Opportunity

Skylar's POV

The weeks crawled by since that dreaded night, each morning bringing a fresh wave of nausea. Denial clung to my thoughts as I wandered through the store, purchasing five pregnancy tests. Missed periods had initially been brushed off as irregularities, the mood swings attributed to stress, and the changes in my body explained away with a casual dismissal. Yet, as I stared at the positive results, my hand trembling against my growing belly, the undeniable truth sank in. The subtle signs I had been ignoring suddenly converged into a stark reality—this wasn't just a passing ailment or stress-induced mood swings. A new life was growing within me.

"It can't be right!" I whispered, tears welling up. I wrapped my arm around my stomach, collapsing to my knees as the weight of the revelation sank in.

"I'm carrying that monster's baby. I'm pregnant with Cain's baby."

Pregnant at my age, with no parents and no stable job, the future seemed more daunting than ever. How could I face my aunt with such a burden? The weight of the situation pressed down on me, a heavy reality impossible to ignore. Her presence was like a flicker—my parents had fallen victim to the frequent animal attacks that plagued the area when I was just eleven. Their bodies were discovered brutally mauled, limbs scattered across the woods. It was my mother's sister, Aunt Cassidy, who took custody of me and has been my guardian ever since. A doctor by profession, she is rarely home, often at the hospital or on call. The dynamics of our family were shaped by her demanding profession, leaving me to navigate most of life's challenges on my own. 'Maybe now I don't have to be alone anymore'

The prospect of confessing the assault to my aunt loomed, a daunting mountain of complications. Involving the police felt like dancing with a system that often favored the perpetrators. His family's influence could render the legal battle a mere charade, leaving me with scars unseen by justice.

Shaking off the shadows of despair, I resolved to rise from the slump, redirecting my thoughts from how Cain had ravaged my life to how I could build a future for me and a baby. The realization struck that I couldn't burden my aunt with the responsibility of supporting both me and my unborn child.

—————

Alone in the quiet of my apartment's living room,

"That your aunt pays for," a voice whispered in the recesses of my mind. A reminder of the privileges I had, stacked with everything necessary, but it echoed again,

"Everything your aunt bought."

Acknowledging the truth, I knew I needed a job.

I scoured the newspaper for job opportunities beyond the city, my desperation growing with each fruitless search. Exhausted from the relentless pursuit, I found solace in Oh! Gee! — a small haven where important life decisions found a backdrop of beautiful flower arrangements. Owned by a South Korean couple, it stood as one of my favorite places in the community.

As I sipped on hot cocoa, thoughts of Cain invaded, tears escaping my control and tracing paths down my cheeks. An uncontrollable sob broke free, catching the attention of a woman nearby.

"Excuse me, Miss, but are you alright?" she asked, genuine concern etched on her face.

Glancing back, I met the gaze of a well-dressed businesswoman in a black knee-length skirt, a white long-sleeved work shirt, and a black jacket. Her inspecting eyes traveled from head to toe.

"I'm fine," I managed weakly, continuing,

"I'm sorry to disturb you. Thank you for your concern."

She continued to scrutinize me for an uncomfortably long moment before I started fidgeting. Clearing her throat, she addressed my discomfort.

"Ever thought about giving modeling a shot? Girls' Generation Modeling Agency is scouting for new talent, and you've got that fresh, unique look we're after," she said, her voice buzzing with excitement.

"But I've never modeled before," I confessed.

"No worries at all! We're all about discovering new faces, and you've got that 'it' factor we're looking for," she replied, her enthusiasm unwavering.

"Trust me, Skylar, you've got this natural allure, and that's what we're all about," she continued, her eyes sizing me up appreciatively. "Your height, those purple eyes, that sleek figure—everything about you screams unique. We're envisioning a diverse lineup, and you fit the bill perfectly."

I hesitated, my mind racing with uncertainty. Modeling was a world I had never considered entering, and the prospect seemed surreal. She noticed my hesitation and flashed an encouraging smile.

"Think about it, Skylar. This could be your chance to break into the industry. Our agency is all about discovering fresh faces, and your look is exactly what we're searching for," she said, her excitement contagious. "You'd be surprised how often newbies become sensations. Plus, it's not just about looks; it's about confidence, and you've got that in spades."

As she spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that this unexpected opportunity might just be the twist my life needed. Modeling—a realm of beauty, poise, and style—was worlds away from my current reality. Yet, the idea of stepping into a new, unfamiliar world appealed to me in a way I hadn't anticipated. The weight of my current situation seemed to lift, if only momentarily, as the allure of this unconventional path beckoned me forward.

"Uhm... can I get some time to think about it?" I requested, nerves evident in my voice.

"Oh, of course," she agreed, retrieving a business card from her handbag with the number and address of her company.

Later that day, back in my apartment's living room, I stared at Mariah's business card, contemplating the unexpected opportunity.

—---

It's been a week since Mariah came to me about the modeling gig and I'm meeting her tomorrow to tell her my decision.

I sat patiently in Oh! Gee! waiting for Mariah to arrive. After 45 minutes of waiting, she finally strolled in, she stood at the entrance scanning the place until her eyes landed on me. She walked towards me with a huge smile on her face. She sat in the chair looking at me expectantly.

"So, are you gonna take the job?" she asked.

"After careful consideration, I've decided that taking the job would be in my best interest since I might be having a baby. I've been looking for a fresh start—a new beginning, especially since I'm graduating soon. I didn't want to be stuck here in Nampa, Idaho," I replied.

"YAHHHH! You're gonna love it," she squealed, realization dawning.

"...wait, did you say, baby?" Mariah asked.

I nod, wondering if it's going to be an issue.

Opening a booklet and passing it over, Mariah explained, "It's not going to be an issue; we just need to know the timeframe. If you become popular now, we can give you time to have the baby and time to spend with it. In the meantime, you could also do maternity shoots and bump date; bump updates." was Mariah's reply

"Have you thought of what you going to do when it's born? Put it up for adoption?" After realizing what she just said, Mariah covered her mouth and wanted to apologize but I didn't notice.

"Mhmm, I have not thought about that. Just the thought of someone else rasing my baby seem wrong." Bowing my head, I continued, "Right now, this baby is the only thing I have to live for." 

"The Lord does not give more than one can handle." Mariah said with a devoted look on her face.

"I'll do my best to help you every step of the way. But you're gonna have to move to Chicago. That's where the company is, and where you'll be working. Don't worry, I'll be there for you, and everything will be set up." Mariah stated.

The anticipation of the upcoming move weighed on my mind as Mariah handed me the modeling contract. As I perused the details, a glimmer of hope emerged. The contract outlined a 40-hour workweek with flexibility for occasional extended hours during photo shoots and events. The salary offered was competitive, supplemented by bonuses tied to successful campaigns. Embracing the agency's image meant adhering to a specific lifestyle and maintaining a professional appearance in public and on social media. While dietary guidelines were not explicitly stated, the industry often implied expectations.

The potential for financial stability, professional growth, and networking opportunities were enticing pros. However, the stringent lifestyle expectations, uncertain schedules, and the highly competitive nature of the industry posed potential challenges.

With the contract signed, marking the beginning of a new chapter, graduation day arrived. As I packed for the move, Cain's message interrupted the quiet moment, presenting a choice: to embrace the unknown or remain tethered to a painful past.

What's up?

[Sender: Cain]