After a night of restless sleep, reoccurring nightmares of the shooting were playing on my mind the moment I woke up. I shook my head lightly from side to side trying to shake them from my mind. It didn’t help one bit. I leant over to the bedside table and picked up my phone. The moment my eyes adjusted to the bright morning sun reflecting from the glass on my phone I gasped. Kyle had called eleven times. I began blinking rapidly in order to grasp what was happening. I couldn’t understand why he was even trying to get back in touch, I had completely forgotten to change my number but thought it was obviously by my lack of communication with him that we were well and truly over. I had ignored the text messages from everyone back in Australia and put myself on do not disturb the moment I landed here. I didn’t want to be contacted by anyone but now I realized with a new life came a new number. I called my provider and immediately requested a new number. They didn’t argue but charged me accordingly, it was effective immediately. While on the phone with them I made sure that Kyle wouldn’t be able to enquire on my account.
I checked my email and saw so many emails from him and friends. I didn’t even bother reading them. I selected them all and archived them, I wasn’t prepared to deal with them right then but knew it was a mistake to delete anything. I thought I was done until I saw one email I should read.
Sender: Nicolai Skenitte
Subject: URGENT - Police Investigation
Miss Reid,
I understand that you have instructed me to not discuss anything in relation to Australia, however I feel I would not be doing my job if I didn’t advise you that I have had calls from Federal officers wanting to take your statement in relation to the incident. During your grieving period I advised them that it was best to post-pone however now they have found out that you have left the country and are requesting an urgent conversation with you. I have advised them that I will speak with you and get back to them. Can you please advise me what you would like to do?
I know from my contacts that they are looking to prosecute the people involved but do not have any current leads. They do have cause to subpoena you to return to Australia and make a formal statement if you decline. My suggestion would be to deal with this now.
To be fully transparent I have also heard from Kyle and he is wanting you to return his phone call.
Please advise how you want to handle these matters.
Best,
Nick
I read his email over and over again. Wasn’t it bad enough that I had to live through the ordeal once? Now they wanted me to go through it all over again in extensive detail. I just wanted to put the past behind me, I didn’t know anything and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to give them anything they didn’t already know. I would only be recapping on things that I really didn’t want to have to think about anyway. As for Kyle, he could rot for all I cared. I had lost our child and he wasn’t there when I needed him the most so why should I care if he wanted me to call him back? I appreciated that Nick was looking out for me and I couldn’t take out frustration on him.
Sender: Antonia Reid
Subject: RE: URGENT - Police Investigation
Nick,
Thanks for letting me know. I really don’t want to have to do this. I don’t know if I would be able to survive the pain. As long as I don’t have to go back then tell them that I will do the statement via a phone call. If that doesn’t work then tell them they have to come here. I can’t go back there.
As for Kyle, please don’t respond. I don’t want him knowing where I am or what I am doing. I’m sorry for yesterday Nick. I’m just not sure where my bearings are.
I have changed my number so will text you from the new number now.
A x
The moment I hit send, I needed a shower. I text Nick my new number and jumped straight in almost forgetting to take off my clothes. The warm water washed away the dirtiness that I was feeling moments before. I stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed twenty minutes later and dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a loose T-shirt. I flopped onto the bed and decided to check my emails again incase Nick responded. As soon as I hit the mattress I heard the bell for the suite door ringing. Dragging myself towards the door was an effort. I looked through the peephole and saw Nick standing on the other side. I opened the door and stood face to face with the man who had delivered me bad news over half an hour before.
“Hey Nick” I said trying to cheer myself up.
“Miss. Reid, this came for you in reception.” He didn’t look me in the eye, he just kept staring at the black and gold package in his hands. I took it from him and looked closely at the embossed disguised letters P.R.E. It was from Paris Royale Escorts. I knew immediately that it was the induction package Elice had sent.
“Thank you Nick.” I responded quietly. Anyone else judging me could go to hell but something about the look in Nick’s eye made me feel compelled to explain.
“Miss, can I ask you a question?” He said cautiously.
“Come in Nick. I think we need to talk.” I said opening the door fully and stepping aside to let him walk in.
We were sitting face to face within minutes and the concern hung in the air so thickly that I was scared to hear what he had to say and didn’t even know where to begin.
“Miss. Reid, this is your life and my loyalty will always be to you. I don’t know why you are doing this and I really don’t need to know as it is none of my business but I would like to know one thing...” This looked as hard for him as it was for me.
“Nick, I’m in pain. I was so weak in Australia. I lost myself in that relationship and was blindsided when I was at my most vulnerable. I have never felt so lost or out of control. I know that this probably isn’t the best way to go about trying to fix myself but in all honesty, I don’t want to revisit any of it. I want a new start and with the choice I had made, I will no longer be Antonia Reid the vulnerable and helpless girl. I will be Antonia and in control of my life for once in a very long time!” I was breathless by the time I finished saying it all. I knew I had to get it out, he wanted an explanation and that was the best I could offer him.
“I appreciate and understand that Miss. Reid. I’m not going to judge you. After everything you have been through you deserve to take back what was taken from you and if this is how you want to do it then I will stand beside you. What I wanted to know was if you plan on staying in Paris permanently, because if you do then maybe we should start looking for something a little more permanent than a hotel for you.” His response caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting that to come out of his mouth.
“Uh, I hadn’t really thought about where I wanted to be based. I agree though. I’m not sure I want to be based here but I have to be somewhere near by”
“Okay, well when you have thought about it then please let me know so that I can begin making arrangements for you. One more thing...would you mind if I did a little research on this agency you are working for?, I just want to make sure you are going to be safe.”
“Of course. Would you like to be here with me when I open the introduction package?” I responded calmly. Something about his acceptance made it easier for me to open up about what I wanted to do.
“Yes please Miss.”
I began opening the neatly packaged envelope and was surprised to find only three pieces of paper. One was a guide to bookings, the do’s and don’ts, a contract and the other was a call sheet.
Paris Royale Escorts Photoshoot Call Sheet
Mode: Antonia Reid ONLY
Date: Today
Time: 12 PM - 5 PM
Start: 12 PM, Meet at the agency.
Estimated Time For Hair and MU: An hour and a half. (12:30 PM - 2PM)
Fittings: 2:30PM for half an hour.
End Time: The shoot should end by approximately 5 PM.
Theme: Sexy Glamour.
Looking at the piece of paper in my hands made everything seem so real. I was being booked for an official photoshoot as an escort. There really was no backing out. I scanned through the contract and handed it to Nick.
“Nothing in here that I would be worried about. I will arrange a car to and from the shoot and will be wherever you need me to be.” Nick said once he had looked over the contract. I signed it the moment he handed it back so that I didn’t have time to overthink.
A few hours later I was sitting in the makeup chair and watched as the short blonde makeup artist did wonders with my image. The look was understated and gorgeous. I almost forgot what the shoot was for.
“Have you ever thought about modeling?” she asked in her clipped British accent. It seemed that almost everyone on the payroll was American or British.
“I did for a while but it’s really not for me” I responded trying to keep things short and not really get into anything personal.
“Well take it from me honey you could make some real money in London. You could be a superstar!” She said excitedly. She got me thinking about what Nick had asked earlier...Maybe I could be based out of London?
“Do you like the UK?” I asked as I flipped through a magazine absentmindedly due to my lack of understanding of French.
“It is amazing. Have you been?”
“Once, a long time ago but I don’t remember too much about it.”
“Well if you get the chance, go. I still live there, if you need any pointers feel free to give me a call.” She handed me her business card and it was then that I learned her name...Giselle Price.
“I might just take you up on that” I responded almost convinced that I was London was going to be my new base.
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