Page 78 of Fight For Her
I saw someone walk by with a coffee cup and got up to find out if there was a craft service table, a perk of the job.
Coby:I’m sure she’s glad to have you there.
In front of me was a whole spread of untouched pastries, fruit, expensive bottled waters, and carafes of coffee. I helped myself to a piping hot coffee and made my way back to the shoot area.
Me:She’s in hair and makeup now. Actually…I think she just came out. I’ll let you know how it goes later.
Me:Kiss!
I almost dropped my phone when I looked at the scene in front of me. Zoey was in barely-there lingerie and was being directed to sit in a provocative pose on the bed. I’m no prude and I’d never shame another woman for posing nearly nude or even fully nude, but Zoey was only seventeen. It gave me all sorts of icky feelings. In between shots, she waved at me with a sort of grimace on her face before being directed to bite her lip.
What the hell? I had no idea this was the type of shoot she’d been booked for. Did Victor know? I paced the edge of the space wondering if I should call him or Zoey’s agent, Shelby, who hadn’t arrived yet. Was it legal to shoot a seventeen-year-old in this manner?
They called for a break and gave Zoey a sheer robe. I pulled her aside.
“Are you doing okay?” I asked trying to keep my voice steady.
“I think so. I didn’t realize the shoot was for lingerie, but Joseph and his team are making me as comfortable as possible.”
I could see the worry in her eyes. She was so young and so new to the ways of the world. I hated that they were sexualizing her. I breathed deeply.
“Do you want me to call Shelby? See what kind of contract you have with them?”
Her eyes bounced between me and the set before she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. This is the business I’m in. May as well get used to it.”
They called her back to change and get touched up. While I had a moment I called Victor. His assistant had given me his personal cell number in case of an emergency, and to me, this warranted using it. I could see this as a PR nightmare; “Underage Girl Bares It All For Photoshoot.” On top of that, I’d put my clients’ needs and feelings first.
“Victor Moss,” he answered in lieu of a greeting.
I cleared my throat. “Victor, it’s Kendahl Edwards. I’m at the Carina photoshoot with Zoey—“
“I know where you are, and what you’re doing,” he cut in. “Is there a problem?”
I stammered at his abrupt tone. “Y-Yes, actually, I wanted to find out her contract details because this shoot could destroy her image, therefore, creating problems for us.”
If I kept my thoughts strictly PR related, maybe he would soften and listen to me.
“In what way?”
“Nudity. I don’t know if you’re aware but she’s underage,” I added.
“I’m aware of every one of our client’s personal information, Ms. Edwards. And frankly, I don’t see an issue here. This is a problem for her agent, not us.”
“But I—“ He hung up on me.
Nobody had hung up on me since I was in high school. I ground my teeth together and paced. Another stylist led Zoey back onto set and every muscle in my body seized.They had her in a leather mini skirt and literal nipple tassels.
What. The. Fuck.
I rushed the set like a mama bear in protection mode.
“This is unacceptable.” My hands flew out in front of me of their own accord. “What kind of shoot is this? She’s underage!”
Zoey grabbed her robe and slid it on, and a frown lined her lips.Joseph stepped up to me so close that our bodies were almost touching.
“Who are you?” He gestured at one of his assistants. “I want this woman off my set.”
He towered over me, but I was too enraged to care. “Apparently, I’m the only person here with a conscience. I’m taking my client home.”
