Page 71 of The Client
“Yes.”
“I wish we could just go to the police and get Zoric thrown behind bars, but I know it isn’t that simple,” I say, thinking out loud, my hand still warm in his. “We would need evidence, and the testimony of other trafficked girls. The kind of proof that Zoric’s lawyers couldn’t find a way to shoot down in court.”
“That’s all assuming the case evergotto court. Zoric has the kind of money to make sure that never happens,” Rhys says. “He’s an evil man. I have no doubt that if I went to him with the information I have, he’d destroy McConnell Enterprises. Or just have me killed.”
Pulling away from him, I hug my knees to my chest. “It’s not worth the risk, Rhys. You won’t be able to scare him into backing down. You can’t threaten men like him. And there are other KZM models who have disappeared, and nobody knows what happened to them. That can’t happen to me. Or anyone else.”
He shakes his head. “Okay. Let’s just think this through. Tell me everything. From the beginning, from your first interaction with KZM, up to now. I need all the details.”
“First, tell me how you found out,” I say. “Your father must have said something, right? There’s no way Zoric told you any of this.”
“It was my dad,” Rhys confirms. “At work today, he showed me a recording of you and Zoric talking in an office, about you participating in the auction. It was awful.”
My cheeks go hot with shame recalling the details of that conversation with Zoric, but Rhys doesn’t seem to notice my shame.
“Dad’s trying to use that video to blackmail me out of my promotion,” he goes on. “I’m supposed to resign, leave the CEO position to him, otherwise he’ll take this to the media and destroy my reputation in the process. The company’s reputation too. But before I can try to fix any of this, I need to know what we’re dealing with. So tell me your side of the story. Please.”
“I can do that.” I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and begin. “It all started with the modeling competition in Poland last year. KZM was the sponsor. I didn’t really think I’d win, but the grand prize was five thousand dollars and a contract with KZ Modeling in America. My sister encouraged me to at least try. And…I wanted it.”
I remember every single thing about it. How it felt to be chosen out of thousands of hopeful girls. I was desperate and so, so naïve that I’d believed them.
The thrill of the check from KZM that I didn’t believe was real until it cleared at the bank and I brought the money—in cash—to my aunt and uncle, giving it to them to take care of Eva so I could go to the U.S. to chase my dreams of a modeling career. How I’d promised them that I would soon be making so much money that I could bring my sister to America to get her the very best treatment.
How much they believed in me.
The whirlwind of moving into the shared apartment with Diya and the others in the city of Chicago, the excitement of my first gigs, how motivating it was to get updates from Eva and share my small victories.
And then the night my dreams came crashing down in that office. How it felt to sit across from Mr. Zoric while he coldly revealed the truth of my fate with his modeling company.
Rhys listens, not interrupting, his hand warm on my knee. It doesn’t make the telling any easier for me. I’ve worked so hard not to relive what’s happened to me and how it’s made me feel. Focusing instead on moving forward. Looking ahead is the only thing that’s gotten me through, as if each day is a step closer to bringing my sister to me. Deep down, I know that that may never be a possibility. I could up and disappear like other models have before me.
It’s taken all of my strength to block out this nightmare and just keep going.
“I’m sorry,” he finally says. “I know it’s not the answer to your problems, but my God. I’m so sorry. For all of it. And your sister, and everything you’ve been through.”
“Thank you.” For all his faults and gruffness and indifference, Rhys is a small light in this darkness. Because when we connect, the stars seem to align, and everything falls into place. There’s something within him that I recognize and can commiserate with. As cliché as it might sound, I do think that Rhys and I crossed paths for a reason.
“You know that you did nothing wrong, don’t you?” he says, his voice getting more vehement. “None of this is on you, Izabela. None of this is your fault. It’s Zoric. That piece of shit is wholly responsible for this, and I swear to God, I will find a way to make him pay.”
“But how? How does this get fixed? You have a reputation to protect, and my contract still stands.”
“Not if someone else buys it out,” he muses.
“What do you mean?” I ask, my heart stirring with hope. “How would that work?”
“As cold as it sounds, what Zoric is doing—illegal or not—is business. And in matters of business, money talks. So what if I make Zoric an offer he can’t refuse, to buy out your contract in its entirety?” He nods to himself. “I’m sure there’s a number that’d get him to warm up and give me whatever I ask for. I’m not sure how much he planned to make off of you during the term of your contract, but I’d top that, double or even triple it. How longisyour contract?”
“Two years. Less, now. I’ve been working for KZM for about four months.”
He seems so certain and confident when he looks at me. “That’s it, then. I’m going to buy your freedom. And then we’ll present our relationship as nothing more than what people expect it to be. You will be my very pampered, very spoiled, very beautiful girlfriend. You won’t have to engage in sex work ever again. You can switch agencies and keep modeling if you want, keep sending money home, but you don’t have to. I can take care of you, and help with your family’s needs, too.”
My heart sinks.
“So…I will be a kept woman. And you’re my, what? My sugar daddy?”
“Sure. At least, that’s our cover story. If news of this should ever come to the attention of the press, they’ll see our relationship as an unremarkable arrangement that’s typical for powerful men. Nobody will question it. There’s no reason to dig deeper.”
“What about your father’s blackmail? He threatened you with the video,” I point out.
