to go far. You had the looks, A great personality. I- It hurt so much to hear all the praise you were getting. You have no idea how long it took to get where I was, the things I had to do to get certain jobs or auditions. Seeing you reminded me of how I was when I first started out. That Collen guy is right.... I basically am a whore. I did almost anything and everything they told me to do for a job and to get my career going after I tried for so long." Daphne could not keep up wiping the tears from her face as they freely fell. " I do not belong here." 

"Alison, I truly am so sorry, for everything I have ever done to you. I hope one day you can forgive me." Suddenly a handkerchief appeared in front of the girl who was balling her eyes out.

"Like I said earlier. Come back when you've changed your ways. I think this counts as a pretty big step. towards that." It was Collen holding her the olive branch.

"None of us are perfect, and believe it or not almost every person who works here has some form of dark past. You have the beauty, but I want to see you regain some of your innocence. What do you say Eve? How about in one week you show change and we talk."

Sniff, Sniff. "I would like that." Daphne began crying even harder then before.

"Hottendorf, Get rid of this guy." Collen called out to the gigantic Security guard sporting tribal tattoos.

The gargantuan of a man strode over quietly. " Sure thing Collen." He looked over to Alexander "I once killed a man sitting on him. Would you like to walk out the door or see how he felt?" Alexander looked up at the behemoth who was easily three hundred pounds, no one knew if that was supposed to be a joke or if he was being serious. Luckily Alexander did not care to find out and left the building.

'Despite everything I just heard I can't help but to feel she reminds me of someone's past.' Collen thought as a smile spread over his face.

"Well Evelyn I have an idea. How about we put these two in a hotel together, let them get reacquainted."

"Wha- I- ..." Daphne began her face turning an even brighter shade of red some how.

"Is that a problem?"

"N-No .... I would actually like that... If Alison is ok with it?" 

Alison bit her lip. Daphne had been the cause of so much pain and suffering , but after hearing her story, There was no animosity, no lingering feelings of hate, the only thing Alison felt was pity. Although she had not Fallen as Daphne had, she was at the point of becoming the same kind of person.

"I would like that very much." Alison said with a beaming smile as a single tear of joy rolled down her cheek. These were going to become her first friends since arriving in the city.