Atlantis (6 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

              Several more weeks passed and the girls were barely keeping their heads above the water. They had no record of any upcoming jobs so they weren't working. And no work meant no income. They had decided, reluctantly, that they had to cut down costs. So, they cancelled their private jet, cancelled their regular town car service, moved into one apartment together, and cut back on frivolous spending on clothes, shoes, and handbags. Life sucked. Sloane was miserable. Candice spent a lot of extra time at college, studying, learning how to manage them while Sloane spent a lot of time either moping around the apartment or hanging out with Jason. 

             
"Hey, no moping around here." Jason snapped his fingers in front of Sloane's face.

             
She gave him a weak smile. "Sorry. It's just…who knew this was going to be so hard?"

             
Jason laughed. "All the really good things in life are hard."

             
Sloane pouted. "We've had three checks bounce this month. If we don't get some work soon, we're going to be living on the streets." She swirled the wine in her glass, and then downed it in one gulp.

             
"Yeah, about that…" Jason sat next to her on the couch and patted her knee.

             
"Oh God." Sloane knew that look. That was Jason's I've-Got-Bad-News look. "What is it?"

             
"You and Candice have been missing a lot of jobs—"

             
"That's because we don't know about them. How can we miss a job we didn't know we were supposed to be at?" she interrupted.

             
"I know sweetie, but this is a business and not everyone is as understanding as I am." He grinned; then winked. "Y'all are getting a bad reputation in the industry. I've heard through the grapevine that people are going to stop hiring you two because you don't show up anymore."

             
Sloane set her glass on the coffee table, propped her elbows on her knees, and dropped her head into her hands. This was so much worse than she could've imagined. As if it wasn't bad enough they were missing jobs, they were now at risk of losing future one's too. What were they going to do? She stood abruptly. "I have to go."

             
"What? Why? Where are you going?" Jason asked. "I thought we were going to eat and braid each other's hair."

             
Sloane laughed. Jason always had that effect on her. "Can I take a rain check? I really need to talk to Candice."

             
"Of course, doll." Jason waved his fingers at her and she left.

             
In an attempt to curb their spending, the girls had agreed to walk to as many places as they could to save money on cab fare. Thankfully, the places they normally frequented were within walking distance. Sloane adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder and headed toward the public library, which is where Candice was probably hiding out.

             
Normally, Sloane would look around and window shop as she walked. But lately, she kept her head down because she knew if she saw something she liked, it would be pure torture not being able to walk inside the store and buy it. For as long as she's lived, she's never been broke. She'd always been able to buy whatever she wanted without a second thought and not having that luxury anymore was horrifying.

             
Sure enough, Sloane found Candice in the corner of the library hunched over a table, a stack of books hiding her from view. "Hey," she said, sliding into the chair across from Candice.

             
"Oh, hey, Sloane. What're you doing here?" Candice put down her pen and rubbed her eyes. With a sly smile, she added, "I didn't realize you knew where this place was."

             
"Ha ha, very funny," Sloane said, sticking out her tongue. Then she turned serious. "I just left Jason's house. He gave me some pretty bad news."

             
Candice groaned. "I can't take any more bad news."

             
"Me either, but you need to hear this. Apparently," Sloane looked around to make sure no one was in earshot before continuing, "we've missed more jobs. We're getting a reputation as being no-shows and people are going to stop hiring us."

             
"What?" Candice shouted, and then winced at the volume of her own voice. "Please tell me this is one of his sick jokes." Her tone was softer.

             
Sloane shook her head. "I wish it were."

             
Candice folded her arms on the table and buried her face in them.

             
"We have to do something," Sloane said, an edge of desperation in her voice.

             
"I know." Candice didn't look up for several moments. When she did, she said, "I'm going to give Marcus a call. Maybe he can give us some jobs. We'll have to start at the bottom again, work our way up, rebuild our reputation."

             
"I swear to God if I ever see Geraldine again…"

             
"I know." Candice nodded. "I know."

*****

              Three days later, Sloane and Candice were sitting coach on a flight to Michigan. The Parker sisters…flying coach…talk about an embarrassment. But, it was all they could afford and they needed to get to this job. It wasn't even a great job. They were modeling for a small car enthusiast magazine. It was pathetic considering not more than four months ago they were gracing the covers of popular magazines. But, it was a paying job and that's what they needed right now—money.

             
"It smells funny," Candice whispered, scrunching up her nose.

             
"I know. Thank God it's not a long flight," Sloane responded as she adjusted in her seat for the hundredth time trying to find a comfortable position. They'd agreed to fly back home as soon as the shoot was over instead of paying for a hotel, which is what they used to do. By the time she got back home she was going to be so sore and tired she vowed she wasn't going to get out of bed for a week.

*****

              "And…that's a wrap," the photographer said after he'd snapped the final picture. Sloane was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

             
"Fantastic job, ladies." Brendan, the guy who'd hired them for the photo shoot smiled brightly.

             
"Thank you," Candice said. "It was a lot of fun."
Not really
, thought Sloane. "These cars are gorgeous."

             
"Yes, they really are," Sloane agreed with a smile.

             
Brendan clapped his hands. "How would you ladies feel about hanging around an extra night or two? We're having a private show and auction tomorrow evening. I'd love to have you two be here to help present the cars, mingle with the VIPs."

             
Sloane and Candice glanced at each other, both knowing what the other was thinking.

             
"The magazine would cover the cost of your stay, and of course, you'd be paid for your services."

             
They spent the next twenty minutes negotiating payment. Then Candice said, "Would you mind giving us a moment?"

             
"No, of course not, take all the time you need," Brendan said. He walked over to where the photographer was and looked over his shoulder at the photos that were just taken.

             
"Well, what do you think?" Candice asked Sloane.

             
"I think we're being pimped out."

             
Candice laughed with disbelief. "Why on earth would you think that?"

             
Sloane rolled her eyes. "C'mon. We'll be paid for our services? He's offering an awful lot of money for what he described." The girls simply stared at each other for a few moments. They could really use the money. And taking a job like this at the last minute could do wonders for their reputations. Finally, Sloane said, "I'm not having sex with any old man car collector."

             
"Neither am I. If things get weird or out of hand, we leave. Simple as that," Candice said and Sloane agreed.

*****

              And that's how things went for them for the next couple of months. If there was an enthusiast group or expensive hobby, they were there. They did shoots for car magazines, boating brochures, water sports magazines, an off road Jeep club, an aviator's club. And it was always the same – a photo shoot followed by some sort of private event that they were paid to attend. No one had ever propositioned them for sex, which was good. A few guys at a couple of the events had gotten a little too drunk and started to grab at them, but the men were escorted out by security before things got out of hand. It wasn't too bad.

             
During her last phone conversation with Jason, he mentioned that the Parker name wasn't as tainted as it had been a few months ago. That was an improvement. The girls were in demand, just not with the photographers they would prefer to be working with. In time, Candice kept saying. In time they'd be back on top. Sloane was starting to wonder if Candice really believed that or if she was just saying it because it made her feel better. It sure didn't make Sloane feel any better.

CHAPTER TWELVE

             
Candice wiped a tear from her eye when Sloane released her. "I can't believe I actually did it."

             
Sloane smiled and fought to keep her own tears at bay. She didn't want her make-up to run. "My sister, a college graduate…who would've thought?"

             
Candice laughed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

             
"You know I'm only teasing." Sloane flung her arm around her sister's shoulders. "C'mon, we have some celebrating to do. Jason has something special planned at his place." She half expected Candice to protest and try to get out of going, but she didn't. Sloane was impressed, and hopeful that maybe Candice would start to get back to her former, fun self and not be so focused on school and work all the time. Sloane missed her sister and how they used to hang out and just talk. It was time they got that back – starting tonight.

             
"I thought Jason was coming to my graduation," Candice said, looking around for him.

             
"He was here. Then he left as soon as you got your diploma so that he could prepare for your party." Sloane led Candice through the crowds and toward the parking lot. They'd splurged for a car service today even though they probably shouldn't have. But if a college graduation wasn't a time to go all out; then what was? Besides, they were doing a little better financially. They now had steady work, even if it wasn't glamorous, and they were paying their bills with a little left over.

             
"Oh, I get a whole party?" Candice batted her eyelashes and giggled.

             
"Yes! Jason has gone all out, too. He's invited a lot of photographers, and some of our old contacts." Sloane grinned with excitement. "This could be our big break, Candice. We could get back on top after tonight."

             
"That would be nice. I hate having to worry about money all the time."

             
"Me too." They stopped in front of their car, and then got in. Sloane gave the driver Jason's address. Today, Candice graduated from college. Tonight, they would get back in the world they loved so much. Finally, things would go back to normal for them.

*****

              "Hey! Wake up!" Candice jumped on Sloane's bed and yanked the covers from her sister's head.

             
Sloane groaned and covered her head with her arms. "God, it's too early."

             
Candice laughed. They'd been out late last night, partying at Jason's house, and Sloane was no doubt hung over. Candice hadn't had that much to drink and was feeling just fine this morning. "C'mon, get up. I have to talk to you."

             
"So talk." Sloane yawned and rolled over.

             
"If I talk to you now, you won't remember anything I say." Candice turned Sloane back toward her. "This is really important. You have to get up."

             
"Fine," Sloane grumbled as she sat up. "I'm awake. Now, get me coffee or I still won't remember anything you say."

             
Candice hit her sister with a pillow. "Okay, I'll be right back with coffee. Don't fall back to sleep." Less than five minutes later, Candice returned with two steaming mugs of coffee. She handed one to Sloane, who took it and sipped greedily.

             
"So, what's so important you had to wake me up before noon?"

             
"Last night, I was talking with Becky Woods; she's a professional business manager who specializes in working with models and actors. Anyway, we were talking and she offered to help us out."

             
Sloane's eyes widened. "Are you serious?" Then she added, "Can we afford her?"

             
"No, but that got me thinking…what if we start our own modeling agency? We can call it Parker, Inc., and we can represent a few up and coming models while using it to manage ourselves. If we hire Becky, she can draw a salary from the business and we won't have to pay her out of our own pockets." Candice was so excited about the idea she could barely sit still. Hot coffee splashed out of her cup and onto her hand. She barely noticed it. "Well, what do you think?"

             
"You want to start our own agency? We can barely manage ourselves. How the heck are we going to manage others?"

             
"That's where Becky comes in. That would be her job. We would be her clients even though we own the company. Now that I've graduated, I have the ability to do this. We can get a loan from the bank. Our credit is good…" Candice hoped her excitement and enthusiasm was contagious because she knew she'd never do this without her sister by her side.

             
"You really think we can do this?" Sloane asked, sipping her coffee.

             
"I know we can."

             
Sloane smiled. "Then let's do it."

             
"Really?" Candice bounced up and down on the bed and squealed with delight. "Oh my God, Sloane, this is going to be so great. Once we get things up and running, we can hire an agent, too."

             
With a laugh, Sloane said, "What do you need me to do to help?"

             
"Well, I'll have to write a business plan for the bank. I can finish that this weekend and we can go to the bank Monday morning. In the meantime, I suggest we invite Becky over for dinner and offer her a job."

             
"Shouldn't we wait to find out if the bank will give us money, first?" Sloane asked.

             
"Probably, but I'm afraid if we wait, we'll lose her. She's in between jobs right now."

             
Sloane nodded. "Okay, I'll cook and you can pitch this idea to her."

             
Candice clapped her hands. "Yay! Okay, we also need to start looking for office space."

             
"Shopping?" Sloane grinned. "I'm up for that."

*****

              "Well, what do you think?" Candice folded her hands on the table and looked expectantly at Becky.

             
Becky dabbed her mouth with a napkin and took another drink of her wine before she responded. "For starters, this lasagna is fantastic."

             
Sloane laughed. "Thanks. It's really the only thing I know how to cook."

             
"Honestly, this sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. I'm tired of taking jobs with well-established firms that require me to follow their rules. Getting in on the ground floor, being able to find and develop new talent…I'm in." Becky smiled.

             
Both Candice and Sloane let out excited squeals and laughter. "Thank you so much, Becky, you have no idea how much this means to us," Candice said.

             
"Who's ready for dessert?" Sloane asked, standing. "I didn't make it, but I bought a delicious looking cheesecake from the deli on the corner."

             
"Oh, they have the best desserts there," Becky said. "I'd love a piece."

             
"Candice?"

             
"Yes, please." Once Sloane left the room, Candice turned her attention back to Becky. "We'd love to be able to hire an agent, too. In light of everything that happened with our prior manager, we're slowly rebuilding our reputation and we don't have any contacts anymore. I'm really hoping you do." Candice laughed nervously.  That was both a curse and a blessing in this business – everyone always knew everyone else.

             
"I do." Becky nodded. "You girls get to the bank first thing Monday morning and I'll make some calls."

             
Candice wanted to cry she was so overwhelmed by how helpful Becky was being. "Thank you, really, just, thank you."

             
Becky smiled again. "I always did like you girls. I've followed your career from the start. You two are going places."

             
That was it. Candice felt a few tears break free from her control and slide down her face. She hastily wiped them away. She had no idea what to say to that. Even their own mother hadn't had that much belief in them. Geraldine had only ever been concerned with how the girls looked, how much time they had in front of the camera, and how much money they made.

             
"May I ask, why didn't you ask your friend Jason to be your business manager? He's great with this type of stuff," Becky said.

             
Candice sighed. "After the fiasco with our mother, Sloane and I decided, other than each other, we're not going into business with family or friends ever again. It's too difficult and just not worth it."

             
Becky nodded. "That makes sense."

             
"Here we are." Sloane returned carrying a tray with three plates of cheesecake. They spent the remainder of the evening drinking wine and discussing their plans and goals for Parker, Inc. It was the best night they'd had in a long time.